Expert: Carmen Curtis - 7/7/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi. My question is about Brenda. First of all, whatever happened to her? And secondly, do you think it would be accurate to call Brenda's character a feminist? Thanks.

Jenn

ANSWER: Hi Jenn,
Brenda left the show at the end of season 4. After starring as the lead in a campus play, she moves to London to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts on an acting scholarship. The director of the campus play, Roy Randolf, pulled strings to get her into the program. She planned on only staying for the summer, so she rekindled things with Dylan. But she decided to stay in London for the rest of the year. During season 6, we learn that she is still in London living with Dylan, who somehow ended up there too. Eventually, Dylan breaks up with Brenda and returns to the show in season 9. It's not clear what happens to Brenda at that point or why they broke up again.

In terms of whether Brenda is a feminist, I guess she could be considered one. She always stood up for herself, took self-defense classes, and did not seem like the type to be secondary to a man. Her main cause seemed to be animal rights though, since she was arrested for breaking into a campus lab trying to free animals she thought were being "tortured." She attended several rallies about animal rights and animal testing.

Hope this helps! Please let me know if you have more questions.
Carmen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Carmen! I hope you don't mind a follow-up. Brenda was my favorite character on the show, and I kind of lost interest in it after she left. My other question is do you know any interesting tidbits about either the character Brenda or the actress who played her? I am interested in learning more about her. Thanks.

Jenn

Answer
Hi Jenn,
Brenda is also one of my favorite characters. Here are some tidbits I can think of about her:
-Her favorite stuffed animal is named Mr. Pony. Her dad bought it for her after she took horseback riding lessons and got thrown off the horse. She got back on the horse quickly which showed her courage.
-She did many "idiotic" things while on the show: went to Mexico with Dylan with no passport or ID; dropped out of college at the U of Minnesota after 4 days; eloped with Stuart Carson after knowing him only 5 weeks; got arrested for being part of a break-in at a California University animal testing lab (charges were later dropped)
-She starred in 2 campus plays: "The Mask of Melancholy" (a random play a classmate wrote) and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (a famous Tennessee Williams play)
-She dated 4 guys on the show: Dylan McKay, Rick (from Paris), Tim (guy she met in Cardi-funk class), and Stuart Carson
-Decided not to try out for cheerleading or the pep squad because her friends thought it was "uncool"
-Scott Scanlon's sister Sue (David's friend who accidentally shot himself) was Brenda's "freshman buddy"
-Before she moved to Bev Hills, she deliberately ruined a friendship by kissing her friend's boyfriend at a party. She admitted that during the slumber party episode.
-Broke up with Dylan while "Losing My Religion" (REM) was on the radio after the pregancy scare
-Ate ice cream when she was depressed
-Referred to Brandon as her "best friend," and believed that Dylan knew her better than anyone
-She was held up at gunpoint when the Peach Pit was robbed and had to see a shrink to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder
-Got involved in animal rights activism
-Planned the Pigskin Prom during season 3; worked with the Alvarado St Elementary School kids

As for the actress Shannen, she has been known to get in fights with costars on several shows. Andrea (Gabrielle Carteris) didn't even invite her to her wedding in real life. Tori Spelling/Donna seemed to be the only one who managed to be friends with Shannen. She was allegedly dropped from 90210 due to constant conflicts and late appearences on the set. Also, Shannen Doherty may be reprising her role as Brenda on the new 90210 spinoff. . .let's cross our fingers that that happens!
Hope this helps,
Carmen