Season 7 something was missing with Dylan being gone

[hawkeye123]

I am watching 90210 season 7. And something was definitely missing with Dylan being gone. It's still really good. But it's a pretty noticeable difference. What did you all think? I am just thankful he wasn't gone too long.

[Buffyboy323]

I'm one of those fans who wasn't bothered by Dylan McKay not being on for a few seasons. We needed a break from that character, in my opinion. Dylan had been through so much depression, drama, and heartache. He deserved better. The way he was written out in season six was memorable and epic. They wrote it so that he was at his absolute happiest with Toni, only to yank the rug out from underneath him (and all us fans). The scene when she's killed and he's screaming in the parking lot was very well done. Dylan deserved a fresh start, far away from Beverly Hills.

Also, I think by season 6, there wasn't much of a place for him anymore. Brenda was gone, Kelly was distracted by Colin and coke, Brandon was busy with Susan and the college paper (and lingering feelings for Kel), Valerie and him were old news by then. Dylan didn't have ties to a lot of stortylines anymore, without Kelly and the Walsh family.

Even though one of 90210's most popular characters left, the show managed to trek on with storylines and episodes as great as ever during seasons 6 and 7. The cast was strong enough to overcome the loss of both Brenda AND Dylan.

[hawkeye123]

Originally Posted by Buffyboy323

I'm one of those fans who wasn't bothered by Dylan McKay not being on for a few seasons. We needed a break from that character, in my opinion. Dylan had been through so much depression, drama, and heartache. He deserved better. The way he was written out in season six was memorable and epic. They wrote it so that he was at his absolute happiest with Toni, only to yank the rug out from underneath him (and all us fans). The scene when she's killed and he's screaming in the parking lot was very well done. Dylan deserved a fresh start, far away from Beverly Hills.

Also, I think by season 6, there wasn't much of a place for him anymore. Brenda was gone, Kelly was distracted by Colin and coke, Brandon was busy with Susan and the college paper (and lingering feelings for Kel), Valerie and him were old news by then. Dylan didn't have ties to a lot of stortylines anymore, without Kelly and the Walsh family.

Even though one of 90210's most popular characters left, the show managed to trek on with storylines and episodes as great as ever during seasons 6 and 7. The cast was strong enough to overcome the loss of both Brenda AND Dylan.

I'm going to have to disagree. In my opinion Dylan was the star of 90210. And his character was greatly missed. I do agree the way they had him leave. They did it well and, I do agree that it was time for him to have some good in his life for once. I think there was a lot of place for Dylan in story lines. He could have been the guy that slapped Colin around. If Dylan was around Kelly never would have been doing coke.

Also there was still plenty of room for Brandon and Dylan to interact. Not to mention Dylan interacted well with the entire cast, Steve, David, Donna, and Val Everyone. Not just Brandon, Brenda, Kelly and, the Walsh family.

To me 90210 became great again when Dylan reappeared. Season 10 ranks up there with any 90210 season. I loved the final season. Yes, I skipped ahead. I'm going to watch 9 after 7 and I’m still waiting for 8 lol


Don't get me wrong though. I am still a fan of season 7. I'm on the final disc now.

[Buffyboy323]

Originally Posted by hawkeye123

I'm going to have to disagree. In my opinion Dylan was the star of 90210. And his character was greatly missed. I do agree the way they had him leave. They did it well and, I do agree that it was time for him to have some good in his life for once. I think there was a lot of place for Dylan in story lines. He could have been the guy that slapped Colin around. If Dylan was around Kelly never would have been doing coke.

Also there was still plenty of room for Brandon and Dylan to interact. Not to mention Dylan interacted well with the entire cast, Steve, David, Donna, and Val Everyone. Not just Brandon, Brenda, Kelly and, the Walsh family.

To me 90210 became great again when Dylan reappeared. Season 10 ranks up there with any 90210 season. I loved the final season. Yes, I skipped ahead. I'm going to watch 9 after 7 and I’m still waiting for 8 lol


Don't get me wrong though. I am still a fan of season 7. I'm on the final disc now.

I agree that Dylan interacted (and loved) all the main characters, but I feel he was very centric with the Walsh's and Kelly - especially [Kelly] when he returns in season 9. He was heavily focused and in love with Toni in early season 6, and was barely hanging out with any of the gang. Also, it had to be Brandon that helped her out of the drug problem. That's what the show was and where it was going during that time. Brandon and Kelly were the core couple.

