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

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.

THE ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

So Lindsay had coffee spilled on her and was hit with an elbow in front of many students. What was your most embarrassing moment at school?

Matty Rich: One time in math class, I raised my hand to answer a question. The teacher called on me and I responded, confidently, assuredly, perhaps too proudly, "seven." The answer was eight. I never raised my hand again. Or went to a 7-Eleven. The memories were simply too painful.

Max Power: So who was that more embarrassing for, Ryan or Lindsay? First off, I took AP Physics in high school and there certainly weren't any girls that were as cute as Lindsay. Of course, I went to an all boys Catholic high school, so that may have been the issue. But anyway, back to the question at hand. Junior year we were writing short stories in English class and I wrote one that involved the main character, me, hooking up with the hired help at a party that my cousin was hosting. Unfortunately, I ended up using the same name for the caterer and for my cousin, which led to the person reviewing it for me to exclaim in the middle of class, "You hooked up with your cousin, that's sick." So for a while I was the kid who hooked up with his cousin. Fun times.

Darkly Noon: Darkly's most embarrassing high school experience is one he will not soon forget - a date with 15-year old Mary Jo Ramsey. Our plan was to take in a movie before heading to the Homecoming dance. It was a disaster from the start. During the opening credits, Darkly attempted to get to first base but was rebuffed. After another failed effort 20 minutes later, Mary Jo suggested they just leave and go to the dance. There, on the dance floor, Darkly took exception to the quarterback of the football team flirting with Mary Jo, only to learn it was her older brother. Apparently, she asked him to "protect" her from Darkly. Words were exchanged. His teammates dragged Darkly into the bathroom and proceeded to beat him without mercy for what seemed like an eternity. The worst part of the evening? Not seeing the end of Garden State. I heard it was really good!

Discuss Embarrassing moments on the message board.

If were starting a company, which character would you choose to be CEO?

Darkly Noon: Julie Cooper is the only logical choice. Not only does she bring a lifetime of business experience to the table, but her class and integrity are unparalleled. Anyone who knows Julie can testify that her motives are as pure as the driven snow. As an inspirational figure to employees, and as the public face of a company, you could do no better.

Matty Rich: You need a CEO who works behind the scenes, one that does not take all the credit for the hard work of loyal employees. You need a CEO who is mature, yet possesses the idealism and persistence of a child. You need a CEO who has been through bad times and, therefore, has the ability to guide the company through rough patches and toward success. You need Caitlin Cooper as your CEO.

Max Power: Zach. Come on, he reads the NY Times, the LA Times, and the Wall Street Journal!!! I'm not even sure if that last one's a real newspaper. And he's a congressman's son. Does that not have future CEO written all over it? Hey screw Summer, Zach will you be my boyfriend??

Discuss the new CEO on the message board.

Random thoughts/questions (Part I)

• After the incident with the coffee, it was simply shocking that Ryan and Lindsay were named lab partners. Shocking.
• Caleb needs Julie to get water and coffee so he can work from home. What kind of home doesn't have water and coffee?
• Was that really the inside of a classroom? What's next, a minority on the show?
• They mentioned tampons three times. That's three times too many.

How should Seth have handled his attempt to make up with Summer?

Max Power: Hey, he was doing a great job, right up until the point where he went for the kiss. Way too soon for that. But now he's got the age old trick: the desperate, constant apology. Seth, my boy, keep on apologizing, and don't stop. It doesn't even matter what your apologizing for, just keep on doing it. Summer: "The weather's lousy today, I won't be able to go tanning." Seth: "I'm so sorry, it's all my fault" You get the idea. Seth, groveling is your best friend. Godspeed.

Darkly Noon: It was all going well until that unwarranted smooch. Upon recanting his exploits in acquiring the tickets, Seth convinced Summer that he cared about her as a friend, winning back her trust in heroic fashion. For about five seconds. If he had just relaxed at this juncture and taken in the truly awful music of the Walkmen, he would have scored major points. Alas, Summer's lingerie-like top and 80s-like bangs proved too much to resist. Hard to blame the kid, but he needs to understand that being a friend and letting things simmer down now is the best way to rekindle a past flame. Seth's impatience continues to set him back, as the proverbial fire of awkwardness between them is doused with more fuel each day.

Matty Rich: When hunting a beautiful deer, one must be patient. Lure the young doe in with berries, ensure its comfort, its sense of safety. Don't just shoot it in the head as soon as it's in view. You're likely to miss. As we can all agree on, Seth was headed in the right direction when he lulled Summer into a false idea of friendship - trickery is always the answer, fellas. But he should never have pounced on his prey so quickly. If Seth learns to bide his proverbial time, he'll have the chance to admire Summer's head over his fireplace in no time. So to speak.

Discuss Seth's reaction on the message board.

What are the odds of Jimmy and Julie getting back together?

Darkly Noon: The opening line should be about 2:1 against. Even in a backwards place like the Orange County, you have to figure that Jimmy will employ common sense and steer clear of such circumstances. At least he should. He was lucky to divorce that sinister, icy tramp when he was down and out, and even luckier to land a few million as a free man when the Lighthouse restaurant sold. With Caleb potentially packing has bags for San Quentin, Julie may soon be seeking new prey, veritable locust that she is. Memo to Jimbo - get on your yacht and sail far away. Not because we don't like your character on the show, but because letting this parasite back into his life will only spell trouble.

Matty Rich: I'd like to make it clear that I do not condone the practice of gambling. But if forced to make a wager, I'd put the odds of this occurring slightly higher than those of Jennifer Lopez getting married again. Did you see how smoothly Julie worked over her ex last night? When that notorious nymph dropped the line - "I married you because I loved you" - Jimmy melted faster than the Wicked Witch of the West. Julie follows money like Nicolas Cage follows bad scripts. In this case, Jimmy and his millions will, again, be her national treasure.

Max Power: I'd hope that this would never happen, but the writers need to get Jimmy back involved somehow. He's kind of the odd man out now that Haley's gone so this would be the most convenient, and of course controversial, way to pull him back in. But I just don't think it's going to happen now that Julie is the new CEO of The Newport Group. But, hey, the Red Sox just won the World Series, so hell must be getting a bit too cold for Julie. She might just want to move out into Jimmy's warm embrace out on his "Love Boat."

Discuss Jimmy and Julie on the message board.

Random thoughts/questions (Part II)

• What are there, like two benches in all of Newport?
• So both Julie and Baby can't be put in corners. Good to know.
• If Nat is running The Bait Shop, who is in charge of The Peach Pit?
• A friend's reaction upon hearing last night's band: "I'm glad I threw out my walkman."

Discuss Random thoughts on the message board.