2017 Summer Show Of The Year: Riverdale

By Alexandra Truszkowska

Photo by The CW.

Photo by The CW.

Warning: Some spoilers ahead.

If you grew up reading Archie comic books and devouring jumbo digests, or if you just came around by watching the hit, “Riverdale” on Netflix or The CW, it’s obvious why the storylines, plot, and characters are so riveting. With teenage drama, angst, and a few grown-up situations sprinkled throughout the 13 episodes in Season 1, Riverdale is arguably the 2017 summer show of the year, and a must watch for its second season coming in late October 2017.

If you’re not already familiar with roles on the show let’s have a quick catch up; Australian actor KJ Apa plays main character Archie Andrews, a red head with a heart of gold and a knack for the guitar, as well as stealing the hearts of Veronica Lodge and the viewers. Lodge, played by Camila Mendes, is a former millionaire daddy’s girl turned suburb cheerleader with a secret past that threatens her family and her friends, including Betty Cooper. Betty, played by Lili Reinhart, is by the definition the girl next door: sweet and simple but her taste in boys, like Jughead Jones, and danger isn’t as sweet as she appears. You may have recognized actor Cole Sprouse from his Disney Channel days. Sprouse has now transformed as Jughead, the dangerous South Side Serpent who likes to expose those shady in Riverdale. Finally, Madelaine Petsch plays Cheryl Blossom, sister of the deceased Jason Blossom, whom the whole show revolves around. Cheryl has an attitude and family secrets that span generations.

The episodes have the common theme of trying to uncover the murder of teenage Jason Blossom, quarterback of the football team and town’s richest. But, each character has their own individual issues and whether it’s at school or at home, the fast-paced nature of the show keeps watchers begging for more.

Sophomore Jade Siegel said, “Each character has secrets and there are typical high school affairs mixed in with the darkness of a town after a murder.”

And although many praise the show, such as junior Gianna Cannao who says she has “always liked murder mystery shows,” and that “more people should watch the show,” others aren’t as positive.

With the unsolved murder of Jason Blossom supposedly acting as the main plot of the show, it often seems like personal affairs take the stage. Subplots from all characters put the murder on the backburner, and it’s sometimes forgotten when one of the five main actors complains about their fictional lives.

Freshman Larissa Aquaviva criticizes the show said, “The actors aren’t the best at acting and the scripts aren’t written well.”

Some error in writing is evident, with lines sounding stiff and unlikely to be said by teenagers.

“Riverdale” is popular among millennials who read the comics as a kid, and teens who got sucked into the series. Pop culture references and melodramatic scenes keep the views coming and the ratings rising.