S3E16 The Road Warrior 3/9 episode discussion thread

[Fraz]

--“THE O.C.”—(9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) CC-HDTV 720p-Dolby Digital 5.1

RYAN AND MARISSA’S RELATIONSHIP IS IN JEOPARDY
ON “THE O.C.”
THURSDAY, MARCH 9, ON FOX

Sadie and Ryan go on a road trip to find one of Johnny’s relatives and although Ryan returns to his old “Chino” ways, the trip brings him and Sadie closer. Could this be the end of Ryan and Marissa’s relationship? Meanwhile, Marissa is implicated in Johnny’s death and Seth and Summer discover Julie and Neil’s secret in “The Road Warrior” episode of THE O.C. airing Thursday, March 9 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (OC-316) (TV-PG L)

Cast: Peter Gallagher as Sandy Cohen, Benjamin McKenzie as Ryan Atwood, Adam Brody as Seth Cohen, Melinda Clarke as Julie Cooper, Mischa Barton as Marissa Cooper, Kelly Rowan as Kirsten Cohen, and Rachel Bilson as Summer Roberts.

Guest Cast: Michael Nouri as Dr. Roberts, Jeff Hephner as Matt Ramsey, Morena Baccarin as Maya Griffin, Nikki Reed as Sadie, Cam Gigandet as Volchok, Autumn Reeser as Taylor Townsend, Rod Rowland as Jack Harper, and Marc Vann as Detective Warner.

Guest performance: Tom Vek

[marisdig72]

who so early? still can't wait.

[afrocurl]

I know Maris!! Too bad we have to wait until the 9th for the episode.

[marisdig72]

ugh it sucks so much.

[Jazna]

How come evryone has to wait until 9th of March.I thought the oc was shown every week.

[Captain oats 13]

I wish it was shown every week :lol: They take breaks alot. Ooh I love it when Seth and Summer discover secrets.. they seem sneaky. But ohh.. Summer may not like her dad with Julie. I hope they can use that for Seth's shoulder could be one to lean on :)

[sethsangel123]

i want this eppy now not in 10 days! not fair!

[*Ashlee*]

its longer then 10 days away im afraid lol

[sethsangel123]

dam it is too, try 11! i cant wait!my head is tired and i forgot what day it is, i thought it was sun, and its sat here!

[*Ashlee*]

actually its like...20 days lol

[sethsangel123]

thats oth sorry! i got confused! with the dates! but 20 days ages away! i think i need to have a lay down and wake up a lil bit! :) lol! sorry!

[Shawna]

So sad that i have to wait...but just thinkin of volchok sweating at the construction at the model home helps ease the pain:)

[littleputz114]

*sigh* time goes by so slowly when there's no new OC to watch on Thursdays. :(

[Shawna]

i know its like summer flashbacks lol

[Shawna]

double i know,new caps though
http://i1.tinypic.com/nz53id.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/nz544o.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/nz54bb.jpg
How hot does ryan look,&& so so happy jess is back!!!

[afrocurl]

I think those caps are for ep17, not the one we have on the 9th.

[Shawna]

thats what i thought but where i got them said road warrior,,& i thought the journey huh..............I knew my girl wasnt coming back yet:( i have a kick ass banner all ready too

[xoxocxox]

http://i1.tinypic.com/nz544o.jpg



Wow it's Jess, right?

[Shawna]

Your damn skippy:bounce: I am positivly thrilled

[xoxocxox]

Haha Jess Yey! I like how ryans face looks in that picture. Lmao.:lol:

[Jazna]

double i know,new caps though
http://i1.tinypic.com/nz53id.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/nz544o.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/nz54bb.jpg
How hot does ryan look,&& so so happy jess is back!!!what web site are these from.

[Shawna]

thetvforums why?

[Fraz]

Well we only have to get thru one more week and things are going to heat up.

[txocgrl]

double i know,new caps though
http://i1.tinypic.com/nz53id.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/nz544o.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/nz54bb.jpg
How hot does ryan look,&& so so happy jess is back!!!
Sweet caps love Ryan's shiner.

[afrocurl]

Well we only have to get thru one more week and things are going to heat up.

Isn't it two weeks? The show doesn't come back until the 9th...

[Fraz]

Yes you are right....I just want new episodes so bad and I think the storyline is going to stir things up with more than one couple:D

Evil rubbing hands together....I LOVE A GOOD DRAMEDY!

[afrocurl]

Yes you are right....I just want new episodes so bad and I think the storyline is going to stir things up with more than one couple:D

Evil rubbing hands together....I LOVE A GOOD DRAMEDY!

You have no idea how long I've been waiting for these next few episodes Fraz. I've been rubbing my hands, like you, but I've also adopted a montra like in Fiend of Dreams: "If you think it, it will come."

The Road Trip has so much potential...why can't we see it this week??

[Fraz]

Because FOX thinks 3 nights of American Idol and a two part final of Skating with Celebrities is so much more Sweeps than THE O.C.

But then again what do we know we only watch the freakin TV:D

[afrocurl]

Because FOX thinks 3 nights of American Idol and a two part final of Skating with Celebrities is so much more Sweeps than THE O.C.

But then again what do we know we only watch the freakin TV:D

I can't agree with you more Fraz!!!

I watch plenty of TV and the idea of most of the networks doind dark during the Olympics was just about the stupidest thing they could have done. ARGH...I don't care about winter sports, but I do love my TV shows (including the OC...)

Thinking happy thoughts of this road trip...Chino Ryan is always a good draw for me.

[Shawna]

Holla five more days!!

[*Ashlee*]

there is a scene posted in the OC spoilers..a clip...it is seriously the hottest thing ever...go go now lol

[MaRyan4Ever!!!]

haha yea, at least i can be assured that this episode will have one clip that is funnier than words

[afrocurl]

That clip has brought back the true Seth of S1...I'm so looking forward to it!!!!

[MaRyan4Ever!!!]

yea and it shows the them hanging out without the drama, just like teens are supposed to

[marisdig72]

I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS EP!! BRING IT ON!! haha

[Shawna]

Holla me too...this hiatus just seems too long..

[MaRyan4Ever!!!]

we've had too many hiatuses this year

[ryan-marissa<3]

^i know i hate it!!i wanna see the clip ...its @ the official site right??:D

[Shawna]

no kay babe spoilers thread ,the last one

[StaceyLoveOC]

:D :D :D ep 16 on tonight yay :D :D :D

[sethsangel123]

hey guys! i am so punped for the eppy! i wanna soooooooooo see it!

[*Ashlee*]

i only have about 7 hours to wait HAHA :) WOOHOOOOOOOO cant wait lol

[afrocurl]

Great...all the Canadians can watch the show two hours before us...

The rest of today needs to by quickly for my sanity.

[Shawna]

I have been up since 5:30 and cannoyt find anything to help pass time!:(

[Divine order]

I had one class today and that didn't help pass time at all. I guess I could work on my research paper, but dang I might start writing Ryan and Sadie on the paper. I don't remember the last time I was so anxious for a show to start...oh yeah...Angel. Going to make lunch.:)

[angeleyez249]

WOOOOOOO 3 and a half more hours....its taking FOREVER!
I am sooooooo PUMPED!!!! :bump:

[*Ashlee*]

i have like an hour and a half haha :)

[txocgrl]

3 hours and 22 minutes *sigh* why cant 8 o clock (for me) be here

[*Ashlee*]

i get it at 7 lol :) WOOHOO

[txocgrl]

Lucky you get to see it eariler :tongue:

[afrocurl]

Don't rub it in Ash...some of us are going to have to be very patient (like me.)

[*Ashlee*]

haha dont post in here after if you dont wanna be spoiled :) i write my play by play as i go along sometimes lol

[afrocurl]

I know you post a play by play. I think I'll go hide in my room and watch VM, and then have my OC fix later.

Coming in here only makes me want the episode faster.

[StaceyLoveOC]

is ep 16 finish yet? is it good or??

[afrocurl]

Well the Canadians that are watching on CTV have another 15 minutes, but the east coast won't get the show for another hour.

[*Ashlee*]

-------------RECAP-------------------------------Thoughts-------------------

The OC: The Road Warrior

-starts with the cutest recap ever :) haha scenes from the last 10 episodes or so :) haha

-hot tub scene :) im sooo in love with it haha!! how awesome is that lol .."but im scared and im wet and im cold" lol seth is back baby lol see if it continues through the episode or not haha

-summer wants a double date....marissa being wierd about ryan, summer hints marissa tries to get out of hanging with ryan....marissa gets wierd phone call

-seth/ryan arrive at sadies before school....apparently new evidence found..incriminating marissa?

-kiki and juju-talkin about work..juju tired...kiki suggests going public..but they cant, dont want to make waves yet! julie goes to nap...kirsten is left alone..again

-matt and sandy...boring...lol

-awwww summer misses her dad TAYLOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!! haha she is entertaining lol...suggest summer finds a date for her dad, summer is so cute lol she wants to pick according to her standards lol

-maryan scene...wow...cut tension with a knife...talk about getting together to talk....

-ryan in the chino sweater!!...possible wife beater...ohh sadie is a tough chick lol talking about smackin johnnys dad around...oh VOLCHOK!!.....haha some spurring between ryan and V lol....Sadie choses Ryan lol...he hints at marissa haha goo volchok lol good point if ryan is gnna ignore marissa ...what goes around comes around lol

-road tripi started, ryan talks about chino etc his life haha nice chemistry

-boring sandy and matt lol....trying to set up a double date...

-summer goes to kiki and juju haha its funny lol her list is outrageous

-sadie and ryan show up in..wherever lol... aww they are SOOO cute ...though ryan is acting like he has to be there and save sadie...when marissa is the one waiting to be questionged by the police lol

-hha taylor is speakin korean..so cute...catches..neil on date with julie....lol not sure if she knows its juju or not

-marrisa and summer talk about ryan and marissa....talk about how they have been getting along because they havent been talking....

-ryan and sadie at hotel...strip poker is suggested, apparently ryan as played before...ryan in wife beater HAHA :) hot lol.....aww marissa sad, cant get ahold of ryan :(

-next day, haha seth slept in ryans bed lol thats cute haha...its like old school seth back!! he is GREAT!!!!!!

-taylor confesses about julie and neil...they go to spy haha..haha driving around in a golf cart!! haha..seth thinks julie and neil are cute lol

-flashback to marissa talkin to cops/johnnys accident..THEY FOUND THE LETTER!!!..."im not in love with you, i never will be"

-marissa and Volchok...he is making the connection..aww kinda cute

-oh no....kiki gives 'the look'.....dumb sandy

-they are talkin to johnnys dad...huge asshole ...sadie is smashin the car in!

-awwwww ryan just got beat up...but sadie is a tough chick so thumbs up :) awesome scene!! sadie starts smashing johnnys dads truck

-aww she is trying to fix ryan...johnnys dad was like ryans dad apparently which BREAKS my heart...

-uh oh..ryan took off with sadies car...meaning he is going to do something he shouldnt

-double date with kiki, sandy, matt and mya...blah...some cute kandy tho :)..sandy is getting more like caleb and it drives me buts

-seth and summer making out on the couch lol how cute is that lol...talkin about juju and neil...neil catches seth on top of summer HAHA....then more cute seth.summerness HAHA i LOVE it

-johnnys dad gave ryan money...

