TV Review: The O.C. Episode 3.25 Season Finale

Thursday, May 18, 2006

From FOX: The end of senior year is finally here, bringing the excitement of graduation and the anticipation of new lives in college and beyond. But for Seth, Ryan, Marissa and Summer, it's also a time to look back on the amazing journey that has brought the four of them this far. Seth must confront his recent misdeeds or deal with the wrath of Sandy - and the police. Ryan's proud mom arrives with a surprise for him. Marissa receives an astounding proposal that may radically change her plans. And Summer, facing the prospect of going away without Seth, can't stop crying and hugging her best friends as they say their farewells. But amidst the speeches and toasts, nothing is ever simple in Newport. Sandy shocks Kirsten by making a big decision after visiting his old Public Defender's office. Kaitlin returns and moves into Julie's home, vowing to become the next Cooper to rule Harbor High. And to Taylor's joy, the "core four" turns into the "fab five." However, although the kids may be ready to move on to bright futures, unresolved issues from their past could ruin everything.

My Rating: 4 out of 4

At the end of the last episode, we saw Seth being taken away in handcuffs as a suspect in the fire that had just occurred at the Newport Group. This episode titled The Graduates opens up with Sandy and Kirsten talking about the arrest. Seth denied being involved, but his father doesn't believe him. According to the security video footage, he was the last to leave. He can't accuse his son though because things are already troublesome enough with their relationship. Meanwhile, Seth is telling Ryan what really happened that night at the Newport Group. As we know, he was smoking a joint, and it was still lit when he threw it out. He tells Ryan he wants to go get his iPod, but Ryan doesn't let him because it is in Kirsten's car, and he used that to help Volchok. So he goes out, and Volchok is waiting for him. He wants Ryan to help him get out of town, or he'll go to the cops and Ryan's family about his involvement in the car robbery.

The next day is the graduation ceremony. Taylor, Summer and Marissa are getting things ready for graduation. Taylor tells the two about her prom night threesome just before Julie shows up with a letter for Marissa. As it turns out, daddy Cooper is asking his daughter to join him on a yacht as a crew member. She actually thinks it would be good for her. The thing about this is she needs to leave immediately, as in the next day. However, it looks like she is going to. She also tells Ryan, and in a sweet move, he offers to take her to the airport, and she had planned to ask him anyway. She was the first he met in The O.C., and he wants to be the one to send her off. In other Cooper news, Mini - Coop has come home for the graduation, and word has it she will be a season regular next year. Back at the Cohen's, Seth comes clean to his father about the father as well.

The ceremony itself passes quickly. Scenes of the graduates receiving diplomas and celebrating are mixed together with Taylor giving her valedictorian speech. That night, they celebrate. Sandy gives a speech, Ryan's mom buys him a car, and the Cooper women talk about Marissa leaving, and Kaitlin's return home. Volchok calls Marissa, and he tells her about stealing a car with Ryan. She goes to Ryan, and offers to help him get rid of Volchok. Taylor also leaves for the summer, and Seth even jokes about her joining the "inner circle." However, Summer and Taylor take him seriously.

The next morning, Ryan's mother leaves, letting Seth talk about Ryan getting a car and not him. He's supposed to be the spoiled one he says. We also learn Kaitlin's real reason for coming home. Now that her sister and everyone else graduated from Harbor she can now rule the school. Marissa joins Ryan to help with Volchok, even with him not wanting her to tag along. He tells her to stay in the car. When he meets Volchok, Kevin wants to see her, and when he sees her driving Ryan's new truck, he tries to do so, but she drives off and leaves him there. As for Sandy, he goes to talk to the district attorney on neutral ground, his old stomping grounds at the public defender's office. We soon learn that Sandy wants to return there and work following the fire at Newport Group.

That night, Marissa is getting ready to go off with her father. She says good-bye to Julie and Kaitlin before Ryan arrives. The four had originally planned to go to one last Harbor party, but they veto that idea. Instead, Marissa has an idea of where they should go. She leads them back to the Model Home. Once again this place returns, and I think it is a fitting place to say good-bye to our fab four. After Summer and Seth leave, Ryan and Marissa share their own good-bye in the model home. Unknown to them, Volchok is outside watching. As for Seth and Summer, back at the Cohen's house, Seth tells Summer he will be attending RISD in January. He was accepted.

On the way to the airport, Volchok starts to follow Ryan and Marissa. However, he isn't satisfied just following. He starts to ram them, and it forces Ryan off the road. The car flips over. Ryan is fine. He is the first to come to, and get out of the truck. He sees fire in the engine, and gasoline is leaking. Pulling Marissa to safety, he holds her as she dies. Marissa's death had been rumored for weeks, but I didn't actually think it would happen.

This season, The O.C. has had its ups and downs. Early on in the season, things weren't working for me much at all, but starting with the arrival of Kaitlin things seemed to pick up. Now with Marissa's death, things are set for a total revamp of this series. Kaitlin will be a permanent fixture of this show, and something tells me she and her friends will become the new fab four. As for The O.C., FOX announced today it would remain in its time slot for next season, which puts up against Supernatural and Grey's Anatomy. Tough competition for this show, but I think it might do okay. As always don't forget to check out my Blog of the Week!