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"The Telenovela" is the twentieth episode in the first season of the Fox drama series The O.C.. The episode aired on the twenty-fifth February, in 2004.

Synopsis[]

Marissa and Ryan try to make a new start as friends, but it's not as easy as they had hoped. As Theresa, Ryan's ex-girlfriend from Chino, begins spending more time in Newport, Ryan discovers that she hasn't been completely honest about why she's there. Meanwhile, Seth believes his relationship with Summer is great, but when she refuses to acknowledge him at school, he feels he has to teach her a lesson.

Plot[]

At Harbor, Ryan and Seth talk about how Ryan and Marissa are no longer dating. Ryan says they will go back to being friends when Seth asks when they were ever "just" friends. Ryan says they can do it when in another conversation, Summer asks Marissa how her and Ryan will be friends. Marissa says she doesn't want to be friends but it is what Ryan wants and she needs to prove to him that he can trust her. Marissa changes the subject and asks how things are for Summer with Seth. She says how things are different in public verses closed doors. Seth gets a phone call and Ryan answers it since it is a number Seth isn't familiar with. Theresa is calling from Chino and Ryan asks how she is. Theresa says she is coming to Newport that day for work and asks to hang out. Ryan agrees and she quickly hangs up the phone when someone emerges from the bathroom. She pushes a suitcase under the bed with a RING on THAT finger when the guy, supposed-unnamed-fiancée, asks who it was. Ryan rehashes the conversation to Seth and he says how "friendly" Ryan is with Marissa and now Theresa.

Marissa and Summer run into Ryan and Seth in the hall and they all awkwardly say hi to each other. Brad grabs Summer and she leaves them while Seth follows after her. Marissa and Ryan are left and she asks how he is. Ryan is about to answer but says he is late and heads to class. Brad asks Summer to be the girl for the kissing booth right in front of Seth. Summer is flattered and agrees to it. Seth gets mad and Summer says it is for money. Anna was watching this interaction and approaches Seth, acknowledging the fact that Summer and Seth are dating now. Seth apologizes but Anna says she saw it coming and was the reason they broke up. Seth asks her about her time at home and Anna explains how much she liked being back there. Kirsten walks into Caleb's office and asks Sandy to help lift some charges off someone in the Newport Group. Kirsten tells Caleb he should ask after all the time he hasn't been nice to Sandy.

Summer Roberts - The Telenovela

Summer agrees to be the girl in the kissing booth right in front of Seth.


Seth watches Summer flirt with the guys on the water polo team when Anna notices. She says how similar it is to when Summer ignored Seth for all the years she did. Seth says she isn't ignoring him and Anna wishes him luck. Julie approaches Luke in the hallway at school and they talk about how good it is to see each other. Julie says they can't do this in public and wants to meet him that night when Jimmy approaches. Ryan nearly runs into Marissa and he apologizes about earlier. Marissa does to and says she was hoping they could be friends. Ryan agrees and says they should hang out. She asks about that night but Ryan can't because of Theresa. She starts to leave when Ryan suggests they hang out after school. Marissa agrees to meet him.

Sandy is eating lunch in the Lighthouse when Caleb approaches. Caleb asks Sandy to help Bill Shaughnessy, the worker from Newport Group who has legal charges. Sandy suspects Kirsten told him to ask nicely and Caleb says so. Sandy agrees to take a look at the case and then decide. Jimmy and Julie leave Dr. Kim's office after their meeting saying how much better Marissa is doing. Julie thanks Jimmy for doing a good job with Marissa since he is so involved in her life. Jimmy notes how nice Julie is and she says how much happier she is without Caleb. Seth and Summer are kissing in bed together and he asks why she ignored him in school. Summer claims she didn't and says she wants her relationship to be private. She goes on to say how much pressure it brings and goes on a ramble. She doesn't want it to happen because what they have is special.

Summer Roberts - The Telenovela 2

Summer wants to keep her relationship with Seth private.


Ryan and Marissa are playing video games together. She asks if it is weird between them and Ryan says he doesn't know since they used to hang out all the time. Ryan suggests they could fight about Luke and Marissa brings up Oliver which makes the conversation go dead. Marissa apologizes as Theresa walks in. Marissa is visibly upset and Theresa says she will leave and Ryan stops her saying they weren't doing anything. Marissa chimes in saying she was just leaving and rushes out as Ryan watches her leave.

