| "The Perfect Couple" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| The O.C. episode | |||
| Episode no. | Season 1 (2003-2004) Episode 10 |
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| Directed by | Michael Fresco | ||
| Written by | Allan Heinberg | ||
| Production code | 176509 | ||
| Original air date | November 12, 2003 (FOX) | ||
| Episode chronology | |||
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| The O.C. (season 1) List of The O.C. episodes |
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"The Perfect Couple" is the 10th episode of the FOX television series, The O.C.. The episode was written by Allan Heinberg and was directed by Michael Fresco. It originally aired on Wednesday November 12, 2003.
Contents |
| Actor / actress | Character |
|---|---|
| Rachel Bilson | Summer Roberts |
| Melinda Clarke | Julie Cooper |
| Bonnie Somerville | Rachel Hoffman |
| Samaire Armstrong | Anna Stern |
| Alan Dale | Caleb Nichol |
Though credited in the opening credits, Chris Carmack (Luke) does not appear in this episode.
Marissa and Ryan are making out in the pool house. Before Marissa leaves, Ryan suggests maybe this weekend they go out on an official date. Kirsten walks in on Marissa on top of Ryan. Marissa gets up and leaves. Kirsten, shocked, admits to Ryan that it's never happened with Seth before.
The next morning, Kirsten wonders if maybe Sandy should have a birds and the bees talk with Ryan. Sandy says they obviously don't believe in sex in the Cohen house judging from recent history. He and Kirsten complain about work keeping them late, and then vow to be home by 10 that night.
At work, Sandy is trying to sneak out when Rachel calls him on it because of their big conference the next day. He agrees and postpones. On the other side of the lawsuit, Kirsten walks into a meeting with her father and is surprised to see Julie Cooper. She was there because Caleb was offering the use of his yacht for the Children's Hospital Benefit. Julie exits and Kirsten tells her dad they can have a working dinner that night after all. Hearing about Sandy's cancellation, Caleb plants a few seeds in Kirsten's mind about Sandy continually working late with his attractive partner.
At lunch, Ryan, Anna and Seth try to plan the big date with Marissa, with no luck. Anna and Seth walk off, but when Seth asks what she thinks Summer's three favorite movies are, Anna lashes out, sick of hearing about Summer.
Marissa comes home from school, only to find Julie waiting for her. Jimmy and Julie need to talk to her. Julie wants Marissa to attend the hospital benefit. It's important to let everybody know the Cooper family is back. Marissa scoffs at first, but Julie begs her to help her get everything back together.
Ryan is relaxing in the pool house when Marissa drops by. The good news is, Ryan doesn't have to plan the best date ever anymore. The bad news is, it's because they'll be attending the charity event. Ryan is reluctant since Julie hates him, but Marissa says "it's times like these that a girl needs her boyfriend the most."
At school, Ryan cracks the news that he's boyfriend material now and he's going to be trapped on a boat with Julie Cooper. So Seth better be there for backup. But who will he take? How about…a friend? Seth sidles up to Anna and says he won't bring up Summer again. So how about attending a charity ball to celebrate? At a loss for words, Anna eagerly accepts.
The big conference arrives, and things become tense quickly. Caleb wonders what Sandy and Rachel have been doing every night 'til 2am if this is all they have to offer. Sandy says he's never seen somebody stoop as low as Caleb, trying to sabotage his daughter's marriage for profits. Caleb says Sandy's living off those profits, to which Sandy replies if Caleb thinks he's been quiet until now, wait until he has Caleb on the stand.
Marissa is rooting through her closet for a dress for the ball when Ryan expresses a tinge of nervousness about his expected attendance. Julie walks in, surprised to see her daughter's guest. She tells Marissa she can stay for the night if she wants, but Marissa refuses.
Walking the halls of school, Seth and Anna's relationship continues to heat up when Summer approaches. Summer and Anna snipe at each other and Seth is awkwardly caught in the middle.
That night, Ryan sees Caleb drop by Julie Cooper's from his balcony. Caleb greets her with a more than friendly kiss and heads inside. Looking up, Julie notices Ryan spying on her.
The day of the charity event has arrived. Seth and Anna and Ryan and Marissa are ready to go. The girls depart for the bathroom and Ryan subtly tries to guide Seth's Summer lust in Anna's direction, but he does not pick up on it.
Marissa finds Ryan and says her parents are getting along so well. Maybe pretty soon she can move back home. Ryan doesn't share her excitement, which stings her. She wants to know why he can't be happy for her and Ryan spills the beans about Julie and Caleb. Marissa storms off.
Night comes and Rachel and Sandy are still cracking the books. Rachel gets a little flirtatious and makes a move on him. Sandy excuses himself to catch a boat.
Seth and Anna are entertaining themselves by mocking party guests. Anna moves in for a kiss. Like his father, Seth ends the moment and gets up to get them drinks. At the same time, coincidentally enough, Summer bails on Chip. She grabs Seth and asks if they can talk.
Inside, Julie is giving a speech thanking everybody for their generous support. Marissa enters the room, determined to call shenanigans on her mom. Outside, Summer kisses Seth. Warning him not to tell anybody or face death, Summer jets off.
Back in the cabin, Julie asks Marissa to join her onstage, which she reluctantly does. Younger Cooper daughter Kaitlin chooses the raffle winner while Julie hands Marissa the mic to announce the winner. Marissa uses this opportunity to thank Julie and Caleb for their work and tell the assembled donors if anybody deserves a romantic getaway after this it's them. "Don't they just make the perfect couple?" Shock and dread washes over Julie's face. Where is this going? Ryan looks like he's ready to jump overboard and Marissa continues. "They've been keeping their romance a secret. But tonight, the secret's out." Marissa exits. Ryan seems slightly pleased. Jimmy is crushed.
Julie heads outside to confront Marissa. Julie claims she was trying to show that life could be like it used to be tonight. But because of what Jimmy did, "we have no future together." "Neither do we," retorts Marissa. An irate Kirsten tells off her father.
And after all the excitement, Ryan and Marissa go back to the pool house and spend the night together.