Beverly Hills 90210/Gina's Bulimia

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Expert: - 8/29/2008


Question
Hi Mel! I was wondering if you could answer some questions about Gina's bulimia for me. Gina was one of my favorite characters. When did her bulimia start? When did it end? Do we ever see her binge and/or purge? Did the gang ever find out? Thank you for your help!

Answer
Hi Kaelyn,

Gina's bulimia storyline spans the episodes "Dog's Best Friend", "Agony", and "That's the Guy", which are the last 3 of S9.  Mel Silver, after performing a dental exam and noticing the eroded enamel on Gina's teeth, suggests that she's been bulimic for a long time.  She, of course, denies this, but by the end of the third episode is confessing to David that she began throwing up after meals around the age of 12, or shortly thereafter.  The pressures of the professional skating world and the onset of puberty (her development of feminine curves) didn't function well together in her eyes and she did so to compete.  I wouldn't say we're meant to believe that her bulimia ever ended for good, but she's not shown to binge and purge in S10.  This occurs only in the episodes above, prompted by a hurtful break-up with Dylan and an audition for an upcoming ice show.  It seems we're meant to assume that this was always how Gina dealt with her pain and now the audience is just privy to it.  David, Mel, and Kelly are the three people who discover her eating disorder.  David, because he finds her passed out on the bathroom floor before the audition and offers her friendship in the wake of her break-up with Dylan, Mel because Kelly suggested him as a good dentist for Gina to see when she needed an emergency filling, and Kelly because Mel talked to her about his suspicions that Gina had a problem.  Kelly offers her a doctor's referral on his behalf and a listening ear.   If you're a big Gina fan, these are definitely good episodes to see.  

Thanks for the question!

All the best,

Mel

Beverly Hills 90210

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Mel

Expertise

Can Dylan solve quadratic equations? What makes up a "mega-burger"? If an answer exists, I probably know it. Whether your question is general, begging the context of all 10 seasons, or completely inane, feel free to drop me a line either way. I will provide episode reference numbers for each response and plan to have some fun with this. Trivia quizzes often need correction, and publications will get their plotlines/characters/relationships mixed up too. I accept dialogue/scene requests, but please limit your inquiry to 1-2 per question. I only know music from the original broadcasts/reruns, not the DVDs. Been a fan since 1990 and didn't miss a beat.

Experience

Well, I began watching "Beverly Hills, 90210" at the tender age of 9 and a half, during its original run. By 11, I was a huge fan; 13, obsessed; 14, growing bitter. I don't like S6 - S10 as much as Seasons 1 - 5. But, technically, I still watch all of them in some way. Do this for 20 years and you'll remember the darndest things.
Well, I began watching "Beverly Hills, 90210" at the tender age of 9 and a half, during its original run. By 11, I was a huge fan; 13, obsessed; 14, growing bitter. I don't like S6 - S10 as much as Seasons 1 - 5. But, technically, I still watch all of them in some way. Do this for 20 years and you'll remember the darndest things.

Education/Credentials
I'd like to say I've earned a "degree" on the life and times of the original eight, with specific concentration on Seasons 1 thru 5, any Jack McKay drama, Dylan/Kelly together or apart, and the guest stars of 1992-1994. Season 4, I think, was the best and strikingly different from any other. My only weakness might be later-season 'stand-in' characters like Matt and Noah, and the ever-changing ownerships of The AfterDark.

Education/Credentials
I'd like to say I've earned a "degree" on the life and times of the original eight, with specific concentration on Seasons 1 thru 5, any Jack McKay drama, Dylan/Kelly together or apart, and the guest stars of 1992-1994. Season 4, I think, was the best and strikingly different from any other. My only weakness might be later-season 'stand-in' characters like Matt and Noah, and the ever-changing ownerships of The AfterDark.

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