CW's Riverdale is not known for its consistent narrative or believable storylines. From forgotten storylines to unrealistic scenarios, crazy character developments, and breakout musical episodes, Riverdale is a show that pulls from television tropes and unapologetically reaches for the most outlandish plot developments and storylines, to convey the hysteria that erupts from living in a small town riddled with cults, crimes, FBI spies.
Ms. Grundy's Affair With Underage Teens
This storyline is meant to motivate Archie to pursue music, a common character arc within the show; however, incorporating an affair between the teenager and his music teacher is exceedingly uncalled for. Yes, it shows that the town of Riverdale is not a safe haven and that many illegal actions happen behind closed doors, but that is already detailed with the mobster affairs of Hiram Lodge, the corruption of the Blossom family, and even Hal Cooper proved to be a secret serial killer.
The incorporation of Ms. Grundy and her predatory actions were simply not needed. It is safe to assume that Archie would have found his way into the ream of music without her anyway, given that the show is known for its musical numbers.
Cheryl Blossom's Experience With Gay Conversion Therapy
Gay conversion therapy was an uncalled for consequence that Penelope Blossom placed on her daughter. Not only would audiences think Cheryl's mother would be more accepting of her, if not a mother of unconditional love, but to think she would condemn her daughter to such a horrific practice at The Sisters of Quiet Mercy is just atrocious. The Blossom twins were most certainly raised by wolves.
Griffons & Gargoyles As A Deadly Drug Cult
With the resurgence of Dungeons & Dragons in pop culture, The incorporation of Griffons & Gargoyles, a D&D look-a-like in Riverdale, had some serious promise. However, the roleplaying game's purpose grew darker and darker, and audiences were not okay with it.
Starting as a simple roleplaying game, Griffons & Gargoyles was a welcomed nod to Dungeons & Dragons; however, as the episodes went on and there were both drug and cult affiliations with Riverdale's game, viewers were pulled out of this plot arc.
The Cooper Parents Hiding Pregnant Polly In A Group-Home
In Riverdale's seemingly modern era, it's difficult to understand with the Cooper parents would choose to hide their eldest daughter, Polly, away from society after dating a boy they didn't approve of. Not only did they decided to hide the teenager away, but they also send her to an isolated group home where she couldn't have any connection to the outside world. This group-home, The Sisters of Quiet Mercy, is a creepy faith-based mental hospital that is often seen as an oppressive institution that does more harm than good.
It doesn't come out until later that Polly was actually pregnant and the family was shamed by her predicament, but again, this doesn't seem like a very realistic banishment of a teenager.
The Sisters of Quiet Mercy's Connection With Griffons & Gargoyles
Not only is the roleplaying game connected with drugs, but that plot thread is also closely intertwined with The Sisters of Quiet Mercy. The institution was drugging its patients with hallucinogens, claiming it was medicine. On top of this, the nuns were striking fear into the unwitting victims by threatening the Gargoyle King to steal the patients away. Overall, this seems like a severely unrealistic storyline that was constructed with haste to tie up loose ends.
Sister Woodhouse and Penelope Blossom in Murderous Cahoots
In another character twist, Sister Woodhouse, the nun in charge of The Sister's of Quiet Mercy, was revealed to be working with Penelope Blossom to not only fuel the drug distribution that was causing the mass panic of Griffons & Gargoyles but to also mentored Blossom in the science of concocting poison. Late it was also revealed the sister Woodhouse pointed her fellow nuns to accomplish her mission in the storyline.
Was this needed? No. Did this seem like an unbelievable stretch? Yes.
Alice As An FBI Spy
When Alice Cooper is inducted into The Farm, Betty spirals over the idea of losing her mother to such a villainous cult organization. That season of Riverdale centers on the character motivation and conflict; audiences watch (and root for) Betty as she attempts to uncover the dirt that buried skeletons in The Farm's closet. This drive nearly leads to the teenage protagonist being lobotomized.
Forced lobotomization in a (seemingly) modern-era show is a far stretch, but viewers choose to let it slide, seeing that The Farm wasn't farming vegetables and these twists are common in the Riverdale universe.
The FBI Agent Claiming To Be Betty's Long Lost Brother
Not only was Alice secretly working with the FBI to infiltrate The Farm, but in the last moments of Alice's confession to Betty, she also admits that Betty's older brother Charles is alive, and not only is he alive, but he is also the FBI Agent Alice has been conspiring with. This is just too much of a leap for a 5-minute conversation in a living room. This storyline would have been better developed if Riverdale incorporated scenes hinting at this Cooper family plot twist.
The Farm farming Body Parts
The Farm, a cult building its current foothold in the small town Riverdale, was revealed to not only be deceitful in its recruiting motives but also a literal farming organization; however, it was not in the typical practice of farming crops; instead, it illegally and secretively farming human body parts. Given the season The Farm emerged in was also plagued with G&G hysteria and drug-induced hallucinations, this revelation was the cherry on top of the cake in regards to a season of unbelievable storylines.
Veronica Lodge Running Le Bonne Nuit While In High School
Realistically, teenagers are stressed to accomplish a part-time job alongside high school classes, homework, and personal drama. So, why is it that heiress Veronica Lodge not only works at Le Bonne Nuit, but she also owns and operates the basement-level pseudo-speakeasy while in high school? This character not only runs the business, but she also orchestrates gambling nights, live entertainment, and private meetings among other characters. Audiences would have to assume that Veronica Lodge is probably not on the honor roll, because how could she have to time to accomplish all of that for her business, help save Riverdale from the latest cult/killer/murder mystery, and maintain a straight-A average?