The Rivals (The O.C. episode)
Encyclopedia
"The Rivals" is the 17th episode of the FOX
television series, The O.C.
. The episode was written by Josh Schwartz
and was directed by Ian Toynton
. It originally aired on Wednesday January 21, 2004.
Ryan tracks down Marissa in the hallway and, heeding Seth's advice, expresses concern for Oliver. He aks her if she wants to hang out with Oliver and with him too. They kiss and make up. Then their professor introduces a new transfer student. It's Oliver.
Elsewhere, Anna wants to make some afterschool plans with Seth. But Seth is tired of the same old, same old. He wants to change things up with muscle cars or Sea-Doos. They need to branch out. Anna, not wanting to get into an argument, agrees. So Seth gets his way, but still no bickering.
Marissa takes Oliver off to the bookstore because he and Marissa happen to have exactly the same course load.
At home, Sandy unveils his plan to buy The Lighthouse with Jimmy to Jimmy. He isn't very receptive to the idea at first. He doesn't have the capital. This isn't the time for him. Sandy tell him if he doesn't find something soon, he'll have to bolt for Phoenix.
In another Cohen/Cooper relationship, Julie is pestering Kirsten for something. Kirsten tells her to just come out with it. Julie wants the interior decorator job at Kirsten's company. Kirsten wonders if Julie is qualified but Julie reminds her that she did lots of design work before she had Marissa but Kristen replies that she had Marissa when she was 18. Julie casually mentions that Caleb doesn't think it's such a bad idea.
Sitting down for lunch, Seth finds the group cracking up over something. It seems this new kid, Danny, is quite funny. His bad kung fu movie dub impersonation makes everybody laugh. Everybody except Seth, who doesn't get it. Which makes everybody think that maybe Seth is the weird one.
Ryan is reading in the student lounge when Oliver just happens to drop by. Oliver wonders if junior year will ever get easier and Ryan wonders if Oliver isn't actually a senior. After a little Q&A, Ryan still isn't buying the Oliver story but Oliver pleads for Ryan to just give him a chance, just like the good people of Newport gave Ryan a chance. Marissa interrupts the tension by dropping by and asking Ryan if he wants to join her at Oliver's after school today. She's going to help him with French. Ryan aks Oliver if he did not used to live in Paris. Just for a year, Oliver glibly replies. Ryan is really not liking this.
At home, Seth ponders the angles of Summer's new boyfriend, the aforementioned Danny. He just doesn't trust him. Something's off. He's just not funny. Ryan doesn't have time for Danny, he's still fretting over Oliver. What's in his past? Seth tells Ryan he can either break into the file room and steal his bio or he can act like a grown up and move on. Seth moves on, Ryan breaks into the file room.
Using his pocket flashlight, Ryan pores over Oliver's folder. Just as he's digesting the confidential information, a security guard pops in. Busted. The next morning, Dr. Kim is not a happy. She wants to know why Ryan would do this. Ryan says it's because he's concerned about Oliver's tendencies. He doesn't like his past and he doesn't like what he could do to Marissa. And he definitely doesn't like what he saw in Oliver's file. Seems that at Pacific he was found in the bathroom after cutting his wrists over a girl. That's all well and good but for now Ryan has detention until the committee meets and decides his future at Harbor.
Out in the hallway, Seth suffers through some more Danny shenanigans, which highly amuse Summer and Anna. Seth complains to Anna that Danny is just big and obvious, not funny. Anna then complains to Seth that it seems like he's jealous of Danny and the pull he has on Summer right now.
Down at The Lighthouse, Sandy is still talking to Jimmy about running a fooderie. Sandy wants it to feel timely. Jimmy wants live jazz music and a raw bar. They both want a manly bar without froufrou drinks, and they both want to use their mother's recipe for meatloaf on the menu. The both think theirs is the best.
In another work environment, Julie is fully taking charge in her effort to decorate a Cohen mansion for an upcoming open house. At least in her mind. Kirsten thinks she's on the road to absolute disaster. With only 72 hours left, nothing has been done. Kristen tells her that all they need is a few area rugs and a potted plant. They're selling a space. Julie disagrees, she thinks they're selling a lifestyle, fully designed rooms are key.
