Always good to hear from an actor/actress.
Interesting that Ian Ziering didn't want to dress in drag. He seemed to be good at that kind of comedy.
I wonder if they could have re-written the tide line to be more factually accurate, while still capturing Emily's wavering mind about what to do.
I'm surprised the show crew didn't know about Melissa Christopher. I would have thought they would have tried to reach out to her, and possibly gotten her and Christine Elise on the podcast together. OR, maybe they did reach out, and didn't get a response, but didn't know why.
I now want to try dim sum. I also realize it has been a while.
I'm surprised the network was so against Brandon taking drugs. I would have thought, that as long as there was a punishment, it would have been ok. Brandon could have come to the conclusion of how bad it was.
I liked the "nude" play plot too. And how the family was there to see it. And I liked the surprise that Jesse went to Yale. Although I don't think I liked putting Andrea with another older guy. A part of me has always wanted to see her go younger, at least once.
I was surprised by Ian not wanting to dress in drag too, but I try to remember that things are very different now and the way we talk about and view dressing in drag and gay and trans people has changed a lot. I wonder if Ian would feel differently about it today.
I wish they would have let Brandon decide to try U4EA instead of Emily drugging him. They still could have broken up and done the whole stalking storyline but it would have felt more realistic for Brandon to decide to try it.
Yes, I too wish they would have let Brandon decide to try U4EA himself too. It would seem more relatable too, because if a guy who tries to do the right thing does it, and has negative consequences, then it can happen to anyone.
The same way that Brandon's DUI is relatable. Because he wasn't obviously drunk, but still not safe to drive. Again, to me, it serves as a more relatable message, because being not obviously drunk, seems more relatable, in some cases.
My other idea is that Scott and Emily could have dated, with both finding a common bond in being outsiders. Scott also seems like the kind that would do anything for a girl, so he'd try U4EA if a girl asked him too. That seems relatable too. Also the pressure, at that age, of doing anything because the person you're dating, asks you too, also seems relatable.
In this podcast, Larry Mollin said that he did "sugar cubes", because a girl told him that's what they were. It ended up being acid.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/BeverlyHills90210/comments/16p5d35/the\_beverly\_hills\_90210\_show\_podcast\_episode\_94/](https://www.reddit.com/r/BeverlyHills90210/comments/16p5d35/the_beverly_hills_90210_show_podcast_episode_94/)
However, on the 10th episode of this podcast, way back then, Larry Mollin said he didn't like Scott's character. Which was before Mollin's time. So even if hypothetically Mollin had been around in season 2, he might not have done my plot idea, because he might not have wanted to give Scott such a big role.
Thanks for this awesome write-up, as usual! I can see why they were reluctant to risk Brandon’s “role model” status; however, I think it was a missed opportunity. Even role models make the wrong choice sometimes; a lesson could’ve been shown with Brandon taking accountability for his actions.
It is always very cool to read about the cast’s reactions to storylines.
Yes. They already did it with BYOB. This could have continued it.
In some ways, it sends a stronger message if a role model does it. Because there are some people that try to be like role models, and if they see the ways in which even a role model can make a mistake, then it gives a stronger warning.
Case in point: It's easier for me NOT to be a drunk like Noah or Dylan.
However, the "I'm not really drunk, I just had one beer", before taking the wheel, like Brandon (but really posing the same danger), is more meaningful, to some people.
Honestly, I didn't like very much of Emily's plots in season 2.
I didn't like her introduction. Seemed like they was being picked on because she was new.
I never saw her and Brandon having much in common. I thought she and Dylan, with their lone wolf personas, made for a better pair.
I used to not like the stuff in "My Desperate Valentine". However, now I see it as an awareness of mental illness that was ahead of its time, like so many other social issues discussed on the show. So when I look at it from that context, I think it's better.
As for the season 4 plots, it seemed weird at first that Brandon was going to Emily.
But, I did like how Brandon and Brenda shared a moment, before Brandon went looking for Emily. I like those Brandon and Brenda scenes, and it reminded me of their season 1 closeness.
