I remember a simpler time when the world of Archie Comics was mindless fluff — innocent stories with cheeseball humor geared for young kids.
Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, and Jughead Jones have come a long way since the days when I read the comics. That fact couldn’t be more evident than it is in The CW series “Riverdale.”
When the first season debuted in early 2017, it definitely had a noir-ish vibe — copious amounts of mood lighting and an endless supply of fog.
What started out as a darker version of teen dramas like “Dawson’s Creek” and “Beverly Hills, 90210” has shrugged off all sense and sensibility, veering into the world of pulpy mystery and slasher films.
(Two of the biggest teen idols of yesteryear — Luke Perry and Molly Ringwald — are also featured in the series.)
Riverdale is a world where murders are a common occurrence... being a member of a dangerous biker gang is a badge of honor... teens drink and hop into bed on a whim... school seems like an afterthought... there’s a serial killer on the loose referred to as “The Black Hood”... and the Riverdale High cheerleaders are called “The River Vixens”...
“Riverdale’s” writers amped up the mayhem in the second season. The overall effect is a hot mess, but oddly compelling just the same.
It’s a world where ginger-headed teen Archie Andrews (K.J. Apa) — the Richie Cunningham of the comic book universe — starts a vigilante gang called The Red Circle and ends up entwined in a shady plot to take control of the town.
Our protagonists act as amateur sleuths throughout the various story arcs. An old copy of "The Nancy Drew Secret-Code Activity Book" — that Betty (Lili Reinhart) liked as a child — figures into the puzzle:
At one point in season 2, teen socialite Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes) says to her mother, “Are you and daddy trying to turn Riverdale into Gotham City?”
There are subtle (and not-so-subtle) references to Stephen King. The local penitentiary is called “Shankshaw,” and the students of Riverdale (in an entertaining episode called “A Night to Remember”) put on “Carrie: The Musical.”
I don’t know if “Uncle Stevie” has watched “Riverdale” or not, but it seems like a show he would have talked about in his “Entertainment Weekly” column back in the day.
The show is tied together with narration by Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse) — each episode appears to be a “chapter” in some faraway novel Jughead is writing.
If you are considering diving into the binge-able world of “Riverdale,” then heed this advice: Check your brain at the door of Pop’s Chock’Lit Shoppe and enjoy the ridiculous milkshake for what it is.
The first two seasons are currently streaming on Netflix. Season 3 debuts Oct. 10 on The CW.
So is this supposed to be Riverdale (Bronx) NY? So confused Molly Ringwald is in it too?.
ReplyDeleteIt's the fictional town from Archie Comics. They haven't really mentioned a state but Jon wonders if it is New York. Veronica's family came from New York City...
ReplyDeleteMolly Ringwald plays Archie's mom.
Definitely recommend you check it out!