Why Brandon Walsh Was The Best Character On Beverly Hills 90210

Okay, let's talk Beverly Hills, 90210. Yes, the show. The one with the hair. And the drama. And the fashion that still makes us chuckle today. We all had our favorites, right? Some loved Brenda’s passionate outbursts. Others were all about Kelly’s perfect blonde hair and even more perfect life (mostly). And of course, there was Dylan, the brooding bad boy we all secretly wanted to fix. But I’m here to plant a seed. A seed of truth, if you will. A seed that says, with all the love in my heart and a slight smirk, that Brandon Walsh was, in fact, the absolute best character on Beverly Hills, 90210.

I know, I know. “Brandon? Really?” You might be thinking that. You might be picturing the perpetually earnest guy who seemed to be constantly trying to do the right thing. The one with the slightly too-buttoned-up shirts. But hear me out. While everyone else was busy with their manufactured crises and designer outfits, Brandon was the anchor. He was the steady hand in a sea of teen angst and questionable life choices.

Think about it. While Dylan was off brooding and getting into trouble (again), Brandon was the one reminding him about his responsibilities. While Kelly was navigating the treacherous waters of popularity and boyfriend drama, Brandon was there to offer a listening ear and a sensible piece of advice. He was the responsible one. The reliable one. The one you could actually count on when things got truly messy. And let’s be honest, things got pretty messy on that show. Like, really messy.

He wasn't perfect, of course. Nobody on that show was. But Brandon’s imperfections felt… human. They were relatable. He worried about his grades. He worried about his friends. He even worried about the color of his walls. These were the everyday anxieties that we, as viewers, could actually connect with. He wasn’t a millionaire’s kid with a trust fund for every emotional breakdown. He was just a good kid trying to figure things out.

And let’s not forget his journalistic integrity! As editor of the West Beverly Blaze, he was always striving for the truth. Even when the truth was inconvenient. Remember when he exposed that scandal involving the principal? That took guts! While others were more concerned with who was dating whom, Brandon was busy trying to make a difference, to shed light on important issues. He was the moral compass of the Peach Pit gang, and frankly, they needed it.

Plus, he had that fantastic, albeit slightly dated, haircut. It was a symbol of a simpler time, a time before TikTok dances and existential dread about the internet. It was a haircut that screamed, “I’m here to do my best, and maybe learn a little something along the way.” And that’s admirable!

While Dylan had the mystique, and Kelly had the glamour, Brandon had something more enduring: genuine kindness. He was the friend who would drive across town at 3 AM to pick you up. He was the brother who would defend you, even when you were being a complete pain. He was the guy who, even when he was heartbroken over a breakup, still managed to be a supportive friend to everyone else.

Let’s talk about his relationships. He had that whole thing with Andrea, which was sweet in its own way, even if it was a little complicated. And then there was his epic romance with Emily Valentine. Oh, Emily. She was a firecracker, and Brandon, bless his heart, tried his best to keep up. But even when things went south with her, he didn’t turn into a bitter, vengeful ex. He moved on, with grace.

He was the glue that held them all together. The sensible one in the storm.

While the others were busy being "iconic" (and yes, they were, in their own dramatic way), Brandon was simply being good. He was the guy you’d want as your neighbor. The guy you’d want as your dad. He represented the good intentions that we all aspire to have. He was the reminder that even in the glitz and glamour of Beverly Hills, there’s still room for decency and integrity.

So, the next time you’re reminiscing about Beverly Hills, 90210, and you’re thinking about the wild parties, the dramatic breakups, and the questionable fashion choices, take a moment. A quiet, respectful moment. And raise a glass (of soda, probably, since Brandon wouldn’t approve of anything stronger) to Brandon Walsh. The unsung hero. The quiet achiever. The best character on Beverly Hills, 90210. And if you disagree, well, you’re probably wrong. But that’s okay. We can still be friends. Just like Brandon would have wanted.