December 7, 2006: Blog Smog
So it's really no surprise that Taylor keeps a blog, one that no less details "the erotic memoirs of a soulful college girl" (even though technically she's not in college at the moment). What
is surprising is how this show manages to keep Taylor and Ryan's budding relationship so refreshingly adorable. I love how Taylor doesn't even realize that Ryan's asking her out at first, and gets all apologetic about their kiss ("I'm a lip-biter... sometimes I draw blood"). She's self-deprecating, while he's inadvertently insulting, calling her "weird" and "strange." She stages elaborate soap-opera schemes ("What if I did rent a homosexual for the evening, and pay him with rare collectibles from Asian cinema?"), while he has fantasies involving roller skates and soapy window-washing that Seth deems "pedestrian" and "average." This opposites-attract plotline isn't an original concept, but it is something new for Ryan, and it's just what he (and
The O.C.) needed. In the past, pairing Ryan with mopey girlfriends (Marissa, Lindsay, Sadie) resulted in things soon getting boring. (Don't get me wrong, I've always been a Ryan fan.) Taylor, on the other hand, seems to really keep Ryan on his toes. It's as if her inherent comedy spills over to him and makes him funny, too. Now, cute can easily cross the line into annoying territory, but I don't think that's gonna happen here. This show has managed to keep Seth and Summer's relationship cute yet annoying-free for years. Plus, I think Ryan and Taylor have the necessary chemistry to be not only cute but hot as well.
Now let's talk about that original teddy bear of a couple, Seth and Summer. I'm all for continuing education, but if Summer's forced leave from Brown and Seth's voluntary delay of the spring semester at RISD means that we no longer have to suffer through their strained long-distance relationship and stolen-bunny story lines, then to hell with college. Though I am upset that Che (or should I call him Winchester?) basically got away with putting all of the blame on Summer for their crimes. It's not fair that she has to pay a steep price while he pays nothing. But how sweet of Seth to try to play Ryan and seek out Che to beat him up. There was actually quite a bit of role-playing going on in last night's episode, what with both Kirsten and Sandy auditioning to be the "substitute Seth" for a needy Ryan. I was glad those two renewed their vows at the end of the episode, even if it was unplanned. Their romance going rocky was one of the low points of last season, so this show definitely needs the Cohens firmly together.
Speaking of low points, I'm not too crazy about Kaitlin's new classmates. Snotty Riley and her clique of wannabes all felt so phony and one-dimensional. I still like Kaitlin, though. And the party she threw was fun, but mostly because of the last-minute chaperones. I laughed out loud when Taylor, shopping around her Pictionary and her "get high on life" slogan, had water thrown on her. (Although it was way too much liquid to be a drink maybe someone jumped in the pool? Whatever it was, it was funny). Meanwhile, Che was passing out condoms and don't-drink-and-drive messages, while Summer was looking out for the safety of her tanning chair... shades of the old Summer? Perhaps she'll be back just in time for the return of another
O.C. classic: Chrismukkah, which arrives next week. Only seven shopping days left, better hurry!
