Beverly Hills, 90210 - Season 4, Episode 19

"I'm way too addled and neurotic to have a baby! Waaa!!"

"The Labors of Love"
Original airdate: 2/2/1994

Episode summary: After a lot of fake soul-searching, Ahn-drea decides to keep her baby and agrees to marry Jesse in a shotgun wedding. When Kelly and Donna discover that David's still doing drugs, they move out of the beach house. Dylan buys out Joey's share of the Peach Pit and becomes Nat's business partner.

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Recap: As Kelly drives Ahn-drea to the nearest family planning clinic, she asks her if she's absolutely sure she wants an abortion. Ahn-drea says she does, and adds that she's not the first person in the world who carelessly got herself knocked up and then didn't want the baby. When they arrive at the clinic, Ahn-drea fills out the required forms and moans about how badly she messed up after so far living a tedious, boring life of doing everything by the book. Kelly tells her not to be so hard on herself, that she's human (sort of), and that she'll somehow get through this pregnancy crisis. When Ahn-drea gets in to see the doctor, she demands to have an abortion pronto, but the doctor tells her she's too busy to fit her in that day. She asks Ahn-drea if her baby daddy knows, and Ahn-drea tells her he's aware of the pregnancy...but not that she's planning to terminate it.

Hospital. Brandon, Dylan, and Joey have gathered at the hospital to wish Nat well before he goes under the knife. As the nurses wheel Nat out of his room, he thanks Brandon and Dylan for everything they've done for him and calls them great pals. After he's wheeled to surgery, Joey tells Brandon and Dylan to go home and get some rest, since the operation will probably last around six hours.


Beach house. David's in his room, sleeping with the radio blaring. Donna and Kelly burst in and bark at him to turn the music off, then order him to get up since it's his turn to work at the Peach Pit. David grumps that the Pit can get by without him, and Kelly angrily stomps across the room to his drawer chest. She pulls out a shirt, and suddenly a little baggie filled with suspicious looking white powder tumbles to the floor. Kelly asks what it is, and David springs up from his mattress, and runs over and grabs it from her. He says he's holding it for a friend, and Kelly snarks that not only is he a drug addict, he's a shitty liar. Clueless, useless Donna crinkles her face in confusion and is like, "Wha-at's happening?!" David snarks at Kelly that she had no business going through his stuff, then orders both her and Donna out of his room. Donna meekly apologizes and immediately gets bitch-slapped by Kelly for her annoyingly docile demeanor. Kelly tells David she's been through this too many times with Jackie, and that if he insists on living his life this way, she and Donna are moving out of the apartment. Donna's all, "Wha-at's happening?!" and David pretends to not give a rat's ass.


Jesse's apartment. Jesse's about to leave for class when a distressed looking Ahn-drea drops by to talk. He asks her what's wrong, and she gives him a funny look and reminds him about the unwanted bun in her oven. He pulls her into a hug and tries to comfort her by telling her they have nine months to figure everything out. [Mmm...considering how far along she looks, I'd say you have about three months to figure everything out.] Ahn-drea announces that she wants to have an abortion, and Jesse gets upset that she would make such a serious decision without his input. He thinks they should have the baby and get married, and she starts wailing that she's not even twenty years old, and that marriage and a baby would ruin both their lives. She calls the pregnancy a mistake, but he disagrees and says it's a baby, not a mistake. He then warns Ahn-drea that if she gets an abortion, they're through.


California University. Kelly leaves a phone message for Dylan, telling him she needs to stay at his place for awhile. Donna whines about having to bunk in a crowded sorority house and says she doesn't understand how deserting David is going to help him. Kelly explains that what they're doing to him is a newfangled approach called "tough love", and that it really works. She points out that they've been enabling David all semester by waking him up for class, buying his food, and picking up after him - and she's sick of it. Donna asks about the rent, which is due in a few days, and Kelly says that it's David's problem now. Mmm...that's kind of a dickish thing to do to the landlord - and Donna must agree with me 'cause she looks concerned and troubled.


