Ep 4. The Bubble

The Bubble is the fourth episode of the first season of the teen drama series 90210. In this episode, the main theme revolves around how privileged teenagers' lives are different from those of their less fortunate peers.

The episode begins with Naomi Clark (played by AnnaLynne McCord) trying to impress her wealthy father by throwing a lavish birthday party for her younger brother, who is turning ten. Naomi’s mother arrives unexpectedly and starts criticizing her daughter's display of extravagance. Meanwhile, Annie Wilson (played by Shenae Grimes) and Dixon Wilson (played by Tristan Wilds) are learning to adjust to their new surroundings and school in Beverly Hills.

Annie meets up with her new friend, Ethan Ward (played by Dustin Milligan), who is one of the most popular and good-looking guys at West Beverly High School. Ethan invites Annie to a pool party, which all the popular kids will be attending. Annie is excited and thrilled to be invited to the party but is quickly humiliated when she finds out she was only invited because Ethan’s girlfriend, Naomi, made him invite her. This leads to an uncomfortable and awkward situation at the party, ultimately leading to feelings of alienation and loneliness for Annie.

In the meantime, Naomi is learning that not everyone in Beverly Hills is materialistic and consumed by wealth. She meets a boy named Sean, who lives in the same neighborhood but has a much less privileged life than hers. Naomi feels guilty about her behavior and her take-for-granted attitude after learning that Sean does not have the luxury of buying whatever he wants and struggles with day-to-day activities that most would take for granted.

Dixon, on the other hand, is struggling to fit in at his new school, being different from the other students. He is constantly reminded of how racially different he is and how class distinction also plays a part in this community. However, he connects well with Navid Shirazi (played by Michael Steger), a tech-savvy editor of the school's Blaze news magazine, who also comes from a less privileged background.

Overall, The Bubble is an episode about how teens from affluent communities are confined to a false sense of reality, often being surrounded by people who share the same background, values, and expectations. The episode highlights how the audience often perceives Beverly Hills as an all-powerful community but also suggests the idea that this bubble might be turning into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Beverly Hills lifestyle is not the norm and teenagers should also be aware of their social responsibility and embrace others regardless of social and economic status to form meaningful relationships. The Bubble touches upon the struggles, joys, and challenges that come with navigating social circles and forming new relationships as teenagers.

The episode does an excellent job of tackling the issue's complexities, showcasing the characters' vulnerabilities and the dilemmas they face trying to navigate their place in society. Overall, The Bubble is thought-provoking, engaging, and genuinely entertaining.