#Sandy Cohen

[tags-ohara]

THE O.C. 2.07 FAMILY TIES

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The O.C. "Premiere" aired 20 years ago on August 5, 2003. written by Josh Schwartz directed by Doug Liman

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→ the O.C. - 1x01

[sarabethsilver]

The OC is, in many ways, just another soapy teen drama from the early 2000s. But one thing that makes it stand out? TV Parents who are actually INVOLVED in their kids lives. Enter Sandy Cohen.

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Just look at this dork. He's so excited to be standing next to his kids and I LOVE IT. No matter what teenage dramatics are occurring, this entire show is FILLED with genuine, non-snarky, loving moments between parents and kids. They LIKE one another.

GIF by bloodbuzz-ohio

And he adores his wife, too. Their kids might get involved in all sorts of crazy trouble, but these two? They're mostly navigating parenting dilemmas, in-laws, and busy careers. In other words: normal adult stuff. It's so refreshing.

GIF by grammatically-incoherent

But Sandy is no pushover. He gets mad, he gives consequences, and he cuts through teenage bullshit... but with love. It's always coming from a place of "You're smarter than this, I KNOW you can do better, I'm here anytime you need me."

(Side note: when people ask what Luke Danes could have done differently with Jess? THIS. This is what it should look like. But I have a separate analysis on the parallels between these shows!)

Anyway. This guy is GREAT and The OC is a pretty awesome show until it completely jumps the shark.

[loneliestpeopleinnewport]

marissa, seth, ryan and coming home.

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[silent-idea]

Favorite Relationships (no particular order) ↴ The Cohens ⇢ The O.C.

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The O.C. | 1×10 The Perfect Couple - I could be home by 6. - Is that a bribe, counselor?

[winnie-the-monster]

[anelimjolie]

Favorite father-son duos: babygirl lawyers with their little meow meow criminal

[offensivebagel]

The OC - "The Secret" - Yogalates

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[bloodbuzz-ohio]

The O.C. 1.11 The Homecoming "Hey, nothing says Thanksgiving like moo shu pork."

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[camibarbz]

3. The O.C.

4 years later and I'm back. It's safe to say that I'm somewhat of an expert at this show. I rewatch it at least twice a year. Let me just say CINEMATIC ART. Josh Schwartz actually ate down with this one. Okay here's my little spoiler warning -> SPOILERS AHEAD

The first episode is probably one of the best pilot episodes I've ever seen. From the beginning we get angst, we get drama, we get humor. Ugh it's just SO SO GOOD. Like are you joking? I can't even comprehend my thoughts I love this show. "Who are you?" "Whoever you want me to be." LIKE ARE YOU KIDDING. The soundtrack was iconic. The fashion, iconic. Some of the most quotable things. It was the perfect amount of drama for a teen show without going over the top (sorry Riverdale) and it was just so funny.

Character Review:

Marissa Cooper wasn't the worst person in the world, she was just hella misunderstood with a wacky mom and family. She is the human embodiment of a cry for help. Her mother is as they say - Julie Cooper. Although she loves her daughter, she loves status more. Some of her ideas were great, they just lacked in execution. And I know Marissa could be a pain, but she just needed help and love. She should've gotten that psychiatric help. But alas, she stays to add fuel to the fire. What is a teen drama without drama. She is such a nuanced character and I will not stand for the slander (maybe some but like SHE'S NOT ALL BAD CMOONN) She definitely did not deserve to leave the way she did. #rip

Ryan Atwood, the ultimate broody bad boy who's really a softie at heart. Literally could not catch a break. Went to jail (bc his brother wanted to steal a car) His girlfriend shot his brother (and we got a hilarious SNL skit out of it), burned down a staging home (luke's fault but still), got a girl pregnant (allegedly) and then she miscarried (lies), fell in love with Marissa (#rip) always felt like he had to fix everything for everyone (his downfall) became a cage fighter (cuz Marissa #rip) got kicked out of school senior year (cuz of Marissa #rip) came back to school (yay!) (my timeline if fked). I know his need to fix everything for everyone came from having to lock in throughout his childhood, but alas (again) where would the show be without it. Marissa was his real true love, no matter how toxic it was. They were literally written for each other. And super unpopular opinion but his relationship with Taylor near the end was cute! It might've been just what he needed. He was funny unintendedly and I loved the ongoing lore that he couldn't lie to save his life. and he was hot. NEXT

Seth mfking Cohen. I think the thing that got me was that he was just hella charming. He was a little shit, but his charm and humor got him through the show without being absolutely insufferable. Like all characters, he has his flaws but his character was there to make sure we weren't dark and gloomy all the time. I truly hope that after the time jump, he actually became a real person and not just a funny spoiled brat who is now an adult and married the love of his life. Now that I think about it, he didn't ever really have a true character arc, but at least he was goofy and funny. He's a perfectly imperfect character who has a purpose and executes it flawlessly.

Summer Roberts, loml. My favorite character of the series. From season 1, she has an EXPONENTIAL character arc. She turns from certified mean girl to a certified baddie with a heart as big as the sun. She always ate down with her outfits, had insane one liners, and was the one girl to always LOCK INNN when they needed her. When she actually ended up being a genius, I was OBSESSED. I liked how they approached this storyline as opposed to how Glee did it with Brittany. NO NOTES!

My favorite episode of the whole show was the one where they got locked in the mall after sorting clothes for the clothing drive. I love love love when shows do something fun to balance out the dread and drama. Them rolling around with the hockey masks looking like Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th was funny asf.

Rating: 9/10

minus 1 because (shockingly) i did not enjoy season 3. I didn't hate season 4 as much as everyone else, but the most insufferableness occurred during season 3 for me. Like Marissa's public school arc. Like Volchek (UGH) Like Johnny. #rip johnny but like BRUH CHILL OUT> However all the other points because of my favorite tv dad Sandy Cohen for saving the day (except when he cheated on his wife, that was so not cool sandy).

[riotgrrlia]

you're telling me... Young Sandy Cohen is played by Max Greenfield?! It's Schmidt!