Riverdale Tackles The 1950s and Pokes Fun At Itself In Season 7 Premiere

The 1950s take center stage in Riverdale’s season seven premiere. Riverdale is known for absurd plot lines, but in this case, audiences knew exactly what they were getting into, as it was revealed at the conclusion of season six.

Archie and his friends have been transported into the past, with Jughead being the only one to remember their lives in the future. So, what does that mean for everyone?

Riverdale’s ability to wipe everyone’s memories and bring them back to high school juniors allows the show to tap back into its season one root of first crushes, secret pasts, and coming-of-age stories.

But, the show has not forgotten where it came from, as Jughead’s memories allow for “Don’t Worry Darling” to play into the comedy of the past bizarre storylines as Jughead tries to explain to his friends what their lives were truly like. Jughead’s explanations are perfectly handled to make sure it sounds odd to anyone who does not know the history. The rest of the group is rightfully confused and somewhat amused by Jughead’s descriptions.

“Don’t Worry Darling” even calls out how Kevin had been used so little and oddly in the past that Jughead has no point of reference for Kevin’s future other than his high school activities of directing plays and joining an organ harvesting cult.

If Riverdale can acknowledge there is a lack of things for Jughead to say about Kevin, hopefully, the show will give him more to do in the final season.

Otherwise, season seven steps back into playing with the love triangle. But, rather than kicking off with Archie, Betty, and Veronica, “Don’t Worry Darling” opens with a triangle between Archie, Veronica, and newcomer Julian, who takes on the role of Cheryl’s twin brother in Jason’s place.

It is already clear that universes are blending together as those audiences know to be dead are making appearances or is referenced to be alive.

Stepping into the 1950s also gives Riverdale a chance to discuss racial injustice through the murder of Emmett Till.

Season seven is Riverdale re-inventing itself and taking on a fresh set of storylines in its final season. Of course, doing something so massively different in its last year is a huge gamble, but Riverdale has never been one to shy away from a complicated or crazy storyline.

Focusing on the 1950s, and erasing everyone’s memories, including Jughead’s in the end, allows everyone a fresh start, a different outlook on life, and opportunities to explore relationships that Riverdale never had the chance to deliver previously.