Lethal Weapon 2: Okay, but Riggs is REALLY Going Through It, Right?

Okay, so I just rewatched Lethal Weapon 2 and, I gotta say, the action is fun and all, but I can't stop thinking about Riggs! Like, the movie basically starts with him still fully grieving his wife, and then BAM, he's falling for Rika van den Haas. It's like, dude, give him a minute! I'm not saying he can't fall in love or something, but it all felt so rushed, you know? It's like the writers were like 'Oh, people liked sad Riggs, let's give him SOME happiness, but OH WAIT, LET'S TAKE IT AWAY AGAIN!' Ugh. My heart. And hear me out, this is my theory: I think subconsciously, Riggs was almost looking for a replacement for his wife through Rika. She was blonde, beautiful, and vulnerable, just like his wife was described. And when she dies (SPOILER, but come ON, it's an old movie!), that just reinforces his whole 'I'm cursed' mentality. Which, I mean, he is a bit destructive, but still! It's so sad! Like, the scene where he's holding her after she's been shot, just sobbing? I straight-up CRIED. Mel Gibson actually nailed that raw emotion. I know a lot of people focus on the comedic bits with Leo Getz (which, yeah, Joe Pesci is hilarious), but honestly, I think the core of Lethal Weapon 2 is really Riggs's struggle. They just kind of hide it under explosions and awesome one-liners. So yeah, Lethal Weapon 2? Good action movie, but mostly a MASTERCLASS in torturing a fictional character. Like, seriously Mel, I'm sending you a hug in my mind, I felt that bro.