| "The Links" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| The O.C. episode | |||
| Episode no. | Season 1 (2003-2004) Episode 16 |
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| Directed by | Michael Lange | ||
| Written by | Debra J. Fisher Erica Messer |
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| Production code | 176515 | ||
| Original air date | January 14, 2004 (FOX) | ||
| Episode chronology | |||
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| The O.C. (season 1) List of The O.C. episodes |
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"The Links" is the 16th episode of the FOX television series, The O.C.. The episode was written by Debra J. Fisher and Erica Messer and was directed by Michael Lange. It originally aired on Wednesday January 14, 2004.
Contents |
| Actor / actress | Character |
|---|---|
| Samaire Armstrong | Anna Stern |
| Alan Dale | Caleb Nichol |
| Taylor Handley | Oliver Trask |
| Amanda Righetti | Hailey Nichol |
| Michael Reilly Burke | Tom Willington |
While playing golf with Sandy, Ryan says he's going to Palm Springs because Oliver has extended an invitation to his mansion to thank Ryan for his help during the cocaine bust.
In the kitchen, Kirsten and Sandy worry about the boys spending the weekend out of town, and then start worrying about how Caleb and Julie return from Europe today. Kirsten suspects that Hailey will soon ask her father for money and head out of town.
Marissa tries twisting Summer's arm into joining the Palm Springs trip, but she thinks that she will ignored as the only single person there, and dreads having to be around Seth and Anna.
Sandy runs into Jimmy, who is pondering leaving Newport. Sandy assures him he can get him some paralegal work at the firm. Marissa and Summer drop by the pool house but Summer quickly exits to Seth's room. Ryan still isn't taking to Oliver but Marissa says Natalie will definitely be there this weekend.
Summer bounds into Seth's room, interrupting him making out with Anna. She feigns excitement at the three of them spending a weekend together as friends. Just then, Oliver arrives, saying that he broke up with Natalie. Marissa feels bad for him, while Ryan suspects him of manipulating her. Marissa rides with Oliver so they can talk about his breakup while Ryan hops in the truck with Luke.
Once they arrive in Palm Springs, Ryan and Luke go the mansion to find Oliver and Marissa talking on the couch. Oliver says that his parents are delayed in Zurich, and won't be there for the weekend. Ryan unearths another of Oliver's "embellishments", which nobody else seems to pick up on. Oliver puts Ryan and Marissa in a room with twin beds, saying it is the only one available. Marissa goes to put her stuff away, leaving Ryan and Oliver to push the beds together. Oliver begins to condescendingly compliment Ryan about how well he has done given his "situation", which he says Marissa told him all about. This tests Ryan's temper, but he remains under control.
Heading into the office on Saturday, Sandy runs into one of his coworkers. He asks what he thinks about Jimmy Cooper filling an entry-level position. The lawyer doesn't want the stink of Jimmy Cooper ruining the firm's reputation. Maybe if Sandy is so concerned for his well-being, he should go into business with Jimmy.
Hailey and Caleb start catching up. Inside, Julie and Kirsten talk about what Hailey is really up to. Julie says Kirsten is the only one Caleb really listens to, and that she should talk to the girl.
In Palm Springs, Oliver continues to flirt with Marissa in front of Ryan, who talks to Luke about beating Oliver up, while Oliver continues to plant seeds in Marissa's head. Ryan and Luke's competitive instinct kicks in, and they challenge Oliver to a race, which nearly ends in a fight. Meanwhile, Summer tries to drive a wedge between Seth and Anna by saying they are "like brother and sister".
Ryan is doing the dishes when Oliver walks into the kitchen, asking Ryan if they can start over. When Ryan rebukes him for making advances on Marissa, Oliver has a panic attack, believing that everyone hates him, and runs off when Marissa comes in to see if he's alright. She then gets into a fight with Ryan, accusing him of being jealous.
Sandy and Jimmy sit down in their favorite restaurant, which Jimmy once managed, trying to map out Jimmy's future. Jimmy points out that the restaurant's land value alone would be enough to secure a renovation loan. A light goes on in Sandy's head.
In a more somber mood, Marissa is waiting up to hear from Oliver. He finally calls and Marissa pleads with him to call an ambulance after he says that he has taken an overdose of pills. Ryan and Marissa pound on a hotel room door until Oliver opens up — in apparently perfect health. Oliver nonchalantly tells them to take off and enjoy the weekend, but Marissa isn't going anywhere. Oliver promises that everything is out of his system, but Ryan suggests maybe taking him to the emergency room, but Oliver talks them out it.
Back in Newport, Hailey demands to know what Kirsten said to Caleb. She yells at Kirsten for interfering and threatens to leave for good. Kirsten wants to know where she's going with no money. She replies that she needs to have her own life by getting as far away from Caleb and Kirsten as possible.
Back in Newport, Luke and Summer drop off the Seth and Anna. Seth and Anna are alone at last in Seth's room. They kiss, but then Seth starts yawning. Anna doesn't take to that. She wonders if they are brother and sister and then Seth starts back up with the kissing.
Back in Newport, Ryan is sneaking around Oliver's penthouse looking for something. Marissa comes out and says she's going to stay with Oliver tonight to make sure he's OK. Ryan finally loses his temper, and says that Oliver is a disturbed liar. This only further angers Marissa, who storms out.
Sandy comes home to Kirsten, full of gin and good news. He and Jimmy Cooper may have gone into business together tonight. They're buying the restaurant.[1][2]