| ← 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 Journey" is the seventeenth episode in the third season of the Fox drama series The O.C.. The episode aired on the sixteenth of March, in 2006.
Synopsis[]
The Cohens throw Ryan a party for his eighteenth birthday. Ryan can't decide whether or not to invite Marissa. Sandy tries to track down Dawn. Summer confronts Julie. Marissa crashes into an old memory.
Plot[]
The Cohen’s are finishing up a family dinner when Kirsten asks Ryan what he wants to do for his 18th birthday coming up. Seth suggests a party which Ryan declines immediately. Ryan says the last birthday party he had was when we was 9 years old and his mom took him to the zoo followed by all day drinking in the couch parties. Kirsten, Sandy, and Seth convince Ryan to go through with it. Ryan goes to his room and picks up the phone, about to dial Marissa. Marissa also picks up the phone and is about to call Ryan. Ryan and Marissa don’t call each other.
Summer finds Marissa at school and asks her how she is. Summer finds a way of getting Ryan into the conversation as she is worried since Marissa isn’t sleeping or eating. Marissa makes eye contact with Ryan in the hall and he stops near a bulletin board as Summer and Marissa continue to talk. Marissa isn’t listening and leaves Summer to avoid Ryan. Summer approaches Ryan and tells him he should talk to Marissa.
Sandy is leaving for work when Kirsten suggests one of Ryan’s family members should come to his birthday party. They decide to invite Dawn, Ryan’s mom, but they would need to be careful considering the last time she dropped in on a party in The Gamble. Sandy says she will be difficult to find but he will look into it. Kirsten and Sandy keep it a secret from Ryan as they do not want to get his hopes up.
Summer finds Seth and she tells him her concerns about Ryan and Marissa. Summer says that they need to decide to either get back together or move on. Julie and Neil depart in a hurry to work as they can only see each other when Summer and Marissa are at school. Neil thought they were going to tell Marissa and Summer soon but keep avoiding it. Neil thinks they should still wait to tell them.
Ryan visits Sadie at the Harper house when Ryan asks when Gwen is coming back home. Sadie says she is putting it on the market so Ryan decides to continue helping Sadie renovate the house. Sadie asks Ryan how he is dealing with his breakup and he tells her they just aren’t speaking. Sadie thinks they should talk so that things aren’t weird between them. Ryan says he needs to figure out how he feels before he talks to Marissa.
Marissa gets home to her mom’s trailer and notices the calendar which she circled the date of Ryan’s birthday. She hears someone outside and goes to see who it is and finds Volchok lurking before he drives away oh his motorcycle.
Ryan is reading in the Cohen house when Seth walks in and tells him how he reserved the Bait Shop for Ryan’s birthday party. Seth shows Ryan the invitations and asks if he made one for Sadie. Seth then asks what he wants to do with an invitation addressed to Marissa. Ryan tries to put the decision of inviting Marissa to his birthday party on Seth. If Ryan were to invite her, it would look like they are getting back together. If Ryan doesn’t invite her, he’s saying he’s moving on and ready to find someone else. Seth leaves Marissa’s invitation with Ryan, leaving it up to him.
At Summer’s, Seth is trying to figure out what the theme of Ryan’s party should be. Summer can’t figure out how to keep both Ryan’s birthday party and Julie and Neil’s relationship from Marissa. Summer says she is okay with her dad’s new relationship when the doorbell rings. There is a delivery for Neil and Summer opens it to reveal two tickets for a romantic cruise. This freaks Summer out as Neil proposed his first wife, unnamed, and second wife, Gloria, on cruises.
Seth and Summer talk about Ryan's birthday party and her dad's new relationship.
Ryan gives Sadie an invitation to his birthday party. Sadie plans to go back to L.A. and settle things with an old boyfriend. Ryan dropped another invitation and Sadie picks it up which just so happens to be for Marissa. Ryan tells her the choice he needs to make.
Summer visits Marissa who is making a mix as “Paint the Silence” plays. Marissa talks about when Ryan first came to Orange County and their night in The Model Home. Marissa is remaking Ryan the mix she made for him that day since he lost the original copy in the fire. Summer says how romantic it is that’s she making it for his birthday but Marissa thinks she’s being thoughtful. Marissa doesn’t want to make the wrong decision with Ryan. Summer tells her about Ryan’s birthday party and how she wanted to invite Marissa behind Ryan’s back. Marissa says she can’t go unless Ryan invites her. Marissa and Summer agree it sucks and continue to listen to the mix.
