The O.C.logy : Favourite moments (Season 1)

Well. You should have seen this coming. I spent a good half of last year watching and re-watching the first and second season of The O.C.. Word has it that the fourth season will end soon. So. I guess it is time to go down the nostalgic path and reminisce those good moments that pleasured us oh so guiltily. There are probably a lot of good moments that I like in this season, but by far, these are the ones that stand out. Arranged episodically chronologically.

Favourite moment #1: Seth sweeping Summer off her feet

He swept me off my feet too. And probably half of the female population out there watching the show while trying to decide to favour the hardcore puncher from Chino, or the comic relief skinny boy from Newport. Damn the boys and their good musical taste. Never mind that he happens to have a record player at the corner of his room, which coincidentally has Ryan Adams' - of all things musically formatted - vinyl set to Wonderwall.

And from then onwards, in my opinion, anything remotely romantic coming from Seth Cohen does not really seem plausible in real life. Because. These moments deep in a guy's heart is a rare breed in today's world. It is not easy finding a romantist like that. But what do I know, right? I have not dated all the men on the planet to make such a judgment.

Maybe I still believe there is such a sweet guy out there. Because deep inside of me, I still find being serenaded by Oasis' Wonderwall - or in this case Ryan Adams' - the most breathtaking thing a girl could ever encounter. Oasis has it well with the song, but there is just something more intimate and bittersweet about Ryan Adams' cover. His squeaking guitar. His rare piano. His breaking voice. And this coming from a person who does not really like covers, you can see that I am indeed pleased.

Favourite moment #2: Seth saying goodbye to Anna

This is when Seth rushes to the aiport to see Anna as she was leaving to go back to Pittsburgh. Based on his assumption that Anna was leaving because of what happened to them, Seth was determined to make her stay.

Anna is probably the best thing that has ever happened to Seth Cohen. (Excluding Ryan, whom, as seen in the fourth season, was supposed to be the one who changed Seth's life instead). If it were not for Anna and her wise words, Seth would either still be hiding around drooling over Summer, or still be letting Summer walk all over his tiny little emo heart. OK. Fine. Maybe Ryan should take some credit for Seth's better life, but it was Anna's "Confidence, Cohen" advice that would every guy out there who is too afraid to take that crucial step.

Saying goodbye to a friend is the hardest thing. Especially when you found out that you have so much in common and you have been through so much together, including going out together and finding out it still does not work out. So the latest era has emails and telephones and oh yeah, remember letters. But I guess. There is always the thought that things will not be the same again. And that makes saying farewell for good, the hardest thing.

Adam Brody did a fine job here. When he hit the transparent barrier and called Anna. Could you just imagine the fear he was going through as his good friend walked into the terminal, away from him.

And Nada Surf's If You Leave added the remaining essence for this scene.

Favourite moment #3: Jimbo to the rescue

After receiving news from Ryan via Sandy that Hailey is working in a strip club, Jimmy was willing to forgo building a career for his future, just to head down to Los Angeles to find Hailey.

The plot did not really work around Jimmy as a heroic character, especially after how he has handled his money. Or lack thereof. And Hailey did not seem to be the type in need of salvation. She seemed pretty content being the wayward child. But things took a sudden turn as Jimmy and Haily stood face-to-face at the dirty back alley. As she struggled to explain herself, Jimmy just matter-of-factly stopped her and told her it does not matter. Sometimes, just like that, the past does not matter. It seems that Jimmy knows what Hailey is going through. What with him borrowing money from Kirsten to pay off old miscalculated debts. What with her stripping just to make a living. It seems like they were floating on the same boat, eating the same stale fish and drinking the same salty sea water. Right here. Right now. It is what matters. We always do what we need to do, even if they are things that degrade us.

Tate Donovan has this fatherly characteristics oozing out of him whenever he speaks. He is not one to raise his voice and he will always has this smile that crinkles his face even when the going gets tough. His voice speaks like an angel's and that was more than enough to calm Hailey's troubled heart down.

"I wished you would've called first. I would've washed my hair."
Maybe it was to make light of the embarrassing situation. Or maybe it was a Nicol trend to stay tough no matter what. Even if your weakness has been laid out flat on the silver platter for everyone to see. Hailey's secret was out and she was not the strong one anymore. Yet. She would like Jimmy to think she is alright.

I guess. At one point or another of our life, we need someone to save us. Regardless if it is as easy a rescue as heading down to L.A to tell off an old bar manager and his buffy bouncer.

Photo credit: Screencap Paradise