YES
I do admit that I am late to the whole Riverdale party. Having just finished the series on Netflix I am surprised and intrigued by where this series is going to go. For those who don't know, Riverdale is a teen show centering itself around characters from the popular and iconic Archie Comics series. The premise is around the town of Riverdale after the death of Jason Blossom and the mystery as to who killed him. The show is stylish and offers good story lines, although it does stray away from its source material. Like other shows of its kind, it's full of plenty romance and drama to go around. But a teen show wouldn't be anything without its queen bee right? Cue Cheryl Blossom. Cheryl is the stereotypical queen bee, tells it like it is, straight up bitch, captain of the school's cheer squad, and killer style. Cheryl also strays away from the stereotype in that she is the victim in Riverdale. While yes other characters are victims in their own right, nobody really feels for Cheryl until the season 1 finale. So beware, spoilers are ahead, so finish the series first (or don't but I recommend that you do). Consider this your spoiler alert.
Right off the bat when we meet Cheryl in episode 1 we see that she is coping with the death of her brother Jason, but it doesn't seem like she is at all. She is cold towards pretty much everyone who isn't in her inner circle of friends. She appears to be upbeat and encourages everyone to enjoy themselves and go on with regular school activities as this is what Jason would've wanted. In episode 2 they have their first football game and the river vixens (which Cheryl is the Director/Captain of) performs with Josie and the Pussycats. After the performance, Cheryl is standing on stage and she notices Archie has been given Jason's jersey and number. She pictures Jason wearing it and she has a panic attack and runs off the field. None of Cheryl's "friends" come to comfort her, instead, Veronica steps up to the plate even though Cheryl has been cold to her. This is the first instance we see that Cheryl is putting on this act and acting like she's okay when in reality she isn't. One of the most heartbreaking moments in this season is Jason's memorial (episode 5). A lot happens on that day but one thing stands out Mr. and Mrs. Blosson refuse to let Cheryl speak at the memorial as she is a suspect in the murder. She does so anyway but breaks down in the middle of her speech and clings on to the casket longing for Jason to be alive.
Over the course of the next couple episodes, we witness the Blossom family's annual tree tapping ceremony. Cheryl is ridiculed by her parents as they insist that they wanted to send her away but no boarding school would take her and that she is not trustworthy of the family business. She changes their minds when she proves them wrong but Clifford and Penelope remain cold and distant to their only child. Episode 12 is when stuff really picks up. Our main gang (Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and Kevin) find out who really kill Jason. After seeing footage of Jason's death Betty immediately calls Cheryl and warns her to get out of her house. It is in that moment that we learn that Clifford Blossom was the one who killed Jason. After news gets out Clifford commits suicide before the police can arrest him. Cheryl is left with her mother and things look like they're going to get better. Within the days following Cheryl gives up her things and Veronica tries her best to console Cheryl, but it doesn't work. After meeting Jughead at Southside High, Veronica gets a text from Cheryl saying that she is going to be with Jason. Luckily the gang finds Cheryl at Sweetwater River and Archie rescues her. Cheryl then returns home and intentionally burns down the beloved mansion her broken family resided in.
After constant ridicule from her parents AND a suicide attempt, Cheryl wasn't given proper care. Yes, Veronica does try her best but Cheryl needs actual help. Nobody besides Veronica and the rest of the gang actually cares about her. Cheryl puts up a front that she is okay because that's what every expects out of her. She can never truly show her actual emotions unless she's in private with someone. She has all these emotions inside of her but nobody ever cares to make sure she is truly okay. I hope that in season 2 we see Cheryl cared for and that she is with people who truly want her to be safe and happy. After all the trauma she indured she without a doubt deserves some happiness.
