The present should go on, however for Archie and his associates, the musical is not the light-hearted story they need to sing about. The present was extra like Kevin’s projected fantasy than a grounded musical.
Based mostly on everybody’s response on Riverdale Season 7 Episode 14, it was clear they weren’t jiving with it.
Riverdale’s final musical ended its legacy with a spherical of authentic songs. Nonetheless, the plots and teenage drama appeared to be retreading themselves, caught in a neverending chorus of typical Riverdale tropes.
Riverdale musicals at all times discover a approach to tie again to the primary plot. Even Carrie the Musical on Riverdale Season 2 Episode 18 discovered a approach to join again to Cheryl’s points with Penelope and Alice’s concern of doubtless dropping Betty.
These nods have been nice as a result of they gave extra weight to the lyrics and what teenagers have been performing. “Archie the Musical” is probably the most meta model of this type because it hit each nail on its head.
From its authentic idea, the musical appeared much less like a “Grease” and extra like a 1950’s model of “Highschool Musical 3.”
Do not imagine me? Let us take a look at the plots: teenagers deciding what they need in life and after highschool, singing about their romances and needs, and the musical’s authentic ending going down on the promenade. (What crew? Wildcats!)
Kevin Keller is not any Kelsi, however there have been just a few Sharpay Evans and Troy Boltons on this group.
The connections appeared to pop up an increasing number of as Kevin’s authentic setlist got here to life. From what we discovered about his dad and mom, it is no marvel he tried to create this picture-perfect model of senior yr.
Nonetheless, the issue with Riverdale’s musical episodes is that it loses focus of the primary story and embraces itself an excessive amount of within the campiness of being a musical. It is virtually as if these standalone episodes overlook what present it’s and needs to be a musical.
That very same situation hits every time Riverdale features a singing efficiency, however that is felt extra so throughout musicals.
Just like the random spotlights, the whipping and whooshing noises, the fuzzy mixing between actuality and the musical world, and the randomness of everybody figuring out a tune Kevin wrote the night time earlier than (“This Is Our Track”).
Significantly, how did they know all of the lyrics?! Kevin mentioned he simply wrote it final night time.
After which we now have the spike in horniness from the solid and scenes.
Archie was once shirtless rather a lot on Riverdale, so it felt nostalgic to see that trope pop up once more. However Riverdale Season 7 desires its teen hormones trope to be nothing however sexually-charged scenes. This chapter went overboard for no cause.
Is that this the way you see us? Vapid, khaki, wacky ladies preventing over some man who doesn’t have any curiosity in any of us?
Betty
Did we want extra intercourse scenes in a tune about love and eager to be their genuine selves (“Do You Know What It is Like?”)?
Did we randomly have to have Archie and Julian undressing and singing bare in a college bathe collectively (“All American Thoughts”)?
There is a means it might add the place it suits within the move and blends into the aim of the plot, like Riverdale Season 7 Episode 3. On this case, it got here throughout as extra flash than substance.
Kevin’s coronary heart was in the correct place together with his musical thought. Specializing in his associates can be a relatable subject that will be simple to put in writing for, and folks may perceive.
Nonetheless, his plot clearly exhibits he did not know his associates effectively sufficient to put in writing about them. He solely centered on his idealized model of them and what he thought their issues have been.
Kevin: And Archie is the primary character.
Cheryl: However you simply mentioned the present is about all of us?
Toni: Yeah, and Cheryl and I aren’t right here to play glorified refrain ladies.
Like he ought to’ve requested Archie his largest life selections earlier than framing a whole musical about him.
It might be one factor if the musical had totally different tales that framed the plot, however that wasn’t the case. Archie appeared to be the focus; everybody grew out of that. Even Betty and Veronica’s new tune (“The Universe Inside”) was vastly totally different than the tone of the remainder of the Archie musical.
And in truth, the musical was higher for having many views. That new tune was stunning and ideal!
As unhappy as it’s, it is comprehensible why Principal Featherhead did not comply with the musical.
If your entire Drama division’s funds relied on the gross sales of this one present, the college would should be assured they’d make their a refund. An authentic present a few small group of associates may be very area of interest.
Possibly that is the universe telling us to swear off Archie and give attention to our friendship proper now?
