The OC S03 E08 – College or bust.

Previously: Taylor Townsend stole Captain Oats.
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The Game Plan

Ginny: The gang is getting ready to fill out college applications you guys! They’re growing up right before our eyes despite already having gone through most college like experiences in high school.

Mari: And already looking like 20 year olds! But, okay, college time.

Ginny: Summer of course picks the school catalog where the two girls on the cover “look happy”. Marissa seems a little down and Seth attempts to cheer everyone up by reminding everyone that hey at least they will all be getting out of Newport and maybe they’ll even experience seasons! I mean having parties and money and good weather all time is rough guys. Seasons are not as fun as you’d think Seth. My 10^th birthday got canceled over a snow storm and I’m still not over it. (M: A+.)

Summer tells Seth to shut up because he’s rambling about how awesome winter would be. Great because I can’t wait to hear Marissa talk about herself, because she never does that. Summer can tell something is wrong with Marissa. Marissa says there is no way she’ll get into college with her history. Girl haven’t you ever heard of beauty school or just popping out a bunch of kids and living off the state?

Mari: Better yet, COMMUNITY COLLEGE. Or, you know, applying and letting them reject you before you reject you…

Ginny: Are we supposed to feel bad for her?

Ryan basically says nothing during this whole exchange which is why I kind of love Ryan.

Kirsten is complaining to Sandy that she’s going a little stir crazy cooking in a kitchen by herself all day. Sandy tells Kirsten she’ll have to get used to it since the boys will be off to college soon, but hey at least Seth will be going to Berkeley. Kirsten reminds Sandy that Seth used to beg them to send him to boarding school on the east coast and that he hates Newport. Seth also never said he wanted to go to Berkeley. Sandy basically says “oh pishposh” Seth will totally go to Berekley just like his old man. I just love when parents assume their kids want to follow right in their foot steps.

At school, Chili announces to Marissa that Johnny is this close to being on a professional surfing team. Johnny certainly has the hair and tan for it although Chili has the more surfer name in my opinion. Marissa gives her half hearted congratulations. Can this girl think about someone else for two seconds? Johnny can tell something is wrong and Marissa hurries off rather than pretend like she’s interested in this conversation. Someone should tell Johnny there is always something wrong with Marissa.

Seth, Summer and Ryan are all individually meeting with a counsel about their college choices. Seth wants to go somewhere “brisk” where there aren’t a lot of sports. Summer wants 365 sundaes “not the day after Saturday” and to join a sorority but doesn’t want to have to learn Greek. Ryan wants “uuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhh”. Yea Ryan has no idea what he wants. Ryan tells the counselor that he will be the first person in his family to graduate from highschool, let alone college so he’s a little overwhelmed. He’s a child of the mean streets, didn’t you know?

Mari: 

Ginny: Julie and Kirsten are chatting over coffee about Charlotte just up and leaving without saying goodbye. Julie is so obviously hiding that she knows more and quickly changes the topic by saying “but enough about Charlotte, how are you?” Good one Julie. As we all know everyone on the OC loves to talk about themselves. Kirsten starts talking about going stir crazy but Julie isn’t paying attention. Luckily before she has to cover her ass the doorbell rings. It’s Julie’s landlord who needs her rent check in the amount of 10k!!!!! I thought my rent in Boston was expensive. Julie acts like it was a door to door salesman and ignores her problems as per usual.

Mari: And for some reason, the landlord doesn’t start cursing and banging on the door. 

Ginny: Seth and Ryan are hanging in the school lounge. My school did not have a lounge or all this free time to just hangout. Seth is thinking he’s going to Brown. Seth says he has a very good shot at getting in because he’s “awesome”. It’s also his only choice and it’s 3000 miles away. I really think Seth needs to actually think about what he wants to study and not just about wearing sweaters. Ryan tells Seth that he has to tell Sandy that he’s not going to Berekely. Seth just hopes that Sandy will figure it out on his own. Ryan is all, no way you have to tell him.

