Beverly Hills, 90210

10 Best Episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210 - Season 5

Follow the lives of a group of teenagers living in the upscale, star-studded community of Beverly Hills, California and attending the fictitious West Beverly Hills High School and, subsequently, the fictitious California University after graduation.

Written by Sophie and last updated on jan 06, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Beverly Hills, 90210 - S5E17

#15 - Sweating It Out (Season 5 - Episode 17)

Dylan asks Brandon to join him on a motorcycle road trip before he begins his probation and loses his driver's license. They constantly argue about Kelly and nearly call off the trip. They are caught going to the bathroom on a Native American burial ground, and must make amends by digging a hole for a special ceremony. The Native American sheriff invites Brandon and Dylan to join him in a sweat lodge, where they learn valuable lessons. Jonesy calls Dylan and tells him that he has found Kevin and Suzanne. Kelly and Valerie attend a psychology seminar conducted by Professor Patrick Finley. Val laughs off the philosophies and decides to leave. Kelly takes the professor's words to heart because of her experience with the fire. Steve is still bitter about being cut out of the Peach Pit After Dark. Rush apologizes for being insensitive to his feelings. Donna turns to Vince Lombardi for inspiration to help Ray overcome his stage fright. Valerie develops an interest in Ray. Music: 'Runaway' by Del Shannon, 'Turn the Beat Around' by Gloria Estefan, 'I Know the Game' by Jamie Walters.

The episode was rated 7.72 from 39 votes.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - S5E21

#14 - Stormy Weather (Season 5 - Episode 21)

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Dylan feigns an interest in Professor Finley's teachings in order to infiltrate the operation. He and Kelly get carried away and kiss after attending a wedding. Dylan discovers that Finley arranges romantic pairings to secure wealthy benefactors. He promises to donate all of his money if Finley can convince Kelly to take him back. Kelly tries to seduce Dylan, but refuses to believe his allegations about Finley. Brandon brings in one of Finley's former lieutenants to convince Kelly that the evolution is a fraud. Kelly leaves the group and reunites with Brandon, leaving Dylan heartbroken. Ray ends his fling with Valerie, although she doesn't seem to get the message. Andrea takes a researcher position at the hospital and spends most of her time fooling around with Peter. Music: 'Hold On' by Wilson Phillips (#1, 1990); 'House of Love' by Amy Grant and Vince Gill (#37, 1995).

The episode was rated 7.73 from 37 votes.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - S5E3

#13 - A Clean Slate (Season 5 - Episode 3)

Brandon must make a speech at the campus debates when Josh fails to show because of car trouble. He is such a success that the duo's campaign takes off. Alex Diaz, a student senator and manager of another campaign, tries to force them out of the race by threatening to expose an unpublished article in which Josh accused Brandon of taking tests for D'Shawn. Andrea fears that Brandon no longer values her opinion, but her advice proves crucial. D'Shawn defends Brandon's character at a Senate meeting. As they await the results from the Peach Pit, a nervous Josh decides to go for a ride. He crashes his car into a delivery truck and dies, as Brandon looks on in horror. Kelly tells Brandon that they won the election. Valerie digs for info on Dylan and begins hanging around the pool hall. After sleeping with Val, Dylan is stunned to learn that she lives at the Walsh house. Clare moves in with Kelly and Donna, who must find a way to curb her snoring. Music: 'Baby What You Want Me to Do' by Jimmy Reed, 'Low Rider' by War, 'I Just Want To Celebrate' by Rare Earth, 'Sleepwalk' by Santo and Johnny.

The episode was rated 7.75 from 44 votes.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - S5E28

#12 - Girls on the Side (Season 5 - Episode 28)

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Kelly becomes depressed after making the cover of Seventeen, as she fears that she will never regain her past looks. Steve and Jackie try to convince her to continue her modeling career. Kelly has a chance meeting with Allison's girlfriend Dana, who gives her the brush-off. Kelly tries to visit Allison at the burn center, but she refuses to see her. Kelly talks to Dana's new girlfriend, who reveals that Allison dumped Dana because she is in love with Kelly. Allison calls Kelly and asks to see her after she is released from the hospital. Ray returns to town, and LuAnn gets drunk before his first performance. David and Clare take her home, and she babbles about Ray's affair with Valerie. David and Clare confront them, but decide not to tell Donna. Charley grows tired of seeing Dylan moon over Kelly; he encourages him to make a move. Jesse is offered a clerkship in Boise. Andrea offers her support, although she is less than thrilled by the move. Jesse turns down the offer because he doesn't want to force Andrea to give up her dreams of medical school. Music: 'Six Days on the Road' by Dave Dudley, 'In the Midnight Hour' by Wilson Pickett, 'One Night In Heaven' by M People.

