Synopsis: The group of friends from West Beverly were forced to attend summer school after Annie (Shenae Grimes) called the police on Naomi's (AnnaLynne McCord) after-prom party. Naomi, Silver (Jessica Stroup) and Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) have formed a close friendship over the summer, while Annie has isolated herself from her friends and family, worried about her hit-and-run accident on prom night. For the remainder of the summer, everyone hangs out at the Beverly Hills Beach Club, where Naomi and Silver meet Teddy (guest star Trevor Donovan, "Days of Our Lives"), a pro-tennis player and the son of a famous movie star. Adrianna is surprised to see her childhood boyfriend and Navid (Michael Steger) organizes a romantic evening with Adrianna, with hopes of finally losing his virginity. Dixon (Tristan Wilds) and Silver try to make their relationship work but a text message may force Dixon to ends things once and for all. Rob Estes, Lori Loughlin and Ryan Eggold also star. Stuart Gillard directed the episode written by executive producer Rebecca Sinclair.
I must say, this show has really changed. You can just tell with the brighter, sunnier setting and the witty dialogue that the show is different, and it has really come into its own! One of their best ideas was shifting the focus from Annie and her family to the trio of girls (Naomi, Silver and Adrianna), which makes the show much more interesting. That's not to say that Annie's storyline isn't bad, because it will be interesting to see what goes on between her and Teddy, and the "sext". The absence of Ethan does not affect the show, it acutally even helps it. I also realized that watching the beach setting throughout most of the episode, they were taking a very 'Gossip Girl' like path, when they did their first two episodes at the Hamptons. And I love that show!! Very impressed, looking forward to the season!
Synopsis: Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) is still furious with Annie (Shenae Grimes) from prom night and contemplates sending out a sexually explicit text message of Annie as payback. Silver (Jessica Stroup) is convinced that she and Dixon (Tristan Wilds) can mend their broken relationship, but Naomi and Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) convince her to give him some much-needed space. Liam (Matt Lanter) attempts to apologize to Naomi for what happened on prom night and denies sleeping with Annie, but refuses to reveal who he was with. Meanwhile, Liam and Dixon join the surf team, in an effort to keep Liam's stepfather (guest star John Schneider, "Smallville") from sending him off to military school. Adrianna helps Navid (Michael Steger), now in charge of The Blaze News, land an interview with Teddy (guest star Trevor Donovan), but she is shocked with Navid's interviewing tactics. Ryan (Ryan Eggold) continues to pursue Jen (guest star Sara Foster), who continues to play hard-to-get. Rob Estes and Lori Loughlin also star. Tony Wharmby directed the episode written by Jennie Snyder Urman.
I watched last week out of curiosity, but probably won't tune in long-term. I'm sick of high-school, pretty-people melodramas.
They had something unique with "Privileged" last season and dumped it, and I'm still annoyed about that.
But otherwise, I do agree that the whole feel of the show last week was brighter and snappier. Hunky Trevor Donovan wasn't too bad, even if he's supposed to be 17 and looks 28.
The first episode worked a lot better with a focus on the three girls than on Annie/Dixon's family. But I still can't really tell most of them apart, aside from AnnaLynne McCord (she has the ability to wring some pathos out of her material, if given the chance). The main problem is still that the characters have few definable personality traits. Their storylines are interchangable.
Posts: 2721 | Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | Registered: November 04, 2001
I don't think I'll be watching this show much longer, despite the eye candy.
But one thing really bugged me about this episode: It's deeply aggravating that a girl has to suffer days of humiliation and misery over a nude photo "sexting" incident, while the boy who took said photo gets nothing but a punch on the nose in the final seconds of the show.
Girl: Misery, slut, whore, humilation.
Boy: Nothing but a bop on the nose.
Although I don't miss the adult storylines (Ryan Eggold is nerdy-cute but his storyline is bo-ring) it was odd that Annie, as the principal's daughter, wouldn't have her father be involved with this sexting issue.
Plus, all she had to do was tell Naomi that if the photo was released, she would not only go to her father, but also the police (she is underage after all).
Feels like someone in the writer's room or a producer got all excited about using a "hip" buzzword and didn't bother to think the storyline through at all.
Posts: 2721 | Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | Registered: November 04, 2001
Yes, I hate those double standards too. I like this show and I'm going to watch it till it ends. I feel sorry for Annie. The girl is going through the hell nowadays and has no one by her side. BTW I don't think she slept with that guy. They probably only make out and passed out then he took pictures of her to show friends what a stud he is (rathed a DOUCHE!). I don't miss adult storylines too, but it'd be nice to see Kelly once in a while. I thin writers just want to make a big storylie from something that should be done in the beginning. Also I think because of her situation Annie isn't thinking straight and didn't think about police or anything. I like this show and I think I'm might promp it from the guilty pleasue of mine to a good show.
