OMG, this is the come-from-nowhere must see drama of the year. Based on the Archie comic, a pretty expansive collection of comics that runs the gamut from cute and wholesome (Lil Archie) to violent and gory (Afterlife with Archie), Riverdale is a vivid, moody take on the source material.
Told from the view of Jughead Jones (OMG, who is adorable and soulful and struggling, y’all!), the overly mature, homeless incarnation of the comic goofball, the story starts straight out with a murder. Someone murdered Jason Blossom one lovely summer day. And of course as threads untangle this one murder drags dozens of town secrets into the light.
Torrid affairs, check. Closet gays, check. Bitchy girls, mega check. Plus secret babies, crazy captives, gangs, and some fraud thrown in. Every episode offers gasps, drama, humor, and most importantly, tons of literary references, including jabs at the Riverdale family of comics.
Highly recommended, but does contain adult themes such as violence, sexuality, abuse, borderline rape and sexual assault, etc.