Seth agrees to tell Sandy after he gets a Ryan look. Ryan starts being all mopey about Marissa not going to college. Even when Marissa is not in the scene her problems seep in out of nowhere like that freaking fog in the Hunger Games. (M: A+) Seth just tells Ryan to try to persuade her to go to college and to find some backup support when he talks to her. I say suggest a job at a local Claire’s. Seth peaces out after mock spitting on the couch as a way of saying he’s done with this school and Ryan takes out is flip phone (lol) and calls someone.

Taylor jumps out of nowhere in front of Summer to say she’s got “College fever”! Summer is annoyed and tries to walk away but Taylor lets it slip that she knows Summer is applying to a college in Arizona. Taylor works in the college counseling office and saw where Summer was applying while filing. Summer is still trying to walk away but good luck with that. Taylor mentions how awful it must be with Seth and her going to college at opposite ends on the country but she’s sure Summer and Seth must have a plan to make this work. Summer is ready to deck her but she’s obviously letting Taylor get to her. Poor Summer. I actually feel bad for her in this scene.

Seth stops by Sandy’s office to break the news that he’s not going to Berkeley. Before Seth can break the news Sandy says he’s just glad Seth is considering Berkeley. No pressure at all Seth. Seth is all “yea…considering…ok bye!” Sandy calls someone at Berkeley after this conversation. No pressure at all Seth!

Marissa is being all moody on a bench at school when Ryan comes up to surprise her and try to convince her to go to college. Ryan wants Marissa to see her college counselor even though Marissa has said she’s all good, thanks. Johnny pretends to overhear this and awkwardly inserts himself in the conversation. Clearly Seth’s backup support plan is going well. Marissa figures out pretty quickly that his was a planned conversation and is not pleased. At least Marissa is smart enough to figure out this was a plan. Johnny and Ryan just wanted to help but Marissa says they conspired to get her to go to the counselor. THE BETRAYAL. How dare they worry about your future. Ryan apologizes and says he just wanted to talk but Marissa is having none of this and storms off. It’s her future, she can work at Clarie’s if she wants to! Think of the discounts for Summer.

Sandy sets up a dinner with some guy from Berkeley. Kirsten tells Sandy she doesn’t want Seth pressured. Sandy is still clueless and thinks Seth is totally going to Berkeley. Kirsten is going to a cardio bar class because she’s just so bored by herself all day. Julie loves cardio bar and Kirsten is going to cheer her up. Kirsten thinks Julie needs some cheering up and is not herself. Yea I don’t think cardio bar is going to pay the rent. (M: Probably quitting cardio bar would help you afford rent…) Kirsten thinks Julie is keeping something for her and Sandy says “sometimes with Julie Cooper you’re better off not knowing.” True that Sandy.

Seth asks Ryan how it went with Marissa. Ryan says that Marissa felt like they ganged up on her. Seth is not surprised and starts talking again about getting out of Newport. Ryan is not so sure that he really wants to leave. Seth can’t understand this. Um well Seth, Ryan finally feels like he has a home and is comfortable so could you blame him? Plus he lives in a freaking pool house! Seth asks him to list one good thing about Newport and Marissa and Summer walk in and Ryan is all, yea these two girls. Two reasons BOOM. Well Ryan’s got you there. You are dating your crush Seth. Summer and Seth head off. Marissa and Ryan apologize to each other. Marissa says she made an appointment with the college counselor. Maybe she realized Claire’s isn’t such a great career path after all.

Mari: If only because Marissa working in retail is like the worst thing that could happen to customers. Even customers of Claire’s. 

Ginny: Summer has dragged Seth away because she is pissed. She’s holding up both of their college lists and points out that there isn’t one school that they both have on their lists.

Seth says so she wants west coast he wants east coast it’s “not a hip hop war”. I just have to mention that that line made me laugh out loud. Summer says she’s been up all night thinking about this and Seth basically has not thought about it at all. Seth tries to say something but Summer is not having it and storms out of his room.

