‘Riverdale’ Season 5: Premiere Dates, Episode Titles, Cast and More

Since this episode has already aired, check out our coverage on it, including some thoughts on the premiere’s Choni storyline, and some speculation about the identity of The Auteur.

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Initially titled “Stand To Reason,” thanks to Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s Instagram we now know the episode is explosively titled “Climax.” We also know it’s written by Ace Hasan & Greg Murray, and directed by Pamela Romanowsky. Hasan’s previous writing credits on the show include “The Raid” and “The Great Escape,” while Murray co-wrote both of those episodes, as well as “The Wrestler.” Romanowsky previously directed “The Raid” and “The Great Escape,” as well as “Fast Times at Riverdale High” and two episodes of “Katy Keene.”

Depending on where you look, anywhere from two thirds to eighty percent of “Chapter Seventy-Seven” — a.k.a., the Senior Prom episode — was already filmed before the shutdown, meaning that’s what was tackled first once everyone returned to set.

And there are a bunch of things that have already been teased about the episode. With Archie and Betty seemingly putting whatever feelings they have for each other behind them, you’d expect the show to move on. Instead, it leads to an epic blowout between Veronica and Archie, centered around the song “Carry the Torch” he wrote for Betty. Meanwhile, Betty and Jughead are grappling with their own issues, and Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) meets Toni’s (Vanessa Morgan) family. You can read a lot more about what to expect here, but basically what was episode 20 should be filled with a load of relationship drama. Plus, KO Kelly (Zane Holtz) stops by from the canceled Katy Keene to punch Archie in the face, and even attend the prom!

…That is, if the scripts haven’t changed. Since the pandemic hit, a lot of work has been done behind the scenes at Riverdale, including breaking down Season 5, and rethinking how the time jump (more on that in episode 3) will work, given it’s coming midseason versus as a cliffhanger. There’s also the matter of Vanessa Morgan, whose push for pay parity and equal screentime led to an apology from showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, and a promise that the series will do better going forward.

Oh, and also there’s that whole “pandemic” thing. Despite having cast and crew quarantine for 14 days in Vancouver before hitting set, every production — including Riverdale — is rethinking how they handle every aspect of a shoot, from crowd scenes (get ready for everyone’s new favorite game, “scan the crowd for mannequins”) to intimate scenes (gargling with mouthwash for a full 60 seconds between every take of a kissing scene is now the norm).

That said, Aguirre-Sacasa teased the prom scenes have already been shot with an instagram post on August 18, and Lili Reinhart noted in an interview with Jimmy Fallon that the episode had three days left to shoot when they return. So fingers crossed nothing much has changed. Except, you know, the world.

Here’s the official synopsis for the episode:

PROM NIGHT INTERRUPTED — Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Jughead’s (Cole Sprouse) investigation into the auteur leads them to the discovery of a secret underground for red-band screenings. Elsewhere, in order to impress the visiting Naval Academy Commandant, Archie (KJ Apa) agrees to participate in a boxing exhibition against another candidate — KO Kelly (guest star Zane Holtz). Meanwhile, as Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) prepares for prom, she stumbles upon a major secret that Toni’s (Vanessa Morgan) been keeping from her. Camila Mendes, Mädchen Amick, Mark Consuelos, Casey Cott, Charles Melton, Vanessa Morgan and Drew Ray Tanner also star.

Since this episode has already aired, check out our coverage on it, including a breakdown of the reveal of The Auteur — and the season’s other villain.

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Previously titled “Follow The Green,” this episode is written by Janine Salinas Schoenberg & Devon Turner, and directed by Riverdale mainstay Gabriel Correa. Schoenberg wrote on “The Man in Black,” “Fear the Reaper” and “Halloween, while Turner has written on “The Red Dahlia,” “Prom Night,” “The Wrestler” and “Witness for the Prosecution.” Correa previously directed “Tangerine,” “Hereditary,” “In Memoriam,” “Jawbreaker” and “American Dreams.”

