Julias Blog: The OC

Christmas is Coming!!!

2005-11-19T21:38:00.000-05:00

In case you are drawing a blank on to what to ask for this Holiday season...I thought I would suggest Seasons One and Two of The OC on DVD. (The Orange one is Season One and the blue, is Season Two.) Yep, Im a big dork and own them both already. If you are more a fan of the music featured on the show, both on stage at The Bait Shop and background music in different scenes, then check out The OC Mixes. There are now five different CDs you can buy featuring OC music! If you love the fashion sense of Marissa and Summer, then check out OC Fashion, and maybe get a new bag or dress for the holidays! Amazon.com even has a whole section of OC-style clothing. Everyone have a happy and safe Thanksgiving and GOOD LUCK ON FINALS!

I Guess This is Growing Up...

2005-11-18T17:15:00.000-05:00

Im not in the mood for an all-out recap, and I bet you arent either. If you missed Thursdays episode, check out the recaps on FOXs website. This episode really had alot of people growing up and acting mature. Julie, Seth and Ryan all were mature and responsible in their own ways...

Basically, I think there are too many crazy people running around Orange County these days. Taylor Townsend is absolutely nuts, and I dont understand why she thinks ruining a relationship between Seth and Summer will make her any friends. If she just chilled out and didnt try to ruin lives for a minute, maybe people would like her.

Same with Charlotte. I wonder how long shes been a devious money-hungry shark. I am SO glad Julie did not follow through on the plan to rip of Kirsten. I know its just a TV show, but I really like Sandy and Kirsten and I dont like it when they have the drama happening to them. I wonder if Julie will face some retaliation from Charlotte because she backed out on the scam.

I am also glad Ryan and his fists of fury were under control for the whole episode. I guess hes really growing up and leaving his old ways behind...or so we can hope for now.

After Thanksgiving, the crew is going to start looking at colleges...the future of the show could depend on their decisions...I wonder what they will do...make everyone go to the same college, follow them to different colleges or keep them in high school far too long.

Locked in a Gym with Taylor Townsend?

2005-11-12T14:04:00.000-05:00

I was supposed to tape The OC for my brother, and I did, but then I accidentally taped over it the next day, so this is for you, Daniel.

The show started off with Marissa waking up in a panic because she was having nightmares about Trey, and the night of the shooting last season. She called Ryan but he wasn’t as supportive as she had hoped, and in the morning when she talked to Summer about it all, Summer told Marissa “I’m here for you”, and that was all Marissa needed to hear. She only wished Ryan had said those same words.

Ryan is back at Harbor and the awesome Taylor Townsend organized a Lock-in for the senior class. Its mandatory, so all other events including Seth sawing his arm off (his excuse for not being able to attend the lock-in) will have to be put on hold.

Over at Newport Union, Marissa’s new friends are excited about the good surfing this weekend. They plan an all night party to prepare for the big waves. Marissa meets the boys down at the beach and wishes she knew how to surf when she sees how much fun they are having. Johnny and Marissa go for a walk and realize they have a lot to talk about. Johnny’s dad was an abusive drunk and they haven’t talked in a few years. Casey sees them talking and obviously assumes the worst case scenario.

Seth overhears Taylor Townsend and her mother fighting outside the school gym, and the mom is horribly rude, almost making me feel sorry for Taylor.

Julie and new roommate, Charlotte, decide a black tie charity event would put them back on the social map in Newport, so they start talking about it and approach Kirsten about getting her help. She doesn’t think she’s ready for the party scene again, but is convinced to do it anyway.

Johnny and Marissa are getting too close for Summer’s idea of friends, and calls Ryan to come out to the Dawn Patrol party. By the time he gets there, Johnny is spending time with Casey, his girlfriend, and Summer apologizes for over reacting. Johnny comes out of Chili’s room and catches Casey making out with his rival-surfer, Volchok, and Casey runs away.

Julie and Charlotte enjoy a nice dinner at a Newport restaurant and when its time to pay, Julie assumes the honor of paying with Charlotte’s credit card. She was surprised to find numerous drivers licenses and credit cards all with her face, but some had different names. She pays with cash then asks Charlotte “who the hell are you?” when she returns from her phone call.

Taylor gets boo-ed at the lock-in by her entire senior class, and Seth comes to her rescue by taking over the microphone. He still gets made fun of, and boo-ed but he can handle it. Taylor starts to like Seth, and says she can make sure his friends get signed in, even though they did not make it on time (Summer and Ryan are still at the Dawn Patrol party).

Johnny and Volchok almost fight on the beach, but Ryan steps in and don’t allow it. Instead he throws a punch and they are out of there. Johnny and Ryan go to the diner, and Marissa drives Summer to the Lock-in. Summer pounds on the door and Taylor is about to answer it, but when she realizes that locking out Summer, she gets Seth all to herself for the night, she decides to “not be able to hear” through the door.

I’m pretty sick of the fighting, but I’m sure there will be another fight next week with all those boys throwing punches over the girls. I am curious as to how the Taylor and Seth thing played out at that lock-in and I can’t wait to see what Julie and Charlotte do with their “charity” money.

Vote Now!!

2005-11-04T12:39:00.000-05:00

Vote on my new blogpoll (Its a purple box to the right)

They're Baaack

2005-11-04T12:11:00.000-05:00

So the little hiatus that Fox shows took due to Baseball Playoffs did some characters quite well. Kirsten learned to cook!

