Expert: Mel - 5/15/2008

Question
Hi Mel! I have 2 questions for you:

1. Why do some people hate Kelly and Dylan? Is it just because of the whole summer fling thing? Do you think that if the summer fling hadn't happened people would still hate them? I'm a closet Kelly/Dylan fan so these questions have crossed my mind.
2. Which episodes are Kelly/Dylan centered?

Sorry to be annoying. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Shannon,

Judging by what I've seen on forums so far, yes, I'd say that most backlash towards Dylan and Kelly has to do with their summer fling, or simply the fact that Brenda got hurt.  Then, in S5, Brandon got hurt.  Take the twins out of the equation and I'm sure they'd be seen by all for what was objectively written as true within the show - that, for better or worse, they loved each other.  There's actually, I believe, a minefield of issues at play here that go well beyond the context of characters and storytelling.  For instance, the pure nature of social bonding.  Fans complain, sometimes, about episodes they admit to not having seen, and "convert" their character loyalties to match whoever they want to be friends with.  Thus, the presence of bullying, mocking, or general spitefulness among fanbases makes a difference, especially if the board moderators are the haters themselves.  For those who don't have access to the show, haven't watched it in over a decade, but still want to talk about it passionately, misconceptions abound even without the need for social acceptance.  And about that, it's very easy to oppose any "cheating" couple on the basis of infidelity alone and use this to come off as morally superior and "right", without any regard to character development or the needs of a dramatic series.  No one's going to deny that mistakes were made or that deception is wrong, but fans of Dylan and Kelly will see them as being about so much more than that.  There are also fans who simply don't adjust well to change or are actually opposed to "the blond girl" coming out on top because of the cultural stigma it perpetuates.  Again, understanding who the characters are is not necessary in these situations.  It wouldn't surprise me if, on top of all this, those who have been in a love triangle themselves use the show to indirectly sound off about their own experience.  I do hope you'll consider coming out as a Dylan/Kelly fan, especially as part of their storyline was dedicated to the merits of staying true to who you are, and you're not the first person to come to me with this concern.  

*Edited to add that they're also criticized for being a "fighting" couple, and I suppose that's something you either have a taste for or you don't.  Supporters see a developmental purpose to their conflicts (esp. as it relates to Kelly's fear of intimacy), while non-fans use it to justify the couple's incompatibility.  

Overall, S3, S4, S9, and S10 are where Dylan and Kelly are the main focus, though the writing is much better, in my opinion, during the earlier years.  Their longing makes up a sizable portion of S5, too, and there are small moments of relevance in S1, S2, and S6.  S7 and S8 you can basically skip.  Luke Perry wasn't even there.  It's actually quite difficult to break down a comprehensive list of episodes for them because, more often than not, they have a small number of scenes in each, but they're very relevant, and it's roughly even throughout a season.  I feel compelled to list almost all episodes for S3.  

Starting in S1/S2, though, I'd say the following are good for complimentary background impressions of each character, though not exclusively so:

1.02 "The Green Room"
1.06 "Higher Education" (first interaction we see)
1.07 "Perfect Mom"
1.13 "Slumber Party"
2.13 "Halloween"
2.21 "Everybody's Talkin' Bout It"
2.28 "Wedding Bell Blues"

The Dylan/Kelly summer romance/immediate aftermath:

3.03 "Too Little, Too Late"
3.04 "Sex, Lies, and Volleyball"
3.05 "Shooting Star"
3.06 "Castles In the Sand"
3.07 "A Song of Myself"

3.04 and 3.05 stand out the most there.  And as an example of what I stated above, "Home and Away", 3.10, contains only one Dylan/Kelly scene (talking at the Peach Pit), but it's a rather touching one.

Dylan first chooses to see Kelly following his break-up with Brenda at the end of "Destiny Rides Again", 3.12, where they share a passionate kiss.  "Rebel With A Cause", 3.13, is definitely one of the most prominent episodes for the couple, as it's their first official date.

Their second large arc that season:

3.19 "Back In the High Life Again"
3.20 "Parental Guidance Recommended"
3.21 "Dead End"
3.22 "The Child Is The Father to the Man"
3.23 "Duke's Bad Boy"
3.24 "Perfectly Perfect"
3.25 "Senior Poll"

This involves Dylan choosing to see Kelly (again), Jack's release from prison, their first time, his father's death, her eating disorder, and the climax to everything that had been building in their relationship up until this point, as presented in "Senior Poll", which is probably the most Dylan/Kelly-relevant episode of the series and a total fan favorite.  "A Night to Remember", 3.27, is a calm episode with them happy together at Prom.  They also share a touching graduation hug at the end of the season but, again, that's just one moment in a gang-oriented episode.  

Some general arcs for S4, with a very special mention for "Take Back the Night" and "Windstruck":

4.02 "The Girl from New York City"
4.03 "The Little Fish"
4.04 "Greek to Me"
4.05 "Radio Daze"
4.06 "Strangers In the Night"
4.07 "Moving Targets"

4.11 "Take Back the Night"
4.12 "Radar Love"
4.13 "Emily"
4.14 "Windstruck"
4.15 "Somewhere In the World It's Christmas"

4.19 "The Labors of Love"
4.20 "Scared Very Straight"

This follows their fights in Europe, adjustments to college life, the return of John Sears, Kelly breaking up with Dylan, him going gun-crazy, their reunion, and just some particularly cute, mellow scenes.  The season, as a whole, is good for them, though.

In S5, I'd check out:

5.02 "Under the Influence"
5.05 "Rave On"
5.09 "Intervention"
5.10 "The Dreams of Dylan McKay"
5.13 "Up In Flames"
5.14 "Injustice for All"
5.17 "Sweating It Out"
5.21 "Stormy Weather"
5.22 "Alone At the Top"
5.29 "The Real McCoy"
5.30 "Hello Life, Goodbye Beverly Hills"

Here we have Dylan finding out Kelly's with Brandon, their first talk while he's sober, his coma-induced dreams, a talk at rehab and after the fire, Dylan pulling her out of the cult, and him deciding in the end that he can't be without her.  

S6 is easy.  There's 6.01, "Home Is Where the Tart Is", with Dylan seeking revenge for his father's death/Kelly's help, and 6.09, "Earthquake Weather", when he announces his engagement to Antonia, shaking Kelly up.  

And a more condensed look at the last two seasons ...

9.09 "I'm Back Because"
9.10 "The Following Options"
9.14 "Withdrawal"
9.16 "Beheading St. Valentine"
9.17 "Survival Skills"
9.18 "Slipping Away"
9.23 "Local Hero"
9.26 "Agony"

10.03 "You Better Work"
10.07 "Laying Pipe"
10.10 "What's In A Name?"
10.18 "Eddie Waitkus"
10.19 "I Will Be Your Father Figure"
10.20 "Ever Hear the One About the Exploding Father?"
10.24 "Love Is Blind"
10.25 "I'm Happy for You ... Really"
10.27/10.28 "The Penultimate/Ode to Joy"

This includes their first kiss since Dylan's return, their struggle to remain just friends, sleeping together in Mexico, Kelly's rape, Dylan's return to college, Jack's return, and the climax towards their ultimate reunion.  Him catching her in her wedding dress at the end of 10.23, "And Don't Forget ...", should also not be missed.  

Hope this helps some.  Thanks for the question!

All the best,

Mel