#bhchallenge

[bh90210davidanddonna]

((I knew I'd eventually find another favorite quote that I wanted to use.))

Brandon: This is just like Thanksgiving dinner at my place, only without a roof.

[bh90210davidanddonna]

BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 CHALLENGE

DAY 24 - MOST POWERFUL MOMENT

DONNA ASKS NAT TO WALK HER DOWN THE AISLE

DONNA: It’s just…my whole life, I’ve dreamt and thought about every detail of my wedding. And almost all of it’s happening…except for the one thing that I can’t control. And that’s my dad…walking me down the aisle. But over the years, you’ve been like a second father to me.  And I just wanted to tell you…that I would be honored if you would walk me down the aisle.

NAT:  That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever asked me to do.  Absolutely.

I think one of the reasons this moment is so poignant for me is because it really shows the culmination of 10 seasons all at once.  It reminds us of how often the gang depended on Nat and his worldly advice, how often they turned to him for parental-like guidance, and how them hanging out in his restaurant made him feel young again. Longevity - when done right - can be a show's greatest asset. It helps us get a true feel for character development and relationship development. And I always felt that Nat and the kids were right on the money in that regard. 

[bh90210davidanddonna]

BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 CHALLENGE

DAY 23 - BEST "OMG!" MOMENT

COMPILATION (ALSO INCLUDES "WTF" MOMENTS)

Obviously I couldn't choose one. Are you joking? It's essentially a soap opera, for God's sake.

#1 - Scott's accidental shooting. Of course. It was an absolute "HOLY SHIT" moment. And a huge character development for David, who hadn't really had much to go on beforehand. I have all sorts of opinions about keeping guns locked up safely and so forth, but I won't bore you with details.

#2 - Dylan chooses Kelly over Brenda, and they confess that they had a tryst during the summer while Brenda was in Paris. Are you freaking kidding me? I am always so tempted to throw something at the television during this scene. I know Brenda wasn't a saint in her relationship either, but c'mon Kelly! Chicks before dicks! Amirite?

#3 - Laura Kingman, the girl who falsely accused Steve of rape just because he didn't want to date her after their one night stand, decides she's going to hang herself in the freaking campus auditorium. Steve saves her - of course - but wtf. Get over yourself, lady.

#4 - Just when I was starting to like Josh Richland and enjoy his bromance with Brandon, he had to go get his car blown up. Because of course the writers realized that they couldn't have someone SHARING the political spotlight with Brandon. Apparently they had no other options but to kill him off. No, but seriously. This moment made me very sad.

#5 - Ah, yes. Kelly and Allison get trapped in the downstairs bathroom during a fire that breaks out at a house party. And though we knew that Kelly would inevitably survive, it was still a nail-biter.

#6 - ONE OF THE SADDEST MOMENTS IN THE SHOW'S HISTORY. And it was a secondary character! After Dylan marries Toni, she is killed in a drive-by shooting by her dad's own cronies, who thought they were shooting at Dylan instead. I can't help it - it makes me cry. Toni was the only other person I shipped Dylan with besides Brenda.

#7 - Slan, the guy who tried to rape Donna in Season 5, is released from jail and is following her around campus like a freako. How did you think that would go over, dude? Did you think she'd be happy to see you, invite you over to her table for coffee? C'mon. And I also included her telling David, because it's just so damn cute.

#8 - Val, as usual, is greedy as hell when it comes to her money. So she hits on David while he's with Donna to PURPOSELY get him to buy the club out from under her. This girl is legit psychotic sometimes. And she insults my poor baby by saying, "I just thought you'd like to feel a woman's skin again. Or is Donna putting out a little more these days?" Which earns her that ABSOLUTE DEATH GLARE that David is giving her in the GIF before he storms out.

#9 - Val again. Haha. Val has screwed Donna over one too many times, and Donna is done with it. You KNOW you've screwed up if even DONNA is sick of your shit. Then Val has to go and say "I know from experience how rough David can be in bed." AND DONNA SLAPS THE EVER-LOVING SHIT OUT OF HER. Because she deserved it.