Ever since Natalia’s comment on Mischa Barton’s salary issues I have read a few different places that the cast is not as close to her as they used to be. Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson are still dating, and Benjamin McKenzie is friends with them off camera as well. Benjamin and Mischa dated at one point and now that may be one of the reasons they don’t hang out together off camera…but why does that have to cross over to the TV show?

I know going to a different school means she needs new friends and everything, but Marissa just doesn’t hang out with “the old gang” as much…is that because there is weird tension? I’ll be the first to admit it. I am a big OC Fan, but they are not all great actors and actresses. The last few episodes, you can barely tell Marissa and Ryan are dating because they don’t show much emotion.

Anyways, Ryan decided to drop out of school since everyone else in his family did, so he figures there is no point in trying to graduate. He told Marissa his decision, and her new friend Johnny was right there for her to talk to about it all. Johnny wants Marissa or something because he found Ryan at their usual hangout AKA the diner, and supported his decision to drop out of school. He even offered him a great-paying job on his uncle’s fishing boat that would take him out of Newport for weeks at a time. Was he really trying to help Ryan, or is this a deviant plan to get Marissa? I know he has a girlfriend, but come on, it’s The OC, and that means lots of drama.

Ryan needs to get a parental signature to allow him to work fulltime as a minor and Sandy signs the necessary forms. Kirsten did not agree with this and they both hoped Ryan would change his mind on his own.

Seth and Summer decided to take matters into their own hands. After Dean Hess made some remarks about Ryan not getting into any good colleges because of his “pathologically violent behavior” Summer decided getting Taylor in trouble was the only solution.

After stalking her in the student lounge and in the halls at school for a while, she told Taylor that she caught the dean with a gym teacher. She made it sound like he could be in serious trouble if she filed a sexual harassment lawsuit.

The College Fair consisted of Summer witnessing Taylor yelling at Dean Hess, Seth still not believing anything was going on between those two, and Sandy and Kirsten taking Ryan to a few tables to learn about colleges.

Kirsten tries to get Julie to look at a condo at Newport Point and convinces her that they are not for retired people, but for single, divorced executive types. Charlotte comes to Kirsten’s house and meets Julie briefly. She eyes the condo brochure and everyone knows she’s conjuring up a plan.

The following day both Julie and Charlotte go look at the condo separately and are surprised to bump into each other. Well, Julie was surprised, but the evil Charlotte planned it that way. An even bigger surprise was when Charlotte purchased the four bedroom beachfront property and put it in Julie’s name. She told Julie that she understood what its like to go through hard times and all she wanted in return was to use a spare room whenever she is in town, which shouldn’t be more than a few weeks a year.

Seth and Summer lure Taylor to the Mermaid Hotel and tell her that they will go public with her dean romance if she does not agree to help get Ryan reinstated at Harbor. “Taylor Trash” as Summer called her, did not want to have her reputation ruined, so she went along with them. Sandy went in to the Dean’s office and bluffed about having pictures of the affair. That was enough to make the dean cave in. He agreed to let Ryan come back to Harbor School.

Marissa went to the fishing boat minutes before Ryan was about to leave, and told him that she thought he was a coward for leaving. She compared him to her father, who also left on a boat and how leaving town never helped his problems.

As usual, Marissa is at the diner when Summer and Seth join her. None other than the cowardly fisherman, Ryan Atwood walks through the door and the four are together again.

With Ryan back at Harbor, things will hopefully start being more like they used to be…if only Marissa doesn’t get all shady and start spending more time with Johnny like the previews suggested.

The previews also showed Julie and Charlotte asking Kirsten to help them throw some charity benefit. Does Julie know Charlotte’s evil money hungry plans or is she just being used as well?

What's Next for The OC?

2005-10-30T11:49:00.000-05:00

The OC took a break for the entire month of October, which was totally unnecessary since the Yankees unfortunately did not make it to the World Series. What will happen this week when they cast is back in action???

Adam Brody (Seth Cohen) and Rachel Bilson (Summer Roberts) are dating both onscreen and off-screen. On The OC, their major challenge will most likely be staying in school since Dean Hess is trying so hard to get them kicked out along with their friends, Marissa and Ryan. Dean Hess will probably ease off Seth and Summer now that he has his own butt to save. At “The End of Summer” dance we found out he is having “relations” with Taylor Townsend, the snooty Social Chair.

Marissa’s drama will probably be equally split between her shattered home life and her new school, new friends, and new enemies. Her mom, Julie, is now broke and living in a crappy motel, and for the first time in the TV show, people (including myself) actually feel bad for the woman. As for Marissa, her new group of friends has many parallels to the old crowd (Seth, Summer and Ryan.) Does this mean she doesn’t have room for both groups? I hope she doesn’t screw things up with Ryan, but who knows what will happen with them. I must say though, her new friend Chili is hilarious, and I wish I had a Chili to make stupid comments at all the right moments when I need a good laugh.

Maybe Sandy and Kirsten will have some drama this week...things have been normal for them for at least two episodes now, so they are probably due for something to go wrong. What about college? Shouldn't all these kids start looking at schools...or are they all going to go the Orange County Community College together and keep the show going?

I have a feeling the end of Charlotte is nowhere in sight. She may leave Kirsten alone, but I don’t think she will leave Newport along quite yet.

Finally, the long wait is almost over! The OC will be back this Thursday and my summary will be up Friday or Saturday.

Mischa, Mischa, Mischa!

2005-10-23T13:21:00.000-04:00

In response to Natalia’s question about Mischa Barton (Marissa Cooper) leaving The OC, I don’t know! I have tried to find information confirming or denying it, but mostly I can only find other Blogs and gossip-type websites, so the credibility is minimal.

