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.

Name: Leighton S. Favorite character: Seth The OC words to live by: Seth: What happens in Mexico stays in Mexico. Ryan: What happens in Mexico? Seth: I don‘t know because it stays there! That‘s why we must go! Contact: Private Message

Name: Max Power Favorite character: Hailey The OC words to live by: Puuuuuddding!

For how long will the soft side of Caleb last?

Matty Rich: He's a changed man. Believe it. Very mild heart attacks cause a person to re-evaluate his life, especially when that life has been more callous than coddling, more self-absorbed than ... not self-absorbed. As someone who has lived a guarded life, one always concerned about the true intentions of those around him, Caleb now has an opportunity to reconnect with his daughters. He has a chance to down tequila and invent bongs with Sandy. Above all else, the man can simply breathe the fresh air of change and dedicate his life to his loved ones. I think he will.

Max Power: Hmmm, well let's see, how long did Britney Spears' first marriage last? I'd give the over to Caleb plus five hours.

Leighton S.: Sandy has come a REALLY long way when it comes to getting along with Cal. How cool would it be if Caleb met him halfway? I mean, imagine Caleb becoming the coolest grandfather ever; anything you've ever wanted, ensures you of a prosperous life, it'd be great right? Not with Cal. It doesn't fit his lifestyle. Picture him being super sweet to Julie or excessively nice to the Venture Capitalist who he's buying out. Not gonna happen. He'll be back to Newport ways when he's off the drugs. After all, you can't spell California without Cal. How that relates here? Well, when in Rome.

Darkly Noon: Caleb's change of heart (pun ... intended!) should last until the next time he bumps into the "inland street thug" who provoked his coronary. He can turn over as many new leaves as he likes, but old habits die hard. Since Caleb is unreasonably suspicious of the Chino native, and Ryan can sometimes be stubborn to a fault, another confrontation is inevitable. It is only a matter of time. One can only hope that in Atwood-Nichol II, actual punches are thrown.

Discuss Caleb's transformation on the message board.

Come up with your own title for Seth's comic book.

Darkly Noon: The Jazzbo Times.

Matty Rich: The OC Files.

Max Power: Courageous Captain Oats and the OC Avengers

Leighton S.: SOUTHERN (these words are booming and echoing as you read them, right? Good) NEWPORT'S OFFENSIVELY BEAUTIFUL SQUAD or S.N.O.B.S for short.

Discuss the new Seth's comic on the message board.

Random thoughts/questions (Part I)

• Referring to Marissa as "Cosmo Girl?" These inside jokes are getting too transparent.
• Zach, you're a nice guy and all. But it is possible to be too trusting.
• As Sandy contemplated the tequilla, who else screamed at the TV: GO HOME!
• Will Europe ever recover from the visit by Julie Cooper?

When Alex and Marissa dance, who leads?

Leighton S.: Alex does. She's the only one who has any confidence. The only reason Marissa is doing this is because it's an escape from all of her problems. She's crying out. If only every attention-deficient cute girl lapsed into lesbian encounters, the world would be much ... happier.

Max Power: Well, because Marissa will mostly likely be drunk, for safety sake let's leave Alex with this one ... unless they're doing the Safety Dance then they can both lead. ÊBy the way, is anyone else looking forward to the inevitable Marissa-Alex breakup? ÊI'm thinking a combination of the guttural scream and chair flip from the first episode mixed up with a side of crying at the beach with a dash of painkillers basted in A LOT of alcohol. Baked over the next three episodes. Served for your viewing pleasure.

Darkly Noon: This is a tough question. In a "normal" relationship, the male would generally assume this role in dancing situations, but don't you see? Alex and Marissa are both girls! That said, I think Alex will have to lead when the two dance, as they undoubtedly will, at the one place in Newport that people hang out. My reasoning? Marissa will likely be too emaciated, or intoxicated, to handle such duties. What I am saying is, she is really thin and drinks a lot.

Matty Rich: You mean who is light enough to get lifted in the air? Who lacks the weight to get in the way of simple twirls and dips? Which girl can be tossed around like a piece of lint? I'll have to think awhile about this one.

Discuss dancing on the message board.

Will Kirsten forgive Sandy?

Darkly Noon: Probably.

Matty Rich: Forget being in the doghouse, Sandy now finds himself in an outhouse with a diarrhea-laden rhinoceros after lying about Rebecca. It's one thing to mislead your life about unimportant details, such an anniversary or how much you love her, but to offer up your office without charging rent is unforgivable. Kirsten is a business woman, her life is based around the bottom line and earning a profit - Sandy's pro bono attitude has finally landed him in a world of trouble. Only high prorated interests rates can save him now.

Leighton S.: She shouldn't. This is the Dumbest. Thing. Ever. I hate Sandy all of the sudden. Well, no, but I'm disappointed with him right now. Imagine if your wife were a supermodel, say Heidi Klum. Now imagine cheating on her with a Tonka Truck because one time you loved it, too. This makes that much sense. Kirsten will some day forgive Sandy because she's arguably the coolest/hottest wife in the history of matrimony. But her forgiveness isn't going to come cheap.

Max Power: Nope, this has divorce written all over it. ÊWho are we kidding? As a model for family relations, Kirsten and Sandy have to work out for the best. ÊCould the Cohens be the Cohens if they weren't led by Sandy? ÊWhat would happen if they separated? ÊKirsten would be eating out every night, Sandy would be living with an old flame out in his office, Seth would run back to the comforting arms of Luke in Oregon, Ryan would actually end up killing Caleb, and the Satan would move out of Hell because, 'it's getting a bit nippy down there.'

Discuss Kirsten's forgiveness on the message board.

Random thoughts/questions (Part II)

• So Lindsay plays the oboe. At least they aren't making her a complete dork.
• If Summer in that costume represents a "professional relationship," well, we should all have one of those.
• Wait, Darth Vader is Luke's father? That sure adds an unexpected twist.

Discuss Random thoughts on the message board.