[bh90210davidanddonna]

BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 CHALLENGE

DAY 22 - FAVORITE MOMENT

DONNA MARTIN GRADUATES

So I love this episode ("moment") because I'm a sucker for when everyone comes together. Although, it also serves as a harsh reality check that none of my friends would ever be this loyal. Oh well. That's why fandoms exist.

So Donna has gotten in trouble for getting drunk at prom. Obviously. She is told that she is suspended from school "pending a hearing" - this hearing results in the decision that she cannot participate in graduation. BUT - the Martins decide to file an appeal, ergo initiating a second hearing.

The gang hangs around the Peach Pit and tries to come up with ideas to help.

Gil Myers (the coolest teacher ever) pulls Brandon aside and drops hints about demonstrations on Washington. Brandon smells what he's stepping in.

The group makes phone calls to students in the school to spread the word about their idea.

During finals, the junior and senior classes walk out. Gil Myers is pleased.

The students march all the way to Donna's hearing. The people in charge are pissed when they hear the shouting outside. The official Mob Control Guy comes in hurriedly to report it. He sucks at his job, bee-tee-dubs.

Mrs. Teasley (the principal) comes out to warn the students that the superintendent is threatening to fail the entire crowd. Dylan says, “well, tell him that summer school registration is gonna break the record this year.” And I tear up a little. Because I especially love when Dylan stands up for something, since it doesn’t happen much.

Brandon gives a heartwarming speech about Donna's character and integrity. And it makes me wish I had a Brandon Walsh friend.

The board votes on whether or not Donna can graduate. She barely scrapes by with the last "aye" vote, and everyone celebrates.

Favorite Quotes:

Brandon: Are you saying we should organize some kind of demonstration?

Gil: You figure it out. I've already said enough to get me fired.

-

Dylan: What about you, Silver? You gonna ditch the finals and miss your chance of getting out of this place a year early?

David: Yeah. For Donna, I would.

-

Steve: (On the phone, calling people to announce walk-out) No, you don't need a note from your mother...

-

Dylan: Tell Superintendent Ephart that summer school registration is gonna break the record this year. Donna Martin graduates.

-

Steve: (After Donna wins her case) All right, I got a great idea! LET'S ALL GET DRUNK!

[bh90210davidanddonna]

BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 CHALLENGE

DAY 17 - MOST ANNOYING CHARACTER

VALERIE MALONE

So. I had a hard time deciding here, because I think Gina Kincaid is probably THE most annoying character to ever be on this show. However - the next challenge is "LEAST FAVORITE", and I feel that Gina fits that better than Val.

Now here's the thing. Val starts out as being completely manipulative. In these GIFs, I have outlined 3 of the most annoying moments for me.

1. When she first moves to Beverly Hills, she tries to play the innocent girl-next-door card, and is all "Oh, Brandon...you don't mind if I walk around in my underwear, do you? We're like family!" Only...she wants to get in his pants. SOME FAMILY. Then she sleeps with Dylan and leads Steve on for like, the entirety of Season 5. Which is a no-no. You don't mess with Steve.

2. She pays her friend from Buffalo to "get caught" stealing shit from her friends, so that she can look like the hero. Are you serious?

3. She throws a bitch fit when Brandon tells her it's time for her to find her own place, and plays off this huge suicide ploy. As awful as I may sound for saying this, the whole time I was like "Fine. DO IT, VAL. NOBODY CARES." Now, I would never think this about anyone in real life. But this IS a TV show. And I use it to channel my sociopolitical anger into fictional characters. I'M ENTITLED.

I don't think she ever planned to do it anyway, because all Brandon has to say is "Fine. You don't have to move out. Just come off from the ledge" and she's like "okay, but I want the master bedroom."

Well...So the very last part isn't true. But it might as well be.

But let me note that in GIF #4, I have finally forgiven her. Yes. Her return to the Series Finale somehow redeemed her for me. I don't know if it was because she was finally so nice to Donna after being a two-faced bitch to her for 4 years, or the fact that Donna and David's wedding is a happy time and I can't be angry with anyone. I don't know. But I love the moment in #4.

So that's that. Next time we'll have Gina Kincaid. Who can blow me.

[bh90210davidanddonna]

BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 CHALLENGE

DAY 12 - FAVORITE MALE FRIENDSHIP

DAVID, BRANDON, STEVE, & DYLAN

So, I'm partial to certain friendships in this category (Steve/Brandon; Steve/David; Dylan/David), but by and large, I don't think I can choose. So this is just an homage to all four of our original male cast members.

Brandon and Steve, of course, exhibit this happy-go-lucky, goofy friendship. It can be serious when need be, but mostly, they have fun together.

Brandon and Dylan have this semi-toxic connection that is shaken every time Kelly walks into the picture. They know they'll be there for one another - they love each other - but often don't LIKE each other.

Dylan sort of takes Steve under his wing in earlier seasons and acts as a big brother figure.

David and Steve have a long progression from a bullying/teasing relationship to a very close friendship in which they can rely on one another.

David and Dylan was one of the most interesting stories to watch unfold. They aren't close at all in earlier seasons, but find nuances within their "acquaintanceship" that connect them and root them deeper together. By the end of the series, they have developed a friendship that allows for tough love and back-and-forth reality checks.

Unfortunately, I could not recall many times that David/Brandon really bonded. That makes me sad, as they are my two favorite characters.

[bh90210davidanddonna]

BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 CHALLENGE

DAY 10 - SECOND FAVORITE COUPLE

BRANDON WALSH & KELLY TAYLOR

"Kelly and I walk under chandeliers. It never occurred to us to swing from them."

I know this isn't a popular opinion. Most people liked Kelly and Dylan together. But I somehow never got over the fact that they got together behind Brenda's back. It always felt cheated and somehow wrong to me. Also, Dylan was so unstable throughout most of the series, that I felt that Kelly was often with him for the wrong reasons. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE the Kelly/Dylan friendship. But I just don't like them as a couple.

Kelly and Brandon were a good team. I felt that they fit well together, and she was probably the only person he ever actually loved.

In 8x32, the day of their wedding, they agree that getting married is a bad idea. And Brandon's quote sort of epitomizes their relationship - their relationship is safe - secure, even - but lacking in adventure and spontaneity. Something that most people need.

The moment that they called their wedding off was incredibly depressing for me. I was very sad that this was where it ended.

And of course in the new 90210, Kelly has a son. The writers left us hanging for several episodes, wondering who the father was - I truly wish it would have been Brandon.

[bh90210davidanddonna]

BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 CHALLENGE

DAY 7 - BEST MOMENT OF FAVORITE MALE

10x24 - "Love is Blind"

David gives Donna one last Christmas in her childhood home

*

David has many shining moments, in my eyes. I love, of course, "The Next Fifty Years" (Scott's death), and I also appreciate all of the moments he protected his friends. 

But I think this one has to be my favorite. I can't even make jokes about it because it makes me feel like I've been chopping onions every time I watch it. 

Donna's mom announces that she's putting the house up for sale. Donna isn't sure how to adjust to the idea; she knows that her mom is ready to move on after her dad's death, but explains to David that she feels like she'll lose part of her childhood. She reminisces about how Christmas was always her favorite time in that house - and how the clothespin reindeer was her favorite ornament. 

The next day, David takes Donna to her mom's house on the pretense that they're helping her pack up. Instead, Donna walks in to find her mother and friends trimming the Christmas tree. Her mother hands her - of course - the clothespin reindeer...which means that David was paying extra close attention to his talk with Donna the night before.

Her mom explains to her that David was the one with the idea, and warmly agrees with him. This is also emotional because it is one of the defining moments where, after 10 years of hating him, we realize that Donna's mom really has come to appreciate how much he cares about and looks after Donna. AND THEY'RE NOT EVEN DATING RIGHT NOW. THAT'S THE FREAKING CLINCHER.

The gang decorates the tree together, and Donna gathers a sense of closure, and I go through a box of tissues because my husband will never be David Silver. I mean...it's the onions. The damn onions. 

No, but really. David Silver is my boo.