The episode was rated 7.77 from 35 votes.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - S5E32

#11 - P.S. I Love You (Part 2) (Season 5 - Episode 32)

David tells Brandon about Kelly and Allison, and Brandon humiliates Kelly with his drunken ramblings. Brandon plans to give in to Valerie. The police pull over Brandon and arrest him when a joint is found in Val's car. He is released, but rejects Valerie. He clears the air with Kelly before heading home, and refuses another reconciliation attempt. After learning that Tom Rose knew his father, Dylan tries to contact Christine. Rose traces the call and takes Dylan up in a tram car, where his goons hold him over the edge. He says that he knows the identity of Jack's killer, but the information would cost Dylan his life. Dylan and Brandon end up sharing a bus ride home. Dylan plots to track down and kill his father's murderer. Brandon learns that the house has been sold, and he must move in two weeks. He and Valerie end up making out. Ray becomes physical with Donna during an argument and knocks her down the stairs. She suffers an arm injury, and is unnerved when her mother suddenly gives Ray her approval. Valerie tells Donna that she saw Ray push her, but Donna denies it and lashes out at Val. Steve discovers that his goddess is a man.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 23 votes.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - S5E4

#10 - Life After Death (Season 5 - Episode 4)

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Brandon has difficulty coming to grips with Josh's death. Kelly tries to support him, but fears that they are drifting apart. Alex tells Brandon that he is contesting his presidency. Brandon doesn't even want the job, but decides to fight for it after Josh's sister shows him a letter in which Josh spoke highly of Brandon and his ideals. Brandon gets Steve out of a jam when the cops break up a party at the KEG house. Clare takes a liking to David, unaware of his history with Donna. Donna objects when Felice sets her up with a friend's son, until he turns out to be the handsome and charming guy she had just met at a party. Donna declares that she is over David and agrees to help Clare and him with a video project. Valerie continues to spend her days with Steve and her nights with Dylan. Music: 'All I Wanna Do' by Sheryl Crow (#2, 1994), 'Anything' by Culture Beat.

The episode was rated 7.80 from 41 votes.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - S5E26

#9 - A Song for My Mother (Season 5 - Episode 26)

Ray is unhappy that David has come to Portland. David panics when he discovers that his mother was fired, no longer lives at her last known address, and hasn't cashed her alimony checks for months. He turns to Donna for help, and Ray behaves like a total jerk. David and Donna cannot find Sheila at any of her favorite hangouts and learn that she was recently arrested. Donna misses Ray's concert; he explodes and shoves her against a wall in their hotel room. He later feels guilty and loans David his truck. Mel flies in from Los Angeles and tells David that Sheila has a long history of mental illness. They receive a tip that she is living on the streets and take her to the hospital. David realizes that Donna is happy with Ray and decides to back off. Dylan explores hypnotherapy in the hopes of understanding the main character in Charley's script. Valerie gets a tattoo.Music: 'Fever' by Peggy Lee (#8, 1958); 'Why' / 'The Comfort of Strangers' performed by Jamie Walters.

The episode was rated 7.81 from 31 votes.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - S5E25

#8 - Double Jeopardy (Season 5 - Episode 25)

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Jesse moves in with a reluctant Dylan and gets on his nerves. Valerie, unaware of Jesse's presence, drops by Dylan's house while babysitting Hannah. Jesse jumps to conclusions and assumes that Andrea is with Peter. Brandon and Clare become very competitive as they vie for a spot on College Jeopardy! Kelly invites Andrea to crash the duo's grudge match, and she wins easily. Andrea is shaken when Val tells her that Jesse was discussing the possibility of divorce. Brandon and Clare convince her to take her mind off things by trying out for Jeopardy! Dylan urges Jesse to stop being so defensive, and Jesse goes to the television studio with Hannah to ask Andrea for another chance. Andrea appears on the show and wins, and she and Jesse get back together. Donna has trouble getting in touch with Ray while he is on the road. Mel's reconciliation with Jackie gives David new hope of winning back Donna. When he learns that Donna is going to spend spring break in Portland with Ray, he decides to tag along to visit his mother. Music: 'Tracks of My Tears' by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.

