A Massive Rant On This Season

Many of us are dissatisfied with the third season. It just doesn't feel like The O.C. anymore. I think I'll feel better if I just address some issues I have with the show right now.

It went from being a funny melodrama to a slow angst-fest.

I think part of it is, Marissa needs to have less problems, even though I sort of liked her storyline in The Dawn Patrol and I think Mischa's acting has improved a bit this season. I know that throughout season 1-which ROCKED-the show was sort of centered around her. I mean there was TJ and everything leading up to it, the drinking, Oliver, Ryan and her's break-up, Luke and Julie, Jimmy's blackmail, and Ryan and Theresa's baby. But Marissa is a different character now and is capable of garnering far less sympathy than in season 1. It's just, if I look at her character's contributions this season, I see Johnny and Volchok. I was not a fan of either storylines. Also, I think Marissa is a much more likeable character when she's being a good friend. That's what made her stand out to Ryan in the first season. She was reluctant to talk about her problems and she was really open to being friends with him.

Plus, Seth and Summer were given hardly any thought for the first half of the season. Even though we're seeing more of Summer's family and that's been developed, it's more about Neil and Julie than Summer. Their relationship went from being annoying, dull, and drama-free, to suddenly completely over. I actually like that they're broken up because it gives them a little plot, but I find the whole reason very silly. Plus, Seth realizing at the end of last week's episode that he'd made a mistake was just really drastic and quick. If the show could stop focusing on Marissa doing coke or Marissa being unhappy with her sister or Marissa being depressed about her dead friend...maybe the writers could help bulk up this couple's slump. Also, these characters, especially Seth, used to BE funny. Hee always had funny observations or witty remarks and she was so flippant and carefree that it was hysterical. Now they just sort of ACT funny. Does that make sense. They're morea spectical and far less entertaining to each other. They don't laugh as much now.

Also, the show is starting to act like Ryan and Marissa don't belong together. Though a lot of people don't think they do, I think the show relies too much on that whole struggle so of course they will be together in the end. Ryan moved on to Sadie REALLY fast and last week he hooked up with Chloe, which was just weird. He doesn't seem to miss Marissa, because right now Marissa isn't acting like Marissa.

This is a little petty and nitpicky, but what's up with the make-up and wardrobe this season? Summer rarely wears pants and Marissa only wears pants. The whole bohemian and/or grunge look is very cool but best when used only in touches. Plus, the make-up is sort of sloppy. Both Marissa and Summer always look tired and the lip gloss never really goes. They're both way pretty and all, but the whole smoky eye/pale complexion vampire thing is just a little off. Especially since the eyes aren't smoky. They're just wearing too much eye liner. The show hit a wardrobe/hair/make-up high in season 2. The clothes communicated character but were young and fun. They wore brighter colors sometimes and had a little color on their cheeks and lips. Plus, they had more fun with eye shadow. I know this seems kind of irrelevant but it's driving me crazy.

Also, the lighting is too dark. More scenes than ever take place at night and while inside or when it's daytime, the lighting isn't as bright as it used to be and the look of the show has lost its sort of picturesque touch.

Now, onto the REALLY BIG PROBLEM. What's going on with Kandy? I don't mean that in a 'I disapprove of Sandy's behavior and it's too bad they aren't together' sort of way. I mean, where are the storylines? Kiki has been really sparse this season. The only drama for her has been at the beginning and just in the last episode and both revolved around drinking. That's fine, but come on! My dad's a recovered alcoholic and that isn't how he defines himself. Kiki has no identity. I do like how her and Seth have spent more time together. He's sort of the only thing stopping her from relapse at this point, or so it seems.

Sandy's whole downfall into corruption would be interesting, though very heavy, if it were more engaging. I never really cared about Matt and I sort of ignored the whole hospital thing, assuming it would be wrapped up by now. I mean, is this project the only thing the Newport Group is working on? Anyway, suddenly it was like Sandy's a dick now! He pays no attention to Seth or Kirsten-both of whom have sort of needed him these past few months. The company got to him! He could be in legal trouble! What the hell?

Though I like that Julie is nicer and has a bit more affirmation in her life, they definitely rushed the whole Julie/Neil relationship. Also, Neil is pretty lacking in personality and nowhere near as charming or endearing as Jimmy could be.

