Watching this week’s series premiere of 90210, I became very appreciative that Shannen Doherty agreed to reprise her role as ‘Brenda Walsh’ fourteen years after she unceremoniously left the original zip. Few TV actresses are as compelling and addictive—her talents elevated the first three seasons of Charmed—and this four-episode stint was a big score for The CW. Shannen’s legendary off-screen antics seem to have only enhanced her charismatic image, whether it’s a battle with ‘90s co-stars Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling, shockingly-brief marriages to Ashley Hamilton and Rick Salomon, or run-ins with L.A. traffic cops. Spelling’s recent memoir labels Shannen a “bad influence,” and this week’s National Enquirer headline proclaims she’s ‘terrorizing the set’ of 90210. Fun reading, maybe…but it’s fiction, as Doherty and Garth have patched up their formerly-tense relationship, and young star Shenae Grimes (Annie) praises the 37-year-old actress for helping her navigate the early grind of a pop-culture hit. Of course, 90210 is a soapy drama, so Brenda Walsh won’t be leaving the Hills without some heated exchanges—maybe even some retribution for Kelly stealing Dylan away from her back in the day (click below!). Trust me, these next three episodes are not to be missed.
90210 / All New! Tuesday 8pm (Encores: Wed. 9pm)
