Best-bets for Oct. 9: Moving moments for Fred (and Luke)

1) “Riverdale” season-opener, 8 p.m., CW. Alongside its flaws (big ones, sometimes), “Riverdale” has had a key strength: It’s had some profoundly decent characters — Archie Andrews, his dad Fred and their neighbor Betty Cooper – at its core. Luke Perry, a small-town Ohio guy, gave Fred real depth and believability; his death in March (at 52, after two strokes) is approached tonight (shown  here) with quiet respect. This hour could be considered too one-note; still, that note is deeply moving and well-deserved. Read more…

1) “Riverdale” season-opener, 8 p.m., CW. Alongside its flaws (big ones, sometimes), “Riverdale” has had a key strength: It’s had some profoundly decent characters — Archie Andrews, his dad Fred and their neighbor Betty Cooper – at its core. Luke Perry, a small-town Ohio guy, gave Fred real depth and believability; his death in March (at 52, after two strokes) is approached tonight (shown  here) with quiet respect. This hour could be considered too one-note; still, that note is deeply moving and well-deserved.

2) “Almost Family,” 9 p.m., Fox. In last week’s opener, Julia’s world crumbled. Her dad (Tim Hutton), a fertility doctor, was charged with substituting his own sperm. Their relationship is shattered, their business is wobbling and she has swarms of half-siblings, including a pill-popping Olympian (Emily Osment). Tonight, we learn who’s running the company. “Almost” again deftly juggles moods. Hutton (on the serious side) and Osment (lighter) are especially good; their scenes together are a delight.

3) “The Goldbergs,” 8 p.m., ABC. This may be the highlight of ABC’s “casts from the past” week – four “Cheers” stars re-unite. Searching for an important cheesesteak (really), George and Geoff come across odd people played by Kirstie Alley, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt and John Ratzenberger. All end up back in the Goldberg house. Also, “Single Parents,” a 9:30, links Leighon Meester (Angie) with Adam Brody – her co-star in “Life Partner” and “The Oranges” and her husband in real life.

4) “Nancy Drew” debut, 9 p.m., CW. Nancy Drew is almost eternal. Her first book was in 1930, her first movie in ’38, her first TV series in ’77. Now the star of that series, Pamela Sue Martin, guests as a medium. Mostly, though, this is a full makeover: Nancy is a waitress who fumes at her dad, has sex with a guy she doesn’t really know and is a murder suspect. That last part reflects the absurdity of the police chief. The dad is also a cardboard character; beyond them, this is solidly written and cast.

5) “SEAL Team,” 9 p.m., CBS. This wraps up a two-parter that was partly filmed in Serbia. The team is trying to track down a group linked to the bombing of American military outposts. Haunted by his past, Jason (David Boreanaz) finds himself contemplating his future.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *