90210: Need a Recap of The CW's New Hit TV Show?
The updated 90210 easily Received a full Season Contract in Weeks
Annie Wilson (Shenae Grimes) and her adopted brother, Dixon (Tristan Wilds), have just arrived in Beverly Hills, Ca. with their parents to grow up quickly. Sound familiar? Perhaps it's because nearly the same story was told with Brenda and Brandon Walsh in the sun-stroked hills of "Beverly Hills, 90210." And then the plot was updated to Orange County in the recently extinct "The O.C." with Seth Cohen and Ryan Atwood. So why another TV drama based in gorgeous California and revolving around spoiled brats?
When reports first surfaced about a reworking of the '90s classic, "Beverly Hills, 90210," fans of the original were confused and unsure of the reasoning. Maybe the old creator wanted a new project or Ms. Tori Spelling needed some income after her bankruptcy debacles. But neither Darren Star or the former Donna Martin landed in the new show's credits. "90210" is only loosely based on the former drama. The stars are a group of fresh-faced teens on the verge of super stardom. Intertwined in the background hide some original characters, intriguing old fans and captivating new ones. The two-hour premiere gave the nearly-defunct CW its best ratings to date. The much-anticipated reunion of Jennie Garth and Shannon Doherty overshadowed every other plot line.
The Older 90210 Generation (Spoiler Alert!)
Spelling was set to also make an appearance but dropped out. Doherty is only appearing in four episodes, directing the high school's musical production and catching up with Kelly Taylor (Garth), who is working as a guidance counselor staying close to her younger sister, Silver (Jessica Stroup) who is suffering at home with their alcoholic mom. Kelly has her own struggles, like raising a young son whose father was revealed in the third episode as Dylan McKay, but Luke Perry adamently denies making an appearance on the show, leaving viewers questioning the revelation.
The New Beverly Hills Generation (Spoiler Alert!)
Only through episode three, there are already love triangles and dramatic fights in West Beverly High. The heroine, Annie, is an innocent teen from Kansas clinging to the only person she knows in town: a summer fling from a couple of years ago, Ethan Ward (Dustin Milligan). However, he's in a tumultuous relationship with the school's most popular and spoiled girl, Naomi Clark (AnnaLynn McCord), who has history with Silver. Naomi and Ethan aren't happy together but also can't break away from each other, so Annie finds solace in a new beau who takes her on a first date in his private jet. Grimes is a highly likable and adorable star and relatable in the glitz and glam of California. Annie hasn't lost her ability to be normal - at least not yet. Rob Estes and Lori Laughlin are her parents after first gaining fame in '90s shows (little things called "Full House" and "Melrose Place"). To add some problems in the home, Estes is also his teens' school principal, which is mortifying. Dixon tries to fit in with his lacrosse team by helping in school pranks and blatantly disobeying his father - all while subtly flirting with Silver.
The Verdict on the New Show?
So far there's nothing groundbreaking or unbelievably original about the new "90210." Teens deal with the same issues and exude the same angst as other successful dramas have shown for years. But maybe it's time for a new "Dawson's Creek" or "Party of Five." Will "90210" win Emmy's or bask in loads of critical acclaim? Most likely not. Will audiences be sucked into a new group of drama-filled teens growing up and making mistakes in a lighthearted and beautiful environment? It could happen, and the CW is not complaining.
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