Riverdale (5×03) Graduation Review

For our review of last episode, click here.

Synopsis: With Graduation Day around the corner, the gang consider their next steps beyond Riverdale High. Archie learns whether he will be able to graduate with his classmates. FP makes a difficult decision about his and Jellybean’s future. (IMDb)

With last week wrapping up all the mysteries of Riverdale, this week’s graduation episode could be an epilogue for these characters and their stories before the planned time jump. It’s a smart decision to jump past these characters’ college years so they could all find their way back to a familiar location. And it’s also a chance for these high school students to actually spend time in their school for a change.

To start things off, Jughead, Archie, FP and Tom raid the gym to find Jellybean’s accomplices sleeping under the boxing ring. This and JB’s actions lead FP to believe it is best for her to return to Toledo, but he plans to join her as she needs both parents. Alice is obviously shocked at their relationship ending, but it was bound to happen with Skeet having a planned exit from the series.

After the seniors open a time capsule from 1945 that holds a photo of students going to war, Archie decides that is his next step. Principal Weatherbee reveals to him that he will not be graduating, but he can walk with his friends. He decides to lie to them and say that all he needs is summer school.

At graduation, Betty gives a speech remembering those who couldn’t be there and reminds the younger generation to stay young and innocent. They receive their diplomas and a new chapter begins. The group makes a time capsule of various items including Jughead’s beanie and vow to meet up every year at Pop’s to stay in touch.

Then comes the parade of break ups. First was FP and Alice as he and Jellybean ride off on his motorcycle. Next was Archie and Veronica after he revealed the BArchie kiss and then enlisted in the army. However, next was Cheryl who decided to forgo going to college with Toni to stay and build up the family business. And then Betty tells Jughead about the kiss and over the summer they slowly grow apart. Meanwhile, Veronica decides to head to New York with her mom and prepare for college.

This leads a lonely Jughead to live in the abandoned Andrews home for the summer, then the bunker before going off to college himself. He returns a year later like they all promised, but only Jughead shows up to Pop’s. He reveals through narration that it would be six more years before he saw any of them again when they were brought together by a new crisis, a new mystery. Where does that live our beloved characters? Seven years is a long time for a lot to happen.

Detective Journal

• What will the time jump entail for all of the characters?
• Who will have grudges? Who will reconcile?
• Will any characters have died in that time?

What did you think of “Graduation”? Let me know in the comments below!

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Dylan Phillips