Brenda's in a seminar called Feminist Perspectives in Cultural Anthropology, which is being taught by Lucinda Nicholson. Kelly and Donna haven't arrived yet, and Brenda tells Lucinda that her friends are running late...and adds that she made quite an impression on them during the Take Back the Night episode. She introduces herself and says she's Brandon's sister, and remarks that Brandon took a sociology class from her husband last semester. Lucinda needlessly explains that Professor Randall is her soon-to-be ex-husband, and Brenda replies with an awkward ooh. A few seconds later, Kelly and Donna breeze into the classroom, and Lucinda begins the seminar.


Hospital. Brenda brings Brandon some food from the hospital cafeteria as he waits around to hear how Nat's surgery went. She passes along a hello from Lucinda, along with the news that she and her husband are getting a divorce. Brandon perks up at that tidbit of gossip.


Dylan's house. Kelly tells Dylan about David's druggie ways and apologizes to him for dumping all this on him, but he's OK with it and tells her she can stay at his place as long as she likes. There's a knock on the door, and it's Donna, who needs somewhere to crash 'cause there's no room for her at the crowded Alpha house. Dylan invites her to stay at his place, and Donna says she could always return to the beach house since she believes that David really is just holding onto the drugs for a friend. Dylan and Kelly explain to the dimwit that it's highly unlikely David doesn't have a drug problem.


Radio station. David tells Howard he came early for his shift 'cause his roommates are driving him crazy. He says he'd like "a little taste of something" and Howard looks annoyed and tells David he doesn't so much have a drug problem as a problem getting drugs. That's fair to say. He scrutinizes David and accuses him of being "toasted" and David's like, "Well, d'yuh." It's clearly the last straw for Howard, and he promptly fires David and orders him to clean out his locker. David lashes out angrily and says that campus radio sucks, and that he'll never be able to find anyone as talented as he is to work the graveyard shift. Howard tries not to laugh at the ridiculousness of that last thing and says he'll take his chances.


Hospital. While waiting for Nat to come out of surgery, an exhausted Brandon falls asleep in the waiting room and dreams that Papa Walsh is admonishing him for burning the candle at both ends. Mama Walsh and Brenda are also in his dream, staring down at him concernedly as he lays on a gurney, pretending to be unconscious. Lucinda suddenly appears, dressed up as a sexy nurse, and orders the Walshes to leave. She then leans over Brandon and tells him it's time for his massage, and Brandon murmurs that he thought his family would never leave. He and Lucinda start making out, and she tells him she'll "heal" him. His dream comes to an unwelcome end when Joey wakes him to tell him that Nat made it through surgery and that he's in recovery. Brandon's relieved by the news, and Joey orders him to go home and get some sleep.


The Walsh house. Mama Walsh breezes into the kitchen and informs Papa Walsh that he's on his own for dinner 'cause her first paper is due and she doesn't have time to cook. I get the feeling she'd secretly love it if her family objected to her sudden role change and pleaded with her to get back into the kitchen. Papa Walsh offers to cook dinner, but she chuckles derisively and tells him there's a lasagne in the freezer. I see...so she's way too busy to take it out of the freezer and place it in the oven. Brandon enters the kitchen and tells his parents that Nat's doing OK after his surgery, and Papa Walsh says he's hopeful that things around Casa Walsh will finally return to normal. He remarks that it's the first time since Nat keeled over from his heart attack that Brandon's had breakfast at home. Brandon explains that Suzanne opened the diner so he could sleep in and go to his task force meeting, and Papa Walsh sarcastically retorts how amazing it is that he's going to school instead of to the Peach Pit. Brandon counter-retorts that he'll be at the Peach Pit in the afternoon and doesn't appreciate the bitchy tone. Papa Walsh warns him that Nat may never be well enough to run the diner again, and Brandon says he's considered that possibility, but will cross that bridge when and if the time comes.


Peach Pit. As Dylan and Joey eat breakfast, Suzanne jokes that they're eating up all the profits. Joey lets out a caustic laugh and says that the Pit doesn't actually generate any profits. He calls Nat a sentimental nut...but then admits to being crazy himself, since he owns 50% of the dump. Dylan sips his coffee and pretends to look thoughtful as he stares into space. He tells Joey that the gang will be showing up later to wait tables, and Suzanne says they can't continue to run the place in such a haphazard way - and that it needs to be run like a business. Joey suddenly blurts out that he wants to sell his share, and Dylan gets that spacey, thoughtful look on his face again. Hmm...I wonder what he could be thinking 'bout.


