The Swells

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


Season = 3
(2005-2006)
Caption = Taylor talks to Seth at the lock-in.
Episode = 6
Airdate = November 10, 2005 (FOX)
Writer = J. J. Philbin
Director = Michael Fresco
Production = 2T6256
Prev = The Perfect Storm
Next = The Anger Management

"The Swells" is the 57th episode of the FOX television series, "The O.C.". The episode was written by J. J. Philbin and was directed by Michael Fresco. It originally aired on Tuesday November 10, 2005.

Guest starring

Plot

Marissa awakes in a pool of sweat and calls Ryan. She's having nightmares about Trey and the shooting and she's scared. Ryan tells her that Trey's gone, everything's fine and she should just to go back to bed. Summer finds Marissa sitting alone on the steps, and tells her she's there for her. If only Ryan knew that's all he needed to say.

Sandy thinks he's found a buyer for the Newport Group but checks with Kirsten one last time to see if she's really ready to say goodbye to the company she worked at for 15 years. Yes, and it only took her 15 years to discover how much she hated it.

It's Ryan's first month back at Harbor and he, Seth, and Summer are getting coffee when Taylor Townsend shows up with exciting news that there is going to be a Lock-In. The entire senior class is going to spend the night in the gym. Oh, Seth has plans that night. Oh, too bad, the Lock-In is mandatory. Counts as a class. See you there.

At Newport Union, Marissa's approached by her new gang, who are all excited about the weekend swells coming in from Antarctica. Marissa has no idea what that means. It means, that after the flattest season ever, they're finally going to get some decent waves. And they're going to welcome in the southern swells with an ancient ritual known as Dawn Patrol. Or, staying up all night partying before surfing.

Julie meets her new housemate, Charlotte, for lunch. Julie complains about being snubbed by the women in her cardio barre class after she lost all her money. Charlotte knows exactly how she feels. The same thing happened to her when she got out of rehab. What did she do? She threw a party, of course. A black-tie benefit. And that's exactly what Julie should do. Raise money for a good cause and get her life back. Think about it. Of course we'll need Kirsten's help.

Marissa meets her new gang at the beach. It's such a beautiful day, she almost wishes she knew how to surf. Johnny tells her it really helped him to get through the nightmares and all. Marissa suddenly realizes she and Johnny have a lot to talk about. She calls Summer and cancels on dinner with the Cohens. Ryan's clearly disappointed when he hears the news.

Johnny and Marissa take a walk and he confides that he and his dad got into a huge fight about three or four years ago and he hasn't seen him since. His dad was a drunk and he used to beat up his mom. One night Johnny came home and his father had his mother pinned against the wall with his hands around her neck. Johnny just lost it. He took a baseball bat and he must've started beating him. But he doesn't remember a thing. He passed out. When he came to, his Dad was unconscious and he was covered in his blood. Today Johnny has no idea how he could have done that. Marissa knows exactly what he means. Then Johnny confesses that she's the only person he's ever told. Marissa puts her arm around him, just as Casey pulls into the parking lot and sees them.

The next morning, Summer wakes up an exhausted Marissa and demands to know where she was. Marissa assures Summer that she would never cheat on Ryan. Besides, Johnny doesn't like her like that. He has a girlfriend. And if Summer doesn't believe her, she can come to the beach with them tonight and see for herself. O.K., she will.

Sandy meets with the prospective buyers of the Newport Group: Kurt Williams and the young rising star of the company, Matt Ramsey. Sandy has one stipulation before he's willing to sell. But before he can say what it is, young Matt demonstrates that he's done his homework by citing The Martinson Complex - a low income housing project that Sandy fought his father-in-law tooth and nail to get up. Sandy needs their word that it won't be destroyed, even if it doesn't bring in much revenue. The senior partner gives his word.

Back at the Harbor School Lock-In, Seth overhears a conversation between Taylor and her mother, who apparently has nothing nice to say about her daughter. Seth appears to have a moment of sympathy for the girl that's forcing him to spend his weekend in the gym.

Meanwhile, at the beach, Marissa introduces Summer to Johnny, Chili, and Casey. Chili is, of course, instantly in love. Suddenly, two buff surfers show up and Johnny reluctantly introduces them. One of them, Volchok, is apparently Johnny's top rival for sponsorship on the tour.

At the Cohens', Julie and Charlotte pitch their party idea to Kirsten: a black tie event to benefit under-privileged women so they can have the same opportunity they had to go to rehab and recover. Kirsten thinks it's a great cause. Great, so you'll help us throw it? Uh... no. Kirsten's not ready to get back into the party scene. Awkward moment, then Kirsten excuses herself to make coffee. Charlotte follows Kirsten inside and guilts her into doing it to help Julie get back on her feet.

The Dawn Patrol party continues at Chili's house where a pained Summer witnesses what appears to be a romantic connection between Marissa and Johnny.

Seth gets a panicked call from Summer, telling him Ryan needs to get down to Chili's house ASAP! But before she can explain why, Taylor confiscates Seth's cell phone. Ryan takes off for Chili's.

