After two episodes used mainly for clearing up some of the loose ends from last season, The OC was ready prepare us for what's in store for the season ahead. Although the new school year meant plenty of anticipation for the students, all of the characters have been affected in their own way. If there was one person who had failed to temper their expectations about their return from vacation, it has been Seth Cohen. He ran away from Newport because he couldn't imagine how his life would be without his closest friend, but now that he is back he realizes that he might have to imagine his life without the person who quite possibly cared about him the most. Seth was so worried about how he would feel, he never fully understood what he was doing to everybody else.
Seth has come to the realization that he must change. Specifically, he must learn to put the feelings of others ahead of his own. If he was sincere about changing, it might actually work, but since his motive is really a selfish one to get Summer to love him once again, you know shit is going to happen. First on his list of ways to change is to do something for Summer and Zach. You see, if she could see how generous he was, she would be his friend, and if they were friends, they would spend time with each other, and if that happened, they would be back together in no time. To show his philanthropic side, Seth decides that he is going to spring for some tickets to see "The Walkmen" in the upcoming weekend. Uh-oh, I smell a Rooney-like episode coming on. B-side tells me that The Walkmen are an indie band and assuming that their indie cred was at 100% of the beginning of the show, we deduct 12% points of indie cred for this lame attempt at publicity. More on that later.
After letting Ryan in on his master plan, Seth goes off to class, and when Ryan turns around, he spills his iced coffee (my preferred mode of coffee consumption as well) all over a girl standing right behind him. To make matters worse, when he turns around after getting her some napkins, he manages to elbow her in the face, and she drops everything in her purse, including her tampons. This might have been a bad experience for both of them, but it was absolutely horrific for the girl, as she was new. And not only was she new, but she was poor, driving up in an old car that was the envy of no one except for Ryan and Seth, who still don't have a car to schlep around in.
Breakfast at the Cohen household has a decidedly different sort of feeling. Sandy just got back from springing Caleb from lockup, and they are discussing having him step down from his position as CEO of the Newport Group and appointing the position to Kirsten, who runs most of the operations anyway. Just as they are about to get back to business, Julie Cooper shows up, fresh from her spa weekend, saying she pulled herself out of her seaweed wrap as soon as she got the news. Julie has already lost one husband to scandal, she's not about to lose another one on the same scandal, especially since there is nobody older and richer than Caleb for her to marry after it is all said and done. Everybody is talking about Caleb could lose everything and everybody would be in ruins. Well, that may be true for the Nichol-Cooper union, because Julie isn't going to be making any money while Caleb is doing his nickel, but Sandy Cohen is still a successful lawyer, it's not like his family can't live off of those scraps until Kirsten picks up the pieces.
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Comments (6)
Alright, if Caleb is the CEO, then he must not be sole owner. I wonder how the other share holders will feel about him appointing the new CEO to "save his marriage".
1 of 6 | Posted by josh | Posted on November 19, 2004 5:21 AM
Awesome recap.
I'm glad to see that we're getting back on track with this show, I gotta admit, I was a little concerned with the first two episodes.
Did no one else notice that while at the Walkmen show, Summer's hair was completely different than the scene before with Zach the wonder boy? I mean, she had bangs going on at the gig that would have been impossible to pin back for the previous scene. Small detail but it screamed "scene re-shoot several moths later" to me. Just an observation.
Great job J-Unit!
2 of 6 | Posted by MischaCantAct | Posted on November 19, 2004 6:32 AM
Josh,
I totally forgot about that detail. Along with the fantasy law firm, the Newport Group apparently has the dumbest board of directors and shareholders on the face of the planet. You would think that they would collectively hire the CEO, or at least vote on nominated candidates.
3 of 6 | Posted by J-Unit | Posted on November 19, 2004 8:43 AM
I can't believe you didn't mention the Peach Pit joke: "Nat" apparently moved to the OC and opened up this place. Ah, just a little too cute, writers!
4 of 6 | Posted by pikov | Posted on November 19, 2004 9:35 AM
That last shot of Seth and Marissa is so Bergman. Congrats OC!
Btw, I don't think Zach is gay nor do I think he's psycho. But man does he have date rape written all over him!
5 of 6 | Posted by b-side | Posted on November 19, 2004 11:49 AM
Loved Nat's fricken huge butterfly tattoo. She's so tough! Was the unicorn too edgy?
Also, why couldn't Ryan elbow Marissa in the face? Repeatedly.
6 of 6 | Posted by Nicole | Posted on November 19, 2004 4:48 PM