Ryan and Marissa - The Telenovela

Ryan and Marissa try being friends until she finds out he had plans with Theresa.


Kirsten and Sandy talk about the case and who Bill is. Seth and Ryan walk in and Kirsten tells Ryan that Theresa called. Sandy says they would live to meet her and they ask why she is here. Seth then asks if Marissa knows and Ryan says that they bumped into each other. Sandy asks if Marissa is okay with it to which Seth says they are going back to being friends. Sandy then asks when they were ever friends and Seth looks at Ryan. Luke and Julie are at the Mermaid Inn hotel and Luke says how beautiful she is. He says he wishes they could stay there forever and Luke leaves for school. This reminds Julie about Luke's age when she gets a call from Caitlin. Luke asks to see her again but Julie is hesitant and says no. As Luke leaves, he passes Theresa walking into her own room.

Sandy - The Telenovela

Sandy is confused as to when Ryan and Marissa have ever "just" been "friends" before.


At Harbor, Ryan finds Marissa at lunch and asks to sit with her. They both start to apologize to each other at the same time. Ryan then apologizes about not telling her that Theresa was coming over. Marissa says Ryan could have since they are now friends and asks about Theresa and him. Ryan says they are friends and she is back in town for work. Ryan tells her where she is staying and Marissa says they need to have a rematch. Anna and Seth are walking together and talk about his issues with Summer. Seth concludes Summer is ashamed of him and asks for her advice. Anna tells Seth he needs to take a stand when they run into Summer who walks away.

Bill is waiting for Sandy in the Lighthouse and talks about the history of the restaurant. Sandy then talks about the case and that Bill was doing some sketchy work for Caleb. Bill then threatens Sandy. Theresa and Ryan are walking on the beach and eating ice cream together. They talk about how beautiful it is in Newport. Theresa says she couldn't up her life and leave her mom or Eddie, the guy from earlier in the episode, who she says they are spending time apart. Theresa asks about Marissa and Ryan and he says they are trying to be friends but it has been hard and Theresa says it isn't like it is between the two of them. Summer and Seth are arguing about their closed-door relationship and how much Seth hates it and leaves. Ryan gets home to find Eddie in the driveway wanting to know where Theresa is. Ryan doesn't tell him and that he hasn't seen her. Eddie tells Ryan he and Theresa are engaged. Eddie then says how much Ryan deserves a good life and leaves.

Eddie - The Telenovela

Eddie, who Ryan learns is engaged to Theresa, comes to Newport looking for her.


Ryan confronts Theresa at the Mermaid Inn and she claims that Eddie asked but she didn't say yes. Ryan says she has to face him and she accuses him of running away to a luxurious life that she claims was handed to him. Theresa says that Eddie loves her and she needs time. Ryan then asks what she is doing for dinner and he invites her over to the Cohens for dinner. Summer comes over and demands to have sex with Seth but he stands his ground. He is going on strike and kicks Summer out. Caleb visits Julie with flowers saying he missed her. Julie asks Caleb if it is a booty call and she slams the door in his face.

Caleb - The Telenovela

Caleb asks what a boot call is after Julie accuses him of doing so.


Kirsten is prepping dinner from takeout boxes when Sandy asks about Bill. Seth walks in and Ryan and Theresa walk in soon after. Seth, Kirsten, and Sandy meet her. Seth asks why she is here when Ryan tells him not to worry since Theresa is engaged. Ryan gives Seth an update on it and mentions Eddie. Ryan goes to the table to help Theresa when Sandy and Kirsten ask Seth for the details. Seth says that they have a telenovela going on. Marissa is watching T.V. when Jimmy gets home thinking she was at Ryan's. Marissa says Ryan is busy with Theresa and that she would rather be home. Jimmy assumes she isn't okay with it since Ryan is a big part of her life. Marissa says she is fine and tells him it's just high school. Marissa explains how she is trying to be friends and Jimmy makes the point that everyone has been making in that Marissa and Ryan have never been just friends. Jimmy encourages her to tell Ryan how she feels.

Seth Cohen - The Telenovela 3

Seth fills Kirsten and Sandy in on Ryan's "friendship" with an engaged Theresa and Marissa, comparing it to a telenovela.

