The Rivals (The O.C. episode)

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“The Rivals”
The O.C. episode
Ryan, Seth and Marissa
Episode no.	Season 1 (2003-2004) Episode 17
Written by	Josh Schwartz
Directed by	Ian Toynton
Production no.	176516
Original airdate	January 21, 2004 (FOX)
Episode chronology
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"The Links"	"The Truth"

"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.

1 Guest starring
2 Plot
3 Quotes
4 External links

[edit] Guest starring

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

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 hey, at least you and Marissa 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. You want to hang out with Oliver? You want me to? Great! They kiss and make up. Literally. And then their professor introduces a new transfer student. Hey! It's Oliver! Great!

Elsewheres, 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. Hey! It's Oliver! Great!

Marissa takes Oliver off to the bookstore because - get this - he and Marissa have the exact same course load! Who woulda thunk it?

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 says bosh, if you don't find something soon, you'll have to bolt for Phoenix. C'mon, man!

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. You had Marissa when you were 18! Julie casually mentions that Caleb doesn't think it's such a bad idea.

Sitting down for a tasty lunch, Seth finds the group cracking up over something. It seems this new kid, Danny, is quite the cut up. His bad kung fu movie dub impersonation sends everybody into hysterics. Everybody except Seth, who just 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. Wait, didn't you live in Paris? asks Ryan. 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 trusty pocket flashlight, Ryan pores over Oliver's folder. Just as he's digesting the confidential information, a security guard pops in. Busted, sucka! The next morning, Dr. Kim is not a happy camper. 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 giving pep talks 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. It's the greatest!

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. All you need is a few area rugs and a potted plant. They're selling a space. No! Julie 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. Time for another B&E mission?

At home, Sandy and Kirsten lay down the law on Ryan. What were you thinking? Yeah, the kid's trouble. What can you do about it? Nothing, and now you might be the one expelled from Harbor. Ryan lashes out, angrily admitting he screwed up again. What are they going to do? Kick him out of the house? Sandy says oh no, 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, you gotta live, man!

Operation Put Letter Back In Locker is underway. But it's spoiled by a gremlin named Oliver, who thinks it's cute that Ryan knows Marissa's locker combo. 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.

Detention wraps up and Ryan packs up his books. He finds Marissa waiting for him in the hallway. She tells him that he has to lay off Oliver. They're just friends! That's when Ryan drops the letter bomb on her. She can't believe he stole it from him. Ryan did it for Marissa! Read the letter, he's in love with you! No, he 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.

Morning comes. 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 hit one out the park on her first swing and 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. And wouldn't you know it, that's when Jimmy jaunts 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. Heck, Oliver 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!" The subtle approach. Marissa arrives just in time to see the aftermath and make a snap decision. But where will it go from here?