With the case of the murderous Black Hood finally closed out in the first half of the second season, "Riverdale" is going back to its roots in the "Archie" comics.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly about its midseason return, showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa said, "The second half of season 2 gets back to a little bit of Riverdale basics, which is focused on stories at the school, kind of getting back in deep on the relationships and the friendships."
It sounds like things might get back to normal for Archie (KJ Apa) and the gang. However, knowing the show, the trademark darkness should still remain, just less of serial killers and puzzling whodunits that leave everyone feeling dizzy this time.
"There's still going to be a pulpy noir crime element to the second half, but there will be a resurgence of high school hijinks," he explained, adding, "and getting back to the roots of what Archie's all about, which is the kids and the school."
Betty (Lili Reinhart), for one, will no longer be sneaking around, gathering clues. Instead, "Riverdale" season 2B will move the focus back to her internal struggles and twisted family tree. In a separate interview, Aguirre-Sacasa said the Coopers will be front and center for her. This includes her long-lost brother, Chic (Hart Denton), who was previously teased to finally debut in the midseason premiere.
The showrunner could not say much about his arrival to town, but he definitely teased Chic "doesn't come in with a whimper." If anything, that means more drama for the Coopers.
"Riverdale" season 2 will return on Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 8 p.m. EST with "Chapter Twenty-Three: The Blackboard Jungle" on The CW. Apart from Chic's debut, the episode will see Southside High being closed and the student Serpents enrolling at Riverdale High. Jughead (Cole Sprouse) is threatened with suspension right off the bat while Veronica (Camilla Mendez) is called a "traitor" by Reggie (Charles Melton) for something that has yet to be disclosed.
Check out the promo below.
