u/Aloha1959

So I definitely remember elements of this episode from back in the day, when I was first experiencing 90210 via syndicated reruns, but this was my first time watching it in almost 30 years.

I'm curious how good or bad of a job people today think they did with the debate surrounding Steve vs Laura.

I think 2 main things make it way easier for the audience to feel ok about not believing Laura; Laura is a one off character we've known for 5 minutes whereas we have spent years with Steve.

And also, star character Kelly, a girl who unfortunately has first hand experience with date rape, goes to bat for Steve.

During the past 20 years or so, society has moved to overcompensate in the other direction and believe the accuser kind of at the drop of a hat, to the point where sometimes I've seen male students sue the school over one sided hearings.

I found it interesting that Andrea was arguing the point that women do have more control over situations than the zero control some characters were describing.

I'm not sure if we are supposed to think Laura's account of the encounter with Steve is a lie, or if it is supposed to be her misremembering it because she had been drinking. Hm.

This makes me think of something I noticed with basically every case of wrongful conviction; It was always someone getting convicted of murder based on eyewitness testimony alone. There was never any physical evidence tying that person to the crime scene, or a murder weapon.

"Take Back the Night"

When Brandon's in the gym talking to Lucinda near the end of the episode, and she makes it clear that he is expected to take DeSean's take home Sociology exam for him.

"Say you'll stop being a baby and start playing your part."

"Meaning run around behind your husband's back and write DeSean's test for him?"

"Well yeah it would make things a hell of a lot easier."

"Sorry I kinda like doing things the hard way."

"...Hey Brandon. You want some advice?"

"No."

ICE COLD. I LOVE IT. TELL THAT JEZEBEL.

Ok I'm just watching through the first 5 seasons on DVD, at a casual pace over the past few years, and I felt compelled to weigh in on this key moment!

I really blame the writing here, because, no matter how sanctimonious and / or entitled Brandon is throughout the show, who the hell is going to literally break a window to get into their friend's house?

Unless it's a true emergency, I would never dream of doing such a thing, and I don't think many other people would either. Hide the anniversary present under your bed, Brandon.

They should have had Brandon find the back door unlocked, and that would make it a lot less ridiculous.

In Brandon's defense, Dylan is too young to legally own a gun, but, regardless, Dylan has to assume you're an enemy and he could come at you with a knife the instant you step through the door. And Brandon knows that Dylan has been on edge lately, because of the car jacking.

They were an unlocked back door away from this being way more reasonable.