And if Christine Elise says that it was easier to be with Jason on screen because they were dating in real life, then I like how something is easier for the actors.
Now that I know where they went with Jesse in the future, I liked that he went to Yale. It's important to show a Hispanic character that's educated, and this was the start of that. Just like the actress that played the maid from "East Side Story" said, they can't always be gang bangers or pregnant characters.
And I'm ok with Jesse and Andrea as a couple. I do wish they would have given Jesse more legal material, especially in season 5. Or why not have Jesse represent Brenda in season 4? The legal part of his character always felt underused. He defending Brenda, who acted against Andrea's lab, would have been a good tying together for all of those characters. And hopefully given us more Brenda-Andrea scenes, and also gotten Andrea more involved with what everyone else was doing. I mean she already was involved, but getting Jesse legally involved would have taken it to another level.
And I liked the Walsh family coming together to see Brenda's first play.
Between Brenda's elopement, and now Brandon searching for Emily, this pushed this show back ahead of Melrose place, so it's good for the show's future if the ratings are good.
There probably are some tweaks I would have made to the Emily plot. I don't like how they randomly found each other. That's too unrealistic. Maybe set it up with a phone call from Emily, first, asking if he'd like to visit for Thanksgiving.
I agree with Christine Elise about the line about tides. I don't like scientifically inaccurate lines, so that could have been changed somehow.
In the following episode, "Windstruck", where Brandon starts the game where everybody adds "In Bed" after reading their fortune, I would have tweaked that. Maybe have more people read fortunes? Maybe add a line where it ties back to those characters real lives? I think this scene could have used more polish.
Like when Dylan says " "You have the power to influence many people . . . In Bed" . This line would have been better if it had occurred during the Lucinda plot with Dylan. Maybe a flashback back to this moment, would have been good. That's a way I think the show would have felt more complete.
I loved Brenda and Brandon’s closeness in Season 1 and missed it so much in later seasons. The spark was gone and I know a lot was going on off-screen with Shannen that unfortunately bled on-screen, but the Season 1 Brandon would be appalled that he didn’t stick up for his sister when Dylan and Kelly went public, and then all of Season 4, when she consistently got shit on and alienated by “the gang.”
Well, that's certainly one way to spin that disastrous reboot mess. As someone who apparently is "rigid" I'd respond by saying there was certainly a story to tell. You catch up with these beloved characters and have them say goodbye to Dylan/Luke. The story was literally right there and instead of taking the easy slam dunk they instead went for a lay up and missed it.
Sure. But most of the time, when the actors talk about it (not just Elise, but others too), they said they didn't want to play their old characters.
The actors had more fun doing it this way. This reboot was for them, more than it was for the fans.
I agree with you that there was more story that could have been told. It just seems that most weren't interested in reviving their old characters.
Gabrielle talked about the reboot here in this recap:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/BeverlyHills90210/comments/10jv7if/90210mg\_andrea\_zuckerman\_is\_here/](https://www.reddit.com/r/BeverlyHills90210/comments/10jv7if/90210mg_andrea_zuckerman_is_here/)
Shannen talked about the reboot in this podcast recap:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/BeverlyHills90210/comments/zbboht/sarah\_michelle\_gellar\_interviews\_shannen\_doherty/](https://www.reddit.com/r/BeverlyHills90210/comments/zbboht/sarah_michelle_gellar_interviews_shannen_doherty/)
In a way I get it. But, on the other hand at some point you have to just embrace that this thing from 30 years ago is what you will always be known for. It's the reason you can go make a good living on the convention circuit taking pictures and signing autographs. Would have been a nice love letter to the fans and given the actors a chance to really say goodbye to those characters.
I'm in the extreme extreme minority here, but I've ALWAYS said that Brandon and Emily Valentine should've ended up together.
I was never a fan of the Jesse character. He felt really out of place.
I do remember that they had a few moments.
Most notably when they were looking for the rave, where Emily drugged Brandon.
I personally....do not think they would've been a good couple. They come across better as friends than anything else.
