Riverdale S01E02: A Touch of Evil Review

Riverdale S01E02: A Touch of Evil

Starring: K.J. Apa, Cole Sprouse, Camila Mendes, Lili Reinhart, Madelanie Petsch
Director: Lee Toland Krieger
Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

A review by Amelia Wellman

Episode two of Riverdale, titled tantalizingly A Touch of Evil, shows our gang of Archie Comic pals reeling from the discovery that Jason Blossom was murdered and Veronica kissed Archie during their 7 Minutes in Heaven. Differing stakes, one a touch more important than the other, but both played up to satisfying results.

A Touch of Evil leaves us waiting for episode three on a cliffhanger concerning the Twin Peaks murder mystery, but the bulk of the episode focuses on establishing more character histories and deeper interactions. The worst part of it all? Having Archie ask Miss Grundy if there’s anything between them and having her say that there is. Because she’s manipulating him, he just can’t see. I’m more than likely going to say this every episode, but it needs to be said: Statutory rape should be a problem for everyone and it needs to stop being the side-plot in every teenage drama on television. So yes, as the boy is prone to do, Archie messes up everything as he broods about secrets he’s being forced to keep for his literal abuser and pouts about Betty not talking to him even though he’s mostly to blame for her reaction last episode.

Archie’s friends continue to bring the intrigue that has me curious though.

Betty and Veronica struggle to work through their Archie issues, since last episode Archie cruelly turned Betty down and now she’s projecting that rejection onto Veronica, ignoring the fact that this Veronica doesn’t want Archie. Or at least keeps herself in check about him because she understands Betty’s feelings. Isn’t that refreshing? I think it’s so nice to see her valuing her friendship with Betty above a guy. It looks to be developing into a genuine friendship of understanding and support, and I’m so all about that finally happening in teenage media! I even have faith that any fights the two get into will be quickly resolved because nothing is left indefinite at the blazing speed that The CW moves its narratives along at.

Betty also has some interesting scenes outside of the main group. Her mother continues to be Queen Bitch to her, but Cheryl Blossom is charging in to usurp that crown pretty hard. There is a scene between the two of them that is shot in such a way it manages to give Betty all the power and be a force of intimidation. Betty Copper, sweet girl-next-door, turned intimidating and threatening from a single shot. I never thought I’d see the day.

While Betty builds a few walls, Veronica has a charming little scene with Archie that manages to knock a few down. I really love how this is a Veronica that was a spoiled, rich bitch in the past but has realized she doesn’t want to be that anymore and is actively trying to change herself. Seeing her dole out motherly advice to Betty and Archie works so, so well for her. She’s going to care for her friends in a way she hasn’t in other Archie media. I hate to repeat myself, but I never thought I’d see the day.

Jughead’s part has been substantially increased in A Touch of Evil as he and Archie work through some differences to be friends again. Something drove Archie and Jughead apart, and while we’re not privy to the details, we do see the two still care about each other as Archie takes a punch from Reggie to defend Jughead, and even steps up to do the right thing about the information he has concerning Jason after Jughead reminds him who he really is. It’s cute, I like it! More guy love between two guys, please!

Cole Sprouse is great as Jughead and will no doubt continue being great. Jughead has always struck me as a character that spends a lot more time instead his own head than with other people, and all the subtle little emotions over-thinking people tend to display are played up really naturally by Sprouse. Having him narrate moments of the story as he writes for his blog is great too. If you’ve got to drop exposition too unnatural to work as dialogue, a narrator is the way to go. Of course, we’ve yet to see Jughead eat a burger, which is worrying. There was mention of them, and a beautifully shot, neon-lit scene of Archie, Jughead, Betty, and Veronica in a booth at Pop Tate’s, so burgers are coming. I have faith in that as well.

I am still having a bit of trouble with how the characters are talking. Lines from Kevin like: “I know sexuality is fluid, but can someone named Moose be that fluid?” or from Jughead like: “Sardonic humour is how I relate to the world.” It’s obvious that no one who’s been near a teenager recently is writing these teenage characters.

They talk like ironic teenagers more than actual teenagers. Like how actual teenagers talk when they’re pretending to be like the teenagers that middle aged white men write. It’s not as egregious here as it was in the Scream television show, but it shows that even people who’ve made their money on teenagers in the past lose touch and overcompensate with slang and references. Teenagers are really interesting people, creators should strive not to pigeon-hole them as one-note stereotypes because they left Neverland and grew up themselves.

*major side-eye at Reggie’s quickly deteriorating character into douche canoe jock*

Actually, major side-eye to all the minor characters. They haven’t pegged Reggie down yet, so any shift in attitude seems like a complete flip in what we’ve already seen. Moose and Kevin continue to have a secret gay thing happening that I’m not quite sure had to be in the show at all. Midge has come and gone in name alone, and Josie and the Pussycats seem to be around more as set dressings and soundtrack-sellers than actual characters. We’ll see if any of this gets straightened out throughout the season, but for now, they’re definitely a failing grade.

The cinematography and look of Riverdale continues to be a bright spot among some cloudy elements though. The neon lights of Pop Tate’s dinner shining through the foggy, drizzling rain? Gorgeous. The classic cars that line roads the Archie gang walk down? A clever homage to the comic’s start in 1939. The little touches here and there are, in large part, what keeps me riveted to the episode as I try to absorb each detail. It’s pretty. I like pretty things.

And how each character has been carefully sculpted to fit into the comic model? So clever! These aren’t meant to be living, breathing people in our world, they’re meant to be Archie characters! Yes, I know that’s why many people are finding this series hard to swallow, but aesthetically it’s one of the most interesting things they could have done. Reinhart’s faultless Betty ponytail, Sprouse’s crown beanie, and Mendes plastic-like Veronica perfection all work for their characters. Props to hair and wardrobe, you’re rocking it!

The Verdict
Keep watching it! I didn’t think I’d be into Riverdale as much as I am, but A Touch of Evil has me eagerly awaiting Netflix Canada to drop the next episode. The murder mystery solidifies my interest with each episode revealing small, titillating glimpses into a web that’s no doubt tangled and huge, but it’s the classic characters wrapped up in modern teenage drama that keeps me from drifting off to do something else while the episode plays. Once more for the road, I never thought I’d see the day.