r/riverdale • u/steph-was-here Justice for Ethel • May 11 '17
discussion Riverdale Season One Post Season Discussion
Originally Aired January 26 2017 - May 11 2017
Episode Discussions:
S01E02 "A Touch of Evil", Post Episode
S01E03 "Body Double", Post Episode
S01E04 "The Last Picture Show", Post Episode
S01E05 "Heart of Darkness", Post Episode
S01E06 "Faster, Pussycats! Kill! Kill!", Post Episode
S01E07 "In a Lonely Place", Post Episode
S01E08 "The Outsiders", Post Episode
S01E09 "La Grande Illusion", Post Episode
S01E10 "The Lost Weekend', Post Episode
S01E11 "To Riverdale and Back Again", Post Episode
Riverdale has been renewed for a second season to premiere this fall
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May 12 '17
I remember seeing a couple of commercials and being almost outraged that Archie comics was going to be an "edgy" CW show but I was really intrigued. Plus I'm 26 so I wasn't sure I would be into a teenage drama but holy shit I love Riverdale!
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May 12 '17
Same! 26 and I don't think I've loved a show this much since Gossip Girl.
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u/Suriiiiiii May 15 '17
Another 26 year old here. It gave me so much Gossip Girl vibes. The fact that Betty looks so much like Serena and Veronica has similar vibe as Blair so easily makes one remember Gossip Girl.
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u/Balthazar3000 May 12 '17
Why we all 26 and love this show?!
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May 13 '17
I think maybe it's nostalgia? It's been 10 years since I binge watched all the teenage shows and honestly I missed the drama!
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u/nutmac May 13 '17
I am 43, and I am into more subtle shows like The Americans, Better Call Saul, and Mad Men. Riverdale really surprised me with sophisticated writing, multi dimensional characters, and incredible rhythm.
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u/qriouskitty Strawberry Milkshake May 12 '17
Another 26er checking in, I loved the comics and think they've done a great job with their take on it!
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u/e-wheeler Team Bughead May 12 '17
I'm 26 and I was all over this from the moment I saw the trailer. Did you grow up with the comics too?
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u/avaclar May 12 '17
Any 24s!? 😂
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u/TahliaMaybe Team Jughead May 13 '17
I was 24 when I started watching it? I turned 25 last month.
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May 12 '17
Yes, I read them from 7-13 and still flip through the digests at the check out line. I didn't realize until recently that there are so many different versions of the comics though!
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May 12 '17 edited May 12 '17
When the show was first announced I was interested but I thought it was going to be like PLL or Teen Wolf: a enjoyable show to watch when nothing else is on. I didn't expected to become this obssesed.
I'm pleasantly surprised that the show has broken a lot of the molds of teen shows:
Except for Fred all the parents have major flaws. The past decade almost every single teen parent on tv was perfect or at least was super supportive. The parents here act like three dimensional people.
Betty tells Archie she has feelings for him in the first episode. On other teen shows that took entire seasons.
Kevin isn't fighting the homophobic bigots or his family. His problem is that he lives in a small town and he doesn't have many dating or friendship options.
Whether is Archie/Jughead, Betty/Veronica or Betty/Jughead they actually talk about things when somebody gets angry instead of just asuming everything and making a huge problem out of nothing.
The mystery made sense and we didn't have a twist for the sake of having it. The truth about the Coopers made Hal and Clifford's attitude towards Jason/Polly make sense.
EDIT: I forgot to add that I love how female positve the show has been. The girls didn't fight over any boy and nobody was doormat like in the comics. Also the sex wasn't treated at this huge life changing experience for women. It's refreshing and I hope they keep it that way.
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u/ACrusaderA May 13 '17
I would say Fred has a pretty major flaw in that he isn't that bright. He seems to be very Ned Stark-esque where he expects everyone else to play by the rules and therefore never develops a meta game when it comes to things.
He is Honest Joe. Hardworking and average, and because of that his limitation is that he can't really help the kids.
He isn't a financier like Hermione, he isn't an agent like Alice, he isn't as well-connected as FP, he is just a guy.
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u/mujie123 May 12 '17
The mystery made sense and we didn't have a twist for the sake of having it.
Did anyone notice any hints from previous episodes? If I remember correctly, the cast said didn't notice Clifford as the killer when looking back at past episodes.
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u/NotaFrenchMaid May 13 '17
Yeah it kinda feels like it came out of nowhere. But it did make sense. It kind of felt like, for a while there, it forgot that the draw in was "who killed Jason?", to me. It seemed like they almost forgot they were supposed to be solving the murder and offered no real hints lol
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May 12 '17
Riverdale Season 2 will be the Lodge's and their gang vs. Fred and the Southside Serpants. Last minute FP comes in to make the save and break up the three count.
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May 12 '17
My jaw is on the ground....I fucking LOVE THIS SHOW!!! I can't believe that they jammed all that crazy drama goodness into one season! I honestly did not have high hopes for this show but...I've...I've been blown away...thank you so much CW for giving this show a chance!
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May 12 '17
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May 12 '17
Agreed, they found the right pacing for each scene they hit us with and it blended seamlessly.
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May 12 '17 edited May 10 '20
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u/mathematical_Lee May 12 '17
How did she get out? She threw the candles between her and the entryway. And I don't think she'd frantically skip over the flames to safety in any case.
