As someone who celebrated the show’s 20th anniversary last month by watching the first six episodes, I can say I am very excited that you are covering The O.C. I’m also coming off a high today as Ben McKenzie responded to my Tweet, so it’s a joyous day to be an O.C. fan.
I love the point you make about the show having a cultural footprint that shows today seem to lack. I was 16 when the I first discovered the show and from that time, the show forever shaped my music tastes and sensibilities, in a way that few shows of today seem to do. (I am also a huge fan of the original outro credits song, and was gutted when they changed it towards the end of S2 when the show changed composers).
The show had an interesting start in Australia where I’m from, in that it started on one TV network in 2003 and got buried late at night, where I’m pretty sure it got poor ratings. It then got picked up by another network who were probably aware how hot it was in the US and gave it a second chance. At the time, I remember being so put off by the way the second network advertised it, that I didn’t watch and get onboard until The Heartbreak/Valentines Day episode. I then had to try and source the older episodes, which in 2004 was a feat and the show has to now be up there as one of the most formative (best?) TV shows for me.
I’m also looking forward to Alan Sepinwall’s book that comes out this year, it looks like it’s going to be great!
I watched at least half of season s1 for the first time a month ago (but then my Max subscription ran out, and I’m not going to have it on rotation for awhile). I am SO excited these reviews will have a “most 2003 moment” plug, hopefully for every episode? Not a spoiler, but there was an episode where I was like, “Wow, a mention of how the house guest has filled up the TiVo. Blast of 2003! Love it!”
Totally agree that Adam Brody did this thing so well, and so immediately, that it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that it’s now an archetype. I didn’t watch when I was the right age, but he makes me feel 18 again. I’m moon eyes about Seth, even though I’m way too old now. So even though I know what you mean with the whole “Seth is for girls and Ryan is for women” thing… I sort of feel like it’s both, because watching this show makes feel like both the woman I am and the girl I was.
The one thing that stood out to me as I watched this episode, and the next few, is how unlikeable Summer is. Seth’s obsession with her in the first episodes is the character’s one glaring weak spot. How could a kid this cool be so into such an awful girl? It makes him less cool, honestly. And the obsession itself (even if she had been great) plays a little creepy and entitled Nice Guy in ways that are counter to the rest of his otherwise insanely charming characterization.
Hey thanks Latoya & EM (Episodic Medium) for giving me a reason to actually delve into this (for me) missed cultural touchstone.
I was never into 90210 when that aired but watched it because it was something my brothers were into. Same with 21 Jump Street which I didn’t hate, I just didn’t remember it with much reverence. The shows I found myself really embracing were shows like My So Called Life (which is so 90’s, but in the best way), Freaks & Geeks, Everwood and the lesser talked about Jack & Bobby. Oh and Popular! That show was so entertaining but I actually discovered that show after having gotten into Nip/Tuck.
I think I actively avoided The OC thinking it was the new 90210, and I really was disinterested in yet another drama about rich white kids.
The reason I actually felt any interest in possibly watching this series even before this was because I really enjoyed Ben McKenzie in the show Gotham and wanted to see the show that made him a big deal.
I read this review before I watched the episode today and gotta say it hyped me up a bit for it. But now that I’ve seen the premiere episode, I’m honestly not that impressed with the show so far. Yet I do believe that shows need the space and time to grow on you, something we normally don’t allow nowadays as we are in “Peak TV” as it were. There’s too much TV and too many different ways to access shows that the shared experience has become rare. The word of mouth has to be strong for a new show to really get any buzz. And I want to go on this journey and thankfully Latoya’s review gave me more insight than I felt was there in the episode itself.
I’m particularly looking forward to reading Latoya’s next review as I actually went ahead and did the homework of watching that one already.
Here’s a little preview on what I thought of that one: I have actually found the moment upon when I initially watched this show that completely turned me off to it. But I’ll get into that when we get there.
My thing with shows like this, was finding relatable characters or reasons to like them. We are supposed to like Peter Gallagher character because although he’s a rich lawyer guy he has a good heart and sees a kid like Ryan who’s smart and just in a bad situation and thinks the answer is bringing him into a different situation perhaps a better one. I didn’t necessarily get his reasons for doing this, questions like why now and why Ryan kept coming up. The answers are they I think. The reason “why” he wants to help Ryan is because Ryan reminds him of himself, (I don’t know how, but maybe the show will tell us at some point) and “now” because... idk he forgot he has a wife and kid at home that this act of kindness would most definitely disrupt his home life..?
I genuinely enjoyed the scene Ben McKenzie (Ryan) had with Mischa Barton (Marissa) mostly for his performance. I see what I liked about him in Gotham here. He makes choices that I find entertaining. The way he smokes and tilts his head while talking to Marissa just displays a lot of character.
