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« The O.C.
February 22, 2007: Right Back Where They Started From
I had been dreading this final episode of The O.C. all week. I was so curious about how it would all end, yet not wanting it to end at the same time. But as the oh-so-wise Sandy said, “Nothing lasts forever.” OK, so if it had to end, I wanted a really good finale. And I’m tough on series finales: They have to be both happy and bittersweet, and look back with nostalgia while they move forward. I’m happy to report that I was not at all disappointed.
They hit us with a lot of surprises right off the bat: Ryan and Taylor had broken up; Julie was preggers and about to marry the Bullitt. I loved the “Buffet of Bullitts” — all 12 of his sons, named after (mostly) Texas towns. For a little while, I was afraid this last episode was going to turn into a sap-fest, but The O.C. didn’t let me down. They, of course, piled on the drama: Julie was pregnant with Frank’s son, not Bullitt’s. But Frank wimped out, and Bullitt was there for her to pick up the pieces. Always a fan of team Bullitt, I was really feeling bad for him last night. After already losing Julie once, she stops the wedding mid-ceremony. I was happy she didn’t wind up marrying Frank instead, on that same day — now that would have been sappy. "Julie Cooper, single gal" had a nice ring to it for a change. (And bonus points for this plot twist because I didn’t see it coming — I thought for sure Julie would walk down the aisle again before the credits rolled.) I really liked how they let her character grow and go to college. And both the Bullitt and Frank were among her “Team Julie” supporters in the graduation audience. I’m glad she kept them both in her life. An interesting and possibly complicated scenario, but if anyone can make it work, it’s Julie.
Julie and Summer shared a few heartfelt moments last night. The eye-tearing scene where Summer gave Julie the locket with Marissa’s picture.... Well, it just felt right. I know the show moved on from dealing with Marissa, but she just had to be a part of the last episode. And then Julie’s honest admission of regret for marrying too young — this revelation helped both her and Summer. Wise move for Summer and Seth not to get married at 19, because they were just too young. They let each other go, and grow. And it worked out for the best, as we saw in the flash-forward that they did indeed get married several years later, when baby Sophie was a little girl. (Sophie Rose — pretty name, and I'm so glad they didn’t name her Marissa as some of you predicted and others feared). So it turns out they were indeed each other’s “destiny.”
Likewise, it was good to see Ryan and Taylor get back together, yet also not get hitched at 19. And neither sacrificed his or her dreams: Ryan went to Berkeley as planned, and Taylor returned to school in Paris, as was best for her.
But it wasn’t all romance, drama and personal growth last night. There were plenty of lighthearted moments as well, such as the adorable gay couple that owned Sandy and Kirsten’s old house. Could their professions have been more useful? A midwife and a wedding planner, just what Kirsten and Julie needed! Also fun were Summer’s favorite TV shows: her new discovery, “Briefcase or No Briefcase” (hmm, what show could that thinly veiled title be mocking?), and her old favorite, “The Valley.” Of course, Summer’s fave fared better than it’s real-life stand-in, having just gotten picked up for five more seasons. “These teen dramas, they just run forever,” she explained. (Unfortunately, not in the real world, Summer.) And then the show-within-a-show reference went even further when Rachel Bilson delivered the line, “Aww, real-life Jake broke up with real-life April.”
Nevertheless, the “in-jokes” as well as the drama had to eventually come to an end. It seemed like things were wrapping up, but then I looked at the clock and saw there were still about eight minutes to go. That's when Ryan entered the old house and the flashbacks rolled. Not too many, but just enough. You really need some flashbacks in a series finale, as it helps things come full circle. Seeing those iconic O.C. images — scruffy, beat-up Ryan (with bangs!) in a wife beater; in front of his pool house; in the car with Sandy, looking at Marissa as he pulls away — they all brought back a lot of fond TV memories.
It also brought to mind a movie, as did several scenes last night. First, when Frank attempted to stop Julie’s wedding, I immediately thought of The Graduate, with a nice modern cell-phone twist (and a Berkeley background to boot). Then, when Summer got on the bus and Seth watched her go, I couldn’t help but think of Forrest Gump and Jenny. And finally, when Ryan walked through the Cohens' front door one last time, the closing scenes of Titanic came to mind, when a ruined structure came to life with memories of the past.
So with the memories we had the bittersweet elements, yet still a few minutes remained on the clock. And that’s when we had the flash-forward, which is also always a nice touch in a series finale. To see where these people (OK, characters — I know they’re not real people, though sometimes they feel like it) end up down the road. And it was all good: Julie graduating college, Seth and Summer getting married, Ryan fulfilling his dream of becoming an architect, Sandy teaching (what a perfect job for him!), and the Cohens living in Berkeley — truly “back where they started from.” Oh, and let’s not forget about Ryan “paying it forward,” possibly helping out a troubled kid like himself, just like the way Sandy reached out to him years before. Nice shot to end on.
And just like that, it ended. I’m going to really miss this show, as I know all of you will. And I’ll miss this blog — I’m grateful to have been able to host it for this show’s final season. What a great season it was, and what a great show it was. I definitely think it went out on top (in spite of this season’s ratings). I hope we get to see the cast members in lots of new TV and movie projects. And so, California, there we go... may The O.C. have a long afterlife on Soapnet and DVD. Can’t wait to read all of your comments on this final episode.