Julie is sneakily moving a bunch of stuff into a moving van. You can tell she’s being sneaky by the way she walks. Some neighbor catches her and Julie starts making up some story about her other home was being renovated so now she’s moving back. Kirsten sees Julie get in the moving van so she starts following her.

Summer visits the college counselor and asks for some information on Brown. Even the counselor as all ??? ok sure…. Of course Taylor has the binder on Brown and snarky comments start aflowing. Taylor says if Summer doesn’t get into Brown at least Summer can come visit her and Seth. Oh, Taylor you are something else.

Marissa is meeting with her college counselor and he tells her she can get into schools for sure. Marissa is still not sure she wants to go. I mean Claire’s is looking good again maybe? The counselor asks if it has anything to do with what happened over the summer. Marissa admits that maybe that is the reason. The counselor says that that shouldn’t stop her from applying to college. Marissa doesn’t want to relive it but the counselor tells her to just write about and basically that she’s going to have to learn to live with it. Seems like good advice. I mean he is wearing a very counselor like sweater.

Julie rolls up to her new home which is in a trailer park. Some trailer trash in a tank top and questionable hair style is her landlord. Julie gets all misty eyed as she tells her new landlord that she grew up in a trailer park and never thought she’d be back. At least you still get your Louis bag honey. Her landlord says he used to want to be a football player but sometimes life doesn’t work out. Julie is not amused. Kirsten pulls up in her Range Rover and sees Julie going into her new home. The look on her face is like she just found her eating out of a dumpster.

Mari: On the bright side, Kirsten has a record of taking in poor people. Julie, your days of trailer living may soon be over!

Ginny: Marissa is trying to write about the incident on a college application, which I couldn’t remember what it was at first but the flash backs reminded me of the shooting of Trey. (M: MMM WHATCHA SAY?) She can’t do it despite what sweater counselor suggested and throws her computer off her desk.

Mari: Or maybe off of Summer’s desk. Perhaps even Summer’s computer. Rude, Marissa.

Ginny: Good point! That makes it even worse. I would not be pleased if a friend destroyed my computer

Sandy comes into the family all in the kitchen. Sandy says he invited an old college buddy to dinner. This would be Paul Glass the Berkeley guy. NO PRESSURE SETH. Seth says this is an ambush and Sandy insists it’s not. Ryan is all this is totally an ambush. Sandy says it’s just dinner. OK, Sandy….

Surfer dudes are at Summer’s house to invite Marissa to the surf contest. Summer sees Johnny touching Marissa’s arm while they are talking. Oooh scandalous. Johnny and Chili tell Marissa if she can’t do the whole college thing she should come on tour with them. Sounds totally awesome Marissa. You can be a beach bum. No more Claire’s for you girl! Marissa says she’ll go to the competition. Summer is a little annoyed that Marissa is putting off her applications for the surf competition.

Kirsten invited Julie to lunch to ask her if she wants to go into business together. Julie is still acting like she has not moved into a trailer park. Julie says she doesn’t need her charity and Kirsten points out that she’s living in a trailer. Hey at least she’s got a roof over her head. Kirsten tries to spin it as you’re doing me a favor. Julie quickly agrees but Kirsten wants to know what happened to Charlotte. Julie spills the beans that Charlotte was a con artist and that Julie stopped the scam. Kirsten is regretting offering to be business partners right about now. Julie tries to explain but it’s too late Kirsten is out of there.

Seth comes over to Summer’s to talk. He even brought visual aides! Seth explains that the only reason why he stayed in Newport was because of Ryan and Summer. Seth wants summer to come east with him. Summer is like woah but what about what I want? Seth just wants to try to make it work and says Ryan and Marissa haven’t given up yet. Summer is all, well not yet….

Now we’re at the surf competition where Marissa is the only one wearing long sleeves on the beach. Marissa gives a great pep talk to Johnny by saying “hey you’ll be great out there.” Thanks for the talk Marissa. Chili says he might be able to get Marissa a job as a label rep. How does Chili have all these connections?

