'Riverdale' season 4: Friendship plays a key role 'In Memoriam' and this bonding might just be what the teens need
This article contains spoilers for 'Riverdale' season 4 episode 1: 'In Memoriam'
With the season opener focusing on paying a tribute to Luke Perry's Fred Andrews, every other subplot was sidelined and rightfully so. 'In Memoriam' united Riverdale for the first time in three seasons. The town has seen murders, crime, drugs, and riots, and thanks to the binding force that Fred was, the entire town joins hands and gives the man the tribute he deserves. Even a criminal like Hiram Lodge pays his respects by taking on complete responsibility for the funeral expenditure. Friendships take precedence, Archie bonds with his mother, something that will be a crucial storyline going ahead.
And while we are talking about friendships, it is heartening to see how the teens bond when one of them is going through a crisis. Archie (KJ Apa), Jughead (Cole Sprouse), Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Veronica (Camila Mendes) have always been a tight-knit bunch and the way the trio support their pal in time of distress is a good thing to see. Three seasons have seen them have their share of tiffs, their separate share of adventures and exploring their dark sides, but in 'In Memoriam' all that is forgotten and one thing matters— being there for Archie.
With the new season paying attention to senior year and spring break, new mysteries await the teens and this bonding may help them go a long way in order for them to come out unscathed. The trailers and promos have already made it evident that this season will be much more dramatic, darker, grittier and bold than its predecessors. If that's the way things have to go, a friend is what each of these teens would need. However, with Jug leaving to go to a new school, it's interesting to see how the famous four manage to stay together and swing at every curveball that's tossed their way.
Ahead of the series, showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa said the season will go back to basics. There will be football, the Archies and hopefully the end of the mystery of the Gargoyle King and The Farm. While we don't know how things will end for the teens, one thing is for sure, the season will be a wild ride.
'Riverdale' season 4 airs Wednesdays on The CW.