Veronica Waddell is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a degree in English and a passion for writing as well as film. She loves seeing what story each film has to offer and dissecting them to critically analyze all they have to offer. Veronica never bases her thoughts on rumor or gossip in hopes of getting views, which she loves about The Hollywood Insider. She’s an honest, positive girl who bases all her arguments on truth and fact, and tries to see the good in everything in order to build things up. While she enjoys entertainment of many kinds, she’s fond of children’s media because of how light-hearted and fun it is, and that’s what she enjoys reporting on most. It is her goal to work in children’s media to help entertain them today and create a memorable childhood for them in the future.
Jul 27, 2024
Table of Contents
Season seven of Riverdale kicks off with an interesting start. We’ve seen the kids go from being high schoolers to graduating and seeing their adult lives, only to be thrown back into the 50s as teenagers again. An interesting take that will allow for creative opportunities to take place. Jughead is the only character that remembers their past lives.
Life was a lot different in the 50s compared to today. While the show follows some fun 50saesthetics, such as the opening with characters appearing on screen with big smiles, it touches on the dark parts as well. There is no perfect decade, and while the past may seem better, nostalgia has people focus on the good times, forgetting the bad.
A large part of this premiere episode focuses on the racismblack people faced in 50s America. The murder of Emmet Till had just happened, and some of the students were even summoned to see the court case. Betty (Lili Reinhart), Toni (Vanessa Morgan), and Tabitha (Erin Westbrook) feel compelled to bring awareness of the case to Riverdale High. Emmet was just a fourteen-year-old boy who got murdered for supposedly whistling at a white woman. Naturally, this caused devastation in the nation. Betty calls out her parents and educators, who are all white, for not caring about Emmet. She wanted to publish Toni’s article about him in the school paper, but the principal said no. When she asked her parents to talk about it on their radio show, they declined. All the girls wanted to do was enlighten their high school about a tragedy, talking about just how awful it was.
It wasn’t unexpected for Riverdale to go in this direction, plus it works for the period. The show has touched on racism before, and it’s interesting being able to see someone from modern-day experience the past. They’re showing that the 50s isn’t all peaches and cream like people think of it. When most people think of a 50saesthetic they think of things like poodle skirts, leather jackets, milkshakes, and sockhops. But that isn’t everything. There was also the regular lynchings and torturing of black people. Will the show continue to focus on racism throughout the season? Most likely. Let’s see how they develop this subplot.
They’re back, and not so different from before. Archie (KJ Apa) is an athletic schoolboy with charms and a big heart. He plays football and lives with his single mother. Betty is a preppy schoolgirl with brains and courage who isn’t afraid to stand up to her parents. Veronica (Camila Mendes) is a troublemaker whose parents sent her away from home, and Jughead (Cole Sprouse) is an orphan who lives in an abandonedtrain cart with a dog named Hotdog. Archie is exactly how you’d picture him. Just dressed for the 50s. Betty is taking a chance by confronting her parents. Previously, Betty would be too afraid to tell them anything in high school for fear of a fight. But, she’s not afraid anymore. Something happened to Betty to make her more comfortable. Veronica’sparents are so focused on their TV show that they don’t give her much attention. Because of this, Veronica acts out to get her parents to notice her. This eventually backfires, as they ship her off to Riverdale to keep her out of trouble and out of the papers. Jughead’s life isn’t a new one, but it’s still depressing. No high schooler should be living in poverty out of an abandonedtrain cart.
With some original changes, this show follows the aesthetic of the original comics very well. The costumes are wonderfully designed and well put together, Each character’s wardrobe is a unique50s version of their personality. There’s sure to be more admirable stuff from the 50s later on this season.
Memories
Jughead is the only one who can remember what happened and knows they’re all in the past. At least, he was. For his good, his memory was cleared. What will happen now that none of the characters can recall their previous lives? Can Jughead manage to fix everything? Probably. But it definitely won’t be an easy task. Especially if the other characters don’t want to believe him. When Jughead attempts to tell the others about the situation, Archie tells him he shouldn’t go around talking like that because people will think he’s crazy. He also expresses that they’re all juniors in high school, so why would they want to be everything else? Jughead then realizes that his friends might not be as easy to convince as he planned. But, Archie’s right. All the characters were miserable in their previous lives, so why would they want to go back?
The point of coming back to the present time is that it’s the right time to be in. No one knows that the town they’re living in currently is just a simulation. It’s not what it’s supposed to be like. So even though it might be more enjoyable for some characters, it’s not the modern reality. That’s why Jughead was trying everything he could to return them to the right time. Now that Jughead has forgotten, will he live a simpler, happier life? Only time will tell us what’s in store for this season.
Overall, this episode was a great start to the final season. A great setup for a memorable ending. It’s still sad to think that the show is finally ending. It’s been an interesting one for six years, keeping audiences entertained with its writing style and likable cast. We’re excited to see where this season goes and what’s left to happen. Riverdale may seem like a sweet little small town in the 50s, but we all know that’s not true. Keep watching to find out what happens in the teen sensation show we love known as Riverdale.
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
Veronica Waddell is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a degree in English and a passion for writing as well as film. She loves seeing what story each film has to offer and dissecting them to critically analyze all they have to offer. Veronica never bases her thoughts on rumor or gossip in hopes of getting views, which she loves about The Hollywood Insider. She’s an honest, positive girl who bases all her arguments on truth and fact, and tries to see the good in everything in order to build things up. While she enjoys entertainment of many kinds, she’s fond of children’s media because of how light-hearted and fun it is, and that’s what she enjoys reporting on most. It is her goal to work in children’s media to help entertain them today and create a memorable childhood for them in the future.
Veronica Waddell is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a degree in English and a passion for writing as well as film. She loves seeing what story each film has to offer and dissecting them to critically analyze all they have to offer. Veronica never bases her thoughts on rumor or gossip in hopes of getting views, which she loves about The Hollywood Insider. She’s an honest, positive girl who bases all her arguments on truth and fact, and tries to see the good in everything in order to build things up. While she enjoys entertainment of many kinds, she’s fond of children’s media because of how light-hearted and fun it is, and that’s what she enjoys reporting on most. It is her goal to work in children’s media to help entertain them today and create a memorable childhood for them in the future.
Veronica Waddell is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a degree in English and a passion for writing as well as film. She loves seeing what story each film has to offer and dissecting them to critically analyze all they have to offer. Veronica never bases her thoughts on rumor or gossip in hopes of getting views, which she loves about The Hollywood Insider. She’s an honest, positive girl who bases all her arguments on truth and fact, and tries to see the good in everything in order to build things up. While she enjoys entertainment of many kinds, she’s fond of children’s media because of how light-hearted and fun it is, and that’s what she enjoys reporting on most. It is her goal to work in children’s media to help entertain them today and create a memorable childhood for them in the future.
