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« The O.C.
January 4, 2007: Who's Your Daddy?
Obviously they weren’t going to convince Maximus to do TV, despite making several references regarding his alter ego’s resemblance to Ryan over the years. So I guess Hercules is a pretty good second choice to play Ryan’s dad. (Though I’m still holding out hope that Russell Crowe, Simon Baker and Ben McKenzie play brothers in a movie one day — wouldn’t that be terrific casting? But I digress.... ) Every time Kevin Sorbo and Ben McKenzie shared the screen they looked more and more alike. However, Ryan and his dad seemed to have very different temperaments. Frank was more of an outward charmer and less of a brooder, eager to share tales about old family car trips. He was so charming that I started to like the guy, and that’s where the show kind of backed me into a corner: I was almost rooting for the guy to indeed have a terminal illness. Because if he didn’t, that meant that he was a liar and manipulator who was hurting Ryan. Knowing his troubled ex-con past, it wasn’t surprising when he did hurt Ryan, emotionally. What was surprising was that former domestic abuser Frank was the one who got hurt physically — and by peace-loving Sandy, of all people! I loved that Sandy punched him, and that Ryan stepped in and broke up the fight. It was like things coming full circle from Season 1: All of Sandy’s lectures to Ryan throughout the years, cautioning him not to resort to violence, have finally sunk in for Ryan (for the second time this season, the first being with Ryan not killing Volchok). Seeing the tables turn with Sandy not heeding his own advice and throwing a punch (and hurting his hand) was a fun bonus. And then, just after things got all “intense,” as Taylor put it, this show did a 180 and went all sweet with Sandy and Ryan chatting, and Ryan saying to him, “My dad is right here.” Just one of the many reasons I’m gonna miss this show.
Speaking of missing things, why was Seth not at the big dinner? After four years, he’s never met Ryan’s dad, and then he blows his chance. Wasn’t he curious to learn what Frank was like? Didn’t he want to support his “brother”? I know, he was busy with his comic marriage subplot with Summer, but still, he could have worked the dinner into his schedule. The marriage subplot is mildly amusing, but it’s getting old quick. It has to be obvious to both Seth and Summer that each is faking their marriage enthusiasm (if you can call it that — they’re faking it so badly) and simply playing an elaborate game of chicken. Just call it off, already. Hopefully bringing Dr. Roberts into things (will we actually get a visit?) will be the last straw.
Calling it off — well, as I’m sure most of you have heard by now, Fox has decided to cancel our beloved O.C. But the good news is that it’s not immediate. This shortened fourth season will get to play out through February, so loose ends can be tied up, and a proper finale can be had. And a lot can be said for the popular school of thought that says it’s best to go out while on top. Many shows have lingered long after they should have said goodbye, producing a season or more of material that it’s best to pretend didn’t happen. (I’m thinking of Dawson’s Creek, Party of Five, Beverly Hills, 90210 — I could go on.) While the ratings may have dipped this season, the story lines and writing have been at a peak. And that’s the way I want to remember The O. C.: punches thrown during parties or dinners; sweet moments like the Cohen family watching Meerkat Manor; and witty, ad-libbed-sounding banter like that between Seth and Ryan during the silly Pancakes scene:
“Don’t listen to mean Uncle Ryan, Pancakes. That’s just the ‘roids talking. They do make him huge, I know.”
“Will you get him out of here, please, before he ends up in a quesadilla?”
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Jan 4, 2007 11:43 PM
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What makes me so sad about the ending of this show is that I stopped watching it for years, then picked it up this season and fell in love with it. But I knew with its suicide time slot it was on shaky ground. This season the writing is back to season one caliber and the death of Marissa removed one of my biggest reasons for not watching (I could not take another damsel in distress episode-especially out of such a wooden and unlikable character). I think a big bonus this season was Autumn Reeser as a regular, she really lights up the screen and her Taylor is not your normal “girl who get’s the guy” she even brings out the humor in Ryan which is when the character is at it’s best.
I’m still ignorantly hoping for a CW pickup. I know you pointed out the bonus of going out in glory but this show feels new to me.
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Jan 5, 2007 8:57 AM
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I'm all about Taylor, too!!!!
She's the reason I started watching again.She cracks me up, plus she's much better looking than Marissa.(imho)
Marissa was all about doom and gloom, but she still managed to carry her Gucci/Chanel bag over to her other school, in the hood.
My Tivo didn't record this ep!!!
What happened with 'madame' Julie's
secret from Kirsten?
What's the deal with Seth? Is he going to work at the comic store for a while?
He seems to be a slacker, or is it just me?
dt
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Jan 5, 2007 10:17 AM
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Did anyone notice how they were watching a tv show about meerkats in the end? That had to be a homage to Ben Mackenzie's indie hit Junebug, where he played the husband to Amy Adams' meerkat-obsessed character. There's a scene (in the movie) where he's trying to use the vcr to tape a nature show on meerkats for her -- very cute.
And I'm going to miss this show so much -- this season has been fanastic.
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Jan 5, 2007 10:18 AM
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I agree with the first poster - I stopped tuning in because of Marissa's drama. She really brought the show down with her storylines and her wooden acting. But this year, the show is great - I love it. The witty banter is back. I love Taylor and agree that she brings out a better side of Ryan. Why did they give the show such a tough time spot? It's like they wanted them to fail. I'm also wishfully hoping for a CW pick up!
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Jan 5, 2007 10:25 AM
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I just realized that Melinda Clarke is playing "madame" now on the OC and she played one on CSI a couple times too as "Lady Heather". Just found that interesting.
I really wish this wasn't the season it ended. Now people are going to think it was because Marissa's gone - but good riddance! she was holding the show back.
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Jan 5, 2007 11:02 AM
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My TIVO also didn't record the start of this episode - anyone else have this problem? Thank god I caught up with it 20 minutes in - great episode!!!
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Jan 5, 2007 11:17 AM
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Oh my gosh! I am so depressed that the show is leaving. I am also hoping for a CW pickup, or any pickup for that matter.
Aside from that, this episode was great. I loved it. Taylor & Ryan are perfect together. I hope that Seth and Summer go through with the marriage. That would be a great series finale if the show doesn't get picked up.
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Jan 5, 2007 1:09 PM
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Hurray LHarvey! I'm not the only person who saw Junebug!!! I love that movie so much, and the scene where Ben tried to tape the meerkat show for Amy Adam's character. That scene and what she said to him when she left her shower to come down and see why he was having a fit is probably one of my favorite moments in any movie, it was so heartfelt and real.
Anyway....I guess I should mention something that actually has to do with the episode! 
I love that they aren't over doing the Ryan/Taylor thing. As unnatural as the pairing may seem, it is totally natural, and they aren't trying to make something ridiculous out of it. I love them, and I know there are hard times coming (Page 47 for instance) I hope that there is a happy ending coming for these two in the last 7 episodes. Josh Schwartz alluded to that in his Ausiello interview, and he better not have been messing with us!
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Jan 5, 2007 1:55 PM
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Noone's mentioned yet that Summer said the word "frak". Nice nod to Veronica Mars!!
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Jan 6, 2007 9:44 AM
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Actually "frak" was a nod to Battlestar Gallactica. That's where VM got it from, and why they started using it on that show this season too. Hurray for pop culture crossovers!!
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Jan 6, 2007 12:50 PM
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I will miss this show when it is gone. I have watched every episode. I do think it is better without Marissa. Even though I did start liking her character more toward the end, she still was an anchor to the show and to Ryan. The Ryan-Taylor pairing is just perfect. This is definitely his best match out of all his girlfriends.
I actually thought Ryan's father was going to hiding something big or something. The show did fool me on that. I know I have said this before. But I hate when this show repeats dialogue or makes several characters do the same thing. It seems like every week they do that. They try to be cute, but I find it annoying. I just don't think people think the same exact thoughts with the same exact words at the exact same time. I don't remember them doing that early in this series. But the last couple of seasons, they have definitely done this.
It is interesting that no one has mentioned Kaitlin's storyline. Her stuff never seems to interest me. Now I believe the show is trying to be all PC. I am not buying it. I don't like being pandered to.
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Jan 7, 2007 2:30 AM
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I love Ryan & Taylor together. I really hope they stay together.
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Jan 8, 2007 10:28 AM
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I am disappointed to hear that the OC is going to end. It seems like Fox really wanted to get rid of it. They could have easily increased its ratings if they moved it to another night but no. But to expect the show to do well and against gray's and CSI is just ridiculous. I think it would be cool if the CW picked up the show but it doesn't look good.
I am going to miss the cohen family...This just sucks!
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Jan 8, 2007 6:45 PM
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Being a Kevin Sorbo fan,I was really impressed with his performance as Frank Atwood. This character is so different from any Kevin has played in the past. For one thing, Frank is not your typical father-far from it,and while I don't think he intentionally meant to cause emotional hurt for Ryan,the way he went about it wasn't what you would expect from a father wanting to reconcile with his son.
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Jan 10, 2007 1:10 PM
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