| ← S2 | The OC Season 3 | S4 → | ||||||
| #01 | "The Aftermath" | #10 | "The Chrismukkah Bar Mitz-vahkkah" | #19 | "The Secrets and Lies" | |||
| #02 | "The Shape of Things to Come" | #11 | "The Safe Harbor" | #20 | "The Day After Tomorrow" | |||
| #03 | "The End of Innocence" | #12 | "The Sister Act" | #21 | "The Dawn Patrol" | |||
| #04 | "The Last Waltz" | #13 | "The Pot Stirrer" | #22 | "The College Try" | |||
| #05 | "The Perfect Storm" | #14 | "The Cliffhanger" | #23 | "The Party Favor" | |||
| #06 | "The Swells" | #15 | "The Heavy Lifting" | #24 | "The Man of the Year" | |||
| #07 | "The Anger Management" | #16 | "The Road Warrior" | #25 | "The Graduates" | |||
| #08 | "The Game Plan" | #17 | "The Journey" | |||||
| #09 | "The Disconnect" | #18 | "The Undertow" | |||||
"The Cliffhanger" is the fourteenth episode in the third season of the Fox drama series The O.C.. The episode aired on the second of February, in 2006.
Synopsis[]
The Johnny-Kaitlin-Marissa-Ryan situation finds closure, perhaps, and tragedy for sure. Summer may be running out of forgiveness for Seth's half-truths. Dr. Roberts makes a startling admission to Julie.
Plot[]
Sandy storms into Ryan’s pool house in a panic that Seth is gone. Ryan covers for him saying Seth went to school early. Sandy tells Ryan to let him know if anything is going on with Seth. Ryan leaves to find Seth at the pier and offers him a chance to talk. Seth tells Ryan how he didn’t go to his Brown interview and lied to Summer about it. Ryan encourages Seth to at least tell Summer he skipped his interview and go from there.
Kaitlin tells Marissa that Johnny is taking her for a surfing lesson. Kaitlin points out Marissa’s dislike toward her relationship with Johnny but Marissa insists she doesn’t care. Kaitlin reminds her of her relationship with Ryan so Johnny is fair game but asks her to admit she has no feelings. Marissa doesn’t answer. Johnny picks up Kaitlin and Marissa heads to school.
Kirsten and Julie are going over their new dating site but Julie is lost in thought and upset about her own love life. Kirsten assures her that Neil will call her or Julie could even call him. Kirsten then says that Julie should set up Neil on the website so that he would be back on Julie’s radar. Julie likes the idea and Kirsten thinks he will soon realize he wants Julie.
Seth finds Summer at school who is writing a thank you note to the interviewer from Brown. Seth tries to tell Summer about how he skipped his interview but Summer keeps admiring the fact that her and Seth will be together at Brown. Summer asks about his interview again and Seth lies and says it was a success. Seth leaves Summer suspicious as he incorrectly identified the interviewer.
Marissa is greeted by Ryan and she asks if Seth told Summer about his interview. Ryan says he didn’t and that they both need to promise to keep it quiet. Marissa says she was looking forward to Summer slapping some sense into her but Kaitlin always gets away with everything. Ryan points out the fact that Kaitlin is still a kid and gets concerned about the way she feels about her sister.
Johnny is teaching Kaitlin how to surf who is obviously bored as they aren’t even in the water. Johnny apologizes and says he is distracted. Kaitlin suspects he is thinking about Marissa and points out how typical it is. Johnny says they have a history and it’s complicated which Kaitlin tells him to do something. Johnny says he can’t to which Kaitlin leaves to find someone who will.
At the Newport Group, Matt and Sandy are talking about their hospital deal. The presentation has to be given to the board of physicians in order to acquire doctors. Sandy thinks they have a shot at succeeding due to the amount of uninsured people in Orange County. The board director, Henry Griffin, has a personal connection via his daughter as Matt knows her well. Sandy thinks that Matt wants to use her affection for him to manipulate her father. Sandy wants to consider an alternative that doesn’t involve liquor or sexual favors.
Julie goes to see Neil to thank him for hosting Kaitlin’s birthday party with a binder highlighting Bachelorettes of Newport. Neil says he never thought about needing to be set up and Julie responds saying a blind date might be too much for him. Neil takes the binder and looks through it with Julie by his side. Neil says it will take him a while to pick out a lady and asks to get back to Julie later.
