The Secret (The O.C. episode)
Encyclopedia
"The Secret" is the 12th episode of the FOX
television series, The O.C.
. The episode was written by Allan Heinberg
and Josh Schwartz
and was directed by James Marshall
. It originally aired on Wednesday November 26, 2003.
and Luke
are assigned to a project on the Spanish Inquisition
together.
With Jimmy
, Sandy
informs him that the SEC and Jimmy's clients all agree that if Jimmy makes full restitution by January 1, he can avoid prosecution and jail time. But that means selling the house, something Jimmy is reluctant to do.
Later, in the bathroom, Summer
questions Marissa
's loyalty in having lunch with Seth
, and immediately wants to know what he said. Marissa refuses to get involved and as she exits, Anna enters. Summer continues the conversation, but when she exits the stall is surprised to find out she's talking with Anna now. The girls snipe at each other, but start to bond when they both agree they don't want Seth anymore.
Upon exiting the bathroom, Anna runs into Seth, foolowed shortly by Summer. After an awkward silence, the girls excuse themselves.
Kirsten
hits the locker room before her yogilates
class, and quickly finds out that, just as she feared, Julie Cooper
has tipped off half of Newport about Kirsten's wine intake around the holidays. Kirsten wonders why Julie is spreading rumors and tells her to start acting like a friend.
Jimmy calls Julie for a talk. He tells her he needs to pay everything back by January 1. She doesn't like the sound of that and asks where they're going to live. He suggests her mother's or Caleb
's. Julie rejects that idea and suggests that maybe he deserves to go to jail.
Luke and Ryan drop by Mr. Ward's car dealership that night. Luke spies his dad and his business partner, Gus, entering the dealership and is approaching him when dad and Gus duck into a hallway — to kiss. Near tears, Luke trips over a car, setting off the alarm. He and Ryan run out, but Luke's dad emerges just in time to see them running.
The next morning, Marissa drops by the pool house, wondering how it went with Luke. Marissa wants to know why he's so quiet, but Ryan says something happened, but he promised not to say anything. He swears Marissa to secrecy and then tells her the secret. In the kitchen, Seth is sipping coffee when Ryan and Marissa enter. Seth is dying to know about what it's like hanging out with Luke. Ryan sees Luke and approaches him to discuss the project, but Luke has no intention of talking to him.
Seth finds Anna in the library and sits next to her. She immediately cuts him off and switches tables. Summer comes in and breezes past Seth's table to join Anna.
At the gym, Kirsten approaches Julie and says she knows about the house. Kirsten says she or her father can find her a house if she needs, but Julie tells her that Caleb said that would compromise their relationship, so they broke it off. At that moment, another woman comes in with some amazing gossip about what her friend saw at the car dealership.
At the country club, Sandy implores Jimmy to have a realtor show the house. Julie will change her tune when she hears she's being investigated as a co-conspirator. Touched by his kindness, Jimmy confesses to kissing Kristen. Jimmy apologizes profusely and Sandy tries hard to control his rage. His cell phone rings, and it's Kirsten. She has some news for him, but only him.
Simultaneously, Summer excitedly approaches Marissa with some huge news about Luke's father. Seth then approaches Ryan with the huge news. At the same time, kids in the hall are already making fun of Luke's father. Ryan tries to apologize to Luke, but Luke just slams him into a locker and threatens him. Ryan confronts Marissa to find out who she told. He's the only one who knew and she's the only one he told, so Ryan thought it must've been her. She swears she didn't tell anybody and now Ryan does not know what to believe.
At home, Sandy walks outside, where Kirsten is arranging flowers. He seems worn down by what Jimmy said and wonders why she didn't tell him. Kirsten claims it's because it meant nothing.
At the gym the next day, the women are gossiping about Luke's father. Julie and Kirsten stew in silence, eventually deciding to leave the gym for fried food and beer.
In history class, Luke is conspicuously absent. Anna and Summer continue enjoying each other's company in the library when Seth begs to speak with them and apologize. He says he wasn't prepared for what happened, but they can't blame him for wanting to be with either of them and that he can only hope they'll forgive him one day. Seth leaves and the girls melt, effectively dissolving their friendship.
Summer is the first to sidle up to him, glowing about his apology and asking Seth if he was available Saturday night. Then it's Anna's turn, also glowing about his apology and asking if he is available Saturday night. In the new spirit of sincerity, Seth mentions that Summer is his date. Anna then wonders what he's doing on Friday night.
Ryan drops by Luke's to console him. Marissa is already there. Luke apologizes to Ryan because it turns out Luke's mother spread the rumor. Luke's father tries to talk to him, but Luke runs out. That night, Ryan and Luke share beers with Marissa at a Little League
baseball field. Luke starts putting the pieces together on his father's lies in the past. In an effort to make him feel better, Ryan says that at least Mr. Ward was there occasionally, unlike his father.
