Cuffs and Links

"Well, I gotta hand it to you Brandon: I didn't think anything could possibly take my mind off of Brenda this afternoon, but, you did it"

- Jim disappointed to learn of Lucinda Cuffs and Links is the 24th episode of Season 4 of Beverly Hills, 90210.

Synopsis
Legalities make Brenda an outcast of sorts, and Jim learns that she's not the only twin in trouble. Meanwhile, Barry Bonds plays the golf nemesis of Steve's father, who tees off his son when they tee up in a tournament; and Kelly picks the wrong time to express feelings of jealousy.

Plot
 Brenda, having been arrested for participating in the breaking and entering of the medical labs at the college, is now at the police station undergoing fingerprinting and photographing and finally confinement in a crowded prison cell with others. Dylan arrives with Kelly in answer to Brenda's telephone call. The desk sergeant advises them of the charges against Brenda and the fact that her bail is set at $ 50,000. Dylan realizes he has to call Brenda's parents even though she asks that he not tell them. Kelly is still upset that Brenda called Dylan for help and he rushed to her aid. Dylan gets a bit angry at Kelly for questioning his actions. At the Walsh house, Jim and Brandon are up having coffee and ready for Steve and his father to pick them up for the golf tournament. Just as the foursome are about to drive off in Rush Sanders's new Bentley, Dylan and Kelly arrive. Dylan tells Jim Walsh he must speak to him privately. Inside, Jim is joined by Cindy as Dylan tells them Brenda is in jail.

At the devastated college medical labs, Andrea is helping the staff clean up the damage and round up the stray animals. Andrea expresses her anger toward the extremist animal right activists. Brenda talks with Ingrid who is locked in the same cell. She finds out the extremist has been arrested in three states and only escaped prison by having a good lawyer. At the golf course, Steve's father, Rush, is complaining bitterly that they may be scratched from competition because Brandon and Jim Walsh went to help Brenda. An official approaches Rush Sanders and tells him he is in luck because some other pairs didn't show up. They've teamed Rush and Steve against an excellent golfer and baseball player, Barry Larsen. Rush is not pleased about this, fearing he could lose the match. Brandon, Kelly, Dylan and Cindy are waiting in the courtroom gallery for Brenda to appear before the judge. Jim joins them, having completed the bailposting procedure. He advises them that the lab was doing government research and this could mean a federal offense. In a court holding area, one of the activists, Jonathan Farrino, accuses Brenda of tipping off the FBI. He'd been against them using Brenda at the beginning. Before the judge, Brenda testifies "not guilty" to the charges, but the bail is held at $50,000. She is released and told to appear in three weeks.

David and Donna discuss the startling result of the simple act of picking up a stray dog on the street. At home, Brenda and Jim have a serious father/daughter discussion about her behavior. Cindy joins in by saying that it is fine to have an opinion about things and express her feelings vocally and quite another to be a part of a criminal action. Later upstairs, Brenda confesses to Brandon that she is frightened. He tries to console her by saying their father has hired a top lawyer. Josh Richland drops by to see Brandon. He says he has a deadline to meet on the story and he has a few quick questions. He angers Brandon by asking about the relationship with Lucinda Nicholson and using Kelly as a cover up for his illicit affair. Richland then backs off and suggests that if Brandon would back him for student body president next term, he'll drop the whole article on his romantic entanglements. Brandon explodes, saying he would never back him for president and what's more, if he prints these libelous accusations, he could be in for a lot of trouble. The golf match is not going well for Rush and he is venting his frustration on Steve. Rush takes a new golf ball from his pocket and hits an incredible drive down the course. Everyone is amazed. Brandon goes to see Lucinda and accuses her of telling Richland about their relationship, out of spite. Brandon says that now that she has her grant for funding her documentary, she apparently doesn't care if she hurts other people.

Donna drives Brenda to Jesse's apartment so she can explain and apologize to Andrea about the lab destruction. Brenda explains to a stunned Andrea, that she was one of the extremists. Jesse steps into the discussion and advises Andrea not to get involved or she could find herself subpoenaed to testify. He suggests Donna stay away from Brenda too. Donna drives Brenda home and offers to be available if she's needed, but not to discuss the animal rights issue. From across the street, activist Jon Farrino watches as Brenda walks away. Jim Walsh is just getting off the phone with Brenda's lawyer. He is very depressed about all the trouble and tells Brandon he wishes his twin sister were like him. Jim says how proud he is of Brandon. Brandon then shocks his father by confessing to the whole sordid relationship with Lucinda and how the entire expose will be printed in a "The Condor" tomorrow, by Josh Richland. Brandon says his bright future in college politics has come to an end. On the golf course, as they approach the eighteenth hole, Rush says he has to get another ball from his bag and when he rejects the one Steve offers, his son gets suspicious. Rush confesses the balls he uses have been treated in a way that makes them drive a greater distance. Steve is disgusted that his father is cheating.

