Riverdale’s season 3 premiere reminds us that Archie can be dangerous

Riverdale returned with a bang in its season 3 premiere. And while the focus was split between all four main characters, Archie’s story was a clear priority.

Riverdale is back. Thanks to Jughead, we were caught up on the action pretty quickly because of his opening monologue. And while the show got right down to business with Archie in a courtroom, there were plenty of other major moments throughout the premiere.

The problem is that it is that opening scene in the courtroom that has our attention. While the entire episode gives us glimpses of the people trying to save Archie and remind the town that he did not kill someone, the prosecutor’s closing argument is one we can’t forget.

We all know that Archie Andrews is a supposedly good guy who got snagged in the web of Hiram Lodge’s bad behavior. But while he may not have killed anyone, he has done some bad things over the last two seasons. He is not the golden boy of Riverdale that we often think of him as, and the prosecutor has no problem reminding us all of that.

In her closing argument, the prosecutor points out a number of activities that Archie has been a part of that actually make it seem more likely that he could have killed someone. And it is hard to argue with facts. As she notes, what we all know about Archie does in fact “tell a dark story,” and his history is one of “violent behavior.”

He has in fact started “two masked vigilante groups,” assaulted another teenager with two broken legs, and he even threatened to shoot someone else in the face. None of these things are wrong, and when the prosecutor brings them up in the episode, we all have to take a moment to realize that as much as Archie may be innocent of what he has been accused of, he is not actually innocent in general. We may understand all of his actions and have agreed with them at the time, but when they are put together like that without the context of what was happening at the time, it becomes harder to defend him. It sets the tone for the rest of the episode — and the season — in such a way that we know that darker things are coming (which we clearly see signs of).

Perhaps that is why when the jury could not reach a verdict, we were actually not surprised when at the end of the episode Archie took a plea deal that included time in juvenile detention. Even he has to understand that the things he has done have consequences. And while we hope that he will be found innocent of murder, and eventually cleared and set free, we think it makes sense that he would choose a path that would see him pay for the darker actions of his past.

Of course, in order for Archie to be proven innocent, he needs outside help. That’s where his dad, Jughead’s dad, and Kevin’s dad come in. These are the adults of Riverdale who know what it takes to deal with people like Hiram Lodge (who we know had a hand in framing Archie).

We believe in Fred Andrews, FP Jones, and Sheriff Tom Keller. When these three fathers come together and say they will find a way to prove Archie’s innocence, we believe them. These three are not going to rest while one of their own is put away for a crime he didn’t commit.

Honestly, we can’t wait to see these three fight for Archie. If nothing else, having him take the plea deal gave us this moment to appreciate the fathers of Riverdale. And we really do appreciate them. Clearly this season is going to be dark and gritty if this first episode is anything to go by, and we are here for that.

Now, we just have to hope that Archie is a part of all the action that is coming our way, because really, what is Riverdale without Archie Andrews? Luckily, we still have the rest of the gang to pick up the slack and based on what we saw, they will definitely be up to the task while their friend is unfairly imprisoned.