Adam Brody I’ve liked in things like Jennifer’s Body and stuff but here so far I’m getting he’s playing younger than he is. Which I’m guessing he’s actually probably in his late teens early twenties but he’s playing it like a precocious 10 year old and I guess I get why his character has a crush on Rachel Bilsons character because she actually looks like she only just turned 13. Oh and Bilsons character is completely unlikeable. I like Bilson in other things I’ve seen her in, I can’t think of anything right now but the character she plays is truly awful. Yet I will agree her delivery of “eww Chino” is on point and hilarious. I was like “That was you’re takeaway from that reveal?!”
I also thought the emotional conflict between Brody and McKenzie was forced and then the physical fight between Brody-McKenzie and Marissa’s boyfriend and his friends was extremely forced. I think they really should’ve established more of what Brody’s life was like before McKenzie came into it, like would he get bullied or picked on before a lot, or are we to assume that this is the first time a fight has happened to him.
Anyway I’ll just leave off with that ending which shows McKenzie saving Marissa from sleeping on the floor outside her house. I know that we’re supposed to believe the conflict is that Mackenzie’s Ryan wants to hide Marissa’s alcoholism from her parents but really the right thing to do in that situation is to ring the doorbell and bring her into her own house.
Well, I’m looking forward to these reviews and to finding out why this show was such a cultural phenomenon.
Confession not only have I never seen the O.C. before but I'd never even heard of it until Episodic Medium announced plans to covering it. Regardless, looking forward to learning more about the series through these reviews - unless I get so intrigued that I decided to watch-along.
Very excited for these reviews from LaToya! I always love hearing her thoughts on Teen Soaps (I am a proud patron of her podcast The Ampire Diaries about Vampire Diaries).
As to The OC I remember in 2003 (I was in 8th grade so 2 years behind LaToya) it was absolutely the talk at lunch every Thursday (it aired Wdnesday nights after the summer eps). But there was also a divide in if you watched The OC or One Tree Hill and I did OTH. So I never watched The OC until it ended up on HBOMax but I've never been able to make it thru season 3 (I've seen season 1&2 and part of 3 twice). I'm excited to try and get to the end by following along!
I have never seen this series, and decided to watch along with Latoya...my initial reaction after the pilot is “Fun! When do Ryan and Seth kiss?” Those two have chemistry!
First all, I hope there are no more uses of the r-word in this show. Otherwise, I'll be dropping off fairly quickly. (I think that word is *never* ok to use in any circumstances)
I'll be working my way through the show for the first time alongside these reviews! Looking forward to more!
Episodic Classics: The O.C., “Pilot” | Season 1, Episode 1
Am I a 51 year old man going to rewatch the OC? I'm thinking about it now. Thanks for the recap!
As someone who celebrated the show’s 20th anniversary last month by watching the first six episodes, I can say I am very excited that you are covering The O.C. I’m also coming off a high today as Ben McKenzie responded to my Tweet, so it’s a joyous day to be an O.C. fan.
I love the point you make about the show having a cultural footprint that shows today seem to lack. I was 16 when the I first discovered the show and from that time, the show forever shaped my music tastes and sensibilities, in a way that few shows of today seem to do. (I am also a huge fan of the original outro credits song, and was gutted when they changed it towards the end of S2 when the show changed composers).
The show had an interesting start in Australia where I’m from, in that it started on one TV network in 2003 and got buried late at night, where I’m pretty sure it got poor ratings. It then got picked up by another network who were probably aware how hot it was in the US and gave it a second chance. At the time, I remember being so put off by the way the second network advertised it, that I didn’t watch and get onboard until The Heartbreak/Valentines Day episode. I then had to try and source the older episodes, which in 2004 was a feat and the show has to now be up there as one of the most formative (best?) TV shows for me.
I’m also looking forward to Alan Sepinwall’s book that comes out this year, it looks like it’s going to be great!
It really is a brilliant pilot - I rewatch it regularly and it’s impossible to not start watching the second episode. So excited about these recaps!
I watched at least half of season s1 for the first time a month ago (but then my Max subscription ran out, and I’m not going to have it on rotation for awhile). I am SO excited these reviews will have a “most 2003 moment” plug, hopefully for every episode? Not a spoiler, but there was an episode where I was like, “Wow, a mention of how the house guest has filled up the TiVo. Blast of 2003! Love it!”
Totally agree that Adam Brody did this thing so well, and so immediately, that it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that it’s now an archetype. I didn’t watch when I was the right age, but he makes me feel 18 again. I’m moon eyes about Seth, even though I’m way too old now. So even though I know what you mean with the whole “Seth is for girls and Ryan is for women” thing… I sort of feel like it’s both, because watching this show makes feel like both the woman I am and the girl I was.
The one thing that stood out to me as I watched this episode, and the next few, is how unlikeable Summer is. Seth’s obsession with her in the first episodes is the character’s one glaring weak spot. How could a kid this cool be so into such an awful girl? It makes him less cool, honestly. And the obsession itself (even if she had been great) plays a little creepy and entitled Nice Guy in ways that are counter to the rest of his otherwise insanely charming characterization.
Hey thanks Latoya & EM (Episodic Medium) for giving me a reason to actually delve into this (for me) missed cultural touchstone.
