This is a very clever re-imagining of the classic comics, Archie and Josie and the Pussycats. The comic is brought into the modern with a diverse cast, complex characters and problems. At it's core it never loses sight on what made the originals great, strong female leads with heart. This pleasant surprise introduces us to an amazing cast of young, talented actors.
6 Reviews
Betty for me
RavenGlamDVDCollector5 October 2020
Yeah, I'm that guy who once made some scything comments submitted as a review when I first heard about this fledgling show. As a purist at heart, I found the whole proposal entirely unacceptable. My main gripe was the choice made for Veronica. It was patently obvious to me she couldn't possibly fill Veronica's shoes, er... High heels. I was also deeply critical re other choices made, the murder in Riverdale... I mean, death never entered the Archie Comics scene.
I am however prepared to say that I have cooled down somewhat. I realized from the start that Lili Reinhart was a most, most promising Betty Cooper, and The Raven wanted to see what it was really like... So here I am. And I liked. But Mendes, no, Veronica Lodge, never. Spirited, good enough for the show, sure, but Veronica, no way. Interestingly enough, the older lady who plays the mother, Hermione, she's got some vibe there. But Mendes just won't be Veronica.
Ms. Grundy as a hot teacher? I said I'm a purist. Didn't say I don't have the good sense to spot a great idea.
Casting took a very obvious leaf out of the GOSSIP GIRL playbook. Veronica is very much Blair Waldorf, Betty towers over her like Serena, and Archie = Nate Archibald.
I am however prepared to say that I have cooled down somewhat. I realized from the start that Lili Reinhart was a most, most promising Betty Cooper, and The Raven wanted to see what it was really like... So here I am. And I liked. But Mendes, no, Veronica Lodge, never. Spirited, good enough for the show, sure, but Veronica, no way. Interestingly enough, the older lady who plays the mother, Hermione, she's got some vibe there. But Mendes just won't be Veronica.
Ms. Grundy as a hot teacher? I said I'm a purist. Didn't say I don't have the good sense to spot a great idea.
Casting took a very obvious leaf out of the GOSSIP GIRL playbook. Veronica is very much Blair Waldorf, Betty towers over her like Serena, and Archie = Nate Archibald.
Great start
Racing_Weirdo24 March 2019
The show starts with a great opening episode. Introduces the characters correctly and from most you can already see who they have grudges against. Starts the plot for the rest of the season and has a great cliffhanger ending. All by all a great episode!
Spoiler Free
manideepg-137884 June 2021
You will feel the good vibes of the Riverdale from first second.
The Intro it self is phenomenal.
The series is named after a town Riverdale which once was a peaceful place and now become a home for problems.
This place almost all fells live a Heaven and Hats off to photography department for showing true mother nature and I am now feeling so sad 😔 as this place might not exist or why am I not born in a place like this.
The music from the beginning, and the Introduction of characters Cheryl and Jason Blossom are too good.
The characters Archie Andrews and Betty Cooper are written well.
There is no doubt that you will fell in love with Betty Cooper and her character in the vey first episode who is portrayed as a girl next door.
I would suggest you to watch this if you love watching Teenage Dramas or Thrillers.
The Intro it self is phenomenal.
The series is named after a town Riverdale which once was a peaceful place and now become a home for problems.
This place almost all fells live a Heaven and Hats off to photography department for showing true mother nature and I am now feeling so sad 😔 as this place might not exist or why am I not born in a place like this.
The music from the beginning, and the Introduction of characters Cheryl and Jason Blossom are too good.
The characters Archie Andrews and Betty Cooper are written well.
There is no doubt that you will fell in love with Betty Cooper and her character in the vey first episode who is portrayed as a girl next door.
I would suggest you to watch this if you love watching Teenage Dramas or Thrillers.
chapter one
matheusgalizia27 January 2022
Riverdale starts off triumphant.
Knowing how to work with all your characters and showing us all of them, great photography and great script. Roberto manages to bring Archie Comics characters to television in an excellent way, and in a way, he's very happy to create his own world.
This episode wastes no time, making Riverdale one of the best series today, even with the last few seasons not receiving very favorable reviews. I watched this episode in 2018, and nowadays it seems like I always watch it for the first time, it always manages to hold me back.
An epic start to one of my favorite series.
Knowing how to work with all your characters and showing us all of them, great photography and great script. Roberto manages to bring Archie Comics characters to television in an excellent way, and in a way, he's very happy to create his own world.
This episode wastes no time, making Riverdale one of the best series today, even with the last few seasons not receiving very favorable reviews. I watched this episode in 2018, and nowadays it seems like I always watch it for the first time, it always manages to hold me back.
An epic start to one of my favorite series.
