Riverdale: Chapter Sixteen: The Watcher in the Woods

October 27, 2017 12:34 PM - Season 2, Episode 3

Frustrated by the lack of progress in his father's case, Archie takes matters into his own hands; Veronica is glad to introduce her father to her friends; Jughead befriends a Southside Serpent on his first day at his new school.

Riverdale recap: 'Chapter Sixteen: The Watcher in the Woods' (Entertainment Weekly) -- It’s the Black Hood versus the Red Circle as the murder mystery heats up

Riverdale Recap: Lil’ Crime Stoppers (Vulture)

Riverdale Review: Chapter 16 - The Watcher in the Woods (Den of Geek) -- Archie forms a vigilante army! Jughead makes new friends! Betty gives the Gas Face! All this and more in an eventful Riverdale!

posted by filthy light thief (8 comments total)

Moose is in love with Kevin and Kevin like, doesn't seem to notice?

I was going to be so mad if they killed Kevin after letting Moose live though

The AV Club's review is pretty great:

For future reference, this is a list of people who think the Red Circle is a good idea:

Archie, a person who should not be put in charge of things. This was even the case for football. Keep in mind that he only gets the Red Circle idea because he hides his gun under his comics, with his old toys, because he is a youth.

New Reggie, a person who thinks dressing like the attempted murderer of his teammate’s dad makes a good prank. He is also a legit drug dealer, so you know, is he really that concerned with cleaning up the town?

Principal Weatherbee, a person who realizes this “school club” is teen vigilantism, but… that’s good for school spirit, I guess?

Dilton Doiley, a literal doomsday prepper (and gun runner) who the first season made clear should also not be around kids.

The Riverdale football team, who are mysoginistic at best.

Hiram Lodge, a convicted felon.

Ethel, as they do actually help her. Though now we have to ask who was following her and if it was (unfortunately) standard harassment or Black Hood-related. And if it’s Black Hood-related, what’s Ethel’s sin?

Possibly Jughead, but just as a joke.

posted by vibratory manner of working at 1:44 PM on October 27, 2017 [3 favorites]

I second that AV Club. That was hilarious. Dark Archie is a hoot. Doesn't even wear a hood in that video, man. And Hiram encourages this?!
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:53 AM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

Oh Archie. Your nativity is kind of adorable.

I'm glad Kevin is okay. Sheriff Keller is a terrible cop but one of the best parents.

Is the shooter deliberately trying to only injure people or are they just that bad a shot? They've now shot three people with no deaths and two injuries.
posted by daybeforetheday at 1:07 PM on October 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

Also the Red Hood or whatever gang just looked like they were about to start a very questionable music video or more likely a BDSM scene with Archie at the center. That was some sleazy posing, right up to Hiram watching alone in his leather chair with a satisfied smile.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 5:44 PM on October 29, 2017 [2 favorites]

Points to Cheryl for destroying Betty and Kevin's friendship with precision too. Girl's got game.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 5:45 PM on October 29, 2017 [1 favorite]

AHH!! - Netflix is now showing season 2 episodes! I don't have to sit through the CW app to see the new season!
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 12:42 AM on November 1, 2017

I really liked that Kevin got his own plot, and it was a real Kevin plot that had to be about Kevin, not like a Jughead plot starring Kevin. I like him a lot and I was disappointed that he's been so much a side character and I really liked the care and complexity with which they handled him and his feelings and relationships.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 5:57 AM on November 1, 2017 [1 favorite]

I loved that 1.) they recognized that this situation would be particularly dangerous for a gay teen cruising in the woods, 2.) recognized with sympathy (from a few possible angles) why Kevin was continuing to do it, 3.) showed him still exercising some common sense (and spidey sense) when it came down to it, and 4.) having a conversation with a freaked out but loving dad afterwards, without it becoming all after-school special. Plus the "dream-scene" thing in the car was terrifying.
posted by Navelgazer at 8:09 PM on November 14, 2018 [1 favorite]