Entering their senior years, the teenage protagonists that make up The OC had a lot to look forward to. During the day they would rule the school and the evening time would bring unprecedented levels of debauchery as they could start getting into the "18 and over" nights at The Bait Shop. Ryan and Seth managed to go a whole summer without running away so their girlfriends weren't mad at them and they wouldn't have to waste precious months winning them back. Then again, not everything was so awesome. Marissa shot somebody, Ryan actually did try and run away and everybody was about to follow him, and Ryan and Marissa got thrown out of their private school because of that shooting. But let's try to accentuate the positive and all of that. Marissa's parents were getting back together, and Seth's mom was out of rehab and would be coming home any day now. As long as they had each other, what was going to keep them apart?
The OC still loves the early morning breakfast banter, but we have been introduced to a new breakfast routine as Summer, Seth, Ryan and Marissa all enjoy piling into a booth at their favorite diner and eating food or discussing their lives. As teenage eateries goes, it doesn't quite have the cachet of The Max, but it will do. As the realization of Ryan and Marissa's situation began to sink in, Summer is getting more and more depressed. Although she isn't a ra-ra type big on school spirit and she does have expensive tastes, but she really likes the simple pleasures as well, especially when it comes to her high school experience. She had imagined her junior prom since she was a young girl, and for all the things Seth Cohen did incorrectly, saving her at the end of the prom probably did more for their relationship then a thousand spiderman kisses. Summer will still have Ryan, but not having her best friend is going to be difficult.
You also know that things aren't going to get easier for Seth either. He was always a huge geek, and while he did gain some cred after going out with the hottest girl in the school, without Ryan around to intimidate the bullies, he was going to be in line for a number of different methods of geek torture including being pushed into lockers, wedgies, swirlies, and having his butt cheeks taped together. Frankly, I don't get that last one. Perhaps his ass was so hairy that it hurt to rip the tape off? And from the bully's standpoint, isn't gluteal affixation sort of, well, a pain in the ass to accomplish? Wouldn't that be a least a three man job? And being macho and everything, doesn't it strike you as slightly homoerotic?
In fact, Summer and Seth think that maybe Ryan and Marissa got the better end of the deal. After all, they won't have to deal with the pastel Dean who is getting creepier and creepier with. Besides, they still have each other and if they stick together they will be OK. If unplanned pregnancies, attempted lesbianism, and attempted murder can't keep these two apart, it's going to take a force of nature to prevent these two from enjoying all of their moments together. Or their parents could have tell them not to see each other, but they wouldn't do that after how hard the two of them have tried to stay together, right? Shouldn't they just accept it by now?
We are beginning to see a different Sandy this year. We have always known that he was well connected. We have never seen him step foot into a courtroom or even a judges chambers, but he still manages to be one of the most connected people in Newport. He's always making calls and pulling in favors even though we never get to see how he earns them. It must be this uncanny skill that has found him as head of the Newport Group while Kirsten is gone even though most people wouldn't hire him if they needed to build a bird house. Sandy is also showing new colors when it comes to this relationship with Ryan. We have seen the Cohens get parental on Seth for obvious reasons, but they usually left Ryan alone, and rarely scolded him for anything. So when Sandy called Ryan in for a little chat, the last thing we were expecting was for Sandy to get upset or raise his voice, but that's exactly what he did.
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Comments (23)
What, no "Hey" count?
1 of 23 | Posted by D. Chuck | Posted on September 27, 2005 5:16 AM
Dean Hess needs to be given detention by the dean of fashion. Seriously man, he looks like he is going for a wedding.
2 of 23 | Posted by Rainna | Posted on September 27, 2005 5:49 AM
Awful recap, J-Unit. No jokes? No flow? You leave out that "the stuff" Charlotte packed up was not her own but Kirsten's? I know you guys have busy schedules with all your tv watching, so I'm not going to give you too hard a time. But I know you can do it; just try harder next time.
3 of 23 | Posted by ed | Posted on September 27, 2005 6:38 AM
What exactly does Kirsten do for the Newport Group that she wouldn't know it was bankrupt? How is it that Ryan and Marissa hadn't slept together when they are both apperantly so easy? Does the mobster guy just let Jimmy leave without ever getting any money?
