There’s a menacing new villain in Riverdale season 3, and I’m already prepared to pledge my loyalty to the King…the Gargoyle King, that is.
The latest mystery killer to hit Riverdale seems to be straight out of Stranger Things and True Detective. Nobody knew what to think when little Dilton Doiley started murmuring about the Gargoyle King being real, but we now know just how real he is, and I’m here for whatever havoc his majesty is going to wreak in Riverdale season 3.
This eerie, bordering on supernatural villain is just what the show needed to keep things exciting. While sticking with the small-town-murder-mystery vibe of previous seasons, the Gargoyle King is once again offering a fresh take on the trope. It’s nothing groundbreaking that we haven’t seen before (like I said, it seems like it’s straight out of Stranger Things and True Detective), but it’s a new and fun way of unfolding a familiar mystery in this strange little town.
The villains of Riverdale past have all been scary for different reasons, and they’ve allowed for different types of story and character development to take place.
Figuring out who killed Jason Blossom was fun because we still didn’t really know the characters of Riverdale. We got to figure out who they were while, at the same time, wondering if they might be hiding a huge, murderous secret. It was an exciting way to expose some of the less flattering aspects of the characters who now feel like our own friends, family and neighbors.
The Black Hood/Hiram Lodge mysteries of season 2 were chilling because of how they put all of our favorite characters to the test. Whether it was Betty wrestling with her inner “darkness,” Veronica trying to interpret the moral code of her family, Jughead fighting for the Serpents’ rights, or Archie trying to gain control over the entropy of the town, everyone was forced to make tough choices and figure out where they fit.
We were afraid of Jason Blossom’s killer, the Black Hood, and Hiram Lodge because they were all hiding in plain sight, to some degree. This had the benefit of keeping us on our toes at every turn, but it was also somewhat limiting. Because they were blending into society, they could only terrorize the town so much. We had to assume that because our favorite characters were safe for so long, that they would continue to be safe. They obviously weren’t on the radar of the killer.
With the Gargoyle King, it seems like the opportunity for horror is limitless. We have no idea who/what this villain is and how/why they operate. We have to be ready to expect anything, and potentially nobody is safe. with the weird symbols, the immersive role playing game and the cult-like clues, it’s something completely different for the show. In my opinion, this makes the Gargoyle King the best villain that Riverdale has had yet.
The stakes are already so high. A character who we’ve known since season 1, and a main player in the Archie comics, is dead. Another character has very creepily committed suicide to “ascend,” per the Gargoyle King’s orders! Who knows what the Gargoyle King is planning and how far he will go to achieve those ends.
Speaking of nobody being safe, it looks like the parents of Riverdale will also have a hand in this season’s mystery. Any story line that gets all of those people in a room together is one that I’m on board for. I can’t wait to see how they all connect to the Gargoyle King, and what it reveals about them and the town as a whole.
Besides having the best villain, I also believe that Riverdale season 3 is unfolding the series’ best mystery, so far. They’ve already revealed some interesting information about some of the non-Vixen/athletes/serpents at RHS, there are plenty of clues that may or may not be connected, the town is being opened up even further, and, last but not least, the Bughead is so strong.
The mystery busting duo is back and better than ever before. If Riverdale season 1 introduced the characters and season 2 revealed their true colors, it looks like season 3 will be where we get to see them really shine and grow. Both individually and in their relationships.
Gone are the days of Bughead getting to know each other while they try to put together the pieces of a mystery. This is Bughead taking on the terrors of the town as true partners, and this is bound to be a highlight of the season. Hopefully some of the other characters will be able to get involved as well, so we can see a similar trust and teamwork throughout the entire group.
Now, I should say that I’ll sadly have to retract some of my praise for the Gargoyle King if he’s revealed to be the very obvious choice. At this point, Edgar Evernever seems to check off all the boxes, so if the case is truly that easy to crack, the season will certainly lose some of its intrigue.
For now, though, my fingers are crossed that this creepy villain and this great mystery will continue to unravel and become even more interesting. And since we’ll be travelling back in time to discover how the parents are involved soon, it looks like that will definitely be the case.
All Hail the Gargoyle King!