There were plenty of new romantic pairings on Riverdale Season 7, with some that just made sense as others made waves for being downright shocking, not only for the time period but simply because audiences never expected certain romances to ever blossom.
Quite frankly, season 7’s whole plot consists of everyone making out with everyone. Sexual tension is at an all-time high as the creative forces behind the series seem to enjoy shaking things up and exploring some of the unconventional romances, which makes sense considering the characters are stuck in the 1950s with no recollection of their past romantic relationships. We’ve seen some unexpected yet promising ships, and some of the steamiest scenes came as a result of high school daydreams—though we’re absolutely not complaining.
Here are some of our favorites from this season:
Veronica and Jughead
There was always a chunk of the fandom clamoring for a #Jeronica teaming, and season 7 finally delivered. While it seemed as though any romantic notion the two previously shared for each other fizzled out at the onset of the season, the two were back on by Riverdale Season 7 Episode 16, locking lips and making fans believe that these two may just be end game. Or, maybe it was a moment of weakness and loneliness to fill the void until Tabitha returns with a plan to restore things to the way they once were.
#Jeronica? Back on? With four episodes left? In this economy?? #riverdale pic.twitter.com/cJ6dGJgrYw
— Riverdale After Dark: A Riverdale Podcast (@RiverdaleDark) July 27, 2023
Toni and Cheryl
The series definitely made some mistakes with Toni and Cheryl in previous seasons, namely, keeping them apart for so long, but they’ve righted those wrongs by giving us a solid relationship between the two, in the ’50s nonetheless. While the duo had to navigate the anti-LGBTQ sentiment of the times, their love has only gotten stronger, and anytime the series can sneak in a spicy scene between the two of them—a forbidden kiss, a proper love scene, or a risque photoshoot, it delivers and then some.
@ilovegaynetflixshows finally we know why they kiss haha BUT OMG EP 3 #riverdale #choni #riverdaleseason7 #cherylblossom #tonitopaz #fyp #edit
♬ original sound – i♡choni
Kevin and Clay
Kevin has been the most fumbled LGBTQ+ character in this series, but he’s finally getting a proper storyline, along with a promising love interest. At the start of the season, he was dating Betty and struggling with his sexuality, however, as the season progresses, we saw Kevin come into his own and nourish the love between him and Clay despite all the obstacles they’ve faced. While everyone is hooking up with everyone, Kevin and Clay remain the strongest union in the series, with plenty of moments, including a sex scene, dedicated to their love.
Veronica and Betty
Fans who have long believed that there was more to Veronica and Betty’s friendship were acknowledged in a scene where the best friends sang a rousing rendition that effortlessly captured their complexities before basically declaring their love for each other and sharing a passionate kiss amid the stars.
They both agreed that there seemed to be an “energy exchange” of sorts, adding that it felt like a “seismic one” and “primal, charged, and intense.” The moment hasn’t been revisited nor has it seemed to impact their relationship in any way, but it was quite memorable for fans both shipping and rejecting the potential romance.
Archie and Reggie
This wasn’t a makeout session that transpired on screen, but Riverdale Season 7 Episode 16 made it clear that the duo got fairly close, first having them watch “male wrestling films” together before they agreed to act on their sexual feelings by seeking out sex worker Twyla and presumably having a threesome with her, which was followed by a glorious morning where they watched the sunrise together and admitted that they loved each other. The plotline got mixed reactions from fans, with some accepting the new pairing yet wondering why the creators couldn’t just have them act on their feelings without introducing an adult predator if they wanted to experiment, as others questioned where this storyline came from at all and what direction it was headed in.
Archie and Betty
It’s unfortunate that there is no actual hookup between these two in reality, with most of the sizzling lip-locking saved for Betty’s daydreams. However, Betty’s imagination works overtime, with extremely vivid thoughts, providing a promising scene where the duo hooks up while she’s a substitute teacher.
The will-they-won’t-they aspect of the plot continues to interrupt any prospect of a #Barchie relationship, with the closest they’ve ever come to letting their affections be known is when they almost kissed on Halloween just before being interrupted by the Milk Man.
There was also the peep show that was rudely interrupted by their parents, so yeah, it’s safe to say that fans are desperately awaiting their big #Barchie moment.
Betty and Reggie
Do you know how I mentioned Betty’s overactive imagination? Well, chalk up her naked shower scene smooch with Reggie to just that. Betty and Reggie never had any feelings for each other outside of the ’50s, but it was fun to consider the possibility for a fleeting moment. And it was somehow hotter than her scenes with Archie this season—though we know that they are the original steamy shower scene couple.
Betty, Reggie and Archie
Honestly, it seems like Reggie and Archie were destined for a threesome at some point this season—if Betty’s overactive imagination is any indication. In this scene, the trio were busy working on fixing up the jalopy when Betty dreamy up a sizzling hookup with both boys, shortly before they snapped her out of it. And since there’s been so much back-and-forth between Archie and Reggie when it comes to Betty’s heart, it was a major moment for fans.
Archie and Cheryl
Cheryl initially tried to lie to herself, and the world, about her sexual desires, pursuing Archie, the hot jock at school, to make it seem more true and find a way to escape her hellish living situation at Thornhill. The makeout session between them was, unexpected, to say the least, but it was also very strange considering what we’ve come to know about these characters over the years. Cheryl and Archie had an intense sexual chemistry, it’s true, but it was also a vital moment to serve the storylines to come, particularly Cheryl’s decision to explore her sexuality and make things official with Toni. #Choni will forever be endgame.
Which moment fogged up your bathroom mirror this season?
5 Hottest Moments Between Betty and Archie on ‘Riverdale’