MCMLXXVII

I remember the big Tracy moment of finding Kelly's engagement ring and then being told it wasn't for her. Also, what 20 year old holds onto a ring they can't afford for years (now that I know he's making payments on it)? The fuck? I keep receipts for $20 TJ Maxx jewelry in case I have 2nd thoughts.

Yeah, we went to the same school.

Thank you! This always bothered me. Especially when Ginger later returns (granted, to blackmail Val) they would rightfully be like "Sooo...why are you still friends with Thievy McSkank?".

Christ, I hate post-hair band Bon Jovi. I always was a GN'R fan anyway, but ugggh.

It's interesting because it seems like a good number of early models were daughters of the wealthy, and then it became more of a meritocracy by the 80s/90s- resulting in the Golden Age of the Supermodel-and now we're back around to daughters of the wealthy. On the positive side, I think that there's less division/snobbery now between "commercial" and "editorial" modeling. They can do the VS show and walk for Dior or whoever.

Going by the visual aids, I don't think I ever saw this episode, having started college myself that fall. Finally the origins of Colin, Ginger, and Ring-gate.

I only knew of Monika Schnarre as the sorceress on the syndicated "Beastmaster", and found out about her modeling career and 90210 guest spot years later. I loved all those shows! Even got the "Beastmaster" DVDs because loincloth fetish.

I rather like Kelly's hair this episode since it has a bit of a Marilyn Monroe retro vibe, and her makeup looks good, though her outfits (especially that beige floral business) are bad. Steve looks great tanned in the white shirt and blue blazer. They just needed to put him in some decent clothes.

Yeah, but better to just prolong the engagement, you don't figure that out at the friggin altar after having wasted everyone's time and money. The older I get, the more I hate that trope- l buy a dress and a gift, maybe travel, pay for hotel, and then some bullshit? Nah.

I just think high school Dylan wouldn't have been part of "the gang" and best friends with a goody two shoes preppy jock like Brandon. At the beginning of the series when he's friends with those surfers and alcoholic surf Betty, I thought that was more his speed. Like he'd already have his own group of artsy alternative stoner types. He's rich, attractive, and kind of seductive/worldly in a way the other guys weren't, so I can see the appeal. I guess he wanted to clean up his life and hang around better people, but it just seemed an odd choice of friends.

The Y necklaces, The Rachel- we are approaching peak '90s. Yay on the bear shirt, and Clare's floral satin stretch t-shirt in that scene if worn with bell-bottom pants/ jeans.

Not necessarily. David was into hip-hop, though the shirt doesn't really imply that. I guess that's his version of a Kangol hat? The JNCO-style jeans were more of a skater/ rave/ electronica look though. Can't see if those are elephant leg, or just large. Actually those are due to make a comeback any day now that we've had the rest of the early '90s.

I'm catching up on this (currently on season 3) since I got the Showtime app and had started following Ash on FB since a friend posted some sex lessons video of him awhile back, and it finally dawned on me that Vin reminds me of NJ Senator Cory Booker more than Vin Diesel.

Exactly! It would be one thing if he was a virgin too, or asexual, or religious or whatever but this is just weird. He's not even really goldigging per LuAnn's advice. Although it does kind of fit with his controlling abusive personality to date someone he can put on this "Madonna" pedestal (even though he's not really the one controlling Donna's sexuality), and then have Valerie as the "whore". Or maybe Donna sees her virginity as a dating obstacle and should be sooo grateful to have a guy who'll respect that. ?

Yes, but Kelly is Blonde! and "Baywatch" and Hugh Hefner have taught us that that is the most important component of beauty.

I'm trying to decide if wardrobe should get kudos for not eroticising the attempted rape by having Donna the most covered up she's been all season, or if it was a cynical attempt to emphasize her virginity/ "undeservingness" and sidestep the "Look what she was wearing!" slut-shaming convo from Kelly's attempted rape that Halloween.

Maybe I'm extrapolating or misremembering, but I always thought Val's endgame there was to seduce Bill and become Kelly's evil stepmother.

I think Val at this point is a classic case of "low self-esteem"/self-destuctive despite her looks, smarts, and money. First Dylan, now Ray, later Colin, also Kenny (married guy). She has a type: broody, emotionally unavailable or already taken, treats her like trash. Was David the only decent guy she dated?

Was this a Betty Page-inspired decision?

I had a stretch satin t-shirt in some sort of rave-friendly screen-saver looking colorful pattern, and then a thrifted 70s polyester patterned shirt for going out, and a black vest/shirt that laced up the front, with a little panel so you could choose your level of skin showing. My best friend had the Chinese shirt, like a cheongsam, but just to the waist? Claire has worn one on the show. And then the ubiquitous black boot-legged stretch pants worn with the small-platform boots.

JFK Jr.'s George magazine had its first issue in September 1995, and he and Carolyn Bessette were a huge deal as a young trendy possible future political couple, but also very much part of the entertainment and fashion worlds.

This show has partly inspired me to 90s fashion Pinterest, and yes those satin shirts are totally Tom Ford's iconic Gucci collection of that year. I'm looking forward to the return of that look, though Kelly manages to make it look as unsexy as possible with that vest.

I layered two long vintage nightgowns, and wore an also vintage sheer blouse over it to Houseparties (college spring formal) in '96. I think designers thought 90s boobs were either heroin-chic small, or Pam Anderson fake and would stay up on their own. My top heavy friend was always annoyed that she couldn't wear the string/ handkerchief crop tops. Speaking of which, do any of the girls get a navel piercing? That was a huge trend at the time. I was the only one in my friend group that didn't have a navel, nose, or eyebrow ring.

Seriously, though. Granted, even if Dylan did plan to raise Erica himself, he's a 19/20 year old who just got out of rehab a month ago, and CPS would be all over him. Conveniently, no one on the show has grandparents/ extended family except for storyline purposes or Suzanne's family would be more likely to step in.