At school, Ryan is heading down the hall when he spots Oliver at Marissa's locker. Ryan decides to do a little spying and he sees Oliver hand Marissa an envelope, which she places in her locker.
At home, Sandy and Kirsten lay down the law on Ryan asking him what he was thinking. They remind him that even if Oliver is trouble, he is the one that might be expelled from Harbor. Ryan lashes out, angrily admitting he screwed up again. He asks what they are going to do, if they are going to kick hin out. Sandy says that he's part of this family now and he's going to feel the full weight of that. And when he's done with his punishment, he'll wish they kicked him out.
Later, in the pool house, Seth comes in to console Ryan but changes his tune when he finds out that Ryan actually did boost the letter. Seth says under no circumstances should he read that letter and he has to put it back. All Oliver's done to Marissa is be her friend. Seth leaves and Ryan decides to open the letter. He seems a little disturbed by what he finds inside to say the least.
The next morning, Ryan comes into Seth's room looking for help. Seth can't believe he read the letter. Ryan pleads with him, telling him Oliver wrote that he can't live without Marissa. But Seth doesn't want to hear it. Oliver might be crazy but Ryan's giving him a run for his money right now. A knock on the door. It's Marissa, ready for school.
Kirsten arrives at the office to find a sobbing Julie Cooper waiting for her. The decorating is a disaster. Two days until the open house and they have nothing. Kirsten rolls up her sleeves and gets to work helping out Julie. At the same time, Sandy drops by Jimmy's with some big news. They got The Lighthouse! Sandy covered all of the money, they can figure out the rest later. Jimmy is reluctant to take the handout. Sandy tells him that he should enjoy it.
Ryan tries to put the letter back in Marissa's locker but it's spoiled by Oliver, who thinks it's cute that Ryan knows Marissa's locker combo. He says : "That shows trust, you know?" Luke swings by and after Oliver strolls off, the boys discuss their dislike of the new kid.
Dr. Kim has called Marissa into her office. She needs to talk to her about a transfer student that she thinks might not be stable. Marissa thanks her, but says she knows all about Oliver's issues. Dr. Kim informs her that this chat isn't about Oliver.
At the end of detention Ryan packs up his books. He finds Marissa waiting for him in the hallway. She tells him that he has to lay off Oliver, that they're just friends. Ryan then talks to her about the letter. She can't believe he stole it. Ryan says he did it for her, to read the letter, she would see Oliver is in love with her. She says Oliver wrote it to Natalie. He just wanted Marissa to read it first. In tears, Marissa tells Ryan it's over. She can't trust him.
The next morning, Julie is worried that they haven't heard from Caleb yet. He drops by the office with the news that he loved the place. It was simple and let the house sell itself. Julie Cooper now has the job.
Sandy meets with the owner of The Lighthouse and tries to get some more time since Jimmy backed out. But two more offers are in. He has to act now. That's when Jimmy walks in, ready to move.
At school, Ryan is shooting some pool when Oliver sidles up. He heard about what happened between Ryan and Marissa. Ryan apologizes, says he was wrong about Oliver. And that's when Oliver validates everything that Ryan has always thought. Oliver thinks he and Marissa are meant to be together. It just feels right. Ryan and Marissa were all wrong. He says he didn't have to lift a finger and look how they ended up. Ryan tells Oliver he's not going to let this happen. Oliver taunts Ryan, telling him he has a chance to make something of himself, so don't blow it over some chick he won't care about in 10 years. Besides, who's going to believe him at this point? Oliver begins walking away and Ryan jumps him, drilling him with a couple of punches. As other students pull Ryan off Oliver, he screams, "Stay away from her! Stay away from her!". Marissa arrives just in time to see the aftermath and make a snap decision. Oliver makes a very wicked-looking smirk at Ryan who is hauled away by the students as he realizes (way too late) that he fell right into the manipulative Oliver's scheme.
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
television series, The O.C.
The O.C.
The O.C. is an American teen drama television series that originally aired on the Fox television network in the United States from August 5, 2003, to February 21, 2007, running a total of four seasons...
