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The O.C. takes a long look at itself |
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Written by asap
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Friday, 16 February 2007 |
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What makes us what who are?
Is it an untouchable essence at our core that guides our actions, or does our environment sculpt our character?
Nature versus nurture — an age-old question, indeed.
Wrestling with it, and often punching it in the face, was the Ryan of “The O.C.” — a smart, respectful kid who just needed a change of scenery and some wealthy benefactors to fulfill his potential.
Likewise, the once-beloved, soon-to-be-deceased “O.C.” is a similar charity case — a winner at heart, but not making many new friends while stuck in a Thursday night ratings war (read: massacre) with “Grey’s Anatomy.”
If its surroundings killed “The O.C.,” then its introspection made it what it was.
Despite its notorious attention to all things pop, the program remained even more fascinated by its own reflection, brimming with self-referentiality both vainglorious and self-deprecating. To eulogize this cannibalistic impulse, we offer a list of the show’s most memorable moments in self-awareness.
While not the first show given to navel-gazing (lest we forget Seinfeld’s “show about nothing”), never before has a mainstream television program so thoroughly borrowed from its own cultural impact to develop new material. Come the last episode, don’t be surprised to see the whole Newport gang mourning over its own grave, the program finally having swallowed itself whole.
These are the great meta moments in “O.C.” history.
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KEEPING UP APPEARANCES
1. Exploiting the Ryan Atwood/Russell Crowe resemblance: Coming back from a date, Ryan and Marissa stop to chat in front of the Cohen house. They have just seen a Russell Crowe movie. “I don’t know ... Russell Crowe, he just doesn’t do anything for me. People say he’s good looking but I don’t see it.”
Despite Misha Barton’s less-than-convincing acting, she still knows how to convey a side-of-the-mouth audience smirk.
2. Big Korea, Big Japan: Summer’s revenge prom date is the hottest pop star in Korea. The front man for ’Big Korea’ may not speak a word of English, but he is fluent in the insider nod. Adam Brody plays drums for a band by the name of ’Big Japan’.
3. Misha Barton’s English roots: The British-born Misha Barton is asked to steal back The Montecito school crest through her feminine wiles, posing as a British stripper, and summoning a not-so-phony British accent. A feat of acting one wouldn’t expect her to pull off.
4. The Ongoing, now-deceased relationship between Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson:
Seth: “Over-exposure, it’s a major source of conflict in a relationship. Summerith, Sethimer? You understand what I’m saying?”
Ryan: “No no, but that’s normal.”
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A SHOW WITHIN A SHOW, WITH IT’S OWN SPIN-OFF SHOW
1. Ryan and Seth discuss Grady, from ’The Valley’:
Ryan: “He’s kinda like you.”
Seth: “What? Handsome and charming?”
Ryan: “No. Geeky and sarcastic.”
Seth: “Oh no, he is like me... with his own TV show.”
2. “I wish I was from the Valley.” — Summer.
3. “The Real Valley,” the “O.C.’s” answer to “Laguna Beach.”
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FINGER ON THE PULSE OF ITS OWN CULTURAL BACKLASH
1. The Chrismukkah backlash: “What if it’s starting? The Chrismukkah backlash. What if it’s getting too big and commercial. It’s like it started out as this really cool, cult holiday, flying under the cultural radar and then all of the sudden it crosses over. Then there’s too much pressure. I mean can it really be the next Thanksgiving? Can it top Halloween?” — Seth, obviously talking about something larger than fake holidays. Perhaps he is referring to the show’s very own unique propensity toward blowing up indie rock acts? To wit:
2. The politics of listening: “Is that Death Cab playing on the Valley? Ugh, I’m never listening to that band again.” — Kaitlin Cooper tells a tale all too common.
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IS THAT SETH ON THE COUCH NEXT TO ME?
1. Upon Zach’s return from Italy, Seth characteristically drops a fourth-wall shattering line to make you wonder if he isn’t watching the show with you. “Zach, you’re back? People leave and never come back.”
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asap contributor Martin Mulkeen is a freelancer based in New York. | Only registered users can write comments.
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