A few of the articles I found were from late November of last year. Apparently, this is not the first time rumors have started about the loss of a major character on this show. Last year’s articles all claim that she considered leaving The OC to pursue a career in film, but 11 months later, she is still around, so those stories were obviously not true.

The more recent reports from this month surrounding Mischa Barton are in regards to a salary boost. All of a sudden, she decided she was the biggest star on the show and deserved more money. Much like “Friends” I don’t think anyone can claim they are the biggest star of The OC. The dynamic cast would be weaker without any one of the members, so they all play and equally important role in making The OC successful. On “Friends”, the actors agreed to all get paid the same amount and get raises at the same time, so no matter whom your favorite Friend may be, they all made $1 Million per person, per episode by the end of their decade-long run.

Gossip columns have been busy writing about Mischa’s personal life as a major cause for her recent salary demands. Her last boyfriend, Brandon Davis was a very wealthy heir to an oil fortune. He would spend a lot of money on her, and she never had to pay for anything. Now she is dating Cisco Adler, who is apparently a broke musician. Some tabloids blame this relationship for the problems on The OC regarding money. Mischa ends up footing the bill rather often for her and her man, so maybe she needs the raise to support this guy?

Personally, I think she can do better than some grungy, poor dude that looks like Kevin Federline…but who am I to judge.

Everyone's Favorite Nerdy Guy

2005-10-15T10:00:00.000-04:00

Seth Cohen is everyone's favorit quirky, awkward and funny character on The OC. Actor Adam Brody, who plays Seth, isn't so different from the character in many ways.

Adam was born and raised in San Diego, CA and enjoyed surfing. When it was time for college, he moved to LA and hired an acting coach instead. Starting with the lead role in a TV mini-series about The Brady Bunch, Adam found his niche. The next few years were filled with guest spots on nearly a dozen popular TV shows, and then The OC scooped him up as Seth Cohen. The now-24-year-old relates to Seth with their mutual love of the same music (emo and indie) and of course, comic books. X-Men is Adam's Favorite.

The other similarity between Seth and Adam is that they are dating the same girl! On The OC, Seth Cohen has crushed on Summer Roberts for years, and finally in High School, they finally started dating. In real life, Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson (Summer) are also dating. They met on the show, and have been dating for a over a year. I found a website that said they were ENGAGED...I hadn't heard that before, but maybe Im just wayyy behind on my celeb gossip.

References: The OC Show
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

The Man Behind the Tough Guy

2005-10-08T18:01:00.000-04:00

The OC's Ryan Atwood is played by Benjamin McKenzie...but do you know the real Ben? Well, I did a little digging on him. Im sure every week when you see Ryan stand next to Marissa, you or one of your friends comments on how short he is or that he is wearing heels (his work boots have got a good 2 inches on them). Well, the actor is 5 feet, 8.5inches. Who says .5?? Oh yea, short people. Im one of them. I was damn proud of my 1/4 inch when i was younger...I was shorted than some of my friends, but i was 5'2 AND A QUARTER. Now Im 5'6, so I cant compain anymore.

Anyways, Ben was born and raised in Texas. He went to the same High School as President Bush's twin daughters, and graduated a few years ahead of them. His real name is Benjamin McKenzie Schenkkan. When he began acting, he wanted to register with the Screen Actors Guild but there was already a Ben with a similar last name. He went to college at the University of Virginia and graduated with 2 degrees in 2001...and I assumed he was just a Hollywood bum that skipped out on school to persue his dream of acting. After a few years of acting in NY, he moved to LA and thats when The OC scooped him up as their main guy.

Ben makes between $15,000 and $25,000 each episode on The OC.

Reference: The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

"The Last Waltz"

2005-09-30T16:52:00.000-04:00

Thanks everyone for writing nice things about my OC posts! I was thinking they were rather lengthy and over-detailed, but if I’m your emergency OC fix for when the VCR fails or what not, I don’t want to let you down. Ill try to keep the summaries equally as thorough but hopefully a little shorter from now on though…

OK. So this week’s episode started out with Marissa’s first day at her new school. Ryan, Seth and Summer drive her to school since apparently her car has been taken away in the Cooper-Nichol’s new found state of poorness. Oddly enough, even though this school is also in Newport, it is a world away from The Harbor School. As Marissa walked into school, a girl said “Check out Newport Barbie”…and I don’t think she meant it as a compliment.

Back at the much classier Harbor School, Summer is working away at being the best social chair she can be. Dean Hess is still on Seth’s case to give up his accomplice in the Tiki-hut-borrowing-incident. Until he does, Seth gets more than just detention; he gets to clean the boys’ locker room. Such an expensive private school and the alleged delinquents end up doing the janitors work.

Sandy finds Ryan a well-qualified tutor to home school him. Ryan suggests he go to Newport Union since he has already experienced public schools, and it would not be a problem. Sandy knows it’s not about the expensive tutor, but about spending time with Marissa and doesn’t go for the idea.

Kirsten is doing well on her own two feet back at home, and even started an herb garden to deal with her fear of cooking. Julie on the other hand, is losing her footing as the season goes along. A man comes to her door and tells her that she and her personal belongings must be out of the house in 48 hours. The house and the furniture will be used to repay Caleb’s debt.

