Riverdale Season 1 Overview: The Sweet Hereafter

Not sure how I missed reviewing the season finale of "Riverdale" but better late then never. "Riverdale" is not in my usual wheelhouse (no zombies!) but it's surprisingly entertaining. For an overview of the characters see my initial review here: Riverdale Episodes 1-4 Reviews

The overarching mystery this season has been the identity of Jason Blossom's killer. But there are MANY more secrets in Riverdale besides that. Betty's older sister Polly was away at a sanitarium at the beginning of the show. Betty later breaks a very pregnant Polly out. She and Jason were an item and planned to run away together the night he disappeared.

The suspect list mounts as possible killers of Jason include: Jughead, his father FP, Betty's father Hal, or even the Blossom parents themselves. We'll have to wait a while for the big reveal.

Romantic alliance shift often on "Riverdale". We have Archie and Veronica becoming a thing. Jughead and Betty's romance blooms. Veronica's mom (Hermione) and Archie's dad (Fred) even share a kiss. Archie also has a dalliance with a high school teacher. Pretty sure that is illegal people!!

It is eventually revealed that Jason was sadly killed by his own father Cliff. The family business of maple syrup is actually a front for a heroin smuggling ring. Clfford hangs himself in the barn. The police try to get intel from FP on who exactly was working with Cliff, but FP wont tell (not even for a lighter prison sentence). FP doesnt seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed.

Cheryl Blossom becomes increasingly despondent. She gives away all her favorite belongings. She tries to off herself in the same location where she last saw Jason (the river). Cheryl falls though the ice. Archie heroically saves her as the others look on in shock. Cheryl later burns down her house but luckily doesnt kill Penelope in the process. Where is Nana Blossom though? I really hope she wasnt inside.

"The Sweet Hereafter" sets up the stories for season 2. Jughead is at a new school (which doesnt seem as bad as the crew originally thought). What effect will this separation have on Jug and Betty's relationship? Archie and Veronica share the night together. I think he still has feelings for Betty though. Ah, young hormones!

In one of the biggest surprises of the season, it's revealed that Coopers girls are actually Blossoms. Hal's grandfather and Cliff's grandfather were actually brothers. After Hal's grandfather was killed by the other Blossom, Hal's father changed their family name to "Cooper". This means Polly and Jason are actually third cousins. While "technically" I'm not sure that's incest in most states, it's still gross. Yuck!! Now Alice confesses that she had a son while in high school whom she gave up for adoption. Any odds on who will play him next season (or do we already know him)? These people have a very complicated family tree.

Other news: Hiram is coming home from prison at the end of the month. Fred declines to sell his business to the Lodge family. Archie is still trying to break into music. Betty writes a scathing article about adults, the Serpents and how the town has changed. The backlash is fierce. I dont really care about any of this to be honest. Give more air time to Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch). In fact, she should have her own show. Please make that happen CW!!!

In the season cliffhanger, Fred and Archie meet at Pop's Diner for breakfast. Archie heads to the restroom. Warning: Bad things always happen on TV shows/movies when someone goes to the restroom. There is a robbery and Fred is shot in the gut. Will he survive? I dont think that was a random act. Someone wants to get rid of Fred. Is it the Serpents? How about the Lodges? Maybe Luke Perry just needs a break.

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). "Riverdale" kept me coming back for the entire season (and I'm WAY out of the show's target demographic). The characters are compelling, the story lines interesting, and the cinematography beautiful. Not sure where they'll go next year but I'm all in. "Riverdale" returns on October 11 on a new night and time-- Wednesdays at 8 PM.