I was never into 90210 when that aired but watched it because it was something my brothers were into. Same with 21 Jump Street which I didn’t hate, I just didn’t remember it with much reverence. The shows I found myself really embracing were shows like My So Called Life (which is so 90’s, but in the best way), Freaks & Geeks, Everwood and the lesser talked about Jack & Bobby. Oh and Popular! That show was so entertaining but I actually discovered that show after having gotten into Nip/Tuck.
I think I actively avoided The OC thinking it was the new 90210, and I really was disinterested in yet another drama about rich white kids.
The reason I actually felt any interest in possibly watching this series even before this was because I really enjoyed Ben McKenzie in the show Gotham and wanted to see the show that made him a big deal.
I read this review before I watched the episode today and gotta say it hyped me up a bit for it. But now that I’ve seen the premiere episode, I’m honestly not that impressed with the show so far. Yet I do believe that shows need the space and time to grow on you, something we normally don’t allow nowadays as we are in “Peak TV” as it were. There’s too much TV and too many different ways to access shows that the shared experience has become rare. The word of mouth has to be strong for a new show to really get any buzz. And I want to go on this journey and thankfully Latoya’s review gave me more insight than I felt was there in the episode itself.
I’m particularly looking forward to reading Latoya’s next review as I actually went ahead and did the homework of watching that one already.
Here’s a little preview on what I thought of that one: I have actually found the moment upon when I initially watched this show that completely turned me off to it. But I’ll get into that when we get there.
My thing with shows like this, was finding relatable characters or reasons to like them. We are supposed to like Peter Gallagher character because although he’s a rich lawyer guy he has a good heart and sees a kid like Ryan who’s smart and just in a bad situation and thinks the answer is bringing him into a different situation perhaps a better one. I didn’t necessarily get his reasons for doing this, questions like why now and why Ryan kept coming up. The answers are they I think. The reason “why” he wants to help Ryan is because Ryan reminds him of himself, (I don’t know how, but maybe the show will tell us at some point) and “now” because... idk he forgot he has a wife and kid at home that this act of kindness would most definitely disrupt his home life..?
I genuinely enjoyed the scene Ben McKenzie (Ryan) had with Mischa Barton (Marissa) mostly for his performance. I see what I liked about him in Gotham here. He makes choices that I find entertaining. The way he smokes and tilts his head while talking to Marissa just displays a lot of character.
Adam Brody I’ve liked in things like Jennifer’s Body and stuff but here so far I’m getting he’s playing younger than he is. Which I’m guessing he’s actually probably in his late teens early twenties but he’s playing it like a precocious 10 year old and I guess I get why his character has a crush on Rachel Bilsons character because she actually looks like she only just turned 13. Oh and Bilsons character is completely unlikeable. I like Bilson in other things I’ve seen her in, I can’t think of anything right now but the character she plays is truly awful. Yet I will agree her delivery of “eww Chino” is on point and hilarious. I was like “That was you’re takeaway from that reveal?!”
I also thought the emotional conflict between Brody and McKenzie was forced and then the physical fight between Brody-McKenzie and Marissa’s boyfriend and his friends was extremely forced. I think they really should’ve established more of what Brody’s life was like before McKenzie came into it, like would he get bullied or picked on before a lot, or are we to assume that this is the first time a fight has happened to him.
Anyway I’ll just leave off with that ending which shows McKenzie saving Marissa from sleeping on the floor outside her house. I know that we’re supposed to believe the conflict is that Mackenzie’s Ryan wants to hide Marissa’s alcoholism from her parents but really the right thing to do in that situation is to ring the doorbell and bring her into her own house.
Well, I’m looking forward to these reviews and to finding out why this show was such a cultural phenomenon.
My wife and I have been making our way through this for the first time and have nothing but the finale left to watch! Very excited to read your recaps
Confession not only have I never seen the O.C. before but I'd never even heard of it until Episodic Medium announced plans to covering it. Regardless, looking forward to learning more about the series through these reviews - unless I get so intrigued that I decided to watch-along.
Very excited for these reviews from LaToya! I always love hearing her thoughts on Teen Soaps (I am a proud patron of her podcast The Ampire Diaries about Vampire Diaries).
As to The OC I remember in 2003 (I was in 8th grade so 2 years behind LaToya) it was absolutely the talk at lunch every Thursday (it aired Wdnesday nights after the summer eps). But there was also a divide in if you watched The OC or One Tree Hill and I did OTH. So I never watched The OC until it ended up on HBOMax but I've never been able to make it thru season 3 (I've seen season 1&2 and part of 3 twice). I'm excited to try and get to the end by following along!
I have never seen this series, and decided to watch along with Latoya...my initial reaction after the pilot is “Fun! When do Ryan and Seth kiss?” Those two have chemistry!
First all, I hope there are no more uses of the r-word in this show. Otherwise, I'll be dropping off fairly quickly. (I think that word is *never* ok to use in any circumstances)
I'll be working my way through the show for the first time alongside these reviews! Looking forward to more!
This show has been most of my personality for 20 years. LET’S GO
Why did you say "Welcome to the OC bitch" at some point in this?