| ← S1 | The OC Season 2 | S3 → | ||||||
| #01 | "The Distance" | #09 | "The Ex-Factor" | #17 | "The Brothers Grim" | |||
| #02 | "The Way We Were" | #10 | "The Accomplice" | #18 | "The Risky Business" | |||
| #03 | "The New Kids on the Block" | #11 | "The Second Chance" | #19 | "The Rager" | |||
| #04 | "The New Era" | #12 | "The Lonely Hearts Club" | #20 | "The O.C. Confidential" | |||
| #05 | "The SnO.C." | #13 | "The Father Knows Best" | #21 | "The Return of the Nana" | |||
| #06 | "The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't" | #14 | "The Rainy Day Women" | #22 | "The Showdown" | |||
| #07 | "The Family Ties" | #15 | "The Mallpisode" | #23 | "The O.Sea" | |||
| #08 | "The Power of Love" | #16 | "The Blaze of Glory" | #24 | "The Dearly Beloved" | |||
"The Blaze of Glory" is the sixteenth episode in the second season of the Fox drama series The O.C.. The episode aired on the seventeenth of March, in 2005.
Synopsis[]
Marissa recruits Ryan to help her with Harbor School's Pep Rally Bonfire with Seth's influence as he misses last year's good times and Summer tells him it's time to move on. Alex is fighting a lost cause in her relationship and grows jealous of her lack of time with Marissa. Meanwhile, Julie still doesn't know what she is going do about her blackmailer and seeks some advice from Sandy. Kirsten wants their editor, Carter, to stick with the magazine despite his reservations.
Plot[]
At Harbor, Seth is saying how last year was better than their current year to Ryan. Ryan tells him he shouldn't be living like it's last year but Seth argues it is already turning into that. Seth says how he is back together with Summer and Ryan is single again. Seth suggests they go to the Pep Rally Bonfire especially if he were to invite Marissa. Ryan refuses as Seth asks him if there are any feelings between them. Ryan doesn't answer and points out how she is already taken as Marissa is dropped off by Alex. Seth says how he doesn't see any chemistry between Alex and Marissa just as she joins them. Marissa says how stressful organizing the bonfire has been and that she can't find anyone to help design it. Seth tells her they are going and as Marissa is heading to class, Seth suggests Ryan walks with Marissa. She agrees but is confused and Ryan gives him a death stare, telling him to live in the now. Summer approaches and sees what Seth is doing and encourages him not to mettle.
Seth keeps encouraging Ryan and Marissa to spend more time with each other, hoping they will get back together.
Sandy is teaching Kirsten how to golf but she is not enjoying. Kirsten says how much she hates golf and no longer wants to play. Sandy says they should play together but Kirsten has to get to work and help Julie pick out the cover for the magazine. Sandy asks who their editor is and Kirsten tells him it's Carter Buckley and that he has done other magazines. Sandy recognizes one of his magazines and wants to meet Carter. Sandy notices her wedding ring on and she says she found it behind cushions. Seth finds Marissa at her locker and hesitates on talking with her. Seth starts talking to Marissa, noticing how stressed she is. Marissa says it's the bonfire to which Seth offers a solution. He suggests Ryan to help, arguing that he worked in construction and likes architecture. Marissa doesn't think he would say yes but Seth says he could not say no to her. Marissa says it is a good idea and Seth tells her not to mention it, especially to Summer and stares her down.
Seth encourages Marissa to ask Ryan for his help with the bonfire and makes sure she doesn't tell Summer it was his idea.
Julie calls Marissa and she immediately says that she isn't coming home and hangs up. Julie gets irritated and says how similar Marissa is to her just as Lance enters her office. Lance asks for his money and threatens to realize the tape if she doesn't pay him. Kirsten arrives and her assistant says that Carter left a message early in the morning and was slurring his words. Julie rushes out in a hurry, saying she can't make the meeting due to a personal thing.
Julie tries calling Marissa but she will not give her any time to talk, comparing Marissa to herself.
Back at school, Summer asks Marissa how her relationship with Alex is going. Marissa says it's great but doesn't give her any more information. She then asks her to tell Seth not to call her "Coop" since he called her that earlier. Ryan joins them and she says she was hoping to run into him. Ryan and Summer are confused and then asks Ryan to help work on the bonfire. Ryan and Summer are both still confused but Ryan eventually agrees to help. Seth eventually runs into them and he says how great it is that they came up with the idea on their own. Marissa, Ryan, and Seth all start to put the pieces together and Seth leaves for the library. Summer goes after him and then Marissa and Ryan agree to meet at her's and Alex's.
Julie visits Sandy at his office and shows him her sex tape. Sandy is shocked and tries really hard not to laugh. Sandy says it is the first time he is actually speechless. Julie tells him she was young and never thought it would resurface. She tells him how her ex who helped orchestrate the tape is threatening her with it. Julie then says how much money Lance wants or he will go public with the tape before Newport Living is released. Sandy encourages her to go to the cops but Julie refuses and pleads for his help. Julie could care less about money or the company and the last thing she wants is Marissa to find out. Julie says how her relationship with Marissa is already strained but if the tape were to get out, Marissa would never speak to her again. Sandy gives in and agrees to help her.