The episode was rated 7.81 from 37 votes.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - S5E7

#7 - Who's Zoomin' Who? (Season 5 - Episode 7)

The fire marshal shuts down the Peach Pit After Dark for violating capacity. Steve tries to talk Dylan and Nat into buying out the carpet store next door and converting it into a club. Valerie tells the Walshes about Dylan's financial problems, but he angrily refuses Jim's assistance. Steve and David go to Dylan's house in the morning to discuss business, and find a half-naked Valerie. Steve punches Dylan in the face. Kelly objects when Jackie signs up Erin and herself for a mother-daughter photo shoot. Cindy reminds Kelly that her mother is much more responsible than she was during her modeling days. Kelly admits that she is hurt that she wasn't asked to join them, and Jackie confesses that she feared being mistaken for a grandmother. David handcuffs himself to Clare's bed, unaware that she does not have the key. They must think fast when Clare's father pays a surprise visit. Griffin surprises Donna by whisking her away to Catalina, but she is offended when he assumes she will stay the night. Donna tries to make amends with Ray, who was hurt when she broke their date. Music: 'Movin' on Up' by M People, 'And the Beat Goes On' by Sonny and Cher, 'Hold On' by Jamie Walters, 'Rainy Night in Georgia' by Ray Charles.

The episode was rated 7.82 from 44 votes.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - S5E14

#6 - Injustice for All (Season 5 - Episode 14)

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Kelly suffers burns on her wrist, ear, and the side of her neck. Allison's injuries are much more severe, but she maintains a positive attitude. Brandon is wracked with guilt because of his feelings for Emily. Kelly does not react well when she learns that Emily is still in town. She calls Dylan to discuss her insecurities, and Brandon visits him in search of advice. Kelly believes that Brandon is only staying with her out of guilt, but Emily eases her mind when she reveals that he expressed his love for Kelly before the fire. Griffin's father hires an accomplished attorney to keep Steve and Griffin out of jail. They receive probation and community service, and are forbidden from operating dance clubs or parties for two years. Steve is furious to learn of this provision, especially after he discovers that Griffin stole the keys to the house, rather than obtaining permission to use it for the rave. He physically attacks Griffin and orders him to leave the fraternity. Ray's perpetual bad mood confuses Donna. He explains that his mother always begins drinking around the holidays, as his father left her on Christmas--after pushing her down the stairs and causing her to have a miscarriage. Andrea and Jesse throw a party for Hannah's first Hanukkah. Jesse obtains work as an attorney for those who cannot afford representation. He is frustrated by the treatment of a single father, whose kids are taken away when a babysitter neglects them. Dylan comes home from rehab and is greeted by a letter from a stranger who found Erica's bathroom note pleading for his help. Music: 'You Gotta Be' by Des'ree, 'People Got to Be Free' by the Rascals.

The episode was rated 7.84 from 37 votes.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - S5E5

#5 - Rave On (Season 5 - Episode 5)

Kelly smells marijuana in Valerie's room, but Brandon asks her to give Val the benefit of the doubt. Steve convinces Nat and Dylan to let him organize a two-night rave at the Peach Pit. Valerie catches Dylan pocketing some of the evening's proceeds. Kelly finds Valerie making out with Dylan in a back room. When she tries to tell Steve, a halo wearing Valerie claims that Dylan came on to her. Dylan confesses to Val that his money was stolen. While making a video wth Clare, Donna meets Ray Pruitt, a construction worker with musical aspirations. She invites him to the Peach Pit and dances with him, much to Griffin's chagrin. The Walshes babysit Hannah so that Andrea can attend the rave. She tries to surprise Jesse at work, and finds him flirting with female bar patrons. Disgruntled, and unsure of her marriage, Andrea flees. Music: 'Pretend We're Dead' by L7, 'All I Have to Do Is Dream' by the Everly Brothers, 'What Can You Do for Me?' by Utah Saints, 'Hold On' performed by Jamie Walters, 'Give it Up' by the Goodmen, 'Make It Right' by Lisa Stansfield.

