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« The O.C.
November 30, 2006: Not the Most Obvious Couple
Sure, Taylor was enamored with Ryan for rescuing her from her loveless marriage. And she appreciated the beauty of the sight of a shirtless Ryan. But what was the telltale sign that she had truly fallen for the guy? She actually thought the king of brooding was funny. And while Ryan’s far from Seth when it comes to witty retorts, Taylor has no problems in the humor department. Becoming someone’s uncertified sleep therapist is definitely a novel way to go about seducing someone. And she gets bonus points for the elaborateness of her approach: 50 candles, flannel pajamas and an offer to be a warm body. Her false denial when Ryan finally asked her whether she liked him was priceless, as well as somewhat believable. I can’t say that I fault him for not picking up on things initially — Taylor is a little bit kooky, and she’s always jumped into projects (like high school committees) with tremendous gusto, so attacking his insomnia with such tenacity wasn’t out of the ordinary for her. Nevertheless, there was no need for Ryan to be so mean when he told Seth, “I’m not gonna date Taylor.” It was his tone that was especially hurtful. Yeah, he thought she was out of earshot, but still. I really felt for Taylor at that moment as he was crushing her heart. Luckily Seth was able to convince her to continue being her persistent self, and Ryan finally realized that Taylor’s feelings for him were mutual. But I was having so much fun watching Taylor trying to get Ryan to like her that I could have taken a few more weeks of that. I can only begin to imagine the other schemes she would have cooked up.
One person Taylor could have turned to for advice was Julie Cooper, the queen of scheming seductions (and much more successful at them than Kaitlin, who offered Taylor boring advice and got nowhere with her too-old-for-her-anyway tennis instructor). I loved how Julie was momentarily offended that “Sandy served me up like a piece of meat,” when first hearing about the Bullet, before asking in her next breath, “How rich is he?” I think dating a father and a son is a new one for her, as is dating someone her daughter likes. (Luke doesn’t count, because Marissa had already tossed him aside by the time Julie got to him.) Like Ryan with Taylor, Julie was oblivious that Kaitlin liked her tennis instructor (funny how Ryan and Julie are so often on the same page this season), and Kaitlin had to suffer for it. The situation was bad enough when Kaitlin was rejected by her crush, but then seeing her mom with him was like having salt rubbed in the wound. (Though Kaitlin should have taken some satisfaction in having one of the funniest lines of the night, asking Julie’s “personal trainer,” whom she found in her kitchen at breakfast, “Are you my new daddy?”)
As hurtful as Julie was, her actions were not intended to be meanspirited. However, the same cannot be said for Che. Mr. Everwood turned out to be no real friend to Summer — which is a shame, because up until last night I had liked the guy. It was bad enough that he basically convinced her to help him commit a crime (breaking and entering the biology room, stealing the rabbits to free them). But then, after she protected him in front of the dean, he stabbed her in the back by blaming the whole rabbit fiasco on her. To make matters worse, he twisted the knife further by pinning on her other incidents in which she played no part. Things don’t look good for Summer in terms of the disciplinary actions she faces. I hope she can clear her name, or at the very least make sure Che pays for what he did. Otherwise, this might be a Summer-less winter at Brown.
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Dec 1, 2006 12:49 AM
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Best episode of the season so far, in my opinion. I could've cared less about the dating service storyline and the bunny storyline (except for how adorable Rachel Bilson is in everything she says and does), but tonight was all about the Taylor/Ryan action. I loved every bit of it. She's silly and quirky and the perfect yin to Ryan's yang. I love the more lighthearted side of "The O.C." this season. I mean come on, Ryan smiled three times! Three times! It really gives Ben a chance to show off his lighter, less broody side. Instead of punching everyone, he actually gets to do a little more. I loved his "do you like me like me" gesture he made when asking Taylor about her feelings. So good!
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Dec 1, 2006 1:29 AM
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I agree that I could have probably taken a week or two more of taylor going after ryan, but I thought next week's preview looked absolutely hilarious with ryan hallucinating taylor in a white snake type of music video.
I'm really glad I decided to give the OC another shot; this season has yet to disappoint.
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Dec 1, 2006 1:30 AM
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I agree that this was one of the strongest episodes. There seems like there was a rat theme on several shows on TV tonight. I can't believe Che did that to Summer. I guess he shares similar characteristics to the revolutionary guy namesake who people for some reason have gone gaga over. They both should not be trusted or held in high esteem.
The Taylor and Ryan storyline was great. I love some of the reaction shots of the Cohens when first she went to the pool house and then when she said that Ryan was funny. Very amusing. It is good that Ryan is having a little fun. They would make an interesting couple.
Ah Julie. She cracks me up. The phone conversation was classic her when she asked how rich the guy was. She does know how to charm the guys. She has a special talent for it. Kaitlyn is trying to follow in her footsteps. She seems to hit on everyone. The line to the personal trainer was good though. The personal trainer actually looked a bit like Ryan.
The Bullet guy seemed a bit of a caricature. Not the best attempt of a Texas accent.
