Riverdale: The Newest “Binge-Worthy Teen Drama” You Should Be Watching This Summer
I know it’s not “Stranger Things,” or “13 Reasons Why”, but it doesn’t have to be. Before you know it, someone you know WILL be talking about this show over the summer (if they haven’t already earlier this year) – mainly since it was recently added to Netflix from the The CW network. The show is currently sitting at 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and cited as "an amusingly self-aware re-imagining of its classic source material that proves eerie, odd, daring, and above all addictive.”
Now I don’t happen to be from a small town (I’m from West Philadelphia), but I certainly wish I was from one, given the amount of fun and danger the characters experience over the course of the season. Why do the small towns always get all the fun?
For fans of “Riverdale”– I’m probably already late for the party, but I’d say, “better late than never.” This show is a bonafide hit, and once it returns this fall (i.e. October 2017) on The CW network, it will certainly be on my watch list, especially after the town-altering finale that builds for a fascinating Season 2. Shall we begin?
As the Plot Synopsis writes, “After the death of one of rich and popular Blossom twins on 4th July, the small town of Riverdale investigates the murder. The series starts in September, the beginning of a new school year that brings new students, relationships, and reveals the mysteries of the past 4th of July.”
“Riverdale” premiered late January- May of this year, and is based on the “Archie Comics Universe” – yes, it also has that going for it (i.e. potential spin-offs, world-building, and a plethora of comic storylines). The show features a multitude of compelling characters. The lead character is “Archie Andrews” – a redhaired, football player/songwriter. “Betty Cooper” – Archie’s intelligent, and beautiful best friend/next door neighbor. “Veronica Lodge” – a former NY socialite with a criminal for a father. And “Jughead Jones”- the show’s narrator and Archie’s ex-best friend with a dark side, and other various characters.
One thing to point out is that the TV show “retcons” (in a good way) the characters of the show and its environment while taking some serious liberties from the Archie Comics for television adaption purposes. However, the show never completely forgets about its identity, and the actors on the show appear to look as though they were born to play these characters. The show’s atmosphere is both an exciting mixture of gritty, and slightly campy (i.e. clothing styles, certain teen drama moments) - but this also seamlessly works for the show.
One of the notable things I can say is that the majority of the characters are not what they seem at face value. Gradually, over the course of the show’s 13-episode run, these characters will unravel before our very eyes, and some viewers will be surprised by how attached you may feel towards them (in particular – Cole Sprouse’s portrayal of Jughead Jones). At least for the major characters, they are all relatable in some way, while they also have layers to them that cause them to be interesting, genuine, and downright shocking. In fact, you’ll be surprised how many “stable” families/homes you can count on your fingers over the course of the show.
And that’s just the characters – the overarching plot is even more engaging – this mysterious murder galvanizes the town of “Riverdale” for both teens and adults/parents alike, with far-reaching complications AND repercussions that as a viewer I could have never anticipated.
Honestly, this show nearly appeals to any audience out there: The various twists & turns that are hard to predict. There is a nostalgic mix of the 80's (my personal favorite era), although the show’s setting exists in our modern time. The inevitable teenage angst finds the right balance of melodrama and genuineness. Multilayered teenagers/adults. And a focused, overarching plot filled with cliffhangers, and even a hint of “supernatural” elements inevitably to develop within the show soon. I’d say it’s just what the doctor ordered for binge-watching this summer.
In conclusion, I’d like to scale each of the shows major areas:
Characters: The characters are relatable, complex, charismatic, and entertaining. Good luck not getting attached with some of them – 7.5/10
The Story/Plot: The plot stays focused with no filler episodes (thankfully), the murder mystery is engaging and pays off with a shocking, town-altering ending. 8.0/ 10
Entertainment Value – Above all else, this show is binge-worthy, along with excellent pacing and I found it to be very enjoyable. The show has the potential to be one of the next great teen dramas, and then some within recent years. Also, as it is a “shared-universe” (i.e. like DC, Marvel) the show invites some future character interactions and spinoff opportunities (fans of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch look out for her inevitable appearance) - 8.5/10
David’s Score: 24/30 - 80%