Theresa is telling the Cohens stories about Ryan growing up. The doorbell rings and Marissa is at the door and Kirsten invites her in. Marissa walks in hoping to talk to Ryan but doesn't expect to see Theresa. There silence is beyond awkward and Sandy asks Marissa if she is hungry. Marissa asks if it is okay to stay and everyone is in agreement. As Marissa sits down, Theresa exchanges looks at her but Marissa doesn't buy into it and asks what everyone was talking about. The next day, Seth takes a call from Eddie who is trying to talk to Ryan but Ryan asks him to hang up. Seth ends the call and talks about the dinner from the night before and how it felt like a telenovela. Seth notes his friendships with both Marissa, who still has feelings for him, and Theresa, who also has feelings for him. Seth doesn't know how Ryan feels and he doesn't know either. Seth also talks about Eddie and how there are a lot of people involved in this and that Ryan needs to figure things out before someone gets hurt.

Sandy confronts Caleb about his shady business arrangements and Caleb tries to defend himself. Sandy tells Caleb he won't take on the case and Caleb uses Kirsten as a way of getting him on the case, saying that she signed checks that would link her to the crime. At Harbor, Summer finds Anna and apologizes to her about being with Seth. Summer tells her that it might not even work out because she doesn't like PDA. Anna then tells her she doesn't have to ignore Seth and notes how long Summer spent trying to get his attention. Summer reveals to Anna her true feelings in that she doesn't know why Seth likes her. She says that Seth will get bored of her since every guy she has been with has. Summer feels like it is inevitable as to when Seth will break up with her. Anna approaches Seth and rehashes her conversation with Summer. Anna says how scared Summer is and that she is afraid of loosing him. Seth claims he isn't going anywhere and Anna tells him to let Summer know that.

Summer Roberts - The Telenovela 3

Summer expresses her fears and insecurities about loosing Seth.

Ryan is on his way back to Chino and goes to Eddie's work. Ryan tells Eddie the truth about Theresa. Eddie is understandably mad and asks why Ryan lied. Eddie points out how he asked Theresa to marry him and then she runs away to Ryan. Eddie asks Ryan if he loves Theresa and he says he doesn't know. Eddie fires back with confidence that he actually does love her and wants to take care of Theresa. Eddie asks Ryan to tell her to come home or he better be ready to fight for her because he isn't walking away.

Ryan and Eddie - The Telenovela

Eddie knows for sure that he is in love with Theresa while Ryan isn't so sure.

Marissa visits Theresa at the Mermaid Inn. Marissa asks to talk to her and Theresa guesses what she is asking. Theresa knows that Marissa is asking if she is still in love with Ryan because Marissa is. Marissa tells Theresa she doesn't want to be and that things would be easier if she wasn't. Theresa invites her in. Theresa tells Marissa that Eddie asked her to marry him. Marissa says that Theresa must really love Eddie. Theresa tells Marissa about a memory from communion that gave her a good idea of what she wanted her wedding to be like. Theresa realizes she should talk to Eddie and thanks Marissa for talking with her. As Marissa is leaving, Julie goes into a room next door before she can see her.

Marissa and Theresa - The Telenovela

Theresa talks out her feelings regarding getting married to Eddie with Marissa.

At Harbor, Summer is kissing guys at the kissing booth when Seth interrupts and makes the guys in line go home. Seth insists on talking with Summer but she won't let up. Seth then confidently gets on the counter and encourages Summer to get up with him and kiss him in front of everyone. Brad and everyone laugh at the fact that Summer is dating Seth. Seth tells everyone that he is dating Summer and she asks why he is doing this. Seth tells Summer that he likes her and that if she doesn't feel the same way, he will leave. Seth holds out his hand hoping Summer will take it. She does and gets up on the counter with him. Summer kisses him and they begin making out on the counter in front of everyone.

Seth and Summer - The Telenovela

Seth and Summer kiss in front of everyone after he shows her how much he likes her.

Theresa calls Eddie's work to talk to him and waits until he reaches the phone. Theresa gets a knock at the door and she sets the phone down to answer it. Ryan is at the door and notices she is packing. Theresa tells him she thinks she should go home and Ryan says he needs to figure out what is right for him as well. Ryan then says if it is the right thing for her to leave, he doesn't understand why he doesn't want her to go. Ryan kisses Theresa and she kisses him back while inside her room Eddie is calling for her.

Ryan and Theresa - The Telenovela 2

Ryan kisses Theresa before she could leave and go home to Eddie.

Cast[]

Starring[]

Guest Starring[]

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Music[]

Trivia[]

Gallery[]

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