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"The Goodbye Girl" is the twenty-first episode in the first season of the Fox drama series The O.C.. The episode aired on the third of March, in 2004.

Synopsis[]

When Anna announces that she is leaving Newport to go back to her home in Pittsburgh, Seth feels guilt-ridden for the way he treated her and that she is leaving because of him. Meanwhile, trouble brews for both Caleb and Kristen at the Newport Group over their legal funds and Sandy tries to help them out. Luke finds that his romance with Julie is getting harder to keep a secret. Theresa brings a lot of trouble for herself and Ryan from Chino when her fiancé, Eddie, shows up, not giving up on Theresa.

Plot[]

Ryan tells Seth about his kiss with Theresa and starts to ask all the important questions. He asks Ryan if she is staying, where she will live, if she is getting a job, what lease will she sign, if they are commuting from Chino to Newport, etc. Ryan dodges a lot of these questions and tells Seth to stop since it is not a big deal that they kissed. Theresa walks in and offers to drive them to school and they agree but then Marissa walks in and asks to take them to school as well. Marissa is confused because she didn't think Theresa was staying so Seth says he will go with her and Ryan and Theresa can go together. Theresa then says that it would make more sense if Marissa takes them and she fires back at her saying that she actually goes to school with them and lives in Newport. Marissa leaves and Theresa also leaves Seth and Ryan to find their own way.

Sandy and Kirsten are in the kitchen when they say hi to Marissa who leaves quickly. Theresa walks in as well and leaves quickly. Ryan and Seth walk in after and Kirsten talks to Ryan about Marissa and Theresa stopping by. Kirsten asks if Theresa is staying and Seth says that she is. Sandy and Kirsten continue to ask questions and Seth answers most of them. Kirsten asks how long Theresa is staying and Ryan finally says that they are figuring it all out. Sandy then starts asking all the important questions that Seth asked earlier, getting him to think about how Theresa would even be able to stay in Newport. Kirsten chimes in as well when Ryan starts dodging the questions. Ryan leaves for school and Seth asks for a ride from Kirsten. She asks Sandy before she leaves if he is going to take the case. Kirsten wants to host the party for Caleb's award for Man of the Year by Riviera and Sandy tells her he is thinking about it.

The Cohens - The Goodbye Girl

The Cohens ask Ryan all the important questions he obviously has not thought about with Theresa staying in Newport.


At Harbor, Luke is playing the guitar when Marissa sees him. She sits down with him and asks if it was hard for him to see her with Ryan after they broke up. Luke says it was but he says that he deserved to be broken up with. Marissa tells him that she now knows what it feels like to also deserve it and sees Ryan. Luke tells her that when she realizes things won't go back to the way it was, the sooner she can move on. Marissa finds Ryan and apologizes about that morning, saying she didn't know Theresa would be there. Ryan says it is okay and that she changed her plans. Marissa asks more questions but can tell Ryan hasn't figured it all out yet. She offers her help if he needs it and he thanks her and walks away.

Marissa - The Goodbye Girl

Marissa is trying her very best to be there for Ryan and move on at the same time.

Summer is reading about Caleb's award with Seth and Anna at lunch. Anna reveals to them that she is moving back home to Pittsburgh. Ryan and Theresa are looking through the newspaper for jobs in the school parking lot. They don't seem to be getting much luck in finding a decent and stable job. Theresa says that she is glad Ryan called since she has a lot of free time being unemployed now. The bell rings and Ryan kisses her goodbye before he leaves for class. Ryan reassures her that it will be okay and she drives away.

Theresa - The Goodbye Girl

Theresa seems uncertain about how she can live and work in Newport.


Luke shows up at the Julie's but Kaitlin answers the door. Julie soon comes to the door and sends Caitlin away. Julie then asks Luke what he is doing there and reminds him he can't come to the house since they only meet at the motel. Julie tells Luke she doesn't want Kaitlin to become suspicious as Jimmy pulls into the driveway for Caitlin. Julie makes up a lie as to why Luke is there and he goes into the house to fix something. Ryan finds Sandy in the backyard grilling fish and jokes if he should put an extra down for Theresa or Marissa or any other lady. Ryan says he is going to pick up Theresa and Sandy asks how it is going. Ryan says he is trying to figure everything out with her. Sandy tells Ryan what he really thinks in that Theresa should be in school, she doesn't have a job, she has no where to stay, and how her life is in Chino. Ryan says he is crazy and Sandy encourages him to talk to her and face it head on.

Caleb and Kirsten are talking about the party to honor him for the Man of the Year award he is receiving. Ryan walks in and congratulates Caleb on his award. Kirsten asks Ryan if she should set a place for Theresa but he says he will have to get back to her on that and leaves. Sandy walks in with the fish and tells Caleb to tell her the truth about their legal issues or he will. Ryan goes to Theresa and she tells him she talked to Eddie and told him she isn't coming home and broke off the engagement. Ryan wanted to talk to her but changes his mind and invites her to dinner.