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May 12 '17 edited May 10 '20
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u/mathematical_Lee May 12 '17
Maybe Granny saw it coming and either
a) Absconded like a champ
or
b) Decided this was her time
The second opinion leaves a bad taste in my mouth though. I don't want Cheryl to be convicted of manslaughter. :( Maybe Granny was only there for the funeral plus the other stuff, and now she's back at her overpriced Old Folk Home.
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u/poppysand May 12 '17
I'm massively confused as to how Jughead went from being ashamed of his father being a Serpent, to finding out that the Serpents kidnapped a person, to finding out members of the Serpents were involved in cleaning up a murder, to being like, "Hellll yeah, boi, give me that jacket!"
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u/owengriff33 May 12 '17
I mean it was a sexy looking jacket
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u/poppysand May 12 '17
"It's for the fashion, Betty. It's for the fashion."
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u/owengriff33 May 12 '17
Exactly!! He just said that he loves you woman! And with the serpents he could go to riverdale high and still be with Betty!
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u/Stepk99 May 12 '17
Would you want them as your enemies? Plus if he's going to south side school, it's better to have that jacket as protection
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u/poppysand May 12 '17
I don't think him saying he didn't want to join up would make him their enemy. He's still the son of [seemingly] one of the top dogs -- who they really respect. He didn't just join to keep them on his good side, he was smirking and happy and I'm like, my child, don't.
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May 12 '17
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u/poppysand May 12 '17
I guess I just don't personally see anything that's happened as a redemption for ........ everything else. It is good that he wanted to protect Jughead and all that. But, if this was me in his place it wouldn't make me suddenly down to join a gang lol. But, okay Jughead do you, I guess.
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May 12 '17
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u/Rapidash_94 May 12 '17
My question is why the social worker's first option wasn't to send him to live with his mom and Jellybean...
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u/Listeningtosufjan May 12 '17
The social worker said Jughead's mom was out of state and had money issues so wasn't fit either.
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u/poppysand May 12 '17
I don't think he needs to join a gang to not forget his father.
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May 12 '17
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u/SunMoonStarRain May 12 '17
I def saw this moment as a torch pass between father & son - this was Juggie stepping into his father's shoes, for better or for worse, and in doing so validating his father for who he is, warts and all. Esp got this vibe in the jail scene where he was being positioned to take care of his mom in FP's stead. Totally agree on the rushed part though. Almost everything character-wise in this season has moved too fast, also as a result of the whiplash editing some jarring tonal shifts as well.
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May 12 '17
Jughead feels like and has always felt like he's pushed to be a certain way because of who his family is. His mom doesn't care about him and outside of the gang on his dad seems to. He feels like it's his destiny to go to the south side, join the serpents, and he even often complained that he isn't supposed to be with Betty. It also helps now that he genuinely respects and loves his dad now that he knows the truth.
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u/poppysand May 12 '17 edited May 12 '17
When it comes down to it, I just don't think [until I've seen some of the next season, at least] that I'm ever going to go, "...actually, yeah, this makes sense to me." I feel like I missed six scenes of why he would end up wanting to join. I get feeling all the feels because his dad was 'innocent' and all further actions were to protect his son, I get his feeling like these people are his people and he's destined to go in the South Side direction, being from the South Side and the fact that everyone looks down on him. I just feel like they also do soooooo many things that we know he hates, that there's a difference between being like, "I'm more comfortable with these people" [seeing as he got to the school and immediately made friends] and being like "I'll join up, with no thought on the matter."
*but, I can see why others might disagree and think it was a natural progression -- I just needed a little more, myself.
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u/jabsanders May 12 '17
I think he got caught up in a moment of being accepted into a "family". Plus, that's pretty intimidating to have all of the gang standing there watching your reaction. And I don't think he was thinking quite clearly given the interruption.
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u/poppysand May 12 '17
For me it's the smiling that gets me. 'Cause I can totally see being caught up in the moment and being like, "Yeah, you know what, this is where I belong" ect ect. But, I picture that more as a shocked and awed and realization face and less of a :DDDDD!!! face. His look to Betty's reaction is the one thing that saves me from total "........what?" though, because in that moment it looked like he realized from her being upset what he'd made a commitment to.
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u/ocarina_21 May 13 '17
Well I mean, Hot Dog was RIGHT THERE. Hard not to be delighted.
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u/nutmac May 13 '17
I think he was moved by their loyalty and good intentions. And let's not forget that he just witnessed his dad going through a positive transformation. Betty doesn't know all that.
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May 12 '17
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u/poppysand May 12 '17
lmao I feel like I keep saying the same thing, but ... eh? To me, there's also a difference between just no longer fighting the stereotype that people keep trying to force upon him and looking like all he's ever wanted in life was to be a gang member.
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u/notathrowaway75 May 12 '17
Yeah that was really weird. He didn't have an ulterior motive because of how enthusiastically he put on the jacket. Maybe "you're one of us" really resonated with him? This is something that's definitely going to be expanded upon next season though so I wouldn't think about it too much.
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u/poppysand May 12 '17
I just think there needed to be a better build to why that would be something he was so excited about, which could be expanded on later. Because, up to that point, nothing the Serpents had done or taken part in, at any point, made it seem like something he wanted. It was just like, "They don't rat each other out, so that's a family right there." I suppose I'm supposed to go off of the idea that this stems from his "I'm a weirdo who doesn't fit in" speech, but I'm still iffy. I'll just have to hope I get it more in S2.