This episode will seemingly focus more on the Voyeur mystery. In case you forgot about that, someone has been mailing mysterious videotapes to the citizens of Riverdale. Initially they were just VHS footage of people’s doors, but then things turned way darker, and strange, cartoonish figures of our main cast were recreating murders on camera. Is this the machinations of Charles (Wyatt Nash) and Chic (Hart Denton)? Perhaps Jellybean Jones (Trinity Likins) and some young friends playing at the games they think their older siblings are playing? Or something else? If the pattern in previous seasons holds, we should get our answers here, then deal with the emotional ramifications in the next episode.

…Though if the script cover is any indication, we’ll still be dealing with some emotional fall-out. Though the comic panels on the scripts are hit and miss, this one was dead on: Veronica and Archie are broken up, again. Or at least, are staying together until after graduation, then calling it quits.

Here’s the official synopsis for the episode:

GAME CHANGER — Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Jughead’s (Cole Sprouse) investigation into the auteur takes a twisted turn after receiving a call from Bret (guest star Sean Depner). Meanwhile, Archie (KJ Apa) is forced to make an impossible decision when the person responsible for his father’s death needs his help. Elsewhere, Veronica (Camila Mendes) and Hermosa (guest star Mishel Prada) come up with a plan to force Hiram (Mark Consuelos) into early retirement, and Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) makes a business move. Mädchen Amick and Vanessa Morgan also star.

Since this episode has already aired, check out our coverage on it, including an interview with Drew Ray Tanner, a dive into Jughead’s lonely ending, the one thing missing from FP’s goodbye scene, whether a Josie and the Pussycats reunion is imminent, and how Penelope Blossom should keep walking out of weird things.

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The original Season 4 finale, it’s time for the gang to all graduate from Riverdale High! Initially, this episode was going to end with a time jump to five years later, after everyone has graduated from college, or whatever they’ve been doing in the intervening time. Now, we know that time jump is seven years — but whether that time jump will happen in this episode, or the next, we’ll have to wait and see. The original title of the episode was “Riverdale’s Reverie,” if that indicates anything to you.

As is usual for a season finale — though in this case it’s been moved to Episode 3 — the hour is written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, and directed by Gabriel Correa. Given that Riverdale is block shooting, and dealing with quarantine/COVID regulations, expect a lot more of one director getting staffed on two episodes in a row, versus the constant churn of a regular TV season.

As for where everyone is going next? When we left off in Season 4, Cheryl was attending Highsmith College in Riverdale, presumably with her girlfriend Toni Topaz; Veronica was going to Barnard College in New York City; Betty was going to Yale University in Connecticut; Jughead was most likely getting into and attending the University of Iowa; Reggie Mantle (Charles Melton) was going to Riverdale Community College; and Archie was headed to a Naval Academy. Kevin Keller, meanwhile, is going to Carnegie Mellon, just like actor Casey Cott did in real life.

However, Archie has nixed his chances at the Naval Academy — and we now know thanks to interview with KJ Apa that Archie will be joining the Army, instead. In photos from the episode, you can even see him headed out of town on a bus.

As for the adult cast, this also seems to be Skeet Ulrich’s goodbye episode, based on tearful Instagram posts from the cast and crew. And, we’ll be getting a Falice kiss, so that’s nice. Unless it’s a goodbye kiss, in which case, not nice!

Here’s the official synopsis for the episode, from The CW:

STAY INNOCENT — With Graduation Day around the corner, the gang consider their next steps beyond Riverdale High. Archie (KJ Apa) learns whether he will be able to graduate with his classmates. FP (Skeet Ulrich) makes a difficult decision about his and Jellybean’s (guest star Trinity Likins) future. Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, Madelaine Petsch, Mädchen Amick, Mark Consuelos, Casey Cott, Charles Melton, Vanessa Morgan and Drew Ray Tanner also star.

