The highly-anticipated third season of The CW’s hit show, Riverdale, does not disappoint.

Many fans complained that season two’s main plot, the Black Hood killer, dragged on for way too long, but luckily season three has an incoming army of unique storylines.

Right off the bat in episode one, Archie Andrews, played by KJ Apa, is on trial for a murder that we know he didn’t commit. The verdict and the way Archie handles his fate is totally unexpected. Surprises like these are what keep the show interesting and engaging.

Another highlight from the episode was the cliffhanger, which involved Betty Cooper, Lili Reinhart, and “The Farm,” a cult-like group including her mom, Alice, and sister Polly, portrayed by Mädchen Amick and Tiera Skovbye, respectively. Although it is not fully explained in the next episode, the cliffhanger does suggest a chilling connection, one that will definitely leave you asking questions.

Another main component of this season is the suspected perpetrator, the “Gargoyle King,” an ominous being that Jughead Jones, played by Cole Sprouse, discovers after witnessing an unnerving scene in the first episode.

In the next two episodes, these storylines continue to develop, and more are added to the mix, including a secret fight club and the opening of a new hangout in the town. I think that there is just enough going on to keep viewers excited to watch the show but not too much to the point where people feel overwhelmed with how much information is being thrown at them.

One problem that I’ve always had with Riverdale is that it’s not realistic. What teens have the time to go to school, participate in extracurriculars, and investigate murder mysteries? Season three definitely follows this trend, but I’m starting to get over it because the content is just too entertaining not to watch.

Moreover, season three’s content is on a whole new level of originality. Riverdale has always had some typical teen drama elements — romance, scandal, and backstabbing, to name a few — but season three seems to be straying off of that path even more so than previous seasons. And, of course, what would Riverdale be without death and violence? Expect to see more of that in this season.

Murder mysteries have been the dominant plots of Riverdale ever since the very first episode of the series. Instead of just whodunit cases, though, season three seems to be attempting to uncover the root of something evil, something bigger than Riverdale itself. What is it? You’ll have to watch to find out.