Customer Reviews

The O.C.: The Complete First Season

5 star:		(185)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

The first season of "The O.C." was the guilty pleasure of the 2003-2004 television series, although when it popped up in the summer of 2003 that really was more the end of the 2002-2003 television series. After CBS had its great success with the original "Survivor" as a summer series, it took a while for somebody to take the next step, which was what FOX did when they offered up this new soap opera into the wasteland of summer reruns. Actually, the first seven episodes that aired in August and September constituted a test run for "The O.C.," which came back with another twenty episodes starting at the end of October.

The appeal of the show based on the early buzz and media attention was supposed to be on the relationship between Ryan Atwood (Benjamin McKenzie), the boy from the wrong side of the track who is given a second chance by a compassionate lawyer, and Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton), the spoiled little rich girl who lives next door. Basically the selling point was that he looked like a young Russell Crowe and she looked like a young Twiggy. But star-crossed lovers have been down to death, especially with the entire bad boy meets good girl angle, and the real reason we got hooked on this show was the Cohens, Sandy (Peter Gallagher) and Seth (Adam Brody).

Clearly the sarcasm gene is dominant on the male side of the Cohen family. When Seth is once again the target of golden boy Luke Ward (Chris Carmack), he goes down with his mouth flapping, noting that at least he does not shave his chest. As Sandy says where he accuses Seth of being sarcastic and his son denies the charge, "Well, it's hard to tell sometimes." Actually it is just safer to assume the Cohens are being sarcastic. As the only female Cohen points out about her strange little home, "It's just a laugh riot around here." She, of course, is being ironic (rather than sarcastic), because as Sandy tells Seth, "I love your mother more than words, but not funny." But she's cynical and he's self-righteous, and it appears to be working out fine as long as her father stays out of the picture.

This is not to say that the others do not have their moments. After all, Marissa does listen to the Cramps and Stiff Little Fingers instead of Avril Lavigne, but none of the others are in Sandy and Seth's league. As for Ryan, as Seth points out he is now a Cohen, which means he has entered "a world of insecurity and paralyzing self-doubt." The problem is that with Ryan around to protect him, Seth fears that he might be getting soft, but he obviously does not need to worry about forgoing the "Seth Cohen retaliatory zinger."

Plus, Seth's love life is much more interesting than what Ryan is going through, where he and Luke just keep punching each other out over Marissa (pay attention and you will notice that only one of the first seven episodes does NOT have a punch thrown in it). Seth, on the other hand(s), is trying to juggle both Anna (Samaire Armstrong) and Summer (Rachel Bilson). Of course he makes the wrong choice. Anna already has a fine appreciation of graphic novels, whereas Summer has to be schooled in the basics of comic books. Seth still wants Summer because he has been the girl of his dreams (if you know what I mean), and having her fall for him provides a level of validation that Anna can never hope to match, even with her Jenga skills. She tries hard, but Summer is just not good enough for Seth.

I think the standout episode of the first season is "The Heartbreak," where Seth loses his virginity to Summer only to discover that the experience was not all that he thought it would be. Not only does Seth get a hearty pat on the back from Sandy, but his father also brings up the idea of foreplay, which compels Seth to try, try again. Yes, there is the joke about Summer declaring they are not having sex again and Seth agreeing that they have had "enough pain and suffering," but the idea that first love could be so disastrous is rather appealing. If there is a lesson here regarding teenage sex it would be that you should know what you are doing. None of these kids do and see what happens to them.

By the time we get to the first season's cliffhangers the only one I really cared about was Seth heading out to sea. The relationship between Ryan and Luke ends up being more interesting than the one between Ryan and Marissa, who find a new reason not to have sex pretty much every single week. Jimmy Cooper (Tate Donovan), Marissa's father, rips off everybody in town and still comes across better than his wife, Julie (Melinda Clarke), who goes after Kirsten's father, Caleb Nichol (Alan Dale) and ends up marrying him in the season finale. We dislike him the most because Sandy dislikes him the most. I do not care if Jimmy and Hailey (Amanda Righetti), Kirsten's sister, end up together because I am depressed over what happened with the restaurant and the competing meatloaf recipes.

Trash television is an important part of a balanced television diet. You can watch literate shows like "The Gilmore Girls," enjoy the take of "The West Wing" on important political topics, debate the wrong moves of the castaways on "Survivor," wrestle with God's will during "Joan of Arcadia," and enjoy the delightful wickedness of "Desperate Housewives." But sometimes you just need to wallow in a prime time soap opera, and with "The O.C." we have one that has the constant collision of characters and plot lines with the sort of wit we usually find only on Tina Fey's half of "Weekend Update."

