Riverdale Review: Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam (Season 4 Episode 1)
Riverdale Season 4 Episode 1, “Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam,” opens the new chapter with a beautiful and tragic tribute to the late Luke Perry. While the show has a reputation for being a little ridiculous and a lot chaotic, this episode highlights how much this cast and crew care for each other with a profound amount of respect, passion, and heart.
In the Riverdale universe, these characters are mourning the sudden loss of Fred Andrews, while the cast and crew mourn their friend. The love that each person held for Perry is palpable throughout this entire episode. Tears start coming from the first moments and don’t stop through the rest of the hour.
Each character shares special moments or memories that they had with Fred Andrews and the cast delivers these scenes with all of the gravitas that comes with a memorial. The entire cast carries the weight of the emotion present in this episode while KJ Apa and Molly Ringwald, in particular, stand out as they show the devastation of a mourning son and wife.
From the speech at the funeral to Archie allowing himself to finally break down alone in the garage, Apa does some of his best work on “Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam.”
Archie: He was the greatest man I’ve ever known…His spirit lives on in this town and in everyone he met. Fred Andrews will always be a part of Riverdale.
Opening with classic Riverdale moments between the core four before leading into the death of Fred Andrews, the writers crafted this episode in a way that feels really organic. Dealing with the loss of someone in both our own reality and the world of the show could have lead to a strange imbalance in the storytelling, but “Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam” does justice to each beautifully.
Archie very reasonably begins to spiral at the news that his father was killed in a hit and run, instantly wanting to seek justice. His need for revenge builds throughout the episode in a way that is very true to who Archie is. The storyline is then resolved quite poetically, reading much like a sign from Fred to Archie.
A terrified, reckless kid made a mistake that cost Fred his life and his father took the fall–just like Fred would and has for Archie many times over.
The gang also meets the woman Fred died saving. Riverdale cast Shannen Doherty, Perry’s 90210 co-star and lifelong friend, in the role. Together they honor his memory, sending him off with the Lord’s prayer and a lasting impact of his life as one of the true heroes of Riverdale.
Jughead: He was our Good Samaritan. Our George Bailey. Our knight in flannel armour…Fred left Riverdale better than he found it. That’s his legacy.
The Riverdale writers have dedicated the remainder of the show’s episodes to Luke Perry, and Archie vows to honor his father for the rest of his life.
Blue and Gold Classifieds:
- Cheryl keeping Jason in the conservatory is deeply concerning. I hope she gets some help soon.
- What contest do you think Jughead is entering? Do you think he’ll win?
- Alice Cooper is definitely alive and still working undercover with The Farm for the FBI. At New York Comic Con it was revealed that her time with The Farm would be resolved by the third episode of this season. What are you hoping to see in the mission to get Mama Coop back?
- Betty picking trash off of her father’s gravestone is a heartbreaking contrast to Fred’s funeral. Hal Cooper was definitely a terrible person, but it’s really sad to see Betty carry the scars of how he lived his life.
- Both Hiram and Hermione are in jail. Who do you think will get out first? Does either of them deserve to get out?
- Does Hiram have ulterior motives in paying for all of Fred’s funeral services? Let’s be honest, it’s Hiram so he probably does.
- What are you most excited to see on this season of Riverdale? Let me know in the comments!
What did you think of this episode of Riverdale? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Riverdale airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.
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Samantha Coley
Samantha (she/her) is a social media specialist by day and a sci-fi junkie by night. As a freelance writer and podcaster, she also enjoys live-tweeting, blogging, good music, and better television. Her current favorite television shows include Star Trek (yes, all of them), Riverdale, and Stranger Things and there will always be a place in her heart for Battlestar Galactica, Leverage, and The West Wing.