Editorial: The Gameplan
Jenni's Editorials | Editorials Home
Settle in and prepare for a big lecture on several different things. First, and most importantly, Ryan and Marissa are dying. Second, what happened to DRAMA? Third, I miss Charlotte. If you are impatient, you can probably stop reading. However, if you are like me and honestly have nothing better to do (except that pesky homework), keep reading.
1: Kirsten and Sandy
[Quote] “It’s not an ambush!”—Sandy [End Quote]
Great to see these two as parents again, considering their parental advice was practically non-existent last season. I was worried that Sandy would be upset about Brown, but luckily he wasn’t. Now, Sandy’s friend from Berkley? A genius, not-so-subtle plot that was, in actuality, a very subtle attempt at getting someone on the show who wasn’t white. A round of applause for a smart, well-planned entrance for an African American person. I was talking with someone in school, and they were complaining how there was no diversity on the show. So there!
Anyway, I liked the little moment between Ryan and Sandy, even if it probably wasn’t the real reason Ryan was afraid of college. One can imagine how Ryan would feel—here was a family for the first time and he had to leave them.
Now on to Kirsten, who I feel really bad for. I personally could never be a housewife, especially when there are no children to take care of. Cooking, cleaning, the quiet…it’s too boring. It has to be even harder for Kirsten, who can’t even take two weeks off for Chrismukkah. What really bothered me was how Sandy couldn’t seem to grasp this. Honestly, I don’t understand why he doesn’t just let her work at the Newport Group if she wants to. Nothing will drive her to drink more than just being bored. If she feels her life has no meaning, she will turn back to her faithful friend.
2: Julie and Kirsten
[Quote] “See you around…3F.”—Julie [End Quote]
I really liked these two getting even closer. Their friendship reminded me of the end of last year, when Julie made Kirsten her bridesmaid. Kirsten truly is Julie’s only real friend, or friend at all. Seeing these two work together will be interesting, for I have no clue what Julie brings to the table, other than the not-so-subtle ass graze. Perhaps they will go into interior design? I have heard rumors about catering, but there is no way that can be a good idea. In a few months, Kirsten can not go from world’s worst cook to award winning services. And it’s not like Julie can cook; remember last year’s eggs benedict disaster?
Only Julie Cooper (-Nichol) can get away with insulting a rich Newport bitch before driving off in a U-HAUL. I do hope that she remains in the trailer park for a few more episodes, just for a change. And Gus is just too great. “I told you Gus, I don’t swing—”
One last note on Julie Cooper. When was the last time she talked to her daughter? Did anyone tell Marissa that her mother had moved into a condo, let alone moved out?
3: Ryan and Marissa
[Quote] “Ever since I got here, she has accepted me for who I am.”—Ryan [End Quote]
This couple’s onscreen time is useless and cringe-worthy. They have absolutely NO (ZIP, ZELCH, ZERO) chemistry anymore. I used to love any moment they came on screen; it used to light up the entire episode, even if they were fighting. Now all they do is fight. And their fights are pointless, pitiless, and mostly about Marissa whining. Even a simple hello sounds forced, and who the hell asks their girlfriend/boyfriend how they are? That sounds like they are complete strangers who talk only once a week. And the whole combination between Ryan and Johnny? I can understand Marissa being upset, but she took it too far. Although Ryan’s “You can trust me.” wasn’t in the least bit convincing.
At the beginning of the season, I wanted the writers to make the Trey storyline last longer. But now it's lasting too long. She doesn’t want to go to college because she can’t write about it? That fear of bringing it back up is completely understandable and realistic, but if she has truly wanted to go to college her entire life, then why would she change her mind at the drop of a dime? Besides, what the hell is she going to do in Fiji?
That brings me to Johnny. Poor Johnny. He was sacrificed to make a point. A point that was obvious as soon the car hit him. The point, in case you missed it, was: “Stop wallowing, Marissa, and go to college.” It saddened me that Marissa sent Ryan way. All the other hospital scenes, they have stayed together. For example, when Luke smashed his car, Ryan decided to stay so she did too. I think Ryan should have stayed anyway, just to support her.
On the flip side, there were some good moments with these characters, although, granted, they were when they weren’t with each other. By far the best moment of the evening was the college essay scene with Marissa. Watching it gave me goose bumps, and they weren’t from the snow outside. It was chilling, and Marissa’s acting was great. One thing I can’t understand is what the scene of Jimmy has to do with anything, but I figure it is because Tate Donovan directed the episode.
The other good scene was when Ryan was talking to the Berkley guy (Glass I think?). It sounded kind of fake, and I would have had him say more and have Marissa hear it, but it was still touching. Sort of.
Next week looks exciting! Ryan gets a lap dance. Okay, maybe not so exciting. Although, has anyone seen the CTV trailer? In it, the lady dressed up as cop (the stripper) goes “Hi, I’m Sippawitzzzz,” all slow and…stripper like. Ryan, being the awesome guy that he is, just grimaces and goes “Hi, Sippawitz.” Let’s not even get started on the Fox trailer that has her dancing all over him. Fox is getting more and more lenient every day. I will bet you ten bucks that this will be the one episode where Ryan and Marissa have intimacy and good chemistry. Only to be ruined by her smelling smoke and beer on Ryan and finding faint traces of lipstick.
