Lol, was honestly planning on keeping these thoughts to myself because, you know, the energy in the room, but I do honestly think that this subject will be much less relevant after this week, so yolo I guess.
My Jabitha thoughts:
First of all, I don’t actually think Jughead and Tabitha are going to date or anything, I just don’t think that’s how the plots are aligning right now (A messier version of this set up would have Betty dating someone else because she doesn’t think Jughead is interested in being with her so she’s trying to move on, in which case, I do think Jabitha would have a fair shot. BUT I DIGRESS)
I do think that Jughead and Tabitha will have a moment, though. And I guess that specifically is what I wanted to talk about, how I would hope that a moment would address Tabitha’s arc with Jughead in 5a. I’ve been trying to visualize what it could be, something that respects Tabitha as a character, as someone Jughead would honestly be lucky to date, as someone who is more than just a plot device used for Jughead to bounce ideas off of and help him get back on his feet.
I would honestly like them to have a moment. I want them to realize that this could be a thing, even if it doesn’t happen. Just a moment where Jughead realizes if they pursued this, being with Tabitha could be a really good thing for him. Yes, I do believe that Jughead is still in love with Betty, and that he knows that, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be a road less travelled moment, a realization that maybe there isn’t one road to happiness. (And ftr this would in no way discount Jughead choosing Betty! In fact, I think the idea of choice is pretty damn romantic)
People keep throwing out the word “threat,” like if you aren’t “threatened” by the prospect of Jughead and Tabitha dating as a bughead fan, you aren’t “respecting” Tabitha, which like. Maybe I do see her as a “threat” to the status quo, I think Tabitha and Jughead could be happy together, could, dare I say, fall in love with each other (*SCARE CHORD*). This doesn’t take anything away from my love of bughead, but YMMV I GUESS.
To get to the point, there was this whole scene with Jessica early in the season where she was like “I don’t know what you need, but it’s not me.” And the person Jughead has needed for the first half of the season, the person who gave him a chance by giving him a job, who has kept him on his feet, who has been there right now, has been Tabitha. And I think it’s okay to acknowledge it, to recognize the potential there, for maybe even the characters to recognize the potential there, without idk, abandoning ship.
tldr: I think Tabitha is a wonderful character, she has great chemistry with Jughead, she’s been a person he’s really needed right now, she’s cute as hell, and it’s okay for him to recognize that, whether anything comes of it or not.
Or maybe they do date, which you know, could be really cute. And y’all can sit back and just chill.
But what do I know, who am I. I’ve just spent the last 3 years consistently drawing and writing bughead, but you know, clearly appreciating Jabitha means I hate Betty now, or whatever it is the kids are saying this week.
Okay, I don’t like to get involved in fandom nonsense, but I will say this one thing:
The show, Riverdale, teasing romantic relationships between the main cast and a supporting character of color IS NOT EQUIVALENT TO people in fandom legitimately enjoying and appreciating the potential of that ship.
The problem of Riverdale using supporting characters of color as temporary love interests is a fundamental flaw baked into the show because of its decision to structure plots around the Core Four ( + Cheryl sometimes) instead of treating the show as having an ensemble cast.
That doesn’t mean that it is a problem for fans to see the potential of that relationship and appreciate it, even knowing that little will come out of it on the actual show. People can ship things that aren’t canon! People can multi-ship! Recognizing that it will go nowhere, but choosing to give it the validity and potential that the show will not give it is not perpetuating the show’s writing problems!! Nor is it a threat to you!
You can have your problems with how the show chooses to write and treat its characters of color (we all do), without using it as an excuse to hate on a ship.
P.S. 1) you are all over-reacting to a promo shot, which is exactly what Riverdale wants 2) If y’all go wild in my inbox, I have no qualms with using the block button.
