After a polyamory moment in Riverdale’s highly anticipated season finale, audiences were divided.
Betty (Lili Reinhart), Jughead (Cole Sprouse), Archie (KJ Apa), and Veronica (Camila Mendes) are revealed to have been in a polyamorous relationship for a year in the finale.
Devoted fans were stunned by the revelation, with some saying the finale was ‘very random.’
It also irritated the polyamorous organisation OPEN (Organisation for Polyamory and Ethical Non-monogamy).
Speaking about the divisive reveal during the divisive season seven finale, OPEN’s executive director Brett Chamberlin branded it ‘frustrating’
‘It’s frustrating that Riverdale used its characters’ non-monogamous relationship as a ‘shocking twist’ rather than engaging with an authentic portrayal of non-monogamy as simply being part of people’s identities,’ he told TMZ.
introducing betty, archie, jughead and veronica to all be in a quad relationship in the finale has got to be the most stupid thing riverdale has ever done pic.twitter.com/2x6WOEBx00
— tia ♡ (@barchiesorigin) August 24, 2023
riverdale having the show end with archie, betty, veronica, and jughead all in a relationship together is crazy but something about writers doing a poly relationship to get out of choosing an endgame is a little real
— ceo of kory (@korysverse) August 24, 2023
Fans went to Twitter – originally known as X – to express their shock after the unexpected finish.
‘Introducing Betty, Archie, Jughead and Veronica to all be in a quad relationship in the finale has got to be the most stupid thing Riverdale has ever done,’ one person wrote.
While another joked: ‘Riverdale having the show end with archie, betty, veronica, and jughead all in a relationship together is crazy but something about writers doing a poly relationship to get out of choosing an endgame is a little real.’
After a youngster was killed in the first season, the gang banded together to uncover the horrors hiding in their seemingly pleasant community, with suspicion lurking around every turn.
It had a great response from reviewers at first and swiftly became a fan favourite in the TV guide, with the cast becoming household celebrities.
KJ, who plays one of the show’s leads, has previously spoken out about his experiences playing Archie, comparing the series’ pressure to “jail.”
In an interview with Demi Moore for Interview Magazine, he asserted that he was’so pleased’ to be a part of such a famous show, but admitted that he felt artistically restricted.
‘As an actor, I will be judged on everything: my political opinions, my opinions on drugs, my opinions on the people I want to be with,’ he said. ‘Everything. It’s something I’ve had to come to terms with.’
‘I try and look at it from a fan’s perspective to understand the way they think. But there are times when I’m like, “Wow, they really have no idea that we are actual people. They can’t separate us from our characters.” You don’t have that in other professions.’
Riverdale is available to stream on Netflix.
