While Archie and Veronica seem to be great together on the series Riverdale, with an intense chemistry and passion for one another, there are some signs that the relationship might be toxic. They seem to fuel one another to do questionable things and trouble seems to follow them wherever they go. It was arguably Archie's relationship with Veronica that set off a firestorm of bad luck for the young man that goes way beyond your typical teen angst.
This was mostly because of her father's manipulation of and then vendetta against him. While all of that has calmed down, Riverdale continues to be plagued with drama, murder, and scandal. We can't say Archie and Veronica caused all of this. But would his life have turned out much differently had he stayed in a relationship with, or started one, with someone else? Here are 10 people he could have been with instead.
Toni
Sure, Toni and Cheryl are totally made for one another. But it's clear Toni might be bisexual since she had a brief tryst with Jughead. Imagine if instead of Cheryl, she got together with Archie?
It would make for a beautiful union between Archie and the kids of Riverdale and the Serpents. Both are tough yet level-headed and Toni might have been able to talk some sense into Archie when he wanted to do crazy things (as she has done with Cheryl) instead of egging him on with unwavering support for her "Archie-kins."
Katy Keene
Sure, Katy is Veronica's long-time friend from back in New York. So it would be terrible if Archie met and took a liking to her after having already dated Veronica. But assuming he and Veronica never dated and just remained friends, Katy might have been a better partner.
She could use his help dealing with her mother's ailing health and might have coaxed him over to life in a big, bright city and away from the seemingly cursed town of Riverdale.
Midge
Poor Midge met an early demise at the hands of the Black Hood. And prior to that, she was in a relationship with the closeted Moose, completely unaware that he was actually gay and hadn't come out yet.
While she and Moose would probably have remained great friends once he revealed the truth, that would have left the door open for her to be the sweet and innocent partner for Archie. It would have been usual teen love, allowing him to live a normal life like a teenager should. And he might have helped keep Midge away from trying the drug Jingle Jangle that she and Moose had experimented with.
Ethel
While Ethel seems to have disappeared of late, she was a sweet fellow student at Riverdale who could have made a good partner for Archie. While she got caught up in the sinister game of Gryphons and Gargoyles, Archie, as a boyfriend, might have been able to get through to her and bring her back to reality.
Sure, she doesn't look like the typical girl Archie might fall for. But she could have been good for him and he for her in the long run!
Valerie
Archie and Valerie's relationship seemed to be going well until she decided to end things. Why? Because he was involved with the Blossom family and was seemingly ignoring her. That's an understandable reason for breaking up with someone, after all.
Had Archie spent less time dealing with drama and more just being a regular teenager in love, their courtship might have lasted. Valerie was a good student with a focus on and talent for singing and songwriting as part of the Josie and the Pussycats trio. They could have made sweet, sweet music together.
Polly
OK, hear us out. While Polly doesn't seem like the right person for Archie, they have known each other since they were kids. Sure, she was pregnant with the late Jason Blossom's twins. And yes, she became part of an evil cult. But it's clear she's a good person deep down.
Had things gone differently for her and she wasn't sent to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy, Archie might have been there for her during her pregnancy. Yes, her sister Betty had been pining for Archie. But it's not uncommon for the best friend to like the older sister.
Cheryl
Cheryl is gay but if she wasn't, she and Archie could have made a fierce couple. Cheryl is almost like the polar opposite of Archie. She's loud, overconfident (or at least tries to appear so), flashy, and makes an impression any time she walks in the room.
Archie, on the other hand, is soft spoken yet strong-willed with a deep moral compass. As they say, opposites attract; these two could have been the perfect couple that clashes yet complements one another. Plus, they both have those flowing red locks.
Josie
Leader of Josie and the Pussycats, the relationship between Archie and Josie seemed to come out of nowhere. But they were sweet together and shared a common love of music. In the end, Josie left to pursue her dreams of becoming a famous musician and now appears on the spin-off series Katy Keene.
Maybe Archie should have left Riverdale to go with her and pursue his love of music, too. It would have gotten him away from all the drama. And without everything surrounding them, they might have been able to make it last.
Betty
The Betty today is much different than the Betty we originally met. The sweet, quiet and innocent girl with the ponytail seemed to have been corrupted by Veronica. Or maybe she had a darkness in her that was going to come out eventually.
Nonetheless, had Archie reciprocated the feelings for her in that first episode and said he loved her too (more than a friend), they could have been Riverdale's power couple. That wouldn't have prevented all the unfortunate events. But maybe they would have been better together.
No One
Why does Archie need to be with anyone at all? We've never gotten to see a truly single Archie who can focus on himself now instead of a relationship. He needs time to deal with the grief of the loss of his father, the gym, the safety of his friends and family, his grades in school, not to mention his future upon graduation.
Archie already takes on far more than any high schooler should. So really the best person for Archie right now is, well, Archie. He needs to focus on himself above all else!