Final Thoughts From the Riverdale Episode "The Wrestler"

Actually, to tell you the truth, I really don't have that much to say about Archie trying out for the wrestling team other than the fact this episode caused me to have flashbacks to other series that have gone the whole high school wrestling route.

In fact, as I was watching this, I couldn't help but reference A.C. Slater (Mario Lopez) from the classic Saved By the Bell, because there was part of me that was half expecting him to show up and save the day, much like he did for Screech (Dustin Diamond).

Since the whole point of this episode was Archie was participating in a team tryout, did Chuck Clayton (Jordan Calloway) lose his spot on the team? After all, he did just lose to someone from a lighter weight class and had only started wrestling a couple days earlier. That just seems like the type of guy that should be cut.

Am I the only one who doesn't believe Agent Adams (John Behlmann) isn't who he claims to be? And, this isn't just because he (for reasons unknown) reminds me a lot of Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle Maclachlan) from Twin Peaks.

For one, why is he putting so much faith in a hormonal teenager that, other than dating Veronica (Camila Mendes) has pretty much no connection with Hiram Lodge. Wouldn't Lodge's reluctant business partner, Fred Andrews (Luke Perry) be a much more logical choice?

I personally suspect he isn't really with the FBI and, instead, is one of Lodge's ex-business partners or a victim looking for revenge.

Yes, the Southside Serpents are the most obvious suspects. But, after learning of the Native American massacre her family sponsored, Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) seemed like an activist looking for a way to protest. And, considering she once burned down her family mansion, violently beheading a statue doesn't seem like something that would be beneath her.

In an episode that pretty much featured half-naked teenagers rolling around with each other, I have to say Betty's (Lili Reinhart) relationship with her newly-found brother (Hart Denton) ended up being the thing that made me feel unclean.

One thing, in particular, that contributed to this was actually downplayed by the show. SHE WATCHED HER BROTHER'S PORN MOVIES! Or, at least, that's the way I'm reading it.

I don't care if she's calling it research (so she can figure out her own dark side). The fact she would actually check out his homemade porn movies (in which he is the star) is a bit much for me, especially if he's planning on helping her explore that road herself.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they are bonding. But, I'm probably one of the few people who is siding with Hal (Lochlyn Munro) when he wants Chic out of his house ASAP. After all, he already has one grandchild that is the result of incest between cousins. This would be much, much worse.

The wrestling part of the episode seemed a bit dragged out for me and that whole Betty/Chic thing has the potential to make this series a little too much like a Law & Order: SVU episode. I honestly am not sure what to think.

My Grade: C