At Newport Union, Marissa accidentally bumps into a girl in the hall. The girl, Heather, is rude and kind of scary. The only positive thing about this meeting is that Casey, another girl at this new school, came over to defend Marissa, and seemed to be Marissa’s first friend at the new school. The first friendly advice she shares with Marissa is to ease off the designer accessories; it will definitely help her fit in a little better. Later in the day Marissa meets Johnny, when she tries opening his locker instead of her own. Turns out, Johnny and Casey are dating and they have a Seth-like friend named Dennis “Chili” Childress who hangs out with their crowd. This new little group of friends invites her out for a bite to eat after school, which messes up her plans with Ryan but at least she’s meeting new people.

Taylor gives Summer a sob story about having no friends, and nobody to sign her yearbook, and gets to help out with the End of Summer Dance that the school is having.

Julie tells Marissa that they put the house on the market and she should stay with Summer for a few days. Marissa knows that’s not the full story and tells Julie she doesn’t have to protect her. Summer picks Marissa up and takes her back to the Roberts mansion. I think this is the first time they showed Summer’s house. It’s rather insanely large and beautiful. Marissa calls Ryan and apologizes for forgetting about breakfast with him at the pier. Ryan understands since she has had a lot to deal with lately, but at the same time gets that contemplative Atwood look on his face where you think he’s conjuring up a plan to find out more about a situation.

The doorbell rings at the Cohen’s and Kirsten answers to find a delivery guy with a beautiful arrangement of flowers. She reads the card and smiles, but didn’t give away who they were from. Soon, Charlotte calls and Kirsten thanks her for the flowers. Charlotte is sitting in a hotel room, but says she’s looking out at the lake and wishing Kirsten was there. Charlotte will be in Kirsten’s area tomorrow and sets up a lunch date at the yacht club. After the phone call, none other than the flower delivery guy comes out of the bathroom and kisses Charlotte.

Back at The Harbor School, Taylor runs up to Summer and tells her she overheard Dean Hess talking to Dr. Kim in the teachers lounge. She said that if Dean Hess didn’t find out who helped Seth with the Tiki Hut Heist, Cohen would be suspended. Summer goes to the Dean’s office and takes all the blame. Dean Hess says that someone with that sort of record shouldn’t be the Social Chair. Sarcastically, Summer says “who would take over, Taylor Townsend?” Dean Hess says “that’s a good idea; Ill let the committee know you suggested her.” Summer confronts Taylor in the hall later that day and lets her know their war is not over.

Sandy tells Kirsten that the Newport Group is having money problems since Caleb’s passing and they have two choices. He lets her know he is behind her no matter what she decides to do, then tells her that they can either try and save the Newport Group or liquidate its assets and let it go. Kirsten chooses to let it go. They are financially stable without it, and it would probably be more stress than any Cohen needs.

Julie asks Sandy for a loan from the Newport Group, and Sandy tells her that’s illegal, but there’s no money for that anyways. He offers Kirsten and his own money to help her out, but she says that’s not necessary and brushes it off as just needing it for a down payment on some amazing beachfront home. Sandy doesn’t know Julie is completely broke.

Newport Union has a school dance coming up and Johnny tells Marissa she should come. While they are talking, the bitchy Heather comes over and apologizes for being mean in the hall the other day. It seems things could actually turn out well for a change, and then Heather says really loud “Oh, so you’re not gonna shoot me?” Marissa runs away crying and Johnny follows to comfort her. While they are talking Ryan pulls up and sees them. He misjudges the situation and embarrasses Marissa when he tries to step in the middle.

Ryan goes home and tells Seth that Marissa is mad at him since he screwed up. Seth starts to walk away and Ryan asks what he is supposed to do about it. “Call, apologize…it’s not rocket science. God, home schooled kids are pathetic.”

While Marissa and Summer sit by the pool of the hotel-like home, Ryan calls to apologize but Marissa apologizes first. She also says she’s doing homework tonight and can’t go out.

Charlotte and Kirsten have their lunch meeting. Charlotte tells Kirsten she wants to make a place where women can go between rehab and the real world just like they did at the lake house. Kirsten agrees that would be wonderful. They talk about making this a reality and Charlotte asks Kirsten for a few million dollars. Kirsten tells her she doesn’t have that kind of money, which foils Charlotte’s entire plan.

Julie Cooper-Nichol gets evicted and has to move her personal belonging out while movers take anything of value to repay Caleb’s debt. She goes to a cheap hotel and starts to cry. This is probably the first time in the entire series of The OC that I felt bad for her. She is helpless, alone and poor. Ouch.

Johnny, Casey and Chili come to Summer’s house to pick up Marissa for the dance. She says she wasn’t planning on going, but they convince her. She goes to get ready for the dance while they wait on the front stoop. Either it took two hours to change her shirt or someone didn’t catch it in editing, but it went from middle of the day sunny to complete darkness. Hmmm.

Ryan and Seth roll up in the Range Rover just as Marissa is leaving with her new friends. Seth goes inside to let Summer know he’s ready for their dance, and Ryan talks to Marissa. She really needs to go to make friends and let people know she’s normal. If she doesn’t show up, people will talk about her.

Little did Marissa know, even if she did show up, the mean girls would talk. When the four of them walked in, Heather started pointing at her and laughing with all her grungy friends. Marissa runs away again and Johnny, Casey and Chili go to console her. Chili is definitely the Seth Cohen of Newport Union. His stupid comments could cheer anyone up.

At the “End of Summer” Dance at Harbor, Seth and Summer walk in to one of the coolest high school dances I’ve seen. Summer asks if she did as well as Marissa and Seth said “it’s like you brought the beach to us…you’re my little tsunami.” Taylor gets on stage and thanks everyone for coming, then takes the credit for making this whole dance possible. Then, she says one other person had a huge part in all this. She brings Dean Hess on stage to share the glory with her and Summer is fuming. Taylor says “This really is the End of Summer.”

