Riverdale

This show started off strong. Season 1 was good, fairly believable and the show's stylistic shots were really neat. Reminded me of a modern Twin Peaks for younger adults. However, as the seasons progressed, the seasons gradually became worse up to the point I stopped watching. The show completely lost it's way and became overtop with storylines that were downright stupid. And stupid is an understatement. I'm not sure why tv shows make shows about characters that are supposed to be 15 and 16 but conduct their lives like they are 30. So a highschool student has a hand in organized crime, owns a Speak Easy, can solve murder mysteries involving cults and serial killers that police cannot, can go on the run without any respectable parent looking for them, escape prison and hide out in a bunker, expose an organ harvesting ring, lead a a biker gang and the list goes on. There were also so many moments I found myself laughing hysterically at something that was intended to be creepy or add shock value, like one of the teens keeping her dead brother's body hanging out around the house while she talks to his corpse like he is still alive but then shows up shooting bow and arrows in the forest. Completely random. Like this review, the show is a ranting mess. Maybe watch season 1 then quit while you are ahead...

This show is a teen soap opera. It's meant to be a bit ridiculous. Some episodes/storylines are better than others, for sure. But it's over the top-ness is part of the genre. It's entertaining.

If you can forget about how dumb and unrealistic this story is, then it's quite enjoyable.

A dark live action adaptation of the Archie comic books. All the characters from the comic are here--Archie, Reggie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, Cheryl Blossom, Kevin Kellar...but there are differences. Archie is pumped up and muscular in this one a far cry from the comic. Ms. Grundy is an old ugly teacher in the comic--here she's young and hot. Kellar has blond hair and blue eyes in the comic--here he was dark hair and eyes. Also it seems Moose here is gay or at least bisexual. There's also no humor in this one. It's DARK dealing with mostly murder and sex. It moves fairly quick, the cast is young, attractive and can act. Honestly I was never bored. Worth seeing.

The first two seasons are excellent, bringing to life a beloved franchise with intriguing storylines and a decent ensemble cast. The star of the show is undoubtedly Madelaine Petsch as the eccentric Cheryl Blossom, a charismatic, larger-than-life, some-time antagonist who is beguiling, beautiful and brainy.

From season three onwards, it becomes difficult to watch, the plot becomes deranged with characters operating with eccentric abandon well outside their individual motivation or best interests. It stretches credulity to breaking point which is a great disappointment following such a strong start.