-sandy and kiki....kiki MAD lol...she is calling him out on his 180 attitude...she is worried about him knowing where the line is..

-bait shop....marissa...volchok shows up...marissa leaves...

-ryan and marissa break up...and make me cry :(......seriously...im crying....marissa is at the lief stand...him at the pool house with sadie...volchock shows up to see her...the worst part ...it happens to FOREVER YOUNG!! WTF...and ryan does it on the phone...says its not cuz of johnny or trey..they agree its not workin...

-the end-

wow...awww....i wanted a break up so bad...but then i realized how much i didnt! so that was hard to swallow! i know they need it and need other things for now but..man....*sigh*

gee i can picture kirsten wanting to hit the bottle again...

sandy..man you piss me off lol more and more like caleb everyday! kirsten has every right to be worried about his ethics!

seth and summer were adorable though ,some nice happiness and comic relief!!!

great eppy!! tough times ahead lol

[addicted2theOC]

i think im going to cry, i dont want to watch it..
take it back josh *attacks Johs with a spork*

[*Ashlee*]

i was soo upset at the end lol....it was bad

[Shawna]

tthis is the rain iny my Malchok rainbow..bye:( Maryan..sorry the malchok starting has got me crazed

[*Ashlee*]

its ok lol i know they will be back! pretty sure haha :)

[Kiki&Sandman]

ohh some kandy drama, i cant wait!! Its about time Kiki got a storyline!!

awww ryan and marissa broken up again and to do it to their song...sooo wrong!! gonna be soo sad

[iwantalexback]

I really liked tonight's episode.Taylor's back :happy: :applause: It was so funny seeing Julie dressed up like Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct.:hehe: The breakup between Marissa and Ryan was so intense.Does anyone know when Anna or Jess are coming back?

[marisdig72]

This episode was just OKAY for me, seth and summer and taylor were hilarious though, i love taylor. But I was so sad at the end and Volchek is a stalker and I'm already upset that Will Makar left American Idol, and now the RM break up!?!

[errie808]

i cant believe they had Ryan and Marissa break up on the PHONE!
oh my god! what the hell?!
and then like they didnt even act like they mattered to each other

[marisdig72]

oh and also that whole thing with marissa imagining what happened with johnny and the letter was so intense, i loved it.

[addicted2theOC]

it was THE. worst. episode. ever. i hate josh, I hate Sadie and I'm angry at Ryan..
Marissa was the ONLY thing is this episode that made sense. And Julie. and Taylor.

everything else sucked. no shirtless Ryan, and Ryan was a jerk!!!! i've never been so dissappointed

[*Ashlee*]

i cant believe they had Ryan and Marissa break up on the PHONE!
oh my god! what the hell?!
and then like they didnt even act like they mattered to each other
thats not totally true..marissa did...and ryan would have more if sadie hadnt shown up, you could tell ryan had thoughts running through his mind

[errie808]

i meant like while they were on the PHONE (god that was horrible), like they were just kinda like this is over, ok bye

[Shawna]

This was one of the absoluite best eps ever ,,and for real yall can hate me,,whatever.....ryan was a total douche to Coop,,,so it was actually his fault in the long run...........I was so happy to see ryan finally happy and boy marissa will be soon.................but im a hated girl in here so...:(

[*Ashlee*]

Not hated at all Shawna!! :)

[Divine order]

That was a good episode overall. here are my thoughts:

Ryan/Sadie
Ok. I loooooved them! They had so much chemistry and were really cute. I'm happy to see a grittier side of Ryan again, he was getting a little to straight laced. It was nice to see a glimpse of how Ryan felt about his father. When Marissa called in the motel my roommates were literally yelling "don't answer it". I thought for sure he would....I was pleasantly suprised. Its strange seeing Marissa being hurt by Ryan for a change. I must be a heartless b***h but I was happy. Ryan was kind of cold though and I'm not used to him acting like that. At first it didn't sit well.

Marissa/Volchok
Just as I thought. Volchok (who looked like he needed a bath tonight) will go after Marissa to spite Ryan. Nothing much to say here except I did feel a glimpse of sadness for Marissa after the break up. But it had to be done and was looong overdue...so it passed. Mischa looked good tonight.

Summer/Seth
Cute as usual. Loved Seth rolling around in the Ryan's bed. I'm anxious to see how the Julie and Dr. Roberts storyline turns out.

Sandy/Matt/Kirsten/Mya
Ugh! What have they done to my Sandy...

Marissa/Ryan
Break up was sad, but not what I had in mind when he said "talk". I thought they were actually going to talk about what occured in the last episodes..but I guess not. As Marissa said, they were never good with words. Like I said, their split was long overdue....though I have to admit I did tear up a bit.

Glad Taylor was back tonight...love her.

Overall, a really good episode. I was interested in every storyline for a change.

[marisdig72]

ugh I"M SO FRUSTRATED!!!!

[angeleyez249]

i meant like while they were on the PHONE (god that was horrible), like they were just kinda like this is over, ok bye

Yah, you're kinda right...pretty short and sweet after everthing they have been through. I felt so bad for Marissa, she was so sad :(

Even tho I knew it was coming, and I was rootin' for it...
it's still sad to see Maryan at an end *again*. :crying:

Yah, the episode was ok...Im getting sick of Ryan being the HERO OF THE DAY in every episode...dont get me wrong, I love him to pieces, but...it's gettin' old Josh...let him be 17!!! :yawn:

Uggh....if anyone has caps of tonights eppy...PLEASE pm me and SHARE, lol...Im dying to make some art already!!!!

[Divine order]

Yikes! I peeked into some of the other boards and stuff and all i can say is..."Let the Sadie and Ryan backlash begin". I hope the writer's weren't aiming to demonize the Ryan character tonight...I think they accomplished it.

[errie808]

Yeah, they definately hurt Ryan's character tonight
they were trying to act like he'd been fed up with Marissa for awhile, and maybe he should have been, but I dont think they ever showed that before tonight when he suddenly had to get outta town to get away from it
they made him seem like kind of an @sshole to me

[OCallyFaN80]

Ok. Question . . . Why is Josh making this show and storylines twisted? I mean, it's stupid. Ok. Here's my points as follows.

One, Marissa and Ryan. I'm very upset of how and how it happened between them. Really stupid. As what they said on the show, as Ryan quoted, he said how hard they got to the point to their relationship and ending it like this? It's horrifying! Just . . . I can't believe it. That's all I can say. Hopefully, this isn't an off and on relationship because that's one thing I hate, off and on relationships and some how, it's becoming to be one. Off and on for . . . 3 times! Holy crap! Man, Josh should at least keep them for a year. It's just making MaRyan fans sad every year . . .

Sether. Terrific. Nothing horrible or something to say about that. Just plain cute! As usual.

Another thing I have to point out. Now Ryan. What the hell is going on with him? He's been changing and that's not good at all. Ok, remember the old Ryan where he used to care and love for Marissa no matter what and would be her side whenever she needs her? Well, all I can tell you that he's with the wrong girl. He cars about his friends and their feelings. But, somehow in this episode, it lost connection. Ryan's character is not turning out great this season and had made me upset. Nothing wrong or upset about Marissa this season, it's Ryan that is upsetting me the most. One other thing is how he is spending time with Sadie instead of Marissa. I mean, Ryan put through Marissa a lot and made her feel guilty that now, he's doing the same thing? Urgh, it's just horrible!

Nothing else to mention here. Just too upset that this episode wasn't as good as I thought it was. Marissa / Ryan and Ryan has just upset me that I can't speak anymore. It's just sad to say anything else basically.

[Divine order]

Another thing I have to point out. Now Ryan. What the hell is going on with him? He's been changing and that's not good at all. Ok, remember the old Ryan where he used to care and love for Marissa no matter what and would be her side whenever she needs her?

A person can only play the puppy for so long....

[R&M4ever03]

I have no words about ryan right now


Marissa on the other hand:froze:

[prankster324]

I haven't seen the episode yet. But if Ryan and Marissa break up, then it'll be an awesome epi for me. Don't get me wrong, Maryan is all-time. But Ryan has had to put up with a lot from Marissa lately. He needs a better girlfriend. I really can't take their relationship seriously anymore if they always breakup to makeup.

[Divine order]

I mean when you think about it, the guy can't express his feelings and he's a friggin robot. To top it all off he blows her off....twiceee.....and after breaking up with her he plays strip poker :|:|:|.....

Quote carried from spoiler thread to here.

Oh right, because Marissa never blew Ryan off. He did it twice, she did it.....can't remember all the times she blew off Ryan...too many.

People have been itching for ryan to stop putting up with Marissa's crap and when he does, its like a firing range with Ryan as the target. What's the boy to do....

[coopandchino]

Quote carried from spoiler thread to here.

Oh right, because Marissa never blew Ryan off. He did it twice, she did it.....can't remember all the times she blew off Ryan...too many.

People have been itching for ryan to stop putting up with Marissa's crap and when he does, its like a firing range with Ryan as the target. What's the boy to do....

I know what u mean. Now Ryan is the a-hole apparently. Most were so sick of the way Marissa was treating him and him just taking it and now that's he's had enough now he's the jerk??? I really don't get it. The only thing I really found harsh was Ryan breaking up with Marissa over the phone instead of in person. Not a big deal though to me R/M haven't been a real couple since like the 4th ep of this season. They both knew a breakup was coming so I didn't really think it was that big of a deal.

I guess people just forget how horrible Marissa was to Ryan for so long. Maybe b/c of the hiatus. I don't know, but I think she had it coming. Ryan was tired of being taken for granted, being treated like crap by Marissa, and sick of her drama so he went to Sadie. With the way Marissa acted with Johnny I just don't see Ryan as the jerk here.

As for Marissa/Volchuk, I really can't wait to see this. I thought it would be really stupid for her to hook up with him after he kidnapped her, but now it just looks so interesting.

Kirsten and Sandy. Awesome! Yea they're having issues, but finally it's not another stupid love triangle causing their problems. I can see Kirsten wanting to drink again. So much of her drinking started b/c of her dad and now Sandy is turning into Caleb. Sandy was such a jerk. I think this will be a really good.
storyline.

Seth and Summer were really funny tonight. I figured Seth would run away or pee all over himself with Neil catching them making out. LOL! I liked that Neil didn't freak on him and it looks like he's finally accepted S/S together.

Neil and Julie were cute and funny together and I laughed so hard when Summer was trying to get Julie and Kirsten to get a woman for her dad. Talking about him just choosing some money hungry bitch was hilarious with the look on Julie's face!

I'm finally interested in everyone's storylines again and really excited to see the rest of the season play out. I think it's going to be great.

