Chapter Ninety-Four: Next to Normal
"Chapter Ninety-Four: Next to Normal" is the eighteenth episode of the fifth season of the American television series Riverdale and the ninety-fourth of the series overall. The episode was directed by Ronald Paul Richard and written by Tessa Leigh Williams. It centered around the stage musical Next to Normal by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey.
| "Chapter Ninety-Four: Next to Normal" | |
|---|---|
| Riverdale episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 18 |
| Directed by | Ronald Paul Richard |
| Written by | Tessa Leigh Williams |
| Produced by |
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| Featured music |
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| Production code | T13.22718 |
| Original air date | September 29, 2021 |
| Running time |
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It originally aired on The CW on September 29, 2021 and according to Nielsen Media Research, was watched by 0.25 million viewers.
It is the second musical episode of the fifth season and the fifth in the series overall, after "Chapter Thirty-One: A Night to Remember" (season 2: Carrie: The Musical), "Chapter Fifty-One: Big Fun" (season 3: Heathers: The Musical), "Chapter Seventy-Four: Wicked Little Town" (season 4: Hedwig and the Angry Inch), and "Chapter Ninety-One: The Return of the Pussycats" (season 5; on Josie and the Pussycats).
Plot
Alice struggles to cope with Polly's death and imagines a world where the Coopers are still a happy family. Betty tries to get her to cope as best she can, but Alice blames Betty for Polly's death and for breaking her promises to return to Riverdale sooner.
Meanwhile, Cheryl takes in Britta when she is kicked out of her parents' house. Archie and Veronica break up after Veronica realizes that they are on separate paths. Toni and Fangs declare their love for each other and vow to have each other's backs moving forward.
Tabitha lures Jughead into a dinner with her parents, and the two decide to begin a romantic relationship. The gang buries Polly's ashes at the cemetery and celebrate her life.
Cast and characters
Starring
- KJ Apa as Archie Andrews
- Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper
- Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge
- Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones
- Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom
- Casey Cott as Kevin Keller
- Charles Melton as Reggie Mantle
- Vanessa Morgan as Toni Topaz
- Drew Ray Tanner as Fangs Fogarty
- Erinn Westbrook as Tabitha Tate
- Mädchen Amick as Alice Cooper
Mark Consuelos does not appear and is not credited in this episode.
Guest starring
- Nathalie Boltt as Penelope Blossom
- Benton Greene as Mr. Tate
- Wyatt Nash as Charles Smith
- Tyson Ritter dubbed Nash in all Charles's songs.
- Ryan Robbins as Frank Andrews
- Tiera Skovbye as Polly Cooper
- Jacquie Lee dubbed Skovbye in all Polly's songs.
- Alison Araya as Ms. Weiss
- Peter James Bryant as Waldo Weatherbee
- Catherine Lough Haggquist as Mrs. Tate
Co-starring
- Kyra Leroux as Britta Beach
Music
| Riverdale: Special Episode – Next to Normal: The Musical (Original Television Soundtrack) | ||||
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| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | September 30, 2021 | |||
| Recorded | 2021 | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 41:17 | |||
| Label | WaterTower Music | |||
| Riverdale Cast chronology | ||||
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| Riverdale soundtracks chronology | ||||
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| Next to Normal soundtracks chronology | ||||
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On September 30, 2021, WaterTower Music released the musical soundtrack from "Next to Normal" episode performed by cast members.[1]
All tracks from Next to Normal were written by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt, respectively.
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Just Another Day" | Lili Reinhart, Mädchen Amick, Jacquie Lee and Tyson Ritter | 3:28 |
| 2. | "I Miss the Mountains" | Lili Reinhart and Mädchen Amick | 3:44 |
| 3. | "Everything Else" | Lili Reinhart, Mädchen Amick and Jacquie Lee | 1:52 |
| 4. | "Perfect for You" | Cole Sprouse and Erinn Westbrook | 2:05 |
| 5. | "Superboy and the Invisible Girl" | Camila Mendes | 1:53 |
| 6. | "It's Gonna Be Good" | Lili Reinhart, Mädchen Amick, Jacquie Lee and Tyson Ritter | 1:29 |
| 7. | "She's Not Here" | Lili Reinhart | 1:19 |
| 8. | "I'm Alive" | Jacquie Lee and Tyson Ritter | 3:14 |
| 9. | "I Am the One" | Lili Reinhart, Jacquie Lee and Tyson Ritter | 3:19 |
| 10. | "Didn't I See This Movie" | Madelaine Petsch | 1:00 |
| 11. | "I've Been" | Lili Reinhart and Casey Cott | 2:44 |
| 12. | "Make Up Your Mind / Catch Me I'm Falling" | Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Vanessa Morgan and Casey Cott | 3:00 |
| 13. | "Hey #3 / Perfect for You (Reprise)" | Cole Sprouse and Erinn Westbrook | 2:23 |
| 14. | "A Promise" | Lili Reinhart | 2:12 |
| 15. | "Maybe (Next to Normal)" | Lili Reinhart and Mädchen Amick | 3:02 |
| 16. | "Light" | KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Mädchen Amick, Casey Cott, Vanessa Morgan, Madelaine Petsch, Drew Ray Tanner, Erinn Westbrook, Ryan Robbins and Kyra Leroux | 4:23 |
| Total length: | 41:17 | ||
Reception
Ratings
In the United States, the episode received a 0.1 percent share among adults between the ages of 18 and 49. It was watched by 0.25 million viewers.[2]
References
- "RIVERDALE Releases Songs from NEXT TO NORMAL Episode". Broadway World. September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- Metcalf, Mitch (September 30, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.29.2021 Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 30, 2021.