Why the Cars on the CW’s ‘Riverdale’ are Important
Cars play an important role of moving the plot along in Riverdale
Photo: Warner Bros. Television, 2017
Archie comics have been around forever. I remember being ten years old and begging my parents for a copy of Jughead’s Double Digest as we waited in line at the grocery store. But the CW’s version of Archie and the gang is far from the PG tales that were in those comics. Riverdale is a contemporary teenage drama full of mystery, secrets, and Adderall.
While the show is seemingly modern, there are hints that the town of Riverdale is somewhat behind the times and the classic cars featured on the show are much more than a simple nod to the old school comics; they’re catalysts for all of the drama that unfolds throughout the series.
WARNING: Spoilers ahead.
From the moment we hear the narrator describing the town of Riverdale to us, we’re shown a classic car with two red-headed passengers. That car is a 1961 Chevrolet Impala convertible and those passengers are twins Jason and Cheryl Blossom. As our guiding voice (Jughead) tells us, tragedy had struck Riverdale during the summer. Jason and Cheryl drove that candy apple red Impala to the lake for a boat ride together and everything changed.
Poor Jason Blossom doesn’t know he’s headed towards his demise… or does he?
Photo: Warner Bros. Television, 2017
The mystery surrounding Jason Blossom’s death continues to linger once school starts at Riverdale High, with students still uneasy about the event that shook the small town. Throughout the premiere episode, we meet all of Archie’s pals affected by the tragedy, including Betty, Veronica, Moose, Reggie, Kevin, and even Josie and the Pussycats.
Archie’s summer fling
The most intriguing introduction was that of Ms. Grundy, one of the teachers at Riverdale High. Archie and the young educator exchange excruciatingly intense looks during an assembly and that’s when, during a flashback, we learn that the two had a steamy affair over the summer, in the back of a classic Volkswagen Beetle.
It wouldn’t be a CW show without a steamy, scandalous affair
Photo: Warner Bros. Television, 2017
Kevin and Moose’s discovery
The show’s storyline continues to unfold, providing viewers with an abundance of subplots to keep them hooked. One of these subplots included the first openly gay Archie comics character, Kevin Keller, receiving a surprising sexual advance from dimwitted, closeted jock Moose Mason in the bathroom during the back-to-school semi formal dance. The pair proceed to travel to the previously mentioned secluded lake, in Moose’s 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger, with erotic intentions but stumble upon the missing body of Jason Blossom instead.
“I’m not gay,” says Moose. Yeah, okay *wink*
Photo: Warner Bros. Television, 2017
The future of cars in Riverdale
I have a feeling that cars will continue to play a pivotal role in the show’s plot, as implicated in a preview for the show that was released prior to the premiere (see below). While searching in the rain with Betty, Jughead shines a flashlight and exclaims, “This whole car is a crime scene.” Is that the car that was previously seen in the preview, burning in the woods? Possibly. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
Which mystery car is this and what will it tell us?
Photo: Warner Bros. Television, 2017
Check out the preview for Riverdale below:
Ben never thought he’d be writing about cars for a living, but here he is, knowing more about the Kia Stinger than he’d care to admit. When he’s not devoting his time to researching engine specs and other oh-so-exciting car details, he can be found enjoying time with his wife and dogs. See more articles by Ben.