WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Riverdale season three episode 13, titled Requiem.
Riverdale season three returned to the small screen tonight following a mid-season break and leapt straight back into the drama by delving into Glady Jones’s (played Gina Gershon) cunning plan to take over the town.
The mother of Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse) used her powers of persuasion to convince Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes) to betray her father’s trust, by spying on Hiram Lodge (Mark Consuelos).
She also rallied a number of Ghoulies converts, who formed their own Gargoyles gang, to join her son’s group, the Serpents, before Hiram got his paws on them.
While her deceptive scheme played out in episode 13, entitled Requiem, fans of the teen drama series shared theories about her end goal.
Many argued Gladys would steal the Serpents from her son and use her alliance with the gang and Veronica to control the town and continue her drug operation.
On Twitter, one fan wrote: “I already see the mess that will turn Riverdale. Gladys and Hiram will move the traffic in the city, with possible help from the Serpents. (I think Jughead will lose the lead to his mother) and Cannibals. And then the city will be saved by the teenagers.”
Another person tweeted: “My mum thinks Gladys will be in charge of Riverdale,” as a third said: “Oh no, Gladys is an evil manipulator.”
A fourth viewer added: “Gladys Jones is the new Hiram Lodge and I already hate her more.”
Someone else asked: “Is anyone surprised that Gladys is the villain? Because I’m not surprised that Gladys is the villain.”
Another contributor said: “Gladys got three Gargoyles to join the Serpents even Kurtz, but I’ve got a bad feeling about this!”
Fans of the show have reason to fear Gladys is up to no good, as she was very strategic about her affairs, using others’ needs and desires to benefit her own.
With Veronica having to pay her back for the drugs she destroyed, Gladys came up with a plan to lessen the teenager’s debt.
She encouraged Archie Andrew’s (KJ Apa) former girlfriend to update her on Hiram’s drug business, insisting it was a way the youngster could get him out of the corrupt industry once and for all.
When Veronica discovered Hiram was looking to use the Ghoulies to get his organisation up and running again she told Gladys.
After discussions with her informant, Gladys contacted the Ghoulies and persuaded them to join forces with her.
Later, Gladys suggested she control the streets, while Hiram tends to his prison – a deal Hiram agreed to when his daughter offered to help with the family business.
However, he refused to involve her mother Hermione (Marisol Nichols), as he believed she arranged for him to be shot during a family dinner.
Veronica is then ordered to pay him $75,000 when she confessed to burning his drugs and equipment.
Riverdale continues next Wednesday on The CW in the US and today on Netflix in the UK.