'Riverdale' Season 6 Episode 1 Explained: Is Archie Andrews dead?

Things have changed, but in what came as the ultimate gasp moment, Archie Andrews had his heart cut out after being stabbed dead by Cheryl Blossom
KJ Apa as Archie Andrews in 'Riverdale' Season 6 (The CW)
KJ Apa as Archie Andrews in 'Riverdale' Season 6 (The CW)

'Riverdale' Season 6 began in trademark 'Riverdale' fashion as the premiere centered around the town of 'Rivervale', a new synonym for weird. Things have changed, but in what came as the ultimate gasp moment, Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) had his heart cut out after being stabbed dead by Cheryl Blossom.

The episode started off with Jughead and Tabitha's living in was spoiled by bugs infesting their apartment, Cheryl and her cronies stick a bunch of creepy totem dolls to scare the town from getting into maple business. And if that wasn't terrifying enough, Archie's met his maker, but not before knowing that Betty was pregnant with his baby. All of these come off as impossible considering that Archie and Betty have sex only a few hours ago before she declares she was pregnant.

Earlier in the episode, Cheryl was seen offering solutions to the townsfolk who has their share of issues — and for Betty, being called barren was a major issue. If the solution to the town's sins being absolved was Archie, then he was crucified so they could live a better life.

RELATED ARTICLES

'Riverdale' Season 6: 5 things you didn't know about KJ Apa

'Riverdale' star KJ Apa hints that storyline will continue after high school: 'Show's not called Riverdale High'

All of this is mighty absurd. And here's what showrunner, Roberto Aguirre-Sacars told Entertainment Weekly: "I can say that Archie is dead. In [season 6, episode 2], the town isn't exactly mourning him, because they killed him, but the town does know that they sacrificed Archie. There's a scene in fact where Cheryl and Nana are toasting Archie's sacrifice because now their maple trees are producing maple syrup again. And Betty is pregnant with Archie's love child. And we won't see K.J. [next episode]. All of those things are true."

However, what's to take away from is the fact that this is 'Rivervale' and not in 'Riverdale'. This was where a woman could get pregnant in a couple of hours, two dudes could eat over 200 pancakes, and where the grim supernatural exists. So when 'Riverdale' indeed does return, there surely will be Archie Andrews alive and kicking. Until then, 'Rivervale' will just continue to dish out more intense episodes and only time will tell if he's the start of the body count.

'Riverdale' Season 6 airs Tuesdays at 9 pm ET on The CW. 

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Ellen Pompeo returns as ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 23 brings another emergency to Grey Sloan Memorial.
2026-10-15T18:15:35.000Z
Samuel L. Jackson and Sylvester Stallone reunite in the first teaser for Paramount+’s 'Frisco King.'
2026-10-15T16:46:54.000Z
Sylvester Stallone returns as Dwight Manfredi in 'Tulsa King' Season 4, where rival gangs threaten to change his criminal empire.
2026-10-15T16:18:54.000Z
‘Tulsa King’ takes viewers beyond its namesake city as Dwight Manfredi’s empire grows across seasons. Here's a look at the real-life locations.
2026-10-15T16:02:35.000Z
Hal’s final move at the G7 raises questions about his loyalties as Kate confronts Grace, but keeps the viewers waiting for more.
2026-10-15T15:39:21.000Z
Season 6 of ‘Abbott Elementary’ premiered on October 7, and new guest stars are set to appear in upcoming episodes
2026-10-15T09:31:47.000Z
Linda Cardellini's ‘Crystal Lake’ Episode 1 pays tribute to a real snake killed during ‘Friday the 13th’ filming
2026-10-15T07:17:19.000Z
The adult animated series follows a celebrity escape artist who is pulled back into a war between Apokolips and New Genesis
2026-10-15T07:03:30.000Z
‘Chicago Fire’ Season 15 Episode 2 puts Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide's marriage to the test after the latter's promotion
2026-10-15T05:26:51.000Z
‘VisionQuest’ introduces a young pickpocket from London whose past traces back to Westview and ties into ‘Agatha All Along’
2026-10-15T05:12:19.000Z