[R&M4ever03]

Its not even about that, really, Yes Ryan has a right to feel the way he feels no one is denying that, its the fact that he breaks up with his long time girlfriend who he has been in love with since the day he met her and he just breaks up with in a tactless and cowadly way might I add and have the nerve to tell her that it wasnt about Trey or Johnny (which is the main root of their problems right now. and all of a sudden he nonchalently moves with sadie. and has no remorse for, I GET that he is trying not deal with the issues that he has with marissa and wants to just live life with fun, but im sorry that doesnt work that way. A relationship isnt made for you can bail anytime things get hard and difficult, if you really love that person, you work as hard you can to try to get through the bad times with them. and granted Marissa has shut Ryan out plently of times this season, that doesnt mean he isnt allowed to stick around and help her through this. I mean correctly me if i am wrong but they are both in dire need of saving this relatioship, it shouldnt fall on just one person nor it should be completely one sided either. and after everything they have been through, I would of thought Ryan would of treated marissa alot better than that, or at least say "too much has happened and I dont think we should be together right, anything is better than the lame ass excuse they gave to each other. Like thats going to wipe a whole year and a half of pain each of them went through.



I am still convinced, that they are both shutting each other out, so they wont feel the pain of everything that has happened and the only way they could do this, if they werent around each other for awhile and I am also convince they are going to self destruct while being with these random people.

[afrocurl]

I really loved the flow and pacing of the episode--it made for an excellent watch. It was fast, and still focused on each of the different storylines to get an overall effect of things being in flux and people being in limbo.

Every relationship this week was about making a choice between two sides and I think that came across really well.

You could tell that Summer was looking out for her dad, and in the end I think she realized that her dad is happy with Julie.

I can't tell what's going on with Seth and Summer, but his whole attitude in the hot tub makes me things that there's trouble in Sether paradise.

I think the trip to Indio that Ryan went on with Sadie was a good start to their relationship. Last time we only saw how concerned Ryan was for her and this time Sadie did the same. Ryan opened up to her about his life, more so than I think he ever verbalized to Marissa, which is huge for him. His driving directions were funny (even if they already looked like they were closer to indio when talking about the freeway) and I'm glad that he admitted to Sadie that he and Johnny really did have more things in common than he would have liked to admit.

Neil and Julie were good--it was interesting to see how they finally moved out of the shadows and into the public. I loved how Taylor found them at the Korean BBQ.

I think the tension that Kirsten suggested at the end after Maya broke up with Matt should be a wake-up for Sandy. He's trying to be successful with THG, but at what cost? Matt and Maya seemed happy and I think the Sandy and Kirsten were doing alright before Sandy put TNG ahead of friends and family.

As to the ending, I think it was fitting that Maryan, who have been so much about the physical, can't express how their relationship has fallen apart. I've been a fan of these two together because they were dysfunctional, and tonight was just another shining example of that dysfunctionality.

Sidenotes to all the characters that didn't fit into the duets:

I love Taylor!!! She was just so perky when she came back--she really was taking charge of Neil's situation, which was sort of nice. She really is trying to make an effort to be a good friend. Her speaking Korean was so wonderful, as was her comment to Seth about Neil's "issue" from "The Sister Act."

One a completely different note Josh and the shooting department need to research cities more. I can't think of a single place in Brea that looks that unkept. Indio, on the other hand, was pretty good.

I'm excited to see where the show is going from here!! This is a wonderful start to the end of the season.

[Gioiettina]

No words for Ryan. He is so miserable. He deserves the female version of Johnny and Marissa deserves better. It's funny because for many fans he is a saint. Where?

I hope to see RM together in the future, but now they are better alone.

[kaylabc]

alright, here are my 2 cents....Loved Sether last night, they are to cute, it was nice to see more of them just being interesting, not fighting or anything...
Obviously Volchuck, whatever his name is, is only going after Marissa to get at Ryan, so i feel bad that he is going to take advantage of her, felt sorry for Marissa in the epi b/c it had to be hard to have the police questioning her...but on the same time, i find it very hard to believe that her and Ryan would avoid each other so much...but even so..Ryan bothered me tonight...i love Ryan...i love RM together, although since about episode 3 i haven't had much to go on this season,lol! Anyways, i didn't like how he lied to Sadie that it was Seth phoning, or not phoning Marissa...but hey whatever, but i think the thing that upset me the most, after him saying he wanted a future with her, that he phones her to end things..honestly that was just so terrible, i couldn't believe they did that...and then they show Marissa crying and upset but then Ryan starts playing cards with Sadie...i just see this as Ryan running away again, what i mean by that is, things with Marissa have hit a really rough spot and rather than try to deal with them and work past it with her, he deserts her (he didn't even ask how it went with the police....) so as much as we would like to think things have changed with Ryan i don't feel like they have...this feels very similar the when Theresa showed up and Ryan breaks up with her and goes off with Theresa...
Not really liking the Sandy behaviour in last nights epi...miss the fun Sandy!
But i am loving the Julie and Neil/Summer story, at least something on the show is staying fun and interesting!

[Divine order]

No words for Ryan. He is so miserable. He deserves the female version of Johnny and Marissa deserves better. It's funny because for many fans he is a saint. Where?

Female version of Johnny? sadie is nothing like Johnny. Sadie is strong, straightforward and a hard as* and I love it. Johnny....well...we knew how Johnny was...

things with Marissa have hit a really rough spot and rather than try to deal with them and work past it with her, he deserts her (he didn't even ask how it went with the police....) so as much as we would like to think things have changed with Ryan i don't feel like they have...this feels very similar the when Theresa showed up and Ryan breaks up with her and goes off with Theresa...

Actually, he did ask her how things went with the police and asked how her weekend went. He has tried to work things out with her this season and kept hitting brick walls. There's only so much a person could do. Ryan didn't break up with Marissa and then went with Theresa. They broke up because of the Oliver thing. I don't see the similarity in the Sadie situation and the Theresa one. Ryan and Marissa weren't even together when Theresa showed up.

[angeleyez249]

WOW! Amazing how many people have "turned" on Ryan!!!
Im' sorry but like said above, a guy can only play puppy for so long!!!
It's about TIME he started being more of a dick to Marissa...pardon my french, but she has messed with his mind and his heart since season 1, and he has sat there and taken it...and forgave her over and over.

As I said on the Maryan thread, I was actually really happy at the part when he decided to go...and when he ignored Marissa's phone call!!! I'm sorry but...it looks good on HER for a change!

Ok, so the phone call was maybe a bit...I dunno'...cowardly per-SAY...but...like said already...we and THEY knew it was coming for a LONG time...it was just a matter of one of them finally saying it!!!!!

I'm sorry, but I don't think badly of Ryan AT ALL!!!
It's nice to see he has grown some balls ;)

[*Ashlee*]

I know Ashley, its funny seeing how one episode made them hate ryan lol MArissa has been treating Ryan ilke that since what....oh ya, the beginning of the bloody season. Ryan didnt go about it in the right way im sure but i dont blame him! They are BOTH to blame and just because ryan was the one man enough to know that at least for now, its not working, doesnt mean he should be put down! Realistically Marissa should have broke up with him when JOhnny was around because she certainly did not care if SHE answered Ryans phone calls and hung out with him and talked. They BOTH signed on the dotted line for this one. So explain, Ryan meets a girl, a friend, obviously some time has passed over the hiatus...and she is someone he can talk to, someone who isnt avoiding him, isnt saying that he is happy he just watched their friend day...someone who is actually appreciating what is being done. As much as i didnt like how it happened, i dont blame him, in the REAL world some break ups happen like that! sometimes, a person isnt themselves and things get dealt with in a different way, and i cant speak from experience.

[angeleyez249]

Yuppers! Well said Ashlee!!!

[txocgrl]

I liked last nights episode... at first I thought Ryan was headed back to Newport when he left Sadie at the diner. Which btw it's kinda making me mad that he hanging w/Sadie, I mean he blew his friends off for her.

I can tell that Summer doesnt like Julie much why else would she complain about Julie and her dad will she even be happy if her dad remarries? I dont think Marissa will be happy either.

I can smell trouble for Sandy and Kirsten :( I wish I knew what was going on with Sandy he's turning into Caleb :scream:

[Divine order]

I mean he blew his friends off for her

Hmmm... sounds familiar though.
Marissa blew off Summer and Ryan for Oliver on more than one occasion. Marissa blew off Summer and the entire Cohen family for dinner to be with Johnny etc.

Why does it seem like such a big deal now that ryan is wearing this shoe? I also think him not showing up is because he didn't want to have to face Marissa, it wasn't because of Sadie. He left sadie's house after the cops showed up, he must have just went somewhere else instead of home.

[txocgrl]

Ok your right but at the time it didnt seem right.

[killer_cab]

Hello all, I haven't read any of the previous posts, but I thought I'd do the original person by person, couple by couple thoughts. Now, PLEASE do not take my opinions to heart, I just want to get them out there...sorry if it offends anyone (*cough*Maryan fans*cough*)

Ryan: Finally, I like him again. There was a definite improvement on his part. I mean, he really finally, like, grew up. He needed to get out of there. Foreshadowing of the rest of the season, perhaps?

Marissa: I believe I actually said while she was crying after Maryan breakup (more on that later), "Haha, you cold and alone bee-yotch!" She annoyed me.

Summer: Cute, I liked her concern for her father...cuteness.

Seth: Back to the basics. Selfish and dorky. BAM!

Sandy: Ugh, yawn. Bore.

Kirsten: Repeat from above ^^^^

Julie: Best person this season. She never fails to amaze me.

Sadie: LOVES HER! Gosh, she rocks...

Volchuk: Um....hott.....

Maryan: HALLELUJAH! You all know I have a large dislike for this couple, and I thoroughly enjoyed the break up. Finally. It took them long enough.

Sether: Awww....so cute...

Roadie: HOT TUB! Heck yes!!!

Rager: Donde esta mi Rager? Where did it go?!?!

Saryan: HOT! Best new couple.

Malchuk: They'll be great.

Kandy: Repeat from Sandy and Kirsten...

Overall: Great episode, it really had everything. The end of Maryan, a fist fight, everything. I loved every minute except for the ones with Kandy or Marissa...those kinda lacked... A

[Shawna]

Ali you my girl!!!why didnt you accept me on myspace?

[killer_cab]

I did! I swear I did!

[Shawna]

ill go check ok...

[killer_cab]

You better....or I'll...I got nothing...

[Shawna]

Ok babe, you me friend now..how corny is my lok up compared to yours!!:lol:

[killer_cab]

It took me a while to figure out just to change the background! Some people's page is crazy good.

[Shawna]

I just got mine yesterday...ill learn though

[killer_cab]

Definitely...

So, were you very happy with the Malchuk last night?

[Scott_1988]

I thought it was a pretty good episode. :up:

Damn, Seth was one lucky....when he was in the hot tub with summer and Marissa...

[sethsangel123]

so how many ppl are liking teh eppy! its got a pretty good response from what ive read! and i loved fromwhat ive seen, which is the whole eppy pretty much! it was great!
marissa and volchok! just great! and ryan and sadie too!
whos with me???????? :lol:

[killer_cab]

I'm with you! The episode was great! No more Maryan!

[sethsangel123]

alis with me! yay! lol!

i also liked all teh steh summe bits they were hilarious!!!!!!!!!!

[killer_cab]

Yeah, they were... I loved when Seth sorta roared...

[sethsangel123]

lol! yeah andd when he was rollin around in ryans bed! lol! hahahahaha! classic s1 seth pretty much!

