The Undertow (The O.C. episode)

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


Season = 3
(2005-2006)
Caption =
Episode = 18
Airdate = March 23, 2006 (FOX)
Writer = Mark Fish
J. J. Philbin
Director = Robert Duncan McNeill
Production = 2T6268
Prev = The Journey
Next = The Secrets and Lies

"The Undertow" is the 69th episode of the FOX television series, "The O.C.". The episode was written by Mark Fish and J. J. Philbin and was directed by Robert Duncan McNeill. It originally aired on Thursday, March 23, 2006.

Guest starring

Plot

Seth is preparing for his Brown interview by playing video games. Summer talks to Ryan about him moving on. She thinks it's good that Ryan found someone opposite of Marissa.

Jess, Trey's ex, shows up at the Cohens' door delivering a late present to him from Trey. She said they kept in touch for a while. Ryan unwraps the present and finds a toy car, the one they stole in the pilot episode of "The O.C.". Kirsten comes in and tells the boys that it's time for breakfast.

Volchok stops by the trailer and gives back Marissa's Cartier watch. Volchok invites her to the beach at night. Marissa says to not count on it.

Summer is happy for Seth when he comes out of his Brown interview. Taylor meets up with Summer and gets a sense that Summer and Seth have lost the "magic." Taylor tells Summer that Seth may be looking at other girls during college. Sadie stops by the Cohens' house and briefly asks about the hooters waitress at the door yesterday.

Henry Griffin stops by Sandy's office. Griffin has some problems with Matt's habits, and the board's not sure they want to do business with Sandy's partner.

Seth and Ryan are talking to each other in the kitchen. They're talking about what Ryan should do about Jess. Marissa is at the lifeguard station where she imagines seeing Volchok. Marissa stops by to see Matt. She crashes at his place.

Summer and Seth are watching the entire Blade Trilogy at his house. Summer's trying to create a mood, but he's not interested anymore.

Ryan leaves a message for Sadie. He walks into Jess's place and he asks about his brother. Jess tells him that Trey misses him, but he's not the type to cry into a pillow. Jess really wants Ryan to stay a little while.

Ryan is punching the hell out of his punching bag. Memories of his brother start coming back to him. Kirsten's worried about if Ryan's O.K. or not. Sandy is surprised to find Marissa at Matt's place. She tells him that Matt is at L.A. for a meeting.

Taylor finds Summer at the diner picking up pancakes. Taylor realizes that Summer and Seth didn't have sex last night. Summer runs out before Taylor can say anymore.

Ryan stops at Sadie's place. Sadie demands a dinner from Ryan for his silence. Summer needs to talk to Marissa about Seth. Marissa sees Volchok at The Bait Shop also. Marissa and Summer decide to get out of there.

Jess says she has a boyfriend turned stalker. Jess tells Ryan that she really is trying to change. Ryan finds a picture of Trey in her purse. Trey calls Jess while Ryan is sitting next to Jess. Trey wants to talk to Ryan, but he hesitates. Jess tells Ryan that Trey wants her to come back. She tells him that her dad is in Tokyo on business and her mom is in bed with her tennis instructor.

Sadie drops by the Cohens bringing bagels and is looking for Ryan. Sadie's guessing that Ryan got a 911 call from Jess and took off. Seth tells Sadie that he thinks Ryan really likes her.

Taylor pops in Summer's room. She asks Summer to come and brainstorm a prom theme with her. Sandy's mad at Matt. Matt wants Sandy to call Griffin and tell him that he's gonna keep Matt on the project.

Summer arrives at school on a Sunday. She finds Seth there also. They find out that it was an ambush. They're having a "sex session" conducted by Taylor. Taylor tells them that she also does break-up counselling.

Ryan and Sadie are at the diner when he receives a call from Jess's friend saying there's an emergency. Sadie wants Ryan to go deal with his issues and call her when he's ready. Marissa's at The Bait Shop, denying that she's not looking for Volchok. All the while, Jess locks Ryan up in the poolhouse. She starts kissing Ryan's neck. Jim walks in and they go out to talk, but instead they get in a fight.

Taylor stops by Seth's room. He really does not want to talk to Taylor about his sex problems. She shows him a book that she and the dean used during their "meetings."

Sandy is out with Henry Griffin. He finds out that this really was about Griffin's daughter. Griffin makes Sandy choose between Matt or the hospital. Summer tells Marissa that she can't hang out with her tonight because Seth is coming over. She thinks that Seth might be breaking up with her. Kirsten and Ryan have a brief talk. He thinks it's too late for him and Sadie. Kirsten believes it is never too late.

Seth drops by Summer's room and tells her he's been schooled by Taylor in the ways of Kama Sutra. Seth and Summer suddenly look at each other, start making out, and end up having sex.

Ryan visits Sadie hoping to give an explanation to patch things up. They're making up - and out, and then start to take their clothes off on the floor. Volchok walks in to Julie's trailer and he and Marissa start making out while taking their clothes off.

Music

*"Next to Argyle" by Scissors For Lefty
*"Lover I Don't Have To Love" by Bettie Serveert
*"Inaction" by We Are Scientists
*"Girl And The Sea" by The Presets
*"Don't Pity Me" by Spiderbaby
*"It's Just Cruel" by The National Trust
*"What If's And Maybe's" by Bromheads Jacket

Trivia

Although she is credited, Melinda Clarke (Julie) does not appear in this episode. This is the first episode in Season 3 where a main cast member is not present.

External links

* [http://www.fox.com/oc/recaps/318.htm Recap from the official website]