And so we gather here today to honour the legend that is Chrismukkah. Together we have grown from the birth this show, and together we will rise and develop with one another. Chrismukkah has and will blend in with our O.C. lives as the uber-holiday that meshes all the most superior aspects of the show, into the one flawless episode of the season.
Over the past the event has never been peaceful for the beloved cast of the show. Over the past, watches and lipsticks have been shoplifted. Over the past, introduction to the major nemesis of Oliver was spawned. Over the past, pots were thrown, slaps were delivered, alcohol abused. Now it is these elements that must attract the inevitable resolve, so its extremities mingled its character-defining moments define the true legend of Chrismukkah.
Hi, and welcome to this evening’s show. Tonight we will review just how this episode wasn’t as perfect as it should have been. We shall discuss exactly why the Bar Mitzvah element was a fantastic injection into Chrismukkah. We will evaluate a four-point plan as to how, when and why the Johnny Should Kill Himself club shall go global. Rumour has it that Ryan Donowho has hired armed security in desperate fear of being snipered by hardcore O.C. fans.
In any other review, my simple distaste and fanciable repetition of the “Johnny” whingeing would warrant a skipping of this stupid storyline assessment, but alas, it is Chrismukkah and all the ingredients must be looked at. Oh yes, I’m taking this seriously.
Why do to the guys with the guns always turn out to be crazy? Oh no, I’m not going to answer myself, because the answer should be perfectly clear to you. It’s pretty obvious that a dark brooding teenager who buys a gun and acts all mysterious isn’t worth hanging around with. Good on ya Casey, you got it right from the beginning. Under further scrutiny, Volchok would have been a better match for the poor girl.
Then Marissa goes, “He’s troubled”. Well thanks for clearing that up for us Coop, I wasn’t at all capable of figuring that out. I mean, it’s not as if dark hollow teenagers have preyed on you before turning potentially psychotic. Oh wait…
Ryan just layed it flat, and added a small smidgeon of credibility to the storyline. “What is it with you and these guys?” Damn straight. So admittedly, watching Ryan survey the scene and then us having to experience the four-hundredth version of [below] was somewhat tedious:
Ryan: “I saw you and you together last night from a distance.”
Marissa: “It’s not what it looked like”
Ryan: “Didn’t seem that way”
Marissa: *sobbing* “Why can’t you just trust me”
Ryan: “F*** wh**e &*&^!$#@!”
Marissa: “I think we should break up”
Ryan: “Okay”.
So now I’m back to review this episode a good month late. The above had been written and then forgotten about as I traveled to Chicago to visit family. But funnily, my opinion has been slightly altered since I wrote this last. Now I’ve seen two episodes ahead of this Chrismukkah.
So the episode was good. It was Chrismukkah, it had to be. But Josh had something to live up to, and sadly, he didn’t. And while this festering crap of a character (Johnny) was going to be the central focus, how could Josh even expect us to turn on the television. But if you want more a detailed analysis on Mr. Harper, then please read the other writers reviews, because I’m just not continuing.
A positive thing drawn from this year’s holiday was the re-introduction of Summer’s dad, Neil Roberts. I didn’t expect him to return, but it’s really nice that he had. There is definite potential to this character. Potential to reignite the adult storylines, because frankly, they all died rather lame deaths.
He has a chemistry with Julie which we all see coming, but it’s slow-burning and sweet. No motive or forced chemistry here. It makes a nice change and definitely a welcome one. More character growth is in his new storylines. No longer do we see the father who is simply a wealthy plastic surgeon who disapproves of his daughter’s boyfriend. But now that we have seen them reconciled can we introduce a new angle. Way to go. It’s sad we never met Gloria, the medicated monster from hell.
Now for the actual Bar Mitzvah. It was really innovative to add a new element to a holiday that the writers may be apprehensive about. Simply because two episodes in a row of normal Chrismukkah routine may be too big a deal to leave alone for a third time. This year, Christmas needed to be bigger, so they added Ryan’s coming of age ceremony. Besides the fact that it is a television show, it’s quite incredulous that four teenagers can whip up a massive fund-raiser just because some dude needs knee surgery. And that they live in Orange County. Bizarre, but cool.
Seth had some great lines that brought back the spirit indeed. The Jewishness incorporated into The OC always brings some humour into an otherwise ordinary episode, so watching him discuss potential involvement with “Herkle the Clown” was golden.
So really, Seth saved Chrismukkah, and Summer didn’t. That pissed me off; I like how Summer is looked up to at times, because in the common sense department, lets face it, Anna was right when she described her as “shallow”. So a consistent plan-of-action really strengthens her as a character. So really, the credibility should have been handed to her for a second year, but alas, nothing is perfect.
I love Julie. She’s funny. She’s eccentric. She’s possibly the only character besides Taylor who can turn swiftly from classy fashion-honed goddess, to NASCAR white-trash. Again, Neil had a synced agenda with Julie (Neil had to reveal to Summer that Gloria had shipped off; Julie had to tell Marissa she was now the daughter to a newly established trailer trash mother) and again foretold the relationships ahead.
Where was Taylor? Such a crazy character could have improved Chrismukkah even more. And did it really pick Summer five hours to pick out a tree for Johnny? Because honestly, the tree didn’t look to hot when shown.
I strongly appreciate mention of Luke and even more so, of paintballing (it’s just so fun). What was also a nice change was the variation of sets. There was a scene where Ryan was cleaning the pool while the foursome talked Chrismukkah plans. In any other third-season episode this discussion would no-doubt be in the diner (do they not get sick of the place?), but the simple change of scenery was refreshing.
After watching that episode again, I’m still in a melancholy mood and I’m still humming “That’s What Friends Are For” in my head, but for what? Johnny, the emo bastard from hell, ruined this episode, and while he’s made the main discussion of nearly the entire episode, not even Chrismukkah can be saved.