The O.C. is much better than I expected it to be. I had been hearing so much about this show but was not really that interested in seeing it. I read the reviews here on amazon and saw nothing but positive reviews which of course made me curious to check it out. I ended up purchasing this first season and I have to say I was really pleased with how good the show is. I like the fact that the show is not just about kids in high school, but also their parents and family and how they all interact. The cast is really good and believable enough to either make you love them or hate them. The show is very emotional at times and it is very addicting. I think what scared me away before I ever saw an episode was that I figured The O.C. was just another show about rich kids in California like Beverly Hills 90210 and/or Melrose place. The show is so much more than those other shows and has just the right amount of drama mixed in with just the right amount of heart. I highly recommend The O.C. for anyone who likes must see TV. I can't wait until season 2 comes out on DVD.

You wont be able to turn off the t.v. once you start watching the OC. you will quickly find yourself wide awake at 4 am and still wanting to contiue to watch more even though you cant keep your eyes open. I highly suggest that you buy and watch this Season of The OC!!!!!!!!

There is a secret in many American households. A secret that grown adults whisper about conspiratorially to each other in office buildings across the country. A secret that 50 year old women hide behind their hands to talk about over lunch. A secret that men desperately don't want their buddies to find out...That dirty little secret is the O.C., the show no self-respecting adult wants to admit watching, but we know you're watching it!

Fox was genius with this show in promoting it during the dead zone of summer reruns. Most of us were clamoring for ANYTHING to watch and they provided us with a smart, fun and addictive show that is just as good the second time around on these DVDs.

The O.C. tells the stories of families in a wealthy community in Orange County, California, that would be the O.C. bit for the uninitiated. There is the usual prime time soap drama, good men, bad boys, good women and absolutely terrible women. What sets this show apart isn't the plots, which are pretty run of the mill, but rather the smart dialog and excellent acting.

The central characters of Sandy Cohen, played by the gorgeous Peter Gallagher, and Seth Cohen, played by the incredibly convincing Adam Brody, are what keep people coming back to the show. These are two of the most gifted actors on TV. They deliver sarcastic punch lines and truly dramatic dialog with equal skill. Other supporting actors, like the eye-pleasing Tate Donovan, round out the excellent cast.

If you missed the first season and you want to see what the buzz is all about, pick up this set and watch it, you won't be disappointed. Meet me behind the office building and we can talk about my autographed Peter Gallagher picture and my Captain Oats doll, if you promise not to tell anyone my little secret!

My wife and me bought this set before ever watching an episode. We had heard it was good so we thought we would see what all the fuss was about. Now we know. Every thursday night at eight o'clock is like a religious activity, we never miss it. The only draw back is you get in the habit of being able to watch hours at a time one episode after another and now we have to wait a week to see one hour. We will buy season two the day it is released.This show is a true winner.

yeah i said it . . . read that headline again. Ive watched so many shows over the years in the teen genre who's sole purpose was to craft each show around trying to teach you something like "dont steal", "dont lie" etc. you get the point. But finally here it is . . . a show that says here is our characters, here is the story and thats it.

The show is actually quite amazing. first of all its said in a nice locale instead of a normal everyday american setting. The actors are great and the characters are even better. Adam Brody is 50% of the reason to watch the show in the first place. His humor makes you laugh the whole show. And YES!!! . . parents finally are not made out to be stupid morons ala john hughes with no screen time whatsoever. NO they actually are depicted like normal parents and a couple and have their own plot lines to follow. And finally Summer and Anna (who ive heard will be back to fight for seth in season 2) are supremely gorgeous.

And finally I dont care whether this is exactly what orange county is like in real life. But maybe it is. there could be some family living there watching the show going . . . huh I think someone taped our life for the past couple of years.

The saga of a delinquent who finds himself living in affluent Newport Beach makes for must-see entertainment. Chino bad boy Ryan (Benjamin McKenzie) is rescued from jail by his attorney (Peter Gallagher) and becomes part of his family. His wife Kirsten (Kelly Rowan) isn't sure she wants the brooding boy near her son (Adam Brody) who is the quintessential comic book geek. And then there are the girls: Moody Marissa (Mischa Barton), Seth's secret crush Summer (Rachel Bilson), and spunky Theresa from Chino. Marissa's troubled parents and Kirsten's powerful father have their share of drama, too. This season had the most memorable one-liners (who can forget Summer's first "Ewww!" or Luke's "welcome" to Ryan?) and one of the most poignant season finales ever.

