I was prepared to hate this remake of my favorite teen drama growing up.  After all, it had gotten the Parent’s Television Council to call for a boycott after only the first show.  Not being one to let anyone make decisions for my family, I decided to screen the show myself.  My findings were shocking -- but not in the way you would think.

Let me preface this review by saying that I openly stand by my decision to home school.  While culture has, at times, had its influence on our choice, it is by no means the most important factor.  It was right for us on many levels (see my explanation of our decision for more details.)  Does that mean that I want my kids in a bubble?  Not really.  Here’s my take on the first two epsides (viewed at my leisure, after the kids went to bed, exclusively on the CW website via streaming video.)

 

The opener.  I was a little worried about what I might see after hearing of the recent call to boycott the show.  After all, I remember how over the years, more than a few TV shows got my blood boiling after premiering at the 7pm family hour with little to no notice of their content (beyond the tiny Y14 in the corner.)  These shows were met with some disgust, and a chance to pop a more suitable viewing option into the DVD player.  The season opener of 90210 started out with the “picture-perfect” Kansas family pulling into Beverly Hills with their dusty family van (much like our own vehicles, the windshield was covered in bird poop.)  This tiny bit of realism had me hooked, and I hoped that the show wouldn’t disappoint.

The shocker.  Not ten minutes into the show, innocent Annie from Kansas sees a boy she knows from 2 summers ago sitting in his SUV in the school parking lot.  An awkward smile and wave are exchanged – and then a high school girl pops up from the boy’s lap with a look of the lone deer in the headlights.  Any intelligent person could tell that 90210 just sauntered into the world of teen sex, and while there’s no doubt that this kind of activity really does happen on high school campuses all over the country (it did when I was growing up), it was an unexpected turn that left me wondering whether I really “wanted to go there.”

The resolution.  With all the morality of an Afterschool Special, but with more style and a factor that makes it almost cool to be prude, Annie later confronts the boy about his “behavior” – (it was with a girl who wasn’t even his steady.)  The situation presents an opportunity for parents to see what kids are faced with in this world of high-pressure sexuality, and it frankly was encouraging for me to know that the show in no way condoned the behavior.  (The boy was eventually found out and a massive break-up with his high-profile girlfriend resulted.)

Other elements.  This show seemed to want to be the next Gossip Girl.  It had sexuality (if only in a “simulated” way that showed absolutely nothing and required you to have “been there” to know).  It had swearing (uses of the correct words for both male and female parts are used – but in an insulting manner – and the almost acceptable B-with-a-witch is tossed in for flavor.)  It had glaring displays of materialism, peer pressure, and over-consumption.  And yet, it was no different than the topics the original 90210 wrestled with in its first five seasons.  (Remember when Brandon had his old flame out to California and the ‘rents realized they were “hanging out” after hours.  It was his “first time”, and Mom kept nagging Dad for him to “talk to him about it.”  Nothing new to see here, folks.)

Just like most shows, the first episode left me wondering which direction we would go.  Will it be trashy?  Will it be preachy?  Could it possibly be a bit of both?  I went on to watch the second episode, and guess what?  It was much, much tamer.  In comparison, it was like I was watching an old episode of any 90’s teen/family drama.  Hard issues were discussed, including:  alcoholism/abuse, parental affairs/divorce, forgiveness, teamwork, and loyalty.  Surprisingly, the prevalent theme of the show was not anything worthy of a teen soap opera:  The kids are dragged out to a Family Night of Bowling with the folks, and what happens?  Their uber-cool friends actually get jealous.  (In-tact loving families are worth more than this year’s Prada line.)

So after weeks of speculation about what this show will deliver, I put down the reviews, ignored the Council’s call for arms, and watched the show myself.  I’m glad I did.  While my kids are way below the age of watching the show, if I did have a teen son or daughter, I’d watch it with them.  We’d talk about things.  We may even go bowling.

The standards of morality and entertainment will be decided by my husband and myself – and no one else.  (And now that we know who Kelly’s baby’s Daddy is – I may be making this my late night Mommy indulgence….)