Riverdale is the show that just keeps on giving. It’s one of TV’s most popular programs, yet the premise of every season runs the habit of being an anomaly, almost as if the writers and showrunners are determined to ensure no one sees what’s coming next. If it isn’t magic or murder, it is some other wild shenanigans that the teens of Riverdale must face.

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With the cast having expressed their interest in tying up the show’s loose ends and calling it a day, The CW has renewed Riverdale for a seventh, and possibly final, season. Looking back into the show’s history may be a dizzying rollercoaster, but by now, it’s what viewers want and expect.

Rivervale

Welcome to Rivervale Jughead Riverdale

The season 6 premiere opens with a tour of Rivervale, where all things supernatural are widespread. The residents of Rivervale experience otherworldly affairs, encountering the unknowns of witches, spirits, and the Devil himself. Although Jughead briefly explains why Rivervale exists, there’s still not much context on what direction this season will head toward.

A highlight of this Rivervale arc is seeing writers feed into fan service by bringing together the lore of both universes. Reggie Mantle (Charles Melton) and his counter, Reggie ‘Prime’ (Ross Butler) face off in an explosive duel, that day-one viewers will know are essentially the same person. This meta nod to Reggie’s recasting is just one of the oddities happening in the chaotic Rivervale.

Toni 'La Llarona' Topaz

la llorona toni topaz riverdale

The supernatural oddities in Rivervale continue as the vengeful spirit of La Llorona emerges from Sweetwater River to loom over the town. After a series of close encounters with Juniper and baby Anthony, Toni (Vanessa Morgan) sacrifices herself to La Llorona to repent for her past and protect the town’s children.

As if Toni hasn’t endured a rough enough time, this wild event proves her luck is even worse in the parallel Rivervale. By now, Riverdale has seen close to everything, yet this entire saga manages to topple over into absurdity.

Sacrificing Archie

Archie Cheryl Sacrifice Riverdale

In Rivervale’s endless paranormal oddities, the premiere of season 6 also saw Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) taking it upon herself to save the town from the dying maple trees and widespread infertility. In a cult-like ritual, it is revealed that tearing out Archie’s (KJ Apa) “one true, pure” heart in a blood sacrifice will restore balance in the town

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The show has never been shy about dealing with gangs and cults, but a circle of loose linen-wearing townsfolk cutting into the chest of the show’s main character seems slightly off-brand. Rivervale may be an alternate universe, but it has not fallen short on the weird events.

Cheryl’s Secret in Thistlehouse

Jason Blossom Riverdale

Heading back into season 3, the graphic reveal of Jason Blossom’s (Trevor Stines) embalmed corpse was shocking to most. Visually and mentally disturbing, the bond between the Blossom Twins came to a climax when it was revealed that Jason’s body, propped up and mouth agape, was sitting in the basement of Thistlehouse.

This was certainly an interesting approach to handling Cheryl’s grief, but what was even more disturbing was how she interacted and casually conversed with the corpse. Although she eventually manages to come to terms with his death and give him a proper send-off, the writers have a lot to answer for with this storyline.

The Farm

the farm riverdale

One of the wildest storylines to grace the Riverdale world, the closing to Season 3 finally revealed the long mystery of what goes down at The Farm. Charismatic cult leader, Edgar Evernever (Chad Michael Murray), wasn’t simply hypnotizing potential recruits, as that storyline would be too simple for a show like Riverdale.

The show takes it one step further by revealing the healing rituals done by Evan are elaborate guises to harvest members’ organs for the black market. Creative yet terrifying, this reveal is one of the more bizarre endings to a season.

Betty’s Arc: Dark Betty, Serial Killer Gene Betty…

dark betty riverdale

Supposedly the nice girl next door, Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) has, over time, become increasingly susceptible to her darker impulses. From her Dark Betty alter-ego to discovering her genetic inclination to murder, Betty’s show-long arc has been consistently unpredictable since the beginning.

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From the direction Riverdale is currently going, there’s little indication as to where Betty will end up by the end of the show. As the saying goes, it’s always the nice ones to look out for.

Archie In the Woods

archie bear attack riverdale

If being framed for murder by a drug dealer isn’t enough stress for a teenager, being mauled by a bear near your fugitive forest cabin should do it. After the awry trial of Cassidy’s (Harrison MacDonald) murder, Archie escapes to the woods to spend some time cosplaying as a lumberjack until an untimely attack by a grizzly bear. In grand Riverdale fashion, this incident becomes elevated through a string of odd hallucinations, each increasingly confusing as he succumbs to his injuries.

The near-death bear attack may have been used as a device to bring Archie back to Riverdale, but viewers were unconvinced by the execution of this mid-season cliffhanger. The writers have shown Archie some mercy, as the next episode shows him unscathed and more upbeat than ever.

Tickle-gate

kevin tickle riverdale

Tickle and fetish seem like two words suited for a very niche community, but somehow, Riverdale manages to incorporate them into their storylines. After Kevin (Casey Cott) finds himself in some financial trouble, he opts to create and sell tickle videos to grow some income.

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Considered one of the most uncomfortable storylines of the entire show, many seem to think tickling is an unfit addition to Kevin’s character. Viewers have also hit back at The CW by stating that the show had inadvertently promoted the production and peddling of underage content.

The Seizures

vixens seizure riverdale

When season 3 saw Betty, Veronica (Camila Mendes), and a cluster of other women suddenly experiencing seizures, viewers were left with a cliffhanger after cliffhanger and no answer to what was causing them. The seizures were graphic and frequented at random times, such as the entire squad of Vixens simultaneously falling to the floor.

When finally revealed that the seizures were responses to Fizzle Rock runoff in Sweetwater River, things came together as part of a grander scheme in Hiram’s (Mark Consuelos) town-wide control. Many struggled to follow this story as it became convoluted, but alas, this is Riverdale!

Archie and Miss Grundy

Miss Grundy (Sarah Habel) leaning close toward Archie (KJ Apa) on Riverdale
Image via CW

Season 1 of Riverdale may have been more grounded in reality, but that didn’t mean it didn’t still visit highly controversial subjects. A significantly shocking storyline that came from the first season depicted the romantic relationship between Archie and his high school music teacher, Miss Grundy (Sarah Habel).

Besides being wildly inappropriate in any context, viewers have raised eyebrows at how the writers chose to fuel the overused teacher-student trope on a show as popular as Riverdale. As for plot purposes, this benefited none of the parties.

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