Beverly Hills, 90210 Re-Watch: It’s Only A Test (Season 1 Episode 18)
Next up in our rewatch is Beverly Hills, 90210, Season 1 Episode 18, “It’s Only A Test.” There are two tests on the episode that are still prevalent today, so it definitely can’t be ignored.
Most importantly, of course, is the breast self-examination. I’ve watched many a teen drama in the early 90s and late 2000s and I can’t think of another show that addresses specifically the self-examination aspect of breast cancer so blatantly. This needs to be commended.
But it’s a shame, too. The threat of breast cancer is still very real for every woman, and younger women need to be encouraged to check themselves. I’ve just recently learned about someone who died of breast cancer far too young.
The show handles the issue so well overall, though it does come off slightly “after school special-ish” at times. That’s to be expected considering when the episode originally aired (March 28th, 1991 according to IMDb).
The way the idea of self-examination comes up is logical for teenage girls even today. It’s easy to picture a group of friends, bored with SAT prep doing the breast exam they found in a magazine together — especially after the story of Brenda’s Aunt Shiela’s death.
I would usually be critical of any show for making up a family member we never hear about again. But in this case, the story of Aunt Sheila works and I’m not even mad that she’s never brought up again.
There is enough shown on screen that the telling compliments the story. Family history of cancer definitely puts Brenda at a higher risk.
Where the episode ventures into overdramatic territory is with Brenda telling Dylan and then saying things like, “you didn’t even want to touch me when I told you.”
If she did have cancer, eventually no matter her age she would have to tell her boyfriend. But their fight and her leaving the “I love you” message on Dylan’s voicemail is just a tad much.
Then again, she’s a teenager, so maybe I’m being too judgemental here. This is a serious matter and Dylan is one of the most important people in Brenda’s life.
Brenda’s dream is so extra, but all dreams are. Kelly wanting Brenda to leave her boyfriend to Kelly in her will is great foreshadowing. It’s extra but entertaining and that’s what matters.
As for the fact that Brenda doesn’t have cancer, that’s the best decision for the show because of her age and again… the time the show aired. If she were a little older and this was on today, I would challenge the show to actually represent illness on TV. But, it doesn’t need to happen here. Just encouraging women to do self-examinations is enough.
Like I said above, it’s even a great reminder today, as is the fact that teenagers have doctor/client privilege.
Let’s move on to the other test on the show, the SATs. It’s sad that the problem they address with this test is still relevant today.
It’s 2019 but there’s still an educational disparity between people based on income, race, disability and other factors. For its time, Beverly Hills, 90210 is being a bit bold to mention this.
But that’s all they really do. Andrea is known to be really smart. Do I think viewers think she needs the prep class? No. But it doesn’t even matter because the goes to Steve’s and learns the tricks to the test. So, she does get the advantage. There’s a smarter way to tell this story in 2019.
But, I need to talk about Andrea and Steve kissing. I dislike young Steve Sanders the most. But perhaps thanks to One Tree Hill I’m wondering if a Nathan/Haley storyline would’ve worked for them.
I’m inclined to say it wouldn’t. Brandon/Andrea is a smarter ship if not more interesting. The show didn’t even touch them. So I doubt they would put Andrea and Steve together in any universe.
Jesse is a great addition to the show and Naley stays together on One Tree Hill in part because of fan service.
Yet, the “bad boy” falling for the “smart girl” is still a compelling trope. Steve and Janet fit perfectly. But early Beverly Hills, 90210 episodes make me wonder what could’ve been if the show chose different paths.
Steve Sanders would definitely be a different man, and I’ll just say it — would probably be more likable throughout the series.
What did you think of this episode of Beverly Hills, 90210? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Esme Mazzeo
Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.
One thought on “Beverly Hills, 90210 Re-Watch: It’s Only A Test (Season 1 Episode 18)”
I laughed when you said Aunt Sheila wouldn’t be mentioned again. Because in predictable 90210 fashion, I assumed she wouldn’t be. I was so surprised when Brenda actually mentioned her in season 3 episode “The Child Is Father To The Man”! Season 3 obviously got a better handle on continuity and they don’t use as much one-off characters like in 1 and 2.
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