Charlotte tells her guy friend about Kirsten turning out to be less wealthy than she thought. He told her he knew it was a bad idea to spend thirty grand on rehab just to find a millionaire. Charlotte tells him they will find a way and they make out on the bed.

Kirsten second guesses herself on the decision to shut down the Newport Group, and tells Sandy she’s not sure if she made the right decision. Stupid Charlotte put that idea in her head. Kirsten runs out saying she forgot oregano for the dinner recipe, and is gone for some time. Sandy finds her at the office looking at old pictures. He reminds her they don’t have to sell the company, but Kirsten tells him she just had to say goodbye. Sandy, being the awesome husband he is, packed a picnic lunch and surprised Kirsten with it at the office.

Ryan talks to Seth and gets the idea to go check on Marissa at her dance. Seth realizes he put this bad idea in his head and meets him at the school. Summer wonders where Cohen went and calls his cell phone. She refers to him as Cohizzle, which I think is the stupidest word that has ever come out of her mouth and I hope she doesn’t say that again. As she finishes leaving Cohen a voicemail, she sees Taylor shadily sneak behind the curtains. Summer follows her and catches her making out with someone but the other person is strategically hidden behind a door. After a few moments, Taylor takes a step back and her make out buddy comes in front of the window. Surprise, surprise. It is Dean Hess. Summer goes back to the dance conveniently as Seth returns from Newport Union and they dance together. She wants to tell him what she saw, but Taylor is close by.

Ryan returns to his pool house and Marissa is sitting on his bed waiting for him. She says that going to the dance was really important to her, and she’s glad he is so understanding. She says the next song that comes on the radio will be their song. Obviously, after a comment like that, the first song to come on will most likely be raunchy and/or inappropriate. They changed the song, and the next one was a much better choice. Youth Group’s remake of a Bob Dylan classic started playing while Ryan and Marissa slow danced in the moonlit night.

OC fans everywhere don’t want to see these dynamic duos break apart and go to college. We all wish they would stay forever young.

Sorry, I know I said I would try to make the recap shorter this time, but it’s really long. If you actually read as far to see this, that’s awesome. Thank you!

Drama, Drama, Drama

2005-09-23T08:10:00.000-04:00

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy The OC no matter what the episode is about, but I think they are wayyyy to serious this season....I miss funny Seth and fun high school antics that filled the episodes of last season. I guess everyone has to be more serious when mom is in rehab for drinking, grandpa is dead by way of drowning in a pool and adopted brother is expelled from the oh-so-elite private school.

This week the episode started in the diner. The four (aka Summer, Seth, Marissa and Ryan) talked about how this was supposed to be the best year ever, and no matter what; they are going to stick together. While they are discussing this, both Ryan and Marissa get phone calls to come home. Oh, the coincidence.

Sandy advises Ryan to stop seeing Marissa, while Julie tells Marissa to stop seeing Ryan. The parents all think it is best for the kids to be separate from each other. That is about the last thing on the kids' agendas.

Seth and Summer are next on Dean Hess's list of lives to ruin. He "encourages" them to join drama club with none other than Taylor Townsend, the bitch who tried to take over Marissa's job as Kick-off Carnival Chair even before she was officially out of school. By encouraging them to join, he actually forced them to, or threatened to expel them like their friends. That’s BS if I ever heard any...I don't care what school you go to, you can't get expelled for not joining extra-curricular clubs/activities.

In the world of Jimmy and Julie Cooper-Nichol-Soon-to-be-Cooper-again, Jimmy wants to move the wedding up to the following Saturday. Talks of Hawaiian honeymoons and fresh-starts for the family are incorporated in this conversation.

Sandy visits Kirsten at the creepy lady's cottage. I'm not a fan of this Charlotte character, and can't think of anyone who is. Sandy brings up the reading of Caleb's will, and Kirsten doesn't have a definitive answer about attending.

Back at the Caleb-less mansion, Marissa and Ryan are making out on her bed when Julie knocks...Ryan escapes on to the patio, so no altercation follows (How un-OC). Julie tells Marissa the plan to honeymoon in Hawaii, and bring the family. She also breaks the news that they will be moving there for a fresh start. Marissa does not like this idea but is willing to do it because she really wants to feel like a family again.

Seth and Ryan formulate a plan to make everything better. Ryan wants Marissa to move in. The Cohen's are always letting people move in and Kirsten has known Jimmy for decades, so she would definitely support the idea of keeping Marissa in town for her senior year of high school. Seth tells Ryan to ask dad, and arms him with the necessary ammunition for Cohen family discussions; a bagel. Ryan asks Sandy and whether it’s a good idea or not, Sandy feels vulnerable with Kirsten out of the house and agrees to have another resident at the Cohen household. (Speaking of bagels, I really want one)

Back at Lake Arrowhead Kirsten decides to go to the will reading. Charlotte gives her a hard time saying it will make her backtrack in her progress of recovery. The crazy lady also suggests she comes with Kirsten. She will wait in the car and then they can have lunch together. Kirsten tells her she already called a car and would rather go alone. I don't know if Charlotte wants Kirsten or if she wants to be Kirsten, but I'm leaning towards the latter.

Ryan tells Marissa she can move in with the Cohen’s. Although she is really grateful that he asked, she tells him that she wants to be a family, and will move to Hawaii if that will keep the family together.

