Riverdale Said Goodbye To Luke Perry With Its Most Emotional Episode Yet

Riverdale finally aired the initial episode of Season 4 on Wednesday (Oct. 10), and gave Luke Perry's character Fred Andrews a touching sendoff in the process.


The teen drama took a momentary break from the onslaught of out-there murder plots and sarcastic quips to honor Perry, immediately after his untimely passing and recommended a tender, moving end for Fred and also a new starting for Archie.


Warning: This article contains spoilers for Riverdale Seasons 3 and 4.


Perry passed away at just 52 after suffering a stroke earlier this year. Ever since then, the Riverdale crew has been devastated by the loss, as they've struggled to move behind the hole he left in the show and also their hearts. He portrayed Archie's (KJ Apa) father Fred Andrews, who suggested a constant source of support and wisdom to his fictional son, making his departure from the show even more heartbreaking.


The episode suggested a sensible conclusion for Perry's storyline on Riverdale, as Fred Andrews had previously been "out of town" for most of season 3.


Throughout the opening episode of season 4, Archie receives a life-changing phone call: he learns Fred has passed away soon after being struck by a vehicle. His body was transported to a funeral residence in another town, and as such could be there up until immediately following the 4th of July holiday. Archie had to prepare a trip to Cherry Creek with companions in tow to pick his father up, which made for some of the most heart-wrenching viewing ever for Riverdale fans.


Without getting also much further into the story so fans can process their grief because the episode unfolds, the episode handled Perry's departure in a sensitive and touching way. The sadness was palpable, with real tears, real sadness, plus a tenderness that you rarely visualize in teen dramas.


Showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa previously reported that the show could be honoring Perry with an episode serious about him, and that it would be "the very crucial episode" of Riverdale the cast will create this year, "if not ever." Immediately after getting a chance to take it all in, we'd absolutely agree.