Expert: Carmen Curtis - 8/3/2008

Question
Hi Carmen! I was just watching "The Dreams of Dylan McKay" from my season 5 DVD and a question crossed my mind that I have wondered before. How come they never showed any flashbacks of Brenda? I understand that Shannen had left the show and everything but Brenda was a part of Dylan's life and some one he did sleep with. I know that Shannen did not give them permission to show images or clips of her during a special when the show was close to being over but the thing that I want to know is how come on The O.C. they showed pictures of Marissa and had a flashback of her in the series finale? I'm guessing and thinking that Mischa must have given them permission to use her image. What do you think? Do you know why they show pictures and flashbacks of Marissa but never of Brenda?

Answer
Hi Kaelyn,
I never thought about it, but you're right, it is strange that Dylan didn't dream of Brenda in that episode. I think it probably was because Shannen refused to allow clips of her to be shown, and did not agree to appear in that episode. The writers also really wanted to push the Kelly-Dylan-soulmates storyline, so they probably didn't want to complicate that by talking about Brenda. I am not sure about The OC, but perhaps Mischa was more reasonable about allowing herself to be part of the final episode. But, it seems that Brenda will be coming back on the CW's "new" 90210 as an acting director (which starts in September), so all her fans will finally get to see more Brenda!

Hope this helps,
Carmen