The pensive moment is interrupted by a couple of kids from Del Vista, who call Ryan and Luke "Harbor butt pirates" and other homophobic
epithets. When the jock advises Luke to just run to his dad, Ryan and Luke look at each other, then drop the punks with one punch. Their satisfied smiles disappear when six more Del Vista jocks start heading their way, however.
Julie drops by the Cohen homestead, and reveals that, after her talk about Caleb with Kirsten, she called him and let him have it. Caleb is now buying the Cooper house as an investment. Jimmy won't go to jail, Julie and Caitlin still have a place to live and maybe one day Caleb will be Kirsten's new neighbor. Moments later, Ryan and Marissa help a battered Luke into the house. After a call, Luke's dad arrives. Carson Ward thinks about ditching town, but Sandy advises him that now's the time to be strong. Luke finally comes down and he and his father leave together.
While the teacher is calling out the names of the groups, he mentioned Stephanie Savage, who is one of the co-writers for the show. He called out her name while he was delegating the Protestant Reformation
task. The teacher is named Mr. Bendis, a reference to Marvel Comics
writer Brian Michael Bendis
.
Luke and Ryan go into a Lexus
dealership owned by Luke's dad, but sit in a new Ford Mustang
.
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 Allan Heinberg
Allan Heinberg
Allan Heinberg is an American film screenwriter, who wrote Young Avengers for Marvel Comics, and has been a writer and producer on The Naked Truth, Party of Five, Sex and the City, Gilmore Girls, The O.C., and Grey's Anatomy.Heinberg's Young Avengers was a sales success for Marvel, though faced...
and 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 James Marshall
James Marshall (director)
James Marshall is an American television producer and director best known for his work on the series Smallville, Charmed and The Famous Jett Jackson.-Smallville:...
. It originally aired on Wednesday November 26, 2003.
Guest starring
| Actor / actress | Character |
|---|---|
| Rachel Bilson Rachel Bilson Rachel Sarah Bilson is an American actress. Bilson grew up in a California show business family, and made her television debut in 2003, subsequently becoming well known for playing Summer Roberts on the prime time drama series The O.C. Bilson made her film debut in the 2006 film The Last Kiss and... |
Summer Roberts Summer Roberts Summer Roberts is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Rachel Bilson.-Background:Summer Roberts grew up in Newport Beach, California, with her wealthy father, Dr. Neil Roberts... |
| Melinda Clarke Melinda Clarke Melinda Patrice Clarke is an American actress who has primarily worked in television. Clarke is best known for playing Faith Taylor on the daytime drama Days of our Lives, the manipulative and cunning Julie Cooper-Nichol on The O.C., and the professional dominatrix Lady Heather on CSI... |
Julie Cooper Julie Cooper Julie Cooper is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Melinda Clarke.-Background:... |
| 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... |
| Kim Oja Kimberly Oja Kimberly Oja is an American actress. She has appeared in TV series such as NCIS, Frasier, Beverly Hills, 90210, Two and a Half Men, Son of the Beach, The O.C. and as Ice in the Justice League of America film... |
Taryn Baker |
| Brian McNamara Brian McNamara Brian McNamara is an American actor, known for his portrayal of Dean Karny in the TV Movie Billionaire Boys Club for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a supporting role.-Biography:... |
Carson Ward |
| Austin Dolan | Brad Ward |
| Shane Haboucha Shane Haboucha - Early life :Haboucha attended a Jewish private school, Tarbut V' Torah Community Day School, until the eighth grade, and was home-schooled.- Acting career :Haboucha was discovered at ProScout and started acting in commercials in Texas... |
Eric Ward |
| Kate Rodger | Meredith Ward |
| Kevin West | Mr. Bendis |
Plot
At school, history professor describes how teams of two will be working together on a big project and he'll be picking partners at random. RyanRyan Atwood
Ryan Francis Atwood is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Benjamin McKenzie. A troubled teenager from Chino, California, he is considered the protagonist of the show, beginning as an outcast and is brought to a lifestyle of luxury by the Cohen family and is...
and Luke
Luke Ward
Luke Ward is a fictional character in the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Chris Carmack. At the beginning of the series, Luke was in a long-term relationship with Marissa Cooper. However, it was later revealed that Luke was cheating on Marissa with Holly Fischer. After seeing the two...
are assigned to a project on the Spanish Inquisition
Spanish Inquisition
The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition , commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition , was a tribunal established in 1480 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, and to replace the Medieval...
together.
