Happy Wednesday TV fans! After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 4 episode 1 season premiere, I am in tears. In fact, I was in tears throughout the entire episode, but I remembered that no one is every truly gone if we continue to honor them in what we do next. Please note MAJOR spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.
In tonight’s episode, “Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam,” the gang gets ready for the 4th of July and everything seems to be really quiet in town…until Archie receives a phone call that will alter his life forever. My top 5 moments from the Riverdale season 4 episode 1 season premiere are:
5
“I have to bring him home…”
In the beginning of the episode, Archie receives a phone call while he is at Pop’s and discovers that his father has been killed in a hit and run. Archie is beyond devastated and shocked and so are his friends and mother. Even his dog whimpers quietly by the door, which immediately broke my heart. Archie decides that he wants to bring his father’s body home and his friends agree to help him along the way.
The sudden passing of Luke Perry toward the end of season 3 shook everyone, but the show did not truly get a chance to give him a proper goodbye before. While I knew that something like this was coming, I was not prepared for this incredibly emotional and heartbreaking episode.
Even though it was extremely difficult to watch and hit very close to home for me, it was something that Fred Andrews earned and something that Luke Perry deserved even more, reminding us just how many lives he has truly touched and how much he is missed every single day.
4
“I’m just paying my respects.”
It truly meant the world to me to see Shannen Doherty guest star on this particular episode to pay tribute to her good friend, Luke Perry. I grew up watching her and Luke Perry on Beverly Hills, 90210 and both of them made a huge impact on my life.
When I recently watched the BH90210 reboot, the tasteful tribute for Luke Perry was done perfectly and I thought it was so appropriate for us to see Luke Perry’s journey come full circle here.
Doherty plays the woman that Fred saved on the road and while she doesn’t have a huge part, her presence was so powerful. Seeing her standing next to Archie and the others truly allowed Luke’s memory to live on, seeing where he started and where he ended up, living on in every role he played.
3
“Whenever he looked at you, there was pride in his eyes.”
After discovering the identity of the man who killed his father, Archie decides to track him down to take justice into his own hands. When Archie realizes that the man is innocent and is merely trying to protect his young son who made a mistake, Archie realizes how he could have been in this very same situation with his own father.
Archie feels ashamed and thinks he let his father down, but Veronica has a supporting and meaningful moment with him, telling him how proud his father truly was of him. Sometimes Varchie can be over-dramatic, but I thought this was such a simple and perfect moment for them and I’m hoping Veronica can help him get through this because he is going to need her.
2
“We will never forget you Fred.”
After Cheryl initially feels some type of way about a parade on 4th of July, she has an immediate change of heart when she finds out what happened to Fred. Cheryl and Toni go to see Mrs. Andrews and Cheryl explains that she knows what it feels like and she wants to do something for their family.
When Archie brings his father home, the entire town is waiting and there are signs showing their love and admiration of Fred, which was incredibly heartwarming to see. Even though this town has had its fair share of tragedy and misfortune, everyone comes together now to honor a man who always just tried to do his best and help others.
1
“Fred Andrews will always be a part of Riverdale…I’m going to honor him.”
I thought that Archie’s eulogy was beautiful and simple, but he talked about how his father helped build this town and it’s clear that Fred made an impact on everyone in it…even Hiram Lodge, who ends up doing the right thing by paying for all of the costs.
Archie says that his father was the greatest man he’s ever known and hopes that his spirit and memory will live on. At the end of the episode, each character has a moment to self-reflect and mourn and we end with Archie going into the garage. We actually see some past clips of Fred; right before the camera zooms out, leaving us with the photograph of Fred and Archie together.
This was probably the most incredible episode I have watched of the series. Yes, it took a break from the drama and the mystery we have come to know and love, but it truly dedicated itself to a character and an actor who was so inspiring. I feel incredibly honored to have witnessed a true tribute that was so beautiful and well done.
Thank you, Riverdale for providing Fred and Luke with this tribute.
Fred Andrews will always be a part of Riverdale and Luke Perry will always be in our hearts.
I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Riverdale in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
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