May
2004 | The OC Season 1: A character review
It’s a true if somewhat sad fact that I’ve seen every OC episode broadcast this season. There were times, for example, during the Oliver Trask storyline, that I vowed not to return the following Wednesday for more abuse, but there I was again the next Wednesday, like a fool.
If you’re looking for exhaustive and cliquey reviews of every utterance and eyeblink of the series, go no further than Television Without Pity. We here at tiny dog only aspire to rate the current status of our characters as we head into the boozing, back-stabbing, cat fighting finale of season 1.
The regulars
Ryan
Had some serious hair issues this season. As demonstrated in the previews, he started out so conservatively coiffed in the “welcome to the OC, bitch” days and shortly grew this high maintenance, tufted new-country ‘do with bangs, sideburns, and other questionable add-ons, greatly compromising his considerable attractiveness.
Anyway, he basically spent the whole season in inexplicable pursuit of the bony, boorish Marissa, but still seemed true to character doing so and even appeared in a few special scenes shirtless, wearing the angry trucker hat, getting punched, and other delightful moments that redeemed him overall. Yes to Ryan.
Marissa
The last time I got a haircut, I was reading Elle or some such fashion magazine in the lobby, and in it there was an interview with the actress who plays this character, in which she was essentially telling a disabled war vet who wrote her fan mail to get a life. This, combined with her legendary bad acting (as boorishly dissected on TwoP every week) really makes me just want to stop right here as a No to Marissa.
Summer
Again, the TwoP cliques who gush on and on about this character make me a little queasy, but she is cute and funny, although completely untrue to how a rich, attractive bitch would actually behave. But I’m not going to be a hater. Yes to Summer.
Seth
Seth pisses me off so much I have actually been moved to post to the dreaded TwoP forums on this subject. The series starts off with this delightful, speed-talking turbo-dweeb virgin Seth, and completely and quickly dismantles his innocence and awkwardness by letting the hipster arrogance of the actor playing him shine through in too many unchecked “improv” moments. Before you know what hit you, the endearing details like Imax shark movie tickets and hero-worship interplay between him and Ryan are suddenly replaced by his dating the hottest girl in school (what the--), name-dropping emo bands, and wearing ironic yet corporate Urban Outfitters t-shirts. A sellout for nerds everywhere. Shame on you Josh Schwartz. No to Seth.
Jimmy
Jimmy needs to get some cojones. This character has been weirdly lackluster and demure the whole season. No to Jimmy.
Kirsten
Too damned skinny and why is she such a coward regarding Julie Cooper, but she’s funny when she drinks and she has great taste in men. Love her dismayed expression, which she has a chance to showcase in every episode. Yes to Kirsten.
Sandy
So brilliant. Has all the great lines. He needs to comb his hair off his forehead a little more, and he needs to be in more scenes, especially surfing scenes with the wet clothes, but otherwise I have no complaints about Sandy. He sets a new bar for TV dads. I love his moral conflictedness and constant mockery of other characters, plus he is hot looking. Yes to Sandy.
Julie
Dynasty’s on the phone, they want their patented makeup-smeared evil bitch overacting shtick back. No to JuJu. Plus, like we need another gold-digging female stereotype on TV. Cause I know so many of those in real life. Put down the froyo and step away from this character. No.
Caleb
Good work on playing an entitled, rich asshole. I’m impressed. Yes to Caleb.
Luke
Looks like a Werewolf. They tried to shoehorn this kid into more improbable plotlines than Jack Tripper. Although his transformation from beefcake homophobe into Rooney-loving outcast with a gay dad was amusing to watch, it didn’t make any sense. Welcome to Portland, bitch. A reluctant yes to Luke, but only because he’s gone.
Random revolving door of tertiary characters
The Nana
I love The Nana.
Trey
I have a feeling we’ll be seeing Trey again when Ryan is looking for a little Chino backsliding plotline action in season two.
Dawn
Ditto.
Oliver
Worst thing that ever happened to this show. I utterly hated this character and have NO idea what the creators were thinking by letting him steal all of the airtime for six episodes, waving his pistol and hissing all of his dime store villain whacko dialog. If he comes back, I am out of here. No, I mean it this time.
Hailey
Dynasty’s on the phone…
Theresa
Sort of liked her until she kept stalking the pool house with her improbably picked-up bakery shifts and turned into another barnacle on Ryan’s Good Ship Hero Complex.
Eddie
Whatever.
Anna
I thought she was way more of a logical girlfriend for Seth if indeed a clueless, socially retarded virgin had to have hot women suddenly interested in him for no reason other than possibly the actor’s own arrogance and the writer’s indulgence of said arrogance.
Gabrielle
Any excuse to see Ryan make out with someone.
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