Betty
Do not get me incorrect, Kevin wrote many nice songs, and they might be excellent if Riverdale Excessive obtained to do a number of exhibits a yr. From a funds standpoint, it would not work, and he has to think about this system for subsequent yr.
Although, that is Principal Featherhead’s fault. He ought to’ve instructed Kevin he wanted to run a well-liked and acquainted present.
By letting his hopes up, Kevin and the junior class wasted their time. That is not the mark of a great chief or administrator.
With the whole lot happening in Kevin’s life, he did not want this rejection. Certain, Featherhead would not have identified what was occurring at residence, however his dangerous determination had penalties.
Why do you suppose Kevin’s dad and mom have been separating?
“Archie the Musical” stored it imprecise about why. This transfer may partly be about conserving us at midnight till his chat together with his mom, one thing to make us doubt his dad and mom.
My greatest guess is that they grew aside.
Neither of them appeared blissful of their few moments collectively, however since we did not see a lot of Kevin’s mom earlier than, we’re solely left to guess. It might’ve been higher if we had seen hints in previous episodes that led to this.
Riverdale Season 7 Episode 14 achieved one large factor proper: it lastly pressured Archie to decide.
Significantly, the reckless boy subsequent door who flip-flopped between the whole lot, from basketball on Riverdale Season 7 Episode 12 to his romances on Riverdale Season 7 Episode 11, picked a facet.
I am glad he buckled down and thought of it. He wanted to do one thing, even when he let Kevin down by quitting.
Riverdale made him a really inconsistent character. It is about time he has follow-through in one thing that lasts longer than an episode or two.
Now for his selections, choosing poetry over basketball made loads of sense. He appeared extra excited by writing than competing on the courtroom, so this feature suits his character effectively.
Archie was the identical means within the authentic timeline as a soccer participant.
For dating-wise, if he is not excited by pursuing one thing with Betty or Veronica, he wants to go away them alone.
Archie: Fellas, I’m sorry to do that to you. However I’ve to step away from this musical for some time for my very own psychological well being. It’s too actual, too uncooked. And I’ve to determine some main stuff for myself.
Kevin: Actually, Archie?!
Clay: Good luck to you, Archie. I hope you make the correct determination about no matter it’s you’ll want to resolve.
This inconsistency has been irritating to observe throughout Riverdale Season 7. He retains bouncing backwards and forwards between them, having plots abruptly finish after he pursues Betty or ends issues with Veronica.
There is not any consistency or continuity between episodes anymore; it seems like the whole lot begins contemporary, and folks overlook. One thing has obtained to provide.
As an example, if Betty and Veronica are going to discover their emotions for one another, let’s have that plot hold shifting ahead.
The distinction between “Friday Valentine” and “The Universe Inside” gave us an enormous dose of power for the place the couple may go subsequent. There had been some gentle teasing, however the ‘ship appeared to be an actual factor.
Betty and Veronica have been electrical throughout their duet collectively. Everybody in that room felt it.
Now that Archie is out of the image, let’s hope the ‘ship is handled extra critically if Riverdale desires to discover that path. There’s loads of potential and nice chemistry to work with.
Final Ideas From Sweetwater River:
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“I Need Two” sums up Archie’s time on Riverdale completely. It did not need to be about deciding between two ladies; he stored his choices open about the whole lot.
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Jughead is a sensible boy. It has been lengthy overdue to have a scene of Jughead and Archie collectively once more.
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Did Cheryl and Toni actually suppose they may carry out the brand new tune within the present? Their stance was surprising as a result of all 4 had only recently devised a plan to faux to be relationship one another so they may keep within the closet.
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In case you watched “Senior 12 months” with none context, you’ll suppose the episode was aired out of order.
Now, over to you, Riverdale followers.
What did you consider “Chapter One Hundred Thirty-One: Archie the Musical”?
Will Archie remorse any of those selections? Will Betty and Veronica discover their emotions for one another? What was your favourite tune within the musical?
In case you missed the newest episode of Riverdale, you’ll be able to watch Riverdale on-line by way of TV Fanatic. Come again right here and share your ideas within the feedback beneath.
Justin Carreiro is a workers author for TV Fanatic. Observe him on Twitter.
