Oh, O.C. , how I anxiously awaited your return for months and months. I had your premiere marked on my calander weeks in advance. I went to great lengths to ensure that I would be sitting squarely in front of my TV at eight o'clock on Thursday night (my dorm room lock broke, the repairman didn't answer... it was a long, complicated production). After five minutes, I came to conclusion: Marissa's absence (or death-- whatev ) has left a giant wave of depression over Orange County. Ryan thinks he's Brad Pitt from Fight Club. Julie has refocused her energy into various painkilling pills. Kaitlin lives for shopping and smoking pot. Summer is into protesting and has a new crunchy wardrobe to match. As for Seth, well, let's just say if it weren't for him I would have turned the show off after fifteen minutes. Athough Us Weekly said, "judging by the season's four terrific first episodes, this once hot soapy drama has been successfully revived," I wasn't impressed. Who wants to spend an hour watching an abrasively depressing show? Not I. In fact, I'm my emotions are split. I want to retire The O.C., but I don't want to abandon my love [Seth]. I don't want to miss out on his witty banter and silly wisecracks... but I really, really don't want to miss out on Grey's Anatomy, McDreamy, and McSteamy every week. I might give my beloved show one more chance, but - as much as it pains me to admit - I have a feeling our love affair won't last much longer. -tf [...]