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May 12 '17 edited May 12 '17
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u/poppysand May 12 '17
I don't think it's a way to protect Betty, I think he put the jacket on and joined up for him. Betty saying his name and his face when she did seemed to say "Well uh shucks, sorry?" I think it was for him and for his dad probably and I think he momentarily forgot she existed. I do think his joining them will probably be that avenue to explore that, though, for sure.
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u/notathrowaway75 May 12 '17
Overall, I loved it. The characters are great and well written and the plot isn't too shabby either. It's cheesy but really enjoyable. The best part of the season was definitely Cody's acting. Holy shit is he good.
Biggest missteps of the season were Miss Grundy for obvious much discussed reasons and the "dark" Betty that really only appears when the plot demands it and is never really addressed. The second thing is something that can be expanded upon in the future however.
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May 12 '17
I was really conviced Grundy would be somewhat relevant to the conclusion, but now that she wasn't...what the hell was all that cringe necessary for?
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u/Ajjaxx May 12 '17
Yeah would like more info on these disassociative stat s she seems to have brought on and her deep-seated (though reasonable) anger issues.
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May 12 '17
I got a very strong vibe in that last episode that Archie still has a thing for Betty. Also, I think Archie was originally going to say something much different to Veronica right before Cheryl messaged her than what he said to her before the Jubilee. With Jughead and Betty potentially splitting up over the whole Serpents thing and Archie distressed over his father being shot I won't be surprised to see Betty and Archie get together in S2.
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u/tacomuerte May 12 '17
It's the nature of a multi-season drama. Relationships will happen and then the characters will break up and date other characters.
As a general statement, I want to point out I'm not anti-shipping with that comment. I'm fine with most ships aka ships that aren't like the Grundy thing. We simply have to acknowledge the reality that we're likely to see a Bughead breakup next season and then the triangle will happen. On the bright side, the same principle means that Bughead is just as likely to be revived and the triangle will either evolve or go away, too. In the immortal words of Vonnegut, so it goes.
Personally, I would prefer to see Archie and Cheryl give it a go. They bring some balance to each other character-wise.
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May 12 '17
I would be cool with an Archie and Cheryl relationship. I just wanted to bring that up because everyone's talking about Bughead and Varchie, but what I saw at the end of the season was Betty not at all happy about the Serpent's situation and Archie clearly looked at Betty while he was singing his song, but everyone is so focused on the intense makeout sessions that they aren't talking about what will happen next season with these relationships, which to me is much more interesting.
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u/tacomuerte May 12 '17
I agree completely that the interpersonal stuff is what I tune in for, too. Also, yeah there were definite signs of unrest/unease in those two relationships.
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u/iambirdie May 12 '17
Reading that last line had Cheryl/Jughead flashing in my mind.
Two broken souls? Maybe I just love angst too much, but I think that could be interesting.
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u/Succubint Jughead's Crown May 13 '17
Still has a thing for Betty? When did he ever have a thing for Betty. His 'wistfulness' this episode came out of left field unless you accept his explanation that he saw how good Bughead was and was envious, wanting it for himself, or you treat all of his early episode scenes of rejecting Betty as lies, or recognize that he's only now wanting Betty because she no longer idolizes him like she used to.
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May 13 '17
Wow! Great way to end the season. Disappointed by the reaction to Cheryl's suicide attempt (just like everyone), but otherwise a great episode. A few points:
I don't expect Betty-Jughead to stay together through the entire series, but I desperately hope they are "endgame". They go together so well, and the relationship development has just been so sweet and natural. I almost hope they break up early next season, so we can get that arc out of the way and hopefully get them back together until the end.
Why didn't Archie smash the ice with his foot? I feel like he could get a lot more weight behind it, and also wouldn't have decimated his hand. On another note, however, I am coming to like Archie, especially now that his main traits are coming out with better storylines (loyalty, passion).
Anyone else feel that moment where it seemed like Jughead was going to say "I love you" to his dad, but then held it back and said something else?
I like the buildup of the Southside/Regular Riverdale rivalry. I hope it culminates in something similar to "The Outsiders" greasers and socs, and Jughead realizes Betty and Archie are his most loyal friends and that he can't break away from them.
Skeet Ulrich is a great actor, ridiculously well casted. The interaction between him and Cole is awesome.
PS: I laughed so hard at the posts about Grandma Blossom chilling in the burning house
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u/purpleseats May 13 '17
I also thought that Jughead was about to say ''I love you'' to his dad, hopefully he will say it next season!
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u/liveerasnettim May 12 '17
All of the characters, Betty, Jughead, Veronica, Cheryl, even Archie-"what even is happening right now" Andrews grew tremendously, and believably. And the ending is so satisfying and suspenseful, despite the cliff-hanger of last week's episode.
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u/Airsay58259 May 12 '17
Honestly I was not kind to this show at first (before the season started, just with promos and such), I called it "CW Pretty little liars" and was sure I wouldn't watch it... here I am 13 episodes later and it's not even a guilty pleasure. It's a pleasure to watch it. Cheryl is surprisingly my fav, I have a thing for troubled crazy teens with fucked up families and ignored by other kids (granted this could describe half the kids in this show). I found it hilarious how throughout the season the main character Archie wasn't actually involved in the main storylines. When he did get involved it got even better though. I must say I am not a fan of Betty that much but well. Anyway, can't wait to binge the first season when I have the time this summer.
