90210 (1.1, 1.2, 1.3)

Tuesday, September 2nd & 9th, 2008 @ 8 PM

CW

90210 - Season 1 - Pilot & Episodes #2-3

"We're Not In Kansas Anymore" & "Jet Set"

Harry Wilson (Rob Estes, "Women's Murder Club"), new principal of West Beverly Hills High School, returns from Kansas to his childhood home of Beverly Hills with his wife Debbie (Lori Loughlin, "In Case of Emergency"), their daughter Annie (Shenae Grimes, "Degrassi: The Next Generation") and adopted son Dixon, (Tristan Wilds, "The Wire") to care for Harry's mother, former television star Tabitha Wilson (Jessica Walter, "Arrested Development"). On their first day at West Bev, Annie and Dixon encounter Ethan (Dustin Milligan, "Runaway"), the star lacrosse player she met a few summers ago; Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord, "Nip/Tuck"), the spoiled rich girl whose sole focus is her Sweet Sixteen party; Silver (Jessica Stroup, "Prom Night"), the free-spirited girl who later gossips about Annie on her blog, and Navid (Michael Steger, "Criminal Minds"), editor of Blaze News. When Naomi fails to complete an assignment, English teacher Ryan Matthews (Ryan Eggold, "Dirt") and guidance counselor Kelly Taylor (special guest star Jennie Garth, "Beverly Hills, 90210"), bring the problem to Harry, who quickly realizes that keeping secrets about his past is going to be impossible. Dixon impresses his peers when he tries out for the lacrosse team, but has to deal with jealous teammates who will stop at nothing to sabotage him. Annie misses the deadline to audition for the spring musical but sparks fly when she meets the leading actor Ty (guest star Adam Gregory), one of
the most popular students on campus. Ty impresses Annie by flying her to San Francisco for dinner in his private jet, but Annie fails to mention her plans to her parents. Special guest star Shannen Doherty reprises her role as Brenda Walsh. Mark Piznarski directed the first episode, written by Rob Thomas and Gabe Sachs & Jeff Judah (#101). Wendey Stanzler directed the second episode, written by Gabe Sachs & Jeff Judah (#102). (Cwtv.com)

"Lucky Strike"

Annie (Shenae Grimes) and Dixon's (Tristan Wilds) Friday night plans come to a screeching halt when they learn that Harry (Rob Estes) and Debbie (Lori Loughlin) have planned a family bowling night. When Ethan (Dustin Milligan), Navid (Michael Steger) and Silver (Jessica Stroup) show up at the bowling alley, Harry and Debbie realize they have lost control of their family outing but encourage their kids to spend time with their friends. Ty (guest star Adam Gregory) shows up at the bowling alley, causing Annie to choose between spending time with him or Ethan. Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) deals with a disappointing evening with her father and destroys a gift from him in a violent rage. Dixon discovers Silver asleep in her car, prompting Kelly (guest star Jennie Garth) to confront their mother Jackie (guest star Ann Gillespie, "Beverly Hills, 90210") about the repercussions of her alcoholic behavior. Jessica Walter also stars. Mark Piznarski directed the episode written by Jill Gordon. (Cwtv.com)

Hi 90210-ers!

Manatee here with some thoughts on the last 3 hours of the new '90210.'

First off, the acting on this new series, SUCKS! Whoever cast this show does not deserve to work in this town again. The girls are all anorexic looking, they make me want to eat 24/7 so I never look that bad. But not only is this a horribly unattractive cast, they cannot act well at all. Annie's excitement about her flight to San Fran was atrocious. I don't buy Rob Estes as the dad. He looks about 5 years older than his adopted son. And his struggle "dad vs. principal' is a lousy one. I also think that between the 3 hours already aired, there are no controversies worth watching. The writers introduce issues in the first 10 minutes that get resolved by minute number 58. Do the writers need a refresher course in drama and character arcs?

For example, in 'Lucky Strike," Silver has this whole dilemma with her 'abusive' mom. By the end, the problem seems to be fixed. Why wouldn't she hide her problem a little more from her friends. And why would that Women's Shelter turn away a minor that has an abusive mother. Sure Silver has a roof over her head to go back to, but I think a social worker should report something like that. Not to mention, as a principal, I think Harry needs to report the problem to a law official not just Silver's sister. Are the writer's writing like every episode is their last? I can't really blame them with TV's cancellation policy and track record, but come on, give us some time to get into the stories.

Additionally, Naomi learns her father is having an affair (duh! Saw that one coming...) and she is torn apart. When she works up the courage to tell her mother (about 3 minutes later, wow what a struggle!) her mom already knows and is okay with her husband's cheating ways! Oh Beverly Hills. I see where this is going. Naomi's mom will realize that not every husband cheats on his wife and will want to rekindle her love with Harry. Watch out lady from Full House, you're in for a cat fight.

The only semi-interesting mystery that arose was Kelly's 4 year old son. As a former 90210 fan, I knew that Kelly married Dylan but that was about circa 1999. She also dated Brandon, but the math doesn't quite work out. Everyone keeps referring to Sammy's father as 'him.' What's the big secret?! It's so obviously Steve. Kelly's clue gave that away (Note, she did date everyone on the show except David but that would have been a difficult sell - incest - in the 90's on Fox prime time). And then the kid has blond curly hair (like Steve's SOS pad)! Cat's out of the bag without you spelling it out, writers.

However, I can't help but feel this story is of little intrigue to anyone who is under the age of 25 right now. I know we discussed alittle bit about this spinoff concept vs. remake. I wish they left this as more of a straight remake and took out the Brenda, Kelly, etc. characters. I was young when the original came out, and perhaps seeing a revamped Peach Pit or Kelly in WBHS brings a little nostalgia ''round, but to a new generation of pre-teens yearning to stay up late to finish this 2 hour premiere, they couldn't care less about Kelly and her son or Brenda and her acting. They probably didn't go to CBS.com to catch up on the original series.

That being said, is this new series as edgy as the original? Is it a product of me being older? It felt a little flat to me. The drama was very false and manufactured. The problems seem pretty unrealistic in a Gossip Girl way, but not as entertaining or enveloped in escapism as the aforementioned. This is a big mansion, huge private jet kind of show - an LA Gossip Girl, but just without all the fun and glamor of last year's hit.