Mark here...this episode is called "Everybody's Talkin' 'Bout It", the it in question is sex. And yes, this is another "issues" episode, but given the subject, it's actually kind of funny. It's all a bit of a blur, but there's an initiative for condoms in school and then a survey and then an article in the blaze...all about sex and condoms. We do get our first appearance of Donna's mom at a parents meeting on the subject of handing out condoms and she proves to be a great future nemesis. We also see Donna defending handing out condoms, which gives David Silver hope for doing it. Poor David. We later find out Donna is saving herself for marriage. I remember this being a big deal at the time as Donna is a symbol for kids who want to wait. Blah Blah. She's as symbol of a patriarchal society because her dad runs the show and doesn't want his daughter having sex (even though in real life Tori Spelling is!).
In any case, the spearhead of this safe sex movement is Andrea?! Granted, she's never met a cause she didn't like...but really, maybe you should sit this one out Andrea? Brandon says as much to her.
Hey Laurel here...it's all true. Andrea, the most awkward 30 year old that goes to west beverly is spearheading the movement for condoms in school?!? Also there's a new kid at the blaze who's totally nerd cute and clearly has a crush on her, and she totally ignores him and/or is actually rude to him. I kept telling Mark "Andrea! Open your eyes!!" Finally at the end she asks him to go to the movies after they finish passing out sex ed materials in west hollywood. Ah, nerd dates. I'm curious if we ever see him again.
Cocktail moments this episode...whenever anyone says "condom" (usually awkwardly), whenever Andrea sighs because she's in a huff about condoms, and...when David Silver tries to do it with Donna and she has to explain to him that she's saving herself for marriage. Ouch.
Quotes of note this episode...When Dylan tells David "What do I look like? Ann Landers?" When David asks his advice about "waiting for the right time" to reserve a hotel room for him and Donna. SPOILER ALERT...Um, David, it's never gonna happen buddy, at least not until college.
The second, and this might be my favorite of this show so far... Brandon tells Andrea "Maybe you should get a life of your own before it's too late." Ok, I know this is super mean, but as you know if you have ever read one other tvdinnernight post about Nine-0, I fucking hate her.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
A Competitive Edge
Mark here...this episode is called "A Competitive Edge" and it's another zinger...and by zinger I mean another issues-based bore. Basically, Brandon quits the Beverly Blaze for a hot minute to join the track team, only to find out the track team is using steroids. So of course, Brandon must rejoin the Blaze to get the story, but now he can be "undercover" since he's left the paper. Yes, no one would suspect a thing. It's all very "All the President's Men" with clandestine meetings in parking lots at night to discuss steroid use. Oh, and Kelly's gay friend Kyle is back. He's on the track team and becomes Brandons source. Also, Steve is on the team. We never see him using, but it's implied.
There's a subplot with Brenda in a car accident getting scammed by a woman who wants money. It's pretty boring.
Laurel here...I can't believe Kelly's gay friend Kyle came back! The special friends never come back, I'm glad they decided to make an exception. Except this time he's the special friend because he's doing steroids. The Brenda side note to this episode is she gets into a fender bender with a lady who pretends to be injured, but then Brenda catches her doing aerobics in her living room so all's well that ends well.
There's no specific style award this episode, except for that Mark and I have noticed over the past few episodes that "athletes" always wear their sweatpants hitched up and rolled over at the waist so everyone has camel toe, even the dudes.
The cocktail moment is when Brandon gets a wedgie in the locker room at the beginning of the episode. Because he's just a dumb reporter and not a jock.
There's a subplot with Brenda in a car accident getting scammed by a woman who wants money. It's pretty boring.
Laurel here...I can't believe Kelly's gay friend Kyle came back! The special friends never come back, I'm glad they decided to make an exception. Except this time he's the special friend because he's doing steroids. The Brenda side note to this episode is she gets into a fender bender with a lady who pretends to be injured, but then Brenda catches her doing aerobics in her living room so all's well that ends well.
There's no specific style award this episode, except for that Mark and I have noticed over the past few episodes that "athletes" always wear their sweatpants hitched up and rolled over at the waist so everyone has camel toe, even the dudes.
The cocktail moment is when Brandon gets a wedgie in the locker room at the beginning of the episode. Because he's just a dumb reporter and not a jock.
