Priestley heads for a new zip code

Eight years ago, there were four members of the Walsh family living in posh "Beverly Hills, 90210." Tonight's episode marks the turning of the tide, as Brandon (Jason Priestley), the last of the ever-troubled clan still in Beverly Hills, leaves the zip code for a more swanky New York address to pursue his journalistic career.

Courtesy of FOX Kelly (Jennie Garth) will shed a few tears when Brandon (Jason Priestley) leaves "Beverly Hills, 90210" tonight.

The past eight years have been a true test of character for fair Brandon. In the beginning, the teen who started high school more awkward than most was full of uneasiness and caution for his new neighborhood. Not only was his hockey-hair way out of fashion - there seemed to be no ice rinks around - but the good-hearted Brandon was faced with a barrage of foreign concepts, such as looking cool, driving hot cars and dating the socially acceptable girl. The Minnesota stud was ostracized for not running with the in-crowd, and vilified for eating lunch by himself.

Over the years, Brandon's sweet facade would be adorned with several Ford Mustangs, a few major girlfriends and always the same Elvis-like hairdo. No, the Brandon of late is not the naïve hick that he began as; he has grown and become a distinguished man with high political and journalistic aspirations - the model son-in-law for any mother.

Major characters leaving the show is not a new occurrence for executive producer Aaron Spelling. Brandon's twin, Brenda (Shannen Doherty), moved to London four seasons ago to pursue her acting career - but Brenda was a bitch, so we were more relieved than distraught at her exit.

And then there was the emotional departure of Dylan McKay (Luke Perry). Everything in Beverly was suddenly not as attractive, but from episode one, we all knew that the ever-rambunctious Alcoholics Anonymous member could not stay in the superficial town forever. Not to mention the dozens of smaller personages who went on to other cities over the years.

Priestley's withdrawal from the set is bigger than any other before him. He is not only one of the show's producers, but his character is the only one who, week after week, acts and reacts like a real human being - not a TV marketing concoction. He is all good.

Part of our outrage at the end of last season's wedding debacle rooted in the fact that we all hope to find a spouse like Brandon one day - someone who will selflessly love and provide for us while remaining endlessly attractive.

We should not be too sad. As is typical of the teen-drama genre, which "90210" spearheaded, the moment an old character leaves, new ones arrive to fill in the folds in the bed sheets. This time we welcome Matt Durning (Daniel Cosgrove), a young idealist lawyer with a yen for blond 20-somethings. He is a far cry from the rest of the sexually abused, over-libidinous cast, but he might spice up the intellectual angle of the plot. And how could we forget the long-awaited return of Perry as Dylan. There has definitely been a void in the angst level of the stories during his three-season hiatus.

Still, all these arrivals are bitter-sweet, considering the additions would not be necessary were it not for the upsetting subtraction of Brandon. Now, with only four of the original cast-members still on set - five including Perry - the ever-sunny, problem-free burg is gray and cloudy with our tears. Carpe diem, friends. Tempus fugit.

11-04-98