Not the Arichie and the Gang a lot of us remember.
fredschaefer-406-62320426 January 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I really feared the worst when I saw the first promos for RIVERDALE, the CW's take on Archie and the Gang. It looked like another TV teen drama filled with over sexed and jaded teenagers doing awful things to horrify adults. But after viewing the first episode, I can say my worst fears were almost not realized. That subplot with Archie getting it on with Miss Grundy, is the same old "hot teacher" adolescent fantasy that seems to creep into every high school drama going back at least to DAWSON'S CREEK, nearly two decades ago now. When will writers realize that it's just oogie, not to mention statutory rape.
We knew going in that this show was not going to be the Archie Andrews many remember from the glory days of Saturday Morning Cartoons, much less the comic books, which go all the way back to the early 1940's, when our red headed hero was introduced as an Andy Hardy knock off. But Archie and the rest of the crew have somehow managed to keep up with the times enough to stick around, introducing rock n' roll, miniskirts, black friends, a gay character as the times changed; these days he can even be found fighting zombies in one of the books.
Maybe it was because the producers had these iconic characters to use as a template, but RIVERDALE gets off to a better start than many teen dramas nowadays, and the angst is kept in check. The dialogue, as expected, is on the snarky side and filled with pop culture references, but for the most part believable. There is a lot of tweaking of characters: Veronica Lodge is now the daughter of a disgraced Bernie Madoff wannabe; Jughead has gone all emo; Archie's dad is divorced; Betty's sister is in a mental institution (plot point), Moose is sexually curious, Miss Grundy is young and attractive, and Reggie is Asian, which is true in the recently rebooted comic book.
The show kicks off with the disappearance of Jason Blossom and the arrival in town of Veronica and her mother, both fleeing a scandal in NYC. Before it is over, Jason's body is found, setting the ongoing plot in motion; and Archie will find himself torn between nice girl Betty and rich girl Veronica, which proves that while this might be an all new version of ginger headed hero, some things do not change. I think for most, the high point of the show was when Veronica came to Betty's defense at the cheerleader tryouts and took down mean girl Cheryl Blossom.
The cast is as good, even if they look too old to be playing high school sophomores, with newcomer K.J. Apa as Archie and Lili Reinhardt and Camila Mendes as a most formidable Betty and Veronica. Cole Sprouse is a sullen Jughead; Ross Butler as Reggie; Casey Cott as Kevin Keller; Medaline Petsch as Cheryl, all doing good jobs in bringing these long time comic book icons to life. Two familiar faces from 90's TV, Luke Perry and Madchen Amick show up, appropriately as Archie's Dad and Betty's Mom. Amick's casting is most on the nose, for this show truly does have a TWIN PEAKS vibe. But without the dancing dwarfs.
We knew going in that this show was not going to be the Archie Andrews many remember from the glory days of Saturday Morning Cartoons, much less the comic books, which go all the way back to the early 1940's, when our red headed hero was introduced as an Andy Hardy knock off. But Archie and the rest of the crew have somehow managed to keep up with the times enough to stick around, introducing rock n' roll, miniskirts, black friends, a gay character as the times changed; these days he can even be found fighting zombies in one of the books.
Maybe it was because the producers had these iconic characters to use as a template, but RIVERDALE gets off to a better start than many teen dramas nowadays, and the angst is kept in check. The dialogue, as expected, is on the snarky side and filled with pop culture references, but for the most part believable. There is a lot of tweaking of characters: Veronica Lodge is now the daughter of a disgraced Bernie Madoff wannabe; Jughead has gone all emo; Archie's dad is divorced; Betty's sister is in a mental institution (plot point), Moose is sexually curious, Miss Grundy is young and attractive, and Reggie is Asian, which is true in the recently rebooted comic book.
The show kicks off with the disappearance of Jason Blossom and the arrival in town of Veronica and her mother, both fleeing a scandal in NYC. Before it is over, Jason's body is found, setting the ongoing plot in motion; and Archie will find himself torn between nice girl Betty and rich girl Veronica, which proves that while this might be an all new version of ginger headed hero, some things do not change. I think for most, the high point of the show was when Veronica came to Betty's defense at the cheerleader tryouts and took down mean girl Cheryl Blossom.
The cast is as good, even if they look too old to be playing high school sophomores, with newcomer K.J. Apa as Archie and Lili Reinhardt and Camila Mendes as a most formidable Betty and Veronica. Cole Sprouse is a sullen Jughead; Ross Butler as Reggie; Casey Cott as Kevin Keller; Medaline Petsch as Cheryl, all doing good jobs in bringing these long time comic book icons to life. Two familiar faces from 90's TV, Luke Perry and Madchen Amick show up, appropriately as Archie's Dad and Betty's Mom. Amick's casting is most on the nose, for this show truly does have a TWIN PEAKS vibe. But without the dancing dwarfs.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
