I really couldn’t make a thread about the Archie/Betty/Veronica love triangle in S5 without breaking down the romantic scenes for Varchie, too.
The Six Stages of Romance for Varchie S5 (So Far!)
I’m going to assume by this point everyone has read my other threads. If not, this blog by Karen Woodward breaks down these six scenes and why any love story must have them. blog.karenwoodward.org/2016/10/6-scen…
Also, we’re only focusing on S5. Someone else can do S1-S4, but it ain't me.
The six stages are:
#1. The Lovers Meet
#2. The First Kiss/First Intimate Moment
#3. The Confession of Love
#4. The Lovers Break Up
#5. The Proof of Love
#6. The Lovers Reunite
As of 5x11, Archie and Veronica are between Stage 4 and Stage 5 (same spot as Barchie and Jabitha)
#1. Lovers Meet: Since Archie and Veronica are exes, they knew each other already so their meeting moment happens in 5x05 when they’re walking home from Pops together.
Even though Veronica came to Pops in 5x04, this scene is really what sets them up for a season-long story arc.
#2. First Kiss/First Intimate Moment: Similar to Jabitha, Varchie turning the corner isn’t when they first kiss. It comes earlier.
Varchie had a few small scenes that hinted at a romance, but the scene that sold their Intimatacy was when Veronica gives Archie a firetruck in 5x07
#3. Confession of Love: Even though they haven’t dropped the big L-word, they hit this when Veronica tells Archie she’s getting a divorce.
Worth pointing out that the confession of love occurs towards the end of Act 1, and both Betty and Veronica’s “confession” happened in 5x08.
#4. Lovers Break Up: This catches up to where we currently are in the season. In 5x11, Archie tells Veronica he doesn't want to keep dating until her divorce to Chad is finalized.
This event typically occurs about midway through Act 2 or a bit earlier if there's a love triangle.
And that's it for Varchie right now! As mentioned, both Varchie and Barchie are at the same spot in their romantic arcs.
I'll talk about this in my thread about the love triangle, but for either of these relationships, we won't know who Archie will land with until the final act.
Thanks for reading! If you've enjoyed this or any of my theory threads and want to show a little extra appreciation, I do have a tip jar over on ko-fi. ko-fi.com/astrolatte
Huh...yeah, I guess Cora (that blonde woman Jug slept with in New York) coming back to Riverdale to tell him she's pregnant would be a crazy cliffhanger. It would also throw a wrench in whatever relationship he has and she matches the 🤰🏼 emoji. I think the bhs may have a point!
If Jughead does deal with his writer's block and his article appears in the New Yorker (or wtv the Rivedale version) that Cora woman could see it since she's a writer too. And just when Jughead thinks his life is settled this one night stand comes into Pops and blows his life up.
While the Betty pregnant cliff hanger would be crazy and blow up the Archie/Betty/Veronica triangle in a soapy way, this also tracks since Jughead needs something next season to deal with and it would definitely be a struggle since he's broke and doesn't really know this woman.
Riverdale Season 5’s Thematic Question & The Three Act Structure (a thread)
Since Riverdale S5 started a bit differently due to COVID, including three episodes that were supposed to be in S4 and extra-long hiatus, I wanted to take a moment to talk about story structure, this season’s thematic question, and how it’s playing out so far.
For the first time since S1, Riverdale finds itself with a smaller story ("Riverdale is in trouble!") lasting for a shorter number of episodes (16 vs. 22).
Riverdale loves to do things big, but it's at its best when its seasons are short and focused.
Going by the outfits in these stills and what the episode is about, 5x14 is going to be where we get Chainsaw Betty aka "The Darkest Thing She's Ever Had To Face"
Alice's outfit matches this scene from the 5B trailer
"The Night Gallery" lines up with the Jughead "Ratking" painting, Betty "Chainaw" painting, and something related to Archie during his time in the military. Cheryl and Minerva (her art dealer girlfriend) will probably hold a gallery to sell these as the Blossom Estate is broke af