Casey, who's clearly been taking note of the connection between her boyfriend and Marissa, finally shows up at the party. She plays it cold with Johnny at first, but gives in to his affection. Summer calls Seth to abort the mission, but it's too late. Ryan's already here. He has no idea why he's here, but he's here. Summer confesses that she was worried about Marissa and Johnny. Ryan looks up and sees Johnny with his arms around Casey. Summer admits to having a bit of a hair-trigger.

Sandy's been having some reservations about the sale of the Newport Group and has scheduled a private meeting with Matt. Matt admits to Sandy that his boss will tear down anything that's not making him a mint. Sandy thanks him for his honesty. Matt advises Sandy not to sell the Newport Group. Why not hang onto it and make it work-with him. Matt reels off his impressive resume, which includes having graduated Magna Cum Laude from Berkeley. Sandy's suddenly paying attention but still thinks there's no substitute for life experience. Matt tells Sandy that's where he comes in. And just think what a difference Sandy could make in this community if he had control over a multi-million dollar company. Sandy says he'll think about it. And by that he means he'll ask his wife.

Julie and Charlotte are at dinner and Charlotte steps off to take a call just as a rather pushy waiter arrives with the bill. Julie reaches into Charlotte's wallet and discovers a virtual smorgasbord of credit cards and drivers licenses. Same face. Different identity. Julie quickly shoves the wallet back into the purse and pays cash.

Since Ryan's at the party anyway, he might as well ask Marissa what the deal is between her and Johnny. Marissa explains that she can talk to him. About what? About Trey. Ryan doesn't understand why she doesn't just talk to him about it. She says she tried but Ryan just wants to pretend it didn't happen. Ryan doesn't know what to do. He can't fix what happened. Summer catches Ryan on his way out, and begs him to make up with Marissa before he takes off.

Inside, Johnny advises Marissa to call Ryan and make up. He shows her to Chili's bedroom so she can make the call in private, but when he opens the door he finds Volchok making out with Casey. Casey takes off. The way Volchok sees it, Johnny got his sponsorship and he got Johnny's girl. Fair's fair. Johnny tells the gang he just wants to be alone. Casey returns and tells Marissa that she might not know it yet, but Johnny's falling in love with her. And Casey's not going to stick around and watch that happen. Then they discover Johnny went after Volchok.

Outside the restaurant, Julie has one little question for Charlotte. Who are you? After describing the contents of Charlotte's purse, Julie asks for Charlotte to give it to her straight. Charlotte claims she was never going to hurt her. Right, she was just going to throw a faux charity, take the money and skip town. Charlotte suggests that Julie help her do just that. They'll split the money, Charlotte will take off, and nobody will be the wiser.

Back at the Lock-In, Taylor's attempt to create an "atmosphere of trust" is bombing big time. And nobody's cutting her any slack except Seth, who mercifully removes the microphone from her hands and tries to organize a game of capture the flag. Seth is met with an equal amount of hostility, but he tells Taylor he can take it. Taylor looks up at Seth with newfound admiration.

Johnny confronts Volchok at the beach, but before Volchok can take a swing at him, Ryan tells him to back off. Then Ryan hauls off and punches Volchok in the mouth.

Taylor approaches Seth and thanks him for what he did. No problem, he's immune to mockery. Taylor agrees to work something out with the sign-in sheet so Ryan and Summer won't get in trouble.

Ryan hangs with Johnny at the diner and Marissa drives Summer to the Lock-In. Summer pounds on the door, but Taylor, standing on the other side, pretends not to hear her.

Controversy

On November 14, 2005 website TVgasm.com reported that "Marissa's nipple slipped out of her top on national television in the family hour prime time slot". [cite web|url=http://www.tvgasm.com/archives/the_oc/001409.php|title=Broadcast Nudes: Update|first=J-Unit|date=2005-11-14|publisher=TVgasm.com|accessdate=2008-07-27] The story gained more coverage appearing with Mischa Barton's exposure reported on "Saturday Night Live" later that week. [cite web|url=http://www.tvgasm.com/archives/the_oc/001429.php|title=TVgasm Not Yet Ready for Prime Time?|first=B-Side|date=2005-11-20|publisher=TVgasm.com|accessdate=2008-07-27] "People" magazine also reported on the "The blink-and-you'll-miss-it" incident, commenting that following the much publicised Janet Jackson controversy FOX could face complaints to the FCC. [cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1131531,00.html|title=Mischa Barton Bares Breast on The OC|last=Silverman|first=Stephen M.|date=2005-11-17|work=People|publisher=Time Inc.|accessdate=2008-07-27]

Music

*"Publish My Love" by Rogue Wave
*"Knocked Down" by Pennywise
*"No Rest For The Weekend" by Orange
*"Sugar" by Ladytron
*"Swagger" by Calla

References

External links

* [http://www.fox.com/oc/recaps/306.htm Recap from the official website]