[BenBrazilianFan]

after hoping Maryan to break up for months, i was really sad... i still am (just saw the episode)... i know, marissa is a bitch, she deserved it, but i have to admit i felt sorry for her (this is incredible!)
Ryan was... different. I don't think he was actually happy, or that he'll be in the next episodes, even with Sadie.
Seth and Summer, really cute!
Taylor rocks!
Disapointed with Sandy! Kiki finally active, thank God.
Julie/Neil - a cute couple...

[iwantalexback]

How many times did Ryan and Marissa break up? I lost count.

[sethsangel123]

that would be time no 3!

[iwantalexback]

Only three? It seems way more than that.

[afrocurl]

Oliver is 1, Theresa is 2, Trey is 3 and the one in the CLiffhanger is 4 and this one is 5.

Care to argue any of those, but that's what I can remember.

[iwantalexback]

I would say when she was with Alex,but they were already broken up then.

[Porcelain Heart]

Note: This is going to be an extremely lengthy post with lots of overanalyzing and picking apart that comes across like drugstore psychology. Be ye warned.

Ryan/Marissa
What was that quote from The Village? That it's the things that you want the most that you shy away from? Something like that having to do with Lucius and what's-her-name... my point being, I think that the initial attraction between Ryan and Marissa was really intense and because of their differences, dysfunctions, and all of the complications, it terrified both of them. I think that somewhere deep down, Ryan realizes that he cares for Marissa in a way that he hasn't ever cared for any other girl (sorry Ryan/Lindsay, Ryan/Theresa, Ryan/Sadie fans), and he's the most scared of being vulnerable and open with her because she's the one whose opinion matters the most to him. In the same breath, Marissa has such a fear of rejection and abandonment (AKA her relationship with Julie season one, her dad always leaving) that she's scared to get close to people, and she transfers this into being drawn towards guys like Johnny and Oliver who she can "fix" and who she knows on some subconscious level won't leave or abandon her.

I hate to completely brush aside relationships (well, actually, I love to do it), but seriously: When things were hard for Marissa with her home life, she turned to Oliver and made him her "project." When Marissa and he weren't working out, Ryan ran straight into Theresa's arms... or rather... her bed. When Ryan left, Marissa looked for comfort in DJ, and then when Ryan was discouraged with Marissa, he latched onto Lindsay. Then, Alex, this great, understanding, pretty girl who happens to be bi comes along, Marissa, who's been going through this whole emotional crisis and who still has feelings for Ryan, becomes emotionally attached, and they start up. The same thing happened in this season with Johnny and Sadie... goodness I despise that family.

I still don't think that Marissa ever really had time to process what happened between her and Trey. Everyone writes her off as this cold-hearted, uncaring, irresponsible biatch, but it's so obvious in so many ways that she has so much love inside that she's just dying to give to someone. She was trying to make things work with Ryan, Trey was kind of like a stray that she found on the street, and both because she genuinely cared and wanted to help him and because she cared for Ryan and wanted the two of them to work things out for his sake, she invested a lot of time and energy into him. Then, he turned around and attacked her like that. I won't pretend that I know anything about rape or attempted rape, but I would THINK that when something like that happens to you, you can't just automatically snap your fingers and be done with it. I'm not even talking about Marissa shooting Trey; I'm talking strictly about the attack.

People go on about Marissa blowing Ryan off, but he did the same thing to her... she wanted to talk about things and thought that they were weird, but he just barreled over it, trying to convince her that things were "fine". Well, Marissa still had so many unresolved feelings about that situation that they overflowed, and she didn't feel comfortable talking with Summer and having it all get back to Ryan via Seth, so she confided in Johnny, who consequently fell in love with a beautiful girl who was always trying to save him.

Yes, Marissa has had her fair share (and more) of the blame resting on her shoulders when it comes to their multiple failed attempts over the year, but this time, just as in the Theresa time, it was an equal blame situation. Ryan avoids the real issues and tries to pretend that they don't exist; Marissa then starts to avoid him because she doesn't feel comfortable bringing it up. Their break-up was a complete cop-out, but to me it seemed fitting for this stage of their relationship. He was breaking up with her over the phone because he didn't have the guts to run away from her to her face, she was rushing him through it and adding things in because she felt like it was her fault and knew to a certain extent it was because of Johnny and Trey and because of a lot of her mistakes.

I have my own anti-Ryan views at the moment, though, which I'll say more about down here.

Ryan/Sadie

Huh, so now he's going around pulling a Marissa? Why is it that every time things get tough, Ryan goes for the "easy" things? People go on about him being overly mature, but to me there's this completely immature side of him where he runs away from anything that breathes "hard"; it's almost like because his earlier life was so difficult he thinks that he doesn't have to cope with anything now. Honestly; playing strip poker with some girl you've known for what, three weeks top, while you're still together with your girlfriend? Tacking on being hanging around her to wanting to help Johnny's mom out? His intentions were in no way, shape, or form pure, and pretending that they were just lowered my opinion of him; he should've at least had the credibility to admit to himself and Marissa and Sadie what he was doing.

People keep on going on about what a tough girl Sadie is, but seriously? Could she DO anything more insanely stupid than take a crowbar to an ex-con's truck when she and Ryan are outnumbered by however many people? Consequently, if she and Ryan had just left and then Ryan had come back later, they most likely would still have gotten the money, and Ryan, the perpetual Knight in Shining Armor, wouldn't have had to get that shiner or bloody nose. She goes on about how she cares about Johnny, but if they were that close and she really thought that Marissa meant that much to him, why would she screw the girl over by taking advantage of Maryan's already on the rocks relationship? Playing strip poker with a taken guy, even if he is about to put himself back on the market, is still wrong on so many levels.

I wouldn't have minded the two of them together if they'd done it in a different way, the same way I didn't mind Seth/Anna and Marissa/Alex. In the end, though, a relationship started with one person running away and lying (even if it's just "little" lies like it being your girl friend calling your cell) is pretty much doomed from the start. I don't see them being this big old epic romance. That's purely my opinion, though; a bunch of people seem to like them.

Seth/Summer
They were great in this episode. It was nice to see them ditching the tackiness of some of their episodes this season and shedding all of the petty fighting as well. I have a good feeling about the two of them + Brown next year.

Sandy
Huh... you're your dead step-father... I guess you can only be a pigeon around hawks for so long without starting to act like a hawk... let's just hope that you've still got some of that pigeon-y-ness down in there somewhere, though, eh?

Volchok/Marissa
I ship this couple. Marissa needs a good rebound, and even if he is just using her to get back at Ryan... it serves him right. They have chemistry, and I certainly don't see them long-term... but Josh seems desperate to keep RyRissa apart and throw them together with random people, making it seem "deeper" or w/e, so good for Marissa. She still took more time to move on than Ryan.

[Divine order]

Just finished my paper and dropped in. Had to responnd...Very long post ahead...
Ryan realizes that he cares for Marissa in a way that he hasn't ever cared for any other girl (sorry Ryan/Lindsay, Ryan/Theresa, Ryan/Sadie fans), and he's the most scared of being vulnerable and open with her because she's the one whose opinion matters the most to him.

Very true. He loves her. He told her that. I think he cares alot about Theresa and cared for Lindsey, but he loves Marissa. Sadie is too new for them to have developed anything.

She was trying to make things work with Ryan, Trey was kind of like a stray that she found on the street, and both because she genuinely cared and wanted to help him and because she cared for Ryan and wanted the two of them to work things out for his sake, she invested a lot of time and energy into him. Then, he turned around and attacked her like that. I won't pretend that I know anything about rape or attempted rape, but I would THINK that when something like that happens to you, you can't just automatically snap your fingers and be done with it.

I agree that almost being raped is traumatic. BUT.....Marissa knew Trey was trouble. Ryan stressed that Trey was a problem and that he wanted to handle Trey. Now I know that if my boyfriends brother just got out of jail and he was the reason my boyfriend landed in the justice system in the first place...red flags would go off. If my boyfriend told me to stay away from him and to let him deal with his brother, I wouldn't go hang out and get drunk with this person I don't really know in their apartment alone. I mean come on...how dense can you get. Marissa has the problem where she can't clue in when someone is sending her signals. Trey was sending signals and they were obvious. I don't doubt that her intentions were good, but her method is questionable.

People go on about Marissa blowing Ryan off, but he did the same thing to her... she wanted to talk about things and thought that they were weird, but he just barreled over it, trying to convince her that things were "fine". Well, Marissa still had so many unresolved feelings about that situation that they overflowed, and she didn't feel comfortable talking with Summer and having it all get back to Ryan via Seth, so she confided in Johnny, who consequently fell in love with a beautiful girl who was always trying to save him.

Come on, he did not do the same thing to her. He never blew her off. Marissa has glossed over alot of situations as "fine" when Ryan asks her if she's ok (every five seconds...annoying) even when she is not. After the Trey thing, they BOTh acted like they were fine and went on their merry way. It was Summer and Seth that questioned whether R/M would be able to get passed all that had happened.

Please tell me when she wanted to actually talk about things and he refused or shut down. I can think of one and that was the 4 am call, which what the heck was the guy supposed to do? He can't fix what happened and why is it ONLY his responsiblity to provide the comfort. They BOTH need comfort. Its extremely difficult to provide something for someone else when you can't provide it for yourself. Any other time, something would come up and Marissa would leave. Somebody please point out all these times where she wanted to talk about it and he blew her off. Ryan started talking about stuff in 301 and Marissa wanted to put it behind them so he stopped talking about his feelings about Trey in 301. So I guess they're one for one.

So Marissa is the only one with unresolved feelings? Uh no. Ryan had many unresolved feelings about Trey that went way back to Chino. The Marissa thing, stealing of the egg and the drug deal were all heaped on top. I would feel horrible if my sibling came to a new place where i din't even fit in yet and started reaking havoc. his mom already embarrased the crap out of him, now his brother? He had noone to talk to, but he certainly didn't seek out some chick to talk to and leave Marissa in the dust. People don't fault Marissa for confiding in Johnny (at least i don't), its that she finds these people and completely ignores her boyfriend for them. she also shoves this new guy down her current boyfriends throat. No guy would stand for that crap, not one. She did it with Luke and she did it with ryan. She even started to do it with Alex. I mean after the entire lying to alex about the sleeping bag, Marissa knew there was tension with ryan and alex. But STILL she asked Ryan to go over to Alex's to work on the bonfire...That is just rude. Do it at school or at the poolhouse. I felt horrible for Alex.

Ryan avoids the real issues and tries to pretend that they don't exist; Marissa then starts to avoid him because she doesn't feel comfortable bringing it up. Their break-up was a complete cop-out, but to me it seemed fitting for this stage of their relationship. He was breaking up with her over the phone because he didn't have the guts to run away from her to her face, she was rushing him through it and adding things in because she felt like it was her fault and knew to a certain extent it was because of Johnny and Trey and because of a lot of her mistakes.

Everything your pinning on Ryan is the same thing Marissa does. They BOTH avoid teh real issues. this past episode showed that clearly. not one of them made an effort to talk or even see the other. Summer had to force marissa to call him. They broke up over the phone. Had she gotten a hold of him over the phone earlier, the results would have been the same. They were both copping out and didn't want to face eachother. She was rushing it because she didn't want to deal with it as much as he didn't want to.

