This premier episode of SEASON 7 is original, credit some very good writing and research.
Although the gang is transported back to 1955 Riverdale, it has the feel of the early, early episodes and the original Archie comics, in a way. I have been watching this show since the very beginning, and you must admit that the last few seasons, in particular, have been dreary and dark, sort of in the atmospheric tradition of BATMAN. Really spiteful characters and sinister situations. This episode was a complete turn-around, and came as a unique, if not fun surprise. This was fascinating to watch. The acting is ALWAYS excellent (make no mistake), and check out the 50s wardrobe, particularly Veronica as a would-be starlet from glitzy Hollywood (coming to the small town USA Riverdale). They must have had a blast filming her scenes. Jughead (Cole Sprouse) as usual is back to writing and narrating and attempting to make sense of this insane trip back into time, more over, hoping no one will think he's bananas. The tragic Emmett Till murder case and the fatal crash of actor James Dean is also cleverly woven into the script. Bottom line, everybody looks out of place, and yet they are in place and doing their thing 50s style. That is clever. The catch here is that only Jughead knows the real story --and how the heck are they all going to return to 2023? Stay tuned. I give this a firm 10 for originality, a side step from all the ominous situations in the past (cleaning the slate) which tended to go on for too long. We will have to see in what direction it goes, though I have faith in the writers as there are distinct possibilities here. SEASON 7 EPISODE 1.