Plots make 'The O.C.' a cut above most TV dramas
| • | Breakout hit 'The O.C.' shows adults as real people |
USA Today
If you watch the Fox promos, you'd be excused for thinking "The O.C." is yet another teen soap. In some ways it is, but as its fans are more than happy to tell you, it's so much more. "The O.C."'s rampant wit, self-mockery and pop-culture savvy make for a TV habit worth cultivating. USA Today's Jim Cheng and Alison Maxwell review the plots and characters, while Ken Barnes provides reasons you should make "The O.C." appointment TV.
Ryan Atwood (Benjamin McKenzie): Ryan is the mixed-up, neglected kid from blue-collar Chino with a propensity for fighting (especially at hoity-toity charity events) and a James Dean pout. Adopted by his public defender, Sandy Cohen, he helps nerdy stepbrother Seth navigate the rough waters of high school romance and nearly drowns in his own on-and-off relationship with Marissa.
Seth Cohen (Adam Brody): This nerdish smart-aleck serves as the show's geek chorus, wryly commenting on his and everyone else's travails. His triangle with childhood friend-turned-tormentor-turned-girlfriend Summer and now-departed fellow nerd Anna (Samaire Armstrong) was a comic highlight.
Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton): Doe-eyed Marissa is Newport Beach's naive but troubled beauty, perpetually in need of rescue by Ryan. Her dramas — suicide attempt triggered by her parents' split and ex-boyfriend Luke's cheating; misguided friendship with psycho rich kid Oliver; trauma resulting from Luke's hook-up with her mother — generate most of the central plot lines (and an unending series of snits).
Summer Roberts (Rachel Bilson): Ewww! Summer is, well, like, totally, a Valley Girl. She's obsessed with clothes, money, boys and partying and enjoys bringing best friend Marissa along for the ride. For months Seth doggedly pursues her, but she won't give him the time of day. Finally, the duo falls for each other, and they quickly lose their virginity together.
Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher): Once a public defender, Bronx-born-and-raised Sandy opts for a lucrative law-firm job and its resultant moral conflicts. Though son Seth pokes fun at his enormous eyebrows, the two have an open, chummy relationship, and big-hearted Sandy is Ryan's biggest ally.
Kirsten Cohen (Kelly Rowan): Kirsten is both shrewd businesswoman and doting wife and mom. When husband Sandy brings Ryan home, she's initially skeptical, but eventually accepts him. She has an antagonistic relationship with her wealthy father/employer, Caleb Nichol, who dislikes Sandy.
Jimmy Cooper (Tate Donovan): Financially disgraced Jimmy has been relegated by wife Julie to a small apartment, where he lives with daughter Marissa. At one point, he steals a kiss from Kirsten, his old high school flame, but has now taken up with Kirsten's younger sister, Hailey, and is opening a restaurant with Sandy.
Julie Cooper (Melinda Clarke): Conniving and self-centered, dilettantish interior designer Julie kicked husband Jimmy to the curb when he couldn't support her lavish lifestyle. She isn't ashamed that she has since hooked up with Caleb and daughter Marissa's ex-boyfriend Luke. When not romantically embroiled, she periodically tries to commit Marissa to an institution.
Luke Ward (Chris Carmack): Marissa's ex was a boorish jock at first, then evolved into a semi-doltish pal of Ryan's who can't resist Marissa's mom.