Since this episode has already aired, check out our coverage on it, including interviews with showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa explaining (sort of) what time period the time jump takes place in, Vanessa Morgan’s upgraded role, and a full breakdown of how the episode came to be. You can also check out our own explanation of the time jump weirdness, and an extended musical performance of “After Dark”.

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This is the first official episode of post-high school Riverdale, with all that entails. A lot of rumors have been flying about potential casting and romantic shake-ups, and while those mostly remain unofficial (keep reading for the official ones) I’d venture there’s no reason to do a time jump if everything remains status quo. Whoever they may be, expect some new cast-members, new professions, new relationships, and maybe some old sparks.

One of those initial rumors that is panning out? That Archie will be joining the Army, not the Navy. That seemed to be borne out by the script cover teased by Aguirre-Sacasa (fun fact: this is the first time since the pilot and second episode of the series that Aguirre-Sacasa has written two episodes of Riverdale in a row, in season), and according to Apa, is true. Though the script cover comes from Archie 1941 #5, which found the town grappling with Archie being MIA, and presumed dead after fighting in World War II, here we’ll get Archie returning to find Riverdale is a ghost town, thanks to Hiram Lodge. In an effort to rejuvenate the town he’ll get the old gang back together. First stop? Riverdale High.

Also getting some shake ups: Betty will have joined the FBI, and Jughead may be alcoholic and homeless (though it’s also possible Apa was joking/exaggerating this).

Seems… fun? Here’s a blurb from the schedule The CW released back in May:

“Season five of Riverdale will begin with our characters’ final days as students at Riverdale High. From an epic Senior Prom to a bittersweet Graduation, there are a lot of emotional moments and goodbyes yet to come—with some couples breaking up, as everyone goes their separate ways to college—or elsewhere. Then, we will redock with our gang as young adults, all returning to Riverdale to escape their troubled pasts. And life—and romance—will only be more complicated now that they’re in their twenties…”

Other bits of note about this episode! Drew Ray Tanner as Fangs Fogarty is officially joining the cast as a main cast member, living with Kevin Keller and Serpent Queen Toni Topaz. Toni, by the way, seems to be very visibly pregnant, and is running her minions through the halls of Riverdale High, picking up where Cheryl left off. She’s also, as teased in the Season 5 premiere, the new Serpent Queen of the South Side Serpents.

Probably alarming, particularly for those who ‘ship Varchie (a.k.a. Veronica and Archie): Chris Mason is joining the cast in a recurring basis as… Veronica’s husband, Chad Gekko. Archie-verse fans might recognize the name from Katy Keene, where the Wall Street type was played by Reed Prebenda. Here, he is described as “An Alpha dog… threatened by Veronica’s life in Riverdale, especially her friendship with Archie.”

Joining the cast full time is Erinn Westbrook as Tabitha Tate, Pop Tate’s daughter who moves to town hoping to expand Pop’s into a franchise. Though it seems reasonable to think that would bring her into direct conflict with Veronica, not so, says writer Ted Sullivan: “One thing I truly love about this show is it does not resort to the old trope of women hating other women (usually written by men). That will continue. Tabitha is good people! Be nice to her when she arrives!” he said via Tweet.

Three other cast members showing up, though most likely as recurring/one-time players: Jeremy Jones, Robert Egger and Skylar Radzion. The latter was widely rumored to be playing Jughead’s new girlfriend by fans (she is not), and the other two do not have confirmed roles at this time.

Oh, and we don’t know if she’ll show up in this episode or a subsequent one, but Filipina-Canadian Instagram star AC Bonifacio will be on the show as a River Vixen, and at some point will have a heated dance battle with Cheryl.