Kelly and Dylan are relaxing in each other's arms on the couch when the doorbell rings. Dylan crosses to the door and finds Brenda there. Before he opens the door, Kelly cautions Dylan about Jesse's warning to stay away from Brenda or risk being subpoenaed. Dylan scoffs at the idea. Soon Kelly begins to lose patience with Brenda and says she's tired of stepping aside every time she gets in trouble and calls Dylan for help. Dylan gets angry with Kelly for bringing this into the conversation. Brenda is hurt and rushes for the door. Kelly is left in the room all alone, frustrated and near tears. At the final green, Rush has just sunk his ball. Some onlookers cheer Rush and they all turn to watch Steve sink his ball and win the match, but Steve has another idea. He purposely misses the hole so his father will lose the match. He turns to his father saying "he won't allow a cheater to win" and either his father plays fair, or they will lose. Rush realizes he has no choice but to go along with the idea. Brenda arrives home to a message that the FBI wants to see her. At the golf tournament, Rush has come to the realization that his son is a much finer person than he'd ever suspected. He tells Steve he was tempted to cheat because winning is so important to him. Steve sinks his ball and they win the tournament. At FBI offices, Brenda and Jim are joined by their attorney. Brenda is stunned when Jon Farrino walks into the room and is revealed as an undercover agent. He tells them that all they want from Brenda is an affidavit that will corroborate the testimony from Ingrid Lake. Brenda will just sign some papers, but will not have to appear in court.

At the beach apartment, David and Andrea arrive carrying a small box. They present a small, very lively puppy to Donna. She is overjoyed and Andrea assures her that the dog is healthy. They decide to call it Rocky II. On campus, The Condor newspaper is out. Brandon is puzzled as he looks over Richland's article. It's not a hatchet job, but rather filled with praise for Brandon. Richland later tells Brandon that he passed the test when he refused to allow himself to be blackmailed. At the Peach Pit, the group is wandering in. Donna is there to show off Rocky II. Dylan and Kelly have patched up their differences. Brenda comes by to tell them the charges against her were dropped but she doesn't linger, feeling uncomfortable with Dylan and Kelly. Kelly feeling rather badly about what she said to Brenda earlier, follows her outside. She apologizes and confesses she doesn't her petty jealousy to stop them from still being friends.

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


 * Special Guest Stars
 * Dina Meyer as Lucinda Nicholson
 * Joe E. Tata as Nat Bussichio


 * SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY
 * Barry Bonds as Barry Larson


 * Recurring cast
 * Joshua Beckett as Josh Richland
 * and Mark Damon Espinoza as Jesse Vasquez


 * Guest starring
 * Jed Allan as Rush Sanders
 * Paul Lieber as Activist
 * David Kagen as Attorney
 * Katherine Cortez as Researcher
 * Stack Pierce as Bobby Larson
 * Teri Austin as Ingrid
 * with Lawrence Monoson as Jon Farrino


 * Co-Starring
 * Peggy Roeder as Desk Sergeant
 * Conrad G. Bachmann as Tournament Official
 * Rick Deats as Golfer
 * Tony Ralph-Wilson as Judge
 * Audrey Anderson as Officer #1
 * Michael Emanuel as Officer #2
 * Tom Ohmer as Guard

Quotes
"Who'd you sleep with to get your grant?"

- Brandon, to Lucinda

"I did what I had to do, alright, it had nothing to do with the fact it was Brenda"

- Dylan, to Kelly

Trivia

 * Brenda's released on a $50,000 bail and has to appear in court three weeks later
 * Lucinda tries to rekindle things, until Brandon is sexist to her and they're over for good.
 * Brenda apologises to Andrea for the lab destruction, and Andrea later forgives her easily.
 * In the face of Brenda's imminent prosecution, Jim laments how different she and Brandon are and tells Brandon how proud he is of him, which leads Brandon to tell his father about his affair with Lucinda
 * Andrea gives Donna a stray puppy from the lab, and they name him Rocky II.

Music

 * spirit in the sky | NORMAN GREENBAUM
 * brenda tells off everyone at the peach pit

Photos

 * promos