Sandbox - The OC

The inaugural season of Fox's The OC captured the hearts of a nation divided. We were introduced to Ryan Atwood, the tough kid from the wrong side of the tracks, his best friend Seth Cohen, impossibly witty and great-looking hipster nerd, and their on-again, off-again babe girlfriends, Marissa Cooper and Summer Roberts. So much drama, so much heartache, so much triumph!

We were all hooked, and rightfully so. Then Season 2 came back with a vengeance. Ryan and Seth return home, where they belong, in the OC (thank God). Theresa leaves the picture (it’s about time). And we see greased-up stud muffin DJ half-naked 90% of the time (awesome!). Who could forget the ‘group-hang,’ Zach and Seth’s graphic novel, and their harmless, bitter rivalry? Or the illegitimate spawn of Caleb Nichol, conveniently hot, superdork Lindsay Gardener? Not as cool as Anna, but hey, she starred in that sweet shark TV-movie. And of course the highlight of Season 2… Alex. The supermodel/ badass turned punk courtesy of some purple streaks in her hair. And she makes out with chicks—including Marissa. What’s not to love?

And the greatest parents of all time: MILF-wino Kirsten Cohen and teddy-bear lawyer husband Sandy, protective and damn handsome. Curse the strains on their holy union! Carter, Rebecca, the sauce… tugging at our heart strings each and every week. But deep down, we knew all along that nothing could tear them apart. You can always count on The OC for some much-needed reassurance that true love is out there, and the fabulously wealthy and good looking deserve it the most.

The dialogue was sharp, the plot engrossing, the people beautiful, the music hip, the drama mesmerizing, complete with a few fatalities and some alcoholism. Love The OC for what it is, and it’s easy to see that Season 2 was a resounding success. So grab your chardonnay and turn on some Death Cab—it’s time to watch hot bodies get dysfunctional. Season 3… Season 3… here we coooooommmmmeeee!

Will Wright