Once a week, the members of The OC Round Table will deliver their uncensored, unabashed, unwavering views on various issues affecting the show and its characters. Not so much knights as raucous fans of this FOX phenom, these pundits will comment on every aspect that hits the airways, from Ryan‘s bird-like facial expressions to Luke‘s transition from hotheaded jock to complete and utter loser. Agree with their views? Disagree? Send in your thoughts, comments, questions or harassing diatribes to any or all of the supposed sages. They‘ll publish viewer feedback in each subsequent edition of the Round Table. Now, it‘s time to pull up a chair, meet our panelists and dissect their takes on the shocking twists and turns that comprise The OC.

The panel:

Name: Matty Rich Favorite character: Sandy The OC words to live by: Kirsten: So what do you want to be, now? Ryan: Seventeen. Contact: Private Message

Name: Darkly Noon Favorite character: Ryan The OC words to live by: Juile: We're celebrating my new position. Sandy: I'm not gonna touch that one. Contact: Private Message

Think of a tag line for the Free Marissa campaign.

Matty Rich: Free Marissa: This Worked for Donna Martin

Darkly Noon: First let us discuss the fact that "Free Marissa" is a bit of a misnomer, since she has always been free. The elder Cooper sister was simply booted out of the Harbor School, not charged with any crime as a result of the shooting. Being expelled from a private institution does not make one oppressed, and the last time I checked, she was making some cool, laid back surfer pals at Newport Union. No way the idiots who devised this campaign are getting admitted by Brown. But to answer your question, here is a campaign tag line: Last to Eat, or Accept Defeat! Compelling, no? Eh?

Discuss Free Marissa on the message board.

If you were a professional athlete, would you sign with Veronica Townsend?

Darkly: The vivacious Veronica Townsend is all hype. I'd totally tap the talented Taylor to talk to teams, though. Anyone who can collect nearly 300 signatures in four minutes is a master of organization and wields considerable influence. Clearly a heavyweight sports agent in the making. Plus, there are other forms of payment besides money, if you know what I am talking about. I'm talking about tons of tawdry tube sock tang. TT, you know where to find me (at dnoon@ureach.com).

Matty: While I'd be tempted to team up with voluptuous Veronica as long as she sold my talents as well as she sold her cleavage last night, this Townsend's tactics are transparent. Take away her looks and she won't be able to see. She also only relies on her appearance to get what she wants. Blackmail didn't work with the her determined daughter; no line of reasoning convinced the board to Restrain Marissa. I fail to see how she'd convince any team to give this 25-year old without any college experience a contract.

Discuss sports agents on the message board.

Random thoughts/questions (Part I)

• 300 student signatures, the support of the principal, the backing of all adults at the board of trustees meeting except one. No wonder Marissa was expelled in the first place.
• Caitlin Cooper moved so quickly in that episode, we barely saw her.
• Free Marissa? Or Feed Marissa?
• We hope no one got hurt at the Boxing Day party.

Will Judge Mercer be reunited with his son?

Darkly: The "hanging judge" should totally start hanging with his kid again. On a partial side note, since that is the best I can come up with for this answer, I am thinking about hanging myself.

Matty: Yes. The troubled son will become a regular on the show and Marissa will relate to him because he also has brown hair. More story line time will be devoted to this relationship and this new character than the wit of Seth, the wisdom and kindness of Sandy, the scorching hotness of Kirsten, the conniving charm of Julie, the cute naivete of Summer or the brooding benevolence of Ryan. I can't wait.

Discuss the Judge Mercer on the message board.

Will Ryan do anything noteworthy ever again?

Darkly: Not anytime soon. As long as Johnny's around, Ryan's entire purpose will be to defend him from bullies, passively confront him about Marissa, or talk him out of committing armed robbery. Damn you, Pac West surfing tour. Why couldn't you take this shaggy dead weight away from the Orange County and give us back our Rhino?

Matty: Noteworthy??? How would Marissa ever get driven anywhere, eat lunch with anyone or fight her own battles if not for Ryan? Call him Mr. Mom, call him Mr. Wife, just don't call him a taxi. He'll be too busy driving Marissa someplace.

Discuss Ryan on the message board.

Random thoughts/questions (Part II)

• If you have T-shirts, do you really need buttons?
• For a gal with no friends, Taylor has a lot of pull.
• There's a rumor going around that it's not really Judge Mercer's son. Theresa was lying to him all along.
• Where was the Free Luke campaign?!?

Discuss Random thoughtson the message board.