Fans now fear for Jughead's (Cole Sprouse) future in Riverdale Season 4 after the previous season finale. There are theories the Southside Serpents' leader is already dead after his signature beanie was burned in Season 3's final episode, "Survive the Night."
The core four, Betty (Lili Reinhart), Veronica (Camila Mendes), Archie (K.J. Apa) were seen standing beside a raging fire in Season 3 finale, but where was Jughead? According to TV Season Spoilers, the scene was a flash-forward to next year's spring, and they were all covered in blood, seeming they did something wrong.
Betty, Veronica, and Archie burned Jughead's beanie and their bloody clothes. Thus, fans feared the latter might have met his demise. There are theories Jughead is already dead, but it seems unlikely knowing that he is one of the lead characters.
Pop Sugar reported the core four might have been involved in illegal activity and they have to cover what they did by burning their clothes. Jughead might be the one who was responsible for what happened so they might be trying to save him for the possible repercussions of what they did. Would it be at play in Riverdale Season 4?
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa said they drew inspiration from the known suspense novels, like Killing Mr. Griffin and I Know What You Did Last Summer, to do the mysterious Season 3 finale's flash-forward scene. "We thought, 'Oh, what if what binds our group together isn't just the camaraderie of senior year but a crime that has them at the absolute center of it?'" he said.
In a different interview, Aguirre-Sacasa told The Hollywood Reporter people behind the show wanted to build something new in Riverdale Season 4. "An unspeakable crime," he said. Was it possible the core four got involved in a serious crime in Season 3 finale?
Explaining the events of Season 3's final episode, Aguirre-Sacasa revealed they wanted to create a flash forward scene, instead of doing something bad in the season's end. So, the continuation of the core four's sequence in the previous season finale would be seen in Riverdale Season 4.
Fans would know how Archie, Betty, and Veronica did end in the woods in Riverdale Season 4, and why their clothes were soaked in blood. Also, the new season would reveal where was Jughead at the time and why did they burn his beanie.
