Woohoo, we're back!
I've decided to get straight into the nitty-gritty, otherwise you will all have to suffer from my incomprehensible post-premiere insanity. But honestly, doesn't it feel great to anticipate an episode that looks genuinely enticing from the promos, and isn't oversold, undersold or featuring wet yard boys? And tonight, The Aftermath lived up to my expectations - in fact it went further and made me laugh out loud and positively make me get up and run around the house.
For a first episode of a season, reviewers (of course the serious, "paid-to-do-it" middle aged people, who properly analyse the dialogue and lighting angles - but not whether it feels good) are taking a new tack. They say, while enjoyable, The O.C. has been cast into a genre that flaunts trashy acting, over-the-top storylines and cheap tricks to win the audiences attention. Not to mention the many unoriginal jokes read about Benjamin McKenzie's age as compared to his high-school role on the show... ha ha (cough). To be totally honest, they do have a point, but for the fans, and for most average viewers, this formula just works and we enjoy it.
Firstly, Ryan and Marissa. My entire pre-season apprehension was inspired by whether these two would stick together and solve everything with each other, or whether it would turn into a Theresa-like debate and coincidingly destroy the hopes of Ryrissa fans globally. I love them. So much. It's true, they don't have major chemistry, but not only are they both seriously photogenic with one another, but the golden couples are always great television, because we know they will be happy.
However the fact that these two stayed together and managed to face the issues pretty much head on together, show that not only are the writers going to keep them together for quite a while at least, but that they will take the relationship to a new level. They know people want them together, so unlike last season, where they instinctively ripped our favourite characters in different directions, they are supportive of each other, and they're bond is now stronger.
Now before I get dozens of emails ripping me for not naming Summer and Seth "the golden couple", let it be noted that they have there place too. "Let me guess Summer... you have a weakness for Semen?" "Ew Cohen!". Loving the chemistry that gives a dramatic episode some humour. I've been yearning for a good "Ew" and it was due for the premiere of a promising season for this couple. I remember the message boards after "The Rainy Day Women". People were rejoicing, bands played out in the streets, children were running out of their houses. Summer and Seth were back on, and it was awesome!! I also remember Schwartz's need to flee the country once Zach and Reed stepped in between our famous twosome and screwed it up again.
Which is why the beach scene was much needed, well executed and beautiful to watch. Shoot Trey. Go to diner. Boat to beach. Mud wrestle. Woohoo!
Now Kirsten's new drinking mate (I'm joking of course) is quite a character. And unlike other potential life-ruiners introduced into this show, I don't hate Charlotte Morgan. Oliver I picked from the beginning, DJ was a Desperate Housewives rip-off (sorry), and don't get me started on the "R" character. Charlotte's got dimension, and I can see a lot coming from her. Josh is right in saying we've got a suprise coming. I have wild theories, but we're being led into a direction that will turn upside down when the time comes. Watch out for her Kirsten and Sandy, you'll get sucked in. Not to mention, I like her acting style and she has qualities as a character that could rival Julie Cooper.
As for Julie, I can't find the words for her. Just another section of the show to make it what it is, but she is the most unpredictable element in the series. It seems she'll do anything for her family, although I question if she's caring about Marissa, or caring about her own reputation. I think we all know which one it is, but while Julie is self-centred, her love of her family remains but she just doesn't express it well. Even in the season two finale I believed that she had changed. I naively thought she was going to put all her efforts into love and commitment. Yeah yeah, I'm stupid. I love her character, she's so conniving and it's so entertaining. Much of Julie's thinking happens off-screen, her face may or may not portray her next moves. Josh stated that Marissa and her have taken a bitching-break, which can only mean Julie has time for other things in the show. If one day all characters except for her became one-dimensional cut-out figures, I'm willing to bet you'd still tune in to see how she could manipulate her way out of the next ordeal.
The Aftermath raised many questions, answered many threads, and kept the standard of last seasons last few episodes, which is really saying something. Josh told us he'd strip the show back down to its basics. Guess what. He's found the formula, our characters are set, he knows what works and what doesn't. I'll be tuning in for the entire season and I believe (I hope I'm not being naive) it will be a good one. Look out for Dean Hess next week, along with more appearances from the intriguing Charlotte Morgan.