Additionally , the characters in Riverdale ’ s The Farm display only a partial understanding of goings on throughout their stay , with euphemisms such as ‘ purging of pain ’ and ‘ minor procedure ’ revealing that , whilst they might be consenting to surgery , they are unaware of the extent of this surgery before it takes place . 53 One thing that remains the same in both texts is that , as Althusser argues , the ‘ imaginary relationship of individuals to their real conditions of existence ’ are key to maintaining consent . 54 Whilst Hailsham ’ s students think that the condition of their existence is to become carers and donors , members of The Farm have believed that so far , their condition of existence has been pain and suffering . This desire to change their ‘ conditions of existence ’ is the very desire that leads to manipulation and further abuse .
The Undercover Investigator Finally , this article will examine the roles played by Betty and Kathy : characters who are presented as the sole possessors of insight into the posthuman social structures which surround them . The character who is perhaps the more obvious choice to examine here is Betty , as she never believes in the innocence of The Farm and is constantly seeking evidence against the institution . In a rare piece of scholarly research on Riverdale , Drumm argues that the dynamics of the Cooper family prevent Betty from being able to resolve scenarios quickly throughout the show ’ s run . 55 Whilst it is certainly the case that Betty ’ s personal involvement with members of The Farm renders her ability to remain invisible in her investigation impossible , I argue that it is this same personal involvement which drives Betty to seek answers , afraid of what will happen to her mother , sister , and cousin if the true intentions of The Farm are not exposed .
Betty ’ s ability to see past the euphemisms used by The Farm ’ s members is a key element of her presentation as the only person able to see the truth . She directly repeats and challenges the reference to organ donations as ‘ minor procedures ’ by declaring : ‘ that scar is not from a ‘ minor procedure ,’ it ’ s from major surgery .’ 56 This direct challenging of euphemisms reveals Betty as the sole source of logic and reason , with Kevin ’ s simple command of ‘ don ’ t ever do that again ’ demonstrating that subjects of the regime have been led to believe that this is the only solution to their problems . 57
53
Aguirre-Sacasa , ‘ Season 3 , Episode 21 : The Dark Secret of Harvest House ,’ 11:46 , 11:40 , Riverdale
54
Althusser , ‘ Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses ,’ 100
55
Richard Drumm , ‘ Riverdale .’ Irish Gothic Journal , ( 17 ) ( 2018 ), 193-194
56
Aguirre-Sacasa , ‘ Season 3 , Episode 21 : The Dark Secret of Harvest House ,’ 12:20
57
Ibid , 12:24