Tell-Tale TV Series Premiere Panels: Riverdale

The CW’s next big hit is finally here.

Riverdale is based on the characters from the Archie Comics, but with a dark twist.

What did you think of the series premiere? See what our panelists had to say, and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below.

Our panelists are:

• Christine Laskodi, associate editor for Tell-Tale TV
• Milka Väinämö, staff writer for Tell-Tale TV
• Katie Houlis, staff writer for Tell-Tale TV
• Erin Allen, staff writer for Tell-Tale TV

Did you enjoy the premiere?

Christine: I really did! It’s good cheesy teen drama, without vampires or werewolves or ghosts, something that’s been sorely lacking. I miss good ol’ fashioned teen dramas like this!

Milka: I definitely did! Like Christine said, this one lacks the sort of paranormal element a lot of teen dramas tend to have these days, and I absolutely love that because I usually tend to lose my interest in paranormal/fantasy stuff.

Riverdale as a setting seems extremely interesting and when you add to that the characters and character relationships introduced on this episode, Riverdale shows potential of becoming an extremely interesting and watch-worthy teen drama.

Erin: I went in wanting to hate it, but I didn’t. It was quite good, despite some cheesiness. I was really impressed with the casting. I, too, like that it doesn’t have a supernatural gimmick and is just straight teen drama.

Katie: I thought it had a really solid pilot! They managed work in all the exposition-y sort of stuff they needed to get out of the way pretty conversationally and naturally, for the most part. It has a strong cast, and I thought it did a great job of giving most of the main characters memorable introductions. It doesn’t seem like a show that’s going to be struggling to find its footing in its first few episodes. It knows what it wants to be right off the bat.

What’s the show’s biggest problem?

Christine: Honestly? Archie comics. This show didn’t need Archie branding. It almost feels like this was a great concept at the pitch meeting, and someone was like, “Wait, we have Archie comics rights, right? Let’s just use them here for a gimmick!”

I think the Archie branding doesn’t add anything extra to Riverdale, rather confuses viewers by giving them expectations based on what they know from the comic, and then bait and switching them. It just seems unnecessary to me.

Milka: I agree with Christine — the Archie brand comes with certain expectations, though I don’t see that as the biggest problem of the show, at least not based on this first episode.

I think my biggest concern is seeing how the show balances the murder mystery introduced at the end of the episode with the drama that comes from the interaction between the characters. I tend to lose interest in teen dramas when they get too “unrealistic” or when the narrative stops making sense logically and I hope that does not happen with Riverdale.

Erin: Pining, friend-zoned Betty might get old. She should forget Archie and go for Veronica anyways. I’m shippin’ it! The gratuitous displays of sex were a bit much. Archie changing his shirt right in front of the window, the Lolita glasses on Miss Grundy, and the Veronica/Betty kiss (this ship is still sailing, though). So over the top!

Also, Miss Grundy is bugging me, but I can’t quite put my finger on why. I think the storyline is intriguing, but her character is not working for me.

Katie: I know student-teacher relationships are a pretty common trope in teen dramas, but it’s not sexy forbidden love — it’s statutory rape, regardless of Archie’s consent.

I’m a little concerned about how they’re going to handle that storyline, especially since, both in real life and fiction, people tend to pat underage boys on the back for having sex with an older woman.

Erin: Good point, Katie. Maybe that’s why I wasn’t liking the Miss Grundy character. I hope they address that issue instead of just glorify it.

Who or what do you want to see more of?

Christine: The murder mystery! As if it wasn’t enough for there to be insane amounts of teen angst and adult drama, they threw in this crazy murder mystery aspect that gives everyone a role to play, whether they were a witness or a suspect (or both!)

I’m already spinning my own theories about what happened to Jason, based on every clue we got in the premiere!

Milka: I definitely want to see more of the murder mystery too and can’t wait to see how all the characters introduced in the pilot played a role in what happened to Jason.

The character I want to see more of is Jughead — he is my favorite from the comics, so I am eagerly waiting to see how this screen version of him turns out. The interaction between Betty and Veronica was also made really interesting on this pilot, so I definitely want to see more of that.

Erin: This murder mystery is very “who killed Laura Palmer?” I am really interested to delve into that.

Nostalgia-wise, I am stoked that Luke Perry and Mädchen Amick are in the cast and I hope they continue to play significant roles in the story. And more Beronica, please. Did I mention that I’m shipping them?

Katie: I am very intrigued by Cheryl Blossom and her very weird relationship with her brother, so I’m looking forward to getting more hints about that — and his murder, of course.

I don’t know how Josie and the Pussycats are going to fit into the show on a weekly basis, but I loved the short scene we got with Josie, and I definitely want more of her. Also, I love some good parent drama on my teen dramas, and I’m hoping there’s going to be some juicy stuff with Archie’s dad, Veronica’s mom, and Betty’s mom.

What was your favorite quote/moment from the premiere?

Christine: I love Veronica. She’s easily my favorite character so far. Her scene bitching out on Cheryl, where she says, “if you were looking for fire, I’m sorry. I’m all ice.” (and that’s my pathetic paraphrase!) told me everything I needed to know to love her.

Milka: I loved a lot of things Veronica says, like “Guys, can’t we just liberate ourselves from the tired dichotomy of jock/artist? Can’t we, in this post-James Franco world, be all things at once?” Also Kevin’s “Archie’s swell. But like most millennial straight guys, he needs to be told what he wants” line made me chuckle.

Erin: “I’m Breakfast at Tiffany’s but this place is strictly In Cold Blood.” I loved the literary mentions and how these sophomores in high school speak so intelligently with sophisticated pop culture references. It reminds me of Dawson’s Creek. Also, I loved the two Betty Draper lines!

Katie: I really loved Betty and Veronica’s open and honest conversation after they made the cheerleading squad. I was thrilled to get some conversations that passed Bechdel Test in the premiere, and I thought that conversation was such a great set-up for their friendship.

Erin: Yes, Katie, I so agree! It’s important, especially for shows with a young demographic, to portray female relationships that pass the Bechdel Test.

Riverdale airs Thursdays at 9/8c on The CW.

Here’s a preview of Riverdale Season 1 Episode 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9xcPvv1Fh8

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