There are certain TV shows that stay with you long after they go off the air, and for me, Beverly Hills 90210 will always be one of them. When it premiered back in 1990, it quickly became more than just a teen drama, it became a ritual. Every week, we’d wait in front of the TV to see what was happening at West Beverly High, and later at California University. It wasn’t just entertainment; it felt like we were growing up right alongside the characters.
The Characters Who Felt Like Friends
Who didn’t have a favorite? Some of us connected with the down-to-earth Walsh twins, Brandon and Brenda, as they tried to find their place in glamorous Beverly Hills. Others swooned over Dylan McKay, the ultimate ‘90s bad boy with a soft heart. Kelly Taylor showed us that even the “perfect” girls had insecurities, while Donna Martin became the sweetheart we always rooted for.
What I loved most is how these characters felt real. They laughed, cried, made mistakes, and sometimes broke our hearts. Watching them face issues like love triangles, peer pressure, and family drama made it all feel relatable even if we weren’t living in Beverly Hills.
The Moments We’ll Never Forget
There are certain 90210 storylines that instantly take me back in time. Who else remembers Brenda and Dylan’s intense romance? Or Donna’s unforgettable graduation storyline, when fans everywhere chanted “Donna Martin graduates”? Those episodes were more than TV, they became part of pop culture. Also, some some shaky scenes like when Dylan’s father was killed by a bomb in his vehicle.
And of course, let’s not forget the fashion. High-waisted jeans, crop tops, and oversized blazers. Beverly Hills 90210 was basically a ‘90s style guide! I can’t count how many times we tried to copy Kelly’s looks with her floral dresses or wanted Brenda’s hair bangs.
Why It Still Matters
Even though the show ended in 2000, its legacy lives on. It paved the way for so many teen dramas that followed. And yet, there’s something about 90210 that feels extra special. It wasn’t just about drama, it was about friendship, family, and finding yourself.
This Summer I started watching the series again. Whenever I hear that opening theme song, I’m instantly transported back to simpler times when evenings meant hanging out with the gang at the Peach Pit, and wondering what twist would come next.
It’s been so long since I first watched it that I can’t remember everything, so it’s like I’m watching it for the first time but I also see it from another point of view now that I’m not a teenager anymore. I don’t even like the same characters I used to do back then. But I continue being team Brandon!
Final thought: Beverly Hills 90210 wasn’t just a show, it was part of our growing-up years. It gave us characters to love, stories to cry over, and memories that still make us smile. For fans like me, it will always hold a piece of our hearts.