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We also got a sneak peek at the villain — or one of the villains — who will be threatening the Town With Pep post-graduation: a trucker who cruises the “Lonely Highway” complete with skeleton tied to his front grille. That ties in nicely with some promo art previously shared, showing a blonde woman running away from a 18-wheeler. Is that woman Polly Cooper? Tiera Skovbye, who plays Polly, stayed mum when we recently interviewed her, though did let slip we’ll see the presumably now nine-years-old twins Juniper and Dagwood post-time jump.

Regardless, time to bone up on your Duel!

Last thing to discuss is the title of the episode, “Purgatorio.” That’s the title of the second part of Dante’s Divine Comedy. The first part is Inferno, the second part Purgatorio, and the third part Paradiso. Though as usual Riverdale titles are mostly references to well known things that, like the script covers, only skirt the plot, there are two potential things to glean here.

The first is that The Divine Comedy is Dante’s journey through the afterlife, and in Purgatorio he reaches Purgatory, the halfway point between Heaven and Hell, natch. In the poem, Dante explores what the wages of sin and vice are, something that we’d venture Archie will be doing when he encounters Hiram’s Riverdale.

The second is that this is the halfway point. Obviously nothing is far from certain, but one could certainly speculate that Aguirre-Sacasa views this as the halfway point in Archie’s story — which is Riverdale‘s story, in essence — with the previous four seasons forming the Inferno part, and whatever is next eventually heading towards Paradiso. Don’t know if we can safely say “Riverdale is running for eight seasons!!” but it’s food for thought in terms of a plan, particularly given “Graduation” did a good job of wrapping up the first four seasons.

Here’s the official synopsis from The CW:

SEVEN-YEAR TIME JUMP — After spending seven years away from Riverdale, Archie (KJ Apa) returns to find the town is now under Hiram Lodge’s (Mark Consuelos) grip and on the verge of becoming a ghost town. When Toni (Vanessa Morgan) catches him up on what’s been going on, Archie reaches out to the rest of the gang to return home. Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, Madelaine Petsch, Casey Cott, Charles Melton, Drew Ray Tanner and Erinn Westbrook also star.

Since this episode has already aired, check out our breakdown of that shower scene, and why it was important to the overall structure of the series.

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Thanks to KJ Apa’s Instagram stories (I’m a detective!) we now know what the title of the season’s fifth episode will be: “The Homecoming,” written by Michael Grassi and directed by Steve Adelson. Grassi has written eight episodes of Riverdale, and co-created spinoff Katy Keene, so he knows a little something about the Archie-Verse. He also knows a little something about the time period — sort of. While Katy Keene took place five-ish years in Riverdale‘s future, we’re jumping two-ish years after that. Prep Pepper’s old age makeup now! Adelson, meanwhile, has directed three episodes of Riverdale, “Lynchian,” “Brave New World,” and “Faster, Pussycats! Kill! Kill!” as well as two episodes of Katy Keene.

The script cover features an hourglass and the faces of our main characters, teasing the time jump and the uncertainty of their futures. The title also seemingly either A) captures the “The” phrase popularized by The Batman, or B) refers not just to Homecoming at Riverdale High, but coming back to Riverdale the town. Coupled with “Purgatorio,” we now know that means the Core Four (now Five, featuring Toni) are indeed back in town and ready to bring the fight to Hiram Lodge.

Here’s the official episode synopsis, via The CW; and to those worried Toni might be shoved to the side after getting featured status in “Purgatorio,” her name is literally the first word in the episode description (after the teaser text, of course). You love, as they say, to see it.

THE FIGHT FOR RIVERDALE HIGH — Toni (Vanessa Morgan), Alice (Mädchen Amick), Archie (KJ Apa) and Kevin (Casey Cott) fight to keep Riverdale High’s doors open after learning that its budget had been cut by Hiram Lodge (Mark Consuelos). Veronica (Camila Mendes) gets creative when she discovers Chad (guest star Chris Mason) is having her followed. Jughead (Cole Sprouse) starts a new job after debt collectors show up in Riverdale. Lili Reinhart, Madelaine Petsch, Charles Melton, Drew Ray Tanner and Erinn Westbrook also star.

