The Mind-Blowing Twist That Has ‘Riverdale’ Fans Divided: Archie and Reggie's '50s Threesome Sparks Controversy

KJ Apa as Archie and Charles Melton as Reggie. Katie Yu/The CW

Riverdale is famous for its unexpected plot twists, but has the show completely veered off track?

In the latest episode of the popular CW series, which premiered on Wednesday, July 27th, Archie (played by KJ Apa) and Reggie (played by Charles Melton) began to delve into a deeper connection beyond friendship. Their journey began when they stumbled upon a video, unintentionally obtained from Cheryl's brother Julian (played by Nicholas Barasch), showcasing two men wrestling, which stirred up unforeseen emotions.

Reflecting on the unexpected sparks and their deep connection, Archie and Reggie shared a special moment witnessing a beautiful sunrise together. Embracing their newfound desires, they decided to explore their sexual feelings by engaging the services of Twyla, a sex worker, leading to the possibility of a threesome. In a heartfelt confession, Archie expressed his love for Reggie, who reciprocated the sentiment, acknowledging the limitless possibilities that lay before them.

Meanwhile, Veronica (Camila Mendes) and Jughead (Cole Sprouse) reignited their brief connection, reigniting their romance. However, this reunion follows closely on the heels of Veronica's exploration of her attraction to her best friend Betty, leaving their relationship status uncertain.

Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge and Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones. The CW

In response to the onscreen developments, fans took to social media to question where the characters go from here.

"Riverdale's decision to explore various alternative romances of all sexualities every few episodes is both wild and fascinating, as commented by a Twitter user. On the other hand, a different viewer criticized the show for potentially portraying a scenario where teenage Archie and Reggie could be manipulated by an older woman. The show previously addressed Archie's experience of being groomed by his teacher Ms. Grundy in season 1, which sparked significant discussion on the series."

The fan tweeted, "It's interesting how in Riverdale they decided to make Grundy a nicer character this season, probably to avoid repeating what happened between Archie and Grundy in Season 1. However, it's also strange that they had Archie and Reggie lose their virginities to a different adult predator instead!" Additionally, viewers have been confused about the possibility of the characters not returning to their own time period after unintentionally getting trapped in the 1950s this season.

"I appreciate the way we've embraced the retro setting of Riverdale in the 50s. It's fascinating how our reactions have evolved from excitement over dramatic events like Veronica murdering her ex-husband, to now eagerly anticipating innocent events like Archie asking Betty to the sock hop," a user commented on social media.

Inspired by the Archie Comics, Riverdale has taken a bold direction for its seventh and final season. The town, devastated by a comet, has been transformed into a 50s era setting. The core group of friends, now teenagers once again, have lost all memory of their previous lives.

Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper and Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge. Justine Yeung/The CW

Earlier this month, Mädchen Amick revealed that the final season of the show will conclude in the past. When asked about it, she responded, "No, we don't move on from the 1950s. So, I guess that could be considered a major spoiler. However, I can say that you will get to see the characters in different dimensions, and experience a lot of closures that are not limited to the 1950s. I can hint at it in that way. I believe that's enough to say."

As for Petsch, who is 28 years old, she assured fans that the ending is worth the wait in an exclusive interview with We this month. She said, "I'm excited to bid farewell to Cheryl, and I think her story has been wrapped up really well. I believe that people will be content with it."

The actress also commended the series for imparting valuable lessons to her.

“What Riverdale did that was truly remarkable was that we would receive scripts on the day of filming — sometimes even last-minute rewrites for a scene we were about to shoot. It forced us to work and think quickly on our feet,” she stated. “In this environment, you never had the luxury of settling in, which I believe is an incredible training ground for actors looking to pursue a career in acting.”

Riverdale airs on The CW Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET.