The Second Chance (The O.C. episode)

Infobox Television episode
Colour = #ffaa44
Series = The O.C.
Title = The Second Chance


Season = 2
(2004-2005)
Caption = Caleb, Kirsten and Lindsay at the hospital
Episode = 11
Airdate = February 3, 2005 (FOX)
Writer = Drew Z. Greenberg and Josh Schwartz
Director = Tony Wharmby
Production = 2T5111
Episode list = "The O.C." (season 2)
List of "The O.C." episodes
Prev = The Accomplice
Next = The Lonely Hearts Club|

The Second Chance is the 38th episode of the FOX television series, "The O.C." The episode was written by Drew Z. Greenberg and Josh Schwartz and was directed by Tony Wharmby. It originally aired on Thursday February 3, 2005.

Guest Starring

Plot

Ryan is up early trying to do homework when Seth comes in needing to talk. Now that things are moving forward with the comic book partnership with Zach and Summer, Seth is worried about the late nights at the office, high stress, and things getting a little sexy. Ryan reminds him that he doesn't have an office and comic books aren't sexy.

Sandy sneaks in after his all-nighter at the office with the Professor and Rebecca. Kirsten asks how the Professor took the news about his daughter's death and Sandy answers the question with a question – "Well, how do you think he took it?" Then Rebecca calls on his cell and Sandy turns on his professional voice.

Ryan is still trying to study but this time Kirsten is in the mood to chat. Kirsten assures Ryan that whatever he did at dinner with Caleb and Lindsay can be undone, except it wasn’t anything Ryan did, it was something Caleb did when he mistook Lindsay's getting-to-know-Dad dinner for a blackmail session. Kirsten thinks Caleb must've mistaken Lindsay for her other sister or his wife. Kirsten announces that she's going to set up another dinner where actual food will be eaten.

Sandy and Rebecca walk on the pier and catch up on the past 20 years. Turns out she hasn't met anybody since him. In her words, it's a little hard to get to know people when you can't tell them who you really are and you can't stay in one place for very long. Speaking of not staying long, it's almost time for her to move on.

At school, Ryan invites Lindsay to a family dinner with himself, Kirsten, and Caleb. Lindsay thinks one miserable dining experience was enough.

Kirsten drops by the office to see Caleb. She needs him to join her, Lindsay, and Ryan for dinner. Only this time, she needs him to be cordial. Lindsay wants to know who her father is so he better show up and be a real dad to her or he's going to lose 2 daughters.

In Sandy's office, Rebecca tells her dad she can't stay and that she's not turning herself in. Max asks for Sandy's help clearing her name but Sandy thinks that'll be impossible given what happened, except it didn't happen. Max prods Rebecca to tell Sandy what really happened that night. It turns out that Rebecca got scared and never showed. Max pleads with Sandy to give his daughter back her life.

In the student lounge, Summer runs into Seth, who is putting the final touches on a sketch of Marissa - a.k.a. "Cosmo Girl, Passion for Fashion." Back to Summer, who wants to make sure Seth isn't going to shortchange her character just because she doesn't want to date him anymore. This is exactly what Seth’s been worrying about: allowing their history to compromise the artistic process. Then Summer reminds him about the super power of Zach to make her forget him. Seth still thinks it could be a little weird. Suddenly Zach bounds in full of enthusiasm and tells them that his dad has an intern whose uncle works at Wild Storm, a reputable comic book company. He pitched them the idea and they loved the world of Atomic County. And if they like the artwork, they might want to set up a meeting. They loved Summer's character – Little Miss Vixen with designer handbags full of killer credit cards – so they need to get down her likeness soon.

At The Bait Shop, Marissa asks Alex where things stand with her and Seth. Alex tells her they taxied but never achieved lift-off, similar to Marissa's relationship with D.J. Marissa then asks if she can crash at Alex's place again tonight. Alex then questions Marissa as to why they are spending so much time together. But Alex isn't referring to eating ice cream so much as sleeping over, hanging out all the time, borrowing her clothes. Alex's directness is suddenly rather direct. Marissa changes her tune and decides she probably should go home after all.

Meanwhile, Kirsten stops by Lindsay's house and convinces her to give Caleb one more chance.

Sandy puts Rebecca up in a room above his office and agrees to take on her case. She's excited and suggests, for old time's sake, that they celebrate with some Mexican food, tequila, and marijuana. Sandy suggests they just stick to the tequila.

Seth arrives at Summer's for their sketch session and is greeted by Summer in a bathrobe. Summer then drops her robe revealing her "Little Miss Vixen" outfit. The sketching session turns into a drawing lesson which turns into a near kiss.

At the Cohens', Caleb makes the first move and compliments Kirsten on a delicious dinner. Then Kirsten tells Caleb about Lindsay's interest in classical music and Caleb offers her his box seats at the Hollywood Bowl. Lindsay extends the offer to Ryan but before he can respond, Caleb jumps in with the assertion that Ryan wouldn't be interested in that sort of thing. Then Ryan decides it's time for him to go, after all, this was supposed to be about Caleb and Lindsay making up for lost time. Lindsay asks Ryan to stay. Caleb seconds it, suggesting that Ryan continue to live in this house, eat their food, date their children, and interfere in their affairs. Caleb jumps up as Ryan moves toward him, when suddenly Caleb clutches his chest in pain, collapsing onto the floor, and taking the table cloth and all the glassware with him.

Kirsten, Lindsay, Ryan and Seth sit in the hospital waiting room. The doctor finally comes out and tells them Caleb suffered a minor heart attack but he's going to be O.K. Then Sandy arrives, exhausted from a long night at the office and when Kirsten goes to greet him, she notices he smells like liquor. Kirsten suggests that Sandy being around her dad might not be the best medicine right now.

Later, in his hospital room, Caleb tells Kirsten and Lindsay that he's never been better. He owes them a huge apology and now that he's got a second chance, he'd like to use it. He reaches for their hands and asks if they can start over.

At The Bait Shop, Alex is listening to Rachael Yamagata sing a sultry tune when Marissa approaches her from behind and takes her hand, weaving their fingers together. They exchange smiles.

Lindsay drives Ryan home from the hospital. Ryan blames himself for what happened to Caleb but Lindsay assures him it's not his fault. She thinks Caleb's changed and really wants a relationship with her now. Right now Caleb needs her so Lindsay and Ryan need to take a little time off. Ryan knows what it's like, not having a dad, so he accepts.

Kirsten stops by Sandy's surf shack law office to do a little sprucing up. Rebecca comes out thinking it's him. The 2 women stare at each other in shock.

Mistakes

*In the scene 'early' in the morning between Kirsten and Ryan talking, Ryans watch says its 12.45 p.m.

Music

*"Summer Quest" by The Go Find
*"Everybody Come Down" by The Delgados
*"Sweets" by M. Craft
*"Cartwheels" by The Reindeer Section
*"The Bully" by Sia
*"Reason Why" by Rachel Yamagata