I know I'm late to this, but the show has something buoying it up. It's a Netflix show pretty much everywhere but the US. If it does well for Netflix, Netflix has a vested interest in keeping it around.
But, it's apparently doing just fine for the CW, so it looks like the show doesn't need the Netflix help that much.
Yeah, Riverdale has become surprisingly popular. It's still definitely one of the more divisive shows on television, but the CW seems to really have a lot of faith in it.
As far as this episode, though, it was pretty awesome. I'm so glad Kevin finally got some depth because I've really grown to love his character. And Archie... is slowly becoming my favorite character. Who would have thought a near-death experience, PTSD, and an insane vigilante complex would make a bland character so interesting?
Anybody else completely disturbed and confused by the Hermoine/Hiram dynamic? Hiram is a pretty interesting character so far, but I have no idea what he's doing to Hermoine (and Veronica) that's making them act so out of character.
I thought that too, but i remember reading a bunch of click-baity posts about why that couldn't be true. I think it boiled down to their eyes or something.
Though I wouldn't be surprised if they use multiple actors for the Black Hood.
I wouldn't be surprised if someone is paying the Black Hood, or manipulating him. And copycats, I expect copycats at some point.
I'm pretty sure the creator of the series is queer. He's wanted to work with Archie characters for ages, and before the company changed hands he got a cease and desist when he tried to write a play about Archie being gay. He's like Alan Ball for teen dramas, I suppose. And I mean, at least they gave him something to do. I imagine his character won't always revolve around his sexuality, but they barely explored it last season.
Ooooh, that's a good one. They're pulling a good ol' Scream on us, huh?
edited 29th Oct '17 11:48:57 AM by iamthecircle
Random thoughts:
- I have no idea who the Black Hood is. Not a clue. It's probably Hal Cooper but that's so obvious at this point.
- I'm thoroughly convinced that poor Betty is the heart of this show. When she falls apart, Riverdale is completely divided. Lili Reinhart is fantastic. Also, I'm starting to wonder if Betty is imagining some of the phone calls. The Black Hood still exists, but still, it's possible.
- "Normal Teen Blockhead Archie" is back and he's so freakin' endearing. I never realized it before but Archie's best quality is just how empathetic he is. He takes on everyone else's problems but has absolutely no idea how to help anyone around him. I love how he's so quick to be there for Betty and jump at the chance to find Nick St. Clair and kick his ass for Cheryl's sake.
- Speaking of Nick, that sexual assault attempt scene was pretty terrifying. I can't be the only one who thought he was actually gonna succeed in raping Cheryl. However, watching Veronica and Josie and the Pussycats jumping Nick was one of the greatest things I've seen on television; especially considering how relevant it is.
- The Bughead shippers must be furious after tonight's episode. Everything about Jughead's storyline is their worst nightmare. Not only does he join the Serpents, Betty is forced to break up with him and he and Toni Topaz might actually become a thing. This show is not pulling any punches and I am all here for it.
This episode was awesome. It was by far the tensest episode of the show yet. I'm surprised this thread is so dry with the insanity that is this season.
edited 8th Nov '17 9:00:52 PM by deuteragonist
That was one heck of an episode.
All the CW shows I follow have been above average this week.
When the music started playing at the party I thought it was Cheryl initially until I saw the hands.
I kind of wish Cheryl had more influence still. Even so I wonder if she'll try for revenge against Nick's family. I certainly think she'll try and smear Nick's name as much as she can after he's killed.
I saw some teen magazine had a poll asking what was your favorite character, and Jughead won with 50%. (Betty was 2 with 19%, Archie was 3 with 15%, Veronica at 4 with 12%, and Cheryl was 5 at 4%.)
edited 11th Nov '17 9:27:42 PM by lalalei2001
The Protomen enhanced my life.Which one of you Philistines listed Madchen Amick in that low-cut dress under Fan Disservice?
Never trust anyone who uses "degenerate" as an insult.Not me, she can step on me with those stilletos any day. I mean the outfit is a little tacky, but wasn't that kind of the point? She's definitely gorgeous as ever though, so I don't accept it being Fan Disservice because she's over the age of 30. That's literally the only reason I can think someone put it under that. Honestly isn't Fan Disservice supposed to be something that's super revolting or disconcerting anyway?
Jughead's popularity is the fact he's played by a pretty white boy who's an angsty outcast. People love their pretty angst ridden outcasts. Betty's my favorite, but I also love Veronica. I read somewhere that the ladies act circles around the boys and just tend to be more interesting. I think that's being somewhat altered this season what with Archie having something to fucking do, but yeah.
Also I was really hoping it was going to be revealed Jughead was demisexual and as a result wasn't going to be into Toni. He doesn't seem to know her too well. It would have kept Jughead somewhere on the a-spectrum, would have felt in character, and we wouldn't have had to make Toni a sacrificial lamb to the more ravenous Bugheads.

I definitely agree that episode 2 was top notch Riverdale. I was a little disappointed by the premiere, but I think that was excited expectation more than the episode's actual fault. I also appreciate that they are trying to connect Archie to the actual juicy drama and murder mystery gong on in Riverdale instead of having his tangential Troy Bolton subplot.