Brandon and Brenda Walsh begin their first year at West Beverly Hills High, and experience culture shock when they become exposed to the glamour, wealth, and privilege that their classmates possess. Following a romantic date, Brandon accidentally spreads a rumor about him sleeping with a notorious party girl at school. Brenda uses a fake ID to get into a nightclub and passes herself off as a college student when she begins dating a young lawyer. Ninth graders, David and Scott attempt to make their mark in school.

Brenda goes shopping with Kelly and her wild friend Tiffany and wishes that she had their kind of money. Unbeknowest to her, Tiffany is a shoplifter and when they get arrested, Brenda begins losing her mother's trust. Meanwhile, Brandon gets a job at a trendy restaurant where his boss treats him horribly and pays the minority employees less than minimum wage. Cindy grows uncomfortable when Jim hires a maid.