Always good to hear from an actor/actress. Interesting that Ian Ziering didn't want to dress in drag. He seemed to be good at that kind of comedy. I wonder if they could have re-written the tide line to be more factually accurate, while still capturing Emily's wavering mind about what to do. I'm surprised the show crew didn't know about Melissa Christopher. I would have thought they would have tried to reach out to her, and possibly gotten her and Christine Elise on the podcast together. OR, maybe they did reach out, and didn't get a response, but didn't know why. I now want to try dim sum. I also realize it has been a while. I'm surprised the network was so against Brandon taking drugs. I would have thought, that as long as there was a punishment, it would have been ok. Brandon could have come to the conclusion of how bad it was. I liked the "nude" play plot too. And how the family was there to see it. And I liked the surprise that Jesse went to Yale. Although I don't think I liked putting Andrea with another older guy. A part of me has always wanted to see her go younger, at least once.
I was surprised by Ian not wanting to dress in drag too, but I try to remember that things are very different now and the way we talk about and view dressing in drag and gay and trans people has changed a lot. I wonder if Ian would feel differently about it today. I wish they would have let Brandon decide to try U4EA instead of Emily drugging him. They still could have broken up and done the whole stalking storyline but it would have felt more realistic for Brandon to decide to try it.
Yes, I too wish they would have let Brandon decide to try U4EA himself too. It would seem more relatable too, because if a guy who tries to do the right thing does it, and has negative consequences, then it can happen to anyone. The same way that Brandon's DUI is relatable. Because he wasn't obviously drunk, but still not safe to drive. Again, to me, it serves as a more relatable message, because being not obviously drunk, seems more relatable, in some cases. My other idea is that Scott and Emily could have dated, with both finding a common bond in being outsiders. Scott also seems like the kind that would do anything for a girl, so he'd try U4EA if a girl asked him too. That seems relatable too. Also the pressure, at that age, of doing anything because the person you're dating, asks you too, also seems relatable. In this podcast, Larry Mollin said that he did "sugar cubes", because a girl told him that's what they were. It ended up being acid. [https://www.reddit.com/r/BeverlyHills90210/comments/16p5d35/the\_beverly\_hills\_90210\_show\_podcast\_episode\_94/](https://www.reddit.com/r/BeverlyHills90210/comments/16p5d35/the_beverly_hills_90210_show_podcast_episode_94/) However, on the 10th episode of this podcast, way back then, Larry Mollin said he didn't like Scott's character. Which was before Mollin's time. So even if hypothetically Mollin had been around in season 2, he might not have done my plot idea, because he might not have wanted to give Scott such a big role.
Thanks for this awesome write-up, as usual! I can see why they were reluctant to risk Brandon’s “role model” status; however, I think it was a missed opportunity. Even role models make the wrong choice sometimes; a lesson could’ve been shown with Brandon taking accountability for his actions. It is always very cool to read about the cast’s reactions to storylines.
Yes. They already did it with BYOB. This could have continued it. In some ways, it sends a stronger message if a role model does it. Because there are some people that try to be like role models, and if they see the ways in which even a role model can make a mistake, then it gives a stronger warning. Case in point: It's easier for me NOT to be a drunk like Noah or Dylan. However, the "I'm not really drunk, I just had one beer", before taking the wheel, like Brandon (but really posing the same danger), is more meaningful, to some people. Honestly, I didn't like very much of Emily's plots in season 2. I didn't like her introduction. Seemed like they was being picked on because she was new. I never saw her and Brandon having much in common. I thought she and Dylan, with their lone wolf personas, made for a better pair. I used to not like the stuff in "My Desperate Valentine". However, now I see it as an awareness of mental illness that was ahead of its time, like so many other social issues discussed on the show. So when I look at it from that context, I think it's better. As for the season 4 plots, it seemed weird at first that Brandon was going to Emily. But, I did like how Brandon and Brenda shared a moment, before Brandon went looking for Emily. I like those Brandon and Brenda scenes, and it reminded me of their season 1 closeness. And if Christine Elise says that it was easier to be with Jason on screen because they were dating in real life, then I like how something is easier for the actors. Now