Beverly Hills, 90210 Re-Watch: A Night To Remember & Something In The Air (Season 3 Episodes 27 & 28)

Name a more iconic duo of episodes on the series than Beverly Hills, 90210 Season 3 Episodes 27 & 28 “A Night To Remember” and “Something In The Air.”

I daresay you can’t because there is a no more iconic duo. 

These episodes rival any other pairs in the teen drama genre, even. Plus, they aren’t even the final episodes of the season. 

“Something In The Air” is the penultimate episode, but if not for the need for Donna (and everyone else) to graduate on screen it would have served as a wonderful season finale.

There is more than one Donna-related storyline to focus on, here. She is the clear center. Let’s start on the outsides and work our way in. 

These two episodes are the only two I’ll be rewatching for Season 3 and there is probably one big reason for that. Dylan and Brenda have more chemistry in their scene at prom than Kelly and Dylan do throughout the whole rest of the series — no backsies. 

Plus, Brenda says one of the most relatable lines ever to her one true love (fight me). 

She says, “You know I’m almost over you?” 

Of course, the sentiment is relevant to romantic relationships, but it’s really relatable when it comes to friendships and even familial relationships. 

Where there is hurt, there is a healing process to go through. Sometimes it takes us a long time to actually complete that process. 

So, Brenda’s “almost” is really important in that sentence. Her tone is sad when she says it, not cheery. That’s valid too. Sometimes the end of a relationship will just always be sad. 

We may move on and find happiness eventually. But that doesn’t mean we always find a bright ending or a way to co-exist with everyone we move on from. 

Brenda and Dylan do co-exist. But there is no shame in her admission; I think we all need to be honest about our healing processes more often.

Now on to the “dress code” lumped into the senior class negotiations during the protest for Donna. 

It’s pretty ridiculous. There is not much more to say about it, but it’s worth bringing up because students and parents are fighting versions of that today. Sometimes re-watching these episodes is pretty sad when you realize how far we have not come. 

On to our last discussion before the main event, I’m not sure that at this point on the show there is any reason to do a “Brandon and Andrea almost hookup story.” 

It’s not enough of a blemish to change my rating. But, a sweet “coming through for a friend during prom” storyline would’ve worked just fine thanks. 

That said, let’s all hear and appreciate Andrea’s admission that, “…If I don’t do something I might regret soon I’m going to scream.” 

I feel you, girl. But this quote is post Donna getting caught by the school with a few glasses of champagne in her system. So, erm, as relatable as your frustration is — you may want to rethink that. 

Donna, Donna Donna. Where do we start here?

Let’s begin with her almost losing her virginity to David on prom night. That’s more David’s story. 

His eagerness to have sex is totally understandable though a little bit concerning. He cares for her while drunk and obviously has no intention of taking advantage of her in her fragile state. 

But that doesn’t take away from the fact that he does pressure her by getting the hotel room at the beginning of “A Night To Remember.”

It just needs to be said. 

Now on to the unfortunate combination of a tight dress, an empty stomach, a few glasses of champagne, a strict school policy, and bad timing that led to the protest on Donna’s behalf. 

“Donna Martin graduates” is one of my own personal favorite TV quotes because it eventually has two meanings in her life. 

But as for the whole situation that leads to the protest chant, it’s just really well-done television.

There is foreshadowing from the first scene of the prom episode when Donna says she can’t wait to get out of West Beverly.

Sure, it’s totally unbelievable that even a lightweight would have that much trouble holding down two or three glasses of champagne — even on an empty stomach unless she mixed it with medication.

It’s also really hard to believe that no one has the sense to have her sit down in the corner somewhere and just feed her water. 

But I think one of the most interesting subjects that pops up through the whole ordeal is Felice Martin’s character. 

We’ve already discussed how hypocritical and unreasonable Felice is in our rewatch of Beverly Hills, 90210 Season 2 Episode 26 “Things To Do On A Rainy Day.”

It’s been about a whole season, and she seems to have gotten worse. A static character is all fine and good. But Felice is a heartbreaking case because she’s Donna’s mother. 

If there is a motherly, caring bone in her body I haven’t seen it long enough to believe it. 

“Something In The Air” has a particularly enraging scene where Brandon is sticking up for Donna during the protest whilst her own mother is not just resigned — she’s downright angry he’s on her daughter’s side. 

It’s one thing to be upset with your daughter. It’s quite another to make snide sarcastic remarks under your breath while she’s trying to give you a genuine apology. 

At least Donna has her dad. But if the way Felice treats Donna isn’t psychological abuse, it’s damn sure close to it. 

Donna represents thousands (probably millions) of high school seniors at her prom. She’s a mild case of prom night drunkenness. 

Mel Silver does need to take some responsibility here, and he does. But it’s quite ridiculous that he does at the same time. 

If we are going to get into it Brandon is right when he says that the school has a particularly weak argument when you consider that the school has no actual proof that Donna was drunk. 

It’s also quite laughable that she has to go to a drug and alcohol abuse program after having a few glasses of champagne to celebrate a special occasion. 

We could go down this rabbit hole for a few thousand more words. But what is important at the core of this story is that Donna’s whole group of friends — including Dylan — comes together to support her.

Her reputation is mentioned as part of the reason that the whole revolt is possible so a 2019 version of this storyline would have to do a deep dive into privilege to pass as relevant. 

But the bottom line here is that thanks in part to two female members of the school board who use their power to quietly resist nonsense (Ms. Silverman and Ms. Lufrano) Donna Martin graduates and teen drama history is better for that.  

What did you think of this episode of Beverly Hills, 90210? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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