Riverdale 1x01 Episode Talk

Hey guys! 

Title of Episode: Chapter 1 The River’s Edge

Director: Lee Toland Krieger
Writers: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

Rating of Episode: 8.5/10

I am going to do a little bit of a different post. This is going to be an episode talk that I have't done before. I never talk about TV shows in depth on my blog which I am sad about because I watch a lot of TV.  This review will have spoilers so beware.

Riverdale is a TV show adaptation of the Archie Comics and it is shown on the network CW at 9/10 central on thursdays. Riverdale has proved to be entertaining in just its one episode that I have seen so far.

Riverdale is compared to the TV shows, Twin Peaks and Gossip Girl, both of which I've never seen. However, I could easily compare it to any TV show that takes place in a small town shrouded with mystery such as Pretty Little Liars or Once Upon a Time.

Riverdale is about a town where nothing bad ever happens or is supposed to happen, but one day a girl, Cheryl Blossom says that her brother has drowned and no body is recovered.  The show centers around a group of teenagers, some of them friends with each other and some of them not. 

CHARACTERS:

The main character is Archie Andrews (K.J. Apa) who is a popular and attractive sophomore who has worked at his dad’s construction company over the summer which bulked him up. Archie has developed a strong interest in music, (which could be because of his affair with Ms. Grundy) and he wants to develop his skills further this year which puts more things on his plate due to already juggling football and his dad’s construction company with his school duties. [I have a question, when are they doing homework? I mean, I’m in school and homework is basically all I do.]  Archie isn;t the best, especially in the first episode but I am hoping that he will get better.

Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) is the sweet, perfect, girl-next-door who has had a crush on Archie, her long time best friend. She is adorable and shy and wears cute clothes but she gets a makeover in this tv series.  When Veronica, the new girl, waltzes into the small town of Riverdale, they quickly become the iconic duo, B & V. With help from Veronica, she becomes a part of the River Vixens [Riverdale High’s cheerleaders] and she even invites Archie to go to the dance with her, despite still not telling him her feelings because they always get interrupted.   When she finally gets the chance, it's after she runs home because Veronica and Archie spend seven minutes in heaven together and she’s hurt. Archie of course friendzones her saying, “I’ll never be good enough for you,” which broke my heart because poor Betty is such a sweet character.  

Veronica Lodge [Camila Mendes] is my favorite character, next to Jughead.  She’s one of the best characters on Riverdale, in my opinion. She used to be the queen bee at her old school and she says she wasn't the nicest but she is attempting to improve herself at this new school and town. She has some of the best lines in the show, especially her references to movies.  We don't know too much about Veronica Lodge during the first episode, except that she and her mother had to move to Riverdale because her father was involved in some fraud surrounding money and the bank.

Jughead Jones [Cole Sprouse] is the narrator of this television series. He didn't make that much of an appearance in this episode. We just got a few glimpses of him here and there such as typing on a laptop. Then we finally got a better look at him at the end which was nice because he had a conversation with Archie who used to be his best friend. [Hmm. What exactly went down between these two?]  I love Jughead because in a town shrouded with mystery, he's one of the ones with the most.  

Cheryl Blossom [Madeline Petsch] is the queen bee of the school and she does not want Veronica Lodge to steal her crown [which she very well could with Archie and Betty at her side]. Cheryl is captain of the River Vixens, the cheerleading team, and she basically is playing the pity card this entire episode. And why is that? Why, because her brother happened to drown on the 4th of July and she had to witness it. [Poor thing]. As of the first episode, Cheryl is not being portrayed as a character you would like. She is very much the antagonist.

Kevin Keller [Casey Cott1] is the only gay character on the entire show. He is another one of Bettys best friends and I really like him too. He makes funny, cute comments throughout but he doesn't do much else as of this episode. I feel like they are just putting him in for filler which is really sad. :(

The parents: I don't even want to go here. I don't like most of the parents AT ALL. Well, Fred Andrews seems pretty cool. But Betty’s mom [shudders].  

WHAT I LIKED

• The narration done by Jughead Jones. I really like how we get a teenagers point of view on the whole story and how he is basically narrating what he is writing. It's so cool and unique.
• The budding friendship between Veronica and Betty. I mean the chemistry between these two is so realistic and visible. I already love them together. Especially, when Veronica threatens Cheryl and tells her, “Betty and I come as a matching set. You want one, you take us both.”
• The Beronica moment. You know what I’m talking about. That kiss between Betty and Veronica that was totally done for attention and not for real purposes. [que groan]
• Archie’s passion for music. His passion for music seems really genuine and I am excited to see where he might go with it. He is determined to try and make it work with all his other responsibilities but I am guessing that it is going to be hard since Josie and his father both aren’t for it.
• Screen-time for supporting characters: Okay, I adore the main characters but I also like Kevin and even though Cheryl is a you-know-what, she still has hilarious lines and is entertaining.
• The music selections. The music picked fits the show and scenes so well. I actually follow a Riverdale playlist on Spotify because the music is so perfect.
• The lines. The lines in this show are hilarious and witty. I am in love with the writing for Riverdale.

Examples:

#1

Veronica: I’m filled with dread.

Archie: And why’s that?

Veronica: Are you familiar with the works of Truman Capote? I’m “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” but this place is strictly “In Cold Blood”

#2

Veronica: Wonderful. Ten minutes in and I’m already the “Blue Jasmine” of Riverdale High

#3

Veronica: What is a ‘Chock’lit Shoppe’ and why does it sell burgers?

#4

Kevin: Game changer - Archie got hot! He’s got abs now. Six more reasons for you to take that ginger bull by the horns tonight.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE:

• The teacher/student relationship Ms. Grundy and Archie being together just makes me want to throw up in my mouth. It’s gross. Archie is a sophomore!! And he missed something on July 4th to go hang out with his teacher who is probably like ten years older. It’s just disgusting, honestly.
• Cheryl Blossom is such a shady character. I have no idea what to do with her but I feel like she is definitely hiding some secrets.
• Jughead and Archie not getting along.  I want them to get along. I really do. [I know that I am in real life ahead of this episode but still]
• Betty’s mom. She freaks out at everything and acts like Betty is something fragile when she really isn’t. I just don’t like her. Another shady character y’all.
• Archie Rejecting Betty. This was probably necessary to plot development but he honestly just said he can’t give her what she wants. [Probably because of Ms. Grundy. Let’s be honest] Poor Betty looked so distraught.
• Veronica and Archie. I do not ship this. I am sorry. I can’t. Not right now.  What Veronica did was wrong. She knows Betty likes him and she just makes out with him in a closet.

Overall, I rate this episode an 8.5/10. It pulled me in and did not let go. Needless to say, I’m addicted to this show now. I’ll see you all soon for more Riverdale recaps and reviews!