Riverdale Season 7: Jaw-Dropping Original Plan Revealed by Showrunner!

Summary

Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa originally planned for season 7 to include decade-hopping, from the 1950s to the present day.

The idea was scrapped as the show had already done a time travel plot.

The focus, according to the showrunner, remained on telling domestic, personal, romantic stories.

Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa shares that the initial plan for season 7 was more ambitious and expansive. The series finale, which aired in late August, showcases Jughead as a guiding figure to Betty, allowing her to relive high school for one last day while also learning about the fates of her friends. This conclusion, while nostalgic and reflective, keeps the show within one time period for its final season.

During the writers' strike, Aguirre-Sacasa chose not to promote the Riverdale series finale. Now that the strike has ended, he spoke with TVLine and disclosed that the original plan for season 7 involved hopping between different decades, starting from the 1950s and progressing to the 1990s and present day. However, this idea was ultimately abandoned, as Aguirre-Sacasa explains below:

Originally, when we presented the season, one of the ideas we proposed was to have the first 13 episodes set in the ’50s and then gradually transition to different decades starting from Episode 14. So, Episode 14 would take place in the ’60s, Episode 15 in the ’70s, and so on, progressing towards the present day.

However, it became apparent that this concept was not feasible. We had already explored a more complex plot involving time travel and jumping through different eras. Both the writers and the cast and crew were thoroughly enjoying the ’50s setting, so we decided to continue focusing on the relatable and intimate coming-of-age stories we tell, and eventually bring everyone back to the present towards the end.

How Riverdale Ended & Why It Was Divisive

The finale of Riverdale focuses on Betty, who serves as the main character and our point-of-view. Portrayed by Michelle Scarabelli as an 86-year-old, Betty discovers the news of Jughead's death through the obituaries. Being the last surviving member of their group, she feels a wave of nostalgia and yearns to return to Riverdale. Thankfully, a younger version of Jughead appears as a guiding angel and fulfills her wish. Betty is transported back to their senior year, feeling young and vibrant once again as she reconnects with her friends.

However, the day proves to be bittersweet for Betty as she learns about the future deaths of many of her friends. The mood remains somber as Betty, Veronica, Jughead, and Archie engage in a complex relationship, but it doesn't endure. Archie leaves for California and enters into a marriage outside of their group. Veronica finds success as an acclaimed Hollywood power player, while Jughead and Betty thrive in their own respective careers. Some critique the Riverdale finale for its decision to mainly dwell in the 1950s, disregarding the present-day versions of the group that were the focus for the majority of the series.

While some praised the quad reveal, critics argue that it was a convenient solution for a series that focused more on romantic relationships and the distinct dynamics between each couple. The finale serves as a heartfelt tribute to Riverdale and the deep friendships established there. In this afterlife scenario, Betty reunites with all her friends after her passing. However, this plotline could be seen as diverging from the original intention of the show, which was to adapt the Archie Comics over the course of six seasons. Given this perspective, the show's alternative plan might have been a more suitable choice.