Beverly Hills, 90210 Re-Watch: The Big Hurt (Season 6 Episode 28)
It’s painful to admit, but Tara is one of the most memorable recurring characters on Beverly Hills, 90210. So, we have to examine her exit episode, Beverly Hills, 90210 Season 6 Episode 28, “The Big Hurt.”
This is one of the episodes that is not available on Hulu, and that might be because it depicts a suicide attempt, even though it’s an extremely poor attempt at drama.
Beverly Hills, 90210‘s representation of serious topics rarely holds up at all, ever. “The Big Hurt” is no exception.
Someone calls Tara crazy at least once, which is uncool. But at least she gets the help she needs in the end.
Plus, there is something still relevant about the “random friend you meet at a facility taking advantage of you.” All American is telling the story so much better, but I’m getting extreme “Tara” vibes from Layla’s friend Carrie.
I’m worried for Layla right now, as I worry for Kelly on “The Big Hurt,” though her escape from the car and the carbon monoxide is anticlimactic.
Tara’s final bow is the big focus, but there is another storyline that prompts a far more compelling and nuanced conversation.
Joe is uncomfortable with Donna’s sexiness in the music video she produces with David.
His controlling nature is obviously infuriating, but it makes me so sad that she just accepts the comments Joe makes about her being a sex object without standing up for herself too much. Beverly Hills, 90210 dates itself so much here.
Society makes women into “sex objects” and then shames us for owning our sexuality. We cannot win at all. This is still true in 2021, but Donna might have had a badass speech telling Joe where to go earlier on the episode.
Ray’s behavior toward Donna is physically abusive, but Joe’s borderlines on psychologically abusive for a little bit. He is so lucky he maturely and eloquently apologizes to his girlfriend at the end of the episode.
He does not control her life. He never will, and if she wants to star in a music video she is producing with her future husband and the love of her life, that is her prerogative.
There is nothing wrong with Donna doing what she has to do to move forward in her career. At times, Donna’s meekness is annoying, but it is of the time.
Colin does not deserve any attention, but I must say that no matter what happens in the future, Steve’s infatuation with Claire’s royal friend provides much-needed levity.
It is so in character for Steve to be obsessed with a prince who can give him royal cufflinks. We won’t be watching the end of this storyline, but the vibe I’m getting is that the prince definitely wants to steal Claire away from Steve. Poor, poor Steve.
The mark of a good Beverly Hills, 90210 episode is hardly ever if it “holds up.” It almost never will. But if there is natural tension in at least part of the episode and a social issue to shed light on, that’s success enough for me.
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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.