WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Rivedale season three, episode one.
Season three of Rivedale picked up where the last series ended, as Archie Andrews (played by KJ Apa) faced being sent to prison for the murder of Cassidy Bullick (Harrison Macdonald).
Of course, fans of the Netflix programme know Archie had nothing to do with Cassidy’s death and is being set up by Hiram Lodge (Mark Consuelos).
Hiram had Archie arrested at the end of season two after the former confronted the latter about using him to carrying out his dirty work.
However, it was not until this season viewers got to see what happened to Archie after he was put in cuffs at his high school by Hiram’s confidant Sheriff Michael Minetta (Henderson Wade).
In the premiere show viewers find out Archie is on trial for murder and Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) is interning with lawyers McCoy and Andrews to work on Archie’s case.
While on trial Archie is supported by his friends and family, with his mum calling him a “boy” and pointing out he has helped solve murders before.
However, Archie receives a damning character witness statement for the D.A, who refers to the youngster as “man”, whilst portraying him as a violent killer.
The jury then leaves to deliberate the verdict for first degree murder, but when they return to the courtroom the judge says he sequestered the jury and they will reconvene after Labour Day.
When Archie returns to the courthouse the jury declare a deadlock at six-to-six and explain they have not yet reached a decision.
Unable to proceed at that stage the judge dismisses them, however, the D.A offer Archie a deal – serve time in juvenile prison if he pleads guilty to manslaughter.
Archie takes the deal, despite his lawyer mum Mary (Molly Ringwald) begging him to reject the D.A’s offer.
It is Archie’s decision to take the plea, which infuriated viewers, with many rushing to Twitter to condemn him choice.
One shocked fan moaned: “I can’t believe Archie took the plea deal. I’m so upset,” while another said: “I’m p**sed that Archie turned himself in.”
A third added: “I cannot believe that Archie had been convicted. Hiram Lodge I hate you with all my might.”
“OK so it’s just hit me now Archie is in jail. Archie is actually in jail,” fumed a fourth.
Others claimed the lead character was stupid to plead guilty to a crime he did not commit, with one tweeting: “You know sometimes I think Archie is really dumb.”
Another said: “I always knew Archie was a dumbass, but I didn’t know that he was a dumbass of this magnitude.”
Meanwhile, someone else enthused: “I already want the next episode of Reversal this first episode was sensational.”
Riverdale season three continues next Wednesday on Netflix.
