Riverdale Episode 3: Full Dark

So far, as a CW TV series, Riverdale seems to be defying expectations despite its less-than-memorable opening. Most of the characters, excepting Kevin Keller and his overboard gay best friend shtick, become more interesting with time, the murder mystery that started so lame is finally reaching some level of compelling storytelling and, even though its all based on the most bubblegum of bubblegum classic Americana comics in existence, the series seems to be more than willing to not only change the characters in interesting ways, but also seems to be willing to give them a sense of darkness one would never associate with the character to begin with. Now, with Episode 3: Body Double out and ready to hopefully expand on the brilliance that was Episode 2, my only response is: "Wow! They actually went there."

Let's start off by pointing out that, despite its massive and hasty improvement, Riverdale still lacks quite a lot before my own brand of "Perfect TV Show" ever comes into play. Yes, the murder of Jason Blossom is finally getting interesting as the plot finally feels stabilized, but the Archie-Grundy-Hot-For-The-Teacher plot thread remains the weakest holdover from the pilot and, while he is steadily improving, Keller just isn't that interesting and all he seems to be here for is to randomly say gay things because "he's the gay guy". Come on, writers! If John Barrowman and Neil Patrick Harris can make homosexuals seems awesome in a totally guy movie way, you can find a way to make Kevin Keller more than a walking stereotype and GIVE HIM SOMETHING INTERESTING TO DO.

Other than that, what can I say? The episode is awesome. Cheryl Blossom, no longer the bitchy widow (to her twin brother), finally gets added depth as a woman who finally realizes that her brother was more of a bastard than she ever realized. Fred Andrews, the constantly niggling grownup voice that never comes off as anything more than a buzzkill for all the teen fun, is actually acting like he might be trying to understand Archie (which makes his character arch much more interesting). Jeez. Even Betty (the good girl in a way that makes other good girls look like whores) has finally been given a dimension of darkness that I didn't expect (I wasn't aware that the name "Betty Cooper" and the phrase "might fucking kill you!" could actually go together on this show). Kudos for not being afraid to slaughter some sacred cows!

My recommendation for Episode 4: for the love of God, kill Grundy or give her something interesting to do besides be Archie's creepy obsession. The character is bland at best and uninteresting at worst and, even though she seems to have some pivotal reason for her influence on Archie, her plot thread feels like the only thing on the show still struggling to tread water.  Other than that, the show is as close as your going to get to great disposable teen entertainment. What more could you ask for there?