What’s a show that was popular when you were a kid, but you never got into it? For me, that would be Beverly Hills 90210. It came out when I was 10 and my mom thought that it was too mature for me because it depicted teenagers having sex. Somehow, I could watch all of the daytime soaps, but not this.

I’ve seen random episodes here and there over the years, but I’ve never actually sat down to watch the entire series. Guess what? It’s on Paramount+ which means I’m about to travel through time. Wanna join me?

The episode starts with the creepiest alarm clock trying to wake up Brandon. I think it is saying wake up, but it could just be a demon telling you his name. And don’t get me started on this wallpaper.

The reason for the early wake is, drum roll please, the first day of school! Brandon and Brenda Walsh just moved from Minneapolis to Beverly Hills, and as a Midwest girl, I have to agree that their culture shock is justified. I applaud the diversity they are trying to show, but this feels like overkill. Did anyone actually go to a high school like this?

As Brenda and Brandon move through their first day, we get to meet the rest of the main cast for the first time. Brandon has Spanish class with Steve and Andrea. Unfortunately, he doesn’t make enough of an impression on her to keep her from treating him like an entitled pig when he asks to become a sports writer on the school paper. Brenda becomes Kelly’s lab partner in chemistry and suddenly has a school tour guide. Not sure about the bike shorts under her jeans, but the colors scream 90s. Kelly introduces Brenda to Donna, who seems like a pretty minor character at this point, even more minor than David Silver. He’s the freshman kid who’s super excited to start high school, attend all the parties and look at the pretty girls.

Speaking of parties, Marianne Moore is hosting a back to school bash. Kelly invites Brenda to attend the party with her and even offers to drive. Brenda is totally embarrassed when her mom questions the girls about curfews that they don’t have. Is this the rental house the Walshes are staying in while their real house is completed? The Walsh residence is as iconic as the Brady house or Central Perk, and this is not that location.

I’ve got to say, Ian Ziering becomes a better actor when he’s pretending to be drunk. His character, Steve, drinks too much at Marianne’s party and the responsible guys won’t let him drive. David just so happens to be leaning against his car, so Steve voluntells him to be the designated driver. Of course David has no clue what he’s doing and the car gets damaged. Enter who was the driver shenanigans.

The rest of the episode involves Brandon asking out Marianne and Brenda greeting a guy in a club. I don’t have any more pictures to share, because I feel mean picking on Kelly’s wardrobe choices. Although, that probably isn’t an issue since one of the credits lists “overweight girl”.

Let’s see if this holds my attention.

Kristie