Sandy is packing to go to Albuquerque which is where Dawn is. Kirsten asks why Sandy doesn’t call her but Sandy thinks she’s in trouble. Julie calls Neil looking for him and runs into Summer. Julie tries to make up a cover story when Summer says she knows about Julie and Neil’s relationship. Julie says she was going to tell her and Summer brings up the cruise. Summer gives her the tickets and pamphlet as Julie did not know about it. Summer tells Julie about her dad’s history with proposals and cruises. Julie says that her and Neil are not close to getting engaged and asks Summer if Marissa knows, Julie needs to tell her.
Sandy visits Dawn who is waiting for him in jail. Sandy tells Dawn about Ryan’s 18th birthday and is inviting her to the party. Dawn asks if Ryan knows where she is and Sandy assures her he doesn’t. He then asks her what happened and Dawn tells him about her substance abuse issues she has been having that landed her in jail. Sandy tells her she could’ve called and looks into her file. Dawn asks how Ryan is and Sandy says he is good and she should be proud of him.
Matt meets with Marissa to give her the final police report in the investigation of Johnny’s death. Matt said Sandy was going to give it to her but he’s out of town and steps aside to talk a phone call. Marissa sees Volchok watching her from a distance and approaches him, accusing him of stalking her. Marissa asks what he wants and he says nothing, she walks away and he grabs her arm. She asks him to let her go and Volchok says he knows she’s going through a rough time since Johnny’s death. Matt intervenes thinking Volchok is bothering Marissa. Volchok calls Matt Marissa’s new protector, a dig at Ryan’s new replacement. A police officer approaches them and Matt tells him how Volchok was bothering Marissa. The police officer send Marissa and Matt on their way but stops Volchok to look at his id. Ryan goes to hopefully talk to Marissa with her invitation in hand but he decides not to give it to her.
Seth asks Ryan how he is feeling about his birthday party and everyone that is going to be there, leading the conversation to Marissa. Ryan tells Seth he didn’t invite her and that Sadie isn’t going to be there either. Seth tells Ryan he has a surprised planned for Ryan’s birthday.
Julie is having brunch with Marissa and Marissa can tell her mom has something to tell her. Julie finally tells Marissa about seeing Neil. Marissa is shocked and asks her mom if it’s serious. Julie says it is as they are leaving for the cruise tonight and asks if Marissa is okay with it. Marissa is but asks her not to mess it up as Summer is her best friend.
Dawn gets out of jail as Sandy got the charges dropped against her but she has to join a substance abuse program. Dawn says she doesn’t have the money but Sandy already covered it for her. He then asks to come to Ryan’s birthday party and their flight leaves soon. Dawn is very hesitant about it but Sandy says Ryan will want to see her. Dawn says she needs to shower and change so Sandy lets her go back to the motel to do so.
Sadie gifts Ryan a hammer for his birthday which has an engraving that states, "For Ryan, Happy Eighteenth. I am so grateful for your friendship. Think of me every time you pound something."
Ryan thanks her and she says she needs to shower before heading to L.A. Ryan tells her he didn’t invite Marissa to the party as it wasn’t what he wanted. Ryan says he will see her later and she tells him happy birthday, kisses him on the cheek, and Ryan leaves.
Marissa goes looking for Volchok and asks a friend of his, JD Pardo, where he might be. JD suggests Marissa finds his old boss. At the club, Julie is waiting for Neil to arrive. Julie tells Neil how the girls know now and that Summer confronted her and she told Marissa earlier. Julie then brings up the cruise and Neil seems surprised and standoffish with Julie knowing. Julie gets up to go pack and kisses Neil before she leaves in front of everyone to see.
Ryan grabs something from the fridge when Kirsten walks in. Kirsten asks how it went with his friend and brings up how Ryan didn’t invite Marissa. Kirsten says how it must have been hard and asks if Marissa was upset when Ryan told her. Ryan doesn’t answer and Kirsten realizes he didn’t talk to her. Kirsten defends Marissa and points out how Ryan just thought she would figure it out when she didn’t get an invite. Kirsten points out the very important fact that Marissa has been a part of Ryan’s life for over 2 years now. Kirsten encourages Ryan to think about what she told him. She leaves him saying he’s 18 now and it’s time for him to be an adult.
Sandy checks on Dawn at the motel but walks into an empty motel and a note on the bed for Ryan. Ryan goes to visit Marissa but she isn’t home. He drops off her invitation but finds the mix she made for him.
