The OC: What We Are Missing Today In Television
Right back where we started from!
When I used to work in a physical media store, I would sometimes stare at the boxset of The OC at the front counter. Just something about the title always stood out to me. It was because of the font style and the shortness of the title. When it comes to media that’s truly my favourite, I am never really “loud” about it. I hold it so near and dear to me. Then possibly someday would burst out in passion on how great it is. The OC is one of those things for me. I didn’t watch this show when it first aired on television, however I remembered hearing when the next episode would air on CTV.
I always knew The OC was a “must watch” for me when it came to television shows. I just had to wait for the right time to watch it. What I didn’t expect was how much it would stick to me. If I could watch this show for the first time or recreate my first time watching experience, it would be this show. After watching this show for the first time, I didn’t think or watch any other show for the next few years. That’s how much I loved it. I remember watching the first 6 episodes on a random Sunday night in February when I was only meant to watch the pilot episode because I had school the next morning. This is the show that I always think about. This is the show that made me realize that young adult shows can be great. No other show is as perfect as The OC in my eyes. This is the one show I knew I must have the physical copy of. Which I do! It was given to me by my sister for my birthday! Guess what I did? I watched it on DVD the next week. This was the one television show I would watch only on the TV screen.
This show truly immerses you into the place of Newport Beach, Orange County. More specifically, their affluent community. I am from the West Coast, so somehow it felt like this show hits even harder. My first trips as a toddler were down in SoCal such as LA and San Diego. I grew up visiting LA almost every year. I visited again after high school and university graduation. I know the West Coast culture and personality by heart. I have never seen a show that aligned with my lifestyle, perspective and world this much. What I love about television shows like these, it’s supposed to represent everyday life. Can be. Should be.
In my eyes, there is not a single weak season. I think before the streaming and binging trend, it was possible to have four solid seasons. If not, more. I think what made this show so good was it was only for four seasons. Quality over quantity. It still shocks me every time seeing how the first season had 27 episodes. Like many shows before this decade, it was possible to have more than 20 episodes per season. It’s crazy to believe that a show like The OC could release more than 20 episodes year after year. The writers, producers, directors, cast and crew were consistently employed and energized. With shows in recent years, it made me think having gaps is the reason why quality in shows are lacking? Recently, writers and producers forgot how to write the plots and characters they’ve created. As for the actors before, many of them have had to be truly committed to the show. They didn’t have as much time to book a role in a film and be a part of other projects.
The most important part of this show was the structure and timeline. I think no other show has ever made a clearer timeline. Every season took place within a year. For each season, you could easily tell what age or stage the characters were in. With Thanksgiving, Valentine’s day and Chrismukkah episodes, it definitely helped. The pacing of the show made it clear for viewers to understand the time and place for the characters.
The first time when Marissa Cooper and Ryan Atwood met will be the most memorable scene in all of television for me. Just that one scene is worth analyzing a page long. You just know how strong their presence would be in each other’s lives. The dialogue of theirs is simple and playful. This scene was the start of something new for the characters and the audience. I always reference this scene in regards to how people in today’s time don’t meet and interact like this anymore. Hearing “Whoever you want me to be” and “You’re their cousin from Boston” are my favourite lines from that scene because it’s like they already understood each other. I just love how both characters wore white which symbolizes how pure their first meet and interaction was. It also symbolizes having a clean slate. Speaking of fashion symbolism, in the first episode of the second season you noticed both Seth Cohen and Summer Roberts wore pink while Ryan and Marissa wore blue. I don’t know a single person who has ever brought this up.
The pilot episode is praised as one of the best pilots to ever release. From introducing the grittiness of Chino Hills to the glamour of Orange County. You were already introduced to all of the main characters in the pilot episode. The characters already presented their personalities from the beginning with Summer Robert’s “Chino? Ew!” There was already plot building to keep you tuned in and wanting more. Unlike many young adult pilot shows, it doesn’t introduce you to the place and characters as strongly compared to this one. The first few episodes were jam packed with events. Cotillion, Vegas Night and Ryan still settling in the Cohen house.
Every season’s finale was intense. I will never forget watching the finale of the second season and feeling such shock. In today’s television, especially for young adult shows, there is no longer that shock factor anymore. The characters’ feelings or experiences they’ve been through aren’t the same as what’s shown in a show like this one. The final episode of the show will never not make me have a melancholic feeling. The show ended beautifully. As all good things must come to an end. Every character entered a new chapter in their lives as growing is important. The parents in the show included as well. The final episode reminded us of the importance of a home and community. The final scene reminded us of the whole point of the show. It was a full circle moment. The importance of gratitude and paying it forward.