What is not so exciting is the predictable plot of Johnny falling in love with Marissa. Is this storyline pathetically boring to anyone else? For once, let’s have a girl fall in love with Ryan. I would love to see Marissa get in a fight with someone over Ryan. Chivalry is dead, sugar—feminism is the next big thing.
4: Seth and Summer
[Quote] “She made me see that you’re going to be surrounded by all these smart people that will make you feel dumb. So you’re going to need me to make you feel smart again.”—Summer [End Quote]
Once again, these two saved the show. Everything about their storyline, except for the fact that it hardly advanced the plot, was great. Summer had the best lines, while anything Seth did was so awkward it was heart-warming.
First things first, I loved it when Seth brought in his duffel bag of school things. Again, this awkwardness is reminiscent of season one, when Seth really didn’t fit in. And it was so Seth, so self-centered, that it made sense.
Summer talking to Taylor was gut-wrenching. I don’t even like this couple that much, but come on. Then, Taylor’s switch from the conniving teenager to almost friend was good, and actually sort of believable. Also gut-wrenching (to me anyway) was how excited Taylor got over Summer saying they were friends. Give this girl some friends, please. Seriously, no sarcasm at all, but she needs at least one person. One friend. For that reason, I hope Summer and Taylor and Seth all become friends. Not the close friends that happened with Anna, but a sort of detached, yet still there friendship. You know, she can eat lunch with them and stuff? I just don’t know if I can stand another episode where she is so desperate.
Seth and Summer always make up, and when they do, it is adorable. Not the nauseating kind, but the teenager kind that makes everyone love the show. Which leaves me to wonder why the writers can’t write stuff like that for Ryan and Marissa. But I digress. So Providence and Brown, eh? Should be interesting next year.
Next week, we find out Summer is a genius. Certainly a twist I did not see coming. Summer a genius? Anna a genius, yes. Ryan a genius, yes. Marissa a genius, possibly. Summer a genius, no chance. A 2,300!! This will cause Seth to feel inferior, something he has never felt in their relationship. I can’t wait to see how this unfolds.
5: Plots
I know this is unusual, but this is something I have to address. This was an episode that does nothing for the overall plot. We saw a lot of whining, a new friendship, and some awesome laptop throwing. But that was it. Now, in the first season there were a couple episodes that didn’t really advance the plot. But they were enjoyable. This was purely…not.
If anyone from Fox is actually reading this, and I can’t imagine why they would be, take these words to heart. We want to see drama. We want to see semi-happiness with the core couples. We want to know about college, but we want it to be done over a whole season, not one big episode and a few lines every other episode. Stop filling up the empty space and put in good plots. Bring back Oliver and Theresa. Introduce Kaitlin and make Chrismukkah come sooner! And, of course, by we I mean me.
Rating: 7 out of 10. Like I said, there really wasn’t any drama. What separates The O.C. from Laguna Beach and daytime soaps is that it isn’t made up of just love drama. Really, that is all Laguna Beach is about. And that is why I don’t watch it. But this show has crazy lunatics, porn scandals, and affairs that are so wrong they are entertaining. Yet this episode let me down because it only had love drama. However, it did have some good moments. I just hope that the next episode is better.
Random Thoughts to End With:
Who knew Ryan laughed? I certainly didn’t. Have we even seen him crack a smile at all this season? That little scene between him and Seth in the lounge was great. Ryan’s laughter? Would have been good, except he went back to frowning five seconds later. Brooding is hot, but no one wants to be with a downer.
$10,000?!??! For rent?????
When the doorbell rang at the condo and the landlady came, I swore it was going to be Charlotte. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.
How great were some of the lines tonight? Let’s recap: Ryan, “I don’t know. I never really imagined you living in a pond.” Summer, “I want 365 sun days. And not the day after Saturday….I want to be in a sorority. Oh, but I don’t want to learn Greek….You guys better not cheat on each other!...Hey, have some toes.” Yes, even toes are funny when Summer says it. Seth, “Dad, I’m not going to Berkley. Why do you have a gun? Where did you get that gun? Yeah, doesn’t have a good ring to it.” Taylor, “I don’t know if you’re into Polish cinema…” Need I go on?
Sippawitzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. That is the weirdest name ever. And the most amusing. Maybe I should become a stripper just to get a name like that. What do you think of Daunzeeega? Maybe not. Besides, I could never pull off the whole cop thing anyway. I’m not really into fighting crime.
When did Marissa have time to change into a different sweater? When Johnny was being loaded in to an ambulance? While they drove to the hospital? Shouldn’t fashion come after a tragedy?
So I lied last week. Neither Reunion or ER was on last week. Instead, we got two helpings of “The Donald”. Reunion and ER were worth the wait though. Well worth the wait.
Also, I realize I was politically incorrect in wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving. I apologize. You know how we Americans are, we only ever think of ourselves. Which is exactly why I resent America sometimes. So I sincerely apologize.
--Jenni
Comments, suggestions, or simply a desire to fill up my inbox? Email me at perfectionisty@gmail.com.