Huh, so now he's going around pulling a Marissa? Why is it that every time things get tough, Ryan goes for the "easy" things? People go on about him being overly mature, but to me there's this completely immature side of him where he runs away from anything that breathes "hard"; it's almost like because his earlier life was so difficult he thinks that he doesn't have to cope with anything now.

He goes for the easy things? Hmmm....what does that mean? At that age people do run away from what breathes hard. Seth has done it, Marissa has done it alot. Running away is what kids do at that age when things get shitty with parents or boyfriends. Marissa and Ryan don't like to confront eachother. They skulk away instead.

I don't think his intentions were pure, he likes Sadie, she's different from Marissa and that's what he needed. I don't think he ever pretended they were pure...he knew EXACTLY what he was doing. Pretending would be telling Marissa that nothing was going on, he had no feelings for Sadie, its not what you think, its not what it looks like.....oh wait...that's all the things that Marissa told ryan about Johnny. That is pretending. he told Sadie he needed to feel something different and why he went on the trip with her. What exactly was he supposed to say to Marissa? "Hey, we are on the outs and we haven't talked in days and we are avoiding eachother, but I'm going to go on a road trip with sadie so I could clear my head." Yeah Right.
They didn't play strip poker people. They played for sleeping arrangements...sheesh. It was a joke.

She goes on about how she cares about Johnny, but if they were that close and she really thought that Marissa meant that much to him, why would she screw the girl over by taking advantage of Maryan's already on the rocks relationship?

Why not? she doesn't have any obligations to Marissa. What does Johnny have to do with it? If she knew how things went down between Marissa and Johnny, she probably would have jumped Ryan in the motel room. I think poor excuses are being developed in order to hate Sadie. The girl didn't do anything at all. Its R/M problem, not hers.

In the end, though, a relationship started with one person running away and lying (even if it's just "little" lies like it being your girl friend calling your cell) is pretty much doomed from the start.

Really?!? Like Ryan and marissa then. Her lying and deceiving Luke to see Ryan? Hmmmm...that's a relationship that was started on a pile of lies. I guess R/M are doomed.

[impik]

Oliver is 1, Theresa is 2, Trey is 3 and the one in the CLiffhanger is 4 and this one is 5.

Care to argue any of those, but that's what I can remember.

Oliver was 1, Theresa was 2, and then they were apart for most of season 2. This is number 3. They didn't break up over Trey, they actually got back together after Trey arrived, and The Cliffhanger wasn't a breakup, it was a pause for a couple of days until Marissa decide what she want.

[impik]

Just finished my paper and dropped in. Had to responnd...Very long post ahead...


Very true. He loves her. He told her that. I think he cares alot about Theresa and cared for Lindsey, but he loves Marissa. Sadie is too new for them to have developed anything.



I agree that almost being raped is traumatic. BUT.....Marissa knew Trey was trouble. Ryan stressed that Trey was a problem and that he wanted to handle Trey. Now I know that if my boyfriends brother just got out of jail and he was the reason my boyfriend landed in the justice system in the first place...red flags would go off. If my boyfriend told me to stay away from him and to let him deal with his brother, I wouldn't go hang out and get drunk with this person I don't really know in their apartment alone. I mean come on...how dense can you get. Marissa has the problem where she can't clue in when someone is sending her signals. Trey was sending signals and they were obvious. I don't doubt that her intentions were good, but her method is questionable.



Come on, he did not do the same thing to her. He never blew her off. Marissa has glossed over alot of situations as "fine" when Ryan asks her if she's ok (every five seconds...annoying) even when she is not. After the Trey thing, they BOTh acted like they were fine and went on their merry way. It was Summer and Seth that questioned whether R/M would be able to get passed all that had happened.

Please tell me when she wanted to actually talk about things and he refused or shut down. I can think of one and that was the 4 am call, which what the heck was the guy supposed to do? He can't fix what happened and why is it ONLY his responsiblity to provide the comfort. They BOTH need comfort. Its extremely difficult to provide something for someone else when you can't provide it for yourself. Any other time, something would come up and Marissa would leave. Somebody please point out all these times where she wanted to talk about it and he blew her off. Ryan started talking about stuff in 301 and Marissa wanted to put it behind them so he stopped talking about his feelings about Trey in 301. So I guess they're one for one.

So Marissa is the only one with unresolved feelings? Uh no. Ryan had many unresolved feelings about Trey that went way back to Chino. The Marissa thing, stealing of the egg and the drug deal were all heaped on top. I would feel horrible if my sibling came to a new place where i din't even fit in yet and started reaking havoc. his mom already embarrased the crap out of him, now his brother? He had noone to talk to, but he certainly didn't seek out some chick to talk to and leave Marissa in the dust. People don't fault Marissa for confiding in Johnny (at least i don't), its that she finds these people and completely ignores her boyfriend for them. she also shoves this new guy down her current boyfriends throat. No guy would stand for that crap, not one. She did it with Luke and she did it with ryan. She even started to do it with Alex. I mean after the entire lying to alex about the sleeping bag, Marissa knew there was tension with ryan and alex. But STILL she asked Ryan to go over to Alex's to work on the bonfire...That is just rude. Do it at school or at the poolhouse. I felt horrible for Alex.



Everything your pinning on Ryan is the same thing Marissa does. They BOTH avoid teh real issues. this past episode showed that clearly. not one of them made an effort to talk or even see the other. Summer had to force marissa to call him. They broke up over the phone. Had she gotten a hold of him over the phone earlier, the results would have been the same. They were both copping out and didn't want to face eachother. She was rushing it because she didn't want to deal with it as much as he didn't want to.



He goes for the easy things? Hmmm....what does that mean? At that age people do run away from what breathes hard. Seth has done it, Marissa has done it alot. Running away is what kids do at that age when things get shitty with parents or boyfriends. Marissa and Ryan don't like to confront eachother. They skulk away instead.

I don't think his intentions were pure, he likes Sadie, she's different from Marissa and that's what he needed. I don't think he ever pretended they were pure...he knew EXACTLY what he was doing. Pretending would be telling Marissa that nothing was going on, he had no feelings for Sadie, its not what you think, its not what it looks like.....oh wait...that's all the things that Marissa told ryan about Johnny. That is pretending. he told Sadie he needed to feel something different and why he went on the trip with her. What exactly was he supposed to say to Marissa? "Hey, we are on the outs and we haven't talked in days and we are avoiding eachother, but I'm going to go on a road trip with sadie so I could clear my head." Yeah Right.
They didn't play strip poker people. They played for sleeping arrangements...sheesh. It was a joke.



Why not? she doesn't have any obligations to Marissa. What does Johnny have to do with it? If she knew how things went down between Marissa and Johnny, she probably would have jumped Ryan in the motel room. I think poor excuses are being developed in order to hate Sadie. The girl didn't do anything at all. Its R/M problem, not hers.


Really?!? Like Ryan and marissa then. Her lying and deceiving Luke to see Ryan? Hmmmm...that's a relationship that was started on a pile of lies. I guess R/M are doomed.


No, i just had to quote this whole message, so people would think i wrote it. :)

Just wanted to add couple of things:

1. A whole campaign was built over Ryan supposedly unwillingness to talk about Trey. In reality, all we saw was that one middle of the night phone call. We did see Ryan trying (twice: the gym scene in The Swells, and when he offered his help her write that letter in The Game Plan) to listen to her, and she was the one who didn't want to go there.

2. What Marissa did with Johnny would get any normal boyfriend out of his mind, and the relationships, a long long time ago. I could understand the friendship (they could talk, blah, blah, blah) until he confessed his love in The Disconnect. That's when Oliver's lesson should have been put to use, that's where she had to put an end to it, that's what she said she'll do, that's what she didn't. Instead, Ryan's whole purpose became to serve Marissa's relationships with Johnny. He went to fight Volchok, because of Johnny. He did that stupid Bar Mitzvah, because Marissa was obsessed with helping Johnny (hell, he went through with it AFTER he saw them hugging on the beach), he went to stop Johnny from robbing that store. For Johnny to tell Ryan that "you were a really good guy to me" was the understatement of the year. Ryan did all that just for Marissa.
What Marissa did to Ryan (and to her best friend, Summer) in The Safe Harbor is inexcusable. The way she freaked out over Kaitlin and Johnny was ridiculous. What exactly was that "loop" Kaitlin and Johnny throw her for??? And the list can go on and on.

3. Yes, Ryan liked Sadie form the first moment. She's the only one who wasn't mean to him in The Heavy Lifting. Seth told him stupid jokes, Sandy totally ignored him, Kaitlin accused him in Johnny's death, and his girlfriend, whom he loves so much, told him that he was happy Johnny's dead. He wanted to do something with his guilt feelings, so he went to help Sadie pack up Johnny's room. He never expected her, a stranger, the COUSIN of the dead boy, to see through his pain and ask him what he's thinking.
She didn't make a move on him during that road trip, obviously they didn't really played strip poker, and clearly he was very comfortable with her, "feeling something different" than that non-stop heavy drama he's use to. It was shocking to see that Ryan actually have the simple function named "smile".
My only problem with Sadie, was the fact that she showed up in the pool house few hours after they came back. he told her that he needs to speak with Marissa, she knew they were gonna break up, she should have give him space. It was a mean decision by Josh to make her show up 2 seconds after the breakup, not giving Ryan some time to react, thus makes him look bad in the eyes of the fans. But i guess that's was the purpose of that, and the phone break too. The fact that Ryan initiate it, is enough to make him the bad guy. The fact that Marissa totally agreed with him, saying that "it's not working", been totally ignored. The writers saw a chance to regain fans sympathy towards Marissa and hurt Ryan's "perfect" image, and took it. Cool, i'm okay with that. I wasn't a fan of "saint Ryan" anyway. I love him because he is so beautifuly messed up.

4. Ryan is not innocent in this breakup, but IMO he's by far the lesser responsible. He's got tons of issues to deal with, and i think that's the main reason why he decided to quit this thing. He needs to figure out who he is, and frankly so is Marissa. Only then they can go back to each other, because one thing is indisputable IMO: The totally love each other.

I guess that was more than couple of things. :)

[Wieke]

Sandy scared me this time: how he approached maya.... not very clever.. I feel sorry for matt because I thought he was really in love...

I love seth and summer.. sooo cute.. And I love how cute summer is... I enjoy watching her really loving seth. So much more enjoyable then s1! They are almost 'equal'...

[BenBrazilianFan]

Sorry about the long post.
Impik and Divine Order, I completelly agree with you two.
I wish they would explore more the deep of these characters.
Ryan is a very complex young man. Since he found out about Trey's attack to Marissa, he's been very sad. We can see it in his face when he found out. Not only because of Marissa's suffering, or because of Trey's betrayal. It meant it was one more person in his life that was letting him down. Another one in his family that was screwing with him. It meant he was alone again. Yes, the Cohens are like a family to him, they love him and he loves them very much. But it is still too recent, this complete change in his life. He's still very attached to his mom, his brother and his dad. He loves them, even if they were mean to him, and he wants them to be a real family. So, when Trey did that, he completely ruined Ryan's attempt to "save" his family. After the fighting and the shooting, Ryan was, besides disapointed and worried about jail, blaming himself for the coma of his brother, the accusation of Marissa, and her trauma with the whole rape-shooting. When Trey finally woke up, he left. Ryan was abandoned, again. Like he was by his father, mother, the cohens and Marissa (Oliver incident) and Lindsay. He still has to live with all these issues. Anyone would be devasted with that.