I would never skip the opening theme with this show. This show is definitely a top tier opening theme. The track really captures the show perfectly. I would listen to the track out of my own will on Spotify. That was another reason why I found the show so attractive. The opening theme felt so clear, fresh and vibrant.
There was not a single character in the show that bored me. The core four: Marissa Cooper, Ryan Atwood, Summer Roberts and Seth Cohen are my favourite set of characters. They were a perfect model of a friend group. Summer and Marissa portrayed a healthy female friendship. Ryan and Seth portrayed a healthy male friendship. I miss the blonde and brunet(te) duo that was common in television! Summer and Ryan portrayed a healthy co-ed friendship. Seth and Marissa demonstrated a realistic portrayal of kids who are connected due to their parents. I love how Summer and Marissa demonstrate femininity on the show. Summer and Marissa’s bubbly energy reminded me of my friends growing up where you can tell we came from sleepover personalities. I love how Seth and Ryan demonstrate masculinity on the show. Seth and Ryan’s humour still makes me laugh. These characters are a result when each character is culturally confident. Each character has a distinct style, speech and personality. If they existed today, you would most likely be able to have some ideas what type of music they would’ve listened to. Or other interests. Seth Cohen would’ve definitely loved Letterboxd.
The parents such as Jimmy Cooper, Julie Cooper, Kirsten Cohen and Sandy Cohen are also just as strong. These parents all have a distinct style, speech and personality as well. These parents still have hobbies and are able to raise their kids. It’s the reason why parents still watch the show with their kids. It’s the reason why I still continue to watch this show even during university and even after university. Kirsten and Sandy Cohen represent the perfect model of parents for Seth (and Ryan). Sandy represents that open mindedness of giving outsiders chances for a better future. While Kirsten represents remaining conservative. She represents the privilege of being calm. Her alcoholism and Ryan Atwood were obstacles that you would expect for the richest girl in the county to go through. When you live in a gated community, it involves pressure. Even the divorce of Jimmy and Julie Cooper was already seen as a big deal and shameful. Jimmy Cooper being in huge debt was seen as so embarrassing he had to eventually leave because he could no longer handle his pride of staying in Newport Beach. Marissa Cooper overdosing in Tijuana was embarrassing that Julie intended her to leave town to get the support Julie thought she needed. In the eyes of the community, the Coopers were messy. When they’re just like any middle or upper middle class family you can see in the suburbs. Families aren’t perfect. It’s common to see the man in the house try to keep his family afloat and try not to let the rest of their family worry. Julie Cooper demonstrates that “new money” archetype. With the huge emphasis on family, community and structure, this is a show that is geared towards people from the private system. Aside from Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson, Tate Donavan and Peter Gallagher were familiar faces from that show. They had careers before being in this show. Having a parental figure on and off screen is also important in these shows. I once saw a post saying even the parents in today’s shows look like they found them at a Walmart.
In addition, shorter termed character appearances also stood out to me. Characters such as Luke Ward, Anna Stern and Zach Stevens all should’ve returned in the final season. Gladly, Anna came back in the third season. Maybe Luke and Zach could’ve also returned in the third season. What also stood out to me about this show’s cause of conflict was from characters who came from the public system. Characters such as Oliver Trask, Trey Atwood, Kevin Volchok and Johnny Harper all demonstrate personalities and motives that you would expect from the public system. The dynamic was very painfully accurate for me. Especially characters such as Oliver Trask and Johnny Harper. Manipulative and overtly attached. As somebody who grew up in the private system half of my life, I can confirm what it was like from the beginning to the end having these types of conflicts with these types of people. When you are from the private system, your entire social calibration is structured with support and accountability. That may not be the case for another community. I remember watching this show for the first time how much Oliver and Johnny made my blood boil. There is no “one character was better than the other” or “pick your poison” type of situation. When Marissa was at the public school, it portrayed what it was like for me to enter university.