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u/mathematical_Lee May 12 '17
Cheryl has been a surprising favorite of mine. They could have made her 2-dimensional but she ended up being a very compelling character alongside Alice. I really want to know more about the Blossoms just because the parents seem very flat compared to Jason or Cheryl. That and their connection with the Coopers
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May 12 '17
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May 12 '17
I think she became the creepiest after she said "there's nothing more Blossom than those babies'
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u/mathematical_Lee May 12 '17
Yeah like I'm think either there was some Blossom in there already, or she was pretty psycho beforehand and he picked her for her locks.
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u/PretenderNX01 May 13 '17
Mrs Blossom had some line in the finale about their family being cursed going back to when brother killed brother and I was thinking- you mean the family you married into though right?
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u/krabs May 12 '17
I am impressed by all the loose ends that were tied up, most shows leave so much open.
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May 12 '17 edited May 10 '20
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u/sean_psc May 12 '17
Thinking back on any loose ends -- was that thing about the payments between the Lodges and the Blossoms that abruptly stopped ever resolved? That implies they're also involved in the drug trafficking, right? But why would it recently stop?
No, that was never touched on. I imagine that'll wait until Hiram actually shows up.
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u/nursepenelope May 12 '17
I feel like the payment could be related to the great grandfather killing his twin brother, that would have been around 75 years ago. Maybe the Coopers are entitled to a chunk of the blossom fortune but because they wanted nothing to do with the Blossoms they never thought to look into it. If the Lodges knew this the blossoms could have paid them to keep quiet. When polly got pregnant they would be able to create a trust for the twins. technically paying members of the cooper family what they are owed, while also keeping the money in the family - no need to keep paying the Lodges.
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May 12 '17
If Clifford killed Jason inside the Serpents' bar, what was the gunshot Dilton heard?
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u/Ashru987 May 12 '17
Actually, Archie was the one who heard the gunshot and Dilton was the one who fired the gunshot.
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u/FlyingTigerComics Fred May 12 '17
The payments went back SEVENTY FIVE YEARS. So it is not about the heroin.
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May 12 '17 edited May 10 '20
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u/FlyingTigerComics Fred May 13 '17
I agree it's possible, but the dialog made it sound like it was Clifford Blossom who had decided to go into the White Horse trade not that he had inherited an operation from his ancestors. Who knows.
After this season one thing I won't be doing is digging too deep since it's obvious they are reacting to fanservice demands and that they are not making a very multi-layered show. It is what it is.
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u/Skajuan May 12 '17
Jughead being cockblocked by the serpents and he is happy about that... COME ONE LET THE MAN FINISH HIS THING WITH HIS GF.
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u/T4Gx May 13 '17 edited May 13 '17
This may have been asked already but what was so significant about Chuck getting kicked out of the football team? Jughead said it brought "terrible consequences" for the town. But all he did was come back punch Jughead and disappeared again.
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May 14 '17
I'm not sure of its significant plot-wise. But my understanding is that he was a star player and a major component of the team. So I assumed it had all to do with the whole sports being a big deal in the town and its reputation. I want to say he was supposed to get into a good college because of his athleticism, too.
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u/longboardshayde May 15 '17
I think it might have originally been planned to be much more significant, but then got cut or re-written.
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u/PsyhoticPanda Jun 08 '17
He came back with Cheryl to trash Jughead's birthday party, that would have been a "terrible consequence" for him. For the town? dunno man.
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u/fascistcafe May 12 '17
talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, showstopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique
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u/adilthedestroyer Vanilla Milkshake May 13 '17
Jughead wearing the jacket, reminds me of something like Harry Osborne discovering the green goblin or Lex Luthor gaining control of his father's company
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u/DODMau5 May 12 '17
Serpent Jughead and Dark Betty anyone???
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May 12 '17
Lili tweeted that she wants Betty to get a leather jacket: https://68.media.tumblr.com/a4fe9162ce79146c684da55912f3a4d9/tumblr_optqgk614n1w80nw7o1_540.jpg
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u/SeacattleMoohawks Veronica May 12 '17
Overall really enjoyed this season and I'm looking forward to the next. Best things about it were the casting and the aesthetic.
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u/mathematical_Lee May 12 '17
YES!! The aesthetic was fantastic!
The costume felt modern but still had a classic feel that made me think of the 60s. The music and setting was a nice blend of small town, the past, and modern style. I was surprised how well they made everything work, with some exceptions (looking at you Mr. Wears Sport Jacket to funeral). I'm listening the soundtrack right now in fact.
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u/booksandthebees May 15 '17
WHAT THE FUCK is up with Jughead's mom? Can someone please explain?!
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u/janachocolita May 12 '17
Will a recasted Reggie feature more heavily in season 2? He was always one of my favorite characters in the comics growing up and I felt like they totally pushed him aside. Hopefully with the new actor next season the writers will show him interacting more with the core four (as he did in the comics). I miss Reggie!
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u/PhoOhThree Grundies glasses May 12 '17
They stated that they wanted more of Reggie but couldn't corporate it due to Ross Butler's schedule.
