A brand new musical has arrived at Riverdale Excessive on Riverdale Season 4 Episode 17!
Riverdale loves its musical theater, and “Hedwig and the Offended Inch” is a unique tackle the performances they’ve executed thus far. However, at any time when the present is impressed by a musical, one thing dangerous occurs on the town.
Serial killer murders, cult arrivals, dramatic teen drama tied to coincidental songs … the whole lot is on the desk. So, did Hedwig stay as much as the legacy of Riverdale’s musical historical past?
“Depraved Little City” captured the rebellious and edgy really feel of the musical, with many of the characters and plots breaking free from their restrictions. Nonetheless, the chapter felt disjointed at occasions as Riverdale tried to inject the songs/musical into the pure course of the story when it did not match.
With out the backdrop of a college musical the place these songs might be performed, the tone felt like Glee at occasions.
There was an odd blur between actuality and fiction, with songs coming to life that you just have been uncertain in the event that they have been taking place or if simply in a “efficiency” setting.
And, the random whipping sounds returned too. (Taking a look at you, Riverdale Season 3 Episode 16!)
For instance, the second track with “Random Quantity Technology.”
Kevin tried to persuade Mr. Honey to permit his Hedwig and the Offended Inch track into the variability present by performing a quantity. The scholars ended up wearing all numbers and trashed the varsity hallway.
Did they actually assume destroying the varsity would persuade Mr. Honey?
It is most certainly that this was all within the singing bubble world, however the hallway was nonetheless trashed afterward when Archie walked by to sign-up. Cleansing it up would’ve helped to outline the separation.
It is the small little touches that rely.
Although, my greatest situation with Riverdale Season four Episode 17 may be the motivation of the primary plot itself. Within the grand scheme of all of the drama that occurred, the response of not singing one track appeared … a bit melodramatic.
Riverdale Excessive skilled far more severe points that wanted the scholars to band collectively. This did not evaluate to a city quarantine, a serial killer, or somebody being kicked out of faculty.
Do not get me incorrect, the chapter was enjoyable, had some catchy songs, and dropped main surprising moments that we’ll get into later. However, all the rallying cry to sing a track did not replicate the trigger.
Betty: Does this band have a reputation?
Archie: It’s … The Archies,
Jughead: What? Was the Me, Me, Mes taken?!
Archie: We will change the title.
Veronica: No! The Archies … I prefer it.
Lecturers/principals give their considerations for school-sanctioned occasions on a regular basis, and Kevin might’ve sung anything he wished. Granted, Mr. Honey ought to open his musical information outdoors of Oklahoma!, however Kevin solely obtained barred from one musical on account of its lyrics and tone.
If Mr. Honey additionally tried to cease him from performing stuff from Lease or Kinky Boots, that will expose additional points that may be at play that Mr. Honey wasn’t saying.
Nonetheless, simply from what we all know, the request to modify to a unique musical wasn’t fully unreasonable.
“Tear Me Down” was Kevin’s second to shine. Casey Cott did an incredible job performing the addictive observe and channeling the vibe of Hedwig.
When he first appeared in full costume, took over the varsity system, and delivered that one-liner in entrance of the receptionist, I loudly cheered. The second was so humorous! Kevin barely will get any comedic scenes, so, amazingly, he obtained to indicate off his enjoyable aspect.
Plus, he is obtained nice vocal expertise!
Kevin: What’s up, Riverdale?! Are you attempting to tear me down?
Betty: That’s … wait… that’s not…
Kevin: Effectively, sorry, I’m the brand new Berlin Wall, child. Now get your a**** to the music room!
We knew this from Carrie: The Musical and Heathers: The Musical, however this solo quantity was his finest track but. This vibe of the music room was electrical, and we now have the reward of Toni taking part in on the drums now as an superior GIF.
Although just like the hallway quantity, inflicting a commotion within the college was not the easiest way for Kevin to persuade Mr. Honey to permit the track within the selection present. He is fortunate that he did not get suspended for his protest.
Cheryl and Toni’s try and get Kevin again into the variability present was surprisingly tone-deaf. Not within the singing sense, however that they did not notice the whole lot they have been doing was furthering Mr. Honey’s stance.
He clearly had points in regards to the tone of the musical and its lyrics. So, why did they assume dancing and singing to “Sugar Daddy” was a good suggestion?
It is actually a track about Hedwig getting pampered, indulged, and hooking up along with his older sugar daddy!
Cheryl: On behalf of Kevin Keller and all the scholar physique, we urge you to listen to our plea. Hedwig just isn’t some fringed downbeat musical.
Toni: It’s enjoyable! It’s an quaint red-blooded American musical comedy with one thing for everybody.
Cheryl: Together with these of us who’re extra … strait-laced.
There have been so many different tunes within the soundtrack they may’ve sung. Utilizing this quantity handed Mr. Honey extra ammunition in opposition to them to threaten the way forward for the promenade.
Plus, it is shocking that they went via all the quantity and nonetheless goaded him afterward. (Cheryl is wonderful and all, however she ought to learn the room.)
The identical goes for the protest at Riverdale Excessive with the Hedwig outfits.