Another big problem is that the show has no bad guy right now. Before, we had Caleb and Julie, sometimes Jimmy in forgivable sort of way, and towards the end, Kirsten, in an unintentional way. Now, we have GUEST STARS! Johnny, Volchok, Kaitlin, Henry Griffin, Matt, Taylor's mom, Dean Hess, Charlotte, Taylor, Casey-remember her? They've all been the bad guy at one point. But they aren't developed characters so we don't care about them. More imortantly, they usually only tamper with one or two characters. That means, the core 7 have nothing linking them. Remember the Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't where Caleb's whole Lindsay dilemna was exposed and it involved everyone? Or Oliver in season 1? Everything is so disjointed. There no big group scenes that are anything but benevolent and very few of those either. Plus, and this is just a side note, but, remember when Marissa and Seth knew each other? If you look back at Season 1, they were like really good friends for a while. Season 2 was a little different because they weren't functioning as the fab four but they at least acknowledged one another. Now, Summer and Ryan are besties and all, but Marissa and Seth may not have spoken a word to one another in the past 10 episodes. It's just weird.

In order for next season to turn around, a lot is riding on the finale. I think something needs to happen to affect everyone. I think it needs to happen to Kandy since that pots been boiling for quite awhile. I don't know that someone needs to die. I hope one of Kandy doesn't. That'd just be sad. I sort of feel like Anna should since that would tip Seth over the edge he's been treading on all season. If Seth's setbacks don't reach an emotional climax it will be so unsatisfying. If Theresa dies, then the whole baby thing will matter, but it's just sooo predictable and will once again revolve around Marissa and Ryan. Marissa needs to snap out of it and cater to other characters again and if the finale doesn't revolve around her, she will. Still, the Theresa-baby needs an interesting payoff because, though they've waited so long that I've lost a lot of interest, they planted that seed at a time when The O.C. was at its peak and to give it a lousy ending wouldn't be right. Also, Seth and Summer need to stay in Cali so they've got to justify that.

Finally, the show just needs a few more characters. If there were two more adults, one good and one kinda bad in a Caleb sort of way, and one youngster-perhaps Taylor-that would be perfect.
I know next season will be different because of college and all that, but it needs to try and recapture that original funny, over-the-top, ensemble drama that it once was.

Sorry for the rant. Your thoughts?

[Nicjuh]

I do think the third season is good. Allthough it is hard to compair to the first and second season, because that was totally different. I do think it's a pity Marissa and Ryan broke up, there so ment for each other. Even though they don't realise it, you can just see they are. The only thing that botthered me this season is that Johnny was kinda annoying sometimes. But the rest is totally great.

[nyxi66]

I'm enjoying the third season, but I do agree with what you're saying. The show is not nearly as funny/fun as it was before, and Summer had nearly been written out of the show completely (or at least that's what it felt like) because of the overpowering sad-Marissa plot. Hopefully with all the changes though this gives the show an opportunity to become more like it was before.

How is it not the OC anymore? The only criticism I have is there wasn't enough Seth.

Now that marissa is gone i hope season 4 will be more about Seth and Sumer who have always been my favourites rather than soething ele happening to marissa resulting in her getting drunk or oding

I think season three was the best season ever!
The season has everything: love, dramatic, breakup, dead....

I loved season 3 it was so good

it's true, season 3 was really dark and so far from how the show started. less comedy, so much angst and they made marissa seem so useless. that's why right now, i hate the fact that they made her role and storyline so horrible in her last season.

seth and sandy aren't so funny anymore.. true. kirsten's alcoholicism is getting boring. it was a wrong move for ryan to hook up with that chloe girl and sadie so fast. even more wrong to kill marissa off the show. hopefully, josh and his people will change their mind regarding marissa and make other drastic changes.

I absolutely agree with you about the Kandy thing- and lack of Kirsten on our screens.

I agree with everything you said. lol. I absolutely LOVED season 1.

I think they killed Marissa because they thought the show needed something big to, i dont know, make everything more interesting? The show was starting to get boring, the same plots with different characters. I think they should change their mind about Marissa and have her wake up, and have some other drastic change that doesn't involve killing one of the main charaters...i dont know what, lol, but something. The whole Kirsten/breast cancer thing would make sense (without dying..getting kimo maybe?), even though it would be sad, because her mother had it..or...hmm...Or the whole Marissa near death thing (if she woke up) could make Ryan and Marissa realize they were meant for each other?? The coma for 6 episodes thing someone said could be interesting when she woke up...

And I miss Summer and Kirsten too!! They did leave a few of Summer's funny rage blackouts in there though. lol But They almost make it seem like Sandy and Kirsten need to get a divorce or someting. noooooo!