‘90210’ Shannen return: 5 pros (and cons) for bringin’ on the Brenda

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Now that we’ve had time to consider the news of Brenda Walsh’s possible return to ‘90210’ on the CW’s reboot of the series this fall, it’s time to evaluate whether this is a good or bad thing.

Our first reaction is good: It would mean Shannen Doherty reuniting with co-stars such as frenemy Jennie Garth, who’ll be back as Kelly Taylor, the girl who peaked in high school-turned-guidance counselor, and Tori Spelling, whose Donna Martin will be working in … wait for it … the fashion industry.

But who knows whether Doherty will actually seal the deal. She’s reportedly already demanding more money and wants to see the final script before signing on (a true method actress!).

So while we wait, we’ve prepared a pro-con list. Would Brenda’s return be a career-reviving move for Doherty or spell doom for the CW?

GOOD: We get the scoop on Brenda’s whereabouts for the last couple of decades. Doherty left the cast so much sooner than her peers and, well, we could use the closure. Last we remember, she was supposed to be living happily in London with Dylan, but we also recall some discussion that they had broken up during the series’ final season.

BAD: Don’t count on a Dylan-Brenda reunion. Luke Perry (a.k.a. Dylan McKay) has already said he’s out. “It’s just not something I’ve thought about to be quite honest. I don’t see it happening,” he told Access Hollywood in June. And as the cast stands now, Brenda’s either going to be a singleton or a cougar. (Wait, that could be a good thing…)

GOOD: Maybe she could seduce a French student. Then we’d be able to hear that illustrious French accent of hers once more. (Surely you remember her charming the socks off of Dean Cain with it. Here, let’s reminisce: ‘Ah, yoo doo not need zee book.’

BAD: Brenda could be, like, a mom now. And older “bad girls” that work, such as Amanda Woodward of ‘Melrose Place,’ are hard to come by. Doherty should know. She was a late addition to the cast of flailing Fox soap “North Shore,” but her character, the long-estranged sister of Brooke Burns’ character, wasn’t the show-saver that Locklear was for “Melrose Place.”

GOOD: Another possible fisticuffs between Doherty and Garth. It would blow Lauren vs. Heidi out of the water. US Weekly could give us regular updates. And it could so happen: Creator Aaron Spelling wrote in his memoir that the two came to actual physical blows after an argument on the set during “90210”’s heyday.

BAD: The dissolution of Doherty’s bad girl rep. She and Jennie could mend fences. The character of Brenda might be tame and boring now that she’s older and wiser. We’re not into boring. One of our all-time favorite Brenda moments was when she destroyed a science lab with a group of animal rights activists.

GOOD: Because we were sad when Oxygen ended “Breaking Up with Shannen Doherty.” It was like Brenda meets “Cheaters.” She’d help jilted girlfriends and boyfriends break up their bad relationships. A shame that not many can find Oxygen on their cable box. Her job as host of “Scare Tactics” was also pretty terrific.

BAD: What inane fashion trends might she spark this time? Once upon a time, Brenda helped push the bangs, the Seattle grunge flannel, the oversized blazers and scrunchies. Heaven help us from seeing Brenda rock leggings underneath a dress, espadrilles or polka dots. (We’re almost free of them!)

GOOD: She could save the CW. And, by extension, “Gossip Girl.” Think of a “90210”-“Gossip Girl” crossover! Blair meet Brenda, Brenda Blair. The thought alone makes us shiver. In a good way.

BAD: We might get attached. And then she’ll just up and ditch us again. She ditched Dylan, then she ditched her “Charmed” sisters. Who’s to say she won’t up and leave town again? We just don’t think we could take that kind of rejection.

-- Denise Martin