‘90210’: The next episode and beyond ... Kelly’s baby daddy revealed! And is Shannen Doherty extending her guest spot?
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Like any good West Beverly High student, your new ‘90210’ Show Tracker did her homework and dug up some details about the drama awaiting the denizens of that infamous zip code. So order up a cappuccino from The Pit and ponder the following:
1. The CW previews for tonight’s episode have teased an explosive confrontation between newly minted guidance counselor Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth) and her back off-the-wagon mama (Ann Gillespie) over the well-being of Kelly’s half-sis Silver (Jessica Stroup). The dialogue goes something like this:
Kelly: I’m not gonna sit by and watch you do to her what you did to me!
Mama Taylor: Because your life was so awful.
Me: Stuff like this is exactly what this spin-off needs!!
But mama drama isn’t the only appointment Kelly’s keeping this week. She’ll also go on date No. 2 with the scruffalicious English teacher (Ryan Eggold who, based on the pilot, seems to be the show’s best bet for Breakout Male).
As for the paternity of Kelly’s 4-year-old son Sammy, executive producer Gabe Sachs claims he and fellow show runner Jeff Judah ‘decided who the dad was a long time ago’ and that the burning question will be answered within the next handful of episodes. My heart’s set on Dylan, as he and Kelly rightfully reconnected at Donna’s and David’s wedding at the close of the original ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ in 2000. But considering Luke Perry has said he has no interest in appearing on ‘90210’ 2.0, the safe money would seem to be on Brandon. Jason Priestley’s already copped to wanting to direct an episode and really, how hard would it be for him to step around to the other side of the camera?
2. Tonight’s episode is titled ‘Lucky Strike’ and, sure enough, bowling’s on the agenda when the wholesome Wilson clan — who uprooted from Kansas to Cali after dad Harry (Rob Estes) accepted the West Beverly principal gig — decides to do Family Night. Daughter Annie (Shenae Grimes) is in the midst of a burgeoning love triangle with supposedly dreamy lacrosse stud Ethan (Dustin Milligan) and the sensitive Private Jet Dude (Adam Gregory) so her attentions will likely be elsewhere. Ditto those of Annie’s adopted brother, Dixon (Tristan Wilds), who is about to get his very own love interest. ‘You might be surprised when you see who it is,’ says Sachs, ‘but it is so the right person.’
3. The bad news first: Shannen Doherty does not appear in a single scene of tonight’s episode. Now, the good news: While the reformed bad girl initially agreed to reprise Brenda for four episodes, ‘it is definitely a possibility she will do more,’ Sachs says. ‘We love Shannen.’ Agreed. Which is why, ahem, she deserves more to do than baby-sitting Kelly’s kid and directing the high school production of ‘Spring Awakening.’
Which makes you wonder: What would you like to see Brenda do? Assuming Dixon’s love interest is someone we met in last week’s premiere, who do you think it is? And if good ol’ reliable Brandon Walsh is, in fact, Kelly’s baby daddy, why hasn’t he stepped up to take care of his son? Weigh in below.
— Shawna Malcom
(Photo: Ann Gillespie, Jennie Garth and Jessica Stroup courtesy Justin Lubin /AP / The CW)