90210 (2008): Episode 1.1 Review & Spoiler

90210 debuted on the CW on 9/2/08 with two back to back episodes. The first episode is titled We're Not in Kansas Anymore. 90210 is a continuation of the popular 90's TV show Beverly Hills 90210. Warning: My episode review also contains plot spoilers.

The pilot episode begins with scenic of Beverly Hills. The Harrison's are relocating from Kansas to Beverly Hills to take care of Harry Wilson's (Rob Estes) mother, Tabitha. Tabitha (Jessica Walter) is a feisty former actress who has heart problems. She loves her grandchildren, Annie (Shenea Grimes) and Dixon (Tristan Wilds) but is obviously not fond of their mother Debbie (Lori Laughlin). Tabitha makes snide comments towards Debbie throughout the episode but Debbie does her best to ignore them. Henry is the new principal of West Beverly Hills High and Debbie gets a job with a photographer.

Annie and Dixon are a little nervous about the new school with Annie having a little more difficulty adjusting then Dixon. Annie meets the queen snob, Naomi Clark. At first Naomi doesn't like Annie but she quickly changes her tune because she wants to use Annie's old book report. Annie also meets the class loner Silver (Jessica Stroup) and at first they get a long but Silver is quickly ticked off when Annie falls for Naomi's sudden friendliness. Silver turns out to be the younger sister of Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth), the school's guidance counselor.

Dixon befriends the school's lead journalist Navid Shirazi (Michael Steger). Navid is fast talking but friendly character that resists popularity and just likes to report on everyone's business. Dixon tries out for the lacrosse team and wins a spot, which ticks off the class jock/jerk George. Ethan Ward (Dustin Milligan) is the star lacrosse player with the outward appearance of being the typical narcissist jock who is cheating on the most popular girl, Naomi. George instigates a fight with Dixon which results in Dixon being kicked off the team. George is the one who should have been kicked off but Ethan lies to cover George.

In the meantime, Silver has a popular blog that she likes to make fun of people on with cartoon videos. She makes fun of Annie (something about cows) and of course Annie is crushed. Silver realizes the error of her ways and tries to make it up to her. She succeeds when she gets Annie noticed at the school musical. Annie was a week too late to try out for the musical but the teacher is impressed with Annie's singing skills and puts her in the chorus, much to Adrianna's (Jessica Lowndes) disgust. Adrianna is Naomi's pill popping friend. Well not a very good friend because she stills Naomi's purse to support her drug habit.

After Annie confronts Ethan, he starts to develop a conscious and tells the truth. Dixon gets reinstated on the team but unfortunately he text Naomi that Ethan was cheating on her to get revenge. Of course Dixon feels bad because but the damage is done. Naomi finds out in the middle of her huge 16th birthday party. Strangely enough, they don't break up, they just fight. At first Ethan appears to be the typical jerk but he is actually not that bad of a guy. Annie knows him from visiting her grandma two summer's ago and there is chemistry between them.

Annie and Naomi are friends briefly until Naomi uses Annie's old book report word for word and gets caught. Naomi is forced to write her own book report, which she actually does because it turns out she is smart, just doesn't apply herself for whatever reason.

Other important characters are Ryan Matthews (Ryan Eggold) and Tracy Bennet (Christine Moore). Ryan is the cute history teacher with witty comments who obviously has issues with the wealthy kids. Tracy is Naomi's mom. She dated Harry in High School and it turns out she secretly had his child twenty years ago and put him up for adoption, which is ironic because Dixon is Harry's adopted son. Harry of course is crushed by this news. The kids are happy but the parents aren't.

Being a huge fan of the original 90210, I was looking forward to this series and it did not disappoint. I'm hooked and I can't wait for the next episode.