With Jimmy
Jimmy Cooper
Jimmy Cooper may refer to:*Quadrophenia, fictional Film Lead character from Quadrophenia*Jimmy Cooper , fictional TV character from The O.C.*Jimmy Cooper , Scottish hammered dulcimer player...
, Sandy
Sandy Cohen
Sanford "Sandy" Cohen is a fictional character on the FOX series The O.C., portrayed by Peter Gallagher.Sandy, a lawyer, raconteur, and son of Sophie Cohen, is married to Kirsten Cohen. Their eldest child, Seth, is something of a social misfit. Sandy's father left his mother when he was young and...
informs him that the SEC and Jimmy's clients all agree that if Jimmy makes full restitution by January 1, he can avoid prosecution and jail time. But that means selling the house, something Jimmy is reluctant to do.
Later, in the bathroom, Summer
Summer Roberts
Summer Roberts is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Rachel Bilson.-Background:Summer Roberts grew up in Newport Beach, California, with her wealthy father, Dr. Neil Roberts...
questions Marissa
Marissa Cooper
Marissa Cooper is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Mischa Barton. Marissa was among the original "core four" characters on The O.C. until her death in the season three finale, "The Graduates."...
's loyalty in having lunch with Seth
Seth Cohen
Seth Ezekiel Cohen is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Adam Brody. Seth was one of the "core four" characters on The O.C. alongside Ryan Atwood, Marissa Cooper, and Summer Roberts.-Background:...
, and immediately wants to know what he said. Marissa refuses to get involved and as she exits, Anna enters. Summer continues the conversation, but when she exits the stall is surprised to find out she's talking with Anna now. The girls snipe at each other, but start to bond when they both agree they don't want Seth anymore.
Upon exiting the bathroom, Anna runs into Seth, foolowed shortly by Summer. After an awkward silence, the girls excuse themselves.
Kirsten
Kirsten Cohen
Kirsten Cohen is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Kelly Rowan. Kirsten is the wife of Sandy Cohen, mother to Seth Cohen, and the adoptive mother of Ryan Atwood...
hits the locker room before her yogilates
Yogilates
Yogilates is an exercise system that is a blend of:*yoga*Pilatescreated by certified Pilates instructor and yoga practitioner Jonathan Urla in 1997....
class, and quickly finds out that, just as she feared, Julie Cooper
Julie Cooper
Julie Cooper is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Melinda Clarke.-Background:...
has tipped off half of Newport about Kirsten's wine intake around the holidays. Kirsten wonders why Julie is spreading rumors and tells her to start acting like a friend.
Jimmy calls Julie for a talk. He tells her he needs to pay everything back by January 1. She doesn't like the sound of that and asks where they're going to live. He suggests her mother's or Caleb
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...
's. Julie rejects that idea and suggests that maybe he deserves to go to jail.
Luke and Ryan drop by Mr. Ward's car dealership that night. Luke spies his dad and his business partner, Gus, entering the dealership and is approaching him when dad and Gus duck into a hallway — to kiss. Near tears, Luke trips over a car, setting off the alarm. He and Ryan run out, but Luke's dad emerges just in time to see them running.
The next morning, Marissa drops by the pool house, wondering how it went with Luke. Marissa wants to know why he's so quiet, but Ryan says something happened, but he promised not to say anything. He swears Marissa to secrecy and then tells her the secret. In the kitchen, Seth is sipping coffee when Ryan and Marissa enter. Seth is dying to know about what it's like hanging out with Luke. Ryan sees Luke and approaches him to discuss the project, but Luke has no intention of talking to him.
Seth finds Anna in the library and sits next to her. She immediately cuts him off and switches tables. Summer comes in and breezes past Seth's table to join Anna.
At the gym, Kirsten approaches Julie and says she knows about the house. Kirsten says she or her father can find her a house if she needs, but Julie tells her that Caleb said that would compromise their relationship, so they broke it off. At that moment, another woman comes in with some amazing gossip about what her friend saw at the car dealership.
At the country club, Sandy implores Jimmy to have a realtor show the house. Julie will change her tune when she hears she's being investigated as a co-conspirator. Touched by his kindness, Jimmy confesses to kissing Kristen. Jimmy apologizes profusely and Sandy tries hard to control his rage. His cell phone rings, and it's Kirsten. She has some news for him, but only him.
Simultaneously, Summer excitedly approaches Marissa with some huge news about Luke's father. Seth then approaches Ryan with the huge news. At the same time, kids in the hall are already making fun of Luke's father. Ryan tries to apologize to Luke, but Luke just slams him into a locker and threatens him. Ryan confronts Marissa to find out who she told. He's the only one who knew and she's the only one he told, so Ryan thought it must've been her. She swears she didn't tell anybody and now Ryan does not know what to believe.
