'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
UPDATED NOV 17, 2021
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.

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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. 

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