The Unbeatable Chemistry Between Betty & Veronica: Why They're Riverdale's Ultimate Power Couple

In the ongoing season 7 of The CW's adaptation of Archie comics, it becomes evident that Betty and Veronica are the only couple in Riverdale that delivers a satisfying endgame. Riverdale, a guilty pleasure TV show beloved secretly by everyone, has had its ups and downs. Season 6 introduced the supernatural Rivervale event, which brought about the end of the world and resulted in a reset of Riverdale, transporting Archie and his friends back to high school. However, this reset presented a campy 1950s version of the town "with pep."

Since the reset, the series has been able to significantly lower the stakes while revitalizing the dynamics of the characters' relationships. While there is still a serial killer on the loose, Riverdale is now more focused on the personal growth of its teenage characters. In the past, the ever-changing love interests of the show inspired fans and even the characters themselves to speculate about the ultimate pairings. But with only a few episodes remaining, it's difficult to envision a world, whether it's in the 1950s or not, where Betty Cooper (played by Lili Reinhart) and Veronica Lodge (played by Camila Mendes) don't end up together.

5 Betty & Veronica Are One Of Riverdale's Best Relationships

In season 1 of Riverdale, the girl-next-door Betty and the new-to-town Veronica had a somewhat rocky start when Ronnie kissed Archie Andrews. Initially portrayed as rivals, they competed for Archie's affection. However, Riverdale took a different approach by having the teenagers pledge that no boy would come between their friendship. "Even though I just met Betty, it felt like we were destined to be best friends," Veronica confessed to Archie.

Throughout the first six seasons, Betty and Veronica's friendship remained strong. Time and time again, they demonstrated their unwavering commitment to each other. Despite both being involved with Archie on and off (with Veronica being more involved), it is Betty and Veronica — affectionately called "Beronica" — who have served as the heart of Riverdale. Whether they are supporting one another, outsmarting the show's numerous villains, or saving their friends, their bond remains unbreakable. "B and V forever" truly encapsulates their enduring friendship.

4 A "Beronica" Endgame Resolves Riverdale's Queerbaiting Accusations

In Season 1 of Riverdale, Veronica convinced Betty to try out for the high school cheerleading squad, the River Vixens. However, Betty had reservations due to the involvement of Cheryl Blossom, who was difficult to impress. Both girls auditioned together, but Cheryl remained unimpressed. In an attempt to salvage the situation and leave a lasting impression, Veronica kissed Betty. Cheryl sarcastically remarked, "Faux-lesbian kissing hasn't been taboo since 1994, ladies."

Although the show was aware of the harmful trope it was perpetuating, it did not explore a genuine romantic relationship between Betty and Veronica. This led to accusations of queerbaiting from fans who wished for the show to openly embrace queer main characters. In Season 6, the series humorously addressed this issue. Veronica needed to transfer her supernatural abilities to Cheryl through a kiss, which was dismissed by Cheryl, who identifies as a lesbian. Veronica assured her, "It's not queerbaiting, it's saving the world." However, genuinely exploring a romantic relationship between Betty and Veronica could rectify the misstep in Season 1.

3 Riverdale Season 7 Has Failed To Set Up Any Other Plausible Endgames

In season 7 of Riverdale, the focus shifts away from intense plotlines involving RPGs, serial killer genes, and cults, and towards more personal and small-town drama. This change has been somewhat controversial, but it provides a break from the apocalyptic events of season 6. According to reports, the show will continue to be set in the 1950s, possibly leading up to the finale. In this timeline, Veronica is portrayed as a sophisticated Hollywood transplant, while Betty explores her curiosity about sex, not just with Archie or Jughead, but with Veronica as well. Throughout the season, the main characters navigate their romantic relationships in a sincere way, even participating in a partner-swapping makeout party. With a limited pool of romantic options in their town, Betty and Veronica decide to spend a night in and discuss their desires to kiss other girls, something Betty has only explored in her fantasies. Veronica offers to be Betty's first experience with a same-sex kiss. Although they are interrupted before they can do so, the show doesn't feel like it is teasing viewers with this possibility. Instead, Riverdale implies that the right moment just hasn't arrived yet.

2 The Betty & Veronica Pairing Eliminates Archie's "Choice"

Archie Andrews first appeared in Pep Comics and gained enough popularity to have his own series. Since 1942, the Archie comics have followed the adventures of Riverdale's all-American teenager. Even those with limited knowledge of the series are aware of Archie's dilemma: choosing between Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge, his romantic options.

Although some versions of the story show Archie settling down with one of the two girls, the comic remains flexible. There are numerous variations of the Archie narrative, and nothing is set in stone. In Riverdale, the series took a different turn in season 6 with the long-awaited romance between Archie and Betty. While both Betty and Veronica in Riverdale have control over their own lives, if they were to end up together, it would eliminate Archie's need to choose and further establish them as strong and independent female characters.

1 A True Betty & Veronica Romance Subverts The Archie Comics

Riverdale's season 7 self-referential musical episode titled "Archie the Musical" sheds light on the fact that the show is not solely centered around Archie Andrews. Arch's uncertainty about his own desires was not limited to his musical portrayal, as he informed Betty and Veronica about his decision to take a break from dating and focus on self-discovery. This acknowledgement carries a deeper meaning, suggesting that perhaps Riverdale's ultimate narrative does not revolve around Archie's romantic pursuits.

During the episode, Betty and Veronica perform a duet filled with undeniable chemistry. Within the musical realm, they shared a kiss amidst a cosmic backdrop. This moment is exhilarating not only because it acknowledges the potential for a romantic relationship between them, but also because it challenges the central premise of the comics. In a previous conversation, Betty contemplated the connection between her curiosity about sexuality and self-discovery: "I wonder if my interest in understanding sex is truly about understanding myself and who I am. What better way to comprehend someone than to understand their desires, including one's own?" By positioning Betty and Veronica as endgame, Riverdale might just gain a deeper understanding of itself as well.

Episodes from the final season of Riverdale air Wednesdays at 9 pm EST through August on The CW.