At home, Sandy walks outside, where Kirsten is arranging flowers. He seems worn down by what Jimmy said and wonders why she didn't tell him. Kirsten claims it's because it meant nothing.
At the gym the next day, the women are gossiping about Luke's father. Julie and Kirsten stew in silence, eventually deciding to leave the gym for fried food and beer.
In history class, Luke is conspicuously absent. Anna and Summer continue enjoying each other's company in the library when Seth begs to speak with them and apologize. He says he wasn't prepared for what happened, but they can't blame him for wanting to be with either of them and that he can only hope they'll forgive him one day. Seth leaves and the girls melt, effectively dissolving their friendship.
Summer is the first to sidle up to him, glowing about his apology and asking Seth if he was available Saturday night. Then it's Anna's turn, also glowing about his apology and asking if he is available Saturday night. In the new spirit of sincerity, Seth mentions that Summer is his date. Anna then wonders what he's doing on Friday night.
Ryan drops by Luke's to console him. Marissa is already there. Luke apologizes to Ryan because it turns out Luke's mother spread the rumor. Luke's father tries to talk to him, but Luke runs out. That night, Ryan and Luke share beers with Marissa at a Little League
Little League
Little League Baseball and Softball is a non-profit organization in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the U.S...
baseball field. Luke starts putting the pieces together on his father's lies in the past. In an effort to make him feel better, Ryan says that at least Mr. Ward was there occasionally, unlike his father.
The pensive moment is interrupted by a couple of kids from Del Vista, who call Ryan and Luke "Harbor butt pirates" and other homophobic
Homophobia
Homophobia is a term used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay and in some cases bisexual, transgender people and behavior, although these are usually covered under other terms such as biphobia and transphobia. Definitions refer to irrational fear, with the...
epithets. When the jock advises Luke to just run to his dad, Ryan and Luke look at each other, then drop the punks with one punch. Their satisfied smiles disappear when six more Del Vista jocks start heading their way, however.
Julie drops by the Cohen homestead, and reveals that, after her talk about Caleb with Kirsten, she called him and let him have it. Caleb is now buying the Cooper house as an investment. Jimmy won't go to jail, Julie and Caitlin still have a place to live and maybe one day Caleb will be Kirsten's new neighbor. Moments later, Ryan and Marissa help a battered Luke into the house. After a call, Luke's dad arrives. Carson Ward thinks about ditching town, but Sandy advises him that now's the time to be strong. Luke finally comes down and he and his father leave together.
While the teacher is calling out the names of the groups, he mentioned Stephanie Savage, who is one of the co-writers for the show. He called out her name while he was delegating the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
task. The teacher is named Mr. Bendis, a reference to Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
writer Brian Michael Bendis
Brian Michael Bendis
Brian Michael Bendis is an American comic book writer and erstwhile artist. He has won critical acclaim for his self-published, Image Comics and Marvel Comics work, and is one of the most successful writers working in mainstream comics, with his books selling consistently highly for over a...
.
Luke and Ryan go into a Lexus
Lexus
is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...
dealership owned by Luke's dad, but sit in a new Ford Mustang
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
.
Music
- "We Used To Be Friends" by The Dandy WarholsThe Dandy WarholsThe Dandy Warhols are an American alternative rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1994. The band was founded by singer-guitarist Courtney Taylor-Taylor and guitarist Peter Holmström, with keyboardist Zia McCabe and drummer Eric Hedford later joining. Hedford left in 1998 and was replaced by...
- "Get What You NeedGet What You NeedGet What You Need is a 2003 studio album by Irish power pop/punk rock band The Undertones. It is the band's first collection of new studio material since their reformation with lead singer Paul McLoone, who replaced the previous singer Feargal Sharkey...
" by JetJet (band)Jet are an Australian rock band formed in 2001 while attending St Bede's College Mentone in Melbourne, . The band consists of lead guitarist Cameron Muncey, bassist Mark Wilson, and brothers Nic and Chris Cester on vocals/rhythm guitar and drums respectively... - "If She Wants Me" by Belle and Sebastian
- "Move OnMove OnMove On may refer to:Songs* "Move On" * "Move On" * "Move On" * "Move On" * "Move On" * "Move On" * "Move On", a song by Jet from the 2003 album Get Born...
" by JetJet (band)Jet are an Australian rock band formed in 2001 while attending St Bede's College Mentone in Melbourne, . The band consists of lead guitarist Cameron Muncey, bassist Mark Wilson, and brothers Nic and Chris Cester on vocals/rhythm guitar and drums respectively...
External links
- Recap from Official Website
- Recap from Television Without Pity