Riverdale: The Complete 1st Season DVD Review: Own it on 8/15
Synopsis: Based on the characters from Archie Comics, Riverdale gives a subversive take on small-town life. Things aren’t always what you expect in Riverdale. As a new school year begins, the town is reeling from the tragic death of high school golden boy Jason Blossom. The summer’s events made all-American teen Archie Andrews realize that he wants to pursue a career in music, but his fractured friendship with Jughead Jones and Josie McCoy’s focus on her own band leaves Archie without a mentor. Meanwhile, girl-next-door Betty Cooper is not ready to reveal her true feelings for Archie, and a new student, Veronica Lodge, has an undeniable spark with Betty’s crush. And then there’s Cheryl Blossom, Riverdale’s queen bee, who stirs up trouble amongst Archie, Betty, and Veronica. But is Cheryl hiding something about the mysterious death of her twin brother, Jason? Riverdale may look like a quiet, sleepy town, but there’s so much more to the story.
In this three disc DVD set, we get all episodes from the season, deleted scenes and some special features as well. In this article, we will review the DVD specials and give you a brief overview of each episode. Don’t forget to purchase Riverdale: The Complete First Season on August 15th.
Disc One:
Chapter 1: The River’s Edge
The first episode of the season was explosive and our first view of the new and darker world of the Archie comics. Jason Blossom’s death has left the town reeling, and the world is a little darker than before. Archie and his friends attempt to make sense of their new world.
Deleted Scene
Chapter 2: A Touch of Evil
More details about Jason’s death come to light and Jughead discovers a secret that Archie would prefer stayed that way. Everyone is planning for the big pep rally.
Deleted Scene
Chapter 3: Body Double
Archie and Miss Grundy’s relationship takes a turn. Cheryl becomes the center of the suspicion surrounding her brother’s death. Veronica focuses on the paper and bringing it back to life.
Deleted Scene
Chapter 4: The Last Picture Show
Betty and Archie’s relationship is strained, and Alice attacks Archie’s perfect teen image. Veronica confronts her mother about her actions with the Southside Serpents.
Deleted Scene
Chapter 5: Heart of Darkness
Preparing for Jason’s funeral, the Blossoms have more than just the funeral in mind. Betty and Veronica discover family secrets and Hermoine receives a message from the Serpents.
Deleted Scene
Special Feature: The New Normal
This feature gives us a look into the world of comic-book icons Archie, Betty, and Veronica and the changes the world has made over the years. We learn a lot about the creation of the new world of the Archie comics and the inspiration behind it. One of the inspirations for the tone of the show was a David Lynch movie, Blue Velvet. This feature is fascinating, and I wish I’d even seen it before the show because it makes me appreciate the show even more.
Disc Two:
Chapter 6: Faster, Pussycats! Kill! Kill!
As they investigate further into Jason’s death, Jughead and Betty come in contact with Polly. Veronica tailspins as a new betrayal becomes known.
Deleted Scene
Chapter 7: In a Lonely Place
As the murder investigation becomes the most talked about thing in Riverdale, Jugheads dad returns to the fray, and Cheryl approaches Better with a proposal.
Deleted Scene
Chapter 8: The Outsiders
Jughead has a secret and is worried about how his friends will react. Mr. Andrews loses his construction crew, and something unexpected happens when Archie’s friends step up to help.
Chapter 9: La Grande Illusion
Alice is hell bent on getting revenge on the Blossoms and Hermione is conflicted about telling Fred the truth.
Deleted Scene
Chapter 10: The Lost Weekend
Betty plans a party for Jughead that doesn’t go as planned. Veronica struggles with the decision to help or harm her father during the deposition.
Deleted Scene
Special Feature: I Got You. The beautifully performed musical duet featuring Archie and Valerie.
Disc 3
Chapter 11: To Riverdale and Back
Archie’s mom makes a return and has Fred reconsidering his divorce. Archie, Veronica, and Betty help Alice with the investigation and Jughead debates on giving his deadbeat dad a second chance.
Chapter 12: Anatomy of a Murder
Jughead joins Archie and Veronica in their investigation after they reveal to their parents what they know. Cheryl uses that time to confront her mother.
Deleted Scenes
Chapter 13: The Sweet Hereafter
In the explosive season finale, Archie and Veronica get closer, Jughead ends up in a bit of a situation, and finally, the truth about the Blossom family business is revealed.
Deleted Scenes
Special Features:
Riverdale: 2016 Comic-Con Panel
The cast and crew are together to discuss the show. The moderator is Tim Stack. The whole panel is a little under 8 minutes, and we learn about the origins of the show, the casting and more. We found out that KJ who plays Archie was the last to be cast. The cast talks about prepping for the iconic roles. We learn a bit more about the next season and what happened to Jason Blossom. There will be more romances and that most of the people at the table will become involved with each other. They will also solve the case in the next season.
Riverdale: The Ultimate Sin
A short documentary looks at how the discovery of Jason Blossom’s body plunged the small town of Riverdale into darkness.
These Are the Moments I Remember
A great musical performance by Archie and Josie and the Pussycats.
Gag Reel
These are always one of my favorite features on the season DVDs. They are lighthearted and provide insight into the reality of being on set and having to place such serious moments but barely keeping it together.
Don’t forget to purchase Riverdale: The Complete First Season on August 15th.
