CW’s Riverdale Episode 1 Reviewed

Teenage Wasteland

♦Tripwire’s Contributing Writer Olly MacNamee takes a look at the premiere episode of CW’s Riverdale, based on the Archie Comics characters…

Riverdale Episode 1
Director: Lee Toland-Krieger
Stars: KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse
The CW in the US, Netflix in the UK

Before you read on, let me make myself absolutely clear on this point: I am very clearly not this show’s intended demographic. Not by a long shot. But then, Riverdale (debuting last Friday on Netflix and dropping subsequent episodes every Friday) is on the CW in the US, a station known for its ‘sexy, ‘sassy’ teen-angst dramas. But, I got behind Supergirl, and that’s not aimed at me either. But, Supergirl has a wonderful, bright, full-of-life lead in Melissa Benoist, who you simply cannot falling in love with, as well as a supportive cast that are equally as fun, bright and breezy. And, maybe, just maybe, that will come with time, bit for now, and on the merits of just the first episode, I’m just simply not sold I’m afraid.

Yes, there is the obvious nods to Twin Peaks, but not as much as you’d think, or as much as the producers would like you to think given the early promo pics. Indeed, other than the appropriately spooky, ethereal opening scenes down by the river and the neon-glowing diner – sure to become a focal point for the teens to meet, play and confront one another – there’s not much more than an echo to that cult classic programme. Although, the inclusion of Mädchen Amick (who played Shelly Johnston in Twin Peaks, and will again in the sequel series), who plays Betty’s mum, is a very clear statement of intent that simply does not carry through.

The more obvious influences on this programme are to be seen across the similar type of programming the CW offers; the likes of Gossip Girl immediately spring to mind, as others have also noted. And that’s a shame. While Archie in the comics has been given new life in the strange and downright brilliantly bizarre ways (Afterlife with Archie, anyone?) this feels too much like a mash-up of other influences and teen-angst drama tropes, albeit with an oft-times knowing wink. There’s the obligatory lesbian kiss (between Betty and new girl, Veronica as they try out – and make out – for the cheerleaders’ squad) but that, at least, doesn’t pass without commentary provided by queen-bee and Mean Girls like bitch Cheryl Blossom (Madeline Petsch) as “faux-lesbian kissing (which) hasn’t been taboo since 1994″. It’s so meta!

Further tropes and conventions used also include the appearance of other 90’s stars (Luke Perry as Archie’s dad!?) that reminds us older viewers where this particular genre of TV was spawned from. There’s a murder mystery which allows for our characters to come together, and then there’s the literary allusions most of the audience would miss, even when signposted. The most obvious one coming from Veronica (Camila Mendes); newly arrived from New York and with her own secrets to, no doubt, make her more interesting and not just another archetype up[on which to hang a plot. She describes herself pretentiously as ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ while Riverdale is summed up as ‘In Cold Blood’ (both by Truman Capote). Oh, and because this is a teenage focused show, there’s the inclusion of a teacher-student sexual affair thrown in too, of course. Mix all of this up, and be careful to only select the most beautiful of ‘teen’ actors (is the neighbouring town full of ordinary, everyday folk exiled for not meeting the exacting standards of Riverdale?) and you have a standard show that tries to be down with ‘da kids’.

As for the supposed star, Archie Andrews (KJ Apa), well here’s what I learnt about him: he’s a clothes horse of a man-boy who we are meant to believe is a troubled soul and a successful jock, having spent the summer working construction with his dad and therefore been physically transformed into an Adonis, who – surprise, surprise – is now noticed far more than when he was simply a good student. Betty (Lili Reinhart) now fancies him, but then, so too does Veronica. Oh, the woes of growing up in a small town like Riverdale. It’s soooo relatable, right?

These are characters that just happen to have recognisable properties attached to them, but make no mistake about this one, Riverdale is just another formulaic show aping greater shows of the past, and happy to draw the viewer’s attention to it. Beautiful people doing ugly things with a good dose of titillation thrown in because, y’know, sexy sells. And, faux-lesbian sex sells even more!

To use the parlance of the ‘yoof’, this is, for me at least, a #Riverfail. Sorry.

Riverdale review www.tripwiremagazine.co.uk