I have to say that this was the best episode of the series. Everything gelled together to make a really fun show.
The first day of filming the reboot has arrived. Shannen, Jennie, Tori, and Gabrielle are getting ready in the hair/makeup trailer. It’s an amusing scene where they discuss aging, the old days, and men. Tori is worried about doing a love scene with Brian. All those old feelings are coming back and now she has to be nearly naked with him and act like she’s enjoying it. Not a lot of acting required actually. Unfortunately, Christine informs the cast that they’re shutting down production because of the stalker situation. Torching the sets in the last episode really made an impact. The gang decides to go all Scooby-Doo and investigate. They try to figure out who hates them the most and would want to stop the reboot. It’s a long list.
After taking a tumble down a flight of steps, Tori has an epiphany. Makes sense. She gathers up the group for a fieldtrip to a dive bar where the main act is none other than Jamie Walters. A refresher: Jamie played Donna’s abusive boyfriend, Ray Pruit (his mama could only afford one T), on the original 90210. Tori’s Showgirls-like fall earlier reminded her of how Ray threw Donna down a flight of stairs. Jamie’s career was ruined because the fans hated his character. The cast accuses him of stalking them for revenge. He denies it. A TV news story informs then that the real stalker has been caught. He was the creepy fan from episode two. Sorry, Jamie. To make amends they all sing his one hit, “How Do You Talk to an Angel”. Ah, the sweet sounds of my 90s adolescence.
Back on set, Tori is faced with the Brian love scene. The first attempt goes badly because she’s so nervous and insecure. Attempt two fails because of a meddling intimacy coordinator on set. Yes, that’s a real job. They finally get it right with try number three. But Brian also gets an erection, much to his embarrassment and Tori’s secret delight. 9021Ohhhh
Brian spent the rest of the episode adjusting to Zach’s revelation that he’s his son. He hasn’t told anyone, except Shannen, about it. Zach is a little hurt about the secrecy. Brian tries to smooth things over by getting him a job as a PA on the show. Things turn awkward after he suggests Zach call him “dad”. Oh no, BAG. Shannen advises Brian get to know Zach and take it slow. Later, when Jason snaps at Zach, Brian defend his son. They’re good again and by the end of the episode Brian has told everyone about his new kid.
In her trailer, Jennie fools around with Wyatt the bodyguard. He still hasn’t been reassigned, but he’s ignoring his “no banging the client” rule. Jennie is smitten and even pretends to like sports because he’s into them. It’s all too cute, so it will probably end soon.
Meanwhile, Christine and Gabrielle rehash their hookup. I guess they did more than just make out last week. Because of an HR crackdown, Christine asks Gabrielle to sign a consensual relationship consent form. It’s very 2019. Gabrielle isn’t ready to declare their relationship and this new turn in her sexuality. But later she’s ready to tell the cast that she’s with a woman, leaving out the Christine detail of course. Similarly, Ian and Anna are getting closer. They even arrange to “Netflix and chill”. How 2017. Before things get too heavy, Anna asks Ian to sign a consent form too. Did a HR director write this episode?
Nothing is actually getting shot because director Jason is too distracted by his drama with Camille and the baby. He’s pissing off the entire cast and crew. Jennie tells him to work out his crap and stop taking it out on the everyone else. Jason gets back on track, but when Camille calls from an ambulance, he has to run off set. Will this reboot ever get made?
Other 9021Notes
I hoped for a better story for Shannen last week and it happened. She was hilarious in this episode. Always throwing out a zinger. Not recognizing Jamie because he appeared on the show after she left. Ray who? Asking Siri how many seasons there were of the original show. That would be ten, Shan. Randomly eating something whenever they cut to her. And, “rescuing” Tori’s wandering pets. She stole every scene she was in. Definitely the MVP of the week.
The dream sequences continue to be wonderfully ridiculous. This week had Brian, as David, performing at the Peach Pit After Dark with Shannen, Jennie, and Tori (in their season 2 “Addicted to Love” inspired back up dancer outfits) accompanying him. Big points for having him take off his shirt. Nice V, BAG.
A random dude snagged Zach’s used water bottle, presumedly to do a DNA test. I’m glad someone thought of that since Brian is too damn trusting.
Jennie reassuring Tori that her sex scene with Brian would be fine because it’s not real, like her boobs (complete with her bouncing Tori’s implants), made me guffaw.
The stalker reveal seems too easy. It has to be a red herring…like on a Scooby-Doo episode.
NostalGeoff 