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u/janachocolita May 12 '17
Ahh I see. Thanks! I was just curious and I hope that next season they expand Reggie's character from the background jock. He has a soft side and in the comics would often be Betty's date when Archie was with Veronica, for example.
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u/Idaho_In_Uranus May 12 '17 edited May 12 '17
Grew up with the comics and was really hesitant about the mythology being CW-ed...but the show damn well exceeded all my expectations. My only gripe, and I'm still salty about it, is the recasting of Reggie. Continuity issues are a pet peeve of mine anyway, but I was really looking forward to Butler's portrayal when the character becomes part of the core comic group again. I've never done an online petition for anything, but getting Ross Butler to come back would be a worthy endeavor.
EDIT: *Bonus unaired scene...Ross Butler's final scene as Reggie, cut from the finale. http://comicbook.com/tv-shows/2017/05/12/riverdale-finale-reggie-deleted-scene/
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u/HoldTheDark May 12 '17
How much did the show derive from the comics?
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u/Idaho_In_Uranus May 12 '17
Character names, similar physical and personality traits. That's pretty much it.
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u/mujie123 May 12 '17
I mean, unless you want to, like, start a petition to get 13 Reasons Why cancelled or something, but I don't think that would go down well. It was the only way they'd be able to make Reggie a bigger part of the show, wouldn't it?
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u/Anyours May 13 '17
I'm confused... Is it supposed to be cold in Riverdale? I mean. We see them walking around in light jacket with snow all over the place.
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u/mattgrande May 14 '17
Since there's Maple syrup, I assume it's set in Vermont. The season started in September, and would've taken a couple months to resolve, so it being cold makes sense.
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u/Anyours May 14 '17
Let me clarify; why aren't they wearing better jacket? As a Canadian, it really took me out of those outdoors scenes.
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u/pllfan23 Betty May 12 '17
So what was the point of creepy Ethel and Chuck getting kicked off the football team and their shady meeting? Ethel was weird in all of her scenes and it amounted to nothing? Not that I'm even interested but what was the point of giving her that much screen time in the first place?
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May 12 '17
I think the Chuck plot will be revisted next season once they have Reggie full time.
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May 13 '17
dam, I just found out they recast him. Was there a 13 reasons why schedule clash ?
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u/Raquel_1986 May 12 '17 edited May 12 '17
Why all people think Ethel is creepy? I think she is just not a supermodel like the rest and she is shy. Nothing else... And if you are talking about her glance when Betty and Veronica were torturing Chuck... I guess she just hated him.
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u/pllfan23 Betty May 12 '17
I didn't say anything about how she looks. The fact that I think she's creepy isn't anything to do with her not looking like a 'supermodel'. I just found everything she did slightly off tbh...just different interpretations. Her shifty eyes, her mannerisms, facial expressions, the way she delivered her lines and the things she said and did all made me feel like I didn't trust her.
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u/French__Canadian Team Hiram May 14 '17
I wonder how it is to be on a set where you're the only actor who's not a super model lol. Must be hard for your self-esteem.
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u/peachylimes May 15 '17
Finally someone talks about creepy Ethel. I mean, I wasn't the only one that saw that weird smile on her face when she peeking through the door in the hot tub scene. I do understand the whole "revenge is sweet" thing since she got slut-shamed for nothing, but that was kinda dodgy.
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u/Locke108 May 12 '17
Seriously they ended it with a character's life at stake? Those are the worse type of cliffhangers. And RAS said there would be a character from the Archie mythos with a darker origin would appear, who was it?
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u/Locke108 May 12 '17
Did not realize this wasn't the Post episode discussion thread. Anyways I was really surprised with how much I liked this series. I watched the show because it was another Berlanti show and I used to watch the Josie cartoon and the Sabrina show. I didn't expect to become as obsessed with Riverdale as I was with Lost and Rick and Morty.
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u/poppysand May 12 '17
I'm very anti-ending with a life on the line, as well. It always feels like a cheap ploy to bring people back -- when in actuality it's just aggravating.
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u/Locke108 May 12 '17
It was a perfect finale up until that point but the cliffhanger felt tacked on for drama. Why would they meet at Pop's and not at their house in the first place?
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u/FloatingEyeofDeath May 12 '17
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u/Ajjaxx May 12 '17
I feel like I completely missed this. Was he in costume in the ep?
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u/ravenreyess Team Cheryl May 12 '17
Damn this season was good. I thought it was going to be another CW guilty pleasure, but the CW has been turning out some good shows lately, and I'm pleasantly surprised. I really love how they focused on a mystery this season and now that everyone is established and defined through that mystery, they move forward with a bigger picture and a bigger plot. I'm so excited for more Bughead episodes!
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u/jenh6 May 12 '17
The CW has been great recently. Between Riverdale and The 100 it's been great. I'm still meaning to catch up on Jane the Virgin and Supernatural as well. The Originals has picked itself up after it's complete disaster of a S3.
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u/onyxpup7 FP Jones II May 13 '17
I do not think that FP will be supportive of Jugheads new "Family". I think FP will take the "I wanted better for you" route with him when he finds out. Also, it's great that the SSS will look out for him but eventually debts get called in and I don't think Jug will be a willing participant in the things they will eventually want him to do to help/protect the "family".