The next day, Seth asks Ryan if Theresa left and he tells him that she is staying. Seth was talking about Anna and tells Ryan how she is leaving. Ryan is confused about who they are talking about. Seth feels guilty and responsible for Anna leaving. Ryan asks if it really is because of Seth because she just might not feel comfortable in Newport. Seth argues if it is because of him, he could talk her out of it. Kirsten meets Caleb for lunch and she assumes something is wrong. Caleb tells her the truth about how he might be in trouble with the law including Kirsten.

Seth and Ryan - The Goodbye Girl

Ryan doesn't know what to do about Theresa staying while Seth doesn't know what to do about Anna leaving.

Marissa finds Ryan at school and they catch up over their homework. Eddie storms into the school and makes Ryan get up. Eddie asks Ryan if he slept with Theresa and Ryan denies it. Eddie then asks him why Theresa would call and say she is staying in Newport. Eddie then says that everything he did for him growing up, Ryan could at least be honest with him. Ryan says he is not sleeping with Theresa when a teacher comes in to kick Eddie out. As Eddie is leaving, he tells Ryan he isn't letting Theresa go. Seth finds Anna and tries to make small talk and then asks why she is leaving. Anna refuses to tell him and she finally tells him how much she misses Pittsburgh. Seth asks if there are any reasons and she says no. Seth invites her to the party for his grandpa and she says she cant but will come say goodbye.

Marissa finds Ryan after school and asks if there is anything she could do to help him or Theresa. Ryan says if she can find her a job and a place to live that would be nice. Marissa then suggests he could invite Theresa to Caleb's party and Ryan stops her asking why she would even want that. Marissa goes on to say how much she wants to be with Ryan but she can't compete with someone he has known his whole life, especially for the mess she caused that pushed them apart. Ryan finally tells her that Theresa needs clothes and thanks her. Kirsten is having a drink when Sandy gets home. Sandy reassures her that they will figure it out and that he will do everything he can to protect her. Kirsten says she doesn't want Sandy to be involved and she didn't know what was happening.

Marissa - The Goodbye Girl 2

Marissa tells Ryan she wants to be with him but knows she can't compete with Theresa.

Seth and Summer are eating In n Out and making out when Seth stops and says how Anna is lying. Summer is surprised he is talking about Anna when he says how she is leaving because of him. Seth says he never wanted to hurt her and Summer reassures him that she might not like it there. Ryan tries to talk to Theresa about them and she tells him she can take care of herself. They start making out and Ryan asks about Eddie. Theresa says she wants to be with Ryan. They make out again and decide to sleep together. Outside of the motel, Eddie is parked and watching the room.

Seth and Summer - The Goodbye Girl 2

Summer and Seth are making out but Anna's departure seems to be on his mind.

Ryan wakes up the morning after and gets dressed. Theresa asks to spend the day with him but he tells her he has to go to Caleb's party. Ryan invites her to come and she asks if he even wants her there. Theresa says she is asking to make sure Ryan isn't embarrassed to be seen with her. She says she would rather not go but she will see him after. At the driving range, Sandy runs into an old coworker from his old public defender position, Greg Hoades. Greg tells Sandy he has an offer for his client and Sandy asks what the deal is. Greg says that if Sandy's client were to cooperate, they could consider getting him down to a lower charge. Greg warns Sandy that if he makes things difficult for him, he will do the same to Sandy. Greg then says that even though Caleb hired him, Sandy has never shied away from the truth and what is right, no matter who the defendant was. Sandy tells Greg he speaks like a man who has never been married.

Seth sees Ryan sneak back into the house and asks what he was doing. Seth assures Ryan he covered for him but warns Ryan how serious this thing with Theresa is becoming since he slept with her. Seth heard about Eddie coming to Harbor and Ryan changes the subject to Anna. Seth says that Anna shouldn't have to leave and Ryan encourages Seth to tell her. Theresa gets a knock on her door and it's Marissa coming by with a few dresses for her to wear to Caleb's party. Kirsten and Caleb are getting their photos taken at the party but Kirsten is having a hard time smiling. Sandy takes a phone call and seems to have reached a settlement. Summer finds Ryan and they ask each other if Theresa and Marissa are coming. Summer then tells Ryan how much Marissa loves him despite what he is currently doing. Ryan says he knows it's just the Oliver thing. Summer says it was messed up and jokes that she dated Luke for four years so you can't always trust her judgement. Summer tells Ryan that she has a good heart regardless. Ryan looks up to see Marissa walking in with Theresa by her side and he is shocked to see them both. Theresa tells Ryan that she had help from Marissa and Ryan and Marissa exchange a look. Summer saves her and takes her away from Ryan and Theresa.

Summer and Ryan - The Goodbye Girl

Summer defends Marissa, telling Ryan that she still loves him and has a good heart above all else.