The fact is that Ryan isn't used to talk about his problems. He has real trouble with that. We can see that in The Truth, when Sandy tried to talk to him. I know it's a seroius deal because, at this point, i'm very like him. Talking about your issues, even with someone you love, can be very hard. It's like a way of showing your weakness. But not talking about the problems, or trying to escape them, doesn't mean they stop haunting you. This shadow is hangins over Ryan all season long. The only episodes they really dealt with his situation were The Aftermath and The Anger Managemnt. And it's not gonna go away too soon, in some way it'll be always with him, like all his traumas from Chino. You can't put entirelly your problems in the past, even if you try to. He tries to do it, but, someday, he has to face them.

Marissa should know him by now.That the shooting was hard on him too, specially by the fact it meant another person that he loved out of his life. She must have noticed he holds his problems inside, and that it must be torturing him. So, she shouldn't act like it's okay for him, and she has all the shit to deal with. She didn't try very hard to talk to him before she ran to Johnny. That was only that 4AM call. Well, if you want to talk something important to your boyfriend, and you notice he hasn't talk to you not because he's selifsh or stupid, but because he has real problems with it, you try harder. He tried to talk to her after, and she ignored him, since The Swells.

Well, we all know what happened. She completely ignored Ryan, his attempts to talk to her, to save their relationship, and to save her and her beloved "friend" Johnny. Any human being would be disapointed and pissed if didn't get any recognisement for your merits, Ryan was completelly frustrated with their relationship. When she told him he was happy with Johnny's death, it was end of line. He was already very sad with Marissa's behaviour, but that just hurt him so much. Even though he loves her, he couldn't bear with it anymore. And that, for me, is what made him end their relationship, that was already dead. With or without Sadie, it would've happened.

Ryan always tries to escape from his problems, and he does that trying to find comfort somewhere else. In the end of the day, that's what we all do. Well, his escape, since he has been ignored his whole life, is finding someone who gives him some attention, cares for his feelings. That's what happend with Theresa in S1 and now with Sadie. Can you blame him? I can't, because if I'm miserable, and I find a way too have some joy, I'll go for it. The fact that Sadie is comforting him and making him a little happier doesn't mean he loves her, or that he is over Marissa. He loves Marissa, even after all she did to him, he just need some time to forgive her. And that love, for me, is what is gonna ruin his relationship with Sadie.

I think that's it. I felt sorry for Marissa, yes, I have to admit it, but we all know she deserved it. And I'm not as happy as I thought I'd be for Ryan after the break up, because, even if he seems to be happy with Sadie, deep deep down he's really messed up and sad.

[lasha4god]

Delighted is just one word to describe myself after finishing this episode, which, I had almost missed do to Canada’s CTV altering the schedule because of American Idol and CSI. I don’t think I had been this engaged, entertained and satisfied at any other point in this season.

It’s strange to say when talking about an episode that included a voice-over from Summer, flashbacks from Marissa, oh and Julie Cooper as Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct. Those elements combined could leave a person wondering how this episode could ever work or sustain a viewer. It sounds campy at best. But the truth was, it all succeeded.

This episode was fulfilling because it perfectly balanced all the elements that strengthen an episode of The O.C. It had Chino-like drama, sexy flirtations, valid and genuine comedy, great character development, implied Seth and Ryan jokes and the list continues. Except for Marissa refusing alcohol from Volchok, little seemed forced or out of place.

Besides Seth, Summer is the only character that could pull off a voice-over. She truly is a person who over-thinks and is probably having conversations in her head more often them she’s making out with her boyfriend. I took the voice-over as being an in-the-moment action. This was the voice literally going off, in her head, and, at that moment. I’ll admit, when I first started to hear Summer’s voice float over the scene I thought I was transported to an alternate version of The O.C. Combine that with the ease into Marissa, Seth and Summer cozying up in a hot tub and I was sure something was awry. But then it occurred to me to just go with the flow. And I’m glad I did.

Choices, was the main theme of Summer’s voice-over. It was at the moment Ryan made the choice to take to the road with Sadie I knew he had made his preference and it certainly wasn’t Marissa. There was no question in my mind Ryan and Marissa were to come to an end. Ryan’s adventures with Sadie simply sealed the deal.

Sadie and Ryan were a pure joy to watch. They had a natural chemistry and a certain way with each other. I was absolutely embodying the feeling of joy as they almost took on the role of a great comedy duo. Gracie Allen and George Burns, maybe they weren’t, but Ryan’s sly rebuttals and one-liners put a wide grin on my face. It was a refined and toned down version of what he had with Lindsay. It was more believable.

The drama and physical side of their story brought a genuine feeling of Ryan’s Chino past. Ryan was fighting for a reason and a purpose. And it aligned so well with his true character. Not the shirt and tie wearing Ryan who can’t shut-up, but rather the Ryan who knows when to folds his cards, talks based on necessity, and fights for those he loves just as much as he questions his relationships.

While all this went down, Marissa took to moping and hanging with Summer. Two things she does well. Somewhere mixed in was a lack of effort in trying to save her relationship with Ryan and being stalked by Volchok. Both things allowed for Marissa to be apathetic almost through the whole episode. She never told Volchok off or took his alcohol to drown her sorrows. She never did more than give Ryan a phone call. And when they finally did talk, she couldn’t stand her ground or declare her true feelings. Ultimately, Ryan had to do all the work for her. She simply waited upon him to make the final choice. It was both sad and pathetic.

This is why I may have not been so empathetic to the fact that Ryan broke up with her over the phone. Still, I longed for Ryan to say his perfect and straightforward words to her face. It was never about Johnny, or anyone person. It just wasn’t working. Those words were so simple, yet, so powerful and spot on. I wonder how Marissa would have reacted having had to deal with this face-to-face. Would she still have been a mix of indifference and tears?

Marissa’s flashbacks of Johnny and her police questioning with Sandy unexpectedly worked for me. The choice of scenes and the editing strengthened the purpose and brought context. It was definitely stronger than the flashbacks in this season’s premiere, which, in contrast, came off muddled and confusing.

It was a pure delight to see Taylor back and being used appropriately. She offered more than a cheap laugh and bubbly presence. She actually furthered storyline, but wasn’t so interfering in the Julie and Dr. Robert plotline that you would feel she overpowered. She highlighted at just the right moments. She’s essentially the perfect female sidekick to Seth and Summer who, unpredictably, I thoroughly took pleasure from.

Summer was her most charming trying to play matchmaker and happy-source-finder for her dad. It was gratifying to watch, seeing how warm, funny and sweet each scene she inhabited was. Seth, both on his own and with Summer, was equally funny and pleasing to watch. From his reaction to the hot tub time, to his shocking comments about Julie, and finally with his bizarre sleep habits when Ryan was away, it all charmed me. I never thought I could still be this enamored by Seth Cohen. I was pleasantly proved wrong.

I also thought I couldn’t of been so interested in Sandy’s character development, or lack there of, as I once was. While it may have been more subdued, and arguably the weaker storyline, there was still something engaging about Sandy loosing a bit of his moral ground. Once again he’s fallible and imperfect, but not to the point of losing his character. He genuinely feels he’s doing these morally unsound things for the right reasons. It’s complex. The biggest disappointment for me wasn’t Sandy choices, but rather how condescending Kirsten was with him. I hope she can be more understanding and nature him back to the path of righteousness without making him feel as though he failed his supposed standard of morality.

I sometimes wonder if Julie has peaked, but them I’m instantly shown wrong as a new episode passes. She was amusing and comical as she tried to deal with her affair with Dr. Roberts. I couldn’t imagine her actually taking on the role of Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct. But she did. I was first taken aback. But then I took it for what it was, a classic Julie Cooper moment. She was going to do what ever it took, no matter how foolish she looked doing it, to keep the affections of Dr. Roberts. Their relationship has stunned me. When first they were interacting I never had an inclining for them to be a couple. Now I can’t imagine one without the other.

The ultimate positive to flourish from Dr. Roberts and Julie’s relationship is we got to see a growth and adult nature in Summer. She could have easily disbanded their union. But when she discovered just how happy Julie made her father she relented. She knew her father’s happiness is what mattered most, and she quickly learned to temporarily accept Julie as the woman who was making him happy.

The ending almost felt essential as we came back to the same song that had played over an initial scene from an earlier episode that hinted all would not be well with Ryan and Marissa. It was the Youth Group’s cover of Alphaville’s “Forever Young”. It was the perfect way to end had it simply stopped on that note. Unfortunately Marissa’s closing scene was slightly marred by an appearance of Volchok. I would have left his continued presence to be implied. Having him loom over her as she cried was too foreboding and direct.

I can surmise by simply stating, The Road Warrior, in my opinion, is the strongest episode of the season. All the essential elements were present. It progressed with solid flow and had me eagerly awaiting the next episode. It’s a shame the ratings have dropped from last week, now, just when the show is improving. I seriously hope the quality of the show continues and viewers can give it the chance it now deserves.

**** ½ out of ***** stars

[BenBrazilianFan]

Very good review!!! It's one of the best episodes of the season, for sure.

[impik]

That's a terrific review. I think you totally nailed Marissa's reaction and demeanor throughout the episode, that's a fresh angle i did not read yet. The one thing i kind of disagree is the Ryan/Sadie-Ryan/Lindsay comparison. In 14 episodes, Ryan and Lindsay didn't gave me even one percent of the enjoyment i had from seeing Ryan and Sadie. Lindsay may not be troubled like Marissa, but she gave Ryan enough problems, she was a boring character and i thought the actress and Ben had no chemistry. Nikki Reed and Ben work very well together.
Thanks for sharing, it was a good read.

[angeleyez249]

Does anyone know where I can get caps of this episode?

[lasha4god]

Thanks. As for Ryan/Lindsay, Ryan/Sadie-, I was only comparing in terms of the comedic elements.

[impik]

Well, Ryan/Lindsay never made me laugh. :) :) :)

[Divine order]

My only problem with Sadie, was the fact that she showed up in the pool house few hours after they came back. he told her that he needs to speak with Marissa, she knew they were gonna break up, she should have give him space. It was a mean decision by Josh to make her show up 2 seconds after the breakup, not giving Ryan some time to react, thus makes him look bad in the eyes of the fans

OMG, I'm disagreeing with you Impik! I didn't think this would ever happen:)

How would sadie know that R/M were going to break up? He said he was going to make a few calls which would naturally include Marissa...or so Sadie figured. Also, she didn't know that it was Marissa's call he ignored in the motel. He said it was Seth. On the car ride home, he didn't say anything to sadie that would indicate they were having such devastating problems. She asked what he was going to tell The Cohens and marissa about his face. He also did not mention that he needed to get away from Marissa, he just said he needed to feel something different and get out f there. She has no clue why. All he said was that Him and Marissa needed to talk...that doesn't indicate that they were going to break up. If I wasn't a spoiler wh*re, I probably would have thought they were actually going to talk about the things going on, not break up.

