Riverdale: A Kiss Before Dying

The long-awaited 'Riverdale' Season 2 has arrived on October 11, 2017. Many fans of the television show or the Archie comic books have been eagerly waiting for the producers to release the next season of the popular show, including myself.  Before releasing this first episode, the CW network exposed some hints and sneak peeks in its dark trailer, which was released in July of 2017.

As a fan of all kinds of entertainment, I believe that the first season, episode, or book will be always better than the second. There have been some unique cases who surprised me, but this belief still stands. 'Riverdale' is not my favorite type of genre or setting, but unlike other mystery cases, the producers, cast, and story drew me in quickly. 
The forty-five-minute episode begins with Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) driving to the hospital with his wounded father, Fred Andrews (Luke Perry), in the backseats. As Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse) narrates the journey, Archie arrives at the hospital carrying his dying father. The producers had created a perfect cliffhanger in the season before, Archie's father shot, Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch) burning her house to ashes, and Jughead (maybe?) joining the Southside Serpents. 
In my opinion, this episode was quite fast-paced and it began to expose the characters' developed thoughts. We see Archie's father on life support at the beginning of the episode, but in the final moments, his father is already home recovering. We also met a new character, Hiram Lodge (Mark Consuelos), who is playing the role of Veronica Lodge's (Camila Mendes) father and a well-known criminal. I enjoyed the new plot twist located in the first episode, but I loved how much Veronica had changed. Unlike the Veronica we see at the beginning of season one, Veronica has become more mature and aware of the lies and troubles her family has caused. After comforting Archie, although he argues and yells at her, she confronts her parents face-to-face. While praying with her mom, Hermione Lodge (Marisol Nichols) she states her suspicions on her mother's role as her father's "hands and feet on the earth". Marisol Nichols' acting skills surprised by initiating an odd annoyance and dislike for her arrogant character, Mrs. Lodge. 
Another realistic feature might be Betty Copper's (Lili Reinhart) and Jughead's relationship struggle. I enjoy how the producers show how much Jughead is struggling to find who he really is. The Southside Serpents along with his father's reputation pressure him to join the Southside Serpents, yet he still wants to remain out of danger to stay with Betty. In my perspective, I see Betty pulling him to become a 'normal' person like she is. I understand that she wants to stay with Jughead through good and bad, but I don't think she understands Jughead's perspective on the situation. In the past, some sources have indicated that another girl is most likely to endanger the 'Bughead' relationship.
Overall, this episode was a nice introductory hour. It welcomes old and new watchers into the world of 'Riverdale'. I would recommend it to those who enjoy mysteries and criminal issues, but I would also give a word of advice to those who don't like this genre: Please, give it a try. It will be most likely worth your time. 

Check It Out:

The Season One Trailer

The Season Two Trailer

The Cast:

K. J. Apa as Archie Andrews.
Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper.
Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge.
Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones.
Marisol Nichols as Hermione Lodge.
Luke Perry as Fred Andrews.
Casey Cott as Kevin Keller.
Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom.
Madchen Amick as Alice Cooper.
Ashleigh Murray as Josie McCoy.

The remaining cast can be found here:

http://m.imdb.com/title/tt5420376/fullcredits/cast