In the beginning of the show Paul Wesley as the restaurant server and Shailene Woodley as the younger version of Kaitlyn Cooper. Some of the cast of Twilight: Nikki Reid, Cam Gigandet, Jackson Rathbone, Justin Chon. Some of the cast of Pretty Little Liars: Janel Parrish, Lucy Hale and Ashley Benson who all played Kaitlyn’s classmates. Controversial names such as Bella Thorne, Chris Pratt, Amber Heard and Chris Brown have also appeared. Olivia Wilde as Alex Kelly who was considered for the role of Marissa Cooper before Mischa Barton. Of course, the iconic Paris Hilton appearance when the core four visited Los Angeles. Max Greenfield who played a young Sandy Cohen. As many should know by now, Peter Gallagher who played Sandy played Schmidt’s dad in New Girl. Another reminder, Adam Brody made an appearance in New Girl as Jess’ ex. Shows don’t have as many iconic appearances and actors compared to this one. You can already tell some actors were meant for greatness when they already got to be in a show like The OC. I think the problem with shows that have a different format compared to the ones in the early 2000s, is it also doesn’t allow other actors to have opportunities for their quick spotlight.
One aspect that makes me hugely disappointed in young adult television is the acting. When you see the young actors of today, they come off as decent in the first season but never gradually grow as an actor or their performance. Writing and directing may be a factor but it is still possible to have strong acting chops that you do forget about the weak writing and directing. There can be a weak film with good acting. There can be a good film with weak acting. It seems like the cast and crew forgot that these are characters on screen. The acting almost feels like a high school theatre production. This is what happens when there are gap years between shows that actors forgot how to play their own characters. I knew I was not the only one who feels like many shows allow their actors too much creative freedom and space to the point the actors clearly are just playing themselves on screen. You hear it in the tone of their voice. In a time of social media and accessibility, the actors and their characters have blurred lines. Back then, you could watch these faces for years and not get tired of their faces. Mind you, more than 20 episodes and no gap years. With social media, you know the actors much more than you’re supposed to. You start to get mixed up with their characters and who they are. When you see them on social media, you see them too much. Now with social media, actors are also pressured to have many followers and participate in viral trends for promotion. Coming from an artistically conservative background, whenever I would watch a film, I would never try to find an actor’s social media immediately. Why? Because I understand the value of art and privacy. Most likely, I will come across their interviews on my feed instead or maybe if I had to search them up, it would be through Google and Wikipedia. The right actors (or creatives) will come across your screen. I think it will always be kind of special to me seeing my favourite (film) actors on the screen for the very first time in the cinemas. Not on your phone through social media.
When you are in a show that is more than 12 episodes, you spend almost your entire year with the cast and crew. You spend at least six years with them with those types of shows. Chemistry has to work on and off screen. Chemistry doesn’t just have to mean your love interest on the show. This includes any character your character interacts with. With many shows in recent times that luckily succeeded in having more than three seasons, it is hard for me to believe these characters have been through years and multiple events with each other. That’s another curse of the modern format in television.
I think if you were to describe my music taste it would be the soundtrack of this show. Some of the songs included:
Blue Light and Into Dust by Mazzy Star
Smile Like You Mean It and Mr. Brightside by The Killers
Hide and Seek & Goodnight and Go by Imogean Heap
The music in the show is a character of its own. Into Dust was played a few times throughout the show. When I heard Why Can’t I by Liz Phair in the earlier episodes, that’s when I knew it was an early 2000s young adult show. Then a song that remains to be relevant amongst different generations like Forever Young by Alphaville which is Ryissa’s theme song. My favourite episode from the show included End Of The Road by Boyz ll Men and Champagne Supernova by Oasis. I love that episode because that was an episode of Sethmer reflecting and coming back to each other. I love that the music heightened those feelings. From being stuck in their own bedrooms listening to End Of The Road to recreating the iconic Spiderman kiss in the rain at Seth’s house with Champagne Supernova. This solidified that they were meant for each other. You know somebody is your other half even when you’re apart. Another iconic scene with a good use of music would be Dice by Finley Quaye in the New Year’s scene of Ryissa. I think that’s what I liked about this show, it repeated the same songs, artists and albums. Having repetition and consistency allows the audience to absorb the presence of the music in the show not to just emphasize the characters and scenes but to also remind the world they live in. Gated and structured. The presence of the music is able to connect both to the characters on screen and audience outside the screen.
The Killers made an appearance on the show to perform their popular songs. Having live music is a huge part of the lives of young people. It is a way to all come together and enjoy the sounds of singing, instruments and audience reception. Again, the curse of today’s format in television. Other creatives are also not given the opportunity to have a quick spotlight.
Summer’s Dolce and Gabbana bikini, Marissa’s Chanel bags and Seth’s Lacoste shirts. The aesthetics of a show makes a show memorable and easily referential. Style plays a huge role in the show. You see every character’s consistency and times where they get to be experimental. You see the girls have different bags, accessories and hairstyles. The makeup style is what you expect to see in the early 2000s in the West coast especially in warmer climates. Besides the character’s aesthetics, the place itself had a memorable aesthetic. With the sun, beaches, houses and objects all around, it made the show more than just a show but an actual place. If I had to describe the show’s aesthetic in one word, it would be vibrant.
