'Riverdale' Season 4 Episode 1 preview: 'In Memoriam' will be a tearful and fitting tribute to the late Luke Perry
'Riverdale' season 3 ended on a bloody note and the flash-forward to the Spring break left fans wanting for more. The new season is less than 24 hours away from its premiere and in what may probably be the final season has a lot to explain and offer. The series will start off with a tribute episode to the late Luke Perry who played Fred Andrews on the show. As Archie's (KJ Apa) dad, the character was well-liked and the upcoming installment will begin by honoring the actor.
Fans have been waiting for a proper send-off for the actor and The CW show's creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa confirmed the news of the upcoming tribute arriving in the fourth season, after the remaining episodes of season 3 that arrived following Perry's death, were all dedicated to the late actor. The tribute episode honoring Perry in season 4, will be titled 'In Memoriam.' Taking to Twitter, Aguirre-Sacasa wrote: "Probably the most important episode of #Riverdale we’ll do this year, if not ever. A tribute to our fallen friend. Thankful for this opportunity to honor Luke & Fred."
He also revealed that Perry's 'Beverly Hills 90210' co-star Shannen Doherty will guest star in the season opener. Talking about Doherty's inclusion in the premiere, Aguirre-Sacasa said he and Perry had planned to have her on the show for some time. He also stated that they had planned to make the tribute episode as special as possible. According to Variety, Doherty was asked to do a pivotal, emotional role. "She read the script and immediately said ‘yes.’ It’s very impactful,” the showrunner said.
The official synopsis by The CW reads: "A Farewell to Fred Andrews — As the residents of Riverdale prepare for its upcoming Independence Day parade, Archie (KJ Apa) receives a phone call that will change the rest of his life forever. Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, Madelaine Petsch, Marisol Nichols, Madchen Amick, Mark Consuelos, Skeet Ulrich, Casey Cott, Charles Melton, and Vanessa Morgan also star. Gabriel Correa directed the episode written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa."
Given that the series spanned close to 22 episodes in its last two seasons, expect a tearful, fitting tribute to the actor in the episode to be the main focus point. While there are enough mysteries about The Farm, the bloody spring break and Penelope Blossom, this one would probably keep them aside for later.
The teen drama looked like it pulled out all stops when it dished out two rivetting trailers and a poster titled 'Sex. Lies. Videotapes.' Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, Cheryl, Toni, Kevin, and Reggie are all seen in the poster that looks like an old TV screen. While sex and lies have been a part of the series since inception, it's the videotape part that may be part of the plot point in the upcoming season. There was a lot of going back to school that was promised much before the trailer hit the internet, but with all of this, how does one make it to school we wonder?
'Riverdale' season 4 airs Wednesday 8 pm ET on The CW.