90210 Episode Recap: "Okaeri, Donna!"
A familiar face returns to the 90210 when Donna Martin (Tori Spelling) drops by Kelly and Silver's place for a surprise visit. But her stay turns out to be more than just a social call when Donna, now a designer, agrees to create a dress for Oscar-winning Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody (playing herself). Meanwhile, Annie joins her brother on his quest to find his real mother, and Naomi and Liam volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.
This week's episode starts off with Dixon visiting Silver and trying to catch her up on everything - with the conversation closely monitored by Kelly. The last thing Silver needs is something "stimulating" to set her back after getting out of the hospital. And with Silver under Kelly's thumb, everyone else makes plans for their spring break. Dixon convinces Annie to take a road trip to Arizona. Ryan pushes his students to sign up for Habitat for Humanity over break. Ethan signs up, as does Naomi, pouncing at the opportunity once she learns her boytoy Liam is on the list - watch the drool, honey.
Kelly, Silver & Donna
Kelly is about to give Silver her "mood chart" test, and it's clear Silver is at her wits end with Kelly's overbearing ways. <<Doorbell>> Uh-oh. Who can it be? Why, it's Donna Martin! She's graduated to the new 90210. Donna, now a notable designer in Japan, has returned (with her daughter Ruby) to give her half-sister-in-law "a hug." But just as Silver wants to hear about Donna's worldly adventures, Kelly chimes in that its bedtime. Quite the warden.
Donna and Kelly take a ride through the old 'hood, and Kelly asks her about David. Based on her "everything's just peachy-keen" response, it's clear there's big trouble in little Japan. At lunch, Diablo Cody comes over to their table to compliment Donna on her dress. One thing leads to another and Donna agrees to design a dress and style Diablo (who Donna knows as the screenwriter of Teenage Mommy Girl, Juno's title in Japan). Nice hamburger phone, Diablo.
Silver is in awe that Donna met her idol Diablo Cody, but when Donna suggests she come help her style El Diablo, Kelly puts the kibosh on the idea. Needless to say, Silver is not happy - even when Donna tries to smooth things over things between the two.
At the premiere party, Diablo rushes on to the carpet with Donna still futzing with the dress. Kelly and Silver watch this unfold on television, and the two share a laugh for the first time in a long time. They ultimately come to a compromise on Kelly's strict rules. But Silver lucks out when Donna brings Diablo home to meet her.
Later that night, the truth comes out about Donna as she and Kelly have a chat over tea. Donna and David are separated.
Annie & Dixon
Annie and Dixon hit the open road for Arizona to visit water parks, but the whole trip is based on lies. Not only do Annie and Dixon tell their parents they are going to Palm Springs, but Dixon has yet to tell Annie that the real reason for the road trip to Arizona: to find his birth mother. When Annie learns the truth, Dixon reveals he was given the option to be put up for adoption or stay with his mother when he was 8. He chose the route he did because he was so angry at his mom for being "crazy." Now, in light of Silver's mental troubles, all he wants to do is tell her he's sorry.
Annie and Dixon find his mom, but when Dixon catches a glimpse of her having lunch outside, he freezes up. Annie approaches her and introduces herself as Dixon's sister. She apologizes on his behalf for choosing to leave. She invites Annie to sit to discuss her son more and she ends up sharing childhood stories of her son.
Naomi, Liam & Ethan
At the Habitat for Humanity site, Liam uses a big word ("oxymoron"), which throws Naomi for a loop about his feelings toward her. So she turns to Ethan, her ex, to see if he can do some digging and find out if Liam likes her likes her. The two boys don't get along from the start, and the mixed messages continue when Liam grabs Naomi for a kiss when the two are off-camp.
Ethan approaches Liam to score some peyote. It's a no-go until Ethan blackmails him, but under the condition that they have to trip together so Ethan can guide him because this isn't like taking a hit off the bong. Liam agrees, and Ethan drinks his concoction and begins his high as Liam guides. It basically turns into a therapy session when Ethan has a revelation that he's sick of going out of his way to be the good guy.
Liam falls and hurts his ankle, and when asking for help, admits Ethan was never high in the first place because he just gave him herbal tea to mess with him. Right after helping him up, Ethan, sick of always hiding his feelings, knocks Liam out for his jerky joke. Liam tells Ethan hallucinogens aren't all fun, and reveals the story of how he almost cut off his own arm after dropping acid. And by the episode's end, the two become buds after the whole ordeal.
What did you think of Donna's return? Are you hoping she'll stay a while? And do you think the CW will ever relax with not-so-subtle product placement? Discuss!
