After months off the air, and with controversy swirling over its emphasis on a new lesbian relationship, 90210 comes back on Tuesday, March 9.

Titled “Rats & Heroes,” the episode will deal with everyone’s return to school after winter vacation.

As the following clip depicts, this is a return Annie is dreading. For what reason? In a word: Jasper. Watch Dixon try (and fail) to comfort his sister below:

As any loyal 90210 fan knows by now, Adrianna and Gia will embark on a relationship when this series returns next week.

Producer Rebecca Sinclair swears this is NOT merely a publicity move because it “isn’t a fling. We’re coming at this from a genuine place and not going, ‘Let’s do a titillating story that will grab some promotion.’ This is a real aspect of teenager life that’s interesting.”

We have our doubts.

Any time a series takes a straight character, who has never shown any inclination toward the same sex, and has her make out with a girl, it screams RATINGS STUNT (recent examples include Claire on Heroes, and Katherine on Desperate Housewives, two shows that were struggling mightily at the time of these storylines).

But we’re willing to at least watch this 90210 relationship before judging it, especially considering the show has already been picked up for a third season. Seemingly, it doesn’t need major help in the ratings department.

HOWEVER, we question The CW’s latest promotional poster for 90210, which places a major emphases in the upcoming girl-on-girl hook-up. Check it out:

How can Sinclair claim this relationship is just another storyline, yet push it in such a gratuitous manner?

Shouldn’t the series be hyping its return with ads about Liam and Naomi, or Annie and Jasper, long-running developments whose resolution ought to be the main reason any loyal fan is excited for new episodes?

You tell us. What do you make of the Adrianna/Gia romance?

When 90210 returns with new episodes next week, the show will turn up the sexual dial a few notches.

This much is evident by Naomi’s trenchcoat-dropping seduction of Liam, as depicted in a video preview of what’s to come.

It’s also made ciear in the photo below, which is your first look at the relationship between Adrianna and Gia. These two gals will start up a romance, sparked by a mutual need for AA, almost as soon as 90210 hits the air again.

“Adrianna and Gia share a special bond,” Jesscia Lowndes tells People magazine. “My character starts questioning whether or not sexuality is measured on a spectrum, if it’s black and white or if it comes down to who you connect with and who you are compatible with. I’m excited as an actress to tell the story.”

Adrianna will test her boundadies in another way, as well:

90210 first returns from an extended hiatus on March 9.

But it’s never too early to hype the season finale of this CW hit, is it?

Speaking to E! News, AnnaLynne McCord had both good news and bad news for fans of her character. The good? The final episode of season two will be all about Naomi.

Beach Bound

In anticipation of the show’s return, catch up on the latest 90210 music, quotes and more at TV Fanatic!

The bad? Well, take it away, AnnaLynne…

“The finale is always brutal for Naomi. It’s always the worst thing in the world. She has it horrible! The last thing of the finale is Naomi’s face, and it’s really bad. What happens to her is awful.

“So I kinda feel like there will be some downward spiral in a way for Naomi’s character, but she’s good at covering, so she’ll still have that façade. But you’re really gonna feel bad for her at the end of this episode.”

How ominous… and intriguing! Any guesses on what McCord could be referring to?

When 90210 (FINALLY!) returns with a new episode on March 9, viewers can look forward to the following plot developments on “Rats & Heroes.” Do not continue if you want to be spoiler free!

• Naomi returns from St. Bart’s and heats things up with Liam;
• Adrianna and Gia grow closer than ever;
• The love triangle between Dixon, Silver and Teddy escalates;
• Navid’s plan to get rid of Jasper doesn’t go well;
• Debbie confronts Kelly over her crush on Harry.

Finally, 90210 casting news that involves someone coming to the show.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve learned that Jennie Garth and Rob Estes would not be returning for season three. But Diego Boneta is going in the opposite direction:

The pop singer is coming aboard for a recurring role as Javier, a young musician that appears in multiple episodes this May. Look for the character to have a fling with Adrianna… who joins an all-girl band!

Both The CW and Rob Estes himself have confirmed that the actor is leaving 90210 after the conclusion of season two.

This comes as a shock to fans, as Harry never settled into an ongoing, interesting storyline, but still played a vital role on the show as principal of West Beverly and father to Annie and Dixon.

Off the Rails Photo

Because it doesn’t sound as though 90210 will replace Estes with a new actor, the question lingers: how will he be written out?

At last night’s Golden Globe Awards, Jennie Garth walked the red carpet.

When asked about her status on 90210, the actress said she was done filming scenes as Kelly Taylor. She’s taking time away from acting to focus on writing a children’s book and starting an unspecific project with husband Peter Facinelli.

Kelly hasn’t been involved in a storyline in some time. Debbie has taken exception to Harry’s relationship with his co-worker over the last few weeks, but Garth made it clear awhile ago that she wouldn’t let her character be involved in an affair.

It’s unclear if 90210 viewers will ever see Kelly again.

The show doesn’t return until March 9, and Garth may have meant she was simply done filming new scenes, yet will still appear in some that have already been shot. Guess we’ll need to tune in and find out.

Will you miss Kelly on the show?

Wow, I love Navid and Adrianna together but she messed up so bad, bitch.

Television Series > 90210 > Season 02 > Screencaps > Screencaps – 2.06 – Wild Alaskan Salmon

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