90210 Recap: Episode Three, "Lucky Strike"

by POPSUGAR Entertainment 48

The new 90210 was back on Tuesday with its third installment (the premiere night was technically two episodes) and I was relieved to find the pace of this one a little more digestible. I think last week, with all the introductions to a dizzying amount of characters plus tons of plot points, made it difficult to get too invested in anyone. This week they settled into the characters and let us get to know them a little bit better.

Knocks against this episode include the unfortunate absence of my favorite part of the show, Grandma Tabitha, and the stubborn refusal of the actor who plays Ethan to sufficiently emote. Also, this episode could have been titled, "This is where we cement the Wilson family as the wholesome bunch from middle America who will serve as a stark contrast to the broken homes and overall moral vacuum that is Beverly Hills — except, oh right, there's a secret son out there somewhere, but never mind about that right now."

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• I have questions: Why does Annie smile so much? Why is the teacher really interested in Kelly? Why did Navid Shirazi say he had a Bar Mitzvah? Why does Naomi look even scarier when she's making sad face? Why are the Wilson kids expected to do chores after curfew on a Friday night? Why was Annie so mad about being ditched by Ty when just minutes before she went to help a girl she doesn't even like have a breakdown in the parking lot?
• Speaking of Naomi's sad face, it was in full effect when her dad ditched out on their special weekend in Vegas at the last minute and made up for it by buying her a car. I, too, hate it when my dad tries to buy my love with luxury items. It totally sucks!
• The first episode was kind of whirlwind, so remind me — is Kelly new to the school? Is the young, hot teacher new? I feel like they have this chemistry that's supposed to be boiling over right now, but I just don't get why he talks about meeting her son so much when they're on a first date that neither will admit is a date. See? Questions!
• Also: If the family really moved to Beverly Hills for Tabitha, where was she? How much better would it have been to see her at the bowling alley, chain-smoking in the corner and buying drinks for all the hot young Beverly Hills boys?
• In addition to lack of Grandma Tabitha, there was no Brenda either, so boo.



• So the actress who plays Kelly's mom is back and she's still a cokehead (the character, not the actress)! And it's ruining Silver's life, forcing her to stay in women's shelters. Also, I feel like Silver's the most decent actress of the bunch. (She's still overshadowed by Tristan Wilds as Dixon, though. I mean, Dixon knows the streets.)
• There were a lot of cryptic mentions of Kelly's son's dad. Everyone only used words like "he" and "him" as opposed to his name, so we don't know if it's Brandon or Dylan or maybe David Silver (what? they weren't blood) or, God willing, Steve! Place your bets now.
• Family bowling night was so Cindy Walsh of Debbie. On the other hand Jim Walsh was never ever in the same attractiveness league as Mr. Wilson.
• Dixon and Silver as a couple is definitely something I can get behind. I have no idea what to root for with Annie because Ethan is a robot and the other guy is smarmy and obnoxious. Annie doesn't seem to care either.
• Finally, Naomi's little singing friend needs to stop with the singing in the car forever more.

What did you all think of last night? A little on the cheese side for you or deliciously soapy? Do you feel bad for Naomi at all? Or were you scared like me? Do you like the back and forth between the Kelly/Silver story and the rest of the new cast? Overall do you think this episode was better or a little worse than the premiere?

Photos courtesy of The CW