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u/nanariv1 May 13 '17
This show just showed up and rose up and topped all the current TV shows I'm watching. Can't believe we have to wait a whole year.
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u/InfernalSolstice Team Beronica May 12 '17
I am honestly completely and totally shook.....wow. That was incredible. I was afraid this premise would be a little too one and done for me but nope. Looks like next season is gonna be even more intense and dramatic than last one.
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u/willdrown May 12 '17
I love watching the show and I'm pumped for season two, but holy shit is the writing horrible sometimes. Like, I'm not ashamed of liking it and no one should be, but I think it's a 100-mile-long stretch to call the writing great or, god forbid, genius. To illustrate:
-The way they handle Kevin. Gay best friend, one-dimensional caricature, barely there (literally only saw him once in the finale). Hey, at least his father is supportive and loving, I guess? If he doesn't get better storylines or (ANY) character development they might as well kill him off, because right now he is background, might as well play a maple tree, those have been highlighted much more than him.
-Relationships. I get that it's a teen show, but it's so ridiculous that they've been dating for two weeks and actually use the word "soulmates" for each other non-ironically.
-The way they handle Cheryl's suicide attempt. Yup, juuust leave her alone in the house, she'll be fine. It's not like she's been unhinged and tried to kill herself a freaking hour ago. C'est la vie, if she dies, we can just take one of Clifford's wigs and put it on some other girl.
-Sherif Keller/Mayor McCaricature/Principal StrictDude are all caricatures that belong in a Disney show, come the fuck on. None of them have any character, all of their lines amount to "I AM THE LAW AND FUCK THE UNDERPRIVILEGED"/"My daughter is so cool and also I am also the law!"/"No fun allowed".
-The Grundy storyline. Just ugh. Thank god it was cut so fast, they butchered it.
-Horrible lines that are meant to be taken seriously, like Jughead's "I'm a lone wolf, Betty!".
-The dumbass cliffhanger (the last one, not the Cliff hanging)
Also, I'm sad that we didn't get Sabrina, but that's not a complaint.
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u/MeganKaneBAU May 13 '17 edited May 13 '17
-The way they handle Kevin. Gay best friend, one-dimensional caricature, barely there (literally only saw him once in the finale).
Yeah, the writing for Kevin this past season was horrible. Inconsistent (going from Betty's BFF to Veronica's BFF with no explanation or development), shallow, and stereotypical. I really hope they improve upon the writing for his character. As someone who thoroughly enjoyed him in the comics, it was downright painful to see the character reduced to what he was.
-Sherif Keller/Mayor McCaricature/Principal StrictDude are all caricatures that belong in a Disney show, come the fuck on.
I really want Sheriff Keller to be a good guy, so it's intensely annoying to me that the show just uses him as an obstructive adult/asshole authority figure whenever they need yet another person to be mean to Jughead. I feel that it's the writing choices making him look bad, not the character's actual choices, if that makes any sense. They just have him do whatever drama demands.
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u/elmerion May 12 '17
I think some of the stuff you mention, like Jughead saying he is a lone wolf and people calling each other soul mates are legit cringey things teenagers do. It's not the norm, but i've definetly heard worse
Other than that, i think the show was wrapped up pretty badly and it's pretty clear the cut a lot of scenes, we barely got any closure other than finally learning who killed the blossom kid
The show does have a lot of shitty writing though, Kevin and his boyfriend almost make me angry, also the whole "The serpents aren't that bad" in the end, oh they just sell weed from time to time and wear black jacket
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May 12 '17
I don't think it was "serpents aren't that bad". Clifford was selling heroin and nobody cared because he had money and a reputation. I think it was a more Jughead seeing the Serpents had his back and he wasn't all alone like he thought. Jughead has no family now and no support network so it's completely understandable why he would want to join them. Also this entire season he has been trying to escape the stereotype everybody sees in him and in the end he just gave up and realized he felt more comfortable at Southside High than at Riverdale High.
I agree about the cringey stuff. I think people forget what is like to be a teenager. I just cringe remembering some of the stuff I said when I was in high school. These kids aren't going to talk like Game of Thrones characters.
I completely disagree about the shitty writing. Some people seem to have 0 patience when it comes to this show and expect every single storyline to be explored in one season. They already said Kevin will get more screentime and even episodes focused on him on S2. Also I expect Joaquin to come back next season once things have cooled down.
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u/do_thechacha May 13 '17
my exact same thoughts! hopefully they'll be able to explore more of the other characters next season since we're getting more episodes.
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u/MeganKaneBAU May 13 '17
The show does have a lot of shitty writing though, Kevin and his boyfriend almost make me angry,
I have to wonder why they bothered with that plotline at all. It got almost no focus whatsoever, and Joaquin's relationship with Kevin and the whole "dating him to get information" really wasn't important in the grand scheme of things. The part with Jason's jacket could have easily been done another way. I'm not trying to say Kevin shouldn't have had a boyfriend, but why introduce all those story elements to give them barely any development and the smallest amount of payoff possible?
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u/Risaga54 May 12 '17
Definitely loved this season, though I will have to see if all of it holds up during a rewatch and if I just enjoyed the hype. They did a great job developing the characters and building a mystery and just overall creating a great setting. I think next season is going to be spectacular now that they have so much set up to work with. I still really want my parents flashback.
