Ep 23. Duke's Bad Boy
- TVPG
- March 3, 1993
- 45 min
-
6.7 (161)
Duke's Bad Boy is the 23rd episode of the third season of the popular TV show Beverly Hills 90210. The episode starts with Brandon being tasked with showing the new student, Duke, around school. Duke is quickly portrayed as a charismatic and confident guy who quickly impresses everyone he meets. However, it is revealed that Duke has some behavior problems, as he is caught spray painting the school and smoking in the bathroom.
Despite his bad behavior, Duke continues to be popular with the other students, particularly with Donna. A budding romance between the two gets underway, much to the chagrin of David, who happens to be there to witness their first kiss. David goes on a mission to find out more about Duke, and discovers that Duke and his family are going through some tough times. Duke's mom is sick and they are having financial difficulties.
As the episode unfolds, tension between Duke and David increases, particularly when Duke catches David digging through his belongings looking for evidence about his wrongdoings. David, however, ends up getting more than he bargained for, as Duke opens up to him about his mother's illness and their financial problems. David feels sorry for Duke and eventually offers to help out by lending him some money. Duke initially refuses, but eventually relents, realizing that David truly wants to help him.
Meanwhile, Brandon and Kelly track down the owner of an engagement ring that was found in the school bathroom. They find out that it belongs to a girl named Allison, a former student at West Beverly. Allison's reappearance brings up some old feelings and drama with Kelly, who was also once interested in Allison's ex-boyfriend, Jake.
Throughout the episode, tensions between the characters are high, as they each struggle to confront and deal with their issues and insecurities. The show manages to balance humor and drama well, keeping the audience engaged and invested in the lives and struggles of the characters.
In conclusion, Duke's Bad Boy is another solid episode of Beverly Hills 90210 that showcases the show's ability to balance multiple plot lines and emotions. It provides insight into the struggles of teenagers and young adults, as they navigate school, relationships, and their personal lives. Ultimately, it is a show that continues to resonate with audiences decades after its initial release.