The “Gilmore Girls” reunion Saturday started with creator Amy Sherman-Palladino on stage with what she called her “trinity.” Lauren Graham (Lorelai), Alexis Bledel (Rory) and Kelly Bishop (Emily) took the stage to frenzied screams from fans, many of which have been waiting in line outside the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas, for hours.

But the panel couldn’t really start without mention of Edward Herrmann (Richard), who Sherman-Palladino said was first to join in on the reunion:

“Fuck you for dying.” – Amy Sherman-Palladino on Edward Herrmann / Richard pic.twitter.com/HPe0u4s6a6

— Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) June 7, 2015

“It’s really crappy that he’s gone … Do we really have to do the panel? Can we just show videos of Ed?” – Amy Sherman-Palladino #ATXTVs4

— Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) June 7, 2015

“Ed was the first one who said he would do this panel …He was our Mr. President.” – Amy Sherman-Palladino #ATXTVs4 pic.twitter.com/cRuzV6Rozr

— Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) June 7, 2015

Herrmann died on December 31, 2014. An empty chair was added to the stage Saturday night in his honor.

There is an empty chair on stage for Ed. My heart. #ATXTVs4 pic.twitter.com/RadRHC8qaa

— Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) June 7, 2015

A montage set to the song Richard dedicated to Emily at their wedding anniversary episode (“Wedding Bell Blues“) played in the background:

When asked where she thinks her character, Emily, would be today, Bishop replied:

“Now Emily’s a widow.” – Kelly Bishop, making us cry a fifth time #ATXTVs4

— Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) June 7, 2015

Lauren Duca is currently covering the ATX Television Festival for The Huffington Post. Follow her on Twitter @laurenduca and expect much more to come!

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