Also of note, though we don’t know if she’ll show up in this episode: Adeline Rudolph, Agatha on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, will be joining the cast as Miss Minerva Marble. Wondering about the name? Minerva is the name of Evelyen Evernever’s doll in the Archie Comics, which might send some alarm bells ringing. However, it’s more likely the show started with Miss Marble, which is a riff on Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, and went alliterative from there.

More importantly, though, in a post shared by Aguirre-Sacasa, Miss Marble is clearly glimpsed in the newly renovated Thornhill, home of Cheryl Blossom. And Petsch referred to her as “my Minerva” on her Instagram story. Is a new romance headed Cheryl’s way?

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Once again directed by Gabriel Correa, and written by Ariana Jackson, who previously wrote “Lynchian” and the Katy Keene crossover “Men of Honor,” we finally find out what the Riverdale gang is up to now that they’ve left Riverdale High: they’re going back to Riverdale High!

In fact, they’re all going to be teachers at the school, and will keep hitting Cheryl up for funding. Not only that, but Chad finally comes to Riverdale, which doesn’t sound totally welcome to Veronica.

Also, after the cliffhanger of the last episode, looks like everyone is going to learn Polly is missing real quick:

BULLDOG PRIDE — Archie (KJ Apa), Betty (Lili Reinhart), Veronica (Camila Mendes) and Jughead (Cole Sprouse) prepare for their first day as Riverdale High’s newest teachers. Veronica introduces her husband Chad (guest star Chris Mason) to the group after he shows up unexpectedly in Riverdale. After realizing they are out of funds, Archie and Toni (Vanessa Morgan) turn to Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) for help restarting the football and cheer teams. Finally, Betty, Kevin (Casey Cott) and Alice (Mädchen Amick) follow a lead after learning that Polly (guest star Tiera Skovbye) may be in trouble. Mark Consuelos, Charles Melton and Drew Ray Tanner also star.

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We’ve got another Instagram account to thank for info on this episode, which is written by Ted Sullivan (“Killing Mr. Honey,” “Quiz Show”): Ryan Faucett, who played Bernardo on Katy Keene, and will be returning to the character in Riverdale Season 5. How and why the hunky firefighter shows up on the series is a mystery for now, but given that Archie will probably take up firefighting himself post-time jump, it’s not too much of a stretch to see how the muscly duo could interact.

Also on a the speculation beat? Fire in the Sky is one of the more famous “true life” alien experience movies, based on the book “The Walton Experience.” If Riverdale is going full Mothman Prophecies this season as rumored, the alien connection makes a lot of sense.

Read the official synopsis from The CW here:

A FEW GOOD MEN — Following in his Grandpa Artie’s footsteps, Archie (KJ Apa) begins to recruit Riverdale’s new volunteer fire department. Toni’s (Vanessa Morgan) attempt to lure Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) out of Thornhill and back into daily life in Riverdale leads to more tension between the two. Elsewhere, Betty (Lili Reinhart), Alice (Mädchen Amick) and Kevin’s (Casey Cott) latest investigation leads them into conflict with Hiram (Mark Consuelos). Finally, as Veronica (Camila Mendes) comes up with a risky plan to support Riverdale’s local businesses, Jughead (Cole Sprouse) and Tabitha (Erinn Westbrook) begin to unravel an old mystery surrounding some strange sightings in the town. Charles Melton and Drew Ray Tanner also star. Gabriel Correa directed the episode written by Ted Sullivan.

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At some point in this episode, Archie dons a fireman’s suit sans shirt in what looks like Betty Cooper’s childhood bedroom. Naturally, the Riverdale fanbase was extremely calm and measured in their reaction to this information.