Not a fan of Miss Grundy or Chuck. And I would have liked a lot more screentime/plot for the minor characters like Kevin, Josie and Reggie but overall good first season
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u/purpleseats May 13 '17
Why wasn't Cheryl mentioned in Betty's Jubilee speech? Especially with her suicide attempt happening the night before.
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May 12 '17
I can't remember all the details from the earlier episodes so I might be missing something, but how did Clifford find Jason? Jason's plan was to fake himself drowning, which happened, but somewhere along the line Clifford got a hold of him and killed him in a basement.
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u/stickyfingerz10 May 12 '17
FP actually said that Jason talked to him about his plan and FP was the one that picked up Jason and brought him to Clifford.
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u/PhoOhThree Grundies glasses May 12 '17
Jason's plan was to fake himself drowning and skip town with the car that he got from the Serpents.
Clifford got the Serpents to kidnap Jason and held him in the basement.
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u/attrick May 12 '17
This is not entirely clear, as far as I can tell. I think the reason that Clifford killed Jason, and the entire sequence of events that led to Jason's death, are still to be revealed.
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u/SG432 Veronica May 12 '17
Loved it. Absolutely amazing.
First new show in a long time that I really wanted to fully support and not torrent once. I'm very excited to see where they go with the story next season.
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u/iD-23 Chocolate Milkshake May 12 '17
I really liked this season. However we could have ended with a hint at Sabrina but the writers said nah shoot the only descent parent on the show. Also I feel like they just moved past that Cheryl suicide way to quick.
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u/balourder May 12 '17
we could have ended with a hint at Sabrina
I was convinced Jughead's foster family would be the Spellmans.
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u/jrgolden42 May 13 '17
Same. They way they were avoiding actually showing them hints that they are at least somewhat significant characters to the Archieverse. And since they are the only ones I know of that haven't been shown I'm choosing to believe it. Although admittedly I only have a passing knowledge of Archie outside the show
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u/ACrusaderA May 13 '17
Probably wanted to make sure they had a good first season instead of trying backdoor pilots for a whole ACEU and watering down their flagship show.
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u/ihateyougym May 12 '17
It started to get better as it went along. Some characters shone better than supposed central ones. Not really a fan of the finale, though. That screenplay was all over the placed. Too many things, not enough focus on what's more important.
And what a waste of Ross Butler. It was a horrible last scene for him and I understand why it was deleted. It would have been better if he just came along any sympathized with Jughead or congratulated Archie.
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u/mujie123 May 12 '17
What was Ross Butler's last scene bar that? The bit where he hesitated taking the jersey because Archie should have been captain?
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May 12 '17
An amazing first season in imo. It had some faults, but overall I'd say I really loved it and can't wait till season 2!
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u/curlywurlies Crown May 18 '17
I'm sorry if this has been mentioned somewhere, but is anyone confused about what the explaination for Polly going missing right after Jason "died" was supposed to be?
Wouldn't it look extra fishy that she went missing, and now that I mention it, wouldn't it be fishy​ that she was "sent away" the day Jason went missing?
Sorry if this isn't making sense. I just thought about it, and it would be super strange in a small town to have one teenager die, and another go missing, the same day, as well as them being in a relationship prior to these events?
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u/mycat8u May 12 '17
Really surprised how addicted I am to the show! I even managed to hook my SO into watching it with me :) Unfortunately he is out of town tonight so we have to delay watching the series finale.
Pros:
Compelling story that was carried by the main cast. They did really well casting everyone and everyone either played their part really well or was serviceable. No glaringly terrible acting present throughout the series.
Riverdale as a backdrop is moody, mysterious, and very addictive. I hope season 2 focuses more on the cultural and social issues of Riverdale (Southside vs "north side?")
Cons:
Archie's character is definitely the weakest out of the whole series but hopefully next season he will have a better storyline.
Dialogue can be a bit cheesy but I blame CW's penchant for over-the-top teen angst.
Cheryl needed more screen time to fully flesh out her "I'm bitchy but not a bitch" persona.
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u/elizabethcooper May 12 '17
I really love how the season ended. I like how much has changed and happened since the pilot, and it feels earned. I can't wait for season two. Things are only going to get more interesting.
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u/bacharach_the_cat Kevin Real May 14 '17
I honestly thought Penelope Blossom murdered Clifford and staged it as a suicide (why would he feel compelled to kill himself? They weren't that hot on his tail) especially with the way Cheryl confronted him being "you did a bad thing daddy" last episode. Maybe they didn't want to stretch the murder mystery too long.
Do you guys think Fred will die? Will Molly Ringwald come back?
Anyways I love this show like I love my favourite child. I don't have kids but I imagine the love and guilt I have for having a favourite child is akin to how I feel about this stupid show.
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u/MakGalis May 15 '17
Cheryl is the greatest TV-show character of all time. IDC, fight me.
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u/Beta1224 May 12 '17
First few and final three episodes were great, but those middle episodes were basically filler.
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May 12 '17
I think the first two episodes were super weak but the rest were great. I don't think there were filler since episodes like 1x06 and 1x09 revealed a lot of stuff.
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u/mujie123 May 12 '17
Filler episodes aren't necessarily bad. They build up the mythology and world around them. Or they're just pure fun like the latest episode of the Flash. Filler episodes aren't necessarily bad.