. The episode was written by Josh Schwartz
Josh Schwartz
-Film school at USC:In 1995, Schwartz realized his boyhood dream of attending film school to study screen and television writing at the University of Southern California...
and was directed by Ian Toynton
Ian Toynton
Ian Toynton is a British television director, producer and editor.His most notable work has been on The O.C., on which he served as director, supervising producer and co-executive producer for a number of episodes. He has both directed and produced episodes of the series Bones, The Pretender,...
. It originally aired on Wednesday January 21, 2004.
Guest starring
| Actor / actress | Character |
|---|---|
| Samaire Armstrong Samaire Armstrong Samaire Rhys Armstrong is an American actress, fashion designer and model. She is best known for her roles in Stay Alive, The O.C. and It's a Boy Girl Thing. Her best known role to date is portraying the role of Juliet Darling in the ABC television series Dirty Sexy Money... |
Anna Stern Anna Stern Anna Stern is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Samaire Armstrong. Initially intended to appear in only one episode, she was brought back at fan request for several episodes of the first season... |
| Alan Dale Alan Dale Alan Hugh Dale is a New Zealand actor. As a child, Dale developed a love of theatre and also became a rugby player. After retiring from the sport he took on a number of professions to support his family, before deciding to become a professional actor at the age of 27. With work limited in New... |
Caleb Nichol Caleb Nichol Caleb Nichol is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Alan Dale during the show's first and second seasons... |
| Taylor Handley Taylor Handley Taylor Laurence Handley is an American actor.In 1998, Taylor played Rory Buck in the movie Jack Frost. In 2000, Handley starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Phantom of the Megaplex. Handley appeared in three episodes during the last season of Dawson's Creek and guest starred during an... |
Oliver Trask Oliver Trask Oliver Trask is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Taylor Handley. Oliver appeared in the series' first season as thorn in Ryan Atwood and Marissa Cooper's relationship, soon developing a severe obsession with the latter... |
| Rosalind Chao Rosalind Chao Rosalind Chao is a Chinese American actress. Chao's most prolific roles have been as a star of CBS' AfterMASH portraying South Korean refugee Soon-Lee Klinger for both seasons, and the recurring character Keiko O'Brien with 27 appearances on the syndicated science fiction series Star Trek: The... |
Dr. Kim |
| Kevin West | Mr. Bendis |
| Bret Harrison Bret Harrison Bret Michael Harrison is an American actor and singer known predominantly for his work on comedies such as The Loop, Grounded for Life, Reaper and Breaking In.-Early life:Harrison was born in Tualatin, Oregon... |
Danny |
Plot
At school, Ryan is talking with Seth about how he still isn't convinced Oliver's suicide attempt was authentic. Seth wonders if maybe Ryan is just jealous of Oliver's draw on Marissa. But he tells him that at least Marissa and him have some arguments. It's like Seth and Anna are using the same brain. They never fight.Ryan tracks down Marissa in the hallway and, heeding Seth's advice, expresses concern for Oliver. He aks her if she wants to hang out with Oliver and with him too. They kiss and make up. Then their professor introduces a new transfer student. It's Oliver.
Elsewhere, Anna wants to make some afterschool plans with Seth. But Seth is tired of the same old, same old. He wants to change things up with muscle cars or Sea-Doos. They need to branch out. Anna, not wanting to get into an argument, agrees. So Seth gets his way, but still no bickering.
Marissa takes Oliver off to the bookstore because he and Marissa happen to have exactly the same course load.
At home, Sandy unveils his plan to buy The Lighthouse with Jimmy to Jimmy. He isn't very receptive to the idea at first. He doesn't have the capital. This isn't the time for him. Sandy tell him if he doesn't find something soon, he'll have to bolt for Phoenix.
In another Cohen/Cooper relationship, Julie is pestering Kirsten for something. Kirsten tells her to just come out with it. Julie wants the interior decorator job at Kirsten's company. Kirsten wonders if Julie is qualified but Julie reminds her that she did lots of design work before she had Marissa but Kristen replies that she had Marissa when she was 18. Julie casually mentions that Caleb doesn't think it's such a bad idea.
Sitting down for lunch, Seth finds the group cracking up over something. It seems this new kid, Danny, is quite funny. His bad kung fu movie dub impersonation makes everybody laugh. Everybody except Seth, who doesn't get it. Which makes everybody think that maybe Seth is the weird one.
