STARS: 2.5/5
Warning: This review contains spoilers

Despite several shining moments, the Riverdale season two premiere, “A Kiss Before Dying,” fell short of expectations and stunted the delivery of key plot points.

The season opener picked up moments after the season one finale, with protagonist Archie Andrews careening across town in his father’s truck as he rushed a gravely wounded Fred to the hospital. The other members of the show’s main quartet remained blissfully unaware of the drama unfolding outside their homes, wrapped in thoughts of sexual exploits and “I love you” confessions.

Reality soon brought the foursome back together and the group was forced to confront one of the season’s central mysteries: who shot Fred Andrews, and what was the attacker really after? While an enticing question, the show veered away from the central premise and added unnecessary fluff to what could have been a more emotionally charged episode.

For example, the shower sex scene between Archie and Veronica felt unrealistic and gratuitous. It’s reasonable they may seek a physical connection while processing their fear and grief, but Veronica stepping into the shower while Fred’s blood was still trailing from Archie’s skin and swirling down the drain felt unnecessary.

Key moments, including the unveiling of Mark Consuelos’ Hiram Lodge, were muffled and not given appropriate room to breathe. This moment, and the awakening of Fred Andrews, were major developments that could have packed more emotional punch had they been utilized as cliffhangers or punctuation moments rather than lost in the shuffle.

Instead Ms. Grundy, a predatory music teacher whose character was best left forgotten, was murdered with a cello bow by the same assailant who shot Fred in Pop’s. 

While moves from out of left field are standard for Riverdale, Grundy’s murder was only used to stoke suspicion about the killer’s focus on Archie’s family and acquaintances without having to kill a main character. Not exactly a character to engender much sympathy, Grundy’s death felt more confusing than shocking.

Despite its less-than-selective plot, the episode did several things well.

Part of the season opener’s goal was to reestablish character relationships and advance personal storylines. The developments within the Lodge household and the deeper dive into the power dynamics unfolding between Veronica, Hermione and Hiram were a highlight.

The Lodge women’s confrontation in the hospital chapel, where Veronica declared “I don’t think you’re an innocent pawn,” was visually stunning and brimming with palpable tension. The glowing orange tones and dramatic shadows interspersed with cuts to the Virgin Mary heightened the drama of the moment.  

The tension extended into Hiram’s return, when Hermione stepped back into a seemingly more sinister and calculating role alongside her husband.

There were other small delights scattered throughout the episode. The emotion that played across Veronica’s face during her fight with Archie and the steely resolve that set in was a great character development point. Cheryl Blossom’s off-kilter and overly chipper entrance was a sharp contrast to her more off-the-rails assertion of power over her mother.

Outside of the plot, the show’s cinematography and design leaned heavily into the stylized delivery the show was lauded for in season one. Saturated oranges and blues painted the screen and there was considerable play between light and dark, with a strong use of cast shadows for dramatic effect.

The costume design also played up the show’s twisted 1950s Americana aesthetic, with the hospital nurses donning white skirted outfits with vintage white nurses’ hats. The wholesome aesthetic underlying the townspeople’s way of life directly contrasts with the sinister elements bubbling from beneath the town’s surface.

Despite some pitfalls, the season opener has set the stage for an interesting season. The longer 22-episode run will give the Riverdale team considerable room to delve into their characters and produce resonant dramatic moments.

Here’s hoping it lives up to the hype.