Seth and Ryan discuss Marissa's decision and how Ryan will communicate with her...Seth mentioned blogs...ohh the irony...I guess that’s not really a crucial scene in the episode...but whatever, this is my blog and I will write what I deem appropriate.

At The Newport Group, Jimmy, Julie, Sandy and the lawyer meet for the will reading. Kirsten joins as a surprise to some of them. The attorney announces that Caleb's intentions were to divide his fortune equally between his daughters and his wife. This excites the money-hungry Julie Cooper-Nichol. The attorney continues with saying that in further investigation of Caleb's accounts et cetera, they found out Caleb was in fact BROKE. The man had loans to pay off and did not actually have any piles of money stored somewhere. The one thing the lawyer did have was a letter. It was addressed to Kirsten and dated the day Caleb passed away. Kirsten assumed it was a hateful, angry letter in response to her "I may like my Chardonnay, but at least I won't die alone, and that's more than I can say for YOU" comment the day before he died. She ran out of the office.

The usuals gather at the diner over milkshakes and cheese fries...the logical food for two of the skinniest girls... Seth and Summer decide it’s late and leave to diner, leaving Ryan and Marissa alone. They then go down to the beach, where Seth and Summer "borrowed" the set of the school play, and set it up for them. In front of Marissa and Ryan is a tiki hut and torches...or a looooove shack. Ryan and Marissa have sex on the beach, and I'm not referring to the alcoholic drink.

While this is going on, Jimmy is possibly running away, but we will never know since he is stopped in his tracks by the ex-client who loaned him money numerous times. The guy asks for the money and Jimmy explains the situation. The man knocks on his car hood twice, and his goons emerge from the vehicle. They make Jimmy get in the car and drive him down to the beach. Jimmy is brutally attacked and just as they cut to commercial they showed Jimmy floating face-down in the pacific....YEP, I thought he was DEAD.

Sandy kept calling Kirsten but she wasn't answering her cell. He even tried Charlotte’s house line but she was not there either. Apparently she was in a cheap motel, staring at a bottle of vodka. Not drinking, just staring.

The sun rises on over Newport Beach and Ryan and Marissa wake up in their love shack. Marissa’s phone rings and she sounds alarmed. Next thing you know, Ryan and Marissa are at Jimmy’s boat in the Yacht Club. Jimmy looks like a cling-on or whatever those freaky space critters are called. His face is bruised, cut, swollen and disfigured. He explains to Marissa that he is in trouble and needs to go away. He asks her to give a ring to her mother. “I really love her” he said as he handed a diamond wedding band to Marissa. Marissa hugs him goodbye.

At Lake Arrowhead, there is a knock on the door. Charlotte thinks its Kirsten and gets excited. Actually it was a real estate agent or something. She said the owners are coming back, since Charlotte didn’t pay recently. Charlotte says she has the money and goes into the bedroom to get it. Instead of grabbing her wallet, she packs a duffle bag, with Kirsten’s family photo and jumps out the window.

Kirsten comes home!!! She tells Sandy about her night in the cheap motel and her thought of drinking. He is glad she is home, obviously. Kirsten decides to read the letter from her father, as long as Sandy is with her. As she reads it, she realizes it is an apology. She cries.

Marissa goes to find Julie, and she is already at the club for the wedding. Julie is all dressed and ready and is just adjusting some flowers to make everything perfect. Marissa gives her the ring and doesn’t explain anything about Jimmy. Whether it is implied, or the whereabouts are not important to Julie, we will never know. Marissa hugs her mother and tells her they will stick together. This may be the first time they actually seem totally civil by choice, with no ulterior motives

Seth and Summer return the tiki hut and torches to the stage at The Harbor School. While Summer is outside, Dean Hess shows up and tells Seth that he never thought he would be a thief. He said he wouldn’t expel him because that would put him back with Ryan. Instead, he gives him one month of detention. He asks if he acted alone, as Summer walks back into the room (behind the dean, so she isn’t seen by him). Seth takes all the blame, and gets double the detention time (two months) but keeps Summer out of trouble.

The final scene is the Cohen family together again. Even though they have their issues, at least they will deal with them as a family now. YAYYYYY.

"The Shape of Things to Come"

2005-09-16T09:59:00.000-04:00

After supporting the Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts at Shaggy's Thursday afternoon, I went home to do my homework....and by "homework" we all know I mean watch The OC with a handful of roommates. As phones were put on silent and seats were claimed on the couches, I reached for my trusty notebook. As dorky as it is, I wouldn't want to deprive my readers of the details of an episode. I have already been told that people are counting on me for the recap, so here it goes...

With Kirsten still at the Suriak Treatment Center, the remaining Cohens, both true and honorary, are suffering from a food shortage. Apparently even though Kirsten best recipe was ordering take-out, at least she kept the fridge and cupboards full with food that wasn't past the expiration date. As the boys opt for breakfast at the pier and leave the house, Julie Cooper-Nichol arrives. Sandy says he can't believe she would show her face after what she tried to do to Ryan. Her lame excuse was that she was trying to keep her family afloat. Sandy replied "yea, by using Ryan as your raft." Ziiiing. Other than apologizing for being the most hated character on the show, she informed Sandy that parents at the snobby Harbor School wanted Ryan and Marissa out. They went as far as to circulate a petition to have them expelled. The situation involving Ryan, Marissa, Trey and a gun was obviously not anyone's finest moment, but it did not happen at school, and Trey did not press charges. Since neither Ryan nor Marissa are actually experiencing any wrath from the law, it seems ridiculous that Harbor School would not let them attend.

