Official 90210 Thread

[foxfire]

Okay... so the new 90210 debuts pretty damn soon and I am over the moon excited for it to come out! Sure the kids are all going to be snobs and it's going to be totally melodramatic... but Brenda's back! My all-time favourite character from 90210 returns to the famous zipcode. I'm so excited to see Shannen back on a television series.

So here'll be the official thread to discuss 90210. Is anyone else excited? Does anyone think it'll be awesome? Who thinks it'll be a bomb?

[Cara Halliwell]

I think it'll be awesome. But one question: Does Brenda play the mother of one of the kids or is she just kinda there?

[foxfire]

Brenda is neither "kind of just there" or a mother. She's directing the school musical. It's a pretty interesting storyline and it makes sense. Although... Brenda was supposed to have been a famous theatre actress in London... why she'd return to do a puny production over in West Beverly is beyond me.

Jennie Garth is returning as Kelly Taylor as a guidance counsellor... doesn't make much sense to me considering how messed up she was during the show's initial run *cough*cocaine addict*cough* BUT she does have ties to actual cast members. If anyone remembers little Erin (Kelly/David's step sister) well she's one of the main characters.

I personally can't wait to see Brenda and Kelly together again. It better be good although I think it's a total stunt that they're doing another love triangle... they really want to stir the pot. Although, it's safe to say that Dylan didn't end up with either of them... and Brandon didn't end up with Kelly.

[Cara Halliwell]

Ok wait. So Brenda and Kelly are dating? Crushing? What? I'm confused cause i didnt see the original show. although, i might have to, just to see if its any good.

[foxfire]

Haha... no... Brenda and Kelly... are... well... it's complicated. Here's the background info:

Brenda moved to Beverly Hills 90210 when she was 16-years-old with her family from Minesota. One of her first friends was Kelly Taylor, a super shallow and majorly bitchy blonde girl at school. The two grew really close but eventually something tore them apart... Dylan McKay. He dated Brenda... but they broke up... and Kelly got with him. So basically there was this big love-triangle thing going on between the three. And for some reason people love to say Brenda was the evil bitch when Kelly was the evil one...

The new 90210 is set about 8 years later and Kelly has become the guidance counsellor to West Beverly and a new class of West Beverly have become the new main characters. However, one of the new storylines *SPOILER ALERT* revealed is that Kelly has a crush on a teacher at school... who Brenda also has a crush on.

[The Original P3]

I am so frickin excited about this!! I couldn't care less about the teenage cast. I just want Brenda!!

Here's a promo for just Brenda posted in the Shannen section but I'll post it here too since this is the official thread for 90210.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3TEr3-6g7I

*SQUEEEEEEEE!* I cannot wait!! Less than 2 weeks to go!!!

[foxfire]

I've been watching a bunch of TV Spots and a lot of the reporters are commenting how with Shannen and Jennie being back it's attracting the older audience... um... I'm familiar with the old 90210 and I'm not an "older audience". I think I'm their target audience... lol. I also know that MTV Canada hosts Jessi and Daryn are looking forward to the new 90210 too... just thought I'd add that in there. Lol.

[Primrose_Empath]

I couldn't care less about the teenage cast. I just want Brenda!!

*super huge grin* And judging from all the recent coverage surrounding the show, it's safe to say that a whole heckova lot of us feel the same way. The return of Brenda is probably the best publicity that this new 90210 could ever ask for.

I love how much support there is for her character now -- what a switch from the days of the "I Hate Brenda" newsletter, hmmm?

When the show was airing originally, lots of us gathered in groups every week to watch it (I know it sounds pathetic, but it's totally true, cross my heart). Yours truly was the lone 'Brenda Backer' in her particular group -- and believe me, I took alot of grief for it. But now I can look at those people who gave me a hard time and go

I'm confused cause i didnt see the original show. although, i might have to, just to see if its any good.

Cara, I've got just the link to help you out:

This will take you to CBS.com's site where they have basically every episode of the first four (ie - the best) seasons of 90210 from the series premiere to Shannen's final epi.

It's well worth watching. The infamous "Brenda - Dylan - Kelly Bermuda Triangle" that Foxfire talked about took place in Season Three.

11 Days and counting until...

[foxfire]

You know what's unfortunate for me? My best knowledge of Brenda is from the first two seasons... I started watching 90210 as a means of seeing Shannen on a show seeing as I had finished my Charmed DVDs of season three. However, when 90210 began re-airing after a summerlong break on one of my TV channels it began airing the Valerie episodes. So I never got the reason of why Brenda is a bitch.

I have seasons 1 and 2 on DVD so hopefully I'll make my way through them. They're pretty cheap now too... $20 each. Not bad.

[Primrose_Empath]

You know what's unfortunate for me? My best knowledge of Brenda is from the first two seasons...

