TV Recap: Riverdale - Chapter Two "A Touch of Evil"

We're only on week two of Riverdale and the plot has thickened exponentially. Last week we were introduced to the students of Riverdale High School and got a last minute glance at fan-favorite Jughead. Chapter Two, titled "A Touch of Evil," picks up right where Chapter One ended, and keeps up the Twin Peaks references and the tension that was praised in the first episode.

As we learned last week, Jason Blossom's body was found by both Kevin Keller and Moose while having a trust by the river. Starting with a very Laura Palmer-esque autopsy and school-wide announcement. We're introduced to Chief of Police Keller (that's right, Kevin's dad) and Principal Weatherbee, both given the classic authority figure roles here. Of course, Cheryl Blossom being Cheryl Blossom, cuts into their announcement with some typically creepy statements about getting vengeance on her brother's killer. This sequence really does echo the same situation early on in Lynch's Twin Peaks, when the student body is informed of the murder of Laura Palmer.

Happily, Cole Sprouse's Jughead really breaks out in this episode and they really have done a wonderful thing with his character. Lost is the classic, happy-go-lucky Jughead that your parents grew up reading in the comic books. He's replaced with a somber, suspicious Jughead that's been all but abandoned by his former best friend Archie Andrews. I'm more than pleased with this direction as it will open up numerous avenues that the writers can take to bring them back together.

For viewers who thought the first episode's dark tone was a fluke, they were mistaken. Chapter Two keeps the dark overtone of the first and sets up new trials and tribulations that the Riverdale kids will have to deal with. Ending with a gorgeously shot pep rally with the entire school in attendance, this just seems like a taste of things to come. Another great episode for one of the best new shows on television.