Caleb grabs Seth to take pictures with him. Anna walks into the party and runs into Summer first. Anna says goodbye to Summer and she tells Anna how much she will miss her. They say their goodbyes referencing their favorite show they share together, The Golden Girls, and hug. Some ladies are gossiping and Theresa overhears. Anna meets Theresa and Ryan sees her eyeing Seth. Anna says it's too hard to say goodbye and gives him a note that says everything she can't say to him. Anna hugs Ryan goodbye. Anna tells Ryan to have the best life because he deserves it. Anna looks at Seth one more time before she heads for the door. Luke finds Julie and begins flirting with her and Julie tells him not to do that there as Jimmy witnesses this interaction.

Sandy finds Caleb and tells him how Caleb isn't too popular with people including the DA. Sandy says he can make it go away but will have to give up the illegal sale he was making. Sandy says it will work and Caleb agrees. Sandy says how much it hurts to do this for someone like Caleb and Kirsten sees just how much. Jimmy confronts Julie about her interactions with Luke which Julie denies and Jimmy says if it was true, it would destroy Marissa. Julie pretends not to know what he is talking about. Caleb begins his speech and thanks everyone for the award as Eddie walks into the party. Marissa sees Eddie walk in and he confronts Theresa. Ryan eventually sees and tries to stop Eddie. Eddie threatens Ryan and punches him. Ryan tackles Eddie and then he punches Ryan into the pool. Luke holds Eddie back as Eddie yells at Ryan, threatening to kill him.

Ryan and Eddie - The Goodbye Girl

Eddie fights Ryan at Caleb's party.

Ryan is icing his face after and Theresa apologizes. Seth asks him if he is okay and is upset Anna didn't show. Ryan gives Seth the note Anna left for him but it is soaked and the ink is smudged. Seth freaks out in that he can't read her note and Summer tells him how confused she is. Seth reassures her it isn't what she thinks and that Anna is his friend and doesn't want her to leave. Summer encourages him to go and stop her. Seth kisses her and leaves. Theresa says she will call Eddie and Ryan assures her they will work it out. Seth interrupts Theresa and Ryan and asks him to drive him to the airport as he has had a little too much to drink. Theresa encourages Ryan to go and he says he will meet her at the hotel after. Caleb finds Julie and offers to take her home. Caleb asks her out on a date and that he wants to make her feel appreciated. Julie agrees if he plans the perfect date. Ryan is driving Seth to the airport and asks Ryan to speed up. Seth is freaking out and starts insulting Ryan's music choice, Journey.

Ryan Atwood - The Goodbye Girl

Ryan defends his favorite band of music, Journey, to Seth.

Marissa receives a visit from Theresa. She tells Marissa how embarrassed she is about the fight that occurred because of her in front of all those people. Marissa tells her it isn't the first time it's happened and Theresa gives her the dress back before she leaves. Theresa tells Marissa she was crazy to think it would be easy and made a huge mess. She says she has a whole life to figure out and Ryan needs to as well. Theresa tells Marissa to take care of Ryan and leaves. Kirsten walks into their bedroom and says to Sandy that she talked to her dad about what he did. Sandy says how he tampered with a witness and that he will always do what is best for his family. Kirsten apologizes but tells Sandy there isn't any going back.

Sandy and Kirsten - The Goodbye Girl

Sandy tells Kirsten he would do anything for her, including taking on this risky case with Caleb.

If You Leave by Nada Surf is playing as Seth arrives at the airport. He runs through and finds the security line. He yells for Anna and she goes to talk to him. Seth begs Anna not to leave because of him and he apologizes for doing anything that would have hurt her feelings. Anna tells Seth that she wrote that she loves him as a friend and that she thinks he is an amazing person. Anna tells Seth that she learned in their relationship that they don't have a lot of chemistry. Anna tells Seth the reason why she is leaving is because she needs to. Anna assures Seth that maybe one day they could be perfect for each other but isn't sure. Anna thanks Seth for coming to say goodbye and she hugs him and starts crying. Seth is trying not to cry and asks Anna what he will do without her. Anna responds saying he will do so with confidence, a reference to when they first met in The Debut. Anna is leaving security and heading to the gate when Seth bangs on the glass. She turns around, smiles at him, and leaves for her flight.

Seth and Anna - The Goodbye Girl

Anna and Seth share a heartfelt goodbye before she leaves Newport.

Ryan arrives at the Mermaid Inn and gets out to go to Theresa's room. Ryan walks up to her room and sees it empty and being cleaned. Ryan and Seth are eating a slice of pizza by the pier and talk about both the girls that left Newport that day. Ryan says at least they have each other and Seth says that he has Summer but will make time for his as well. Ryan says he can always hang out with Luke and wonders what he is doing in that moment.

Cast[]

Starring[]

Guest Starring[]

Co-Starring[]

Quotes[]

  • Seth: [trying not to cry] Anna, wait a second. What am I going to do without you? Who am I going to play Jenga with? You're so wise and all your sage wisdom, what am I going to do without that?
  • Anna: [smiles] Confidence, Cohen.

Music[]

Gallery[]

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