I know it's trying to ape Twin Peaks so the tone is a bit weird for me. I liked the animated series so it's a bit jarring how serious it seems to be taking itself.
Some impressions suggest that it's more self-aware campy than the trailer lets on (which is a big part of the Twin Peaks appeal that a lot of media trying to ape it tend to forget). And in
this interview Sacasa says the he wanted the show to be like a "teen Fargo", so there's definitely some levity and (dark) humor there.
A few quotes:
There are some hints of Sacasa’s subversive tendencies in the way he handles a few of the characters – Jughead, Moose and Josie in particular are given potentially interesting spins. The Betty–Veronica relationship is well handled as he avoids going in the obvious direction – at least straight away. Ironically – given Sacasa’s past work – it’s Kevin Keller who is given the most predictable depiction as he is shown as a gossipy best-friend type used mostly to push snarky exposition.
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/07/21/riverdale-pilot-spoiler-free-review/
First, it's wildly entertaining and enjoyably twisty, which one would expect from a Berlanti effort. Second, it has a diverse cast that belies its mildly racist and sexist stock characterizations; Veronica and all of the Pussycats (yes, Josie and the Pussycats is making a comeback) are POC, and while the sole gay character is primarily understood through his sexuality so far, the show's self-aware joke, "is being the gay best friend still a thing?" demonstrates that the writers understand and will hopefully subvert this stereotype.
(...)
It remains to be seen whether Riverdale will be a legitimately good show or just a guilty pleasure, but if it steers into the skid and doubles down on the meta humor and interesting characterizations like Veronica's, it has the potential to be our next Berlanti-produced obsession.
http://www.outerplaces.com/science-...twin-peaks-meets-dawson-s-creek-in-a-good-way
I mean, let’s be honest: when something is described as a gritty adaptation of the Archie Comics mixed with elements of a Twin Peaks murder mystery and Gossip Girl romantic intrigue? Come on. That just sounds like a hodgepodge of random genres thrown into a blender. But oh. My. Archie. I was so wrong.
I can’t even explain how, but somehow, all the elements work together to make a juicy, compelling, thrilling murder mystery with romantic intrigue, messy family drama and complicated relationships between friends and enemies and friends turned enemies and enemies turned friends. It’s addictively fun.
http://nerdist.com/why-riverdale-is-the-best-new-drama-of-the-season-sdcc-review/
Btw, speaking of Twin Peaks: Alice Cooper (Betty's mother) is played by Mädchen Amick, who's none other than Shelly from TP.
