'Polyamorous' group vents over 'shocking twist' in popular TV show 'Riverdale': 'Part of people's identities'
TV series had twist that four characters were all in relationship with each other
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The series finale of popular TV show "Riverdale" has the polyamorous community up in arms after a "shocking twist" revealed core characters Betty, Jughead, Archie and Veronica had been in a four-way relationship for a year in high school.
"It's frustrating that Riverdale used its characters' non-monogamous relationship as a 'shocking twist' rather than engaging with an authentic portrayal of non-monogamy as simply being part of people's identities," Brett Chamberlin, executive director of OPEN (Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-monogamy) told TMZ.
In his view, portrayals of non-monogamous relationships would typically warrant celebration, but these portrayals should also come from a place of "understanding" and should be "done responsibly."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}'RIVERDALE' ACTOR SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR KILLING MOTHER, PLANNING PM TRUDEAU ASSASSINATION
KJ Apa, Cole Sprouse, Camila Mendes, Madelaine Petsch and Lili Reinhart from Riverdale (Photo by Michael Buckner/TVLine/Penske Media via Getty Images)
"We didn't see or hear anything about why these characters practice non-monogamy, what it means for them, the substance of their relationship agreements and communication practices, or any of the other underlying motivations and work that makes relationships of any type function," he continued.
OPEN declined Fox News Digital's request for comment.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The CW teen drama series' shocking ending came last Wednesday after fans pushed for certain couples to be together, and it garnered some attention on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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Camila Mendes, KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, and Cole Sprouse speak at the "Riverdale" Special Video Presentation and Q&A during 2019 Comic-Con International at San Diego Convention Center on July 21, 2019 in San Diego, California. ((Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images))
One user wrote, "introducing betty, archie, jughead and veronica to all be in a quad relationship in the finale has got to be the most stupid thing riverdale has ever done."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Another said, "wanna write a polyamorous relationship? Riverdale is the PERFECT example of what NOT to do. You need to give contest to a poly relationship and not *snap snap* and BOOM all of the characters are in a quad relationship. Even if 'it’s based on Archie comics'. JUST NO."
Vanessa Morgan, Madelaine Petsch, Camila Mendes, KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Cole Sprouse, and Mark Consuelos of "Riverdale" accept the Choice Drama TV Show onstage during FOX's Teen Choice Awards at The Forum on August 12, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Some defended the decision as a way to represent the polyamorous community in pop culture, with one X user writing, "...not to be *that* person but as a polyamorous gal... this [the relationship'] is legitimately one of the best parts of riverdale..."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Another said, "I love that people are mad about this like Poly people don’t exist and I think all love triangles and rom com stuff like this should end this way. It’s so much fun."
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