Took me by surprise but I believe this might be one of Riverdale's best episodes. Season 6 was entertaining but not to be taken seriously, and once S7 started I wasn't on board with the 50s. There have been good episodes but overall a more boring season.
This, however, is what they should've done from episode 1 if they insist on staying in 1955 the entire time. Every emotional beat worked, every joke worked (and not in a "this is so ridiculous way" like Riverdale usually makes you laugh). The pacing was great and unlike most episodes of the show, this one flows so nicely throughout its course.
Riverdale always has unnecessary scenes and weird cuts that disrupt the balance of an episode. They tend to go down random routes and abandon plotlines to pick new ones up mid-episode, but this one didn't. It had a beginning, middle and end that made for a great conclusion of every storyline they tackled.
And lastly, I wouldn't say it single-handedly "fixed" a few of their characters... but it's the most development I've seen some of them get in a single episode so far.
Very enjoyable episode and for the first time this season I was intrigued by the story. Rather than just waiting for a sign of them getting back to the present like I was for every other episode, this one allowed me to get on board with the 50s... 15 episodes in! They should've done something like this from the beginning.