Editorial: The Earth Girls Are Easy/The My Two Dads
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These last two episodes of The O.C. both conjured up pure delight and utter annoyance. On one end we had the dynamics of Seth and Summer’s relationship explored through both a possible pregnancy and actual engagement. On the other end we had the brilliant Peter Gallagher fighting, both literally and metaphorically, for Ryan and the epitome of family. Then, while excessive emphasis was put on Seth and Summer’s endless cycle of one upping each other and gaining control of the game we subtly and slyly see Taylor and Ryan growing mature in themselves and their relationship. It ponders the question why are two acting juvenile children, Seth and Summer, the engaged couple? We also had more of the Bullet, daddy issues for both Kaitlin and Ryan, and a superfluous guest appearance from hit R&B star Chris Brown. And then there were endless jumps and cuts in the later episode pondering the question when they decided to refresh and improve the writing why couldn’’t they of thought to improve issues of b-roll and editing?
In ““The Earth Girls are Easy” Summer believes she may be pregnant. But it’s Taylor who ultimately takes fall for Summer when Seth discovers toothpaste is merely a bizarre metaphor for a pregnancy test. While Summer and Seth go from panic to resolution back to panic Ryan and Taylor embrace the challenges with a bit of tension and nerviness but ultimately come out of it grounded, assuredly in love and with a great black negligee to boot. What may be mint about the whole situation is the story Taylor and Ryan will have for their future children. After all, this surmounted over the backdrop of an Area 51 rave and in part because of a thieving female alien who ran off with Taylor’s purse that happened to be holding Summer’s pregnancy test strip.
The rest of the episode introduces us to a shady man who has just gotten out of prison and happens to have solid connections with the Bullet. The Bullet hires him to take a look at Julie’s “books” for New Match. After some dark and twisted back and forth between Frank and Julie, she agrees to meet him at his hotel room. Turns out he’s Ryan’s father. A little detail Sandy has discovered roughly around the same time thanks to his sleuthing back at the District Attorney‘s office. The revelation is anti-climatic and not at all surprising. However, the surprising element is how Frank and the Bullet were connected in the first place. It’s a major detail left unexplained so they could move the plot forward.
There’’s also some brief mentioning of Jimmy and how Kaitlin may miss him. This oddly leads to her being kind to the Bullet even going so far as to share in a New Years Eve dance with him and show genuine concern when she thinks her mother is standing him up for Frank. It’s light and enjoyable but never allows Kaitlin’’s character to really dig into her issues with Jimmy and how much his absence has affected her life overall. Perhaps, with what few episodes are left, they could begin to bring some real depth and understanding to the character.
In ““The My Two Dads” Summer and Seth are dealing with the ramifications of respectively proposing and accepting engagement all before they had revealed the pregnancy stick showed that Summer wasn’t pregnant to begin with. Most of the episode is a back and forth battle of wits as they attempt to force the other out of the pending marriage by playing despicable games that in my opinion cheapen their relationship and what love they supposedly have for each other. It’s comical and vastly entertaining. But It’s a glaring example as to why they’ve never been an
OTP for me. And more over it’’s a glaring juxtapose to Ryan and Taylor. When Ryan’s father returns to town Taylor is not only supportive but remarkably wife-like in the sense of showcasing how much she cares about making a positive impression on Mr. Atwood and how she genuinely wants to be there for Ryan. When things go sour during the daddy dinner, without fail, Taylor continues her rein of sincere support and even goes so far as to tell Ryan it’s more important that he spend this time with his family. She’s not only genuinely caring she’s both wise and selfless. Unfortunately these are all traits Seth and Summer are currently lacking.
In the words of Julie Cooper “It’s hard out here for a pimp”. But ultimately it’s not when you’ve got the scheming but charming Frank Atwood to fix your books and give that electrifying love boost that Bullet so desperately wants to give if only he could conjure up a single spark. Considering the amount of screen time the two had together it was a bit sudden to and perplexing to see the two being so intimate with each other. But oddly it was agreeable and right in a way I can’t put my finger on.
Unfortunately what I predicted to become true has. As soon as Kaitlin is delegated solely to the halls and classrooms of Harbor High she becomes lifeless, boring and unimportant. Her charm-less storyline of slacking of on a English project which leads to her to having to work with a band geek and a fellow classmate, played by Chris Brown, had literally no connection or impact to another other character or storyline. It feels like a perforated piece of script that is out of our powers to tear away. It’s both infuriating and disappointing especially when the rest of this episode, if not a bit watered down and cliché, is actually well structured and written. And where the faults start to become obvious the acting more than compensates for the damage. Sadly this is neither the case for Willa Holland or Chris Brown. Holland is a competent actress at best and works greatest when given solid writing to help move her along. Chris Brown however couldn’t be propelled even if given the screenplay to Citizen Cane. I’ve only heard the hits from this Grammy nominated R&B star, but I prescribe he stick to his day job after his small run of television guest spots and movie appearances have come to an end.
In closing, the best was the prowess Sandy Cohen had in being a father. Because of his dynamic in the overall charisma of the Cohen family I endured the most rewarding last moments of any television show this season. And it reaffirmed what this show has always been about for me, not Marissa or teenage drama, but the power of family and more over the resounding impact this has on Ryan’s ever shifting life. When Sandy gives Frank his greatest Ryan Atwood impression, by the way of a swift punch, it’s not merely about the lies daddy told or Franks refusal to leave. It’s a moment that blends together every emotion Sandy has in regards to Franks every misdeed he did to alter Ryan’s already delicate life and his perception of family. This being a perception that the Cohen’s had to literally reform when they first took Ryan in. For this, Sandy’s ill-equipped punch felt genuinely gratifying and right.
In the last minutes of “The My Two Dads” we see Ryan, Sandy and Kirsten, together, watching some unidentifiable nature program. And if the moment feels oddly incomplete that soon changes as Seth enters the room. The family as a whole unit is joined in a moment of peace and family bonding. And it’s a peace that is only obtained when they break from the drama’s and pressures of the outside world, while then taking time to relish in the love the Cohen’s have for their own, Ryan included. This moment grounds the show and brings it back to its core and roots.
“My Two Dads” [without Kaitlin’s storyline] - **** 1/3 out of ***** stars
“My Two Dads” [with Kaitlin’s storyline] - *** 1/2 out of ***** stars
“The Earth Girls Are Easy” - *** ¾ out of ***** stars