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Dec 1, 2006 1:57 AM
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Oh how I love the OC. so glad it is back to the perfect balance of humor and drama that we all fell in love with season 1.
when marissa was killed off the end of last season i was worried who would be next since i never liked the theresa or lindsay story lines for ryan...but taylor...i like her and ryan together better than him and marissa and i cant wait for next weeks whitesnake-esque hallucinations. pure genius!!
have a great day everyone!!
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Dec 1, 2006 8:56 AM
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This season is really good and fun to watch. I never like Marissa and her storylines always brought the whole show down. Now that the major grieving is over I see lots of great scenes ahead. This is the old OC and I'm loving it.
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Dec 1, 2006 9:08 AM
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This may have been one of the best hours this television show has ever put on. It will be very sad if this show gets canceled midstream in what is shaping up to be its best. If you could watch this hour and not fall completely in love with Autumn Reeser than I think you probably don't have a soul. She was perfect - like Emmy quality perfect in this hour.
Everything worked - too bad they turned Bright Abbott into a complete tool by the end of the hour. I was liking his Che.
Josh Schwartz can be proud of this episode. It was wonderful. If you are going out this year you are doing it better than most shows have.
Also I liked the Bullitt character. I've loved that guy since he played Fred's father on "Angel". (Also a Texas boy.)
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Dec 1, 2006 10:56 AM
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To quote Bullet: Sheeee-itemuslim! (I really thought he was going to say the s-word for a second!)
I'm a born-again OC-er, back with hat in hand after not watching this season. I happened to catch this episode, and I'm so sorry I ever left. The characters and writing are as good as ever, and Ryan is actually smiling! Marisa was too much of a drama queen for him, anyway, and her absence has lightened up the show considerably. After so many disappointing new shows (Smith, Shark, The Nine), it's so good to be back in California—right back where I started from.
P.S. Give Bullet a recurring role. The dude is hilarious!!! I think Julie's available...
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Dec 1, 2006 11:24 AM
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I really like how far Taylor's character has come. It was so cute when she showed up early in the morning to "drop off" Julie papers. When Taylor grabbed the coffee from Seth and the prepared herself for the trek to the pool house I was loving it. The Cohen looks at this development were great. "She thinks Ryan is funny!" First sign indicator. I can't wait to see where this goes. Hopefully the writers give Ryan more happiness than the writers do for Clark on Smallville.
"revolutionary guy namesake who people for some reason have gone gaga over. They both should not be trusted or held in high esteem." speedy1383
I couldn't agree more. I respect and understand the political opinions that differ from my own in regards to Summer's room and wardrobe but to glorify Che Guevara is just wrong.
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Dec 1, 2006 11:45 AM
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I loved this episode as much as all of teh other ones this season. Taylor and Ryan are perfect together. It's nice to see Summer & Seth getting back to their old relationship. As for Che, I've never liked him, adn I think it's time for him to go. The Cohens need a little more screen time though, then the show will be perfect.
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Dec 1, 2006 12:09 PM
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I completely agree with all the posts. This was the old "OC". Absolutely loved every second of this episode.
Taylor/Ryan were great together & they both have so much chemistry. Autumn Reeser gave a fanstastic performance -- she was alternatively cute, quirky, hurt, sexy and determined. She had to go through so many emotions and had to convey such a hard role & she did it. In fact, she did it in a sympathetic manner. Who could watch her and not root for her? Who wasn't yelling at the screen, "Ryan, kiss her!"
I'm not sure what happened at the end, though? Was Taylor not affected by the kiss as strongly as Ryan was? Did she decide that she had been wrong about her crush?
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Dec 1, 2006 3:13 PM
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I think she apologized and walked out because she thought Ryan didn't feel anything from the kiss. She probably felt embarrassed again for thinking she could seduce him with her kiss. But she did it! <3
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Dec 1, 2006 3:20 PM
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I LOVE LOVE LOVE Taylor, I always thought thought this would be an interesting pairing, but it has surpassed my expectations. I totally can do without the Brown stuff, and Kaitlin and the dating service is a bore, but the episode was all Taylor and Ryan.
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Dec 1, 2006 4:48 PM
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It's so good to hear about all the people watching - and loving - this show. I really don't want it to go away simply because people weren't watching.
I can't help but think back to Old Taylor - sleeping with the Dean, making life miserable for everybody, etc and just how far she's come. I loved that her and Ryan were talking about it while they danced. Soo cute!
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Dec 1, 2006 5:09 PM
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Thank goodness the OC is interesting again! I've watched every episode from the beginning, and I was about to lose interest...but not now!
I'm not really into the Brown storyline either...so do you think Summer will really get kicked out and that will be the writers' excuse to get her back in the OC?
Also...I've got a good storyline for the writers...Taylor is going to have to find some kind of job/purpose - she can't live with Julie forever! So how about giving her a job with Julie/Kirsten's new company? She'd be a great matchmaker!
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Dec 1, 2006 5:19 PM
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