I didn't see Ryan as being happy she showed up. He was clearly upset. The look he initially gave when she walked in was like "what are you doing her" kind of look. He was pretty blah for her visist. He only smiled when she thanked him and that wasn't even bright smile. I think that he was struggling with his emotions but he's not going to wear it on his sleeve like Marissa. he wouldn't cry.

"Well, Ryan/Lindsay never made me laugh."

You didn't laugh when he bopped her in the nose or the "talk dirty to me" line? (ok it was cheesy, but cute coming from Ryan)...lol.

[Divine order]

It’s a shame the ratings have dropped from last week, now, just when the show is improving. I seriously hope the quality of the show continues and viewers can give it the chance it now deserves.

Did the rating drop from last week or so better than last week? I keep hearing different things. Does anyone know for sure?

[*Ashlee*]

the ratings were up! next week they will be down i bet...

[impik]

OMG, I'm disagreeing with you Impik! I didn't think this would ever happen:)



Well, that's what love is all about. :inlove:

I don't know, maybe you're right, i guess i'm still upset that the writers didn't gave Ryan a few more seconds alone. Of course he was upset, you should really hate him (as most if not all Marissa fans) to think that he was not overwhelmed by the fact that it was just over. He put up with so much because he loved her, who could he not be amazed that it was over?


You didn't laugh when he bopped her in the nose or the "talk dirty to me" line? (ok it was cheesy, but cute coming from Ryan)...lol.

Well, the only emotion Lindsay ever provoke in me, is yawning, and that's not even an emotion. :)

[lasha4god]

I heard they were down from when it had skating with the stars as a lead in. Am I wrong?

[Shawna]

Shout out to the people I enjoyed watching this episode with: Will, David, and the Grand Piano. Great company for a not-so-great show. Anyway, last time on The O.C., clips from the season to date were mashed together to make the show we've been watching seem exciting and fun.

We begin the episode with Summer, who does a voice-over, Scrubs and a bunch of other shows I can't think of right now-style over her staring at the camera and going about her morning routine. What's this? A format change? Oh, no -- Marissa enters the room and busts Summer playing a CD she made of herself doing a voice-over of her own life. Like, Summer actually went to the effort of recording herself speaking and then making a CD out of it and putting it on for the ten seconds it would take her to pick out which bikini she's going to wear into the hot tub. Summer has a lot of time on her hands. She explains that she wanted her own voice-over, just like her favorite character on The Valley. If we wanted to get really meta here, Summer could have followed that up with a comment about how her least favorite character has been hogging everyone else's storylines all season long and turning off most of the viewing audience, putting the show's future in jeopardy and causing the industry to question just how talented their little boy-wonder executive producer really is. But she doesn't say that. I'd say she must have said it to herself in an inner monologue, but she apparently lacks one, having had to resort to making her own on CD. Summer claims that the voice-over makes her life seem "more dramatic and meaningful," to which Marissa asks her if she really wants things to be even more dramatic for them than they already are. Hey, it's not like Summer's had anything dramatic to do all season. Why not? Marissa leaves to wait for Summer in the car she owns even though her family is poor, and Summer turns her CD back on. I have to admit that that was a funny little device there, even if it didn't make any sense.

Summer, Marissa, and Seth sit in the hot tub and wonder where Ryan is. No one knows, but Seth doesn't mind being the only guy around. Adam Brody's been working out, I think. He looks buff in the chest area. Sunken Chest and Summer start pretending to be on the verge on making out. "I have kissed a girl before," Marissa says, Mischa Barton actually delivering her line convincingly and giving us a little continuity to boot. She seems to be much better at the fun, smiley material than the sad, angsty stuff she's always given. Not like she's all that great at the happy stuff, either, just in case you thought I was actually paying Mischa Barton a compliment. When Marissa and Summer approach Seth and start feeling up his broad shoulders, he runs out of the tub to call Ryan. Some heterosexual man you are, Seth.


And where is Ryan? He's fixing the plumbing in the Harper house. He manages to destroy whatever working water Sadie and Mrs. Harper had left, but Sadie and Ryan laugh and laugh. I'm not laughing, though, because even though Ryan's t-shirt is all wet, he isn't taking it off. Lame! Sadie answers a knock at the door while Ryan answers his ringing cell phone. It's Seth, wondering where Ryan is: "I'm scared and I'm wet and I'm cold, Ryan." Meanwhile, the police are at Sadie's door. They've suddenly decided that Johnny's death wasn't an accident after all, and are so keen to begin the investigation that they raced over to Mrs. Harper's house at night with their sirens flashing. Ryan exits out the back door.

Meanwhile, random kids laugh and play on the beach even though it's, like, March.

Over in the Trailer Park of Poverty and Woe, Summer is trying to plan something with Ryan and Marissa, since they haven't spent very much time together lately. Because they HATE each other. I mean, didn't they break up in the last episode? When was that supposed to be relative to this episode, anyway? Last week? Last month? Where am I? What's going on? Can I claim early-onset dementia as an excuse for not having to recap this anymore? Anyway, I thought Ryan and Marissa broke up when Marissa brattily accused Ryan of being glad that Johnny died and he left her, disgusted, but then again, I also thought they were having sex way before the episode where they supposedly had it for the first time on Rape Beach. I'm way out of the loop when it comes to Ryan and Marissa, it seems. Maybe that's because I usually fall into a boredom coma whenever they grace my television screen. Marissa promises to call Ryan soon, leading Summer to an extremely clunky segue to her father, who's been way too busy with work lately. Summer thinks he's throwing himself into his job because he's depressed over his recent divorce. She's really worried about him. "I'm sure he'll snap out of it," Marissa says. Thanks for the sympathetic ear, friend.

Ryan and Seth arrive at the Harper house just as Sadie's getting off the phone with Mrs. Harper, who's apparently hiding away in Oregon with Sadie's mother while her home falls apart. The kitchen is a complete mess, with one cabinet totally destroyed for reasons I do not know. Maybe Sadie is a giant termite in disguise. That would certainly redeem this show for me, not to mention it would make a hell of a season finale. Sadie tells Ryan that the bank is about to foreclose on the Harper house, and that now that the police, having uncovered some "new evidence," are questioning how Johnny died, the insurance company won't pay out. Whoa, Mrs. Harper had life insurance plan on her teenage son? No wonder the police suspect foul play. ["And what company would even ensure a teenage surfer who could drown any day of the week?" -- Wing Chun] And what the hell happened to Mrs. Harper that she's suddenly unable to make ends meet? She does have a job, after all. Seth and Ryan assume that the police suspect Ryan of pushing Johnny off the cliff, but Sadie says it's Marissa they're after. Oh, good.

Kirsten and Julie pretend to run a business. Actually, Julie isn't even bothering to keep up the pretense anymore -- that is, if she ever did. She yawns and requests more coffee. "What's going on with you?" Kirsten asks her. "You've been zombie-like all week!" Hey, if anyone knows zombie-like, it's Kirsten. I know Kelly Rowan has had some pathetic material to work with this season, but she really needs to do more than stare vacantly and tilt her head from side to side. Make the most out of those awesome plotlines you get about making the perfect quiche, Kelly! Julie says she's been up late fooling around with Dr. Neil in his sports car. Oh, that poor sports car. Kirsten lectures Julie about keeping her relationship with Dr. Neil a secret, and Julie agrees, but says that between "the death of Marissa's friend" (I'm amazed she remembered!) and Summer losing her stepmother, she and Dr. Neil think it's best to lie low for a while. Also, Dr. Neil is probably ashamed of her.

The phone rings. It's Dr. Neil, who's starting to feel bad about keeping secrets from Summer. They agree to discuss the matter. In private. Lots of progress there. Julie runs off to take a nap, leaving Kirsten to wonder when, exactly, her life became so very empty. Maybe she should start making her own voice-over CDs. At least then she'd have company.

Meanwhile, over at the other Newport business no one cares about, Matt the Non-Entity has a visitor. It's Maya, who's bringing over some important documents that Matt forgot in her apartment. The new couple make out until Sandy barges in and interrupts them. He's very pleased to see that the daughter of that guy he needs to appease to get his stupid hospital built is smitten with his company's VP, and allows them all the time together they want, stopping just short of offering up the break-room table as a good location for some quickie sex. But Maya says she'll leave, since "nobody respects company time like a company girl." "Company girl"? Is Maya a hooker? What does that even mean? Where am I? What time is it? Maya takes off, and Matt says he's really into her. Sandy pressures Matt to talk to Maya about getting them a meeting with her father. But Matt's reluctant, not wanting to ruin the relationship he started for that specific purpose. "You need to come through," says Sandy, with all the drama. "The clock is ticking."

Over at Harbor, Seth and Summer are enjoying sharing a couch together when Taylor Townsend comes over and wedges herself between them. She demands to know what they're talking about, and when she hears that Summer is worried about her father, she insists that they come up with a plan. Taylor is so practical! A hot date might cheer Dr. Neil up, although Taylor Townsend needs to make sure that Dr. Neil's genital warts are no longer an issue. "Penicillin cleared that right up. It looks fantastic," Seth assures her. Taylor Townsend takes a minute, waiting for Seth to correct himself and say that he did not just mean to imply that he's seen Dr. Neil's deal. When this is not forthcoming, Taylor Townsend is forced to assume that Seth has indeed seen his girlfriend's dad's package and she decides not to ask about it anymore. Instead, Taylor wonders if NewMatch can take on Dr. Neil as a client, which has only happened, like, four or five times already. Sigh. And yet, Summer and Seth like this idea. Summer thinks she should pick out her dad's next girlfriend, not trusting him to pick out someone suitable for himself, while Taylor Townsend says she'll start "brainstorming on ideas for fun things for old people to do on a first date." I love that Taylor Townsend used the word "brainstorm." And that she called Dr. Neil an old person. Hell, I love everything Taylor Townsend does. I'm so glad she's back.



Ryan tracks Marissa down at her locker and asks her if she's spoken to the police yet. She says she has, although she didn't realize that she was the only person they were interested in speaking to until now. Ryan offers to accompany her to the police station, but Marissa says she doesn't want to "drag" him into this. Plus, every time Ryan goes near a police station, he ends up getting arrested. It's best he stay away. Ryan apologizes for not being around lately, but Marissa says it's good that he's been helping out Mrs. Harper (although Marissa, of course, refers to her as "Gwen"). Marissa, of course, has been spending her time not doing a blessed thing for the mother of the guy she claimed to care so much about. I guess if Chili's not around to make tea for her to take to Gwen, she's just not interested.