Fire and Ice
Hi Laurel here...Mark and I just sat down to another full day of 90210, beginning with "Fire and Ice". I made us creamy papperdelle pasta with bacon and leeks that is pretty heavy hitting in the calorie department but worth it. Mark made us a lemon rosemary syrup that you are supposed to drink with vodka, but we found we both prefer it with cava.
So this episode Brandon meets a real nice girl at the ice rink (he is playing hockey and she is a figure skater) but even though she really likes him it turns out she is too busy to have a boyfriend, and ends up going back to Texas (???) to pursue her skating career.
I'll let Mark tell you about Brenda...
Mark here...first I'll give a shout out to Laurel for a delicious meal. When she first said she was making pasta, I wasn't 100% sold, but the combo of bacon, leeks and cream sauce was amazing! So well done Laurel!!
On to the episode...basically this was a boring but inoffensive episode. Boring, because who really cares about Brandon dating a figure skater? Inoffensive because there's no Andrea!! Anyway, there's also a subplot about Brenda getting a job as a sales girl with a bitchy boss who steals her commission. But once Brenda tells Cindy, they devise the most ridiculous comeuppance scheme. It involves Cindy dressing as a "rich woman" and letting the boss think she's going to get a huge commission and then not buying anything. Hilarity ensues, but Cindy's outfit makes it worth it...let's just say it involves a head wrap.
The quote of note this episode has to be when said figure skater breaks up with Brandon and says, "I'll always remember you as the guy who gave me my first burrito" Really, watching the episode was worth it for this line alone!
The style award goes to...Brenda's bed, although it was a tough call, what with Cindy's ensemble and a scene with Brandon and Steve's shirts, but really, this bed is hideous!!
So this episode Brandon meets a real nice girl at the ice rink (he is playing hockey and she is a figure skater) but even though she really likes him it turns out she is too busy to have a boyfriend, and ends up going back to Texas (???) to pursue her skating career.
I'll let Mark tell you about Brenda...
Mark here...first I'll give a shout out to Laurel for a delicious meal. When she first said she was making pasta, I wasn't 100% sold, but the combo of bacon, leeks and cream sauce was amazing! So well done Laurel!!
On to the episode...basically this was a boring but inoffensive episode. Boring, because who really cares about Brandon dating a figure skater? Inoffensive because there's no Andrea!! Anyway, there's also a subplot about Brenda getting a job as a sales girl with a bitchy boss who steals her commission. But once Brenda tells Cindy, they devise the most ridiculous comeuppance scheme. It involves Cindy dressing as a "rich woman" and letting the boss think she's going to get a huge commission and then not buying anything. Hilarity ensues, but Cindy's outfit makes it worth it...let's just say it involves a head wrap.
The quote of note this episode has to be when said figure skater breaks up with Brandon and says, "I'll always remember you as the guy who gave me my first burrito" Really, watching the episode was worth it for this line alone!
The style award goes to...Brenda's bed, although it was a tough call, what with Cindy's ensemble and a scene with Brandon and Steve's shirts, but really, this bed is hideous!!
Creamy Pappardelle with Bacon and Leeks
Hey guys! This recipe is originally from Bon Appetite but I found it here at Epicurious. We are still slogging through season 2 of 90210. I am serving it with an arugula salad to make us feel better about eating a pasta with sauce made of cream and bacon fat.
It turned out really good! I did it pretty much according to the directions but I left out the oil and butter in the beginning, which seemed like bringing sand to the beach. I had been planning to serve it with a poached egg on top to make it more brunchy but I forgot. It was great on its own. I will definitely make this again!
Also I wanted to let you guys know at Trader Joes they have this amazing applewood smoked bacon that is around $10 a pound, but they also have "ends and pieces" of the same stuff for $3 a pound which was perfect for this recipe. I bought a condo so I am frugal now.
Ingredients:
It turned out really good! I did it pretty much according to the directions but I left out the oil and butter in the beginning, which seemed like bringing sand to the beach. I had been planning to serve it with a poached egg on top to make it more brunchy but I forgot. It was great on its own. I will definitely make this again!
Also I wanted to let you guys know at Trader Joes they have this amazing applewood smoked bacon that is around $10 a pound, but they also have "ends and pieces" of the same stuff for $3 a pound which was perfect for this recipe. I bought a condo so I am frugal now.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/2" pieces
- 2 medium leeks, white and pale-green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced crosswise
- Kosher salt
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 pound pappardelle or fettuccine
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan or Grana Padano
Preparation:
Heat oil and butter in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring often, until fat is rendered and bacon is crisp, 5-8 minutes. Add leeks and season with salt. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring often, until leeks begin to brown, 5-8 minutes. Add cream, thyme, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened and coats the back of a spoon, 5-8 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 2 cups pasta cooking liquid.
