It's another year and another new episode of The OC. It's also another chance for me to think about how I would fix the show. I think part of the reason a lot of us tend to get bored with some episodes is that the producers really telegraph what is going to be happening in the next hour right in the first five minutes. For instance, in this week's episode, we learn that their mission is going to be getting Marissa back into Harbor. Perhaps there wasn't a natural way for all of this to happen, but for those of use who like even a schtickel of anticipation, it's a disappointment. That being said, I can't complain much because the episode was otherwise fun, had a lot of good dialogue, and the writers have left themselves open for a lot of shenanigans down the road. Sort of like starting your night out with some drinks and then moving on to some shrooms. You may have started out thinking it would be a boring night, but you're so happy at the end (or paranoid, it all depends), you don't really care how you got there.
I guess the writers were worried that jerks like me would start to complain that our Newport friends never go to anyplace other than the diner, because we find Ryan, Marissa, Seth, and Summer enjoying drinks at the Bait Shop. No, they don't have fake IDs; they're drinking mocktails. Mocktails are cocktails with no alcohol, so you have safe sex on the beach, fauxjitos (that would be a mojito sans rum, not Doritos made with olestra), and my personal favorite, the sober Russian (a white Russian devoid of vodka or Kahlua). It's the last night before the kids start their last semester at school, of their last year, so as Summer says, they should make it - all together now - LAST. Summer loves senior year so much, or at least the winter break, that she wishes she could TiVo it so she could play it again and again until graduation. Well, depending on how often Marissa's boob popped out, we may be able to help her out.
While Marissa goes to pee and Seth goes to get drinks, which is odd because they are already seated at the bar, Ryan and Summer discuss the upcoming week. The class picture is coming up, and Summer has a crazy plan. She sort of saved Chrismukkah, so why not try graduation? Dirty Dean Hess is gone, and besides, the people who kicked her out have probably forgotten by now, right? Well, Ryan is not so sure. After all, nobody gave him a second chance. They threw him out right after the fights, the arson, the underage pregnancy, the ex-con, having sex with minors, brother, and the expulsion, so why should he think anything would be different for Marissa, right? General Summer is on a mission, as are battle analogies. War Channel is the new Food Network, after all. I guess that makes Summer one hot Rachael Ray, and Ryan one short Bobby Flay.
Now, we saw the campaign to bring Marissa back a mile away. I'm not even going to gloat about the prediction because A) it was so easy and B) anything that might limit Johnny's involvement is something to be celebrated. Besides, this is the time of year when seniors are starting to look for something to do. Seth makes the point very well; with college applications out, things like learning and homework or 10% effort in gym class are hard to come by. Still, he wants to know what it is exactly they're trying to save Marissa from, besides the bohemian hipster look we thought died when we all saw Britney walk into that bathroom barefoot. Summer kindly reminds him that she is at public school, a place where she'll have mediocre lunches, ill-fitting gym shorts, and lots of poor kids.
A good attitude is great, but there are practical considerations. Ryan goes to see Dr. Kim about reinstating Marissa. She says that it is up to the board, and while she doesn't think he has much of a shot, promises to get Marissa's statement on the agenda for their next meeting, which is Thursday. As an added bonus, she even gives Ryan a hint to help him along. There is a case from the fall of 1996 (coincidentally, J-Unit's senior year) that has some precedent to Marissa's case. How nice of the producers to bring a little stare decisis to a new generation of young people who don't have the time to have Joe Biden explain it to them.
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Comments (7)
All I could think about was "Donna Martin Graduates!" ... way to rip off the concept from 90210! This show is really "starting" to suck. I may drop it and get my Thursday nights back!
1 of 7 | Posted by Branglina's Spawn
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Posted on January 14, 2006 4:32 PM
The show is starting get more ridiculous. Everything is so very cliched and really boring. I wish they would bring Anna back :(
I'll still watch the show every Thursday. Something about it continues to pull me back in every time.
2 of 7 | Posted by someonespecial
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Posted on January 14, 2006 11:47 PM
Well I hate to be The OC nerd but they were purposely trying to pay homage to that 90210 episode.
Also, Anna is coming back for sure this season. I saw a "news" article about how people aren't liking the 3rd season as much, and one of the things Josh Schwartz has planned for the second half of the season is to bring Anna back.
Overall I thought this episode was great and much improved over the past few
sodes. Johnny needs to leave though.
3 of 7 | Posted by k-slice
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Posted on January 15, 2006 12:30 AM
I have always been a huge fan of the OC but it's been pretty crappy as of late. I could do with less of Marissa and Ryan and more of Summer and Seth.
I hope they make this storyline with Caitlyn worthwhile!
So 90210...they are recycling epsidoes!
4 of 7 | Posted by mere2142
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Posted on January 15, 2006 7:08 AM
Why would Marissa stay at a school just so Johnny has someone to hang out with? I know it's just in Marissa's character to help these loser guys but hasn't she learned anything? How about Oliver, that kid who she dropped everything for and insisted on helping and turned out he was completely insane and ruined her relationship with Ryan for a while? I'm just so annoyed with how she trys to help these guys but ends up ruinging everyone else's life, but her friends just keep on letting her do it! How about staying in public school because your mom can't afford the tuition at Harbor? I love how they just brushed over that whole thing. But I love the show, part of the fun is making fun of it.
5 of 7 | Posted by g-child
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Posted on January 16, 2006 7:15 AM
Ok lets be honest- the OC is nooo 90210. I mean at least in the first season there was some teenage sex and alcohol. Now this show is more like saved by the bell. There are no cliff hangers anymore. Boring. They werent paying homage they were copying. When I saw The 'Marissa Cooper Graduates' sign I was annoyed. Thats literally one of the best 90 episodes Ever haha. When is 90210 coming out on DVD? Id rather watch that anyday!
PPS I accidently posted this under RR/RW challenge- my bad
6 of 7 | Posted by bdiddy
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Posted on January 18, 2006 11:21 AM
I'm so happy that Marissa is getting back into Harbor. Exactly how much school work did she complete at Newport Union?
7 of 7 | Posted by bdub
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Posted on January 18, 2006 6:19 PM