Seth is pretending to read until Summer starts hitting him with the book. She starts yelling at him while everyone in the library shushes her. Summer drags him to a more private area and asks why he messed with Marissa and Ryan's friendship. Seth first tells her he suggested they work together for the good of the school but she sees right through it. Seth then says that Marissa and Ryan belong together and that it is the way it's supposed to be. Summer thinks the opposite and that they are a disaster together and Seth needs to stay away from them. Alex calls Marissa asking to hang out after school but Marissa tells her that she has to work on a project with Ryan. Alex asks what it is for and that she will see her later. In the middle of their call, Marissa sees Ryan and waves to him. Alex notices she isn't answering and Marissa agrees she will see her later.
Seth believes Ryan and Marissa belong together just like he does with Summer.
Kirsten visits Carter who is blasting music and drinking. Kirsten asks what happened with their meeting and he says that he is celebrating his wedding anniversary. Kirsten points out that he is divorced and Carter asks her to leave. She shuts off her music and asks him to apologize for not making the meeting. Carter starts apologizing about future meetings he will miss as well. Carter pokes jabs at Newport Living and he would rather be drunk than help out with it. Kirsten leaves him to it. Seth is watching T.V. when Ryan comes in saying how bad the bonfire will be. Ryan has drawn several designs that he thinks all suck to which Seth says Marissa will love regardless. Ryan tells him that nothing is going on with him and Marissa when Sandy comes in and Seth updates him on Ryan and Marissa. Sandy says it is so last year and Seth asks if Sandy and Kirsten have been okay since he has noticed tension between them. Sandy says they both have been busy and that when you're married for as long as they have been, it's bound to happen. Seth wishes him luck before Ryan heads to Marissa's and Ryan asks to borrow Captain Oats. Seth makes more inappropriate comments which makes Ryan hit him. Seth says it is very last year and Ryan leaves.
Ryan hits Seth for continuously making comments about his friendship with Marissa.
Julie visits Marissa and tries to come inside but she doesn't let her. Julie asks to talk with her and says that Marissa has been taking it a little too far. Marissa makes more jabs at her when Julie pleads with her to come home. She tells Marissa not to throw away her future just to get back at her. Marissa slams the door in her face. Alex visits Seth and says she needs his advice about Marissa. Alex tells Seth it's really about Marissa and Ryan in that she is worried something is going on between them. Alex tells him how much she has fallen for Marissa. Alex then asks him if Marissa and Ryan will always be a couple no matter what and is wondering if she is fighting a lost cause. Seth asks if it is about the mall and reveals that they slept in a tent together which Alex did not know about. Alex storms out saying that Marissa did not mention that to her and thanks Seth. Seth tells himself how Summer is going to kill him.
Alex tells Seth she has fallen for Marissa but worries about Ryan.
Ryan arrives at Marissa's and she apologizes to him about the mess. Ryan asks where Alex is and she says she is working and that it's just them. Ryan starts taking out supplies including Captain Oats and popsicle sticks. Ryan suggests they build a scale model of a trojan horse and asks what she thinks. Marissa says it's perfect and they get to working on it. Sandy goes to Lance's hotel to negotiate with him. Sandy says his request is extortion but Lance is not backing down. Sandy says that he will be hearing again from him soon. Ryan is leaving and Marissa says she is glad Seth suggested him. Ryan is not at all surprised and tells her that he is stuck in the past, thinking he can get him and Marissa back together. They awkwardly hug goodbye and Alex is chugging a beer and watching them from a distance. Marissa goes back inside and this is when Alex gets out of her car and throws the can at Ryan. Ryan asks what she is doing and Alex starts pushing him, telling him to stay away from Marissa. Ryan says that there is nothing going on but she doesn't believe it. Alex warns him and tells him not to go near Marissa, continuing to push him. Ryan then tells her to walk away and Alex storms inside.
Ryan warns Alex to walk away as she pushes him around, arguing about Marissa.
The next day, Sandy asks Kirsten if they could spend some time together and Kirsten says she has to work. She tells him that Carter is no longer their editor and Sandy says it's a shame since he did amazing work on other magazines. Kirsten then asks if Sandy has a copy of one of his magazines as she wants to read through it. Ryan finds Seth in the kitchen and tells him how things went great with Marissa but not so much with Alex. Ryan tells him what Alex did and Seth pretends to not be surprised. Seth then explains that he might have mentioned the tent from The Mallpisode and Ryan then says how Marissa told him it was Seth's idea with the bonfire. Seth starts to explain himself until Ryan yells at him to stay out of it, saying just because he is back with Summer, doesn't mean he will be back with Marissa. Seth says he only did it because Ryan was happier then.
