In today's world of entertainment full of superheroes, someone decided it was a good idea to base a television show on the Archie Comic book series. Since 1941 the characters have become familiar to generations of comic lovers worldwide and now they appear on television though not in the same vein as the comics. All the regulars are there – Archie Andrews (K.J. Apa; A Dog's Purpose), Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart; The Good Neighbor), Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes), Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse; The Suite Life of Zack and Cody) and even Josey (Ashleigh Murray; Deidra & Laney Rob a Train) and the Pussy Cats (Hayley Law; The Arrangement and Asha Bromfield; Full Out). However, they are involved in story lines with darker, deeper and more dramatic flair than we usually see from the comics themselves.
In Season one we are introduced to everyone plus their parents played by veteran actors Luke Perry (Beverly Hills, 90210), Skeet Ulrich (As Good As It Gets), Marisol Nichols (NCIS), Lochlyn Munro (White Chicks) and Madchen Amick (Twin Peaks) – plus a special appearance from Molly Ringwald (Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club) as Archie's Mom. We also get the foundation of the story, which is that Riverdale isn't as safe and pristine as it seems.
In the first episode, we learn of Jason Blossom's (Trevor Stines; The Fosters) disappearance and the mystery surrounding it. No one really believes his sister's, Cheryl (Madeliane Petsch; The Curse of Sleeping Beauty), made up story and fingers immediately start getting pointed in various directions. Half way through the season though Jason's body washes ashore in the Sweetwater River (Ironic huh?) with a bullet in his head and the town goes ballistic (pun intended) ramping up the "crazy". Of course, that is only one of the plotlines permeating the season.
We meet Veronica who moves to town with her mom (Nichols) after her father ends up in prison for fraud. Then there is Betty's sister Polly (Tiera Skovbye; Sugar Babies) who is sent away "for her own good" to keep her away from her boyfriend, Jason (yes, the one with the bullet in his head). There is so much more to that story than I have time and space to fit in here. And Archie Andrews has an affair with his music teacher (WHAT!?!). Plus Jughead's dad (Ulrich) is an alcoholic who is head of a local gang.
Drama, Drama, and more Drama ensue. There is blackmail, murder, perceived incest, implied incest, teenage angst and for good measure… "Dark Betty". The scripts play out like a soap opera because that is what they basically are and things that you never see coming hit you like a ton of bricks. Does this still sound at all like the Comics we know and love? Of course not but the drama is snarky and delicious and it's an indulgent train wreck we just can't turn off! It is the newest teenage focused show now that The Vampire Diaries has taken its last bite.
The DVD has a few extras on it that are interesting and fun. There is Riverdale: The new Normal, Riverdale: The Ultimate Sin, Two musical pieces – I got you and These are moments I remember which showcase the talented, young cast, deleted scenes that actually fill in some holes, a mildly funny gag reel and what was probably the shortest 2016 Comic Con panel ever at only 8 minutes in length.
Riverdale started season one based on a gunshot and ironically it ended based on a gunshot too. We will just have to wait until October to see if the victim makes it out alive. In the meantime, if you haven't seen it, I suggest you check out Season One.
Grade: B
