Beverly Hills, 90210: 10 Things About Brenda That Would Never Fly Today

Shannen Doherty is one of the most famous cast members from Beverly Hills, 90210 as her reputation precedes her. But before people talked about her on-set behavior, her character Brenda Walsh was what everyone focused on. She’s spunky, confident at times, and vulnerable at others. She’s a pretty classic teen drama character who explores dating, friendship, and her future dreams.

Brenda’s choices on Beverly Hills, 90210 aren’t always the best. Here are some things that she does on the popular show that wouldn’t fly today.

10 She Lies Whenever She Wants To Get Her Way

Brenda probably wouldn’t consider herself a liar, but that’s actually one of her main character traits. She lies whenever she wants in order to get her way, which is something that wouldn’t fly today.

For instance, she lies to Rick (Dean Cain), one of her love interests who she meets in Paris. She pretends that she isn’t from the U.S. and when she sees him in Beverly Hills, she pretends that she’s in town to see her “relatives” (aka her immediate family).

9 She Judges Other Girls

From Emily Valentine (Christine Elise) to Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth), Brenda has no trouble judging other girls and being really mean to them. If she thinks that they’re a threat or she’s jealous because she feels insecure, she’s going to be harsh and rude and she doesn’t think twice.

It wouldn’t fly today to be so judgemental. Brenda should see the similarities that she and these other girls share instead of being so cruel.

8 She Ignores Her Parents’ Advice And Wishes

While Brenda might find her parents totally dull and traditional, they do care about her and they want her to live a good life. They’ve given her and her brother Brandon (Jason Priestley) so much and yet she could care less about that.

Brenda ignores the advice that her parents give her and anytime that they tell her something they want her to do, she pretty much does the opposite. She should have more understanding and compassion for her family, and that’s what people would expect today.

7 She Fights With Her Best Friend Kelly Over A Guy

It’s silly to fight over a love interest, and that’s one of the golden rules of friendship. Friends are forever and romance can come and go. But Brenda ignores that golden rule and fights with Kelly over a guy (Dylan McKay).

Brenda could have worked things out with Kelly much sooner and in a much more mature way if she cared more about her friendships.

6 She Moves In With Her High School Boyfriend

Brenda is always certain that she can do what she wants and no one will care. When she moves in with Dylan, who is her high school boyfriend, that wouldn’t fly in 2020.

Two teens shouldn’t be shacking up together, as they should each live with their families. Brenda is still so young and still has so much to learn about life and smart choices.

5 She Thinks She Can Live In Her Own Apartment

Brenda is convinced that it’s no problem for her to live in her own apartment and move out of her family home in the season one episode “Stand (Up) and Deliver.” She honestly thinks that as a teenager, she can live in her own apartment, and it’s going to be fine.

This would never fly today as it’s a recipe for disaster. She’s apartment sitting for someone, but when the apartment is robbed, that’s a super dangerous situation for a young person to be in. It doesn’t look good for a minor to live away from her parents, so this would cause some problems.

4 She Wants To Elope In Las Vegas With Someone She Barely Knows

Not every season of 90210 is great and as the show goes on, the characters make weird choices and stop acting like the teens that fans loved so much. One example is when Brenda wants to elope in Las Vegas with Stuart (David Gail), someone who she barely knows.

This isn’t a decision that would fly today as it seems so reckless and random. Brenda definitely acts spontaneously and doesn’t think about consequences.

3 She Becomes Romantically Interested In A Teacher

When Brenda takes a drama class in the second season, she becomes romantically interested in the teacher, who is older than her. This is a bad idea, that’s for sure, and something that wouldn’t look good today.

Brenda feels bad when the teacher dates Andrea (Gabrielle Carteris) instead of her, but she should realize that a student/teacher relationship isn’t appropriate.

2 She Ignores Her Own Privilege

Brenda always feels sorry for herself in comparison to the fancy friends that she makes in Beverly Hills. But if she really thought about it, she would realize that she’s just as privileged as they are.

Sure, she’s not filthy rich like Kelly, and she can’t buy designer clothes or famous cars, but those things don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. Brenda is an attractive young woman from a middle-class family who have stayed together and give their kids what they need. The fact that Brenda doesn’t realize how good she has it wouldn’t fly today. It’s a very off-putting attitude when some people don’t even have enough food to eat.

1 She Always Makes Petty Comments

When Brenda says, “To be a b*tch or not to be a b*tch, that is the question,” she probably thinks she’s being funny, but this is an incredibly petty comment that wouldn’t fly today.

Brenda definitely should think before she speaks and also try to be more compassionate. If this show aired more recently, it’s very possible that someone would tell her to stop being so rude, as it’s just not that funny or cute.

About The Author

Aya Tsintziras
(1742 Articles Published)

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Aya Tsintziras is a freelance writer who writes about pop culture and TV. She has a Political Science degree from the University of Toronto and a Masters of Journalism from Ryerson University. She loves coffee, reading, working out, and watching TV. She lives in Toronto with her husband.

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