Episodic Classics: The O.C., "The Anger Management," "The Game Plan," "The Disconnect" | Season 3, Episodes 7-9
"The One Where Johnny, Johnny, Johnny"
I’ve never officially done a scientific study on the phenomenon, but I am of the strong belief that when it comes to a show you deeply love—love enough to remember the titles of episodes, specifically—it’s a massive problem and a major red flag once you end up in a stretch of the show where you can’t even think of a single episode concept once you see the title. With the exception of “The Anger Management,” this particular batch of O.C. episodes is almost impossible to remember based on episode title alone. “The Disconnect” at least—upon more reflection—comes together as a title, as that entire episode culminates in Ryan and Marissa finally trying to re-connect (after a number of episodes of things being out of step for one simple reason)1, only to end up having the same idea at the same time, and then having to do so over the phone. But for “The Game Plan,” presumably the titular game plan is either the Core Four’s (conflicting) plans for college or Johnny’s (and Chili…