In the world of television, some shows play it safe, but “Riverdale” was never one of them. This teen soap opera didn’t just break boundaries; it smashed through them gleefully, often leaving viewers bewildered. As it moved towards its grand conclusion, it did so in true Riverdale style: filled with teenage drama and a wild journey through different dimensions.
The Return to the 1950s: A Bold Choice
Why did “Riverdale” decide to revisit the 1950s in its final season? Well, because it’s “Riverdale,” and it doesn’t stick to the usual script. While the cast said this was the showrunner’s way of ending things in a wholesome Archie Comics manner, the real story is much more intricate.
The Crazy Ride of Riverdale
Summing up everything that happened in Riverdale over its six seasons is a huge task. It began as a mystery, like a lighter version of Twin Peaks, with the gang investigating the murder of Jason Blossom and uncovering the town’s dark secrets. Later seasons introduced serial killers, mob connections, and even supernatural elements.
In this surreal world, Archie Andrews celebrated high school football glory and even had a showdown with a bear (yes, twice). Betty rescued people from a cult involved in organ harvesting, and Cheryl Blossom swapped bodies with spirits during a crossover with Sabrina. Veronica Lodge repeatedly referred to herself as the “She Wolf of Wall Street,” and Jughead Jones, well, he was just the town’s eccentric outsider.
Embracing the Unexpected
What made “Riverdale” unique was its readiness to embrace the unexpected. The show often adjusted its course as it went along, adapting to changes in its characters and actors. It weaved threads from earlier seasons into the story, even when things didn’t always make logical sense. Like a soap opera, “Riverdale” did what it pleased, and its devoted fan base followed, as long as it remained anything but dull.
A Bold Leap Back to the 1950s
Returning to the 1950s in the final season was a typical Riverdale move. It was a daring return to the essence of Archie Comics, defying expectations as the show often did. It also provided a platform for the series to convey important messages, like shedding the old-fashioned values of the past.
The Perfect Showdown
The last season of “Riverdale” was a testament to its ability to blend various tones seamlessly. It showed the show’s unique talent for mixing drama with comedy, earnestness with sarcasm, and sardonic humor. In its final season, we saw Archie using ’50s slang while Toni Topaz discussed the complexities of queer, interracial relationships in the 1950s with a straight face. It was a reminder that “Riverdale” knew exactly what it was and didn’t hide it.
Awakening through TV
In an unexpected turn of events, the characters in season 7 found themselves waking up from their multiversal daze through the power of television. Jughead, guided by his girlfriend Tabitha, reconnected with the truth of their ’50s existence. This revelation, though bittersweet, forced them to confront the mysteries of their past and the enigmatic nature of their present and future.
A Fitting Conclusion
The final episode of “Riverdale” was a heartfelt journey. It allowed an 86-year-old Betty to relive her high school years and engage in a poignant conversation with Jughead, her ghostly companion. It revealed that the characters had willingly chosen to live out their 1950s timeline, resulting in mostly happy and fulfilling lives. Yet, it wouldn’t be “Riverdale” without one last surprise: a revelation of a “quad” relationship between Archie, Jughead, Veronica, and Betty during their senior year.
Riverdale’s Legacy
In its final act, “Riverdale“ left its characters in a literal paradise, forever young and forever 17, a heaven within the show’s universe. This poignant ending encapsulated the essence of “Riverdale” – a show that reveled in evoking and emulating pop culture. It joined the ranks of iconic finales, a town and its peculiarities forever etched in television history.
“Riverdale” lived and died on its own terms, embracing the bizarre and the unexpected. Its final season, with its nod to the past and a glimpse into the future, was a fitting conclusion to this rollercoaster of a show. As we bid farewell to Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead, we remember them not just as characters but as symbols of a series that dared to defy convention.
