Riverdale season 5 character preview: Archie Andrews

What should happen

While Riverdale season 5 will offer up the show’s most unique adventure yet because of the time jump that is looming, it’s important that the show address one major plot point for Archie before that happens. And that plot point could actually be the catalyst that kicks off that time-jump. We are, of course, talking about Archie’s contrived and short-lived romance with Betty.

That “affair” rightfully went nowhere. Except plot threads like that can’t go nowhere on a show like Riverdale. And with that, the only acceptable outcome is for Archie to be honest with Veronica (and Betty to be honest with Jughead) so that they can hopefully work their way through their problems.

But the time jump suggests that this may be easier said than done. If everyone does end up going their own ways, Archie probably won’t be one of them. We know how much he loves Riverdale and how intent he is on carrying on his father’s legacy. Veronica, however, is destined to leave town for college and, as much as this writer hates to suggest it, the reveal of Archie’s straying with Betty could be a way to temporarily break them up.

However, just like we’ll probably see with Betty and Jughead, the mystery that brings the gang back together should ultimately result in Archie and Veronica falling for each other all over again.

The notion of “Varchie” breaking up is one that yours truly wished he didn’t even have to discuss but Veronica deserves to know the truth and the only way for the pair to get over it is for them to face it (and the consequences that come with that revelation) head-on.

In case it wasn’t obvious, however, Archie’s primary storyline should continue to be what it was in season 4: An example of how he is continuing to honor his beloved father. He can do all the redemption and mystery malarkey that comes with Riverdale too, but that right there should be the foundation of his character journey this season.