Recapping episode 18 of season 2 of The O.C.. A fun episode as we are now firmly in the last act of the season! Trey's refusal to admit he needs help getting his new life started leads to some friction with Ryan and hijinks ensue around this and the event of the week / non-charity yard sale. The comic book also resurfaces from centuries ago (yawn), and Carter is still around.

Recapping episode 17 of season 2 of The O.C.. We are back with what feels like a set up episode for the remainder of the season. *New character/actor alert* as Ryan's loose cannon older brother Trey literally kicks and pushes himself into the plot. Kirsten also feels guilty as her crush on Carter sort of gets exposed (though not as exposed as Julie is this ep). Summer, Seth, and Marissa also participate in the episode.

Recapping episode 16 of season 2 of The O.C.. After an unplanned break for the holidays (sure!) we are back with another mostly lighthearted O.C. classic ep. Marissa becomes relevant again, Ryan gets a little more pep in his step, Sandy and Julie are still trying to deal with Lance, and the Kirsten crush on Carter is reaching uncomfortable levels. We also say a weirdly abrupt goodbye to Olivia Wilde.

Recapping episode 15 of season 2 of The O.C.. An instant classic as we FINALLY get the gang all back together for a full episode that is honestly also kind of random, but still great. The Sandy and Kirsten stuff takes another twist as Carter and his bad style enter the picture, and we start to root for Julie again.

Recapping episode 14 of season 2 of The O.C.. We FINALLY say good riddance to this season's B team by axing both Lindsay and Rebecca in one cleansing episode that gets us ready for the remainder of the season. Seth and Summer finally fully circle back, and we see Marissa becoming relevant on the horizon.

Recapping episode 13 of season 2 of The O.C.. This episode has everything: Ryan in the middle of someone else's family drama, Summer / Seth / Zach triangle, classic Julie behavior, uninspired Marissa performance, the ongoing Sandy and Kirsten rift, and Bevin's eureka moment as to why we hate Lindsay so much.

Recapping episode 12 of season 2 of The O.C.. We are joined by a special guest (!!!) as we watch Sandy continue to spectacularly bungle the Rebecca situation. Ryan and Lindsay still could not be more boring, and the meta comic book pitch in San Diego stinks baby (literally and figuratively!). Marissa is also still grasping for meaning within the show and Julie returns.

Recapping episode 11 of season 2 of The O.C.. In a truly baffling turn for his character, Sandy tries to hide Rebecca's presence from Kirsten (unsuccessfully), thus beginning their relationship spiral that is the second half of the season. We are in a Seth,  Summer, Zach triangle redux, Caleb still randomly hates Ryan, and the writers are still grasping for a Marissa plot line.

Recapping episode 10 of season 2 of The O.C.. In this clear transition episode from phase 1 to phase 2 of the season the Sandy / Rebeccaaa storyline kicks off, the writers are still forcing the Marissa / Alex burgeoning relationship (?), along with the comic book triangle with Summer, Zach and Seth. Caleb also really Hates Ryan and it catches us all off guard.

Recapping episode 9 of season 2 of The O.C.. Summer is over! Join us as we bounce back from last episode's snoozefest. There are dueling "nights out" between the girls and the guys and drama ensues, the parents aren't really a factor, and we get some forced segues into the second part of the season along with a lesson in how not to care for a drunk friend.