#a la the TTDS fic

[mischas]

If the O.C. reached it's 100th episode, how would it play out in terms of Ryan + Marissa?

Hmm, that's a great question. This would be the fifth season right? If we're going with episode counts in s1 (27), s2 (24), s3 (25). I imagine it as the finale of a Marissa-filled s4 or a premiere for s5.

Though I don't really love pregnancy cliffhangers I've seen discussion in the past mentioning that the SS pregnancy scare from s4 was supposed to be RM's. I have NO idea if that's true but it makes some sense, especially given the parallel to s1 and as I imagine RM to still be emotionally constipated with one another in a show with these same writers that are only ever able to throw them contrived drama and third party interference. That said, if they're in college, I think it would've been interesting to see that be a cliffhanger for them. And it could go a few ways but I think it would've been forward-thinking for Marissa to get an abortion if she was indeed pregnant. Maybe a little like Obvious Child where it brings she and Ryan closer and they can truly start unpacking all their baggage afterward. This is probably too progressive for 2008, though, lol.

Another idea I have is that Trey dies, probably from an overdose or from something as innocuous as crossing the Strip late at night and getting hit, and seeing how that forces Ryan and Marissa to confront that particular trauma. Maybe Dawn reenters the picture and tries to get Ryan to be sad with her and plan the funeral etc and it becomes about unfurling Ryan's trauma with her too. There is so much unsaid on this show and I would like to think that with enough time Ryan could approach the things that have shaped him and speak about them more. Not with the flick of a wrist but a direct communication about his abandonment issues, his rush to violence, his hero complex, etc. Maybe Trey's death could propel that. Marissa would be reticent to get into all of their personal history trauma because I don't think this show would've had her be on the healthy journey I myself would give her but her knowing Ryan inside and out would break down her walls to discussing the things with him she's needed to discuss with him since 2003.