The 'Riverdale' Luke Perry tribute is heartbreakingly beautiful

When Beverly Hills 90210 and Riverdale star Luke Perry passed away earlier this year, his loss was felt all across the world. Though Riverdale temporarily stopped production following his death in March, the show waited until the season 4 premiere to formally say goodbye to Perry and his character, Fred Andrews.

Season 4 Episode 1, “In Memoriam,” was dedicated to Perry and focused entirely on explaining Fred’s sudden absence. Minutes into the episode, Archie learns his father was struck by a speeding driver in another town on the eve of the Fourth of July parade his friends had been planning, and the rest of the runtime is dedicated to memorializing both Fred and Luke Perry as Riverdale’s moral cornerstone.

The episode progresses with Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead struggling to understand the senseless nature of Fred’s death, with Archie in particular danger of giving in to his vengeful, violent impulses. There’s still a little sprinkle of Riverdale weirdness in there — Cheryl threatens to ruin the Fourth of July parade with an airhorn and Reggie just happens to own a handy, plot-advancing hearse — but overall the tone is one of contemplation and mourning.

Some of the scenes in “In Memoriam” are difficult to watch because the depth of emotion seen on screen feels doubled by the cast’s inevitable grief over losing their patriarch. As a former teen actor who knew from his 90210 experience what the show’s young cast was going through, Perry acted as a mentor to many Riverdale actors. A month after his passing, Archie actor KJ Apa revealed to Jimmy Fallon that Perry would call Apa’s parents every week to let them know he was taking care of their son while they were shooting, and other cast members have shared poems and memories of his beloved presence on set.

The best thing Riverdale does to honor Luke Perry is to give Fred a hero’s death. What seemed at first like a hit-and-run is revealed to have been a sacrifice, when Archie realizes Fred saved a woman’s life by pushing her out of harm’s way (the woman is played by Perry's 90210 co-star Shannen Doherty, making the moment extra poignant). News of Fred’s selflessness reaches Riverdale while Archie is away retrieving his father’s body, and by the time he returns home with the casket the entire town has retooled the Fourth of July parade into a homecoming for Fred.

The slow pan over every character holding homemade signs, waving American flags, and supporting Archie as he drives down the main street with a police escort from Sheriff Jones is one of the most emotionally affecting scenes ever filmed for television, with every heartbreaking beat feeling entirely deserved.

The arc of “In Memoriam” helps Archie and his friends realize that Fred Andrews was a great man on many fronts. “My dad,” Archie says at the funeral, “was the best Riverdale had to offer.”

The level of care that went into crafting this season premiere makes it clear that line isn’t entirely about Fred. Luke Perry was the best Riverdale had to offer, and their best was honored beautifully.