The episode was rated 7.91 from 44 votes.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - S5E18

#4 - Hazardous to Your Health (Season 5 - Episode 18)

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Dylan flies to Mexico, where Kevin and Suzanne have recently re-located their smuggling business. Jonesy's female partner has abandoned him, so Dylan enlists Valerie's help. She flirts with Kevin and tricks him into revealing the location of the couple's bank account. Jonesy wires the money into an FBI account. He wants to leave, and is furious when Dylan insists on rescuing Erica. He and Val are caught in the act, but Jonesy returns with the cops and saves them. The university denies tenure to Professor Finley, sending his followers into an uproar. Brandon tries to defuse the situation, and learns from Dean Whitmore that parents have accused Finley of trying to ""convert"" students. Finley lashes out at Brandon, creating a rift between Kelly and him. Music: 'Sherry' by the Four Seasons (#1, 1962); 'I Know the Game' by Jamie Walters.

The episode was rated 7.95 from 40 votes.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - S5E15

#3 - Christmas Comes This Time Each Year (Season 5 - Episode 15)

Jim and Cindy fly to London to spend Christmas with Brenda. Brandon stays in town with Kelly, who is reluctant to reveal her scars to him. Felice offers Ray $10,000 to stay away from Donna forever. Donna is mortified when Felice reveals that he accepted the check, but it turns out he only took it as evidence of her mother's scheming. Ray and Donna use the money to send LuAnn on a cruise, as this has always been her dream. Dylan seeks the FBI's help in tracking down Kevin and Suzanne in Brazil. Christine tells him that the agency is too busy to assist him. She puts him in touch with a strange man named Jonesy, who will help him out in exchange for half of the money. Andrea and Jesse quarrel when Hannah does not enjoy her first Christmas. He claims that Andrea is to blame for her crying, ignoring the fact that Hannah is six months old and teething. The gang saves the day when it arrives dressed as Santa's and elves, and Dylan meets Hannah for the first time. David feels slighted when Clare fails to tell her father the truth about their relationship. Music: 'Please Come Home for Christmas' by Jon Bon Jovi, 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' by Brenda Lee.

The episode was rated 7.95 from 43 votes.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - S5E8

#2 - Things That Go Bang in the Night (Season 5 - Episode 8)

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Val wants to move back to Buffalo, but her mother has checked into a mental facility and cannot care for her. Brandon explains Valerie's situation to Steve and asks him to give her another chance. A pool hall acquaintance supplies Dylan with drugs. Brandon behaves coldly toward Valerie after she skips a party to go to Dylan's house. She reveals the gravity of Dylan's situation and pleads with Brandon for help. Dylan finds his gun and points it at brats who vandalize his house on Halloween. He shoots up his living room. Brandon confiscates Dylan's gun, ignoring his threats of legal action. After Dylan passes out, he stays to watch over him. Ray reacts angrily after seeing Griffin kiss Donna at a Halloween party. Donna finally tells Griffin about Ray; he responds rudely and gets slapped. Ray agrees to respect Donna's decision to remain a virgin. Andrea hesitates to take Hannah to a Día de los Muertos ceremony. She enjoys the experience, but expresses reservations when Jesse's catholic aunt gives Hannah a necklace of the cross. David and Clare camp out in the desert to look for aliens. Music: 'Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)' by Roy Orbison, 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone' by the Temptations, 'Twilight Zone' by Golden Earring.

The episode was rated 8.05 from 42 votes.

Beverly Hills, 90210 - S5E13

#1 - Up in Flames (Season 5 - Episode 13)

Emily flies back from Paris to attend a seminar at La Jolla. She asks Brandon to meet her at the airport, claiming to have just a four-hour layover. She actually has a week until the beginning of her seminar, but Brandon breaks her heart by revealing that he is dating Kelly. When he sees her back to her hotel room, they share a passionate kiss. Steve and Griffin organize a holiday rave at an abandoned house. Valerie helps them out in the hopes of getting back in Steve's good graces. David and Clare accidentally post the notice about the event on a computer bulletin board for lesbians, who constitute most of the guests. The house has very poor wiring and continually blows fuses. Griffin uses too much electricity, and the house catches on fire. Ray rescues Steve and Valerie, who were fooling around in one of the bedrooms. Kelly and a girl named Allison are trapped in a downstairs bathroom with no means of escape. The fire fighters try to reach them as they are engulfed by flames. Music: 'I'm Gonna Get You' by Bizarre Inc., 'Every Day of the Week' by Jade, 'The Comfort of Strangers' by Jamie Walters, 'Incense and Peppermints' by Strawberry Alarm Clock, 'What Your Love Means to Me' by Hi-Five.

The episode was rated 8.05 from 41 votes.

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