Riverdale Queer Watch season 5 episode 3: What about Fangs?

Welcome to Riverdale Queer Watch, where we look out for Riverdale’s LGBTQ+ folks each week. Whether it’s a snuff film or prom night, we’re watching.

This past week, we saw the wrap up of the present timeline as Archie and the gang graduated and said goodbye to Riverdale as we know it.

While most of the back half of the episode focused on the core four’s send-off (especially Archie’s enlistment), precious little time was spent with the show’s queer characters, leaving us to ponder where they will end up post-time jump.

Riverdale couple: Cheryl and Toni

Over the last few episodes of season 5, Cheryl and Toni’s relationship has taken a strange and murky turn as Cheryl is forced to reckon with her family’s history for the first time.

While we got some sweet Choni moments, the “send-off” for these two felt strange and rushed, with Cheryl staying behind to repair the Blossom name and Toni heading off to college as planned.

The last-minute decision to separate the two could have worked had the entire story as a whole been given time to breathe, but that’s not typically this show’s forte

Riverdale couple: Kevin and Fangs

Even worse off was Kevin and Fangs, the latter of whom didn’t have any (notable) dialogue in the episode. I don’t think we ever learned what Fangs’ plans were beyond high school, either.

While we did get a sweet kiss between the two as the Riverdale High bell rang on the last day of school, there was no mention of where either of them will end up after high school.

Unfortunately, these decisions are consistent for an ostensibly queer show that continues to sideline its queer characters and stories. Maybe in the future that will change.

What did you think about Riverdale’s graduation episode? Let us know in the comments below!