For one night only the Pussycat’s are returning to Riverdale (the show, probably not the town tbh) and we all rejoice! In the highly anticipated episode we catch up on what exactly Josie McCoy, Valerie Brown, and Melody Valentine have all been up to since we’ve seen them last.
This spoiler light preview was incredibly difficult to write. Not because of too many DNR’s to adhere to or because there isn’t a lot to say but because it’s such a great episode that knowing even any of it going in feels like doing a disservice to the viewing experience. My main piece of advice for viewing the episode if you have any type of sensitivity is to have some tissue nearby. There are highs and there are lows (and absolutely no high school football, the audacity) and you’re going to be a well of feelings.
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In an episode that can only be described as emotional, Return of The Pussycats delivers on the writer’s promise from summer of 2020 to do better by it’s POC, specifically black, cast members and characters. Josie acts as a vessel for the writers to address their own short-comings in a way that has been a long time coming and needed to be addressed. Though this isn’t the only messaging of the episode it is an important one.
Meanwhile, Tabitha continues to be included into different story lines (showing that she truly can and will fit in everywhere) on the canvas. She teams up with Veronica to set out on a business venture in the hopes of making her dreams come true. Also, she can really put on a performance, so there’s that.
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As for Melody and Valerie? They’re besties who are navigating adult life with a wealth of healthy relationships and so many good things happening in their lives. The episode opener alone is such a beautiful callback to the pilot while also turning it on its ear.
While the main cast of Riverdale are also in the episode, Return of The Pussycat’s is not about them though it is clear that toward the end of the episode the writers are setting up story lines for 5×16-5×19 while still remaining respectful to the fact that this isn’t really about that. This is all about black characters and their futures from Josie/Mel/Val to Tabitha to Toni.
It’s also about musical numbers that you’re absolutely going to die for.
In conclusion, this isn’t an episode that you should miss. You should 100% absolutely watch and if you don’t? Well…
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Riverdale airs on The CW Wednesday’s at 8/7c
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