Episode Title: "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat"
Synopsis: Annie (Shenae Grimes) is humiliated that the entire school received her sext message and is on a mission to reveal Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) as the sender of the revealing photo. Harry (Rob Estes) and Debbie (Lori Loughlin) attempt to discuss Annie's situation but the conversation only causes more tension, leading Harry to open up to Kelly (Jennie Garth) about his family problems. Dixon (Tristan Wilds) meets his dream girl, Sasha (guest star Mekia Cox, "Bones") and sparks immediately begin to fly, though he fails to reveal his true age. Silver (Jessica Stroup) continues to get over Dixon while Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) and Navid (Michael Steger) deal with Teddy's (guest star Trevor Donovan, "Days of Our Lives") presence in their life. Liam (Matt Lanter), fed up with the lies between Naomi and Annie, retreats to his garage to work on a mysterious project. The gang joins Teddy on his father's yacht for an afternoon of ocean-filled drama. Ryan Eggold also stars. Janice Cooke directed the episode written by Mark Driscoll.
This show is actually better than Gossip Girl right now, whoever the new writers are, they are doing a good job. The new character directions are very interesting...also glad that they are making Annie more unapologetic.
I can only judge against the first half-dozen episodes from last season, but I agree the energy and feel is much snappier.
I still probably won't continue watching because it seems as if we're just going to get "Why doesn't he/she LIKE ME?!" week after week. I'm too old for that; even their teen-girl core audience isn't so shallow that they wouldn't stand for a bit more steak with the sizzle.
And the double-standard about this "sext" issue is still apparent. It was silly to suddenly reveal, two episodes later, that Annie didn't "do it" with the guy, after letting the audience think otherwise. If that was their point, to lure the audience into judging Annie, it didn't work.
Her dad -- the principal! -- doesn't punish or go after the boy who took the photo, her mother wrings her hands a little about how girls suffer more than boys in these situations (no kidding!), her guidance counselor shrugs and says, "Oh, well, cat's out of the bag."
I get Annie wanting revenge on Naomi, but calling in her parents, school authorities or the cops would have been a lot more effective.
Posts: 2721 | Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | Registered: November 04, 2001
Synopsis: Dixon (Tristan Wilds) and Sasha (guest star Mekia Cox, "Bones") continue their whirlwind romance by driving to Napa for the weekend, but on the return trip a flat tire leads to a trunk of porn and a bunch of lies. Annie's (Shenae Grimes) confident attitude quickly disappears when she realizes that Jasper (guest star Zach Sherman), the nephew of the man she hit on prom night, is a student at West Beverly. Navid (Michael Steger) continues to run the Blaze News and assigns Silver (Jessica Stroup) and Gia (guest star Rumer Willis) to interview Jasper for a news piece about his uncle. Things get steamy when Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) confides in Teddy (guest star Trevor Donovan), resulting in Adrianna and Navid finally spending the night together. Liam (Matt Lanter) finally finds a way to get revenge on Jen (guest star Sara Foster) and reveals the truth to Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) about their night together at prom. Rob Estes, Lori Loughlin and Ryan Eggold also stars. James L. Conway directed the episode written by Maria Maggenti and Jordan Budde.
Synopsis: Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) learns that her test scores may not be high enough for her to be accepted into CU. Devastated, Naomi devises a plan to be tutored by Richard (guest star Jonathon Trent, "CSI: NY"), the son of the school's dean of admissions, but quickly realizes she would much rather be studying Jamie (guest star Travis Van Winkle, "Meet the Spartans"), a CU student. Dixon's (Tristan Wilds) girlfriend, Sasha (guest star Mekia Cox, "Bones"), becomes suspicious about his age and does a little detective work to learn the truth, leaving Dixon devastated. Navid (Michael Steger) and Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) double date with Teddy (Trevor Donovan), but Adrianna's growing feelings towards Teddy make for an awkward situation. Silver (Jessica Stroup) accompanies Adrianna to an AA meeting and surprisingly bumps into her mom, Jackie (guest star Gillespie), who tells Silver she would like to re-establish their relationship. An angry Silver rejects her mother, but her world is turned upside down when Adrianna reveals shocking news about Jackie. Rob Estes, Lori Loughlin, Shenae Grimes and Ryan Eggold also star. Jamie Babbitt directed the episode written by Padma L. Atluri & Jennie Snyder Urman.
Synopsis: Kelly (Jennie Garth) and Silver (Jessica Stroup) deal with the shocking news that their mother, Jackie (guest star Ann Gillespie, "Beverly Hills, 90210"), is dying of breast cancer. Kelly doesn't want to be sucked back into her mother's bad behavior, but Silver feels differently. Navid's (Michael Steger) world is turned upside down when Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) reveals that she needs time alone, but turns to Teddy (Trevor Donovan) for attention. Jen (Sara Foster) continues to manipulate Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) and manages to convince Naomi to lend her a large amount of cash. Jasper (guest star Zach Sherman) rescues Annie (Shenae Grimes) from a bad date and the two forge a bond that will be hard to break. Harry (Rob Estes) accompanies Ryan (Ryan Eggold) to a bar for some guy time and attempts to be his wing man. Lori Loughlin, Tristan Wilds and Matt Lanter also star. Liz Friedlander directed the episode written by Mark Driscoll.
