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 R. Favorite character: Sandy The OC words to live by: Kirsten: So what do you want to be, now? Ryan: Seventeen. E-mail: Mattr@ocfiles.com

Name: Mr. Blue Favorite character: Kirsten The OC words to live by: Sandy: Face it, your mom‘s a hottie. And I got her. E-mail: MrBlue319@hotmail.com

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! E-mail: Leighton_s_3@hotmail.com

THE ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

What is your favorite episode of The OC so far?

Matty: It will be difficult for any series, let alone The OC, to ever air a more complete, humorous, in-depth hour of television than "The Homecoming" (11/19/03). This episode had it all: a Thanksgiving feast gone awry; witty one-liners; smooching galore; a trip through Chino and an important step in the escalating relationship between Ryan and Marissa. The show featured all the important characters at their best, a confused, funny Seth; a smug Caleb; a drunk Kirsten; a relaxed, humorous Sandy; a sexual Summer; a quirky Anna and a toughie, albeit softie, Ryan. This episode also included the famed attempt at a fist pound from Sandy to his son in response to the intelligence and beauty of Anna, along with words from Marissa that left a proverbial lump in the audience's throat: "When you left Chino, I didn't realize you left people behind." Pass the tissues.

Leighton: I'm having a tough time with this one; the writers/producers have done an excellent job keeping up a consistent dose of wit, skin, cheese and drama nearly every week. However, if I were to choose one episode, I'd pick "The Heights" (11/05/03). Without recapping the entire episode, I will say that I remember it as my favorite because it seemed like the group was coming together as a whole. For the first time, the show was firing on all cylinders. Ryan found himself the focus of Marissa's attention (the couple's first kiss ended this episode), Sandy and Kirsten were torn over Sandy's decision to pick up the legal case involving Kirsten's father and Seth was beginning to reap the benefits of having two girls interested in him. To the casual viewer, it was an hour that made you constantly smile. Seth's wit was at its peak, Marissa hadn't yet discovered her uncanny ability to whine about everything, Ryan kissed Marissa -- but with it kissed his masculinity goodbye -- Summer, like a good salsa (hey, they were just in Mexico), was the perfect mix of hot and saucy, and Sandy and Kirsten were caught up in the most sexual tension since Urkel and Laura. The episode left you with a good feeling and anticipation about what was to come. I'd argue that since "The Heights" aired the show has lost a bit of its edge and, more importantly, its unpredictability. But, like a ferris wheel, the show will have its ups and downs. We'll see what the next loop brings us.

Mr. Blue: My favorite episode? Easy. The last one, because we finally got a break from the show. That's right, readers, the show needed to take a break. Why? The story line was getting ridiculous. Rino is a pansy! I mean, come on! Are we expected to believe he has gotten that nice that quickly? But finally he beat the crap out of Oliver, the biggest television loser since 90210's Steve Sanders (and that includes Luke). In a cliche worthy of a Kenny Anderson interview (he's a professional basketball player, kids) Oliver irritated Rino into finding his inner anger, to great results. It was about time. Still, the show does need a break, they need to rethink the story line a little, redevelop some of the characters. Luke has gotten too ridiculous, and am I the only one hoping that Marissa's mom will succeed in blowing her up with a car bomb (where Dylan McKay's father failed. Or where the folks trying to kill Dylan's father failed ... or, whoever failed, it's nothing like the time Zack's father shot himself on that video he sent down to the 15th precinct, not long after Zack had been set up for heroin possession, but I digress)? Either way, Marissa has gotten really annoying and the problem, as some of us perceive it, is that the show didn't look far enough ahead to complete a first season. Hopefully, this last, great episode, will serve to redevelop the inner bad ass in Ryan, help Seth cash in his V-card, make Marissa cool/dorky again. Other than that, I hope they keep Sandy and Kirsten as they are. Awesome parents. They need to bring back Kirsten's sister, as mucho eye candy is always required in teen dramedy/soap opera/musicals. And that, good readers, does not answer the question at all!


What do you do between the hours of 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. on a Wednesday night when there is not a new episode of The OC on?

Mr. Blue: I am ... at a bar! Yeah, at a bar, and definitely not curled in the fetal position crying in my dark bedroom.

Matty: Two words: drunk Yahtzee.

Leighton: If I'm not sitting around pining over why there isn't a new OC on, I can usually be found debating the finer points about why I don't have a girlfriend. Any chance the two are connected? Is it too much to ask for a girl with Kirsten's (younger) looks, Summer's panache, and the sex appeal of Caleb's first arm charm, Nikki Ziering? But that's beside the point. I fear that if I ever convinced such a girl to be my girlfriend, my fondness for The OC might wane. So, who needs a girlfriend? I like long walks along the beach, candlelit dinners, the outdoors and fire trucks. Lots and lots of fire trucks.Ê


Which character would you re-name and why?

Leighton: I'd re-name Anna. "Anna" is reserved for cute, spunky, athletic girls. This Anna should be named something like Lisa, or Beth; something any future librarian would be proud of.

Mr. Blue: I would change Luke to Marvin, cause he seems like a Marvin (take that to mean what you will).

Matty: I'd change Sandy's name to God. He knows all.