'90210': And Kelly's baby daddy is ...

Just spit out the freakin' name!!

As Nat is my witness, that's what I yelled at my TV when, for the gazillionth time during last night's episode, someone in a scene with Kelly (Jennie Garth) referred to the father of her son as him/your ex/Sammy's dad. There had already been weeks of vague clues and speculation about the 4-year-old's paternity. It was time to get on with it already. And then -- finally, thankfully -- there was a freakin' name and it was ... Dylan.

Of all the guys Kelly had history with in high school -- not a small number, mind you, just one of the hints dropped in last week's episode -- the selfish, sideburned bad boy, the product of an absentee father himself, was really the only satisfying option. Steve Sanders, though a curly-topped blond like Sammy, had proven during the original "90210" that he could and would step up when eventual wife Janet got pregnant with daughter Madeline. And Brandon, as we were reminded earlier in this week's episode, is "a good, good egg." Dude never would've skipped out on a shift at the Peach Pit, let alone his own kid.

But even more rewarding than the big reveal was how it unfolded: in the West Beverly High parking lot. In the black of night. During a heated confrontation between former frenemies Brenda (Shannen Doherty), the girlfriend Dylan had cheated on more than 15 years before, and Kelly, the one he had cheated with. Kelly was already worked up over a conversation she'd had with her new, 10-years-younger lovah, Ryan (Ryan Eggold) -- who'd spent the hour fishing for information about Sammy's dad and, ultimately, intimacy with Sammy's mother -- when she accused Brenda of loose lips. But Brenda, who'd admirably gone out of her way to divulge, like, nothing, wasted little time in calling Kelly out on the real issue while simultaneously dropping the D-bomb: "You are never gonna be happy with someone else because you're still in love with Dylan." She said it coolly, confidently, with the clear implication that she herself so was not. Somewhere along the way, after she departed the original ZIP code for the stages of London, Brenda went and got all mature. Like, to the point where she can now baby-sit Kelly and Dylan's kid without so much as arching a perfectly groomed brow. Cool trick. That or Ms. Walsh really has become an incredibly convincing actress.

Though the original 90210'ers were embroiled in buzz-worthy drama, several of the newbies still are not. Take, for example, ex-couple Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) and Ethan (Dustin Milligan). Still reeling from her dad's infidelity, she convinces the lacrosse star, who's made a date with Annie (Shenae Grimes), to drop everything so he can sit in the car while she confronts Dad's mistress alone at a Beverly Hills boutique. By the end of the episode, the dull duo have decided to give their relationship another shot, either because of an "impenetrable bubble" they alone inhabit or some ridiculous purple monkey hat from the L.A. Zoo -- I wasn't quite sure. But here's an interesting question: How long until Naomi, who complained she looked high in the family's Christmas card pix, pulls a Marissa Cooper and overdoses in Tijuana?

What did you think of tonight's episode? Was it just me or was Annie unnecessarily snotty about Dixon's (Tristan Wilds) new Peach Pit gig? Will Lori Loughlin ever be given anything to do? And what about that Donna Martin shout-out from Brenda?

-- Shawna Malcom

(Photo courtesy The CW)

Comments

[DRE]

They need to ditch the newbies and continue with this Dylan-Kelly story. Andrea's kid must be high school age by now (or at least they can fudge the numbers). Bring that family into the picture, he can be Andrea Part II, middle-class, working hard for his education, and not quite fitting in. Ditch the young teacher wanting Kelly, that's a boring storyline (and it's been done a million times)

Watching old episodes of 90210 last night and I realized that the writing was way better, the characters were better developed, and they acted (mostly) their age. There were limitations placed on them by age, family, school, and society in general. So when they did break the rules or go against tradition, it was shocking, exciting, interesting, sometimes inspiring and sometimes a cautionary tale.

Now in the world of Gossip Girl's, the cheating, lying, drinking, and drug use doesn't mean anything. Those kids have all the leeway in the world, so what's the point, where's their purpose.

Plus the newbies of 90210 are bad actors.

[CNote]

DRE- Andrea's kid does attend West Beverly High. At the beginning of the first episode a newscaster for the school TV station identifies herself with the last name "Zuckerman-Vasquez", snuggly fit into the background of a scene. (I think it was a she, I can't remember the character too clearly, but definitely noted the last name.) I can't help but wonder if they will bring the character forward or if the writers were just throwing something cute in there to see who was paying attention. My guess is we will see Zuckerman-Vasquez again. Perhaps her mom will pay a visit?

[LM]

Try though I may, I just can't get interested in anything about this show in relation to the new (young) cast. I grew up on the original show -- those are still the only characters I care to follow. Maybe, just maybe, series producers will recognize the considerable buzz circulating about the Kelly-Dylan-Brenda plot lines (and all of the Donna/Brandon/whoever name dropping in between) and determine that a revised old "90210" needs to be considered as a series of its own. After all, most of the former players have expressed interest in cameo appearances on the current incarnation, so it stands to reason that none would be too terribly busy to co-star on a series that picks up where everyone left off years ago. Would someone PLEASE give Ian Ziering and Gabrielle Carteris a call ... let's get THAT show on the road -- and the airwaves -- already!

[lovestoread]

For the person that wrote in about Andrea's daughter being mentioned in the first episode. It was Hannah Zuckerman-Vasquez and she was the reporter for the school TV newscast. I think it would be interesting if they developed her character.

[Stacey]

Ok. i havent got to see much of the new 90210. I have seen a few and it isn't bad but totally agreed that i have watched the old "beverly hills 90210" for years as well. And i am more interested in where their mysterious lives have gone as well. I did recently notice that i can watch them on the computer bc i dont get the station on satelite. Even bringing up the love triangles are gettn a LIL boring to me its old..make a switch ...do something but bring back Priestley is what helped make the show. I always loved his character. He got along with everyone polite funny (i laughed out loud literally watching the show in my room and still do to this day....still watching the OLD RERUNS.) His character was awesome. And personally Kelly and Brandon belong together as noted somewhere else i read even after they decide not to get married u can tell they still care for one another. Who does Brandon go to in the last episode when he is leaving to journey on with his work life? Kelly....and they kiss..She chose Brandon ...so bring him back! pls! And also the reporter on this page..I have been doing alot of research bc im going to be visiting Cali if you could email me personally i would be estatic and amazed and thankful and it would be a blessing in disguise..email is hotshot_202001@yahoo.com...So with all that being said..bring some of the guys back..it seems all the gurls are ready to reprise there roles how could they possibly do that without the guys? Priestley I know u wanna produce the show but the show really really really needs ur help right now and not producing elsewhere honey!