Mysteries Abound in Riverdale Season 3 Trailer

Is it ever spring in Riverdale? The doom, gloom, and teenage angst seems to hang over the town in an autumn wintry haze. But let’s be honest. We are here for the drama and drama there shall be. Season 3 even seems to be slipping into the occult, perhaps a small nod to showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s Afterlife with Archie zombie series. Aguirre-Sacasa also created the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina the definitely looks like it will have ritualistic elements.

There always has to be something for Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Jughead (Cole Sprouse) to investigate, and this season it’s cults! Likely the cult that Polly (Tiera Skovbye) ran away to join to raise her and Jason’s baby. The truth holds secrets so dark that Jughead screams and Betty faints. Riverdale producers have denied a Sabrina crossover, but how many sacrificial cults can one community hold?

Elsewhere, Archie (K.J. Apa) is surviving – maybe thriving – in jail. After being framed by his girlfriend’s dad, Archie gets carted away. Veronica does what she does best and tells her dad off in a rousing victory speech. Meanwhile, Archie seems to have received a Southside Serpent tattoo. It will be interesting to see if Veronica approves.

We finally get to see Archie driving the Jalopy, which looks like it was peeled right off the page. That’s probably for the flashback episode where the younger generation plays their parents. Josie has also become a Vixen, which will require her to relinquish the spotlight she cherishes. That’s all pretty true to form, but as a lifelong Archie Comics fan, I delight in the wild turns Riverdale takes from the wholesome origins.

Moose (Cody Kearsley) and Kevin’s (Casey Cott) relationship is the most satisfying diversion. Moose is noted for nothing beyond his brute strength in the comics. He’s possessive, violent, and never faces consequences for his actions. Luckily that rigid masculinity seems to be shattered by a very public make out sesh with Kevin.

The thing I miss the most is the tension between Betty and Veronica trying to balance their friendship with their rivalry for Archie’s affection. Veronica made a reference to a Betty/Archie romance in season 1, but Betty blew it off and the romantic triangle never developed. Riverdale’s Jughead throws a big wrench in the dynamics by straying from the avidly romantic averse Jughead of the comics. There’s a romance for everyone, if that’s what they choose.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=17&v=rMju1TwdFeA

Riverdale returns October 10.

Featured Image: Lili Reinhart, Cole Sprouse, Camila Mendes and KJ Apa in Riverdale. Courtesy: The CW