My, my. That is unfortunate. But in a way, it's not. The first two seasons do allow you to get a good handle on her character. However, to me -- seasons 3 & 4 are just as (if not more) pivotal for her character's development.

If you didn't want to smack Kelly before -- you really want to smack her in season 3 for stabbing her "best friend" in the back like she does. I could totally feel for Brenda during that whole debacle, as I've been figuratively stabbed in the back by people I thought I could trust more times than I care to recall. It's hugely painful and really does a number on you. And with her being such a trusting soul to begin with...well, you'll see.

So I never got the reason of why Brenda is a mean person.

I don't think she is. From what I figured out about her character, she's very straight-forward and doesn't beat around the bush or sugarcoat things when giving you her thoughts / feelings on matters. Alot of people don't like that kind of brutal honesty and tend to mis-label it as "meanness". Personally, I admire someone (be they a real person or a fictional character) that can tell you "like it is" to your face and mean every word.

Then again, that's just my two cents...

[jenna]

I totally agree with you Primrose. I loved Brenda and I pretty much stopped watching the show after she left. I watched occasionally just to see what was going on, but not every week. I think it was her brutal honesty that I liked so much. I never for a second thought of her as "mean". Now Kellie on the other hand...grrr...I definitely wanted to smack her a few times. I am totally looking forward to the new show...already told my hubby I get the TV when it's on!

And I love your new sig, Primrose!

[foxfire]

I think one of my favourite quotes of Brenda was when she said "Excuse me for existing." (or something along those lines). She's very dramatic on the show and I will say that she is brutally honest. She's kind of like a Cordelia Chase-type character without the shallowness. Brenda always wore her heart on her sleeve and you could always tell how she felt. She was always so much more dynamic too... hello anyone remember Laverne? ("Charmed, I'm sure.")

[Piper Halliwell]

I cannot wait for it to come out.

I only watched the first season and i loved it but i am still looking for the other seasons

I hope someone puts the episodes online as 90210.02 will probably not air in the UK.

[Cara Halliwell]

Primrose, all i can say is: THANK YOU! i am now addicted to 90210. ive already watched the first couple of episodes.

[Piper Halliwell]

Thanks for the link too Primrose but i can't watch them sadly because i don't live in America

[Primrose_Empath]

I pretty much stopped watching the show after she left. I watched occasionally just to see what was going on, but not every week.

*grins* Jenna, it probably would not surprise you in the slightest that I basically did the same thing. Once my favorite was gone, there was really no reason for me to continue watching on a weekly basis. Sure, I caught an episode on occasion just to keep up with the discussion at school, but that was it.

And thank you for the compliment on my new sig -- I figured that this was an event that deserves to be commemorated. ;D

Dramatic, dynamic, brutally honest, loyal, selfless, forgiving...that's Bren to a "T". The show was never the same once she was gone.

As I once read on another site: "Shannen gives the best of her strong personality to her characters, and makes them unforgettable." That couldn't be more true.

---

Here are some of my favorite Brenda quotes / dialogues (most of the ones here are from Season 3 / 4, although I have a great deal of favorites from 1 & 2 also):

Kelly: "I am not a bimbo, okay?"

Brenda: "Whatever you say Kelly, but I was taught if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck..."

-- 'Rebel With A Cause'


"Brandon, do you have any pull with the year book editor? Because I have two nominations for the most conniving - Kelly Taylor and Dylan Mckay."

-- 'It's A Totally Happening Life'


Brenda: "Why are you doing this to me?"

Dylan: "Because we owe it to you, Bren. I mean, don't you think we owe each other more than this? I mean, if we can start from someplace a little bit more honest."

Brenda: "Honesty? Is that what you think this is about Dylan? I don't think so. Look, I hate you both. Never talk to me again!"

-- 'Back In The High Life Again'


"I know making Dylan choose between me and Kelly seemed like a bizarre thing to do. But I never thought it was a contest. I never thought that I would lose."

"I can't do it. I am trying so hard to be mature and not hate them...and it's like I'm drowning and I can't breathe and I don't know what to do."

"He dumped me Dad, for my best friend. Why? What did I do to deserve this?"

-- 'Parental Guidance Suggested'


Cindy: "Oh Brenda? Would you come in here, honey? We'd like to talk to you."

Brenda: "That's fine, because I really want to talk to you too. And I'm glad you're both here, because I really don't want to have to say this twice."

Jim: "Brenda, don't take that tone with us."

Brenda: "Right now I will take any tone I d@mn well please."

Cindy: "Brenda!"

Brenda: "How could you humiliate me like that, Dad?"

Jim: "What are you talking about?"

Brenda: "You know exactly what I am talking about. What exactly did you say to Dylan to get him to throw himself at me like that? I mean, did you really think that I would fall for it? My God. What is wrong with you? You call this love?? You claim to love me, and then you pull some stunt like this?! What if I had listened to Dylan, and eventually found out about your little deceit? Where would that have left me? My God, I can't even trust my own parents anymore. You know, at least when the Carsons play games, they're upfront about it."

