The Mary Sue: I was worried about Riverdale trying to do Hedwig and the Angry Inch from the moment it was announced in January. Mainly because they were taking the “it’s controversial” route as if Riverdale hadn’t already done Carrie and Heathers as their previous musicals, without commenting on controversies therein. Confirming my fears, the episode made questionable choices in depicting numbers and characters from Hedwig while not explicating the show’s rich and complicated background.
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I find it odd that this plot for an episode is even being used. From what I can tell, it has been done before on Riverdale, so it is lazy and recycled. The thing that is great about the “students protest over a conservative school administration” trope is that it can be a vehicle for discussing hard issues that are typically suppressed. It seems that Riverdale wanted to use this musical as fodder for its teenage audience, which is problematic considering how it results in completely ignoring the importance of identity in the show. This, however, is common. I can’t really think of a show that has pulled this trope off in a graceful way that manages to make an actual argument for why these shows are important to allow teenagers to do. The entire premise of the TV show Rise, which was canceled before its first season had even finished, was based on this trope. Instead of protesting because students should be allowed to perform a show which argues for comprehensive sex education, they protest mainly because they like their drama teacher. It just doesn’t pack the same punch.
Although I have never seen Riverdale, I appreciated how the author brought up something that is a phenomenon in entertainment: the apparent insensitivity in artistic decisions. So many things are made that make you wonder: how did no one ever question this when it was in the making? Even though I haven’t seen the show and the episode, I get a sense of why the choice of the musical is problematic. Also, this article brought up a really meaningful thought - a lot of classic musicals are extremely problematic. (This immediately makes me think of Miss Saigon.. Yes it’s such a good show and I love it but the themes and messages of the show are so problematic.). As artists, we have to consider the connotations and implications that are in our art, and what message we are sending out. Indeed we are out of control of people’s interpretation but we need to do everything we can to get to the essence of what we are saying to make sure we are not being problematic.
I just generally think that Riverdale should stop doing musical episodes. Not that the actors aren't trying their best, but most of them can't compare to Casey Cott's vocals which makes the episodes difficult to listen to. And Rachel is definitely right on it being a mistake on the part of the writers that Kevin is normally the director considering their cast. I haven't seen this episode yet, but nothing that Rachel talked about surprised me at this point. I don't even mind getting spoilers for the show because at this point its kind of a mess, and the writers and cast know it. There are a large number of compilations on YouTube of the cast throwing shade at the writing of the show, and I sadly have to agree with them. I really enjoyed the first season of Riverdale, but it fell into the same trap as 13 Reasons Why. The show's first season of twists and turns pulled audiences in, but after the last pieces of the puzzle were revealed in the finale it should have ended. They wanted to continue the show's run to capitalize on the viewership it had already received, which diminished the finely crafted artistry of the first season's storyline and turned it into the questionable and random show it is now.
Okay but let us be real here: has Riverdale itself ever been a ‘good’ idea? I have never personally watched the show episodically, but that is only because what I HAVE seen of it are dozens of You Tube compilations making fun of it. Like “Top Ten Most Embarrassing Moments for the Writers of Riverdale” videos, but there are hundreds of these compilations. It does not have a very strong track record to begin with. The author of this article talks about how the teacher in this episode said they would not do “older shows” because they are sexist, racist, etc., but then like… Did shows that were just that. I truly do not think the writers pay attention anymore. To do Hedwig, which draws related stories from a number of experiences held by members of the trans community, and not know what and who the heck it is you are representing is irresponsible. It takes away from the show’s intention and message. Many issues. Not the move.
Riverdale is one of the very most cheesy shows on television. I didn't know they were doing Hedwig as their annual unbearably awkward and terrible musical episode, but oh how disappointing. First of all, Riverdale doing musicals should definitely end, seeing as not a single one of their cast members that are put into the musical numbers can actually sing. It is so awkward to watch. I think that this is not even the most problematic thing about river dale though, which is also disheartening. Riverdale is kind of just one of those shows that has terrible writing, but explores such random and terrible and problematic plot points that it catches viewers attention. I think the show in general is lacking a clear direction- because half of the time they are normal high schoolers and the other half they are like solving mysteries or something? But they can come and go to being normal high school students. Literally in the last season the only episode where them being in high school was even adressed is because they wanted to have the "school musical". I just dont like the show.
Is anything Riverdale does at this point a good idea? It’s pretty consistently known at this point as one of the cheesiest, most overdramatic shows on TV right now, with absolutely no similarity to the source material other than the character names. The ‘musical’ episodes are known for grossly sexualizing the female characters, who while quite obviously played by adults, are meant to be high school teenagers. There are subplots about drugs and gangs and death addressed terribly and followed up with episodes about taking the SATs, because the show as a whole is just vaguely tone-deaf. (Disclaimer that I’ve never watched it, only learned this from other people online complaining about it and seen a few clips). It really doesn’t surprise me that they found a nuanced musical with deep meaning to a lot of people, and interpreted it as ‘cult musical that’s inappropriate for kids so they’re gonna rebel cause that’s what they do’. It’s frustrating, but not surprising from this show.
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