Synopsis: It's Halloween at the Beverly Hills Beach Club and Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) channels Marilyn Monroe to help her deal with the end of her relationship with Navid (Michael Steger). Silver (Jessica Stroup) and Kelly (Jennie Garth) continue to have differing opinions about caring for Jackie (Ann Gillespie). Silver is overloaded with school work and caring for her mom, but soon learns that she and Teddy (Teddy Donovan) have more in common than a class project. Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) continues her relationship with Richard (guest star Jonathon Trent, "CSI: NY"), but when she and Jamie (guest star Travis Van Winkle, "Meet the Spartans") share an intimate conversation, her plans to schmooze with the dean of CU come to a screeching halt. Dixon (Tristan Wilds) realizes he and Sasha (guest star Mekia Cox, "Bones") are in two different places in their life and decides to end their relationship, but she ends up delivering life-changing news. Tensions rise between Debbie (Lori Loughlin) and Harry (Rob Estes) when she walks in on Harry and Kelly in his office. Annie (Shenae Grimes) and Jasper's (guest star Zach Sherman) relationship is put to the test when he attempts to convince her to steal a car while shooting a scene for his student film. Liam (Matt Lanter) butts heads with the newest member of the surf team, Ivy (guest star Gillian Zinser). Ryan Eggold also stars. Miller Tobin directed the episode written by Jennie Snyder Urman.
I think AnnaLynne McCord is near perfect on this show. She's really growing on me more and more and I do find her pretty hilarious. Her facial expressions in the scene early on with the two roommates trying to pretend she's got similar interests with the one she doesn't really like were priceless.
Posts: 3712 | Location: USA | Registered: July 27, 2005
I could maybe see a Golden Globe nom for McCord. The "90210" scripts are amusing but she doesn't really get showcase material. McCord does elevate the material, though, similar to what Leighton Meester is doing on "Gossip Girl."
Posts: 2721 | Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | Registered: November 04, 2001
Synopsis: Navid (Michael Steger) and Gia (guest star Rumer Willis) launch an investigation into student drug use at West Beverly for Blaze News, which leads them to Annie's (Shenae Grimes) boyfriend, Jasper (guest star Zach Sherman), leaving Annie torn over who to believe. Fresh off his break-up with Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes), Navid receives dating advice from Samantha Ronson (appearing as herself) while out with Liam (Matt Lanter), Teddy (Trevor Donovan) and Ivy (guest star Gillian Zinser) at the Edison. Worried that Adrianna will relapse, Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) and Silver (Jessica Stroup) enlist Navid's assistance. Dixon (Tristan Wilds) reveals his situation with Sasha (guest star Mekia Cox) to Debbie (Lori Loughlin) and Harry (Rob Estes), prompting Debbie to do some investigating. Jen (guest star Sara Foster) and Ryan (Ryan Eggold) meet up with Pharrell (appearing as himself) to watch a performance of N.E.R.D. Miller Tobin directed the episode written by Jennie Snyder Urman.
Synopsis: With the help of Teddy (guest star Trevor Donovan), Jackie (guest star Ann Gillespie) surprises Silver (Jessica Stroup) with a half-birthday celebration that takes her back to her childhood birthday parties. Navid (Michael Steger) witnesses Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) buying drugs from Jasper (guest star Zach Sherman), forcing Navid to confront him about being a drug dealer. Dixon (Tristan Wilds) is determined to confront Sasha (Mekia Cox, who does not appear in the episode) about her miscarriage, forcing Debbie (Lori Loughlin) and Harry (Rob Estes) to reveal that Sasha lied about being pregnant. Annie (Shenae Grimes) and Jasper profess their love for each other and decide to take their relationship to the next level. After getting into a fight on the beach, Liam (Matt Lanter), with the help of Dixon (Tristan Wilds), Teddy and Ivy (Gillian Zinser), devises a plan seek revenge on Jen (Sara Foster, who does not appear in the episode). Ryan Eggold also stars. Rick Rosenthal directed the episode written by Paul Sciarotta & Jennie Snyder Urman.
Synopsis: Although she is conflicted about whether or not she can forgive her mother for all the pain she has caused, Kelly (Jennie Garth) continues to support Silver (Jessica Stroup) as she deals with Jackie's (guest star Ann Gillespie) declining health. Navid (Michael Steger) confronts Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) about her drug use. Harry (Rob Estes) and Debbie (Lori Loughlin) are surprised when Annie (Shenae Grimes) informs them she would like to invite Jasper (guest star Zach Sherman) over for dinner. Dixon (Tristan Wilds), still upset with Debbie over her handling of the Sasha (guest star Mekia Cox, who does not appear in the episode) situation, declines to join them. Dixon, Ivy (Gillian Zinsler) and Navid devise a plan for Liam (Matt Lanter) to tell Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) the truth about Jen (guest star Sara Foster). Ryan (Ryan Eggold) and Jen's relationship is taken to an entirely new level when he convinces her to go on a weekend camping trip. Naomi and Jamie's (guest star Travis Van Winkle, "Meet the Spartans") make out session is interrupted by Richard (guest star Jonathon Trent, "CSI: NY") and his mom, forcing Naomi to come clean about her plans to get accepted into CU. Mike Listo directed the episode written by Ben Dougan.