I have nothing against the guy, and he definitely added a lot to the show, but I was relieved when Dylan left because that meant he wouldn't be involved with Brandon/Kelly anymore. Season 7 seemed more light-hearted than the previous year. I'm afraid if Dylan stuck around, the writers would have come up with yet another depressing arc for him. The character of Toni was created as a plot device to write Luke Perry out. If he never left the show, I can't imagine what they would have done to him in season 6. How could they possibly top his fall from the wagon in season 5!? He hit rock bottom and the character needed a break. I loved that he returned to the show for the last two years though. His 'missing' two years added a new, fresh backstory to the character. And no more Brandon, so of course we needed Dylan back!

You should wait and watch season 8, instead of jumping to season 9. Watch the stories unfold in order! lol. Season 8 took a dip in quality, and the show was showing it's age. Season 9 was an improvement under a new showrunner though. Season 10 was the best since season 7.

[hawkeye123]

Originally Posted by Buffyboy323

I agree that Dylan interacted (and loved) all the main characters, but I feel he was very centric with the Walsh's and Kelly - especially [Kelly] when he returns in season 9. He was heavily focused and in love with Toni in early season 6, and was barely hanging out with any of the gang. Also, it had to be Brandon that helped her out of the drug problem. That's what the show was and where it was going during that time. Brandon and Kelly were the core couple.

I have nothing against the guy, and he definitely added a lot to the show, but I was relieved when Dylan left because that meant he wouldn't be involved with Brandon/Kelly anymore. Season 7 seemed more light-hearted than the previous year. I'm afraid if Dylan stuck around, the writers would have come up with yet another depressing arc for him. The character of Toni was created as a plot device to write Luke Perry out. If he never left the show, I can't imagine what they would have done to him in season 6. How could they possibly top his fall from the wagon in season 5!? He hit rock bottom and the character needed a break. I loved that he returned to the show for the last two years though. His 'missing' two years added a new, fresh backstory to the character. And no more Brandon, so of course we needed Dylan back!

You should wait and watch season 8, instead of jumping to season 9. Watch the stories unfold in order! lol. Season 8 took a dip in quality, and the show was showing it's age. Season 9 was an improvement under a new showrunner though. Season 10 was the best since season 7.

Yeah, like I said before I liked the show a lot better with Dylan. It was really kind of boring without him IMO. It didn't have to be that way. Brandon and Dylan could have both helped her since they we're both in love with her. He still hung out with the gang when he was with Toni. And even if he wasn't as much there was no reason that they couldn't just have started having them hang out more again. Also the whole thing with Kelly Brandon and Dylan added a lot to the show in itself.

When Dylan left I was disappointed. It took the whole edge away from the show. They could have done anything with Luke Perry he is a great actor. I was never once bored with him. But I was when he was gone.

I can tell you exactly what I would of done. I would of brought back Brenda and, the Walsh’s. Dylan and Brenda would have been together. That would have made things even more interesting. Besides then it could have ended with Dylan and Brenda and Brandon and Kelly. I agree with you 10 was one of my favorite , but 7 no I just wasn’t a huge fan.

[Buffyboy323]

Originally Posted by hawkeye123

I can tell you exactly what I would of done. I would of brought back Brenda and, the Walsh’s. Dylan and Brenda would have been together. That would have made things even more interesting. Besides then it could have ended with Dylan and Brenda and Brandon and Kelly. I agree with you 10 was one of my favorite , but 7 no I just wasn’t a huge fan.

I always found it amusing that she left Beverly Hills to go for acting lessons in London.

Season 7 was one of my favorites. David's brush with mental illness was a tough and touching storyline. Donna's stalker and the build-up and conclusion with her being held hostage at the TV station was both intense and laughably campy. What was that hideous haircut though? One of the all time worst hair disasters on the show. And of course, after 7 years and 208 episodes, Donna Martin finally lossed her virginity in the season finale!!

Brandon dating Tracy wasn't too bad. Val was having a tough time making ends meet at the After Dark. She was also sleeping with married Kenny, her mom visited and we learned more about why she's so screwed up, as well as more on her relationship with her father. Val also attempted to become friends with her long-time nemesis, Kelly, but the two girls seem to be more prone to fighting than being friends.

Steve and Clare were around. I've always liked her, she didn't deal with crap from any of them. But in season 7, she went from being a fun, sarcastic character to a whiner over Steve Sanders. The constant bickering got old and it felt right that she bowed out during the season finale.

Then there's Kelly Taylor. A little bitchy, but lovely as ever, IMO. Almost too often, Kelly found herself in these dramatic, larger than life situations, especially during the previous two years. The writers seemed to finally give the woman a break. Becoming friends with the guy with HIV was a good Storyline for her. It showed her to be less shallow. And she revisited her past all year long by struggling with lingering feelings for Brandon.

The college graduation episode was highly satisfying. All the characters came full circle, at the same time we're left wondering what's next.

[hawkeye123]

Originally Posted by Buffyboy323

I always found it amusing that she left Beverly Hills to go for acting lessons in London.

