Last week the "90210" cast and crew celebrated their 100th episode. Tonight they marked their midseason finale, which means no new episodes until 2013.
At the start of the episode Riley is talking to Dixon about his holiday gift for Annie. Riley says, "I got her season tickets to the Dodgers. She'll think 'Oh my god, he wants me around all the way through next summer?' I'm about to get lucky." I hate to admit it, but fair point, Riley.
Annie gets Riley a new tablet for Christmas. Hello, product placement! It just keeps getting worse on this show.
Riley finds himself furious when Annie mentions she's applying to a program in Scotland. He confides in Dixon who advises him to be honest with Annie and just share his concerns.
At the close of the episode, Dixon shows Annie he can walk without the braces and shares that his doctor has told him he'll be 100% healthy again. Dixon delivers this news in front of Riley and you can see the wheels turning in Riley's head. In his final scene this hour, Riley calls his doctor to say he is ready to try the experimental spinal surgery.
Also this hour, Dixon tells Megan the truth about the accident. Rather than get upset, she kisses him. I'm not quite sure where this story line is going yet, but my gut is telling me Dixon is going to be sabotaged by her in some way.
Teddy was back this episode and with the encouragement of Shane, demanded to be part of Silver's baby's life. This new request is driving a huge wedge between Silver and Teddy.
Speaking of driving a wedge, Naomi and Max are on the outs. Naomi tries to get Max his job back through Bryce, but she has to get creative. She winds up setting Bryce up with Navid, who discovers that Alec was behind Bryce getting hired and her firing of Max. Naomi confronts Alec and finally puts it all together - he is in love with Max.
Naomi comes home to share the news with Max only to discover he has left for Iceland. I only like the characters of Naomi and Max when they are happy together. I am not interested in them fighting.
I've saved the craziest story for last. Liam gets another note - this time with a photo of the beach where Vanessa fell and a request for $500,000. Annie agrees to give him the money and to come along and video tape the drop off.
Liam gets there before Annie and finds Ashley there waiting for him. She arrests him. Annie then shows up, sees no sign of Liam and when she goes to leave, nearly hits Vanessa with her car. Vanessa says out the window, "Where's my money?" As if she hadn't faked her own death.
Annie and Vanessa go looking for Liam, but he's nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, Ashley jabs a knife into Liam's leg, ties him up, puts duct tape over his mouth and makes him watch the camera from inside his house. Creepy!
In previews for the next episode, Ashley reveals herself as Liam's biggest fan and she shoots someone. All aboard the crazy train!
*Image courtesy of CWTV.