Marissa goes to a house under construction looking for Volchok. Marissa walks up to the house and immediately recognizes it, The Model Home, from early in Season 1. She walks in and looks out into the backyard to see the pool that was empty the last time she saw it. Volchok sees her and accuses her of stalking him. Marissa insists she talks with him and apologizes for the other night. Volchok asks if Matt is her new boyfriend which Marissa denies. Volchok gives her the cold shoulder as his boss starts to yell at him for smoking. From the balcony, Marissa is looking through the house, reminded of old memories. She envisions from The Model Home episode a series of moments like when Seth brought Marissa and Ryan there, Ryan decided to stay in the house, when Ryan kept her secret, etc.
Memories Marissa remembers from The Model Home.
It cuts to Ryan at Marissa’s listening to the mix she made for him but more specifically listening to, “Paint the Silence”. Ryan starts to envision memories from that same episode like when Marissa gave him the mix, Marissa insisting he stays in town, Marissa asking Ryan to stay the night, Marissa running out as it burns down with Ryan getting beat up inside. Marissa is envisioning these memories as well and starts to get dizzy and lightheaded. Volchok notices this and asks if she is okay. Marissa says she’s fine but remembers the moment Ryan told her they were from different worlds and that it wouldn’t work between them. This makes Marissa pass out and she falls down the stairs. Volchok helps Marissa as Ryan stops the mix and slams it shut.
Ryan and Marissa's shared memories from The Model Home
At Ryan’s birthday party, there are several portraits all crafted by Seth that portray Ryan in different roles. Seth uses this as the theme about entering adulthood and trying to figure out your identity. Ryan doesn’t even know anyone at the party but Seth says Ryan only invited one person so it isn’t his fault.
Marissa gets home with Volchok’s help. Marissa says Volchok doesn’t have to help her as she is fine with a bruised forehead and sprained wrist. Marissa thanks Volchok for taking her to the hospital as he asks her what happened. Marissa tells him her history with Ryan and The Model Home. Volchok tells Marissa how he has been feeling since Johnny died. He says how Johnny was better than him and was supposed to live a good life and he just can’t understand it. Volchok gives Marissa his phone number before he leaves in case she wanted to call. Marissa goes inside to find her invitation from Ryan.
At Ryan’s party, Summer talks to her dad about the truth about him and Julie. Summer says how the cruise tickets were surprising to her and Neil says they surprised him too. Neil tells Summer he didn’t plan to take Julie as he purchased them in hopes of winning back Gloria and proposing to her again. Neil thinks that he really likes Julie and is excited to see where it goes from there and Summer is happy for him. Neil leaves Summer to catch the cruise.
Sandy arrives and speaks to Ryan about his time in Albuquerque. Sandy tells him about seeing his mom and how she couldn’t make it to the party even though she wanted to come. Ryan asks if she is okay and Sandy says that she is having a rough time but he will check up on her. Ryan says it isn’t his responsibility but Sandy points out how him and Kirsten are no longer his legal guardians but that Ryan is always apart of the Cohen family. Sandy gives Ryan the letter from his mom.
Ryan walks out of the Bait Shop to read his mom’s letter that also has a picture of them both when they were younger. As he is reading the letter, Marissa is walking over with the mix and stops when she sees him. Ryan doesn’t see her but she remembers what he said to her from over 2 years ago, “We are from different worlds. Go!” She turns around and leaves. Sadie shows up outside of the Bait Shop, choosing to see Ryan over making up with an old ex-boyfriend in L.A. Ryan says he is glad she came and they walk hand in hand together to the party. Ryan introduces Sadie to Kirsten and Sandy calling them his family.
This scene from The Model Home replays in Marissa's head before she changes her mind about attending Ryan's party.
Julie and Neil are getting ready to leave when Neil pulls out a ring and stuffs it into his bag. Marissa is at the lifeguard tower when Volchok shows up responding to her call. She asks him to sit with her and offers her a drink, which she takes. Seth is announcing his big surprise for Ryan which is a tribute to his favorite band Journey. However, it’s a tribute band but one for the Foreigner. Seth and Summer are dancing together while Sadie and Ryan dance together. Julie and Neil are on their way to the cruise ship, happy as can be. Volchok gives Marissa his jacket and lays her head on his shoulder.
Cast[]
Starring[]
Guest Starring[] |
Co-Starring[]
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Music[]
- "Paint The Silence" by South
- "In Dreams" by Crash My Model Car
- ”Ooh La” by The Kooks
- ”Waiting For A Girl Like You” by Cobra Verde
Quotes[]
Trivia[]
Gallery[]
