Editorial: The Swells
Jenni's Editorials | Editorials Home
Wow. I think that is all I really have to say. Although, for your sake, and your sake only, I’m sure I can scrounge up a few more words to fill up this empty “paper” staring back at me. So, obviously, I thought this episode kicked ass. The combination of sex, drama, fist fights, and school functions brought me back to the good old days that I so constantly refer to.
1: Kirsten and Sandy
[Quote] “You know how the Newpsies can drive you to drink.”--Kristen [End Quote]
Once again, not much “Kandy” time. Still, it is obvious that the two are supportive of each other and such. It is an interesting move, I think, to have Sandy take over the Newport Group. One I think most of us should have seen coming. There was nothing in the future for Sandy or Kirsten, and the show spent way too much money furnishing and refurnishing the offices. However, this does bring the adults back into the limelight a little more. Which can be good or bad. Hopefully the whole business thing will be a good storyline, much like the porn scandal or the trial before we found out about Lindsay. Seems kind of lonely now that I think about it. There are really only three adult characters, then Charlotte. Anyway, I am kind of excited to find out about where the business deal will go and what it will do to Kirsten. **Sorry about the really lame quote, but it is late and I really can’t think of any other ones.
2: Julie and Charlotte
[Quote] “You should see Cardio Bar. They don’t even look at me. I used to rule that class.”—Julie [End Quote]
I am actually pleased to say that this storyline was not the best. You know what that means? That means that the teenager’s storylines were better, which is always good. That’s not to say that this storyline was bad, because it wasn’t.
I like the whole idea of them living together, as best friends I suppose. It makes Charlotte (and Julie for that matter) seem more human. I’ve gotta say, though, that Charlotte sure is persistent. Seriously, if I worked for like half a year just to scam some money, and I hadn’t gotten a single penny, I would quit. Is it really worth it? Then again, judging by the many credit cards (feel like lending me some of those? The holidays are coming up…) Charlotte is a pro at this.
The big question is whether or not Julie will go along with Charlotte’s plan. True, Julie is desperate. She has no money, no man, and no future. But the point has been made multiple time that she is NOT a criminal. Honestly, I’m not quite sure where I want this to go. I’m pretty sure Julie will go along with it, purely because she feels there is no other option. It will be nice to see the bitch in her come out again, but I don’t want her to get in deep trouble. The past couple of episodes have made me actually feel sorry for Julie. Once that sympathy hits, the limits are set.
3: Ryan and Marissa
[Quote] “What do you want me to do? I can’t fix this, I can’t make this go away.”—Ryan [End Quote]
Surprisingly, this storyline was probably the best. No longer do I believe Marissa will cheat on Ryan. Nor do I really want her to. I’m starting to actually like Johnny, despite the fact that he is obviously falling for Marissa, as every guy seems to. (God, it must be nice to be that beautiful…or a pain.)
Where to begin though? How about at the beginning. The mood for this episode was set with the very opening scene, which I am absolutely in love with. It was heart-pounding, even though I had already seen everything happen. The dream was so realistic, although I have never experienced a dream like that, that I felt like I was in it. I felt her anguish and relived everything with her. Then, the zoom in on her eye. That was so cool.
The phone call was typical, but it made me want to cry when Ryan picked up the phone to call her back, but decided not to. Poor Ryan! He tries so hard to do good, but talking, sharing, reading minds, is so hard for him. Then again, what was he supposed to say at four in the morning? The only thing I can think of to make the situation better would have been for him to invite her over to the pool house. Just to comfort her. Even if she didn’t come over, that is sort of like saying that he is there for her.
I really liked how Ryan was not flipping out completely about Marissa and Johnny. Although, I have to say, that the scene in the kitchen, where everyone exchanges looks after hearing that Marissa is at the beach with Johnny, was so good. “I like to think I convey everything with a look.” Sound familiar? Well that is what Ryan is known for, and I miss his little glares. I hope they continue to make an appearance.
Now about the chosen quote. I thought this quote really epitomized who Ryan is and what Marissa wants. Ryan is, and always will be, the white knight who has to fix everything. I think part of the reason the Trey situation is bothering him so much is because he can’t fix it. No matter what he says, does, or punches, the issue will not be resolved. It is obviously eating him up. Marissa, on the other hand, says she just wants him to be there. But I think she is so used to him fixing things, that she is upset he can’t fix this one. That is part of the reason their relationship is so great, but also really crappy. A mess happens, Ryan fixes it, and Marissa is saved. A mess happened, but Ryan can’t fix it and Marissa isn’t “saved”. All she has to do, though, is open up her eyes and realize that she doesn’t always need to be saved.
