Shannen Doherty’s first stint on Beverly Hills, 90210 lasted four short years. Doherty’s time on the new 90210 spin-off will last only for four episodes. And suddenly, I’m no longer at all excited about this series.

This week’s 90210 episode was rather dismal - lacking Doherty completely, as it did - focusing mainly on Kelly’s sister Silver and her bad home life. Naomi also discovered that her father is cheating on her mother - and her mother doesn’t care (how Beverly Hills is that). Kelly dropped precious few hints about the paternity of her child. Her and the father had a “history” together in High School, evidently - which still leaves the possibilities at three, though I’m still rooting for Steve.

None of it, of course, matters. I’m interested in the show only insofar as it directly pertains to Brenda Walsh, who won’t be on the show past this month’s episodes. According to an unnamed source which is allegedly “close to production,” “We’ve always made it clear we’d love for her [Shannen Doherty] to do more [episodes].”

“They asked me to do a lot more,” Shannen admitted to Entertainment Weekly, but cited scheduling conflicts as her reason for not signing up for a longer stint with the new series. “I’m in the middle of pitching a show,” she explained. And losing her mind. Doherty has never quite attained the same level of celebrity she enjoyed while on the original Beverly Hills, 90210, and all other new shows she’s worked on since have ended rather dismally for the raven-haired actress.

Jennie Garth will star in an additional 5 episodes of 90210 (that’s 11 total for those who are keeping track). And though 90210 was down almost 2 million viewers this week, it’s still getting high viewership for CW - which all but guarantees all 5 of those Garth-laden episodes will air. Without the promised friction between characters Kelly and Brenda, however, I no longer even care if Garth remains on-set…and I couldn’t possibly be less interested in her budding relationship with the teacher who doesn’t know how to use a razor.