did they even try?
Tonight's episode of THE OC was terrible. And I was pulling for the show. Thirty-five minutes in I could see the writers pulling things together, trying their hardest for jokes that, yes, fell flat but that were at least on the right track. I managed to convince myself that the third season would be really good. I'm pretty sure I've gotten it wrong.
The mention of Chuck Klosterman and the appearance of his book couldn't redeem this episode. The re-appearance of Jimmy Cooper (Tate Donovan) was a tiny bright spot, but not enough to redeem this episode. An Oliver joke made me laugh. I liked the Oliver joke. It was an easy joke, though. And Kaitlin Cooper, Marisa's little sister was mentioned. That was a nice nod to long-term fans.
Those last three minutes? Terrible. What has this show become?
Comments
i haven't seen it yet, but i read the recaplet at tvwithoutpity (see, this is how little i care, i don't even mind being spoiled). the kirsten stuff sounds good, but the gun stuff? and marissa shooting trey? that is just a setup for more caper-type stuff. and you know how i hate the capers.
Posted by: erica | May 20, 2005 12:17 PM
the kirsten stuff was boring. boring. it was all played with the utmost seriousness. or, if it was played for laughs i totally missed the boat.
Posted by: marc | May 20, 2005 01:04 PM
this show is dead to me. i've jumped the shark...or however that term is used.
Posted by: shr | May 20, 2005 03:44 PM
As cliffhangers go, this one was indeed lame. and the whole KiKi as an alcoholic story line was equally bad. if they wanted to make her a drunk, they shoulda started having her drink at the beginning of the season, not two episodes ago.
Posted by: matt | May 20, 2005 05:02 PM
to the person above who thinks kiki started drinking two episodes ago--she's been a heavy drinker since last season. i took the storyline as her going from being a heavier-than-normal social drinker to being a true alcoholic when things in her life got tough. i don't think it's unrealistic.
Posted by: erica Barmash | May 21, 2005 09:22 PM
i may be the only fan left.
i think people expected too much of this show. i mean, if every episode must be fun and exciting (which it must b/c it's on fox)... what are they supposed to do? we knew -- from the first time someone got drunk and thrown into the cohens pool-- that was not gonna happen with this show. we knew it was gonna turn into 90210 minus jamie (donna's boyfriend i think, whatever his last name was) plus death cab. yes, seth has turned into a snotty little prick who makes no new jokes... yes, marisa shooting trey was a bad idea. yes, kirsten's family did an intervention (ridiculous). but what else were they supposed to do?
if freaks and geeks or my so-called life had lasted past season 1, they would've turned the same way.
there. i said it.
Posted by: cheryl | May 23, 2005 10:29 PM
Cheryl's comments above remind me a lot of Marc's comments from the first season, which were basically: "What do you people expect?" Marc, forgive me if I'm totally remembering wrong. Anyways, my answer then was: "To be entertained," and I think that still holds up. N.B: I stopped watching months ago, back when it stopped being entertaining.
Posted by: kfan | May 24, 2005 12:05 PM
chery/kfan - both of you make very good points. i think i'm just upset because marisa's girlfriend left town.
and (hopefully no one will read this) i got a little sad and almost started tearing up during the final episode. i want camp drama, not drama that tugs at the heartstrings!
Posted by: marc b. | May 24, 2005 12:15 PM
I don't begrudge anyone for liking the OC. It is what it is and that is fine. But please don't compare it to Freaks and Geeks. Completely different shows - not even a comparison. And if the show had gone to a second year, there is no way it would have turned to suckitude. Everyone who likes the OC seems to say "You can't expect too much from it, it is just the OC." I think that about sums it up.
Posted by: Dan | May 24, 2005 04:00 PM
i take back my freaks & geeks comparison.
i was drunk when i posted that.
Posted by: cheryl | May 26, 2005 03:20 PM
woo hoo! if only all arguments were so easy to win!
Posted by: dan | May 26, 2005 08:12 PM