Ryan returns to the Harper house ready to paint, wearing his Chino-style grey hoodie and wifebeater ensemble. Sadie cancels the painting session; she's on her way to "smack that stupid bastard around." Ooooh, tough words from the jewelry designer! The stupid bastard in question is Johnny's dad. Ryan gallantly offers to join Sadie on her trip to Brea, Land of the Poor and the Wicked, but Sadie already has partner. In walks Volchok, sporting a new tattoo on his arm that looks like someone took a red magic marker and scribbled all over his bicep. Whatever; he's still hot. Ryan and Volchok aren't pleased to see each other, and Volchok lies that he kicked Ryan's ass. Ryan calls him out on that, and Volchok says he'd be happy to "jump back in the ring" with Ryan any time. Whatever; he's still hot. Sadie explains that Volchok's dad and Johnny's dad used to be friends, so Volchok knows where they can find Mr. Harper. Well, isn't that an amazing coincidence! Ryan doesn't want Sadie to go anywhere with Volchok, and insists that Volchok just write the address down for them. Volchok does, saying he's happy to miss the opportunity to deal with Johnny's dad, whom Volchok hates. Plus, he figures that if Ryan's with Sadie, then Marissa is all alone. "What goes around comes around," Volchok smirks. Ryan tries to not to look giddily excited at the prospect of his wet-blanket girlfriend being taken off his hands.

Road trip time! Congested highways give way to lonely desert terrain as Ryan and Sadie make their way to the distant land of Brea...hey, wait a minute! A quick look at MapQuest tells me that Newport and Brea are only twenty-five miles apart, for a half-hour drive through terrain that doesn't seem to resemble the open desert Ryan and Sadie are coasting through. Plus, it's all highway. A fairly large highway. Either Volchok gave them the wrong directions as a prank that it's taken them way to long to figure out, or they're headed for a Brea in, like, New Mexico. Ryan urges Sadie to try taking a major highway to get them to their destination, which Sadie scoffs at, since she doesn't seem to think that highways are faster than crappy roads through the backcountry. She also doubts that a rich kid from Newport would know anything about driving inland. It's called Palm Springs, Sadie. Geez. This gives Ryan the chance to tell her his Tragic Backstory, which Sadie had no idea about despite the fact that Ryan is obviously not a Cohen and doesn't have their last name. "I grew up in Chino. My dad's in prison. My mom...couldn't make it work," he says rather diplomatically. This makes Ryan more attractive to Sadie. She wonders if Ryan's dad and Johnny's dad even met, since Mr. Harper has spent some time in jail himself. Is that a plot I smell brewing? I'm sure they did meet in prison, since there is only one prison in the whole world, and it's a small one at that. Sadie explains that her uncle owes Gwen child support, and that she's hoping to collect it to get Gwen the money she needs to keep her house. Hey, it's not like Gwen can use that money to support her child anymore. Might as well buy a new dishwasher.


Sandy invites Matt and Maya out to a dinner that has no ulterior motive behind it whatsoever. Whatsoever! Matt knows where this is going and says that he would rather be the one to bring up the hospital-dad thing to Maya, but Sandy ignores him, because that's what Evil Businessmen do. Then Marissa wanders in, saying that she stopped by the house and Kirsten head-tilted that Sandy was at work. Instead of taking the hint and just coming back later when Sandy was no longer at work, Marissa decided to rudely interrupt his busy day and ask him to take on some more of her silly problems. She needs his legal know-how for her upcoming chat with the cops. It's so upcoming, in fact, that she's supposed to be there RIGHT NOW. Way to make a good first impression, there, Marissa. Sandy gets right on the case, saying that he'll reschedule her statement and have the cops take it at his house instead of the station. Matt volunteers his apartment for absolutely no reason.

Night falls on the Cohen house. Kirsten and Julie are gathering their important documents together after finishing another day of fake work. Way to put your office in the kitchen there, ladies. Be sure not to get any paperwork in the Magic Bullet -- I don't think a paper smoothie would taste very good. Summer walks in and asks the women to help her dad out. He's miserable and working too much. Whatever time he isn't working, he's at the gym, "which is just weird," Summer says. It sure is -- I don't think Dr. Neil's seen the inside of a gym since the Reagan administration. "He's already dropped, like, twenty pounds!" Summer says. Obviously, worry has blinded the poor dear. Kirsten uses this opening to get Julie to confess to Summer that she's doing Summer's father, saying that maybe Dr. Neil is getting in shape to impress a new woman in his life. At this, Summer groans, saying that her dad has terrible taste in women. Left to his own devices, he's sure to wind up with "the first money-grubbing slutbag that gets into the back seat of his Maserati." You can say "slutbag" on network television? Over Summer's shoulder, we see Julie's jaw drop with outrage. Kirsten gleefully asks Julie if there's anything she'd like to add to this. There isn't. Summer also has a list of traits for her father's ideal woman. Apparently, he's into the "Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct" look, because Dr. Neil is an early-'90s kinda guy. Julie scans Summer's list and is upset to note that none of those traits -- which include sanity, intelligence, blonde hair, wealth, and being plastic surgery-free -- apply to her. NewMatch promises to see what they can find for Summer. I doubt it will be very much, since they don't have any female clients as of yet. In fact, the only client they do have is Dr. Neil, and they took him on for free. Summer is grateful for the help and leaves, and Julie starts freaking out that she isn't enough "woman" for Dr. Neil. Kirsten agrees with this, saying that she doubts Julie will ever be fluent in Italian. Well, at least she gets to talk sometimes, Kirsten.


Night has fallen and Ryan and Sadie have finally reached Jack Harper's house. Because we are in Brea, it is a disgusting mess, although I like the car seat lawn ornament. It's both decorative AND useful! "Uncle Jack is a really good neighbor," Sadie snarks hilariously. A man answers the door. It isn't Jack Harper, but it might as well be, since he's all gross and white-trashy and long-haired and mustachioed. Sadie asks him if he knows where Jack is. White Trash says he only knows that Jack moved to Indio. Also, he hates Jack. Why? Maybe Jack sold him that house above market value or something.

Ryan offers to join Sadie on her trip to Indio. She protests that it's two hours away (which, seeing as it took them half a day to make that half-hour trip to Brea, could mean that they'd get to India before Indio), and that Ryan "will be missed" if he doesn't return home for the night. You'd be surprised, Sadie.

Dr. Neil meets Julie for dinner. She's all Sharon Stoned-out, wearing that infamous white sleeveless turtleneck and doing a crossword puzzle. "What's a thirteen-letter word for 'secret'?" she asks. "Surreptitious," Dr. Neil immediately answers, showing that he does have at least one talent. One thing that is no longer surreptitious is Julie's vagina, as she does the slow leg-uncross-cross move and shows the entire restaurant what's going on beneath her skirt. The camera mercifully stays just above that display.

Meanwhile, Taylor Townsend is picking up a take-out order at the very same restaurant! She speaks to the waiter in fluent Korean, because she is awesome. She overhears some diners complaining about being put off their food and health hazards and follows their scowls to Dr. Neil's table, where she sees exactly what kind of slutbag he dates if his daughter doesn't help him out.

Brea is so far away that night fell an hour before it did in Newport. The sun is just setting whhile Marissa and Summer talk on the phone about -- shockingly -- Marissa. Summer orders her to call Ryan. Marissa says that she will, and hangs up on her friend.

Meanwhile, Ryan is settling into the motel room he'll be sharing with Sadie, who's already gotten comfortable enough to take a shower. I wouldn't touch a motel shower, but that's just me. They decide to pass the night with a poker game. Sadie would like to make it strip poker. WHORE! Ryan is flustered by the suggestion, as he isn't used to being around a girl who actually wants to have fun. In the end, they agree to play for who gets to sleep on the bed (another thing I wouldn't touch in a motel: the sheets) instead of who gets to be naked. The game beings, and Ryan's phone rings. He sees that Marissa is calling and decides not to answer.

The next morning, Poker Loser Ryan is sleeping on the floor. Sadie enters the room with some donuts and coffee from the gas station. It's the Breakfast of Champions. She also has a lead on the search for Jack Harper: she just happened to be "flipping" through the Yellow Pages, when she found an ad for "Big H Bail Bonds." The "H" in the logo is really girly-looking, by the way. Sadie reasons that, since Jack Harper used to go by "Big H," he must own this business. I think this is entirely plausible, since no one else on the planet has the nickname "Big H" or would think to name their company that for any other reason. Plus, it's so easy for ex-convict alcoholics to start their own businesses.

Ryan gives Seth a ring. Seth is sleeping in Ryan's bed and probably smelling his sheets and pillowcases. He tells Ryan that no one missed him last night. Well, of course. Ryan assures him that he's gone for a "good cause," but that it's better that Seth not know what it is. Oh, come on, Ryan -- it's not like you're a secret agent fighting a mad genius's latest plan for world domination. You're going on a road trip with a pretty girl. "Good cause," my ass. Ryan asks Seth to stay out of his bed, because it's "creepy." Seth hangs up and rolls around in Ryan's bed some more.

Taylor Townsend walks into the poolhouse, although I can't see any possible reason for her to want to go there. Finding Seth, she tells him how she saw Julie and Dr. Neil together last night. They wonder if they should tell Summer about this, just as Summer chooses this very moment to enter. Seth wonders if perhaps they should call a locksmith. More like they should just close the freaking door every once in a while. Has no one in Newport ever heard of a mosquito? After some attempts to avoid telling Summer the truth, Taylor Townsend happily informs Summer that her father and Julie are "doing it." Seth thinks they should get some definitive proof. Okay, Peeping Tom. Taylor Townsend is happy to provide it, as she eavesdropped for, like, two hours and heard where Julie and Dr. Neil's next tryst will be.

It's the driving range, where Dr. Neil swings at a ball, his gut protruding through his billowy polo shirt. HOT. Julie gets her turn, and we see that, despite her financial difficulties, she has managed to procure a matching golf outfit.

Meanwhile, Summer and Seth have managed to get their hands on a golf cart and are driving through the parking lot, binoculars in hand. Summer is horrified to see her father and Julie embracing. "That's so horrible!" she cries. "I think they're cute," says Seth.

Big H Bail Bonds is hella tough, y'all. The receptionist is too busy cleaning his gun to pay much attention to Ryan and Sadie when they enter. Also, every employee of this place looks exactly like that guy back in Brea. Surely some tough rednecks get haircuts every now and then? White Trash 2 informs Sadie and Ryan that Jack isn't in. Ryan and Sadie say they don't mind waiting for him to return until they're threatened with gun violence to wait out in the car. Sadie ingratiates herself by snotting that Jack's dead son would like to know where his father is.

Marissa has another one of her trademark Tragedy Montages. She stands at the cliff where Johnny whined his last whine, which is still marked off with police tape even though the fall happened months ago. Or was it yesterday? I have no concept of time anymore. In her artsy distorted-reality way, she remembers the night of Johnny's death and the meeting she had with the police earlier that we didn't actually get to see. Is this how Marissa's mind works? In lap dissolves and distorted audio? No wonder she's screwed up. The police's "new evidence" is the slightly singed letter Marissa wrote Johnny that he threw in the fire and totally destroyed. Fortunately, it was written on Magic Paper, so it's almost entirely legible, save for a few singe marks. Really, it looks like someone just put it on their stove, like I used to do in elementary school to create old-looking parchment. We finally get to hear some of what Marissa said to Johnny: "I'm not in love with you and I never will be." Harsh! I don't really understand what the police think they can blame Marissa for here; it's not murder to be mean to people.

Marissa snaps out of