In some ways, Archie represents the parts of Riverdale that act as more of a classic teen drama. In a town of murderers, Archie is worried about football and playing guitar. As a teenager, he doesn't have a set direction for his life. Archie is deeply involved in his romantic relationships and friendships. However, Archie also goes in the opposite direction, being the furthest thing from a realistic character as he owns a gym, went on the run, and was attacked by a bear.
Even with how much he has gone through, Archie Andrews may be the main character, but Riverdale is not about Archie. Riverdale holds many other integral aspects that do not directly involve Archie or conflict with his life. Some of the most prominent mysteries don't involve him at all, and in other ways, he takes a backseat to the occurrences in town. Betty, Veronica, and Jughead have all had more direct connections to the mystery at hand. Even Cheryl Blossom, who either has a major role or whose only part is to stand in the background and say something bizarre, has more involvement than Archie does at times.
Archie: The Glue
Even though the core four have spent plenty of time apart, Archie seems to be the glue that keeps the group together. His friendships with Betty and Jughead and his relationship with Veronica have kept the group together over the years. When Archie left to the military, the group slowly fell apart.
Veronica went first, followed by Betty, and finally Jughead. When the group finally reunites seven years later, Veronica, Betty, and Jughead return to Riverdale because Archie called them.
Someone Else: Barely Involved In The Mystery
For the show's central character, Archie is barely involved in each season's central mystery. He doesn't spend much time thinking about Jason Blossom, other than confronting Ms. Grundy about revealing they had heard a gunshot. Otherwise, his thoughts are on football and guitar.
The Gargoyle King and the Farm are not the main storylines for Archie either. While Archie does receive videotapes, and his involvement is included in them, Archie is not trying to discover the person behind them. For the most part, those storylines go to Betty and Jughead.
Archie: Attracts The Unusual
Archie was framed for a murder he didn't commit and attacked by a bear. These are not common occurrences for anyone, but Archie Andrews can't help but attract unusual scenarios.
He even went on the run when Hiram Lodge wanted to kill him. Archie actively wanted revenge on the Black Hood and created the Red Circle to help innocent Riverdale residents and take down the serial killer. Archie also tends to get involved in things he shouldn't.
Someone Else: Jughead Is The Narrator
The events of Riverdale are voiced and documented by Jughead Jones. Jughead is a writer and spends his time thinking about mysteries and trying to unravel Riverdale's dark side.
He has something to say about the town every episode. Although this sounds more like a general narration than a specific emotion or thought Jughead has, it does give more insight into Jughead than from Archie.
Archie: Hiram Lodge
Other than Veronica, Archie has the most to do with Hiram Lodge. Archie and Hiram's relationship has been all over the map. Archie has worked for and with Hiram; they have been at odds, have tried to kill each other, and have been friends. Hiram has brought out the worst in Archie while also challenging him to see another side of the world.
Hiram doesn't have this type of dynamic with Jughead or Betty, and even his relationship with Veronica is different because they are father and daughter.
Someone Else: Veronica's Relationship With Hiram
Archie's dynamic with Hiram may be complicated, but for Veronica, it's also very personal.
Since Hiram is Veronica's father, Veronica has had to battle Hiram on numerous levels. From believing the best in him and defending Hiram to actively opposing him. Veronica's battle with Hiram occurs at home, and for that, it gives many layers to the trouble the two face.
Archie: Vigilante
In a world where teenagers can run multiple businesses, Archie Andrews is in charge of a gym. He used it as a boxing ring and turned it into a place for neighborhood kids to spend time and stay off the streets.
However, that is only one of the ways Archie had tried to help improve Riverdale. Archie spent plenty of time being a vigilante for the town, beating up bad guys and trying to keep the town clean.
Someone Else: Betty Investigates
When it comes to the biggest mysteries in Riverdale, Betty is on the case. Regardless of having help or not, Betty is devoted to solving the issue at hand. Betty spends most of her time with murder boards trying to solve the cases of numerous serial killers in Riverdale.
She found Polly and looked into what really happened to Jason Blossom. Betty also had a connection with the Black Hood. Nearly every mystery in Riverdale becomes entangled in Betty Cooper's life.
Archie: Numerous Interests
Archie has had a lot going on over the seasons. For as many different avenues as his friends have gone down, Archie has had diverse interests, sometimes numerous, each season.
At first, it was the simple struggle between football and music. However, Archie's involvement stretched out to include the mafia, boxing, business owner, small-town vigilante hero, and military soldier.
Someone Else: A Set Direction For The Future
Even with everything Archie gets involved in, he knew the least about what he wanted for his future. This is a storyline that had mostly been shown before the seven-year time jump. Betty had been dedicated to investigating mysteries, which was an activity that she stayed involved with all through high school, and what eventually brought her to the FBI as an adult. Jughead's dream was to be a writer, something he was always doing throughout the series. The time jump even revealed he had a book published.
Veronica was in charge of multiple businesses throughout high school, and while her path may not have been so direct, it was still an avenue she could be expected to go down. Archie was never really sure what he wanted. Although he dabbled with the idea of school, the military only really seemed like something Archie wanted to do after learning he would have to repeat his senior year.