Add pasta, Parmesan, and 1 cup pasta cooking liquid to sauce and stir to coat. Increase heat to medium and continue stirring, adding more cooking liquid as needed, until sauce coats pasta.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
A Walsh Family Christmas
Mark here... we're on to the next episode of 90210...this one is the christmas episode, titled "A Walsh Family Christmas". And ugggh!! Apparently the writers decided they needed something christmas themed and yet "whimsical"...there aren't enough quotes to put around the term whimsical.
Anyway, the Walshes aren't going back to Minnesota this year and are feeling down. Their tree is dead and when Cindy tries to invite the gang for christmas, everyone has plans. Of course she invites her kids friends because she has none of her own. Well, through a series of wacky events, everyone does ending up showing up at the Walshes' for Christmas eve. Also, there's a side plot of Brenda inviting a weird guy dressed as Santa Claus to dinner. Really, it's not worth going into.
Steve also tries to find his biological mother...BORING! Really the "wackiness" of christmas is more interesting.
Hey Laurel here. Not much to add except for my usual Andrea rant. I'm Jewish, I'm Jewish! Yeah we get it.
Also Steve's bio mom is dead. He finds his grandfather though, and they make plans to stay in touch, visit each other, etc. Funny, I don't think Steve ever mentions him again. Ever. Maybe him, Brandon's "little brother" and the gang's black friend are all hanging out together somewhere.
Style award this episode goes to...Cindy! For her Christmas eve ensemble, crazy neck scarf worn under even crazier apron. You go Cindy!
The cocktail moment is every time the homeless Santa says "MERRY CHRISTMAS" Until he gives his little speech at the end I thought that was all he could say.
Anyway, the Walshes aren't going back to Minnesota this year and are feeling down. Their tree is dead and when Cindy tries to invite the gang for christmas, everyone has plans. Of course she invites her kids friends because she has none of her own. Well, through a series of wacky events, everyone does ending up showing up at the Walshes' for Christmas eve. Also, there's a side plot of Brenda inviting a weird guy dressed as Santa Claus to dinner. Really, it's not worth going into.
Steve also tries to find his biological mother...BORING! Really the "wackiness" of christmas is more interesting.
Hey Laurel here. Not much to add except for my usual Andrea rant. I'm Jewish, I'm Jewish! Yeah we get it.
Also Steve's bio mom is dead. He finds his grandfather though, and they make plans to stay in touch, visit each other, etc. Funny, I don't think Steve ever mentions him again. Ever. Maybe him, Brandon's "little brother" and the gang's black friend are all hanging out together somewhere.
Style award this episode goes to...Cindy! For her Christmas eve ensemble, crazy neck scarf worn under even crazier apron. You go Cindy!
The cocktail moment is every time the homeless Santa says "MERRY CHRISTMAS" Until he gives his little speech at the end I thought that was all he could say.
Chuckie's Back
Mark here... this episode of Beverly Hills 90210 is called, "Chuckie's Back". It's basically a Steve-centric episode. While not annoying, it's sort of a forgettable episode. We do get to meet Steve's mom, Samantha, who used to star on a sitcom called, "The Hartley House". The Chuckie from the episode's title is her co-star, a former child actor who was jealous of Steve for being Samantha's son. We learn that Steve was adopted and that Chuckie was told by the show's people before Steve knew, in an attempt to coddle him. Anyway, Steve spends the episode at first vying for his mom's attention and then telling everyone how he needs to find his birth mom. Somehow this quest needs to involve a bus to Albuquerque? I know. Because planes don't fly there. So by the end of the episode Steve is boarding said bus. But prior to that there's the school holiday dance, which is of note because Donna and David Silver finally get together. Donna had been avoiding it because her friends made fun of him, but when David shows up everyone on the dance floor Donna rewards him with a long deep throat kiss... WooHoo!!! Umm...too bad Donna's a committed virgin...
Anyway, the only other point was how the show danced around Steve's adoption. Like his mom comes across as feeling shame for it?! Sure she didn't tell him until he was older, but really... It's such dated writing and thinking...
