Last season I was criticized because people said I did not like the show enough. Whenever I commented on it, it was to point out some inconsistency, a piece of bad acting, or blatant laziness by the writers. I have to say that people must understand that I am a fan of this show, and when I completely tear it apart, it really is in the interest of the show. There just has to be more to a season than Seth/Summer or Ryan/Marissa breaking up and getting back together for me to be going crazy. I am not going to spend 5000 words stroking Josh Schwartz like some katoey boy in the bathroom of a bar in Phuket. (Disclosure: Never really liked Bill Simmons, but respected what he did. After that piece of Katie Couric hard-hitting journalism, well, I don't know.) Anyway, forgive me for some cynicism, because I do enjoy the show. Let's get on with the recap.

The big cliffhanger from last year was, of course, what happened to Trey. Marissa had shot him while he was about to kill Ryan. She shot him once, which seems pretty accurate considering the way she was holding it, the kick would have knocked her out. Trey didn't die, however, and he was rushed to the hospital where the doctors were trying to save his life. Ryan followed, and Marissa was there as well, with Seth and Summer close behind. Even though he had been beaten to a bloody pulp, he was still trying to be Ryan Atwood, ie telling everybody what to do and acting like he was middle-aged. He was telling Marissa not to talk, attempting to start an IV on his brother, and trying to explain to the cops how he managed to get a haircut from then end of the second season in the five minutes that have transpired since that time in the third season. Hey Josh, just saying it — it’s the unfortunate reality of Newport Beach. They don't have barbers in the ambulances, even for the rich kids.