I Watched Season 1 of Riverdale and I Have Thoughts

Spoilers obviously.

Back in my teens and twenties, I was really into teen dramas. Dawson's Creek, Buffy, One Tree Hill, Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, The Secret Life of the American Teenager... But somewhere along the way, teen dramas and I parted ways. 

I held out on the CW (aka Teen Drama Network #1) finishing shows I'd been watching since they aired - I literally watched Supernatural for almost half of my life - but I rarely picked up new shows on the network. 

When Riverdale premiered back in 2017, I seriously considered watching it. There was a murder mystery afoot and I love a good murder mystery. But after somewhat watching the premier, I never went back. Until now.

Flash forward to 2021, here I am browsing Netflix for something to watch after finishing the newest season of Lucifer (great show) and, for whatever reason, I decide to give Riverdale a second go. To be honest, I don't even remember the first episode at all so I can't even be sure how much of it I actually watched back then.

I watched season one's 13 episode run in approximately 3 days (I am the queen of the binge watch) and now have no one to talk to about it because I know no one else who watches the show. So instead, I thought I would come here to write out my thoughts on the season and maybe make predictions for the future. 

Without further ado, here are a few thoughts I have after finishing season 1.

1. The acting is questionable. Not quite as bad as Secret Life (those were dark days, my friends), but not as good as other CW shows I've seen.

2. It is weird seeing Cole Sprouse in a serious role. I used to watch the Suite Life back in the day and that's really all I've had to go on until now.

3. Archie is a much nicer character than I thought. For some reason, I thought he was going to be more of a jerk. I don't know why.

4. What happened to Ms. Cradle Robber? Clearly she was lying about her past right? Her story arc can't be over? It felt so...unfinished. 

5. Why does almost every teen drama feature a teacher/student affair? 

6. The relationship twins have is so bizarre to me. 

7. I do not understand Cheryl. All I can figure is she is on her own side and that is all.

8. Why don't more adults call Jughead by his real name?

9. Am I supposed to be really invested in Archie and Veronica? I am not. I preferred Valerie.

10. Did anyone think Archie was genuine when he told Veronica he was only jealous of Jughead and Betty because he realized he wanted what they had with Veronica? I didn't. 

11. Jughead and Betty are kinda cute, but they got together really quickly so I'm certain it won't last.

12. Are Archie and Betty endgame like Kevin predicted? I don't hate that idea, but my ships have not been quite set in stone. Don't think I didn't catch the bit where Archie said "I always thought..." which I took to mean he always thought he and Betty would end up together. Although, he did say early on he'd never thought of Betty that way so who knows.

13. Shouldn't Kevin have been more upset his boyfriend was using him? I hope he gets a better love interest. I like when Kevin's dad asked if there were any nice gay guys at his school and he said "yeah me".

14. Speaking of Kevin, sometimes it seems like he is part of the main group and sometimes not. He might be my favorite character, he deserves more screen time. 

15. Archie's dad is the best parent on the show. I'm sad because I know he will be gone at some point since Luke Perry passed in 2019. I don't think he's going to die from his gunshot wound.

16. Is Betty going to absolutely lose it and murder someone at some point?

17. Wouldn't it have saved a lot of trouble if Betty's dad had just told his wife and daughters they were related to the Blossoms? Passing down family vendettas through generations is so unnecessary. 

18. I never thought Jughead's dad killed Jason. I was surprised that he cleaned up and dumped the body though. Why didn't he just turn Mr. Blossom in if he had that video? Why torch the car and steal the jacket just to hide a flash drive in it? Maybe I wasn't paying enough attention.

19. Why wouldn't the police have tracked down Polly to talk with her since everyone knew she and Jason were dating? Especially after they found out he was murdered.

20. Why did Jason's jacket have his name on it but Archie's doesn't?

21. Is Jughead really joining the Serpents? And if so, for what reason?

22. Is anyone else suspicious of Ethel?  

23. This exists in the same world as The Totally Bizarre Chilling Adventures of Sabrina right? Will there be magic?

24. Isn't Nancy Drew (the show) also part of this world? In one episode, Cheryl calls Betty Nancy Drew. Is that because Nancy is famous in this world? Or a writing flub?

25. Based on how much people seem to love this show - all of the actors have 20-30+ million followers each - I was surprised to find the average IMDB rating is only 6.8. 

26. I won't say this is going to be a favorite show of mine, but I will probably keep watching it.

So what are my predictions? First off, I do know a few things that happen on the show thanks to headlines and promos I've seen over the years. However, I still don't know much.

1. Archie and Betty will get together at some point.

2. Someone else we know (besides Archie's dad) will die.

3. Kevin will continue to get sidelined. Sadly.

4. Betty will have a(nother) massive meltdown.

5. Polly and her babies will leave the show somehow.

That's really all I've got for now. Let us venture into season 2 and see what awaits. I really hope it isn't 22 episodes. I much prefer shorter seasons.