Kaitlin is waiting for Ryan in his pool house to talk about Marissa and Johnny. Kaitlin tells Ryan she likes Johnny but can’t get anywhere because he thinks he has a chance with Marissa. Ryan disagrees with this. Kaitlin tells him about their conversation that morning and the question Marissa failed to answer. Ryan tells Kaitlin that he and Marissa can handle it and tells her to leave. Kaitlin encourages Ryan to do something about it and brings up his past behavior. She says Ryan will finally find out where Marissa and him stand.
Ryan meets with Marissa at the diner and she is concerned about him. Ryan says that he needs to know how she feels about Johnny. Marissa brings up Kaitlin and Ryan counters saying it isn’t about her since this has been an issue for them for a while. Marissa says she is with Ryan and he responds saying that it isn’t the whole story. Ryan thinks that Marissa feels sorry for Johnny or that she didn’t feel like she could talk to Ryan or that Marissa is in love with Johnny. Ryan encourages Marissa to figure it out and until then, he doesn’t want to see her. Marissa tries to talk it out and points out how confusing things have been to which Ryan leaves.
Ryan walks into the kitchen the next morning upset to which Seth notices is either about Marissa, Johnny, or Kaitlin or all of the above. Ryan says how Marissa and him are on thin ice and she needs to figure out how she feels. Seth thinks Marissa will do the right thing and how he chickened out with Summer. Seth is planning on rescheduling the interview.
Julie makes breakfast for Marissa and Kaitlin who both refuse it. Marissa tells Kaitlin she had no right to go to Ryan and asks her what she ever did wrong. Marissa knows that Kaitlin is doing all of this to punish her but doesn’t know why. Marissa storms out telling Kaitlin she can’t wait until she leaves.
At Harbor, Summer goes to the college advisor who tells her how great her interview went. She asks if anything was mentioned about Seth’s interview. The advisor tells Summer he missed it and was just explaining to her earlier why which consisted of a car accident.
Julie set Neil up with Laura Cross. Kirsten apologizes about their plan backfiring. Julie is planning to find out more about Laura to prepare herself. Kirsten hopes Julie will not spy on their date to which Julie says she will do things her way from now on.
At Johnny’s, Chili points out the fact that Johnny is in love with Marissa. Chili says that Johnny seems to be in too deep and that he should take his shot. Chili thinks Johnny owes it to himself to know for sure.
Kirsten and Sandy are having dinner at the club and Sandy seems to be preoccupied. Sandy sees Matt who is out with no other than Maya Griffin. Kirsten asks if Sandy will go talk to him but Sandy would rather enjoy dinner with his wife.
Marissa meets up with Johnny at the pier in hopes of talking out the awkwardness. Johnny tells Marissa he loves her and points out how Marissa has taken care of him since his injury even though he didn’t want her to. Johnny reminds her how he asked her to stay away and feels that there is something between them. Marissa says nothing to which Johnny tells her she should think about it and leaves.
The next morning, Kirsten, Sandy, and Ryan are having breakfast when Seth walks in. Sandy asks how Seth is really doing to which Seth gives him a brief response but that he has everything under control. Summer walks in asking to talk to Seth alone. Summer starts hitting him upset that Seth missed his interview and lied about it. Summer is worried he is spiraling and Seth tells her he just got scared. Seth tells her he couldn’t tell her the truth because he was embarrassed. Seth continues to express his insecurities and how he feels inferior to Summer. Summer just wants Seth to be honest with her and asks if he has anything else to tell her. Seth says no and she forgives him.
Sandy lectures Matt about Maya. Matt tells him she asked him out. Sandy talks about how men would try to use Kirsten when she worked there to get to her father, comparing it to what Matt is doing with Maya. Sandy questions why Matt is comfortable with doing so to which Matt thinks Sandy isn’t the guy to handle this. Sandy leaves him with wanting a new game plan the next time they see each other.
Johnny visits Ryan and he starts to thank Ryan for being nice to him and for all that he has done. Ryan points out that Johnny is in love with Marissa to which he agrees and tells Ryan he told her. Johnny said he just wanted to live with his feelings but never do anything about them until now. Ryan asks what he wants and Johnny says he just wanted to apologize. Ryan thanks him and demands Johnny leaves.
On Neil and Laura’s date, Julie is disguised listening into their conversations a table away while on the phone with Kirsten. Taryn Baker walks in and Julie tries to leave before she notices her. Taryn tries talking to Julie even though she is trying to remain discreet. Taryn sees Laura and brings Julie along to meet them. Neil asks if Julie was spying and Julie rushes out running into a waiter.
