Chapter Fifty-One: Big Fun


"Chapter Fifty-One: Big Fun" is the sixteenth episode of the third season of the American television series Riverdale and the fifty-first episode of the series overall. The episode was directed by Maggie Kiley, written by Tessa Leigh Williams, and choreographed by Heather Laura Gray. It centered around the stage musical Heathers: The Musical by Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy, based on the 1989 film of the same name written by Daniel Waters.
It originally aired on The CW on March 20, 2019 and according to Nielsen Media Research, was watched by 0.83 million viewers.
It is the second musical episode in the series, after "Chapter Thirty-One: A Night to Remember". It was later followed by "Chapter Seventy-Four: Wicked Little Town", "Chapter Ninety-One: The [Return of the Pussycats]", "Chapter Ninety-Four: Next to Normal" and "Chapter One Hundred and Twelve: American Psychos".

Plot

Kevin explains to Mayor Lodge and Principal Weatherbee the significance of performing Heathers as the school musical. Cheryl discovers that Toni has been assigned as choreographer and they argue about who should choreograph the dance. Kevin makes Evelyn co-director due to the Farm financially backing the musical. Betty is annoyed at Kevin and tries to convince him to stop Evelyn from being the co-director. To celebrate Evelyn throws a pre-show party in their costumes where Kevin has a frightening drug induced hallucination driving him closer to Evelyn and the Farm. Veronica learns that her parents are getting a divorce and turns to Reggie for comfort. In the morning, Josie and Archie affirm their relationship to the cast much to Sweet Pea's dismay. Cheryl and Toni have a public altercation in the school corridors, ending with Cheryl telling Toni to leave Riverdale High. Betty witnesses Kevin and Fangs taking part in a Farm ritual and takes photographs as proof to Principal Weatherbee who is revealed to also be a follower of the Farm. Jughead learns that the old trailer is being used as a Fizzle Rock lab by his mother Gladys who recently returned to Riverdale and struggles to decide what to do with Betty. Meanwhile, Toni and Cheryl try to repair their relationship. Veronica divulges the state of her parents marriage and Reggie, realizing this is why she slept with him after the party, decides to end their relationship, leaving Veronica feeling isolated. On the night of the show Betty and Jughead set fire to the trailer. The cast performs at the end of the musical. Edgar Evernever, Evelyn's father, appears in the audience and starts to clap while other Farm members, dressed in white, follow suit giving a standing ovation to the musical. This distresses the cast, especially Betty.

Cast and characters

Starring

Mädchen Amick and Luke Perry are credited but do not appear in the episode.

Guest starring

Martin Cummins is credited but does not appear in the episode.

Music

On March 21, 2019, WaterTower Music released the musical soundtrack from "Big Fun" episode performed by cast members.
The lyrics from the songs in the episode are from the High School Edition of the musical with most of the profanity deleted.
All tracks from Heathers: The Musical were written by Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy, respectively.

Reception

Ratings

In the United States, the episode received a 0.3/2 percent share among adults between the ages of 18 and 49, meaning that it was seen by 0.3 percent of all households, and 2 percent of all of those watching television at the time of the broadcast. It was watched by 0.83 million viewers.

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the episode has a rating of 82%, based on 11 reviews.