Laurel here...Not much to add expect that man that Chuckie is a real asshole. Also, guys, get over the Beverly Blaze already. Brandon and whoever this annoying new guy at the paper is get into a fight over whether or not to write a story about Chuckie, Brandon thinks it's going to be too much of a puff piece for the hard hitting Beverly Blaze. Get over yourself! It's a school paper!
Amalia here...Way too much Steve Sanders in this episode. I really need some more Dylan if I'm going to commit to these screenings. When do we get to see the Dylan-Brenda-Kelly love triangle? I actually miss Emily Valentine at this point. My favorite part of this episode was watching David Silver's dance moves, though it's still really hard to look at Donna Martin's face. Poor girl. I also enjoyed Andrea's "cupcake" style formal wear at the school dance. Did you know she was 30 years old while playing a sophomore in high school? I keep getting her mixed up with Brandon's mom.
Mark here...The style award this episode is a tie for Steve and Steve! First his Golden Girls shirts. We got a picture of one, but each one was a treasure. We couldn't tell if there were shoulder pads, but I'm guessing yes, given that I think my mom owned the same shirts in the early 90s. Steve #2 had is sweat shirt and sweat pants ensemble. This one was a half sweat top and rolled up sweat pants. Truly something to behold.
Our quote of note is Chuckie responding to Samantha Sanders, who is finally sticking up for her son, "Hey Lady! I kept this show on the air!"
Cocktail moment is any reference to "The Hartley House"...
Anyway, the only other point was how the show danced around Steve's adoption. Like his mom comes across as feeling shame for it?! Sure she didn't tell him until he was older, but really... It's such dated writing and thinking...
Laurel here...Not much to add expect that man that Chuckie is a real asshole. Also, guys, get over the Beverly Blaze already. Brandon and whoever this annoying new guy at the paper is get into a fight over whether or not to write a story about Chuckie, Brandon thinks it's going to be too much of a puff piece for the hard hitting Beverly Blaze. Get over yourself! It's a school paper!
Amalia here...Way too much Steve Sanders in this episode. I really need some more Dylan if I'm going to commit to these screenings. When do we get to see the Dylan-Brenda-Kelly love triangle? I actually miss Emily Valentine at this point. My favorite part of this episode was watching David Silver's dance moves, though it's still really hard to look at Donna Martin's face. Poor girl. I also enjoyed Andrea's "cupcake" style formal wear at the school dance. Did you know she was 30 years old while playing a sophomore in high school? I keep getting her mixed up with Brandon's mom.
Mark here...The style award this episode is a tie for Steve and Steve! First his Golden Girls shirts. We got a picture of one, but each one was a treasure. We couldn't tell if there were shoulder pads, but I'm guessing yes, given that I think my mom owned the same shirts in the early 90s. Steve #2 had is sweat shirt and sweat pants ensemble. This one was a half sweat top and rolled up sweat pants. Truly something to behold.
Our quote of note is Chuckie responding to Samantha Sanders, who is finally sticking up for her son, "Hey Lady! I kept this show on the air!"
Cocktail moment is any reference to "The Hartley House"...
My Desperate Valentine
Mark here...we are on to our next episode of Beverly Hills, 90210 season 2. This episode is called "My Desperate Valentine". We are doing take out this week because it's too hot to cook in LA and the AC is out! We are joined this week by a guest blogger! Our friend Amalia is joining is to offer her insights on Emily Valentine!
On to the episode.... Basically, Emily we hardly knew ye... Emily Valentine goes from zero to crazy. Seriously, last episode she slipped Brandon some U4EA (which he enjoyed until he sobered up!) and he said he needed some space. Sure, she messed up and came off as a bit of a bad girl wise ass but whatever. Now this episode starts out with Brandon avoiding her and her trying to talk to him. Suddenly, the friends are all pointing her out as crazy...before she really does anything crazy! But then sure enough she is stalking Brandon and calling and hanging up multiple times (because no SANE teenager ever did that!). She concocts a scheme to end up staying over at the Walshes and tries to slip into bed with Brandon, which goes badly. A series of stalkery events leads to Emily tearing apart the school float the gang has built. Brenda and Dylan arrive home to find Emily sitting on top of the float with a lighter...oh she's doused the whole thing with gas! Brenda, showing her trademark sensitivity, talks Emily down from the cliff. It goes something like, "I DO NOT HATE YOU EMILY!!" Seriously, Brenda pretty much scares Emily into giving up. So, exit Emily Valentine to the psych ward as she admits to needing "help".