Kaitlin tries to talk with Marissa who is still upset. Kaitlin tells Marissa she is trying to do her a favor to which Marissa says she’s done a “great” job. Kaitlin redirects the conversation and brings up their childhood memories of their dad taking them to get ice cream. Marissa used to sample every flavor before she decided what she wanted and once she did, Marissa didn’t like it and would cry until she got a different ice cream. Kaitlin tells her it’s a prime example of Marissa being unable to trust her instincts. Marissa says she isn’t build to be that way to which Kaitlin responds that it’s a skill and she should learn to make a decision and stick to it. Kaitlin brings up the flavor she has always loved and that she never questioned it, a dig at how Marissa has always loved Ryan.
Kaitlin giving Marissa advice on her difficulties with Ryan and Johnny.
Johnny’s mom gives him a letter Marissa left for him. He opens it and begins to read it. Marissa goes to Ryan and apologizes for making Ryan wonder. Ryan points out how Marissa and Johnny have a connection to which Marissa denies and says it’s her fault. She goes on to say how not being able to talk to Ryan about Trey and what happened was hard especially with Kaitlin messing with Johnny as well. Marissa thinks they can get pass it now but Ryan says it isn’t that easy to go back to the way things were before. Marissa wants to try.
Kaitlin is watching a movie when Johnny comes to visit her. Kaitlin asks him which Cooper he is there to see and Johnny came to see her. He invites her to a beach bonfire. Kaitlin grabs a bottle of tequila to which Johnny says they never got a chance to have fun.
Kirsten walks into Sandy’s office with dinner. Kirsten says that the job makes you do some hard thinking and Sandy tells her how much he has wanted the hospital to work out. Kirsten tells him not to let Matt’s relationship with Maya get in the way.
Seth is smoking a joint blasting loud music in his room when he gets a knock on the door. He hides everything while Summer waits with movies to watch for the night. Seth says they should go downstairs when Summer stays to sniff around in his room but they leave before she gets the chance.
At the bonfire, Kaitlin and Johnny are sharing the bottle of tequila but Johnny is having more than she is. Kaitlin asks to hook up with Johnny and he avoids answering, saying the fire is going out. Kaitlin leaves to find more wood when Johnny rereads Marissa’s letter. Her letter basically said she would never love him and how she is committed to Ryan. Kaitlin noticed the letter and Johnny crumbles it up and throws it in the fire. Johnny plans to climb the rocks and Kaitlin is trying to stop him.
Julie is visited by Neil who thanks her for fixing him up with Laura. Julie is glad things worked out between Neil and Laura and tries to kick out Neil. Neil stops her and says that he wants Julie. Neil starts to point out her flaws but that when he isn’t around her, he misses her. Neil admits he has fallen for Julie and she continues to cry but invites him in.
Johnny is climbing the rocks with Kaitlin watching and pleading for him to come back down. He struggles but makes it to the top of the rocks. Marissa and Ryan arrive back to the pool house with takeout. Marissa tells Ryan he can talk about it which is the last thing he wants to do. Marissa assumed so since he gave her the silent treatment in the car. Ryan asks Marissa what she wants from him and she tells him that she want Ryan and kisses him. They start to make out when Marissa gets a call from Kaitlin asking her to pick her up. Kaitlin tells her how Johnny is in trouble and Marissa gives the phone to Ryan. Ryan says they will be there soon.
Ryan and Marissa make up in The Cliffhanger.
Seth and Summer are watching a movie and talking about the ending. Seth begins to act and say weird things. Summer leaves to go to the bathroom but goes snooping through Seth’s room instead. She finds Seth’s stash he was hiding.
Ryan and Marissa get to the beach. Marissa tries to keep Johnny talking while Ryan goes up to stop Johnny. He tells Marissa to leave him alone when he sees Ryan. Ryan tries to get Johnny away from the ledge and off the cliff. Johnny says no to the fact that Ryan would save him once again for Marissa so that Marissa would love Ryan more. Johnny continues to drink and get closer to the edge as Ryan gets closer and tells him to be careful. Johnny continues to make jabs at Ryan when Johnny slips and falls to his death.
Cast[]
Starring[]
Guest Starring[]
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Co-Starring[] |
Music[]
- "Love Knows How To Fight" by M. Craft
- "Hide Away" by Rock Kills Kid
- "Fall At Your Feet" by James Blunt
- "Cava Del Rio" by Senza
- "Wasted" by Black Flag
Quotes[]
Trivia[]
Gallery[]