Marissa listens to a voicemail from Ryan who said he can't come to the bonfire but everything should be ordered and taken care of. Alex asks who was on the phone and Marissa says it was her mom. Alex brings up the tent with Ryan and Marissa apologizes saying she didn't want to make it a big deal. Alex accuses her of lying even though Marissa didn't mention it. Julie goes to Sandy hoping he has good news but reveals that Lance owns the rights to the film and wants to make money off of it. He says they could charge him for extortion but it would involve the police. Julie says that if she were to pay him, he could still release it. Sandy says he is going to figure something out and asks how it is with Marissa and offers her advice. He says how they had a similar problem with Seth and that sometimes the messenger makes the difference. Kirsten goes back to Carter's and place's Sandy's copy of his magazine in his mailbox.
Marissa tells Summer about her fight with Alex and she suggests she should move back home. Marissa says she can't because it would make her mom to happy. Marissa tells Summer that Ryan won't be coming to the bonfire and that she thinks it is because of Alex. Summer says she is confused and then Marissa says that Alex found out about the tent at the mall. Summer figures out it was Seth and leaves to kick his ass. Julie visits Ryan hoping he will talk to Marissa because she listens to him. Julie argues she needs help and that Marissa is risking her future in her relationship with Alex just to prove a point. Ryan says he doesn't want to be in the middle of Marissa's relationship with Alex. Julie fires back saying it is strictly about Marissa and her future and she begs for his help.
Marissa tells Summer she can't come back home because her mom would be too happy with that.
Ryan goes straight to Alex and Marissa's and Alex answers the door. Ryan barges in saying he is looking for Marissa and that her mom is worried about her. Alex tells him she is at her bonfire. As Ryan tries to leave, Alex stops him and tells him, again, to stay away from Marissa. She then threatens to fight him at the bonfire and he basically tells her to bring it on. Marissa is stressed about the bonfire and having trouble coordinating everyone. All of the volunteers are struggling to put the display together and asking for Marissa's help who is taking her best guesses. Ryan shows up offering his help and making jokes about Captain Oats. Marissa asks if he will stick around to which Ryan says yes. Marissa then makes a huge announcement to everyone saying that Ryan will answer everyone's questions. All of the volunteers crowd Ryan and he starts organizing everyone and delegating tasks as Marissa watches him with a smile.
Ryan is delegating tasks to everyone at the bonfire while Marissa watches him in awe.
Carter visits Kirsten saying that she dealt him a dirty trick with his past magazine. Kirsten says she was trying to inspire him and tells him that it's her husband's copy. Carter asks to meet him and he finally decides to edit the magazine. They go through his ideas together. Summer goes to Seth and asks him to apologize, starting with Ryan. They go to the pool house looking for him and Seth thinks he is at the bonfire. Sandy goes to Lance, trying to buy the film and its rights and a contract that will get him the money in a few weeks. Lance signs it and then Sandy says that if he releases it, they come after him for ten times the amount and could go to jail. Julie gets a call from Sandy who tells her she doesn't have to worry about the film being released but they still have to pay him. Sandy says that Julie is going to have to get the money from Caleb.
The bonfire is going really well up until Alex shows up with some friends to deal with Ryan. He laughs as Alex's friends start pushing him around. Marissa yells at them to stop and asks to speak with Alex alone. Alex and Marissa start arguing about their relationship and being apart of each other's lives. Alex says that she doesn't fit into Marissa's life and can't compete with Ryan. Marissa tells her that nothing happened with Ryan and Alex fires back saying it's only a matter of time until they are back together. Marissa starts crying and tells her she really wanted things to work between them. They both apologize to each other and break up. Alex says she is thinking of going back home and possibly back to school. They hug each other and say their goodbyes. Alex apologizes to Ryan and leaves with her friends.
Marissa and Alex break up after they feel like they don't fit in each other's lives.
Ryan asks Marissa if she is okay and she says she is. Ryan puts his arm around her and they join their school at the bonfire. Marissa lets Ryan light the bonfire but Ryan says they should do it together. Marissa and Ryan light the bonfire and everyone cheers. They join Summer and Seth and Marissa thanks Seth for making it all happen. Ryan then asks Marissa if she wants to go home and she agrees.
Cast[]
Starring[]
Guest Starring[] |
Co-Starring[]
|
Music[]
- "Meantime" by The Futureheads
- "What I'm Looking For" by Brendan Benson
- "Debaser" by Pixies
- "Frequency" by Feeder
- "Rock You Like A Hurricane" by Scorpions
- "AFK" by Pinback
- "Snakes of Hawaii" by Army Navy
- "A Smile That Explodes" by Joseph Arthur
Quotes[]
- [Julie places her sex tape on Sandy's desk]
- Sandy Cohen: Uh... I think this is the first time I am actually speechless.
- Julie Cooper-Nichol: It was the 80s. I was young, I had no money, and... it was the 80s.
- Alex: No no no. You remember what I told you last night. You stay away from her!
- Ryan: Or what?
- Alex: You wanna find out?
- Ryan: Sure.
- Alex: You go down there [to the bonfire] its on!
- Ryan: Great, you know this sort of thing used to be my speciality. Oh, word of advice, if you got to work this hard, it's not working.
Trivia[]
- This episode marks the final appearance of guest star Olivia Wilde as Alex Kelly.
Gallery[]
