Narrated by a fourth-wall-breaking Jughead Jones, the episode introduces viewers to Rivervale, a town where folklore and superstitions carry the weight of absolute truth.
: The explosive ticking bomb left by Hiram Lodge under Archie's bed at the end of Season 5 is quickly brushed off here as merely a bad dream that Archie wakes up from.
: Things seem mostly normal but slightly off. Veronica and Reggie are the town's power couple looking to open a casino, Jughead and Tabitha are moving in together, and Toni and Fangs are struggling with a colicky Baby Anthony. 🌲 The Conflict: The Maple Harvest
" Chapter Ninety-Six: Welcome to Rivervale " , is the shocking start of a five-episode special event that shifts the show into an alternate, supernatural dimension known as "Rivervale". This write-up covers the plot, major character shifts, and the jaw-dropping ending of the episode. 🎭 The Setup: Welcome to Rivervale
Archie decides to start planting and giving away free maple tree saplings to the townspeople, sparking instant fury from Cheryl Blossom, who claims exclusive ancestral rights to the town's maple business.