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Feb 23, 2007 12:02 AM
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Wow, I am really blown away. What an amazing finale. As a fan who never missed an episode, I am satisfied. Unlike a lot of you, I thought the last season was lackluster at times. It had its moments and I had to watch to see what happened to everyone, but this year was more about silliness than the effective mix of sharp humor and intense drama that made this show so unique. Your comments about series finales are right on. I too have high expectations. A finale is the legacy a show that had been a part of our lives leaves us with. Yeah, they're not real people but it's nice to know everything turned out OK. The move to Berkeley was a great twist and the final scene was memorable, obvious, yet very creative. This episode truly brought back that first season magic. Thank you, Josh Schwartz, for a satisfying ending. The best finale I've ever seen.
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Feb 23, 2007 12:22 AM
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I was doing so good until Ryan started walking back through the house and then I just lost it and started crying! I love love love this show and am going to miss it so much. I think this was definitely one of the best finales I've ever seen, and despite wanting to see so much more, I'm glad they went out at such a creative high rather than just phoning it in for 5 more seasons. It was an awesome show and I cannot wait to watch it all over again on DVD.
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Feb 23, 2007 12:32 AM
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OK! So I cried throughout most of the episode. It was an amzing finale to an amazing show. I absolutely loved it. I'm glad that the preview didn't ruin it like I expected it to. I have to agree that it is the best finale I have ever seen. I can't wait to have the season on DVD (anyone know when it's coming out?). Now I'm just going to wait around for a reunion show.
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Feb 23, 2007 12:34 AM
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Wow. Overall I've been impressed with this season, but the earthquake episode felt too jam-packed for me. This one, however, was absolutely pitch-perfect. I was crying throughout the entire episode...it perfectly balanced looking back and also looking ahead. Letting the audience in on what happens to the characters was such a brilliant move; everything came full circle, and it put everything to rest for me. On another note, did anyone notice that ryan's dead ex-girlfriend's mom is now his half-brother's mom? What a tangled web they weave!
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Feb 23, 2007 12:46 AM
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I'm confused, did Taylor and Ryan stay together? I saw them smile at each other at Summer & Seth's wedding?
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Feb 23, 2007 1:31 AM
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I think it was implied that Ryan and Taylor were still together. I think they let you go with it where you wanted it to go. But the focus was (and should have been) Seth and Summer. In the end, that was the couple we invested 4 years in, and wanted to see married. Maybe showing both getting married was just too much...
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Feb 23, 2007 2:07 AM
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babyfat212
Season 4 is coming out on 5-22-07. Check out the first link for information on Season 4.
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=6921
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com
We will really miss this show. It was a great finale and loved the way that it was all wrapped up, Loved the fast foward into the future. Liked that Julie felt that she didn't have to get married and she did what she really wanted to do to be happy.
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Feb 23, 2007 7:32 AM
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Wow What a night between this fantastic and somewhat sad ending and then Grey's unbelievable. I really liked the episode especially the tail end. Great seeing Jules make somehting over herself and that she had both the Bullit and Frank. Like seeing Summer and Seth end up together, Sandy teaching and Ryan following in Sandy's footsteps. Just a great final episode. Also very glad Marissa was included in the way she was. That whole scene with Ryan seeing how he was when he first came wouldnt have worked for me if that scene where he passes her in the car was omitted. That scene was a classic image for the show. Over all great episode and it will be missed at my house.
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Feb 23, 2007 8:51 AM
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Another crier here! I am such a girl honestly. I was actually okay and really loved the surprises, then we got to Ryan's flashbacks and the water works started. A lot of good memories. I won't rehash everything but I like happy endings and it was. 
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Feb 23, 2007 9:02 AM
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Now that we know what the characters are doing a few years later...
Sandy - teaching Law (at berkeley?)
Ryan - an architect
What about the others?
Is Summer working for a Environmentalist organization?
What about Seth?
Why did Julie go back to School?
What does she want to do?
Why was Bullitt at the graduation?
I caught the tail end of the show, my Tivo went down!!!!
Does Misha Barton get paid for that last scene, with her standing on the side of the road/flashback?
Is there a website, where I can see this episode again?
Just need to see the first half...
Just curious...
daveedt
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Feb 23, 2007 9:04 AM
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I loved the finale! I was so happy to see how things were resolved, especially with Seth and Summer. I'm glad that they were able to get married after having gone in different directions. Loved Julie not getting married!
Did anyone think the kid Ryan saw might be his son with Theresa? It was the one storyline that never resolved. I'm such a sap; in my idealized OC finale, Ryan was calling his wife at the end (I'm going to assume it's Taylor) when he sees the kid who bears a striking resemblance to himself. Takes kid in, maybe it's his son?
Oh, and how ridiculously cute was "flopjacks"? 
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Feb 23, 2007 9:15 AM
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Speaking of coming full circle, was I the only one who noticed that the blonde guy who lived in the Cohen's Berkeley house was a waiter in the first episode, and a few others I believe. He offered Ryan cresent leak something or other and crab and brie fillo. Yes I am a loser to know that lol.
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Feb 23, 2007 9:16 AM
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Wow what a great finale i couldnt have asked or predicted a better ending for my beloved Cohens, Coopers, Roberts, and Atwood, my eyes were puffy by episodes end because like many of you i was crying my eyes, Great job Josh i am truly gonna miss this show.
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Feb 23, 2007 9:21 AM
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I have been a die hard O.C. fan since the first episode. I was not disappointed in the last episode! It's a bittersweet feeling because I am so glad the show never got to the point where it was boring (i.e. the last season of Party of Five, Moonlighting, and other great shows) but I was not ready to let it go, either. I'll really miss these characters, the fun music, and Summer/Seth' romance!
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Feb 23, 2007 9:23 AM
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