California University. Brandon runs into the dean, who tells him that the task force hasn't been the same without him, and that everyone misses him. Brandon explains that a good friend of his has been in the hospital, but then assures him that he'll be able to make every meeting from now on. The dean looks very relieved and tells Brandon he has good ideas and good energy. Lucinda suddenly appears carrying a quilt, and the dean greets her and introduces her to Brandon. The two pretend they haven't met and nearly doinked, and after some pleasant chit-chat, Lucinda excuses herself and heads off to her ladies' seminar. The dean tells Brandon he should talk to Lucinda sometime, and remarks that she has firm ideas on the position of women in academia. Brandon smirks to himself and says he'll remember that.


Lucinda starts off the class by babbling about how quilts were once used to tell women's stories. Ahn-drea chimes in and starts talking about her grandmother's quilting, but abruptly stops and looks as though she's about to hurl. She runs out of the classroom, and Kelly gets up and follows her. She manages to make it to the nearest bathroom, tosses her cookies, and tells Kelly how glad she is that her nausea problems will soon be over.


Papa Walsh's office. Dylan tells Papa Walsh he wants to buy Joey's half of the Peach Pit. Papa Walsh tells him it's a horrible idea - and since he's been doing the bookkeeping for Nat for the past couple of years, he knows first-hand what a sucky restaurant manager he is. Papa Walsh warns Dylan that he'll lose his shirt with this investment, and Dylan's like, "So what? I got a lot of shirts." Papa Walsh looks exasperated and asks, "What is it with you kids and this diner?" Right???? Dylan mumbles that he likes the food and points out that if he buys out Joey's share of the diner, Brandon won't have to save the world all by himself. Papa Walsh throws in the towel when he realizes nothing he says will convince Dylan that the Pit is a lousy investment.


Dorm. David drops by to see Andy, a resident drug dealer...and Andy remarks that David's getting to be one of his best customers. David asks for one gram (of meth, I will assume) and Andy says if he has the money, he can get however much he wants. Unfortunately, David doesn't have enough cash on him and actually asks if he can write him a check - LOL - and Andy has to explain to the dolt that drugs is a 'cash only' business. David promises to return with some cash and heads out.


Hospital. Brandon arrives to see Nat and brings with him a pretty bouquet of sunflowers, which he's told aren't allowed in the cardiac unit. He finds Dylan and Joey in Nat's room, and the mood is festive. Joey calls Dylan the hero of the day, then urges him to tell Brandon the good news. Dylan announces he just bought out Joey's share of the Peach Pit and that he and Nat are now business partners. Brandon looks slightly crestfallen, but pretends to be happy about the new arrangement and congratulates them both.


The Peach Pit. Steve, Kelly, and Donna congratulate Dylan as the Pit's new co-owner and toast him with Cokes. David enters the diner and reminds Kelly and Donna that their share of the rent is due - and Kelly bitchily informs him that they no longer live at the beach house, therefore the rent is his problem. David asks Donna if she's going to shaft him too, and as she hesitates Kelly snaps, "Yes, she is." Donna lowers her big doe eyes and mutters that it's for his own good. A puzzled Steve asks whaddup with all the hostility, and David ignores him and storms out. Kelly tells Steve that David is a druggie, and Donna asks her if she should be telling this to everyone. Kelly defiantly says yes she should, and insists that she's not covering for him anymore. In fact, she's already told Jackie and Mel about his drug use. Donna runs out after David and offers to give him hers and Kelly's share of the rent...and he instantly perks up and tells her to make out the check to him, and he'll add it to his share of the rent. Donna does it because she's the stupidest person alive, then makes David promise to see his therapist again. He smirks as he fake promises.


The Walsh house. Brandon's in his room doing homework on his chunky '90s computer when Brenda enters. They talk about Dylan buying out Joey's share of the Peach Pit, and Brenda asks him if he feels left out. He tells her he feels like he was running toward the end zone...and then out of nowhere, Dylan grabbed the ball and scored the winning touchdown. Brenda reminds him that they're all on the same team, and Brandon says he knows that Dylan did it for Nat...but still can't help but feel mopey.


