Fans are finally getting their first look at the world of Riverdale post-time jump with a new series of promo images that show Archie in the army and much more. The popular teen drama recently returned to The CW and Netflix to begin season 5, which has started with the final few planned episodes of season 4 and the end of high school for the core cast of characters. After those first few, Riverdale will be taking a seven-year jump into the future.
Over the course of its first four seasons, Riverdale has gathered a loyal fan base both for its eclectic cast of characters, and its increasingly bizarre dramatic plotlines. Riverdale's storylines began by focusing on a single murder case, but it has since expanded to include cults, underground fighting rings, serial killers, organ harvesting, and much, much more murder. Through it all, Riverdale has become a major cultural touchstone, with numerous other shows springing up in its wake to mirror its dark take on teenage drama.
The show’s characters won’t be teenagers for much longer, however, as their leap forward into adulthood looms. Fans now finally have their first look at the cast after the time jump occurs, courtesy of a new series of images revealed by Entertainment Weekly. The pictures show Archie in an army uniform, Betty standing in front of some sort of expansive investigation board, Jughead embracing a classic “lost generation” writer look (without his signature hat), and the new character Tabitha Tate – Pop’s granddaughter. There’s also a look at the iconic diner and Toni Topaz performing in a concert.
Though they’re canonically older, the core characters don’t look that much different years down the line. With high school ending imminently for the teens, fans have been theorizing as to what force or forces could bring them all back to their hometown so many years later. With the cast all pursuing different careers and leaving for new homes, it should be interesting to see them brought back together after so much time.
Of course, the core nature of the show likely won’t change that much after the time jump. Riverdale’s teens haven’t worried much about normal teenage problems for some time, focusing instead on solving and committing various felonies. At the very least, the jump should shake up some of the relationship dynamics that have been established for so long. Fans are in store for even more drama as Riverdale season 5 continues on The CW and Netflix.
Source: Entertainment Weekly