The OC Friday Morning Hangover: The Grieving'pisode

Here's a bit of irony in it's highest form for you: Fox, much like tight fisted, frugal Republicans across the country, has conceded victory. In the case of the Republicans, they were getting spanked by Democrats. Fox was getting demoralized by ABC and CBS. But think about, the Fox Network having to resort to retreating just like its party of choice! HIGH-larious! What I mean by all of this is that Fox is moving The OC back to The WED. evenings because it can't compete against the big boppers of prime time TV. So us few OC viewers that still actually care about the program were treated to two new 'pisodes in two days. So forgive me if I neglect to touch on all the key points. At this rate, we'll hit Christmakuh by Thanksgiving and The OC will run its February sweeps episode in late December. Keep your fingers crossed that the show still is being broadcast by February.

The underlying theme and conclusion that we arrived at after two hours of Newport goodness is that Julie, Summer and Ryan have finally officially began the "grieving" phase of Marissa's death. Seth told Summer upon her return to Newport Beach that her kooky behavior is because her best friend passed away. (Note the lack of an OTL line). Volchok came crawling back to Newport after Seth told him Ryan was going to pummel him like Bruce Willis that yellow thing in Sin City, and found safety in the form of Sandy Cohen.

When Ryan caught wind of the Sandman "helping" Volchok he went out to find him, but he should have known he can't out fox the fox himself. Sandy took him straight to Volchok and after Rhino landed a few haymakers to "Kevin's" face, he realized Volchok would let him kill him to be done with everything. So Ryan snaps to and realizes he wants Volchok to have to live with himself for what he did. Out goes the villain in cuffs to the county clink where he will no doubt serve hard time and probably get a tryout with the Cincinnati Bengals upon his release back into society.

Was I happy that Ryan didn't write himself a ticket to prison by killing Volchok? Yes. Was it about as anti-climatic of an ending to Volchok's character imaginable? Indeed. I'll say boldly however, that the scene of Julie showing up to the Cohen's clustereffe of a Thanksgiving dinner after Sandy had slapped a ban on her, was one of the best in OC history. The fact that she apologized, then admitted that she's never meant an apology before was dead on. Only it was bettered by Ryan and Julie sitting in the pool house, and Ryan opened up about the first time he ever laid eyes on Marissa. (Note: I badly wanted them to cut to the scene he was talking about from the Pilot right there). Hands down, in the top five of best OC moments in the books. If you think about the history between the two characters through all the seasons, for them to be next to each other, for the lack of another word, vulnerable, was a tear jerker. (Note 2: I shed not a tear, but I'm guessing 99% of the female viewers did).

My Shenanigans chant from last week, as predicted, hit a bullseye. Summer needs to "get her head screwed back on" before she can fulfill her 10 minutes of time with Cohen in his room.

Some crap may or may not have happened with Taylor getting engaged to some French dude. It's a funny story line for Taylor to have as it was much needed with all the Volchok vibes reverberating through Orange County. Catch you next Friday! I've decided against posting any sort of "Thursday morning headache" stuff...even I need a break from the show time and again.

QUESTIONS FROM THE COUCH
1. How many more episodes until Taylor and Ryan are pushed toward each other?
2. I wonder how JamesOn Cooper is handling the death of his eldest daughter? Probably by efficiently placing someone's money into an awful junk bond.
3. I know they referenced it on the show. But just how gay and lame are they making Luke Ward's younger brothers?
3A. Are those guys like lap dogs? They were always just there whenever Kaitlyn was on screen. Replacing them with a lap dog last episode? Quite humorous.
4. Is The OC the most "left sided" thing Fox has ever aired? You almost have to feel bad for the Republican News Network after last Tuesday. Wait...nope!
5. How much weight did Volchok's chicky friend lose from last season?

DRIVIN DOWN THE 101
The dig on Grey's Anatomy's "Seattle Grace Hospital" was NOT the first time Schwartz has teed up a fellow program. Remember in season duece when he had Seth comment about "The Real Valley" show and how mind numbingly boring it was? First he goes after Laguna Beach, then Grey's.

IF YOU BELIEVE THEY PUT A MAN ON THE MOON...
...you can believe Dr. Roberts will shortly be prominently featured on Grey's Anatomy.
...you can believe Ryan will somehow get into Berkeley yet.
...you can believe the main characters will all wind up at Madison yet.
...you can believe the Christmakuh episode will see....nope, got nothing on that one yet!