Seth comes home defeated after his talk with Summer. Seth and Ryan talk about how they’re both dealing with issues with their lady friends over college stuff. Seth asks Ryan if he’s seen Marissa today and he says no. Seth tells Ryan to sit down because he’s got something to tell him. Ryan’s face is like crap, what now?

Mari: Surely something that will make you track Marissa down and confront her at an awkward time! 

Ginny: Summer is meeting Taylor for lunch to talk about college. Summer tells Taylor to go to Brown or where ever and that Seth is all hers. Taylor is surprised but Summer says she’s not doing long distance so have at it. Taylor isn’t buying this. Summer admits that she’s worried Seth will just meet smarter, more interesting people than her and he’ll compare them to her.

Taylor is all, well yea you’re the high school girlfriend. Summer tells Taylor that they are going to end it and that she should be nice to him. Taylor actually feels bad. Summer girl, you’re smarter in other ways and you have snarky comments. Don’t give up!

Ryan shows up at the surf competition (M: SURPRISE!) and is a little more than pissed off that Marissa is at the surf competition and not working on college applications. Johnny opens his big mouth and says that maybe Ryan doesn’t know what Marissa is going through. Good job Johnny. Ryan is done with this and heads back to his car. Johnny feels bad so he tells Marissa he’ll go after him. Johnny starts to cross the street and gets hit by a car.

Ryan, Chili and Marissa are at the hospital waiting to hear about Johnny. Marissa is giving Ryan dirty looks. Johnny’s surfing career might be over because he needs surgery and might never walk again. Ryan feels guilty but Marissa tells him to just go. Ryan makes it home in time for the Paul Glass dinner.

Taylor shows up at Summer’s house and apparently is now trying to convince Summer to go to Providence College because it’s close to Brown. Taylor is suddenly team Seth and Summer. Taylor says Summer and Seth are pretty much her only friends. Um I have not been getting a friend vibe but ok. Summer says they are friends.

At the Cohen’s house Paul Glass and Sandy are telling old college stories. Paul tells a joke that’s actually awkwardly funny. Kirsten goes to answer the phone but screens the call and surprise it’s Julie calling to apologize. Kirsten leaves to go talk to Julie and Summer shows up leaving Ryan to talk to Sandy and Paul. Summer brings over a bunch of cute winter clothes because she is now going to Providence College! Seth is thrilled and they are disgustingly cute in their winter hats.

Marissa goes to visit Johnny at the hospital and Marissa says it’s all her fault and Johnny basically says it doesn’t matter what happened his knee is messed up and things happen but he’s not giving up. You can see the little light bulb going off in Marissa’s head. DING.

Mari: All it took was one of her friends getting run over by a car. Cool. 

Ginny: Kirsten is slumming at the trailer park to talk to Julie. Kirsten realizes that Julie did the right thing in the end and Kirsten wants to be business partners again.

Back at dinner Ryan is yawning at the old college stories. I can’t say I blame him. Ryan says he’s not sure if he’s ready to leave for college. Sandy tells him this will always be his home no matter what Ryan decides.

Seth asks to talk to Sandy and finally tells him he’s not going to Berkeley. Sandy says he’s not upset he just wants Seth to be happy. Well that was easy. Hug it out guys. Kirsten returns and Sandy jokes that maybe they should get an apartment in Providence.

Marissa comes over to talk to Ryan. Apparently no one knocks here. Marissa tells Ryan she’s applying to college and that she’s ready to let the shooting go. Paul Glass says he’s going to leave because well everyone left him alone to go talk and this is getting awkward. Great hosts guys. He also tells both Ryan and Marissa they should apply to Berkeley.

We end the episode with the kids are all snuggling up in Seth’s room and all happy about their college futures. All is well in the OC tonight.

 

Next time on The OC: Summer gets amazing SAT scores we’ll probably just refer to as a 1430 in S03 E09 – The Disconnect.