Okay, so that was a lot of rambling that involved hardly anything about Johnny. It really bothered me that Marissa wouldn’t tell Ryan about her talks with Johnny. I was flashbacked to The Secret, episode like 12 in the first season. Ryan finds out about Luke’s dad, tells Marissa, then goes off on her for “telling” everyone else. When he apologizes, she says that is the great thing about relationships. They can tell each other things and know that it will stay just between them. So why the hell couldn’t she have told Ryan about Johnny’s dad? More than just relationship-wise, I think Ryan could have definitely connected more with Johnny. We know very little about Ryan’s dad, but we can assume they got into a few fights of their own and we know he hasn’t had contact with his dad in years. Really, Marissa, listen to your own advice.
The whole Volchok (what kind of a name is that?) thing was intense. I felt so bad for Johnny, but I can understand where Casey is coming from. I loved when Ryan said, “You know what, I forgot something.” PUNCH. Did anyone else think of the time Ryan punched Luke in the crab shack? (“You know what I like about rich kids? Nothing.”) The discussion between Ryan and Johnny at the diner was very important. Did you catch the part where Ryan said he had never won a fight until he got to Newport? (Which really surprised me.) That is so important because of the fallout about to happen between Ryan and Volchok. Volchok is a beast of a man who could take anyone in a fight. I am so excited for this conflict next week, I can barely stay in my seat. I love fist fights, probably because I am so weak that just thinking about fighting makes my fist hurt. If anyone saw the CTV trailer (I saw it from ryan-marissa.com), Ryan grabs Volchok in the Bait Shop and says to him, “Don’t touch her.” What’s better than a fist fight? A fist fight over someone or something.
4: Seth and Summer
[Quote] “I meddled. Oh my God, I’m Seth.”—Summer [End Quote]
I really liked both Seth and Summer, although their interactions as a couple were short-lived. First off, Summer is the greatest best friend. What I wouldn’t give to have a friend like her…She is supportive of Marissa in some aspects, but in others she knows when to put her foot down and start being judgmental. Her intentions were good when she called Ryan down to beach party.
On to Seth, who was the real relationship in this storyline. That Taylor keeps getting trickier and trickier. The little scene with her mom made me sad, because I know people like that. Despite this, I think I’m in love with Taylor, as much as you can be in love with a character who is supposed to be a villain. She is so freaking optimistic all the time, and uses even the littlest things to her advantage. She laughs at her own brilliant ideas, which she seems to have quite a few of, and doesn’t even let the fact that she just got caught in an affair affect how she runs the school. Serious power is needed to make a “lock-in” mandatory. At my school, they wouldn’t even let us have a lock-in, let alone make it mandatory.
Anyway, something is happening between Seth and Taylor. Sorry, had to state it, just in case you didn’t get the very obvious hints. What was with Taylor not letting Summer into the gym? Well okay, I know why she did it. But still. I’m not sure why that surprised me, considering this is Taylor we are talking about. Where will this go? I have no idea. I think Summer will be upset about something that is never going to happen. Sure, Seth can sympathize with what Taylor has to endure, but this girl has made his life, as well as Ryan’s, pretty much a living hell. No way can he fall for someone who did that much damage.
Rating: 9 out of 10. Once again, that is really high for me. I thought this episode was amazing. I loved the multiple storylines, even though they didn’t all necessarily intertwine. Of course, I loved the fighting, the twists, and the building anticipation.
Random Thoughts to End With:
Have the Cohens always had a fireplace out on their patio, or is that a new addition? I totally rewinded when that came up on the screen.
Holy crap. Can you say SIX PACK on Volchok? Even if the guy is a total jerk, he is really hot. Come on guys, you have to admit you would die to have those kinds of muscles. Hell, I would die to have even a one millionth of that kind of muscles.
It is times like these when you need Range Rover. How else was everyone going to make it down to the beach in time?
Sandy’s new business partner totally reminds me of Zach. From his eager words to the way he leans forward to make a point. And who says O.C. characters never return?
Chili’s house was totally Holly’s beach house. At least the part that opened out onto the beach was.
You would think Summer would like Chili more, considering he is practically Seth with blonde hair.
This episode did not end happy, therefore backing up my theory that the best episodes don’t end happily. So there.
--Jenni
Comments, suggestions, or simply a desire to fill up my inbox? Email me at perfectionisty@gmail.com.
