Beverly Hills, 90210 Re-Watch: Ashes To Ashes (Season 2 Episode 9)
This episode is a re-watch recommendation from a friend, but it was on my radar before that because Beverly Hills, 90210 Season 2 Episode 9, “Ashes To Ashes,” is one of the very few in ten seasons to address racism.
It’s really sad that this has a little bit of a “very special episode” feel to it in the early 90s because of its topic. But the vibe fits because unfortunately, it is a “special” episode.
Robbie (Eugene Byrd) and Sherice (Vivica A. Fox) should be regulars on the show or at the very least recurring characters. They are Walsh neighbors and Robbie goes to West Beverly. It makes perfect sense. But this is the one and only time we meet the Ashes.
There’s also the fact that there’s a different episode structure thanks to Robbie’s photographs sometimes breaking up scenes. Plus, the whole teenage plot revolves around The Ashes. We really only see the Walshes and the Ashes on the episode.
For these reasons and more, the episode definitely doesn’t pass today’s standards when it comes to discussing social issues like racism. First and foremost, that’s because Steve makes a very casual racist comment about “jungle fever” happening between Brandon and Sherice.
Sometimes characters are racist for a reason, but this feels like a casual joke that makes my skin crawl; not because the writers wanted it to, but because I’m inclined to think that not a lot of people watching the episode’s premiere airing even know it should.
Speaking of jokes, there are some others that don’t really land well. Brandon jokes about not wanting to drive Robbie home and it’s so awkward.
Felicity Ashe (Tina Lifford) does make a joke about her husband being thankful that the break-ins on the block began happening before her family moved in that I appreciate mostly because it makes Cindy uncomfortable.
There are hit-or-miss moments that make the episode bumpy, but it’s still generally good.
I assume the episode does dive into the issue enough by 90s standards — in one positively chilling way.
Devo gets stopped by security on Cherice’s block while she’s out with Brandon. He’s a young black man who looks out of place on a wealthy street.
He doesn’t get shot by police, just nearly arrested and unnecessarily assaulted by security patrol. It’s unclear whether police are called. The events are reminiscent of the real-life events that led to the death of Trayvon Martin and so many other black young men.
It’s really upsetting and makes me wish that neighborhood watches all over the country would be abolished.
Judging from similar episodes of TV in more recent years, life has either gotten more dangerous for black people when they encounter cops or remained the same as it always was.
Today, TV probably just dives into the consequences more deeply starting with admitting that the opposition black people often face are sometimes actual police officers.
It seems like such a simple concept, judging people by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin as Dr. King hoped for us.
The fact of the matter right now and when “Ashes To Ashes” aired is that it’s not. So, Beverly Hills, 90210 does need to be commended for daring to tell even wholesome Brandon Walsh that he is racially biased.
When Robbie confronts Brandon about it chasing the story Robbie asked him not to he says,
“…You use every opportunity you can find to make me painfully aware that when you look at me, you don’t see the new kid on the block — you see the new black kid on the block. And I hate to tell you this, but in my eyes, that doesn’t make you a whole hell of a lot different than those dudes in the security patrol.”
When Brandon vents about it, Brenda rightfully points out that if he didn’t think there was some truth to what Robbie said, he wouldn’t be so mad about it.
She’s right, of course. But to this day, conversations about race are so difficult to have because people aren’t able to admit the truth about their feelings and behavior.
As a journalist, I can’t deny that Brandon is chasing a real story. It’s still very troubling to me that Brandon continues chasing even after Robbie confronts him.
Even though everything ends well and Brandon, of course, publishes a piece with Robbie’s blessing, photographs and a few eloquent words about treating the human race as individuals — he initially ignores what Robbie and Brenda are trying to teach him.
If Robbie’s friendship mattered to Brandon, I’m inclined to say he would’ve killed the story completely before going to find Devo.
As is often the case, a real-life realistic choice wouldn’t make the best TV so the fact that the episode wraps up in a bow with a great story for The Blaze isn’t surprising.
Positive progress in fictional Beverly Hills isn’t a bad thing. Positive progress is never bad by definition. So, watching this episode is important, no matter its faults.
Plus, it’s essential viewing if you love a sassy Cindy Walsh standing up for what’s right and being the best neighbor on the block. I just wish The Ashes didn’t disappear as fast as they arrived there.
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: Ashes To Ashes (Season 2 Episode 9)”
Gen-Xer here. I overwhelmingly agree with your assessment of this episode. I just stopped by to point out (in case you weren’t aware of the timing) that the movie Jungle Fever was in theaters at the time this episode aired.
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