Rivervale Review: Chapter Ninety-Six: Welcome To Rivervale (Season 6 Episode 1)

Riverdale Season 6 Episode 1, “Welcome to Rivervale,” begins its five-episode special event with a bang; delivering enough emotional gravitas to absolutely rip your heart out. 

Rivervale; the shadow town of Riverdale, where everything is slightly askew, but somehow works better than things ever have before.

Well, maybe not everything.

Archie Andrew’s having his heart cut out by Cheryl Blossom out was certainly not on our bingo card, but with the likelihood of KJ Apa’s return post paternity leave, there’s a good chance his resurrection will happen eventually. 

He’ll be missed, but with no real chance of Archie’s death remaining permanent, his murder results in one of the series strongest episodes to date. The five-episode special event gives Riverdale the freedom to do whatever it pleases, and the show dives headfirst into the horror genre, never looking back. 

Season 6 is certainly a perfect place for a series like Riverdale to try new things — to get weird, and take chances. With how well “Welcome To Rivervale” actually works, it seems like the show is finally scratching an itch it’s been reaching at for years. 

Riverdale Season 5 felt like a show yearning for change, without the bravado to follow through. Rivervale, however, is full-out experimentation; it implements new relationships, story ideas, and thematic questions that land with flying colors.

We may never want to go home.

One of Rivervale’s many new changes is new romances blossoming — and not in the tantalizingly teasing way from seasons past, either. Characters are fully settled into their new dynamics, with relationships getting a real chance to play out in substantial ways.

Betty and Archie are obviously granted the least amount of time together, as Rivervale quickly grows increasingly eerier, with all eyes on Archie’s heart of gold. What time they do have, however, stands as a testament to what the show has been missing by keeping them apart for so long.

Jughead and Betty were an alluring crime-fighting duo, but Archie and Betty’s shared compassion for their town makes them an equally intriguing match. Their separate approaches in how they keep the town safe, let them exist within their own narrative while sharing a common goal.

That split screen time means Betty and Archie may be Rivervale’s central couple, but they certainly aren’t overwhelming the narrative. There’s just enough of them to get a sense of what their relationship has become following the Season 5 finale. Not so much, however, the other characters don’t get a chance to shine.

“Welcome To Rivervale” — at least the first 2/3rds of it — shows Betty Cooper at her best post time jump. She’s settled into a happy and loving relationship with her childhood best friend, and while her FBI job is still important, it’s not the single thing that defines her. 

 Archie grounds Betty; their relationship allows her to be a more complex version of herself, and keeps her obsessive tendencies at bay. 

At least, until she conceives his child, and all hell breaks loose. 

The balance between Betty and Archie is akin to the dynamic between Jughead and Tabitha. Once closed off and directionless, Jughead settles into his new relationship with ease. She brings out a softer, well-adjusted side of Jughead. He’s happier being settled with Tabitha, regardless of their infestation issues.

Jughead Jones domesticated and buying pink sheets certainly wasn’t on the bingo card, either.

If any new couple isn’t quite thriving in Rivervale, it’s Veronica and Reggie. It’s a surprising approach to the duo, who have generally been crafted as a perfect match. Rivervale clearly wants you to believe the tension between them is Archie, but chances are these issues go much deeper than petty jealousy. 

With the unbelievable chemistry that radiates between Mendes and Melton, letting them enjoy a honeymoon phase before diving into rocky territory would certainly be satisfying — especially considering all the problems Veronica’s faced in her relationships with men. 

Season 5 Reggie didn’t feel threatened by Veronica’s boss lady nature, nor did he feel belittled when she took the lead in business. This version of Reggie Mantle feels off-putting, but the show has never really had a firm grasp on the character.

Or, maybe it’s just Rivervale.

And what is, Rivervale, anyway? Maybe five years of Riverdale simply been a dream, or it’s a nightmare manifested from an Archie/Betty post-bombing coma. Perhaps, it’s a curse made by the Blossom’s that Sabrina Spellman will magically reverse. 

It’s an obvious question the show needs to eventually answer, but the trouble lies with Riverdale’s history of not always being able to put the pieces together in ways that make sense. Going wild with story is all fun and games, as long as there’s a clear endgame in mind by the show’s 100th episode. 

For now, Rivervale is a deliciously fun place to be. Deep in the horror genre, it’s a new twist on old structures, filled with high stakes, age-old curses, major character deaths, and a top-notch 4th wall-breaking narrator. 

Maybe we should have been in Rivervale all along. I’m having a blast. 

Random Thoughts:  

• Lili Reinhart’s acting in the ritual scene is absolutely immaculate. 
• Fangs wanting to leave his baby in the forest for the night? Unhinged. 
• I wish this show could give Kevin a purpose beyond just existing. 
• Veggie having sex on a bed of money is awesome. 
• I get sick after like, 3 pancakes.
• Barchie facing off in axe throwing screams “I’m dating my best friend” energy, and it’s great. 
• Why do pairs of relatives always need to be romantically involved in this show?
• Dr. Curdle Jr is a doctor in Rivervale. Interesting. 
• Betty and Tabitha have more of an open conversation about their overlapping dating situation than Betty and Veronica had in 5 seasons. 

 

 

What did you think of this episode of Rivervale? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Rivervale airs on Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW. 

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