Ryan is reading in the student lounge when Oliver just happens to drop by. Oliver wonders if junior year will ever get easier and Ryan wonders if Oliver isn't actually a senior. After a little Q&A, Ryan still isn't buying the Oliver story but Oliver pleads for Ryan to just give him a chance, just like the good people of Newport gave Ryan a chance. Marissa interrupts the tension by dropping by and asking Ryan if he wants to join her at Oliver's after school today. She's going to help him with French. Ryan aks Oliver if he did not used to live in Paris. Just for a year, Oliver glibly replies. Ryan is really not liking this.
At home, Seth ponders the angles of Summer's new boyfriend, the aforementioned Danny. He just doesn't trust him. Something's off. He's just not funny. Ryan doesn't have time for Danny, he's still fretting over Oliver. What's in his past? Seth tells Ryan he can either break into the file room and steal his bio or he can act like a grown up and move on. Seth moves on, Ryan breaks into the file room.
Using his pocket flashlight, Ryan pores over Oliver's folder. Just as he's digesting the confidential information, a security guard pops in. Busted. The next morning, Dr. Kim is not a happy. She wants to know why Ryan would do this. Ryan says it's because he's concerned about Oliver's tendencies. He doesn't like his past and he doesn't like what he could do to Marissa. And he definitely doesn't like what he saw in Oliver's file. Seems that at Pacific he was found in the bathroom after cutting his wrists over a girl. That's all well and good but for now Ryan has detention until the committee meets and decides his future at Harbor.
Out in the hallway, Seth suffers through some more Danny shenanigans, which highly amuse Summer and Anna. Seth complains to Anna that Danny is just big and obvious, not funny. Anna then complains to Seth that it seems like he's jealous of Danny and the pull he has on Summer right now.
Down at The Lighthouse, Sandy is still talking to Jimmy about running a fooderie. Sandy wants it to feel timely. Jimmy wants live jazz music and a raw bar. They both want a manly bar without froufrou drinks, and they both want to use their mother's recipe for meatloaf on the menu. The both think theirs is the best.
In another work environment, Julie is fully taking charge in her effort to decorate a Cohen mansion for an upcoming open house. At least in her mind. Kirsten thinks she's on the road to absolute disaster. With only 72 hours left, nothing has been done. Kristen tells her that all they need is a few area rugs and a potted plant. They're selling a space. Julie disagrees, she thinks they're selling a lifestyle, fully designed rooms are key.
At school, Ryan is heading down the hall when he spots Oliver at Marissa's locker. Ryan decides to do a little spying and he sees Oliver hand Marissa an envelope, which she places in her locker.
At home, Sandy and Kirsten lay down the law on Ryan asking him what he was thinking. They remind him that even if Oliver is trouble, he is the one that might be expelled from Harbor. Ryan lashes out, angrily admitting he screwed up again. He asks what they are going to do, if they are going to kick hin out. Sandy says that he's part of this family now and he's going to feel the full weight of that. And when he's done with his punishment, he'll wish they kicked him out.
Later, in the pool house, Seth comes in to console Ryan but changes his tune when he finds out that Ryan actually did boost the letter. Seth says under no circumstances should he read that letter and he has to put it back. All Oliver's done to Marissa is be her friend. Seth leaves and Ryan decides to open the letter. He seems a little disturbed by what he finds inside to say the least.
The next morning, Ryan comes into Seth's room looking for help. Seth can't believe he read the letter. Ryan pleads with him, telling him Oliver wrote that he can't live without Marissa. But Seth doesn't want to hear it. Oliver might be crazy but Ryan's giving him a run for his money right now. A knock on the door. It's Marissa, ready for school.
Kirsten arrives at the office to find a sobbing Julie Cooper waiting for her. The decorating is a disaster. Two days until the open house and they have nothing. Kirsten rolls up her sleeves and gets to work helping out Julie. At the same time, Sandy drops by Jimmy's with some big news. They got The Lighthouse! Sandy covered all of the money, they can figure out the rest later. Jimmy is reluctant to take the handout. Sandy tells him that he should enjoy it.