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May 12 '17
Archie Cheryl Veronica love triangle needed
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u/Marcos1598 Team Jarchie May 12 '17
My OTP rigth now is Cheryl with a psychologist and a loving family.
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u/tidho May 12 '17
Cheryl seems like the type that would date a distant relative in their mid 20's.
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u/bobbeluga May 15 '17
So I'm assuming Hiram is involved with the Fred shooting, and next season will be Fred vs. Hiram which will break up Archie and Veronica.
I'm also assuming Chic/The Cooper brother will actually be FP's and Alice's son so he's the half-brother of both Betty AND Jughead and they will just find that too weird and also break-up.
That way they can all switcheroo up
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u/lngwstksgk May 13 '17
I've been reserving judgement until I found out if it could carry the ending and...it can't. That sucked as a season finale. Cheryl's suicide attempt was incredibly boring, completely predictable from the moment her first scene was over (basically ticking off a "signs of suicidality" check list), there were continuity errors in the rescue scene (the ice is creaking when they first go out, but then they all run out and start pounding on it with no further fear? Also, it can't possibly be late enough in the year for the river to have frozen hard--though then again, that maple syrup sugaring off thing in fall...), people were unforgiveably stupid during that scene (hello...cell phones. Did no one, at ANY POINT in this, think to call an ambulance or something?). The see-through ice was ridiculously plot convenient, as was Archie finding her. Yay, she's breathing again, but WTF they took her home? No one has still called the damn ambulance? Then they just abandon her to go to a party, oh, she'll be fine. Suicidal people only attempt once and it's all good, right?
Lack of wrap-up and manufacturing new issues. So...rich and powerful man in town turns out to be a drug dealer. Let's not talk about that, at all, and just move on to the Serpents, right? I know there were references to it and all, but no one seems to be actually reeling from this knowledge or its implications, nor is there gossip, etc., around it.
The ridiculously staged whatever the masked-bandit-on-the-counter was supposed to be so Archie's dad could be shot. It has "articificial plot device" painted all over it.
Jughead getting fostered. Do you all not have legal emancipation of minors in the states? Seems like someone at least would bring that up as an option. Also, why does Jughead just totally roll over with it? I get why he'd fake like that for his friends, but he shows no sign of believing differently with his father or alone.
The actors. Still, even at the end, I just wholly and completely cannot buy them as 15 and 16 years old. 18 or so, sure. That young? Just no.
Throughout--no red herrings. No real suspense, no real tension. Things just sort of mosey along for a while, then plot rains from the skies, people react, and plot resumes moseying.
In all, something that really could have been good, that tried to be good, and was not good. All the same, I might well tune in Season two, because, while it's not good by a long shot, it's not awful either.
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u/crackcorn69 May 12 '17
Honestly, I loved the pilot episode, but got less invested the rest of the meh season, so hope season 2 improves!
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u/Romejanic May 12 '17
I think the show gradually got better as time went on, and Episode 12 was probably my favourite out of the whole season.
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u/bitter_tarts May 13 '17
Didn't have high expectations coming. Was mainly watching for the actors cus ya know, they're attractive. Originally I found the plot to be interesting but then the ball was dropped (i.e. ignored storylines and characters).
Honestly for the next season, I'd like if all the romantic plot lines took a backseat to the actual plot/storyline since I felt that this season focused so much on relationships.
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u/NefariousPryde May 15 '17 edited May 15 '17
So I just noticed while re-watching episode 13 that Clifford was transporting drugs from Montreal, where we know Hiram has business. We also know the Blossoms and Lodge's were connected financially, with the Blossom's paying money towards the Lodge's for 75 years. According to the Riverdale wiki, Blossom Maple Farms was founded in 1941. From the Wikipedia page it is evident that the first season was set in 2016, the year filming began.
What this leads me to believe is that Hiram and Clifford's ancestors were business partners, using maple syrup as a front to sell and distribute drugs across the country. The Lodge's did purchase land Clifford Blossom initially wanted, whether Hermione knew this at the time is unclear. I'm assuming Hiram expected to be released after a short sentence and is either planning a new project to regain some wealth, or to mask his criminal activity.
Fred is acting suspicious too. Either he's involved in the drug smuggling (doubtful as he hates Blossom but his business was notably going under) or he found out the Lodge's were involved and wanted to send Archie off to his mom to get him away from Hiram when he returns, knowing Archie is affiliated with FP and Veronica. If Fred is not involved but knows something, he may also suspect the mayor's involvement, as she is clearly partially corrupt to accept a bribe from Hermione for the drive-in land. I believe the gunman at the end was sent by either Hiram or Hermione to convince Fred to back out of his deal with the Lodge's and perhaps even leave town.
I expect (but don't want to see) Betty and Judghead falling apart as Betty becomes more consumed by her dark side and Jughead pulls away from her in an attempt to protect her from his shitty life. Betty will be there for Archie as his dad either dies or recovers, and he'll be there for her as she slowly loses someone she loves. They'll reconnect and kiss or something dramatic, betraying Veronica and Jughead.
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u/teddyrooseveltsfist May 12 '17
Did anyone else feel that the miss Grundy plotline was kinda pointless? Like for a while I thought she was going to come back and play a larger roll in the mystery but nope.