Sigh... It's all over. Spoilers for "The O.C." finale coming up...That was just 60 straight minutes of "awwww," wasn't it? Really lovely, and I don't say that just because Sandy's daughter and mine share a middle name.
Happy endings for everyone! Ryan and Kirsten move back to Berkeley, where of course Sandy becomes the professor that all the kids love. Seth and Summer find a way for her to save the world and yet remain a couple. Julie pulls the Kelly Taylor Memorial "I Choose Me" Maneuver on her wedding day and turns it to her advantage by turning Frank and Gordon into Team Julie. (I can just picture her spending the rest of her life stringing both guys along, acting like she's going to pick just one of them very soon, and both of them recognizing what she's doing and not caring, because she's awesome enough for two men.) Ryan and Taylor stay together (I think), Ryan becomes the guy designing the building instead of the guy working construction, and maybe finds a way to pay forward what Sandy did for him oh so many years ago. Pancakes reproduces! (Loved Summer telling Ryan not to use the cage for cage fights.) And, presumably, the Magical Homos (second cousin to the Magical Negro) got a ton of money for selling a beautiful Bay Area Craftsman house.
I've run out of nice things to say about this season, and Josh and I spent a lot of time already rehashing the past in our interview, so I'll just focus on some smaller details:
- Does the fact that he named her Sophie mean that The Nana has passed on, or that that's yet another Jewish tradition Sandy doesn't bother with?
- If there's John from GEORGE and Paul from GEORGE, then where's Ringo? Or, since Josh is a known "Seinfeld" fan, is the whole thing a "The Summer of George" reference?
- What does Seth do with himself while Summer's off playing eco-heroine? Is he back to making comic books? Did he join the noblest profession of all and become a critic?
- If "The Valley" got a five-year renewal, I have to assume that it doesn't air opposite "Briefcase or No Briefcase" -- or "Sexy Doctor Drama" or "Police Scientists: Las Vegas." And if real-life Jake broke up with real-life April, does this mean they're destined to get married on the show?
- Loved the dozen Bullits, all geographically-named. Had he and Julie stayed together, would the poor kid have been named Newport?
- Is it just me, or does it look like they have Adam Brody playing both the Seth and Ryan parts in his new movie?
- In an hour filled with awesome, touching moments, my favorite may have been Julie telling Summer that "the world deserves to know you." And while I never liked Marissa, I'm glad she was included in both the present and the flashbacks; wouldn't have been right, otherwise.
- I thought Ben McKenzie looked way old back in the pilot, but compared to now he was practically a fetus.
- Ryan in a yarmulke is always genius, and makes me once again lament the decision to skip over showing his bar mitzvah in its entirety.
I thought it was overall a little cheesy (would have preferred a more ambiguous ending like "Everwood," where we knew where the characters were headed, but not how everything would end up), but I still cried like a little girl, and I will miss the show.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the exact same thing about Ben McKenzie. Who knew?
What was the deal with Ryan being "Class of 2012," though? I thought he'd staring Berkeley in the fall of '07, no? Exactly what month was it when the earthquake struck?
It was beautiful. The ending montage was just perfect. Everything really came a full circle. The O.C. the most wonderful television series I've ever wittnessed. Nothing will ever compare.
ReplyDeleteSee you around in The O.C., bitch.
The only thing that offended me, as a UC Berkeley alum, was the "Berkeley" on Ryan's T-shirt, which is a No-no. Everybody wears a "Cal" or "California" T-shirt.
ReplyDeleteAs for Class of 2012, many, many Berkeley students, including myself, took/take 5 years to graduate. Nothing wrong with that.
I wonder, though, if UC Berkeley will get rid of the Sandy Cohen fellowship, which was presented one year by Gallagher himself:
http://www.dailycal.org/sharticle.php?id=16089
AND:
http://www.dailycal.org/sharticle.php?id=18656
That was just great. Great. great. And more great. It's now final and "forever" and went out with so much class. heart, humor and warmth.
ReplyDeleteI cried. And I'm like a guy. Or thought I was before I cried. But when they showed young Seth playing videogames I broke the heck down. Great ending to a memorable, vivid, original show.
Really nothing to say other than what a great finale it was. Josh Schwartz should definitely be proud of this one.
ReplyDeleteAdam Brody and Rachel Bilson broke up????
ReplyDeleteThe only criticism I have is that things felt a little rushed, but it's a minor fault. Yes, it was a little cheesy at times, but it all felt right for the last show of the series.
I got verklempt at moments, especially when Summer gave Julie the locket with Marissa's picture in it, and when Seth and Summer got married. And all the many Bullits were a hoot!
Glad they explained that Bullit wanted to marry Julie even though she was carrying Frank's child. I had a hard time believing that Bullit would think it was his child since nothing suggested that Julie and Bullit slept together.
And, while the gay couple were very nice with their speech about the house and destiny, I couldn't help but wonder if they were really thinking, "We need to get the hell out of dodge and away from these crazy people!"
Overall, a very satisfying ep that left me feeling happy.
I believe Brody and Bilson split a few months ago, Niffer.
ReplyDeleteWhen they started flashing forward in a montage with music at the end of the series finale, I thought we might get to see how they all die like in Six Feet Under. Too bad.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one that thought the gay couple was the personification of the Seth/Ryan manlove? it was like looking into a funhouse mirror, they were even wearing the same clothes as Ryan and Seth....
ReplyDeleteI loved the season finale, The perfect way to end it. Thank you Josh.
ReplyDeleteGood finale. That "new" Adam Brody movie was shot two years ago though when Brody fever was running wild.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think that a finale could get me more emotional than the friends one, but Josh and Co. managed easily. Coming from someone that always like Marisa (even wake-n-bake Volcek Marisa) I was really happy that she was included in the flashbacks - like her or not she was (obviously) and integral part of the show and needed to be mentioned in the last episode.
ReplyDeleteArchitecture programs (professional ones - that is) are 5 year programs.
Rachel and Adam broke up in the early fall. Anyone remember the episode in the middle of this season where Adam looks almost directly into the camera and says "we used to have a dog."? That's because they had one in real life - peep the episode of Punk'd that Bilson was on to confirm this.
RIP OC and lets hope Josh has a fruitful career. Anyone know of any teensploitations set for next season or am I back to watching Dawson's dvds some more?
Thanks for your word,mister Sepinwall.
ReplyDeleteYou are THE MAN!
Cheers
Fred