Here's what happened in Luke Perry's final scene on Riverdale
25 April 2019, 13:24
Luke's final scene on Riverdale saw Fred doing what he does best: supporting his son Archie and being the best dad ever.
Almost two months after Luke Perry's unexpected death, his final scenes as Fred Andrews on Riverdale aired last night (April 24) and they were perfectly Fred.
Luke passed away following a stroke on March 4th, a month before filming on the third season of the show wrapped. Before his death, he filmed scenes for episode 19, titled 'Fear the Reaper'. These were the last scenes he filmed as Fred.
Described as "a beautiful, true moment between a father and his son," by show-runner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Luke actually appears in two very short scenes as Fred in episode 19, and has one line that summed up the very essence of his character.
Following Archie's boxing match with rival Randy Ronson, Fred accompanies Archie to the hospital along with Veronica, Josie, Tom Keller and Mad Dog. In the scene, Archie is told that Randy had died. Fred doesn't speak, but he's there supporting his son, just like always.
Luke's second scene in the episode features Fred standing in his signature spot in the Andrews' kitchen. After the news that Randy died following the fight, he assures Archie that his death had absolutely nothing to do with him.
“Son, from everything you’ve said, it’s clear that Randy died of those drugs," he tells Archie. "An autopsy will support that. You’re innocent.”
Archie replies instantly saying, “I’m not, Dad! I knew! I knew Randy was juicing. I could have stopped the fight, but I didn’t want to forfeit.”
Fred doesn't say anything else, he just hears his son out. “I’m never stepping into that ring ever again. I can’t,” Archie says before walking off. Fred looks away, somewhat frustrated that his son can't see that it's not his fault and that's it.
That's Luke Perry's final scene as Fred Andrews. Short, sweet and so very Fred.
For the remaining episodes of season 3, it looks like Mary Andrews will fill in for where Fred would have been. Molly Ringwald is back for at least two more episodes to help Archie deal with the fallout from Randy's death and Elio and Hiram's schemes.
So far, there's been no confirmed details about how Fred will be written out of the show, but show runner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has confirmed that they will find a way to address Luke's absence.
"We know that we have to address it in some way, but we’re giving ourselves a little bit of time and space before we figure out the best way to honour him," Aguirre-Sacasa told ET.
While that may be the last time we'll ever see Luke as Fred Andrews, it's not the last time we'll see him on-screen altogether. Luke is set to appear in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, which will be released on July 26 2019.