4 of 23 | Posted by josh | Posted on September 27, 2005 6:47 AM
What about Caleb's other daughter Hailey? Doesn't she get some money? Also, wasn't Kirsten's creepy friend only in rehab for like an hour/episode? Which doesn't really make sense if she has relapsed like a million times.
And I think that Julie Cooper will find some way to make money, perhaps a fashion line. She seems to be pretty savvy.
5 of 23 | Posted by Laurie | Posted on September 27, 2005 7:17 AM
What about the magazine? Whatever happened to that?
6 of 23 | Posted by josh | Posted on September 27, 2005 7:21 AM
Laurie - she got held up in 1987.
Seriously though that's a good point. I think Lindsay would've gotten something too.
7 of 23 | Posted by jt | Posted on September 27, 2005 7:32 AM
I'm willing to bet that Taylor and Dean Hess are secretly banging and that will end up being their downfall. After that, Ryan and Marissa will be let back into school just in time for prom.
I'm sure Julie will ask the Cohens for money. Who knows if they'll give it to her. They're suckers for a sob story.
Charlotte will probably try to kill Sandy. Maybe she's sucking up to Kirsten for the money she thought Kirsten would inherit from Caleb?
I thought for sure they were going to kill off Jimmy in this episode, so when he showed up bruised and beaten the next morning, I was surprised.
8 of 23 | Posted by Mary | Posted on September 27, 2005 7:37 AM
RE: THE TAPING OF THE ASS CHEEKS
I believe it was a reference to The Breakfast Club, and not necessarily something that Seth would actually endure. Does he wear some sort of disguise? Because the geeks at my school were definitely not hot like him. They had volcanos erupting on their faces and did not dress that well.
9 of 23 | Posted by Tootie | Posted on September 27, 2005 8:06 AM
Laurie,
God, I am slipping. Totally blanked out on Haley. I guess the flight from Japan would be too much of a pain in the ass.
Josh,
I think the Magazine was over when Julie's porn video was displayed at the launch, or soon thereafter.
10 of 23 | Posted by J-Unit | Posted on September 27, 2005 8:31 AM
It is a reference to the Breakfast Club. That's how Emilio Estevez ended up in detention. He taped a geek's butt cheeks together in the locker room. And yes, when they pulled off the tape, a lot of hair and some skin came off. Geez people, this is a classic.
11 of 23 | Posted by Claire | Posted on September 27, 2005 9:22 AM
longest recap ever! thanks!
jimmy cooper may be the biggest pussy ever but at least his isnt shallow like say....ryan atwood's.
12 of 23 | Posted by jash | Posted on September 27, 2005 9:41 AM
I'm with ed (#3)... I think it's a big important detail that Charlotte packed up a Cohen family picture when she left Lake Arrowhead! I think she's going to try to steal Kirsten's identity or copy her life or something. She sure is creepy.
13 of 23 | Posted by Lisa | Posted on September 27, 2005 11:18 AM
I always assumed Ryan would leave the wife beater on when gettin a little somethin.
I really can't figure the Charlotte thing out, although did anyone else notice that Jeri Ryan's breasts were sagging very low this episode? Anyways, I can't imagine they would resurrect the lesbian thing again and if she was after Cal's money the storyline would just be a mute point now, so that can't be it. And damn, already did the illegitimate daughter of Cal/KiKi's long lost sister storyline too.
Why did KiKi have no interest in seeing her kids while she was in rehab?! Seriously, can teenagers not visit rehab? I have no idea. Even so, she comes back to town for the will but can't swing by and see Seth and Ryan for a second?!
Am I the only person who has some mad Jimmy Cooper love? I was more upset when he got beaten up/left than anyone on that show. Maybe Marissa was just worn out from the sex, but she could barely muster any emotion considering her dad looked like hell and she was never going to see him again. Even Julie only teared up because it meant they would be broke now. I have to say, I wish they could have at least kept him on for a little while longer so Julie could officially become Julie Cooper-Nichol-Cooper.
14 of 23 | Posted by JuJu | Posted on September 27, 2005 1:18 PM
I have to admit that was the best OC episode in a long time. But seriously, we are supposed to believe that Ryan and Marissa haven't done the deed until now? no way. I don't buy it.
Best Seth moment of the season so far:
Dean Jackass: I’m not gonna give you the satisfaction of a reunion with Ryan an Marissa...I’m gonna keep you here...with me
Seth: (nods) that’s creepy...
I laughed my ass off.
15 of 23 | Posted by jameswoods | Posted on September 27, 2005 1:51 PM
So can we get no comment or explanation as to why the Dean of Discipline was hiding in the dark behind curtains on the stage on a SATURDAY afternoon...in full formal attire no less. Is this guy trying to get all the overtime pay possible or what?
Noon on saturday...he couldn't have just been wearing a polo shirt or something.
I don't know how this guy has just seemingly gotten all this power. Although really the Principal of Harbor has never really had much power outside of those first few episodes of season 1 when she doesn't want to let Ryan in.
16 of 23 | Posted by Justin | Posted on September 27, 2005 2:19 PM
seriously, please bring back more of the dominatrix-like asian headmistress. she is hella cool.
17 of 23 | Posted by jash | Posted on September 27, 2005 3:11 PM
Justin:
Wow. You are an idiot. Your comments about Dean Hess are absolutely Ludicrous. Finally the writers of this show add a great character and all you can do is nit pick about trivial details. There are a dozen reasons why Dean Hess could have been at school on a Saturday. He could have been over-seeing a Saturday school session or any number of other extra-curricular activities. My personal theory is that he was banging Taylor Townsend backstage and happened to hear Seth so he pulled his khakis up and went and did his job. As for why he is wearing his uniform on a Saturday, Dean Hess is a man who approaches his job with a real sense of diginty. He's actually trying to make a difference. Some people don't just float aimlessly through life without yearning for a certain sense of accomplishment. I dont know how you live your life but I am certain that you cannot hold a candle to a man of Dean Hess' stature. He is an amazing character that is brilliantly acted. I can only hope that he has a long and prosperous run on The OC. If Dean Hess goes, I stop watching.
18 of 23 | Posted by Bjolly | Posted on September 27, 2005 8:27 PM
Kudos bjolly...that was the most well written thing I have ever seen on this site. Did you finally start going to class or did you check that grammar on microsoft word. Your points are smart and enlightening, I think you have a career ahead of you in this field.
19 of 23 | Posted by Justin | Posted on September 27, 2005 9:16 PM
Okay, I suspend disbelief for this show a lot, but Ryan delicately deflowering Marisa on the beach is horseshit. They've been doing it since episode 3 at least.
20 of 23 | Posted by AEW | Posted on September 27, 2005 9:30 PM
Justin,
I'd love to spend some time attacking your character and writing other sarcastic comments without including any actual facts or rebuttals in them (as you have just done)... but its anal sex night at the jolly residence, I have to go punish my girlfriend.
21 of 23 | Posted by Bjolly | Posted on September 27, 2005 11:38 PM
to Justin and Bjolly,
I thoroughly enjoy your comments and theories about the OC. You both sound like you went to a high ranked liberal arts college. Yes, Dean Hess was definitely boning the hell out of Taylor Townsend backstage when Seth showed up. Yes, he is a little overdressed for Southern California at noon on a Saturday in September. Khakis and a Blazer as he is wearing must force him to blast the A/C in the Harbor School Auditorium to our apartment arctic levels. Maybe he does not have a sweating problem though.
22 of 23 | Posted by Apolanger | Posted on September 28, 2005 12:33 AM
I have 2 theories on charlotte. 1, she was also having an affair with caleb, and was getting close to kirstin to find out if maybe she would be named somehow, maybe in the will or something, hence the "surprise." 2, she is an agent of some sort, or works for someone that caleb owed money to or loaned money to, and charlotte is trying to stay as close to kirstin as possible, to try and discover financial secrets or where hidden money may be.
Also, this dean hess guy is just pissed, cause his last girlfriend turned out to be a lesbian. (L-word) Think about it, he's the exact same character. Also, there's no way this dean can be getting away with this stuff, there's got to be a breaking point soon. I dont think he's sleeping with Taylor, but perhaps he is a relative or friend, trying to pull some strings to help taylor get into a good college, while slowly eliminating competition.
23 of 23 | Posted by Dave Train | Posted on September 28, 2005 8:23 AM