Beverly Hills, 90210 Re-Watch: Remember the Alamo (Season 7 Episode 1)
It’s not a bottle episode, but Beverly Hills, 90210 Season 7 Episode 1, “Remember the Alamo,” really should be. Brandon and Mariah’s fateful meeting is the only storyline truly worth talking about.
It’s a very antiquated, ’90s approach to anti-racism, but there is an anti-racist message nonetheless.
Beverly Hills, 90210 displays some depth by letting us spend time with Brandon in Texas away from the shallow waters of Beverly Hills. Plus, Mariah is one of the most intriguing characters in its history.
Her fascination with angles is compelling and gives her some depth, which is more than can be said for most of the characters back home. I’m glad we eventually meet her again.
Mariah is brave to quit her job, but it’s totally believable that she reaches her breaking point. Her boss is white fragility personified. It is grating to see Mariah standing up for herself basically being called “anger” — but there is a point to it.
The phrase “white fragility” was not on society’s radar in 1996 when this episode aired. So, there is no way Beverly Hills, 90210 would make old, white lady librarian face real consequences for her racism.
Nor would the idiot white mechanics feel any real consequences for their bigotry.
Watching an interracial kiss is not punishment, it’s actually rather exploitative on Brandon’s part. But Beverly Hills, 90210 means well with this episode and as sad as it is, “meaning well” sometimes taught people things in the mid-90s.
We should also acknowledge that racism as blatant as what Brandon sees in Texas still happens all over the world.
Mariah also does not pull away, so maybe she wants the kiss. I’m just happy that we eventually see her achieving her dreams later in the series.
To be honest, Brandon’s adventure plot might only be impressive because everyone else’s is so juvenile.
Taz, the childish ridiculous rockstar is not as annoying as David is on “Remember the Alamo.”
I’m a Donna and David shipper for life, but he is emotionally abusive to her when they work together on the music videos.
Donna at least stands up for herself and quits. David might eventually emotionally mature, but at times like this one can’t help but wonder: Did he ever deserve her?
By contrast, Claire and Steve misadventure while desperate to see each other is cute. All of the near-misses are obviously very tropey, but it does work.
Steve matures by the end of the series into a reliable partner who is good for more than jokes. But Claire is long gone by that point. They have such good natural chemistry that I’ll always be sad they are not endgame.
When all is said and done, it is Mariah who makes “Remember the Alamo” shine. Beverly Hills, 90210 doesn’t deserve her, but at least it tries. If we consider the year of its original airing, it even succeeds.
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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.