Jim: "What do you mean by that?"

Brenda: "Nothing." (she turns and starts to leave the room)

Jim: "Brenda, come back. We need to talk."

Brenda: "No! I am finished talking. Now, I am going upstairs and I am going to pack, and then I am leaving this house. And I don't want either one of you to try and stop me."

-- 'Otherwise Engaged' (Season 4)


Brenda: "Don't worry. All the charges have been dropped against me and I'm cooperating with the FBI, so you guys don't need to be afraid to talk to me."

Andrea: "Brenda, sit down."

Brenda: "No. I'm not staying. Look, I just wanted to say I'm sorry if I put any of you in an uncomfortable position. I know that you have to look out for yourselves. And I know that some things stretch the boundaries of friendship. But I hope none of you ever feel as alone as I have felt."

-- 'Cuffs and Links' (Season 4)

---

Foxfire, I loved Laverne. That part of that episode was freakin' hilarious. I could have done without the "A" plot with Brandon, but the "B" plot with Brenda was a scream. You could tell Shannen was having a blast with it.

Cara, you're more than welcome for the link, sweetie. It is a rather addicting show, isn't it? And I get a total kick out of the early 90's fashions -- talk about a trip back in time. I just wished the link worked for you too, Georgia. Hopefully the eps for the new show will make their way online somehow so that you can watch 'em.

[foxfire]

It's really disappointing to me when Brenda gets the small plots (like in the episode "Anaconda" where her sunburn takes the backseat to the poker game). I find her so much more interesting than the other characters... I think one of my all-time favourites thus far has been the one with the teen helpline.

I must say... I did find some parts of the later seasons rather addicting... the Ray/Donna storyline was very on-the-edge-of-your-seat in the fact that you're like "OMG! How much more is she going to take of this abuse?!" And of course I rather liked the Kelly becoming a coke addict because she's a big snot like that. Does anyone know if there were any LITERAL catfights between Val and Kelly? I know they had it out for each other but I want to know if it ever became physical.

And I highly enjoyed reading those quotes. They make me want to get to the later seasons... which are unfortunately still up in the $40 mark.

[Primrose_Empath]

*nods* Nice choice. I totally agree -- the teen helpline epi is a good one for her. One of my personal fav S1 eps (especially for Brenda's character) is "It's Only A Test". That is a beautifully dramatic epi -- at least in my eyes. Give her the "A" plot and she shines. Give her the "B" plot, and she still shines.

the Ray/Donna storyline was very on-the-edge-of-your-seat in the fact that you're like "OMG! How much more is she going to take of this abuse?!" And of course I rather liked the Kelly becoming a coke addict because she's a big snot like that.

Those were the parts of the later seasons that I actually tuned into and enjoyed (especially to keep up with the talk at school).

Was it just me or did anyone else find the whole Kelly becoming a coke addict storyline rather ironic considering the background that we knew of her character about her mom being a former coke addict? Seeing her get hooked on that stuff just made me want to slap her -- then again, basically everything she did throughout the entire run of the series made me want to slap her.

*smiles* Glad you liked the latter season quotes. I had a blast transcribing 'em while watching the eps online.

Here's a fun little treat for you guys -- especially the Shannen / Brenda fans. Enjoy!

Shannen and Jennie Premiere '90210' at The Insider

[The Original P3]

Ahh!! I love that interview!! Thanks Primrose! Gosh I love Shannen. I swear it speaks volumes that she's returning as Brenda for the fans.

Best Buy is FINALLY having a somewhat sale on DVD's so I plan on picking up the 4th season this week. 5 is not quite as important to me as the first 4 but I so wanna watch that again before the premiere next Tuesday!!

[foxfire]

I think when it comes to Shannen she's just one of those actresses who easily steals spotlight with her abilities. I find that a lot of people who hold grudges against Prue tends to be because they feel she gets too much of a focus... even when she's only part of the 'B' plot (I think the best example of people huffing and puffing was in "Just Harried"). Brenda (and even Prue in season 3) was a character who really didn't get a lot of spotlight as compared to her brother so it was nice to see Shannen shining so brightly in whatever people gave her.

I think Kelly turning to cocaine was meant to show the audience maybe how much she'd been fighting to be unlike her mother but ended up being just like her (model, unsuccessful relationships, turns to drugs for comfort). Although I usually really dislike Kelly (I prefer Valerie mostly because of her dislike for Kelly) I found her "I choose me" moment between Brandon and Dylan one of the greatest moments of the series.

I'm so excited... it's basically a week away now!! EEE. I've mostly been preparing myself by watching the Hills (which if anyone's been watching is looking to be a pretty dramatic season).