Laurel here...not much to add except it sure is fun to see emily go nuts. She's pretty good at it. She even slashes her own tires to manipulate her way into spending the night over at the Walsh's. She also sends a bunch of crazy threatening letters to the school paper. I don't really understand what that gets her, except to make it clear to us that she is super crazy.
Amalia here...Let me just first say a big thanks to Laurel for the dumplings and a high-five to Mark for letting me borrow his "I Slept with Dylan First" t-shirt (which I may have to steal). After watching this episode, I am now officially obsessed with Emily Valentine (aka: Actress Christine Elise). Did you know that she was engaged to Jason Priestley in real-life?? Today's episode was the first time I had seen 90210 in over a decade so I'm still adjusting to the shockingly bad/awesome 90's outfits. I was a bit disappointed that Emily did not end up burning down the homecoming float after the build-up of crazy-girl tension, but perhaps she's not done being crazy yet this season (let's hope!). I'm hoping I get asked back to another screening...I'm really good at watching TV while talking smack and pigging out. Till next time...
Our quote of the episode is when Brenda is scolding Brandon about how crazy Emily is and they don't really know much about her, she's going on and on about it. Then when they walk outside they find a cake and a note from her. When Brandon tries to lick some of the frosting Brenda is all like "I REPEAT...you do not know anything about this girl."
Style award this episode goes to...Brenda! For her silky shirt and terrible men's tie ensemble. Way to go Brenda!
And our cocktail moment would of course be anytime Emily goes Fatal Attraction on Brandon, drink twice if there is an actual reference to Fatal Attraction!
On to the episode.... Basically, Emily we hardly knew ye... Emily Valentine goes from zero to crazy. Seriously, last episode she slipped Brandon some U4EA (which he enjoyed until he sobered up!) and he said he needed some space. Sure, she messed up and came off as a bit of a bad girl wise ass but whatever. Now this episode starts out with Brandon avoiding her and her trying to talk to him. Suddenly, the friends are all pointing her out as crazy...before she really does anything crazy! But then sure enough she is stalking Brandon and calling and hanging up multiple times (because no SANE teenager ever did that!). She concocts a scheme to end up staying over at the Walshes and tries to slip into bed with Brandon, which goes badly. A series of stalkery events leads to Emily tearing apart the school float the gang has built. Brenda and Dylan arrive home to find Emily sitting on top of the float with a lighter...oh she's doused the whole thing with gas! Brenda, showing her trademark sensitivity, talks Emily down from the cliff. It goes something like, "I DO NOT HATE YOU EMILY!!" Seriously, Brenda pretty much scares Emily into giving up. So, exit Emily Valentine to the psych ward as she admits to needing "help".
Laurel here...not much to add except it sure is fun to see emily go nuts. She's pretty good at it. She even slashes her own tires to manipulate her way into spending the night over at the Walsh's. She also sends a bunch of crazy threatening letters to the school paper. I don't really understand what that gets her, except to make it clear to us that she is super crazy.
Amalia here...Let me just first say a big thanks to Laurel for the dumplings and a high-five to Mark for letting me borrow his "I Slept with Dylan First" t-shirt (which I may have to steal). After watching this episode, I am now officially obsessed with Emily Valentine (aka: Actress Christine Elise). Did you know that she was engaged to Jason Priestley in real-life?? Today's episode was the first time I had seen 90210 in over a decade so I'm still adjusting to the shockingly bad/awesome 90's outfits. I was a bit disappointed that Emily did not end up burning down the homecoming float after the build-up of crazy-girl tension, but perhaps she's not done being crazy yet this season (let's hope!). I'm hoping I get asked back to another screening...I'm really good at watching TV while talking smack and pigging out. Till next time...
Our quote of the episode is when Brenda is scolding Brandon about how crazy Emily is and they don't really know much about her, she's going on and on about it. Then when they walk outside they find a cake and a note from her. When Brandon tries to lick some of the frosting Brenda is all like "I REPEAT...you do not know anything about this girl."
Style award this episode goes to...Brenda! For her silky shirt and terrible men's tie ensemble. Way to go Brenda!
And our cocktail moment would of course be anytime Emily goes Fatal Attraction on Brandon, drink twice if there is an actual reference to Fatal Attraction!
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