The Archies 2023

As Mr. Hiram Lodge (Alyy Khan) re-entered the scene in Riverdale, he set his sights on a grand transformation for the town, driven by a relentless pursuit of profit. The self-proclaimed capitalist had no qualms about exploiting an opportunity, even if it meant disregarding the desires of the very people who called Riverdale home. In a clandestine meeting with Mr. Dawson (Vinay Pathak), a member of the local council, Lodge revealed his vision for the town’s revitalization - a plan that would leave its mark on the community.

Lodge’s wife, Hermione (Kamal Sidhu), brought a dose of reason to the table by proposing a hotel location in the heart of Riverdale, rather than on its outskirts. Her suggestion was met with resistance, as she advocated for the construction of the hotel on the site where the historic Green Park stood. This sparked concern among those who understood the significance of this revered space.

Green Park had been an integral part of Riverdale’s fabric since John Riverdale leased the land from King Sarna in 1914. Children would annually plant trees in the park, a tradition that endured long after India gained its independence. The community, with its Anglo-Indian heritage, remained steadfast in its devotion to this symbol of their town’s history.

Despite the deep roots Green Park held in the town’s psyche, Dawson vowed to do his best to shepherd the motion through the council, knowing that Lodge was willing to fund his campaign for the position of District Contractor. The key to success lay in securing just five votes from the council members, a feat that would require some creative maneuvering. As Lodge began to make his move, the unsuspecting residents remained oblivious to the impending threat to their cherished heritage.

Before the hotel’s construction could begin, Lodge had planned to create a plaza where Pam’s salon, Suzie’s flower shop, and Hal’s bookshop currently stood. He contacted the property owners, who in turn informed their tenants of the need to relocate or meet the new rent demands set by Lodge. The once-thriving commercial district was now on the precipice of transformation, its fate hanging precariously in the balance.

The intricate dynamics between Veronica Lodge (Suhana Khan) and her best friend Betty Cooper (Khushi Kapoor) are a fascinating spectacle. The two girls share a bond that transcends petty rivalries, all while navigating their affections for Archie Andrews (Agastya Nanda). The trio’s conviviality is a hallmark of their relationship, as they effortlessly double-date without ever letting personal feelings get in the way. Jughead Jones (Mihir Ahuja), ever the voice of reason, repeatedly cautions Archie against his treacherous behavior, but Archie remains oblivious to the hurt he may be causing.

Meanwhile, Ethel (Aditi “Dot” Saigal) harbors a secret crush on Jughead, who happens to be a charming waiter at Pop Tate’s. Her warning to Betty that Archie is two-timing her falls on deaf ears, as Betty refuses to entertain any doubts about her beloved Archie. His promise of change is all she needs to justify their relationship.

However, their idyllic getaway takes an unexpected turn when Betty stumbles upon Archie and Veronica engaging in a romantic moment. This epiphany serves as a wake-up call for Betty, forcing her to reevaluate the true nature of her relationships with both Archie and Veronica. It’s also during this vacation that Reggie reveals his surprising awareness of Dilton’s unrequited love for him, adding another layer of complexity to their already intricate social dynamics.

As Betty’s emotions continued to oscillate between hurt and hope, she struggled to reconcile her perception of Archie’s affections. Just a few days prior, she had dared to believe that he shared her romantic sentiments, but now, in light of his duplicitous behavior, she was torn between pitying his confused state or condemning his toxic actions. The truth was, whenever Archie appeared with an apologetic demeanor, Betty’s ire would melt away, leaving her vulnerable to his charms once more. This internal turmoil had become unbearable, prompting her to confide in Veronica about the kiss, which only exacerbated her distress.

Veronica’s reaction to this revelation was nothing short of incandescent fury, as she had never suspected that Archie’s affections were so fickle. The two friends cornered Jughead and extracted the whole story from him, including the disturbing detail that Archie had dedicated a song to both of them, proclaiming his love for each in equal measure. Confronting Archie with this newfound knowledge, Betty and Veronica demanded that he cease creating divisions between them and instead adopt a platonic role in their lives.

Meanwhile, Archie’s desire to pursue higher education in London had been a long-standing aspiration. He knew that having Uncle Ben (Farhan Akhtar) stationed there would provide him with the necessary support system. Despite his parents’ reservations - Fred (Suhaas Ahuja) and Mary (Tara Sharma) were keen for their son to remain in Riverdale - Archie’s passion for studying abroad ultimately won them over.

However, this decision was swiftly upended when news of Mr. Hiram Lodge’s plans to destroy Green Park spread throughout the town. For the first time, Archie realized that his pursuit of personal gain had been misguided. He felt a deep sense of responsibility towards Riverdale and couldn’t bring himself to abandon it in its hour of need. This epiphany instilled in him a newfound appreciation for the importance of community over individual ambition. Ultimately, Archie chose not to pursue his studies abroad, instead dedicating himself to preventing the destruction of Green Park and protecting the town that had come to mean so much to him.

As the Riverdale council deliberated on the proposal to construct a hotel in the park, a hidden caveat lay in wait to upend the entire proceedings. Unbeknownst to Archie and his cohorts, a crucial condition remained to be met before the project could move forward. One disgruntled council member took it upon themselves to enlighten the group about this unforeseen obstacle: if they could procure a staggering 4,500 signatures from residents opposed to the hotel’s construction, Hiram Lodge would be forced to concede.

Reggie takes up his pen to scribble an impassioned article against the proposal, but Ricky’s reluctance to print it stems from a more pressing concern - the Gazette’s reliance on Hiram Lodge as its largest advertiser. Without this financial lifeline, the newspaper would struggle to survive. Archie and Reggie begin to suspect that Veronica is the mole in their midst who has been feeding information to her father, Hiram.

Veronica confronts her father, who candidly reveals that his wealth is the sole sustenance for her luxurious lifestyle. However, she retorts that it’s her friends’ disdain for her that stems from her family’s Machiavellian machinations. Archie and his companions eventually uncover the true culprit: Ricky’s PA, not Veronica.

Undeterred by Mr. Dawson’s best efforts to thwart their endeavor, Archie and his friends redouble their efforts to gather signatures. They fan out across Riverdale, organizing a park fair, utilizing Dilton’s (Yuvraj Menda) radio waves to disseminate information, and exhausting every avenue to awaken the conscience of their fellow citizens.

In the end, the people of Riverdale vote resoundingly against the hotel’s construction, and Hiram Lodge is left with no choice but to concede. Notably, his own daughter Veronica has become a key figure in the protest movement - her determination to stand by her principles serving as a beacon for her father’s changed perspective. As Archie and his companions emerge victorious, they’ve not only safeguarded their town’s natural habitat but also gained valuable life lessons. They’ve discovered that not all problems can be solved with an endless supply of money, and that true power lies in the collective voice of the people.