I'm always looking for a new show to love, so I decided to give Riverdale a try. If you're watching too, I hope you'll share your thoughts with me here or on Twitter.
First off, before watching I had only the slightest familiarity with the Archie comics. I knew who the main characters were - Archie, Veronica, Betty and Jughead - but that was about it. Luckily, my husband agreed to watch with me, and could at least help me figure out the characters I didn't know, like Miss Grundy, Cheryl, Moose, and Pop. I'll leave the opinions on the updating of the characters to others.
What I Liked:
The Veronica Mars Vibe
I'm a VM fan and I really liked the whole "Lilly Kane" vibe going on and the fact that there was a mystery to solve.
Betty and Veronica
In pop culture, a Betty is the stereotypical good girl-next-door and a Veronica is the scheming vixen. And it seemed at first in Riverdale that these characters were going to fall into the same tired pattern. But I liked that the show is mixing it up a bit. Veronica is at least trying to be nice and, better yet, Betty seems to have hidden depths of feeling and more spine than you'd expect. So far the Betty-Archie-Veronica relationship isn't really feeling too much like a love triangle. The Betty-Veronica kiss? I love the idea of a real romantic relationship between them, but the kiss felt very MTV Awards 2003.
Cheryl
I don't think she was a big part of the original comics, but I think Cheryl is a (possibly) intriguing character in the mold of Blair Waldorf - the bitchy, controlling character you hate at first and then slowly come to understand and even love. (Well, that was me with Blair at least....)
What I Didn't Like:
Archie
Ugh - can a show survive if the main character is someone you just don't care about? I did some internet research, and many Archie comic fans felt that comic book Archie was goofy, imperfect, and relatable. Where is that guy on Riverdale? Archie on Riverdale may have perfect abs, but he's a perfect bore. Why would Betty and Veronica even be attracted to him? With his secret songwriting aspirations, his sad puppy expression and his crushing on his music teacher, he was really, really reminding me of that another emo series lead from the 90s -- a guy who also a best friend who secretly loves him and a "bad girl" from New York lurking around...
Right? The more I think about it, the more parallels I see. Archie = Dawson. The massive eyebrows and dyed hair combo. The sad puppy expression. The whole tortured artist thing. The obliviousness to the fact that his girl-next-door neighbor is in love with him. The creepy teacher/student romance (Okay, that was Pacey, not Dawson. but still.) Please, Riverdale, give Archie some personality -- and soon.
For me, Riverdale has an appealing sinister vibe and (so far) female characters who may have hidden depths. So I'm going to keep watching - for now. But if Archie continues on his Dawson path, or the love triangle aspect becomes a big thing, I might have to abandon ship.
If you've watched, tell me your thoughts!
I know almost nothing about Archie, but the hubs and I are digging this show! For me, it's like Gossip Girl meets Pretty Little Liars. I've actually never seen Veronica Mars!
ReplyDeleteThe Archie in the show is far too broody for me. There is like nothing fun about him, but I love Jughead. I've heard a lot about the show erasing him sexuality which I think is a shame.
I would love a romantic relationship between Betty and Veronica, Archie who? But Betty is giving me serial killer vibes now.
Yes, I love that they are showing the seething emotion beneath Betty's sweet exterior!
DeleteEveryone is going crazy about this show. I've yet to check it out but it's on my list.
ReplyDeleteTry a couple episodes and see what you think!
DeleteThis popped up on Netflix for me and I'm excited to start it. I'm just waiting for a few more episodes to come out so I can binge it.
ReplyDeleteI watch an Archie cartoon series when I was a kid and enjoyed it a lot. I'm excited to see what they do here.
Didn't know it was on Netflix already!
DeleteI thought about trying it but I can tell hI'll ave zero patience with it lol
ReplyDeleteWe've been watching Lemony Snicket, Stranger Things and Santa Clarita Diet on Netflix and liked them all.
Karen @For What It's Worth
ha ha - I get it.
DeleteI actually haven't watched it yet. I am waiting to see if it is worth it. I have heard that Veronica and Betty were the best part though. I hope you keep up and let us know how it goes!
ReplyDeleteYes, the female characters are stronger. I'm reserving my opinion on Jughead. He has potential to be interesting!
DeleteI religiously read Archie digest as a kid, and was surprised with the dark quality of the show, but I am loving it.
ReplyDeleteI love shows with that dark quality, so I'm hoping this gets better!
DeleteI've been debating starting this! I use to loved Archie comics as a kid. I definitely like the sounds of the Veronica Mars vibe, not sure how I feel about some other stuff...and yes, it sounds like Archie needs to get a personality!
ReplyDeleteI've thought about starting this show, but haven't yet. It looks pretty good!
ReplyDelete