Teens enjoy the show's trendy music and fashions, while older viewers consider it a guilty pleasure; it certainly is deliciously decadent, romantic, funny, shocking, and, of course, beautiful. The secret lives of the spoiled Newpsies contrast nicely with the outsider's two-fisted approach to life, until he realizes they're not so different after all. Season One has all the angst of high school junior year, as well as the social and financial machinations of the middle-agers. The action all revolves around Ryan, sensitively played by McKenzie and the wonderful Peter Gallagher is strong as the noble and wise dad.

Extras are few but it's still a terrific DVD set that will satisfy your craving for all things O.C.

This is definitely a show I had no doubt a DVD release is well-deserved and anticipated.

An entertainment magazine quoted The O.C. as "Dawson's Creek meets Hollywood Wives". In a way this is true, but I believe there's more to it than that. It appeals to almost everyone...

The O.C. is a story about the lives of the rich and the not so rich in the Orange County (hence the title). It focuses on the lives of three teenagers who are coming of age and it delves on how each approach every adventures or misadventures they come upon usually together as friends. To some this might sound cliche and unoriginal but there's a reason why it's one of if not the hottest TV series at present.

It appeals to most, especially the teen populace, which I think makes up a big bulk of the show's fan following, because of relateability to the key characters Ryan, Seth, and Marissa. While it may have some similarity to Dawson's Creek (which I'm not familiar with since I never watched any episode of Dawson's Creek), it is unique in a sense that the characters' backgrounds are based on this place for the rich and famous and how they react to changes in their lives. It also appeals to the grown ups, mainly the mothers, because of it's being a pseudo telenovela or soap. But to the general public, it's a TV program worth watching.

Good and timely stories. Great soundtrack. The Cast are great and they made their characters believably human and not two-dimensional. All in all, it's a labor of love that really paid off.

To those who haven't watched The O.C. before, here's your chance to see what all the fuss is all about and to enjoy it the same way as most people did.

The OC is by far the best tv show out there. It is watched by almost everyone of my classmates in High School. It not only attracts high school students, but adults as well. Everyone is falling in love with the show!. The Cast is perfect! Not only is the cast very good, but they work extremely well together. The Show is also created very well. Each Episode has many twists and turns and INTERESTING...INTERESTING storylines...not just the social life of teenagers like other dramas. It is not only a show but a pop culture industry. The OC has introduced a new wave of rock which is sweeping the country. The 3 mixes that have been released are great!Overall the OC is the best show on right now and one of the best ever!

Soap operas have never been for me. I never watched Dawson's Creek when it was on the air, (although I have enjoyed the DVD sets), or Knot's Landing or Dallas, or any of the typical prime time soap operas.
Something in the commercials for The O.C. dragged me in and I haven't left. Maybe it was the fact that it was one of a few new shows in a schedule full of reruns in August, but I think there was something more.
This show, while geared toward a younger audience, revolves around not only the kids, but the well-developed parental characters. These strong adult characters provide a great backdrop with which to work with and allow for a lot of stories to work around each episode.
Adam Brody is absolutely terrific as Seth Cohen. Without a doubt, he is the breakout star of this show, though kudos can also go out to Ben McKenzie for his brooding portrayal of Ryan Atwood. Brody's development over the course of the 27 episodes from geek to 'ladies' man' is quite impressive. He pulls off the whole scared little kid, yet mature young adult thing very, very well. McKenzie is also stellar, stealing many moments in the show with just the eye-piercing looks that he is capable of shooting at anyone at anytime.
Equally strong are Peter Gallagher and Kelly Rowan as Sandy and Kirsten Cohen, complete opposites, who are completely in love with each other. Exploring their complex relationship as both parents and friends gives this show a great angle that is often not found in teen soap operas.
Melinda Clarke as Julie Cooper is the perfect soap opera character. She goes from one end of the spectrum to the other in her range of emotions and her feelings. You never know what is going to come next from the mouth of Julie Cooper.
Rachel Bilson, Mischa Barton, Chris Carmack and Tate Donovan also add very important pieces to the mix of The O.C. They are the people that help to shape Orange County, contributing in varying ways to the success of the season and to the lives of all those around them.
This show thrives for many reasons. Of course there are the parties and the good times that appeal to the younger crowd. But to me, the success of this show hinges a lot on the adult relationships and the adult story lines. Creator Josh Schwartz has done a fantastic job of developing these very important characters that the fantastic actors have brought to life. Without Sandy and Kirsten Cohen and Julie and Jimmy Cooper, the stories that their kids work through would not be the same. It is obvious that the parents have a big impact on their kids' lives and that makes this show unlike many teen soaps that seem to often put the parents on a back burner. These parents get great story lines and really, Julie Cooper is the one person on the show that you love to hate.
This set is highly recommended and hopefully the second season, which recently began on FOX, will continue the great story lines and great character development that we saw in the first season.