In other shirtless shenanigans, looks like this episode will be a big one for Kevin Keller, according to Aguirre-Sacasa. Here’s a picture of a buff Casey Cott getting sprayed down in the El Royale steam room:

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What’s with all the shirtlessness? Well, now we know: the gang will be shooting a benefit sexy firefighters calendar to help support the Riverdale firehouse.

But that’s not all! This episode should also be a big one for Choni stans, as we’ll finally find out who the father of Toni’s baby is. “We are going to keep Toni’s baby daddy a secret for a while, but I’ll tell you that I think we reveal the identity in [episode] 508,” Aguirre-Sacasa told ET Online. “And I think I can say that up to 508 there is a push and pull between Cheryl and Toni. Both of them want to get back together, but they’re struggling to be in sync about why and the exact moment.”

And we’ve got an official synopsis for the episode, too:

THE QUEEN OF CHAOS STRIKES AGAIN — A big announcement forces everyone to take stock of their current lives. Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) sets a risky plan in motion after learning some surprising news about Toni (Vanessa Morgan). Jughead (Cole Sprouse) tries to make sense of a strange encounter he had. Kevin (Casey Cott) and Fangs (Drew Ray Tanner) make a big decision about their future together. KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Mädchen Amick and Charles Melton also star. Rachel Talalay directed the episode written by Arabella Anderson.

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Here’s the official synopsis from The CW:

SCHOOL SPIRIT — After the Bulldogs lose several football games, Archie (KJ Apa) and Veronica (Camila Mendes) come up with a plan to boost school spirit. Jughead (Cole Sprouse) turns his attention to a student who he thinks might need his help. Betty (Lili Reinhart) seeks guidance from Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) after being faced with a difficult decision to make. Finally, Kevin (Casey Cott) is forced to face a dark moment from his past. Mädchen Amick, Mark Consuelos, Charles Melton, Erinn Westbrook and Drew Ray Tanner also star. Rob Seidenglanz directed the episode written by Ace Hasan.

Since this episode has already aired, the original text follows.

According to writer Ted Sullivan, this episode will probably be what would have been the mid-season finale in a normal season of television. That certainly tracks with previous seasons 3 and 4, which took breaks after episodes 9 and 8, respectively. Usually these sorts of breaks are built into the schedule to allow production time to catch up to the breakneck speed of network TV, so even without the holidays in the middle it makes sense that the season would pause for a bit midway through. He also, for what it’s worth, called it “a helluva episode.”

Also of note, there will be 19 episodes total this season according to Sullivan (the three from the previous season, plus 16 new ones). This is the last episode before a substantial break (the show returns on July 7), so it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect a big ol’ cliffhanger, too.

As for the title of the episode? The Pincushion Man is a character from the 1935 animated film Balloon Land, which was produced by Ub Iwerks, a.k.a. the guy who designed Mickey Mouse (nope, wasn’t Walt Disney). The Pincushion Man is about as far as you can get from the Disney mascot, basically a monstrous pincushion who chases around children with his needle fingers. As for what that has to do with Riverdale, pure speculation but we have seen a Mothman sculpture made of scrap metal… Could someone be wearing that “suit”? Or something similar? As Mickey might say: “Uhoh, Toodles.”

Here’s the official synopsis for the episode from The CW:

PARENT-TEACHER NIGHT — While preparing for the school’s Parent-Teacher night, Archie (KJ Apa) is caught off guard when his former Army General shows up in Riverdale with some unexpected news.  Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) pushes back after hearing that Hiram (Mark Consuelos) and Reggie (Charles Melton) have expressed interest in taking over the Blossom maple groves.  Jughead’s (Cole Sprouse) unconventional way to get through a case of writer’s block causes Tabitha (Erinn Westbrook) to be concerned for his safety.  Finally, Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Alice (Mädchen Amick) receive some unexpected visitors.  Camila Mendes and Casey Cott also star.  Gabriel Correa directed the episode written by Chrissy Maroon.

After an extended hiatus, Riverdale finally returns. And coincidentally, that’s exactly what the episode’s synopsis is about!

RETURN TO RIVERDALE — In the aftermath of the prison break at Hiram’s (Mark Consuelos) jail, Archie (KJ Apa) leads the charge to round up the remaining convicts on the loose. Tabitha (Erinn Westbrook) reaches out for Betty’s (Lili Reinhart) help when she realizes Jughead (Cole Sprouse) is missing. When Penelope (guest star Nathalie Boltt) re-enters the fold, Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) becomes suspicious of her true intentions.  Camila Mendes, Madchen Amick, Casey Cott, Charles Melton and Drew Ray Tanner also star. Tessa Blake directed the episode written by Aaron Allen.

Again according to your #1 source for all things Riverdale, the season’s twelfth episode is Ted Sullivan’s favorite (of the 14 the staff had written by December 5, 2021):

“No one will guess why,” Sullivan tweeted. “It’s a break-the-mold episode. You’ll understand when you see it. It’s inspired by two of my favorite movies. And no – it’s not a Barchie/Varchie/Choni/Bughead ep. But it does a deep dive into the legacy of the show and motivation for the entire series.”

Meanwhile, back on November 30, Sullivan tweeted that, “We just wrote my favorite episode ever. It illuminates more about Reggie than we’ve seen in 4 seasons.”

Might be putting two and two together here and getting four thousand, but it certainly seems like Sullivan is talking about the same episode in the second tweet, as the first. Pure speculation, but what if we get an episode that shows what Reggie has been up to in the background, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead style? Particularly since we now know Reggie is working as a heavy for Hiram (and a coach at Stonewall Prep)? That would be fun.

…But perhaps more likely, this will illuminate more about Reggie by focusing instead on Reggie’s father Marty Mantle (Matthew Yang King). Why? Again, these are spotty clues, but it looks like Episode 12 will be another flashback episode in the mold of “The Midnight Club.” Lili Reinhart posted a pic from the episode on Instagram teasing her Young Alice look from that episode. Kelly Ripa around the same time posted a pic of “two Hirams,” showing off her husband Mark Consuelos, and son Michael Joseph Consuelos, who played Young Hiram on “The Midnight Club.”

And this is extremely sketchy, but set designer Denise Nadredre posted a pic on her Instagram Story of a prop on top of a script page, which of course fans flipped, enhanced, and think may say the name of the episode: “Citizen Lodge.”

Certainly seems possible that one of Ted Sullivan’s favorite movies is Citizen Kane, and showing the back-story of how Young Hiram Lodge and Young Marty Mantle became entwined would, “dive into the legacy of the show and motivation for the entire series.” But like everything, until this is officially confirmed, take it with a grain of salt.

…and actually, you can dash a ton of salt on that because it was confirmed with the release of the official synopsis:

MICHAEL CONSUELOS GUEST STARS AS YOUNG HIRAM LODGE — Hiram (Mark Consuelos) shares with Reggie (Charles Melton) his origin story and how he went from a young Jaime Luna (guest star Michael Consuelos) to the powerful kingpin of Riverdale.  Elsewhere, Reggie reflects on his relationship with his father.  James DeWille directed the episode written by Brian E. Paterson (#512).  Original airdate 8/18/2021.

Here’s the official synopsis for the episode from The CW:

COYOTE UGLY — While helping Eric (guest star Sommer Carbuccia) deal with his PTSD, Archie (KJ Apa) is forced to confront his own past trauma in the Army.  To find the Lonely Highway killer, Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Tabitha (Erinn Westbrook) come up with a way to lure truckers to Pop’s.  Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) extends an invitation to Kevin (Casey Cott) and Veronica (Camila Mendes) gives Reggie (Charles Melton) a shot to prove her wrong.  Madchen Amick, Mark Consuelos and Drew Ray Tanner also star.  Gabriel Correa directed the episode written by Evan Kyle (#513).  Original airdate 8/25/2021.