Dorm. Ahn-drea tells Kelly that her morning sickness lasts pretty much all day, and Kelly says she's probably just nervous about the abortion tomorrow. Ahn-drea says she hasn't heard from Jesse, and believes he's serious about terminating their relationship if she terminates her pregnancy. She tears up again and wails about how she's sooo confused...and that she wants to have a family someday, but not while she's a freshman in college. Kelly tells her she has to do what's right for her.


Kelly passes David in the hallway of the dorm on her way out. After the two exchange snarkish insults, David heads over to Andy's room with the rent money.


Ahn-drea starts talking to her baby, looking miserable and conflicted. When it responds by kicking, she tells it she's not ready to be a mom, and that she doesn't know what the hell she's doing. She starts to cry and apologizes to the fetus for the impending abortion. There's a knock on the door and it's Jesse, who dropped by to see how she's doing. He tells her he should have been there for her, and asks her to forgive him. He adds that he doesn't agree with what she did - but, for some incomprehensible reason, he doesn't want to lose her. Ahn-drea tells him she hasn't done anything yet, and isn't sure she's going to...then says she might want to keep the baby after all. Jesse looks relieved and happy, and the two kiss.


The Walsh house. Papa Walsh is microwaving the lasagne when Brandon enters the kitchen. Papa Walsh offers to share the lasagne, but Brandon declines and says he's on his way to the hospital to visit Nat. Papa Walsh tells him he's proud of everything he's been doing for Nat, and compliments him for having such a big heart. Brandon shrugs and glumly retorts that there's no point busting his ass now that Dylan has taken control of the situation by buying half of the Peach Pit. True enough. Papa Walsh insists that it wasn't his idea and thinks it's a terrible investment. Brandon asks him if handling rich people's money all day ever gets to him, and Papa Walsh says that being rich and powerful was never in the cards for him...but tells Brandon that he, on the other hand, can do or be anything he wants, and this is why he's always pushed him so hard in school. Brandon bitterly complains that no matter how badly Dylan screws up, he'll always have millions. Papa Walsh says that just because he's rich, it doesn't mean he knows what to do with his money.


Hospital. When Brandon arrives, Dylan appears and tells him he just missed visiting hours. Brandon snidely retorts that he should just buy the hospital then make up all the rules he wants. Dylan looks a little sheepish and explains that even though he has so many millions, he doesn't always know what to do with them. Gee, must be rough. He says that Nat's a friend, and he just wanted to keep the diner going for his sake. Brandon, of course, can't stay mad at his slouchy friend, and the two head over to the Peach Pit to get something to eat.


The Peach Pit. The gang (sans the druggie) is at the Peach Pit. Steve is the acting waiter du jour, and Dylan announces that he'll be hiring three new waiters soon. Steve then tries to open the cash register, but needs Brandon's help whacking it in just the right spot to get it to open. Ahn-drea suddenly enters the diner with Jesse and says they have a couple of announcements to make: 1) she's knocked up, and 2) they're having a shotgun wedding. Everyone congratulates them on this disaster-in-the-making, shakes hands and hugs. Brandon tells Ahn-drea he knew it would all work out, and Donna tells her she wants to babysit. She then goes over to the pay phone to call David, but he doesn't pick up. She leaves him a message to come by the Peach Pit, and that everyone's celebrating Ahn-drea's ill-fated, hasty life choices. She crinkles her face in confusion and asks his answering machine where he is. Where do you think, idiot? Out spending your rent money on crank.


David is in Andy's dorm room, hanging with a small group of vacant-eyed drug addicts. Andy asks him if he'd like to shoot up, and demonstrates how it's done by injecting the needle into his foot. Gross. David just stares at the disturbing display, and the scene ends.


Lucinda's house. Brandon drops by as Lucinda is packing up her stuff. She warns him that she's in no mood to be lectured at for her tacky, unclassy behavior when she shamelessly flirted with him, and he assures her that this is a friendly visit. He expresses his condolences about her impending divorce and hopes he didn't have anything to do with the breakup. Lucinda reminds him that they didn't actually do anything, and takes the full blame for making her husband so miserable that he had no other choice but to give her the boot...and also chides herself for not having the guts to end a bad marriage. Brandon offers to help her move the heavy boxes, and she tells him she could use a friend. He tells her she has one, and then the two start making out. Uh boy.

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