Ryan tries to put the letter back in Marissa's locker but it's spoiled by Oliver, who thinks it's cute that Ryan knows Marissa's locker combo. He says : "That shows trust, you know?" Luke swings by and after Oliver strolls off, the boys discuss their dislike of the new kid.
Dr. Kim has called Marissa into her office. She needs to talk to her about a transfer student that she thinks might not be stable. Marissa thanks her, but says she knows all about Oliver's issues. Dr. Kim informs her that this chat isn't about Oliver.
At the end of detention Ryan packs up his books. He finds Marissa waiting for him in the hallway. She tells him that he has to lay off Oliver, that they're just friends. Ryan then talks to her about the letter. She can't believe he stole it. Ryan says he did it for her, to read the letter, she would see Oliver is in love with her. She says Oliver wrote it to Natalie. He just wanted Marissa to read it first. In tears, Marissa tells Ryan it's over. She can't trust him.
The next morning, Julie is worried that they haven't heard from Caleb yet. He drops by the office with the news that he loved the place. It was simple and let the house sell itself. Julie Cooper now has the job.
Sandy meets with the owner of The Lighthouse and tries to get some more time since Jimmy backed out. But two more offers are in. He has to act now. That's when Jimmy walks in, ready to move.
At school, Ryan is shooting some pool when Oliver sidles up. He heard about what happened between Ryan and Marissa. Ryan apologizes, says he was wrong about Oliver. And that's when Oliver validates everything that Ryan has always thought. Oliver thinks he and Marissa are meant to be together. It just feels right. Ryan and Marissa were all wrong. He says he didn't have to lift a finger and look how they ended up. Ryan tells Oliver he's not going to let this happen. Oliver taunts Ryan, telling him he has a chance to make something of himself, so don't blow it over some chick he won't care about in 10 years. Besides, who's going to believe him at this point? Oliver begins walking away and Ryan jumps him, drilling him with a couple of punches. As other students pull Ryan off Oliver, he screams, "Stay away from her! Stay away from her!". Marissa arrives just in time to see the aftermath and make a snap decision. Oliver makes a very wicked-looking smirk at Ryan who is hauled away by the students as he realizes (way too late) that he fell right into the manipulative Oliver's scheme.
Music
- "Boom Box" by Mosquitos
- "Come Into Our Room" by ClinicClinicA clinic is a health care facility that is primarily devoted to the care of outpatients...
- "The Spoils Of The Spoiled" by The New Amsterdams
- "Cannonball" by Damien RiceDamien RiceDamien Rice is an Irish singer-songwriter, musician and record producer who plays guitar, piano, clarinet and percussion....
- "Big Sur" by The ThrillsThrillsThrills is a Canadian brand of chewing gum now made by Concord Confections, but once produced by Wonka. It is well known for its distinctive rosewater flavor. Comparisons of its flavor to soap are so prevalent that recent packaging states "it still tastes like soap!" Thrills gum is also known for...
Trivia
- The RivalsThe RivalsThe Rivals, a play by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, is a comedy of manners in five acts. It was first performed on 17 January 1775.- Production :...
stands as The OCs highest rated episode at 12.7 million viewers in the US Nielsen ratings. - Seth refers to the letter from Oliver as "the video tape from The Ring". Adam Brody appears in the 2002 film The RingThe Ring (2002 film)The Ring is a 2002 American psychological horror film directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Naomi Watts and Martin Henderson. It is a remake of the 1998 Japanese horror film Ring....
. - This would be the last appearance of Dr. Kim until season 3 in "The Shape of Things to ComeThe Shape of Things to Come (The O.C. episode)"The Shape of Things to Come" is the 53rd episode of FOX television series, The O.C.. The episode was written by J. J. Philbin and was directed by Tony Wharmby. It originally aired on Thursday, September 15, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. on FOX.-Plot:...
". - The episode's name is also the same as Richard Brinsley SheridanRichard Brinsley SheridanRichard Brinsley Butler Sheridan was an Irish-born playwright and poet and long-term owner of the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. For thirty-two years he was also a Whig Member of the British House of Commons for Stafford , Westminster and Ilchester...
's play The RivalsThe RivalsThe Rivals, a play by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, is a comedy of manners in five acts. It was first performed on 17 January 1775.- Production :...
.
External links
- Recap from Official Website
- Recap from Television Without Pity