90210, taking it nice and easy so far.  Not since that first Ethan-in-his-car incident from the pilot have we seen anything remotely racy.  Depending on your outlook, this could be a good thing or a bad thing.  90210 definitely has the feel of the original series, though it remains to be seen whether or not the world has passed that sort of TV series by.  90210 brought a lot of nostalgia into the fold tonight, a lot of the action going down at The Peach Pit.  Plus, there was a lot of Brenda in the episode, as well as the abrupt reveal of Kelly's baby daddy. 

Previously on 90210: The Ty-Ethan-Annie love triangle is in full form.  Naomi finds out her parents are in an open, possibly loveless marriage.  Silver is kicked out of her house, moves in with Kelly.

Harry informs Annie that her drama teacher has a family emergency and has to go back to Atlanta.  Grandma Tabitha says that she'll take over for the drama teacher.  No on asked her, and no one is excited about the prospect of her as drama teacher.  But, Tabitha is excited.  The W.lsons are having some troubling selling their old house in Kansas.  This is news to Dixon.  Harry hints at possible money woes.

Naomi's family takes their Christmas picture, without Naomi's sister.  They're going to photo-shop her in.  I agree with Naomi – that is a stupid idea.  Naomi continues to pout.  Naomi is still angry at her mom for not caring about her father's affair.  She will not speak to Naomi about it again. Later, Naomi speaks with Ethan about her personal woes. 

Kelly and Brenda have coffee at school.  A Donna Martin reference!  It involves graduation – I bet you can guess what it is.  Brenda wants to know about Ryan.  Kelly says she likes him, but it's awkward because Ryan is ten years younger.  The mysterious “he” is brought up once more.  Ryan keeps asking Kelly out, but Sammy is an issue.  Sunday is OK.  More discussion of Sammy's dad – he's out around the world somewhere.

Dixon nails another student's rearview mirror while parking his father's car.  The student finds out.  Dixon convinces him to let him pay in cash so pops doesn't find out. 

Ethan and Annie talk about, you know, things.  Nothing going on with Ty and Annie.  Nothing going on with Ethan and Naomi.  Ethan asks Annie out non-chalantly.  They will meet up on Thursday at 6pm at, of course, The Peach Pit.   Annie runs into Ty in the halls.  Vampire W.ekend is playing on Thursday!  Annie can't go, and it's not a “group hang” situation.  Ty is, like, totally devastated. 

Naomi begs Silver not to blog about her dad's affair.  She understands now what Silver was going through, and how messed up it all was. Silver storms away.

Tabitha interrupts practice for the musical, tells the ladies that they lack passion.  As an example, she sings the song on her own.  It's not great, but it doesn't lack passion.  Annie finds her dad in the halls, begs him to find a new director for the musical.  She's so embarrassing.  Tabitha interrupts, says that she needs a bigger budget for the drama department.  Harry stops Kelly in the halls, asks her if she knows someone who could direct the musical.  Kelly, obviously, knows someone.  Harry introduces Brenda to Tabitha in the theater.  Harry says that Brenda is there to assist.  Tabitha isn't overly pleased, but she accepts it. 

Dixon applies for a job at The Peach Pit.  Nat gives him the job, tells him to call him “Nat” not sir.  Dixon comes home and tells his parents that he got a job at The Pit.  Dad says that he doesn't want the job to interfere with school or lacrosse.  Dixon says it won't. 

Silver can't believe that Annie said no to Ty and Vampire W.ekend.  Annie contends that Ethan and Naomi are over.  Silver explains that Ethan and Naomi have an impenetrable bubble that cannot be broken.  They sit down at The Peach Pit and are surprised to find that Dixon is their server. 

W.ile her mom is in the shower, Naomi checks the last call on her mom's phone.  It sounded like a restaurant.  I'm not sure what this means.  Naomi shows up at Ethan's house.  His brother (who is challenged in some major way) is having a bad day.  I think he's autistic.  Naomi insists on helping.  She's quite good with him.  Ethan watches on. 

Silver gives Dixon a ride to work, tests him on his Biology knowledge.  He fails miserably, point being that work might be getting the way of his studies.  The guy whose car Dixon hit shows up at The Pit, says that the estimate was $500.  Dixon is going to have to pick up some extra shifts.

Tabitha and Brenda watch practice.  Tabitha yells at everyone during the song, even Annie.  Brenda tells them to take 5.  Brenda shows Tabitha a tape of practice.  Tabitha says it was eye-opening – it looks like she's appalled by her own behavior.  Ryan plays some guitar for Brenda.  She says that she can't babysit for Kelly on Sunday.  Brenda refuses to speak about Kelly's personal past.

Naomi talks about her sorrows to Ethan.  She wants everything to go back to the way it used to be.  She wants to find her father's paramour and tell her to back the hell off.  Naomi wants Ethan's help.  Ethan drops Naomi off where her father's lover works.  Naomi finds Gail.  Gail recognizes her.  Gail is living at their beach house.  Naomi is taken aback.

Annie sits at The Pit, waiting for Ethan.  He's not showing up, and Ty shows up and is really nice to her, then tips Dixon really well.  Ethan texts Annie that he can't make it.  She feels dumb.  Silver talks with Dixon at The Pit after his shift ends.  Silver explains that she's different than everyone else in Beverly Hills.  Dixon says that, yeah, it can be weird living with a white family.  They are his family, but occasionally he'll have momentary feelings of not fitting in.  Silver bluntly asks Dixon when he's going to ask her out.  Dixon plays coy, Silver sure that he wants to ask her out.  They flirt.

Naomi confronts her mom, tells her that she went to see Gail.  Her mom is upset, tells Naomi that this is none of her business.  Naomi tells her about the beach house.  Naomi's mother is taken aback, very, very upset. 

Matthews hands out a test in Dixon and Silver's class.  Dixon is tired, says he was up late studying Biology.  Dixon messed up, didn't study for the Lit test.  Ryan and Kelly have a contentious conversation about Kelly's ex.  Kelly gets mad at Brenda for talking to Ryan.  Kelly is upset, and still has feelings.  Brenda drops the bomb – she tells Kelly that she'll never be happy with someone else because she's still in love with DYLAN!!! That ends that mystery. 

Ethan apologizes to Annie in the hallway about standing her up.  Annie says don't worry about it – she doesn't really even want an explanation. 

Harry comes to see Dixon at The Peach Pit.  Harry was told by Mr. Matthews that Dixon got an Incomplete on his test.  Dixon finally cops to the car accident.  Harry says he'll pay for the damage now, and Dixon can pay him back. 

Naomi watches home videos, alone, of her and Ethan goofing off.  They're at a theme park or something. 

Dixon pays the dude back for the car – in turn, he asks Dixon to join him courtside for a Lakers game.  Silver watches this, then tells Naomi that she won't post anything on her blog about Naomi.  The seeds of a make-up have been planted.  Annie approaches Ty, tells him that she messed up and she likes him.  She offers him some cookies she bakes.  He doesn't want any, so she kisses him.  Right there in the hallway.  They agree to start over.  They will go out that weekend. 

Naomi finds Ethan outside school.  Naomi wants to start over with Ethan.  Take it day by day, see what happens.  Ethan can't resist.  They kiss. 


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior W.iter
(Image Courtesy of The CW.