When it comes to television, the writing of the show plays the biggest part. More than the directing, music or characters. Those aspects don’t need to be as heavy compared to the writing. Although, by now, I’m sure you know The OC is strong in every aspect of a television show. The show is dialogue heavy. It’s known to be witty and sentimental. Both have tragedy and comedy. Which are traits I personally love. This show still makes me laugh, happy and yearn. You will actually hear my laughs and constantly see me grinning. I will not be on my phone. I will not even read a book or watch a movie during my rewatch sessions. If I miss a few lines, I will rewind. I might have bagels, yogurt, ice cream, iced tea or a smoothie while watching. That’s how focused I am with a show like this. It captured the life, values and dynamics of people from different socio economic tiers of that time and area. This show is seen as social commentary after all. It wasn’t spoon feeding the audience. This show is enjoyable with depth. Here are some memorable lines from the show that stood out to me:
“I can’t change where I’m from but I can change where I’m going.” -Ryan Atwood
“Marissa and Alex are no longer allowed in the red states.” -Seth Cohen
“I’m proud of what I’ve done and I’ll do it again.” -Marissa Cooper
There are two important themes that stood out to me that people of today may consider “progressive” during that time. As mentioned with Seth Cohen’s line about Alex and Marissa are no longer allowed in the red states. What I love about the portrayal of Alex was she wasn’t seen as “different.” That her relationship with Marissa (and Seth) wasn’t seen anywhere near odd or creepy. I think part of growing up is being experimental without harsh judgement. Alex also has a strong character. She has great style and taste in music. Secondly, was the way it handled mental health and assault through Marissa Cooper’s experiences. When you are a teenager, you go through many unexpected curveballs thinking you can handle it alone. It’s difficult when you don’t have full control of what is happening around you, especially when you are not of legal age. Going through potential suicide and sexual assault is no joke for somebody who’s 15 and 16 years old. In the last season of the show, it demonstrated the way grief is handled by different characters. Marissa was a huge part of Ryan’s life in Orange County. Marissa was Julie’s eldest daughter that she had at 18 years old. Marissa was Summer’s best friend since they were in elementary school. All of them grieved in different ways. One wanted revenge. One wanted to no longer live life. One was confused. The feeling and process is similar to homesickness. You don’t know what to do anymore and you don’t think straight. Nobody knows when it will be over. Summer in particular, with the help of therapy, realized her environmental activism was not just to “cope” for the loss of her best friend. It was an interest that demonstrated she was entering a new chapter of her life and needed to grow even without her best friend.
Many people are upset how Marissa Cooper’s character ended. With that being said, most may come biased as to why they think the fourth season was weak and pointless without “Newport Barbie.” As for me, I loved the final season. I love Marissa too. But Marissa was not meant to live long. Marissa was a product of parents having her young and being inconsistent. Marissa has been through so much that she needed to rest. In the third season, you could tell Marissa and Summer were going to fall apart. Their fight may have not actually been about them, but they already were becoming distant from each other. With the way Marissa lived her last year, it was no longer acceptable during post secondary and for the rest of the characters. Marissa knew herself that college was never meant for her. Marissa was full of light and optimism. She will always be remembered as somebody who will be “forever young.” Unlike many teen shows, the fourth season of The OC may be the best finale season I’ve ever watched. They still had the same tone for each character. The season was not rushed or randomly made up out of pocket plot lines. Many people didn’t like Summer’s character development, but that is very common for many shopaholic popular girly girls in their high school years. You get burnt out too. Those traits don’t last forever.
That’s what made The OC that good. It didn’t need to last for more than five seasons. It lasted long enough for the cast, crew and viewers. Long enough for it to be remembered. Quality over quantity. Full of events. Lots of reflecting, faith and grace. Many shows don’t have that reflection, faith and grace factor anymore. Not letting the viewers reflect, have grace and faith for the characters. Characters should also be reflecting and have faith as well.
What I loved about this show was it embraced what the show was. Demonstrating privilege unapologetically. The privilege of a home, education, stability, family, friends, time management, linear living, maturity and community. A strong foundation. Multigenerational families. Multigenerational privilege. Where people all came from the same baseline context. Where people all live the same. Parents who work, have connections and a personality. Parents who love their kids no matter what. Most importantly, the privilege of helping, demonstrating loyalty and paying it forward. Unlike Gossip Girl, it demonstrated style over substance. It didn’t engage and immerse the viewers into the lives of their version of privilege. That’s why it isn’t as triggering to many people who may prefer the chaos/misery/shallow factor. The OC is if privilege was a show. You listen to their dialogue and feel their experiences. Their speech and actions demonstrated their foundations socio economically. It wasn’t status conscious either. You don’t need to watch all ten seasons of Shameless if you want to watch a show that also captures social class in America. The OC storylines and characters are far from intimidating.