After directing the de facto Season 4 finale, Mädchen Amick is back in the director’s chair for this episode, which is written by James Dewille.

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“There are those who say they support women,” Amick says in the post. “And then there are those that actually support women. Thank you @writerras for asking me back to direct.”

…and here’s the official synopsis from The CW:

MÄDCHEN AMICK DIRECTS THE EPISODE — Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) enlists the help of Archie (KJ Apa), Kevin (Casey Cott), Fangs (Drew Ray Tanner) and Reggie (Charles Melton) after she learns there is palladium underneath her maple groves.  Meanwhile, Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Alice (Mädchen Amick) confront a trucker who may have been involved in Polly’s disappearance.  Elsewhere, Jughead (Cole Sprouse) and Archie each confront events from their past.  Erinn Westbrook also stars.  Mädchen Amick directed the episode written by James DeWille (#514).  Original airdate 9/1/2021.

Though initial speculation about this episode was that production skipped it in the regular order because they wanted to make time for Vanessa Morgan, who just had a baby, turns out it wasn’t for a baby – it was for a bunch of kittens. Or, more specifically, the highly anticipated return of Josie and the Pussycats.

Written by Ariana Jackson and Evan Kyle, and directed by none other than Sierra McCoy herself, Robin Givens, the episode will welcome back Josie McCoy (Ashleigh Murray), Valerie Brown (Hayley Law) and Melody Valentine (Asha Bromfeld), as well as Katy Keene nemesis Xandra Cabot (Camille Hyde). We don’t know much more about the episode other than the Pussycats seem to have A) reunited since they mostly disappeared in Season 2 and were replaced in Katy Keene, and B) made it big, because they’ve got a tour bus with ears now.

Here’s the official synopsis, via The CW:

ROBIN GIVENS DIRECTS THE EPISODE — After going MIA during the middle of her world tour, mega-star Josie McCoy (guest star Ashleigh Murray) returns to Riverdale unexpectedly.  But it’s not until she reunites with her former bandmates Valerie (guest star Hayley Law) and Melody (guest star Asha Bromfield), that she opens up about the real reason why she’s back.  Elsewhere, Veronica (Camila Mendes) gets creative after a surprise visit from her old friend Alexandra Cabot (guest star Camille Hyde). Finally, Toni (Vanessa Morgan) steps in to help Tabitha (Erinn Westbrook) and Veronica land a deal.  KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Cole Sprouse, Madelaine Petsch, Mark Consuelos, Casey Cott and Drew Ray Tanner also star.  Robin Givens directed the episode written by Ariana Jackson & Evan Kyle (#515).  Original airdate 9/8/2021.

No info on this one yet! Come back soon, y’all!

Continuing the trend of Riverdale actresses with directing chops hopping into the behind-the-camera chair this season, Nathalie Boltt — who plays wind priestess Penelope Blossom — will be directing the season’s seventeenth episode:

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A post shared by Nathalie Boltt (@natboltt)

Not only that, but Boltt revealed a surprising fact on her instagram, that the cash register at Pop’s always displays the episode’s number (in this case, $5.17 for episode 5×17).

Though we don’t have a lot of info here, thanks to Vanessa Morgan’s Instagram story we know that episode 5×18 will be directed by Ron Richard, who has previously worked as Director of Photography for at least 15 episodes of Riverdale. And speculation is high that this might be this season’s musical episode.

As for what the musical will be? According to Lili Reinhart, who was spotted in the recording booth on her Instagram stories (Camila Mendes has also been recording), “the musical episode for season 5 is going to be so emotional.”

What will that musical be? Will it be wild like last year’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch? Or perhaps something a little more next to normal? We’ll have to wait to find out.

Season finale time, baby!

The show is returning for Season 6, so we will get more Riverdale past this point, but that’s all we know at the current time!

Where to watch Riverdale