Blind Spot (Beverly Hills, 90210)

"Blind Spot" is a 1994 episode of the American television series Beverly Hills, 90210. The episode follows two stories. In the first, series regular David Silver finds himself attracted to his blind piano teacher, causing a strain on his relationship with girlfriend Donna Martin. In the second, series regular Steve Sanders discovers that Mike Ryan, the president of his college fraternity, is gay, and outs him to the rest of the fraternity. The 26th episode of season 4, "Blind Spot" originally aired on April 6, 1994.

"Blind Spot"
Beverly Hills, 90210 episode
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 26
Directed byMichael Lange
Written byKen Stringer
Original air dateApril 6, 1994
Running time46 minutes
Guest appearance(s)

Jack Armstrong
Cress Williams
Todd Bryant
Sydney Brown

Plot

David Silver (Brian Austin Green) is having trouble practicing a Mozart sonata so he seeks out help from Holly Marlow, a piano teacher who he quickly realizes is blind. He develops feelings for her, slighting his girlfriend Donna Martin (Tori Spelling) in the process. Holly explains to David that he is confusing feelings of protectiveness because of her disability for romantic feelings.

Steve Sanders (Ian Ziering) and Brandon Walsh (Jason Priestley) are on their way to Dodger Stadium for a baseball game when Brandon's car breaks down. They go into a nearby coffee house to call for help and Steve figures out that it's a gay establishment. He spots Mike Ryan, the president of his fraternity, and Mike spots him as well. Back at the fraternity house Mike asks Steve not to mention his sexuality to the fraternity brothers. At a wardrobe fitting for a charity beefcake calendar, fraternity brother Artie Devers gay-baits Steve, who in response outs Mike. Artie leads an attempt to expel Mike from the fraternity but Steve, extolling the principle of brotherhood, persuades the fraternity to keep Mike.

Guest cast
  • Jack Armstrong as Mike Ryan
  • Cress Williams as D'Shawn Hardell
  • Todd Bryant as Artie Devers
  • Sydney Brown as Holly Marlow

Impact

Gender theorist E. Graham McKinley has examined "Blind Spot" for its portrayal of gender relationship dynamics between diverse pairings, specifically David's interaction with the disabled Holly and a date between Donna and recurring African-American character D'Shawn Hardell.[1]

In partnership with the Los Angeles chapter of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the producers of Beverly Hills, 90210 sponsored screenings of "Blind Spot" at three gay and lesbian youth centers in the Los Angeles area. Following each screening, executive producer Chuck Rosin and guest star Todd Bryant participated in a question-and-answer session.[2]

Notes
  1. McKinley, pp. 225-34
  2. Tropiano, p. 172

References
  • McKinley, E. Graham (1997). Beverly Hills, 90210: Television, Gender and Identity. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 0-8122-1623-7.
  • Tropiano, Stephen (2002). The Prime Time Closet: A History of Gays and Lesbians on TV. New York, Applause Theatre and Cinema Books. ISBN 1-55783-557-8.
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