The present should go on, however for Archie and his buddies, the musical is not the light-hearted story they wish to sing about. The present was extra like Kevin’s projected fantasy than a grounded musical.
Based 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 unique songs. However, 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 principal 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 worry of probably 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 the most meta model of this model because it hit each nail on its head.
From its unique idea, the musical appeared much less like a “Grease” and extra like a 1950’s model of “Highschool Musical 3.”
Don’t consider me? Let’s have a look at the plots: teenagers deciding what they need in life and after highschool, singing about their romances and wishes, and the musical’s unique ending happening at the promenade. (What group? Wildcats!)
Kevin Keller is not any Kelsi, however there have been a couple of Sharpay Evans and Troy Boltons on this group.
The connections appeared to pop up increasingly more as Kevin’s unique 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 12 months.
However, the drawback with Riverdale’s musical episodes is that it loses focus of the principal story and embraces itself an excessive amount of in the campiness of being a musical. It’s virtually as if these standalone episodes neglect what present it’s and desires to be a musical.
That similar concern hits each time Riverdale features a singing efficiency, however that is felt extra so throughout musicals.
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 music Kevin wrote the night time earlier than (“This Is Our Song”).
Seriously, how did they know all the lyrics?! Kevin stated he simply wrote it final night time.
And then we have now the spike in horniness from the solid and scenes.
Archie was shirtless quite a bit on Riverdale, so it felt nostalgic to see that trope pop up once more. But Riverdale Season 7 needs its teen hormones trope to be nothing however sexually-charged scenes. This chapter went overboard for no motive.
Is this the way you see us? Vapid, khaki, wacky women combating over some man who doesn’t have any curiosity in any of us?
Betty
Did we’d like extra intercourse scenes in a music about love and desirous to be their genuine selves (“Do You Know What It’s Like?”)?
Did we randomly must have Archie and Julian undressing and singing bare in a college bathe collectively (“All American Mind”)?
There’s a manner it will probably add the place it matches in the stream and blends into the goal of the plot, like Riverdale Season 7 Episode 3. In this case, it got here throughout as extra flash than substance.
Kevin’s coronary heart was in the proper place along with his musical concept. Focusing on his buddies could be a relatable subject that might be straightforward to put in writing for, and folks might perceive.
However, his plot clearly reveals he did not know his buddies nicely 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 principal character.
Cheryl: But you simply stated the present is about all of us?
Toni: Yeah, and Cheryl and I aren’t right here to play glorified refrain women.
Like he ought to’ve requested Archie his greatest life selections earlier than framing a complete musical about him.
It could be one factor if the musical had completely different tales that framed the plot, however that wasn’t the case. Archie appeared to be the point of interest; everybody grew out of that. Even Betty and Veronica’s new music (“The Universe Inside”) was vastly completely different than the tone of the remainder of the Archie musical.
And in truth, the musical was higher for having many views. That new music was stunning and excellent!
As unhappy as it’s, it is comprehensible why Principal Featherhead did not comply with the musical.
If the complete Drama division’s price range relied on the gross sales of this one present, the faculty would must be assured they’d make their a refund. An unique present a couple of small group of buddies could be very area of interest.
Maybe that is the universe telling us to swear off Archie and concentrate on our friendship proper now?
Betty
Don’t get me improper, Kevin wrote many nice songs, and they might be good if Riverdale High acquired to do a number of reveals a 12 months. From a price range standpoint, it would not work, and he has to think about the program for subsequent 12 months.
Though, that is Principal Featherhead’s fault. He ought to’ve informed 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’s not the mark of an excellent chief or administrator.
With every little thing happening in Kevin’s life, he did not want this rejection. Sure, Featherhead would not have recognized what was occurring at residence, however his dangerous determination had penalties.
Why do you assume Kevin’s dad and mom have been separating?
“Archie the Musical” saved it imprecise about why. This transfer might partly be about conserving us in the darkish till his chat along with his mom, one thing to make us doubt his dad and mom.
My finest guess is that they grew aside.
Neither of them appeared comfortable 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 would’ve been higher if we had seen hints in previous episodes that led to this.
Riverdale Season 7 Episode 14 completed one huge factor proper: it lastly compelled Archie to decide.
Seriously, the reckless boy subsequent door who flip-flopped between every little thing, from basketball on Riverdale Season 7 Episode 12 to his romances on Riverdale Season 7 Episode 11, picked a aspect.
I’m 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’s about time he has follow-through in one thing that lasts longer than an episode or two.
Now for his decisions, choosing poetry over basketball made quite a lot of sense. He appeared extra concerned with writing than competing on the court docket, so this feature matches his character nicely.
Archie was the similar manner in the unique timeline as a soccer participant.
For dating-wise, if he is not concerned with pursuing one thing with Betty or Veronica, he wants to go away them alone.
Archie: Fellas, I’m sorry to do that to you. But 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: Really, Archie?!
Clay: Good luck to you, Archie. I hope you make the proper determination about no matter it’s it’s essential resolve.
This inconsistency has been irritating to comply with throughout Riverdale Season 7. He retains bouncing forwards and backwards between them, having plots abruptly finish after he pursues Betty or ends issues with Veronica.
There’s no consistency or continuity between episodes anymore; it seems like every little thing begins recent, and folks neglect. Something has acquired to present.
For occasion, if Betty and Veronica are going to discover their emotions for one another, let’s have that plot maintain transferring ahead.
The distinction between “Friday Valentine” and “The Universe Inside” gave us an enormous dose of vitality for the place the couple might 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. Everyone in that room felt it.
Now that Archie is out of the image, let’s hope the ‘ship is handled extra significantly if Riverdale needs to discover that path. There’s quite a lot of potential and nice chemistry to work with.
Last Thoughts From Sweetwater River:
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“I Want Two” sums up Archie’s time on Riverdale completely. It did not must be about deciding between two girls; he saved his choices open about every little thing.
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Jughead is a smart boy. It’s been lengthy overdue to have a scene of Jughead and Archie collectively once more.
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Did Cheryl and Toni actually assume they may carry out the new music in the present? Their stance was stunning as a result of all 4 had only recently devised a plan to fake to be courting one another so they may keep in the closet.
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If you watched “Senior Year” with none context, you’ll assume 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 decisions? Will Betty and Veronica discover their emotions for one another? What was your favourite music in the musical?
If you missed the newest episode of Riverdale, you possibly can watch Riverdale on-line through TV Fanatic. Come again right here and share your ideas in the feedback under.
Justin Carreiro is a employees author for TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter.
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