Season 7 was one of my favorites. David's brush with mental illness was a tough and touching storyline. Donna's stalker and the build-up and conclusion with her being held hostage at the TV station was both intense and laughably campy. What was that hideous haircut though? One of the all time worst hair disasters on the show. And of course, after 7 years and 208 episodes, Donna Martin finally lossed her virginity in the season finale!!

Brandon dating Tracy wasn't too bad. Val was having a tough time making ends meet at the After Dark. She was also sleeping with married Kenny, her mom visited and we learned more about why she's so screwed up, as well as more on her relationship with her father. Val also attempted to become friends with her long-time nemesis, Kelly, but the two girls seem to be more prone to fighting than being friends.

Steve and Clare were around. I've always liked her, she didn't deal with crap from any of them. But in season 7, she went from being a fun, sarcastic character to a whiner over Steve Sanders. The constant bickering got old and it felt right that she bowed out during the season finale.

Then there's Kelly Taylor. A little bitchy, but lovely as ever, IMO. Almost too often, Kelly found herself in these dramatic, larger than life situations, especially during the previous two years. The writers seemed to finally give the woman a break. Becoming friends with the guy with HIV was a good Storyline for her. It showed her to be less shallow. And she revisited her past all year long by struggling with lingering feelings for Brandon.

The college graduation episode was highly satisfying. All the characters came full circle, at the same time we're left wondering what's next.

That is cool, I am glad you enjoyed it. I thought it was alright. But that was about it. I like Claire too though. She is pretty cool and, what happened to Val really did explain a lot about why she's so messed up. One thing I did notice about season 7. It seemed like they let Donna start standing up for herself more which was cool.

[mets82]

I've always thought that when Brenda left, the show lost something. I don't know what but I think it did. The group broke up. I think after Dylan left, the show was fine but not as good as the high school days. You have to remember the show was still good considering Brenda, Andrea, The Walshes and Dylan all left within 2 yrs. Thats a lot of people.

I still think the best character post-Dylan was Valerie. I would date her in a heartbeat. Not only is she good looking and pretty but she was smart by running the After Dark. Claire was a cool character and then she became whiny just like Kelly and Donna. They were all kind of whiny and Kelly was kind of bitchy the past couple of years.

I do think people have a point if they say when Dylan left the show lost something. I think if Dylan left, yet Brenda, The Walshes and Andrea was still on there, I don't think it would have made that much difference.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by mets82

I've always thought that when Brenda left, the show lost something. I don't know what but I think it did. The group broke up. I think after Dylan left, the show was fine but not as good as the high school days. You have to remember the show was still good considering Brenda, Andrea, The Walshes and Dylan all left within 2 yrs. Thats a lot of people.

I still think the best character post-Dylan was Valerie. I would date her in a heartbeat. Not only is she good looking and pretty but she was smart by running the After Dark. Claire was a cool character and then she became whiny just like Kelly and Donna. They were all kind of whiny and Kelly was kind of bitchy the past couple of years.

I do think people have a point if they say when Dylan left the show lost something. I think if Dylan left, yet Brenda, The Walshes and Andrea was still on there, I don't think it would have made that much difference.

Yea I agree. The best years were the Brenda years. I stopped watching after Dylan left. The show wasn't the same and I didn't care much for many of the new characters.

[hawkeye123]

I agree the best years we're when the whole original group was still together. But it was still a good show even after Brenda Dylan and the Walsh's left. That being said it did lose something. If you never saw Dylan’s return you really need to watch those seasons especially 10. I would rank season 10 with any season. It was very well done.

[hawkeye123]

Fav characters

1. Dylan
2. Brenda
3. Brandon
4. Steve
5. Kelly
6. Valerie
7. David
8. Donna
9. Jim
10. Claire

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by hawkeye123

I agree the best years we're when the whole original group was still together. But it was still a good show even after Brenda Dylan and the Walsh's left. That being said it did lose something. If you never saw Dylan’s return you really need to watch those seasons especially 10. I would rank season 10 with any season. It was very well done.

I saw a couple of the later shows but it wasn't the same. I did watch the show where he came back and the one where he found out his Dad was alive. I of course watched the final episode.

[mets82]

Originally Posted by hawkeye123

Fav characters

1. Dylan
2. Brenda
3. Brandon
4. Steve
5. Kelly
6. Valerie
7. David
8. Donna
9. Jim
10. Claire

My favorite characters

1. Brandon
2. Valerie
3. Jim
4. Steve
5. David
6. Tracy
7. Dylan
8. Noah
9. Nat
10. Andrea

[bliss]

Brenda was my favorite.

[hawkeye123]

Originally Posted by bliss

Brenda was my favorite.

Great choice one of my favorite too.