While Sandy and Julie go to the Harbor School to have a chat with the principal, the kids (Marissa, Ryan, Seth and Summer obviously) have a nice pancake breakfast at the diner. They talk about how it’s their last year together so it has GOT to be the Best Year Ever.

Dr. Kim, the principal of Harbor meets with Sandy and Julie. She doesn't much care what they have to say, since the school has turned the decision over to the new Dean of Discipline, James Hess. The parents are anxious about talking about their kids, but the new dean says that will not be necessary as he has collected all the information he needs. By reading files and police reports he decided he knew the kids as well as he had to for making this decision. The man is cold and doesn't care about making anyone happy. If he has to ruin lives, he will do it without thinking twice.

Kirsten starts packing up her clothes at the rehab center, and her creepy friend Charlotte comes in. Charlotte, who has so much experience in and out of clinics, tells Kirsten that the best thing is a pseudo-halfway house. After the rehab center but before returning to the old swing of things it would be good to get away to a secluded, relaxing environment. Big surprise, Charlotte knows just the place. She has a cottage on Lake Arrowhead, and by cottage we soon find out she meant mansion. There's definitely something going on with Charlotte but its still a little unclear...does she want Kirsten? Girl on girl was soooo Season Two. Does she want Sandy? Extramarital affairs have already been covered.

Jimmy is up to something when he meets with an old friend. He took the man's money when he planned on selling his boat, but then never sold it. Now he wants more money? He can't sell the boat since the bank technically owns it now...good old Jimmy Cooper drowning in lies and debt again.

As Sandy, Seth and Ryan get ready to sit down for a nice steak dinner; Sandy gets a phone call that is clearly regarding the kids' expulsion. After he's off the phone we find out, that not BOTH of them are getting expelled. Just Marissa Cooper. The boys make an emergency visit to Marissa's to make sure she is OK. They bring Summer along, and of course, Princess Sparkle and Captain Oats. Summer says Captain Oats is a great listener and Princess Sparkle is really good at standing there and looking pretty.

In an attempt to not let anyone fill Marissa's shoes as Social Chair, Summer Roberts actually gets involved in an extra curricular activity. In the meeting of Newpsies-to-be (Newpsie = Newport's high society women that usually don't work, just throw and attend galas.), Summer is shot down by Taylor Townsend. This girl claims to have done all the work for Marissa at last years' Kickoff Carnival, yet she got none of the credit. This year she wants the credit all to herself.

Ryan and Marissa sit down with Dean Hess. They want to talk about re-instatement for Marissa. Hess says that although he has not been on the west coast long, the major difference about the east is the gossip. He has heard quite a bit about Marissa from people in town including her overdose in Tijuana, shoplifting and her drinking problems. Marissa claims people change, but the dean said that once a troubled kid, always a troubled kid. Marissa states that she's not sorry about what she did and if he wants to go spread that around town, he should.

Seth helps Summer devise a plan to win over the Kickoff Carnival Committee. She goes back to the girls with great ideas that not only make her look good, but a few that make Taylor look bad. Summer wants to give away a hybrid car instead of a gas-guzzling SUV from Taylor’s father’s dealership, get a chocolate fountain and making mini- the new super size -for all their food.

Sandy drives to Lake Arrowhead for dinner with Kirsten and Charlotte. Kirsten is very happy to see him, but Charlotte lurks in the background staring at them both in a creepy way. Seriously, what is her deal?

Marissa and Ryan argue over the whole Trey/expulsion scenario…but luckily make up in time for the carnival that miraculously was planned only that afternoon. Oh Fox TV and their warped timelines…Anyways, Seth and Summer are at the carnival and she gets compliments from numerous people on the great job she did. Is Summer the new Marissa of Harbor School’s Social Committee? Jimmy and Julie are at dinner enjoying Dom Perignon on Caleb’s tab. After they order a second bottle, Jimmy proposes to Julie. Julie, will you marry me…again? She obviously accepts. Was this the only reason Jimmy was shady about money all episode? If he was just saving up money to buy a rock for his wife or is there more to that storyline?

At the cabin on the lake, Kirsten walks down to the water because she thought Charlotte was down there. Charlotte was sitting on the dock, in tears because she “has not been completely honest.” No shit. She pulled out a bottle and said she hadn’t opened it yet, but she just doesn’t know if she’s going to be OK after Kirsten leaves. She basically cons Kirsten in to staying with Charlotte instead of returning to her family back in Newport. The show is called The OC, not The Cabin on the Lake, so obviously Kirsten needs to go back soon. Kirsten takes the bottle away from Charlotte and goes back to bed. As Kirsten walks away, Charlotte pulls her back-up flask out of her sleeve and gets a conniving little smirk on her face. Fake tears, decoy bottles of liquor…this woman is crazy.

Back to Seth and Summer at the carnival, they are talking about how they wish Marissa and Ryan were with them, and right on cue, they appear before them. The four of them are together again. Taylor Townsend obviously isn’t as happy to see Marissa as Summer was, and probably is the reason Dean Hess found out Marissa was at the carnival. The dean tells Marissa she has to leave. Before he gives her a chance, he grabs her spindly little arm and starts pulling her out of the carnival. He clearly was hurting her for no reason. Season One Ryan Atwood came back for one punch in the face to make the Dean release his grip on Marissa. Hess falls to the ground, and with a bloody nose, he dramatically stands up slowly and tells them both that if they are ever on school property again, he is calling the police. Hess thought it would be harder to get Ryan expelled.

