The love triangle between Archie, Betty, and Veronica was a big part of the Archie Comics, so it made sense that Riverdale would have used the established love triangle in its early episodes. The first season did highlight the love triangle, especially the pilot episode focused on the growing complex relationships between Veronica, Betty, and Archie. However, it did not end there. Even after Archie and Veronica eventually got together, the love triangle remained a background element of the show, teasing Archie and Betty's friendship, perhaps being on the verge of something more, and showing them kissing while in relationships with others more than once. Season four brought the triangle back full force, with Archie and Betty putting their relationship under the microscope and realizing there may be more to it than friendship, something they never get the chance to explore, given their respective romances with Veronica and Jughead.
The time jump seemed to bring it back again, with Archie jumping between Betty and Veronica before finally landing on moving forward with Betty. But, throughout season six, Veronica seemed to regret her breakup with Archie and admitted to seemingly still having feelings for him. Tabitha also realized there were an equal number of universes where Archie ended up with either Betty or Veronica. As the show enters its final season, it may be best to leave the triangle in the past. Although no one other than Jughead can remember their previous lives, given the time jump back to the 1950s, Betty and Archie had just gotten engaged. Meanwhile, Veronica had decided to focus on being a better friend and working on herself rather than jumping into another romance.
4 Allow the Show to Move On
Some shows struggle to move beyond things known to work because while the show still considers it to be at the series' heart, the audience may have moved on or grown tired of the same love triangle for many seasons. For example, Riverdale has a variety of characters, but it also does not need to trap itself in romantic triangles.
With the time jump back to the 1950s, everyone has much larger fish to fry than a school dance, even if Jughead is the only one completely aware of it. Stripping everyone's memories means there are chances to explore new dynamics between characters that perhaps have not gotten to spend time together previously. While some connections may be ingrained, there is no need to try and force Archie, Betty, and Veronica's love triangle into the show again.
3 Archie and Betty's Engagement
Although an engagement does not necessarily mean that Archie and Betty could not change their minds and decide to go their separate ways, it seemed Riverdale had finally given an official answer with Betty and Archie's big step forward. An engagement can be broken, but Archie seemed very committed to choosing to marry Betty. At the end of the world, Archie does not have a last-minute change of heart and confesses his undying love to Veronica. Nor does Archie seem uncertain about what he wants for his future.
But, it is not just Archie. Betty proposes to Archie because she grows to be sure it is what she wants. They are both seemingly in a place of confidence and assurance that their relationship is what they want for their future. Riverdale can find other sources of drama than having Veronica play a conflict.
2 Give Veronica New Dynamics
Veronica addresses it herself as the Comet comes closer. She is rarely ever single. Veronica has jumped from relationship to relationship for a long time, never taking the time to stop and be single and question what she wants from her own life. Although Veronica is thriving independently, she has always been in a relationship. Keeping her in a love triangle with Archie and Betty is not only tiredly repetitive for her character, but unlikely to give her character the necessary growth outside of having a conflicting relationship with a man, whether it be romantic toward Archie or Reggie or the struggle she faced against her father, Hiram.
Veronica's storyline has been directly connected to Archie, Reggie, or Hiram for so long. Veronica deserves a storyline outside of romance to allow her to grow in ways an affair would not give her space. Instead, opening up her friendship dynamics will enable her to develop other types of bonds.
1 They're Doing a Soft Reboot
Although Riverdale loves to constantly re-invent itself, to the point where it can feel like a completely different show every season, it can not be said that Riverdale does not get stuck in old patterns. The love triangle between Archie, Betty, and Veronica has been one of the most consistent love stories on the show. Riverdale's decision to give Archie and Betty a real chance at a relationship has given the show a fresh perspective. It has separated it from the repetitive nature that Archie and Veronica's romance had brought to the table after being on-and-off together for so long.
But, just as the show found some consistency in Archie and Betty's relationship, moving the series to the 1950s and returning them to their teenage years runs the risk of following that pattern again. So Riverdale is doing something completely different in season seven. Take that opportunity to tell new stories rather than rehash old plot lines and relationships.