This show has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. I didn't watch it during the first season though. I waited for the DVD. Needless to say I was glued to the TV set for a whole weekend once I got it. Let me go on record as saying that the first season of The OC is one of the best seasons of television I've ever watched. That first season? Yeah, it's that good. Then came the sophomore slump. Not bad but not great. Then last season? A stinker? A bomb? I could be harsher, but the general consensus seemed to be that season three wasn't all that good. At least I didn't think so. To top it off, Mischa Barton killed the finale for die-hard fans when she blabbed about Marissa's death days before the episode aired. Frankly, that didn't bug me and I was glad to see the demise of the ever-moody Cooper sister. So going into this season, I don't think expectations are too high, especially since FOX has only ordered 16 episodes as of right now. Well let me cut to the chase and dash away all The OC naysayers. I've screened the first four episodes of the new season and they are impressive.
Josh Schwartz and Co. have really done a bang-up job re-inventing the show. It feels much darker, much grittier, much more grown-up. Don't take that the wrong way though. I mean all of that in a positive sense.
The season picks up five months after Marissa's death and all the characters are in different phases from when we last left them. To make up for the loss of Barton's character, Taylor Townsend (Autumn Reeser) and Kaitlin Cooper (Willa Holland) have both been added as full cast members.
What we end up getting though is a truly powerful look at how everyone has attacked the grieving process. Julie is medicated, Kaitlin is even snottier than I remember, and Summer is doing everything she can to forget her Newport past. Ryan, as you would expect, has taken the loss the hardest of anyone and without giving away too much, his current path seems to look a lot like his brother Trey's. Ben McKenzie finally has a real reason to play Ryan to his fullest and he does a great job. His performance in the season four premiere is Ryan Atwood at his best.
I'll give you all one thing to look forward to though. But sit tight because it doesn't happen until the fourth episode. As I said, everyone is grieving and Summer seems to be hiding her pain the best. Until the opening scenes of the fourth episode. You'll never look at Summer the same way again. It's wonderfully done. What I just said doesn't do the scene justice, but believe me -- it'll be worth the wait. In the meantime, check back here on Thursday night when I'll have my review of the season four premiere up.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-30-2006 @ 5:11PM
Justin said...
first season one of the best seasons of television? the quality of writers on this site are starting to look like a joke.
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10-30-2006 @ 5:11PM
Justin said...
First season, one of the best hours of television you've watched?
Goes to show the quality of writers this site hires.
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10-30-2006 @ 5:11PM
jake said...
the first season IS the best SEASON OF ANY SERIES OF ANY NETWORK TELEVISION TO DATE. Anyone who does not agree, has not started it from the beginning, nor has not seen it. My brother who doesn't really watch television, who fastforwards everything -- watched a few episodes, did not fastforward and got hooked on the entire season. It truly is that good and I'm glad that someone else has said it. Now, I know there are great writers and those that appreciate great writing on this site.
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10-30-2006 @ 5:11PM
matthew m. barnes said...
the first season was very addicting and well written. well... most of it was. i thought it lagged in the beginning but really picked up after a few episodes (especially when it became clear that Summer was going to be a breakout character).
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10-30-2006 @ 5:11PM
jason said...
i saw the first ep, and as an o.c. fan from the start ive gotta say that they got back alot of what made the show great.
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10-30-2006 @ 5:12PM
Tay said...
"You'll never look at Summer the same way again. It's wonderfully done. What I just said doesn't do the scene justice, but believe me -- it'll be worth the wait. "
Oh, Summer.
You are KILLING ME.
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10-30-2006 @ 5:12PM
Laura said...
The first season WAS that good. I wasn't watching at the time ... I don't watch much random tv and was in the wrong demo (30-something). A friend with a tivo got me hooked on the most-well characterized teen characters I've ever seen. Well, until Oliver made his appearance, anyway. :)
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10-30-2006 @ 7:03PM
Geoffrey M. said...
The First season of the OC was the best season of TV for teens better than Beverly 90210, Dawson's Creek, Buffy,and One Tree Hill. Next two seasons, I rather watch Veronica Mars but Im hoping something big breaks out something really soon cuz The OC lost all the Misha Barton fans. Im really looking foward Summer's new look. (Hopefully she won't become Taylor Twin.)
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10-30-2006 @ 7:03PM
voip said...
Thanks for mentioning Mckenzie, one of the show's unheralded actors. He doesn't get enough kudos as say, Bilson or Brody or Barton, maybe because he's press-shy and doesn't draw attention to his private life as the other actors do.
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10-30-2006 @ 11:17PM
James said...
The first season of the OC was absolutely brilliant -- well written, directed and acted. Other shows could only wish they had it as good. The second season was okay, but the third was just depressing and awful. glad to hear that the fourth season is great -- I hear this from several sources -- TV guide says it as well. I won't be missing the season premiere this Thursday-- nov 2nd at 9.
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10-31-2006 @ 5:26AM
Stigmata said...
Compared to shows like Battlestar Galactica, Lost, Dexter, The OC isnt exactly intelligent television. Its pretty much un-insightful, mindless drivel.
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11-01-2006 @ 12:53PM
Natrino said...
I was incredibily skeptical of the OC, but I finally gave it a chance and loved it. Haven't seen anything beyond season 1, but it really was one of the best hours of television.
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11-04-2006 @ 5:34PM
samantha said...
u shouldnt of took off marissa her and ryan where the best part of the OC and i will miss her being on it she made it interesting why make her die...... poor ryan
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11-06-2006 @ 7:30AM
alice said...
hiii i LOVE this show so much and i reckon marrisa was probably the main character... i would have liked to see her on season 4 but im sure the directors will find a great way to keep it just as good!
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11-08-2006 @ 4:55PM
jojo said...
Every time I think of Marrisa I want to cry, and summer is like a hippie.Where did her sence of style go.I feel so bad for Ryan.He must be going through so much pain, and Marrisa should she magically come back to the show, cause i miss her so much!!!
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11-10-2006 @ 10:28AM
Nicole said...
I feel that they need to change either the O.C.'s time or day of the week or Grey's Anatomy because I noticed on polls that the viewers are much less now that both of the shows are being played at the same time and not everyone has TiVo so if we don't have enough people watching the O.C. they will prob take it off this is my personal opinion and I suggest that someone should look into it that way we don't lose another good show and that it wasn't a waste to start. Thank you
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11-21-2006 @ 8:28PM
Sarah said...
I think that The O.C has got really bad because of the fact that Marissa has be killed of!!! I mean how stupid is that, not everyone likes Summer!!! Ryans an absolute NATZIE becasue he goes rank everytime someone gets gets close to his X-Girlfriend! What the hell? Oh well I wish they were making annother season..
Sarah
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11-28-2006 @ 10:58AM
stuart goldie said...
it was stupid ending marissa part.i think all 3 seasons have been well put 2gether.i dont know about 2 shows being on at the same time thats FOX's timetable,tape it next time.lol
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12-05-2006 @ 12:01AM
george said...
cant wait! cant wait! cant wait! cant wait!
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1-13-2007 @ 12:06PM
lulu said...
I have seen up to the tenth but what happens next i can't what a week longer please tell me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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