My little prediction for next week is that when they read the Will, Julie will get either nothing or something very small and inconsequential in comparison to her spending habits. In Season Two, when Sandy read over her pre-nuptial agreement, it said that if they get divorced before their one year anniversary, Julie would not get anything. After one year, she would get something like $3 million. Caleb was a business man, and he saw his marriage as just another business transaction, so I have a feeling his Will would reflect the pre-nup and his overall attitude. Guess we will have to wait until next week for that thrilling conclusion.

Season Three....

2005-09-09T19:21:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was the beginning of Season Three for The OC. The opening episode "The Aftermath" mostly dealt with the drama surrounding the season finale shooting. Other than Ryan having shorter hair and Marissa's hair being longer, everyone is pretty much the same.

With the season finale leaving us all in suspense as to whether Trey would live or not, this episode cleared the air. Trey went into a coma after the shooting and stayed in it all summer. Since the police cannot get a statement from him, it is making the process of dealing with Ryan and Marissa much more drawn out than expected. Although Marissa was the shooter, the DA wants to place the blame on Ryan since he has a criminal record and had reason to fight and/or kill Trey for attacking his girlfriend.

Julie and Jimmy are living happily together in Caleb's mansion and eagerly awaiting the reading of his will. His attorneys say it may be a little longer because they are still figuring out offshore accounts and such. Julie gets impatient waiting since she needs the money to pay for the expensive lawyers protecting Marissa.

Kirsten is still in rehab at the Suriak Treatment Center. Her doctor thinks she is ready to go home, but she is worried she isn't ready. Afraid of letting down her family again, she stays in rehab. I'm not sure if the new friend she has made in rehab is up to something, but with the weird music and strange camera angles, it's easy to believe something will unravel in the next few episodes.

Trey awakes from the coma during the episode and Julie takes this opportunity to have a chat with him. She threatens to kill him if he doesn't change the story and tell police that Ryan fired the gun. For saying the three words "Ryan Shot Me" Trey gets $20,000 from Julie.

Once Ryan finds out about this he decides to run away. His friends won't let him do it alone, so Summer, Seth, Marissa and Ryan pack up some snacks and go to Jimmy's boat. Just as they are about to leave (in the cloak of darkness, even though only minutes ago it was totally daytime) cop cars swarm the pier and arrest Ryan.

Marissa and Summer decide to dust off their candy-striper uniforms from Sophomore year and pay a visit to the hospital. Marissa talks to Trey and finds out about the $20,000 offer. Trey comes clean and tells police the true story. When Ryan goes to the hospital to talk to Trey, his hospital bed is empty. Sandy and Ryan go to the bus station and see Trey pull away on a bus that says it's destined for Las Vegas. Jess, the slutty coke-head from Season Two talked about running away to Vegas with Trey and a wad of drug money...could this be a way of tying her back into the story line or just a coincidence?

Hopefully Julie will go down for obstruction of justice and Marissa and Ryan will not get in any trouble now that Trey confessed. As for the Cohen's; I hope Kirsten comes out of rehab soon because I really like her and Sandy. They are a good people and cool parents and when other characters like Rebecca Bloom (Sandy's college love interest) and Carter Buckely (Kirsten's co-worker) aren't muddying the waters, Sandy and Kirsten are the ideal couple.

Season Two - Finale

2005-09-09T19:05:00.000-04:00

In case you missed the Season Two finale of The OC, I will give you a quick little re-cap. Caleb Cohen passed away in the previous episode, so it was only logical that the finale included Cal's funeral. All the usuals, both past and present were at the funeral. Hailey came back from Japan and Jimmy sailed in from Hawaii. Lindsay did not come back from Chicago, but I wasn't too surprised.

Over the past few episodes Kirsten's drinking has increased and caused more problems. After Caleb's death, she really went off the deep end and in the finale the family had an intervention and shipped her off to a resort-like rehab center.

With Cal out of the picture, Julie Cooper-Nichol is newly single again and seems to be getting along quite well with ex-husband Jimmy. They decide to try things again and Marissa does not seem to have a problem with it.

The big taboo issue of Trey attacking Marissa is finally discussed. Marissa tells Summer, Summer tells Cohen, Seth tells Ryan and Ryan goes to settle things with Trey "once and for all." This obviously doesn't mean talking about things like adults over a cup of coffee. Ryan goes to Trey's apartment and they start fighting. Trey pulls a gun on Ryan. Marissa gets a call from Seth and Summer. Since she is closer to Trey's apartment, she is asked to try and stop Ryan from doing something bad.

The final scene is Trey wrestling Ryan to the ground and strangling him and Marissa running into the apartment. She screams "stop it, you're killing him" over and over and with a trembling hand, reaches for the gun that is now lying on the ground, and takes aim at Trey. She shoots him in the back and he falls to the ground as blood starts to seep through the front of his shirt.

It's not clear if he is dead...thats for Season Three.

Address for Class

2005-09-08T14:38:00.000-04:00

Here is the address you need to subscribe to my OC blog on Bloglines

http://juliahagel.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Welcome to my Blog about "The OC"

2005-09-07T18:13:00.000-04:00

For BUAD477 - Information Technology Applications in Marketing, I decided to write about the oh-so-popular Fox TV Show, The OC. It may not be the most controversial, intellectually stimulating or academically advanced topic, but it is a good show, and I know that I'm not the only person that thinks this. If you happen to miss an episode, fear not; just read my summary and you can get up to speed with the who, what and where of The OC. Enjoy it and feel free to comment!

If there is any information incorrectly stated in a future post, or a link that does not work, please email me and let me know! I will be sure to change anything that is not right. Thanks!