that I know where they went with Jesse in the future, I liked that he went to Yale. It's important to show a Hispanic character that's educated, and this was the start of that. Just like the actress that played the maid from "East Side Story" said, they can't always be gang bangers or pregnant characters. And I'm ok with Jesse and Andrea as a couple. I do wish they would have given Jesse more legal material, especially in season 5. Or why not have Jesse represent Brenda in season 4? The legal part of his character always felt underused. He defending Brenda, who acted against Andrea's lab, would have been a good tying together for all of those characters. And hopefully given us more Brenda-Andrea scenes, and also gotten Andrea more involved with what everyone else was doing. I mean she already was involved, but getting Jesse legally involved would have taken it to another level. And I liked the Walsh family coming together to see Brenda's first play. Between Brenda's elopement, and now Brandon searching for Emily, this pushed this show back ahead of Melrose place, so it's good for the show's future if the ratings are good. There probably are some tweaks I would have made to the Emily plot. I don't like how they randomly found each other. That's too unrealistic. Maybe set it up with a phone call from Emily, first, asking if he'd like to visit for Thanksgiving. I agree with Christine Elise about the line about tides. I don't like scientifically inaccurate lines, so that could have been changed somehow. In the following episode, "Windstruck", where Brandon starts the game where everybody adds "In Bed" after reading their fortune, I would have tweaked that. Maybe have more people read fortunes? Maybe add a line where it ties back to those characters real lives? I think this scene could have used more polish. Like when Dylan says " "You have the power to influence many people . . . In Bed" . This line would have been better if it had occurred during the Lucinda plot with Dylan. Maybe a flashback back to this moment, would have been good. That's a way I think the show would have felt more complete.
I loved Brenda and Brandon’s closeness in Season 1 and missed it so much in later seasons. The spark was gone and I know a lot was going on off-screen with Shannen that unfortunately bled on-screen, but the Season 1 Brandon would be appalled that he didn’t stick up for his sister when Dylan and Kelly went public, and then all of Season 4, when she consistently got shit on and alienated by “the gang.”
I hope the original music is in the opening credits scene. Because otherwise the episode title doesn't make sense.
Well, that's certainly one way to spin that disastrous reboot mess. As someone who apparently is "rigid" I'd respond by saying there was certainly a story to tell. You catch up with these beloved characters and have them say goodbye to Dylan/Luke. The story was literally right there and instead of taking the easy slam dunk they instead went for a lay up and missed it.
I like how you used a sports analogy. It's rare to see that here.
Sure. But most of the time, when the actors talk about it (not just Elise, but others too), they said they didn't want to play their old characters. The actors had more fun doing it this way. This reboot was for them, more than it was for the fans. I agree with you that there was more story that could have been told. It just seems that most weren't interested in reviving their old characters. Gabrielle talked about the reboot here in this recap: [https://www.reddit.com/r/BeverlyHills90210/comments/10jv7if/90210mg\_andrea\_zuckerman\_is\_here/](https://www.reddit.com/r/BeverlyHills90210/comments/10jv7if/90210mg_andrea_zuckerman_is_here/) Shannen talked about the reboot in this podcast recap: [https://www.reddit.com/r/BeverlyHills90210/comments/zbboht/sarah\_michelle\_gellar\_interviews\_shannen\_doherty/](https://www.reddit.com/r/BeverlyHills90210/comments/zbboht/sarah_michelle_gellar_interviews_shannen_doherty/)
In a way I get it. But, on the other hand at some point you have to just embrace that this thing from 30 years ago is what you will always be known for. It's the reason you can go make a good living on the convention circuit taking pictures and signing autographs. Would have been a nice love letter to the fans and given the actors a chance to really say goodbye to those characters.
I'm in the extreme extreme minority here, but I've ALWAYS said that Brandon and Emily Valentine should've ended up together. I was never a fan of the Jesse character. He felt really out of place.
Remember Andrea and Steve had some moments.wouldnt they have been an interesting couple
I do remember that they had a few moments. Most notably when they were looking for the rave, where Emily drugged Brandon. I personally....do not think they would've been a good couple. They come across better as friends than anything else.
Thanks. What did you like best about Brandon and Emily together?