Riverdale – Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Three: Peep Show

As the article that Werthers (Malcolm Stewart) penned makes comics unwelcome in Riverdale, Jughead (Cole Sprouse) notices that a story by Pep Comics looks eerily similar to the novel “November County” by author Brad Rayberry (Christopher Shyer). However, Fieldstone (Garry Chalk) tries to point out that “November Country” has its differences in story and that it is mere coincidence of the two stories. However, Jughead is not buying it. 

For Archie (KJ Apa), Uncle Frank (Ryan Robbins) has been taking notice of his nephew and decides that he needs to get him into better shape academically and socially. Frank’s first order of business includes having Archie first apologize to Mary (Molly Ringwald) for everything that he has put her through, then going to school and promising Principal Featherhead (William MacDonald) that he will apply himself more. Pleased with his answer, Featherhead dismisses him but not before pulling Frank aside to talk for a moment.  

Meanwhile, Betty (Lili Reinhart) has found herself in a state of arousal and curiosity after seeing a shirtless Archie in a towel through her bedroom window. Needing advice on how to be sexy, she decides to talk with Veronica (Camila Mendes) about it. While Veronica herself is still a virgin, she takes Betty under her wing and decides to give her pointers on how to be sexy…beginning with a fashion show of lingerie later at the Pembrook.  

After reading the book that Toni (Vanessa Morgan) provided her, Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) is intrigued by the story about female-on-female sexuality. Toni continues to make her intentions clear to Cheryl by asking her to come hang out at The Dark Room, but Cheryl is busy with getting her Vixens ready for the upcoming season. This prompts Toni to try out for the squad, with everyone but Evelyn (Zoé de Grand’Maison) on board with it. Toni’s tryout piques Cheryl’s interest and she is eager to have her on the team. Evelyn’s apprehensions about Toni come out later in a conversation with Cheryl, to which Cheryl immediately shoots down any notions about Toni’s sexual inclinations to her fellow Vixen. 

Later at dinner, Archie learns that his Uncle Frank was asked to be the new basketball coach at Riverdale High and is eager to have Archie join. While Archie has fond memories of playing basketball with his father Fred, he is not interested in joining the team. However, Frank is not ready to give up on his mission and takes Archie’s hot rod to push him to accept rides to school….if he agrees to at least be the water boy. 

At the Pembrook, Veronica is eager to see Betty try on lingerie and become comfortable with her body. Yet for Betty, she feels insecure about the notion of dressing up and reluctantly comes out to show Veronica the ensemble she tried on. Veronica sees that Betty needs more encouragement and does so by placing her in front of the mirror and reminding her of her smoke show capability. While Betty finally starts to feel comfortable in the lingerie, Veronica learns that Betty has decided not to wear it to school the next day. Instead, Veronica goes to Plan B and encourages Betty to ask Archie out on a date. Unfortunately, this also goes awry when Archie turns Betty down due to his Uncle Frank’s meddling in his life. Consoling a tearful Betty, Veronica proposes that they instead find some Stonewall Prep boys and go for a date at Pop’s.  

Unsatisfied with the turn of events and hoping to meet one of his favorite authors, Jughead tracks down the address of Brad Rayberry to explain to him about the plagiarism of his work. While at first Rayberry seems confused, Jughead explains how Pep Comics stole eight of his stories for their issues and did not give him credit. Offering him the latest stolen story “November Country,” Rayberry takes the comic from Jughead and shuts the door.  

Later when Jughead is celebrating his first cover and byline at Pep Comics, Rayberry stops by to confront Fieldstone about his thievery. Jughead intervenes and suggests that Rayberry make a profit off of any stories that Pep uses. This appeases Rayberry and he agrees to the deal, as long as Fieldstone pays him for the prior stories that he used. Fieldstone reluctantly agrees to the terms. Rayberry and Jughead later to head out to Pop’s Diner and talk about Jughead’s potential to adapt Rayberry’s stories into comics for him. Jughead is all too happy to agree. Their conversation veers towards the whereabouts of Jughead’s father and Jughead explains how he is in Toledo as he left after being the prime suspect in a robbery. While Rayberry is impressed with Jughead’s comics, he encourages him to write the story about his father as that is a more interesting topic. Later in his train car, Jughead takes Rayberry’s advice and begins writing.  

Although Archie is still struggling with his need to play basketball and Julian’s incessant teasing over this status, Frank is not done with his plan yet. To make Archie more of a “man of the house”, he gets Archie’s a job pumping gas at Pop’s. Archie is still not ready to do things Frank’s way but acquiesces to his demand. 

After finding Evelyn snooping in her locker, Toni confronts her and learns that Cheryl is still in denial over her sexuality. This upsets Toni and she confronts Cheryl in the locker room. Clearly, Toni is done with trying to pursue Cheryl and claims she is not afraid to be who she is. Still knocks Cheryl out of hiding and admits to Toni that she is into girls and very interested in her. Later at The Dark Room, Cheryl talks about her Aunt Carol and how her sexual proclivity made her realize that she felt the same way about girls. Toni admits to her attraction to boys and girls. Later at cheerleading practice, Cheryl announces how Toni will be at the top of the pyramid and officially puts Evelyn in her place. 

Eager to share his story with Rayberry, Jughead heads to the author’s apartment to hand him his story. While Rayberry goes to fetch Jughead a cup of tea, Jughead goes to sit down and notices a novel hidden in one of the boxes on the table. Curious, Jughead takes the novel and decides to read it that night. The next day, he goes to see Rayberry and admit how great his novel is. However, Rayberry takes offense to Jughead stealing his novel and forces him to leave his house. 

Even though her and Veronica managed to snag some dates from Stonewall for a night at Pop’s, Betty admits to Veronica that she still wants Archie. Eager to help her get the attention of her next-door Ginger, Veronica suggests talking on the phone late at night. However, Archie does not have a phone in his room. But when Betty mentions how she can see into Archie’s room, Veronica invites herself over to Betty’s house to witness this show. That night, both girls are subject to Archie stripping down….before they are almost caught and duck.  

The next day at Betty’s locker Archie approaches and asks Veronica if she can speak to Betty alone. Once it is just the two of them, he admits that he saw Betty and Veronica looking at him….and he liked it. Archie proposes that he and Betty make some time later that night to “look” at one another. Betty eagerly agrees and it’s a date. 

While Julian’s teasing over being a water boy pushed Archie to hit him, Mary finally steps in and learns that Archie’s reluctance to join the team stems from Fred no longer being around. Mary assures Archie that his father would be proud no matter what he chose to do, which eases Archie’s stress. Mary also decides to tell Frank to ease up on Archie a bit. The next time basketball practice occurs, Archie decides to finally step up and join the team….mainly for himself and his parents.  

That night, Betty and Archie finally decide to have their alone time. Each of them  start to strip down piece by piece, eager to get naked. Unfortunately for Betty and Archie, Hal (Lochlyn Munro) decides to enter Betty’s room at that moment and catches them in the act.