A Walsh Family Christmas

A Walsh Family Christmas is the 18th episode of Season 2 of Beverly Hills, 90210.

Synopsis
Steve arrives in Albuquerque, New Mexico and tracks down his grandfather, Al Brown (Parley Baer). At home in Beverly Hills, Steve's mother Samantha Sanders (Christine Belford) worries whether Steve will return in time to celebrate Christmas – or at all. Cindy's missing the Minnesota Christmas landscape and the neighbourhood holiday gatherings, but Brandon comes up with a solution, while the gang pays a surprise visit.

Plot
 Steve arrives in Albuquerque and tracks down his grandfather, a diner owner. Al explains that his daughter gave up Steve because she was very young and wanted him to have a good home. He sadly reveals that Karen died in a car accident. Steve leaves flowers at her grave, and convinces an eccentric Santa-like charter pilot to fly him home for Christmas. Cindy is depressed about her first Christmas in Beverly Hills. She invites the kids' friends and their families for Christmas Eve dinner, but everyone has other plans. Brandon visits Emily in a psychiatric hospital, where she is doing very well. Brenda begins work at an upscale clothing store. She feels bad when her boss throws out a cheerful old man dressed as Santa Claus. She stops the police from harassing him and invites him over for dinner. Dylan goes to see his father in prison, and talks with the same Santa. Jackie is furious when Mel backs out of Christmas Eve plans because his estranged wife asked him to come over with David. Samantha, Kelly, Jackie, Andrea, David, Mel, Donna, Dylan and Steve all show up at the Walsh house for dinner and caroling. The old man gives everyone presents and describes his lonely life; his children are grown and his wife died a year earlier. He thanks Brenda for her kindness and generosity, then mysteriously disappears as footsteps are heard on the roof.

Starring

 * Jason Priestley as Brandon Walsh
 * Shannen Doherty as Brenda Walsh
 * Jennie Garth as Kelly Taylor
 * Ian Ziering as Steve Sanders
 * Gabrielle Carteris as Andrea Zuckerman
 * Luke Perry as Dylan McKay
 * Brian Austin Green as David Silver
 * Tori Spelling as Donna Martin
 * Carol Potter as Cindy Walsh
 * and James Eckhouse as Jim Walsh


 * Recurring cast
 * Joe E. Tata as Nat Bussichio
 * Christine Elise as Emily Valentine


 * Guest starring
 * Keene Curtis as Santa Claus
 * Ann Gillespie as Jackie Taylor
 * Matthew Laurance as Mel Silver
 * Christine Belford as Samantha Sanders
 * Josh Taylor as Jack McKay
 * Parley Baer as Al Brown
 * Rebecca Staab as Deidre


 * Co-Starring
 * Andrew Magarian as Cop #2
 * Ellaraino as Woman at Psychiatric Hospital
 * Sheila Kay as Customer #2
 * Lou DiMaggio as Tree Salesman
 * Patricia Belcher as Nun
 * Joseph Torrenueva as Cab Driver
 * Yvonne Saa as Girl
 * Louise-Diana as Customer #1

Trivia

 * Steve's told his Mom about Andrea
 * The Walshes spent the previous Christmas in Minnesota
 * Steve mentions that he was born 15 May 1974
 * Steve's mother used to live at 5595 Navajo Trail
 * PRODUCTION NOTES
 * The store that Brenda gets a job in is what was then the trendiest shop in L.A., Tracey Ross, and the episode was actually shot on location in the store.

Music

 * white christmas | BING CROSBY
 * Steve arrives in Albuquerque; montage of a decked out Beverly Hills


 * christmas is the time to say "i love you" | BILLY SQUIER
 * Brandon works the holiday shift at the Peach Pit


 * blue christmas | ELVIS PRESTLEY
 * andrea drops by the peach pit and is not feeling the holidays

Photos
stills