30 greatest Thanksgiving episodes of all time
By Reed Gaudens
28. Beverly Hills, 90210
Episode: Season 3, Episode 15, “The Kindness of Strangers”
What’s on the menu: Cindy Walsh pulls out all the stops for Thanksgiving dinner, especially in Beverly Hills where Brandon and Brenda’s friends wind up ditching their dysfunctional families for the Walsh festivities. Everyone ends up at the Walsh home for the holiday, including Brandon’s new recruit. Putting his kind heart on display (was there ever anyone better than Brandon in those first three years?) by welcoming the homeless man he met early that summer over for dinner.
Brandon encounters war veteran Jack Canner once again after trying to get him a job at the beach club a few months back. He brings Jack into the Peach Pit and convinces him to temporarily stay at a homeless shelter. However, Jack can’t handle the dependency and the submission of his freedom, which prompts Brandon to bring him home. Jim initially takes issue with Jack due to a disagreement about the war, but a helping hand during the storm reminds them what the holiday is all about.
Why we’re thankful for it: Of course, we’re thankful for “The Kindness of Strangers” because of Brandon’s pure heart. Who’s sweeter than Brandon Walsh? Swoon! But as if you need reminding, Season 3’s right in the middle of the iconic Dylan, Brenda, and Kelly love triangle, and their entanglements boil over into Thanksgiving. Even though Beverly Hills, 90210 aired plenty more holiday episodes during its 10-year run (including Brandon’s impromptu reunion with Emily Valentine the next year and David and Valerie’s goodbye in Season 9), here’s peak-90210 heartwarming.