If you were a teen or young adult in the early 2000s, you would’ve been either a One Tree Hill or The OC fan. I truly do believe there is a distinct audience for each of these shows. Dawson’s Creek and Buffy the Vampire Slayer were still shows I’d associate in the 90s and ended in 2003. The OC and One Tree Hill came out in the same year. Other shows such as Smallville or Friday Night Lights still come in as secondary. The only people I know who have watched my favourite show were my sister and manager from my previous job. Whenever somebody says “they love the shows from the early 2000s” it is never this one. I remember once I was updating myself how I’m rewatching The OC to a peer back in university and I was responded with “I feel like that’s like every show from the early 2000s?” With a face and background like hers, I shouldn’t expect much. How they see The OC is how I see One Tree Hill. It exists but is not attractive enough. These are the two shows that always get pitted against each other. By the way, I have watched all of One Tree Hill! Funny enough, she has only watched one season of One Tree Hill because of her liking of Chad Michael Murray. Her favourite shows are Pretty Little Liars and The Vampire Diaries, only keeping up with contemporary shows such as The White Lotus and Succession. If I’m being completely honest and maybe possibly biased, The OC is a much more influential show during that era of television for young adults. I only started telling people my favourite show in university. I don’t mention the show as much in real life to anybody. I would rather talk about One Tree Hill instead. It is due to a cultural gap like this.
When people complain about television not being the same anymore, just simply don’t watch current shows? Don’t binge watch? Don’t even watch on a streaming service? My sister and I never did that to any show that was released before the 2010s. Pretty Little Liars and even Riverdale, I still watched those in real time through cable TV. Not once did I watch an episode of The OC on another device besides a flat screen TV. I watched 1-3 episodes per session or 6-8 if I had the time and energy. The set up of your environment watching certain pieces of media matters too. I’m surprised people in my age bracket could think that way but don’t do anything about it. It makes me wonder if they grew up watching cable and actually being familiar growing up with full length seasons of a television show. Sometimes you can tell before getting to know a person immediately that they weren’t exposed to media when they were a kid or from the previous generation. They only watch whatever is trendy and current. They only watch whatever was just newly released. They keep up with all of that. It is much worse than keeping up with current films. Since current television is rooted off of the internet and social media. Film still remains its traditional roots and values. What is your mental foundation? What is your true stance? Do you get to have a say in it? I cannot believe there are people out there whose only knowledge of television is less than 20 episodes and through streaming services. I come from and will continue to be in a household where it is not up to date. You clearly didn’t live if you have not experienced life based on different time periods. When you come across these people the vibe is:
No historical context
No curiosity outside the algorithm. Only what’s popular, not what’s meaningful
No personal canon (films, music, books, eras they return to) and memory
They come as very flat and not as reflective. Painfully present. They don’t come off as expressive or experimental. You already know they never have been exposed to older media either based on their dialogue and media literacy. Not everybody needs constant music, editing, chaos and social media dialogue to pay attention to a show. Many young people were most likely influenced by the shows they’ve watched. That’s the point of young adult television, something for you to reference and guide you growing up. I would rewatch this show whenever I can. When I first watched this show, I just rewatched it. I couldn’t imagine watching anything else. Sometimes I would rewatch certain scenes because it would boost my energy. This was the one show where I actually felt immersed into their world but felt like I was a young adult at that time. It also helps when your house has a similar aesthetic as the Cohens. Whereas some shows still made me feel like I’m just observing and still getting to know them.
A show like this can never be rebooted and this show never tried to be like the other shows. I will miss Tuscan styled homes, Juicy Couture sets and faces that look like they should model for Abercrombie and Fitch. This show actually makes my day/night. Whenever I reminisce certain experiences, I somehow connect back to this show. For example, when I watched the second season finale @4am and had to go to a SZA concert later in the afternoon. Or when I took the train spontaneously to Washington, DC from Manhattan because it felt right for my early 2000s soul. The culture in the early 2000s is what I’ve carried and will continue to in my heart.
What was your favourite show growing up? What was the show that impacted you the most? What is the show you keep coming back to? What are other aspects of television that are missing today?
