Note: There are spoilers in this.
But the screenplay for the pilot episode of Riverdale, the upcoming CW series by Archie comic book regular writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa takes all that and does something even cleverer. Titled “The River’s Edge”, it dives in all the way. I’ve just read the third revised Network draft dated 30th October last year. The idea that the network had made two runs of notes and all this was still in, is frankly remarkable. Oh yes, from this point on, there are spoilers. Lots of spoilers. Not, I believe enough to ruin the show for you, and there is plenty I am being careful not to mention, but in order to convey what a remarkable show this is, I’m going to have to say stuff. Otherwise you probably wouldn’t believe me.
The script begins with a narrator talking about the town of Riverdale, and how it isn’t what people think. We are shown what may be familiar locations, the city hall, the cinema, Pop’s Chok’lit Shoppe Diner, but also derelict buildings with boarded up walls, graffiti and meth addicts. Because this is the real Riverdale, all of it, folks. This isn’t just Archie the TV series. It’s Betty & Veronica Mars.
It starts with the death of Jason Blossom, Cheryl Blossom’s twin brother and doesn’t stop. This is a Riverdale with kids who talk about Rainbow parties, a Reggie who gets badly drunk, a Riverdale of strip joints, and, yes, a just-16 year old Archie sleeping with his music teacher and then using it to blackmail her. And suggestions of twincest too.
The script begins with a narrator talking about the town of Riverdale, and how it isn’t what people think. We are shown what may be familiar locations, the city hall, the cinema, Pop’s Chok’lit Shoppe Diner, but also derelict buildings with boarded up walls, graffiti and meth addicts. Because this is the real Riverdale, all of it, folks. This isn’t just Archie the TV series. It’s Betty & Veronica Mars.
It starts with the death of Jason Blossom, Cheryl Blossom’s twin brother and doesn’t stop. This is a Riverdale with kids who talk about Rainbow parties, a Reggie who gets badly drunk, a Riverdale of strip joints, and, yes, a just-16 year old Archie sleeping with his music teacher and then using it to blackmail her. And suggestions of twincest too.
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