Mr. Honey simply threatened a wide-scale ban on promenade if anybody carried out a Hedwig track. As an alternative of taking a second to evaluate the scenario, everybody doubled-down like they thought Mr. Honey would cower away. Have they not realized something from their stuffy principal?
Mr. Honey is a no-nonsense stick within the mud. He would gladly shut the whole lot down to claim his authority. The range present was his newest casualty; no less than it wasn’t the promenade.
I anticipated a better transfer of assault from the group.
This transfer furthered a personality pattern that Riverdale has pushed for some time now: the kids revolting in opposition to the adults to get their approach.
This occurred throughout Riverdale Season 4 Episode 10 in opposition to the cheer coach, and the various cases in opposition to Principal Weatherbee, Hiram, Alice, and so forth.
It is a defiant trope that works effectively in teen dramas because it causes battle and makes the adults the villains, which is a whole lot of plots they’re in. However, the trope solely has a shelf life whereas the kids are at Riverdale Excessive.
The quantity of chaos they trigger with out penalties is a stretch already. As soon as they’re at college or in the actual world, nobody will put up with their shenanigans.
Simply think about if Cheryl tried that very same factor along with her professor!
When it got here to the connection drama, a number of the Hedwig songs match properly with the motion of the {couples}. There’s hassle in paradise for the #Bughead and #Varchie shippers on the market as #Barchie rises from the ashes once more.
I am comfortable that Veronica made amends with Archie about their combat over Hiram. Their troubles spiraled as a result of Archie found a secret that he did not notice was extra severe than it was.
Hiram is totally accountable for not taking his sickness critically. He put himself in danger for pushing himself to the restrict when he needs to be resting.
In Jughead and Betty’s case, it is comprehensible why Betty was mad at Jughead.
After the whole lot that occurred at Stonewall Prep, Jughead has an opportunity to graduate along with his associates, however he wasn’t taking it critically. Betty went out on a limb to assist him. Jughead was being an excessive amount of like Jughead.
Although, if “Beautiful Corpse” was any instance, their fights have been somewhat too offended. They did not must destroy and trash issues of their heated combat. The perfect plan of action was taking a breather and strolling away; they have been too emotional in that quantity.
The {couples} ought to’ve used their phrases. (Oh god, I am sounding like an grownup now…)
Ought to we be getting ready for a secret affair between Betty and Archie?
The kiss throughout “The Origin of Love” within the music room was one factor; they have been emotional and kissed (dishonest is rarely cool). However, their longing seems and window touching throughout “Depraved Little City (Reprise)” is a large flashing alarm.
Even the flashback to the homecoming dance of Riverdale Season 1 Episode 1 heightened their romantic longing!
Archie: Once I noticed that signup sheet, I flashed again to sophomore 12 months. I used to be on stage, freezing up from stage fright. Till I noticed my dad, and out of the blue I might simply play. He gave me the most important enormous afterwards.
Betty: He was so pleased with you. He was all the time so comfortable everytime you performed. Look, simply because Veronica and Jughead aren’t right here, that doesn’t imply we will’t rehearse?
Archie: Proper.
The scene gave off a “what might’ve been” vibe. Archie and Betty shared the identical reminiscing second of the previous that would’ve been taken had they’d gotten collectively as an alternative of Archie rejecting her.
(It is even current within the lyrics when Archie talks about he was youthful then and silly.)
Betty and Archie are in throws of romantic nostalgia since these emotions have been current for a few years pre-series. They will have to determine if it is real love or unclaimed baggage, however they should not be dishonest on their relationships to seek out that out.
The VHS thriller appeared like an afterthought within the total story of “Depraved Little City.”
At any time when it got here up, it was used as a plot gadget to additional a track earlier than disappearing. The chapter might’ve gone on with out it being included.
The video footage Jughead discovered, then again, appeared so creepy!
Somebody is toying with him by utilizing the Jughead and Betty masks to imitate the rock homicide. It have to be somebody aware of the crimes, like Bret and Donna, or it might be what ties Stylish and Charles again in?
Whoever it’s, they’ve their digicam lenses set squarely on Jughead and his associates.
Final Ideas From Sweetwater River:
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Jughead’s comeback to Archie in regards to the band title was spot-on. He did not even consider anything.
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How did everybody at Riverdale Excessive have simple and fast entry to the identical Hedwig wig?
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The “Wig in a Field” quantity might’ve been a montage in an ’80s teen movie.
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“Midnight Radio” by The Archies was a tad tough. Everybody was off vocally and did not match collectively. Not the most effective efficiency of the chapter.
- How did individuals have video cameras prepared for a spontaneous track on the roof of a diner?!
Now, over to you, Riverdale followers!
What did you consider “Chapter Seventy-4: Depraved Little City”?
What was your favourite track within the chapter? Will Archie and Betty discover their romance? Will Mr. Honey get his revenge on his college students for his or her protest?
If you happen to missed the newest episode of Riverdale, you’ll be able to watch Riverdale online by way of TV Fanatic. Come again right here and share your ideas within the feedback beneath.
Justin Carreiro is a workers author for TV Fanatic. Observe him on Twitter.