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

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

Find a new way to describe Seth's immature, selfish, pathetic actions.

Matty Rich: Look, I vaguely recall the days when Seth was a well-intentioned, socially-awkward neophyte. He was a lovable loser, Newport's answer to Red Sox fans. In the past year, however, Bostonians and the only Cohen offspring have something else in common: complete and utter overexposure that has resulted in widespread disdain for these previously playful pariahs. At one time, Seth's woebegone, narcissistic views and actions were cute, humorous, even cute and humorous. Now? When he doesn't even allow Ryan a cup of coffee - or a stretch - before he launches into the absurd, mean-spirited tale of lying to his dream girl and screwing over a friend yet again all due to a semi-attractive female that happens to like comics? He's about as enjoyable as razor burn on a warm summer day.

Max Power: Womanly.

Darkly Noon: What a little bitch!

Discuss Seth's actions on the message board.

According to the classic 1980's band, Poison, "every rose has its thorn." Do you agree?

Darkly Noon: Oh, absolutely. It's a metaphor for life, especially in 21st-Century America. Just the way every paycheck has its taxes, every beautiful member of the opposite sex has his/her STD, every sunny day has its melanoma, every unopened piece of mail has its anthrax, and every thriving city has its deadly terrorist attack. And so forth

Matty Rich: When Poison lead singer, Bret Michaels, receives his beer after a show, do you think he asks why it's half empty? For a band named after a deadly substance, these rockers sure are pessimistic! Sure, roses have thorns. But at their core, these are breath-taking examples of nature's mysticism and beauty. And does every cowboy really sing a sad, sad song? I find it hard to believe - and a little distressing - that there aren't any six-shooter toters out there, spurs jingling, jangling, jingling in the wind, not a care in the world. We all have scars that remain. But sometimes the person who cut us so deeply is the only person who can act as a blissful, perpetual salve. Think about it, Bret. Call me any time.

Max Power: Agree, of course.Ê Just like every night has its dawn.ÊBut have you ever seen a cowboy sing a sad, sad song?Ê Not likely.

Discuss the new Poison on the message board.

Random thoughts/questions (Part I)

• In the course of a few minutes, that bar played 2/570ths of my iPod.
• Ok, I'll ask: what the heck is a graphic novel?
• And don't you need to be at least 18 years of age to be involved with them?
• Yes, Trey, everyone who comes over for a breakfast invitation pounds on the door as though they're on fire.

Does Caleb deserve to die?

Max Power: This is like asking do Twinkies ever go bad?Ê Or do Chia-Pets really work?Ê Or does Fred McGriff really supports Tom Emansky's tips for young baseball players?Ê In other words, I have no idea.Ê Danger OC, danger.Ê You're toeing a very delicate line between a breakout hit and soap opera-Melrose Place doldrums.Ê Make Lance go away and learn your lesson from the Oliver debacle - this can only end badly.

Darkly Noon: Sure he deserves to die. But only the good die young (Billy Joel rolls over in grave) and the Nichol family patriarch is one bad-a$$ dude. How else could he have lasted this long? Knowing Caleb, he's keenly aware of being plotted against, even when in Rome on business. And you know what they say: When in Rome, beat the dirtbag extortionist to the punch. Expect Lance to get what's coming to him upon Caleb's return to the states. Two words: Cement Shoes.

Matty Rich: Oh no, another right to life issue. Please don't send in any more emails, Mr. DeLay, we know where you stand. There's no doubt that the Cal-train has ran over its share of unfortunate passengers - wasn't there a secret daughter or something at some point? - but this is still a man who provides for his family. Whether it's the occasional barb at Sandy's expense or the wads of cash thrown at Marissa, Caleb plays a vital cog in the ever-mediocre machine that is The OC. He doesn't deserve to die any more than Smoochie did ... and the six people who saw that movie know how that turned out.

Discuss Caleb's death on the message board.

Under what circumstances will the second first kiss between Ryan and Marissa finally occur?

Darkly Noon: Sometimes, no matter how much two people care for each other, they must take a break and mature as individuals. Tre's arrest and the fallout from the raging party at Marissa's home will keep the two lovebirds estranged for a few years. Marissa will finish high school and room with Summer at USC (aptly nicknamed the University of Spoiled Children). Having transitioned from inland street thug to model citizen, Ryan will enroll at UC-Riverside, then transfer to UCLA. They'll keep in touch, but infrequently. Until Ryan is in architectural design class one afternoon when his phone vibrates. Marissa just happens to be in his neck of the woods, under the pretense of shopping for jeans. She suggests they meet up for a quick lunch. Ryan knows no one just stops by that area for jeans, but was secretly hoping she'd call. Needless to say, their ensuing date involves more than sandwiches. As part of the Thursday lunch special, they get potato chips and a pickle, too. For free!

Matty Rich: The first one took place on a ferris wheel. So, if Ryan is to follow in the romantic, fast-talking footsteps of other hunks in a similar situation, the smooching sequel should be an ode to their initial session of tonsil hockey, with a new, long-lasting twist thrown in. I foresee an awkward moment in which Ryan arrives at his loved one's door, butterflies darting around in his stomach, intent on rekindling that caring carnival caress. Marissa will probably laugh at the gesture and make him feel like a hopeless, confused excuse for a stud. But, soon, they will share a fast, uncomfortable, nervous kiss - like a pair of eighth graders on the playground - and it will best be described as: having taken place.

Max Power: After two more close encounters, one interrupted by a phone call by Theresa's mom telling Ryan that Theresa's in labor, the other when Trey breaks out of prison and runs to say goodbye to Ryan who's in the poolhouse with Marissa, Ryan finds Marissa crying in her room, aÊfound copy of TheÊPorn Identity on the floor by her bed; he soothes, he consoles, Journey's Open Arms comes on in the background and the magic finally happens.Ê

Discuss First kisses on the message board.

Random thoughts/questions (Part II)

• A small party that gets out of control? Yet another unique idea this season on The OC!
• And what the heck is a 23-year old comic book rep doing at this "rager?"
• It's nice to see how concerned Julie is with her porn past catching up with her 17-year old daughter. Caitlin is nine. She can handle it.
• Don't forget to send in your taxes, everyone.

Discuss Random thoughts on the message board.