Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Hey.", 18 Sep 2006
The story of a delinquent who finds himself living in wealthy Newport Beach, California, is fun to watch over and over. We can again meet Chino bad boy Ryan (Benjamin Mackenzie) and follow him as he is rescued from jail by his attorney, Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher) and becomes part of his family. Wife Kirsten (Kelly Rowan) isn't sure she wants the brooding boy near her son Seth (Adam Brody), who is the quintessential comic book geek. And then there are the girls: Moody Marissa (Mischa Barton), Seth's secret crush Summer (Rachel Bilson), and spunky Theresa from Chino. Marissa's troubled parents and Kirsten's parents have their share of drama, too, and who could forget Luke or Haylie. It's simply the best season of the show, with the most memorable one-liners. Who can forget Summer's first "Ewww!" or Luke's "welcome" speech to Ryan.
Teens like the show for the trendy music and fashions, while people over 20 consider it a guilty pleasure; it certainly is deliciously decadent, romantic, funny, shocking, and, of course, luxuriantly beautiful. The secret lives of the fabulously rich Newpsies contrast nicely with the outsider's two-fisted approach to life, until he realizes they're not so different after all. Season One has all the angst of high school junior year, as well as the social and financial machinations of the middle-agers. The action all revolves around Ryan, sensitively played by Mackenzie, and the loving Cohen family, with the wonderful Peter Gallagher anchoring it all as the kindly and wise dad. Creator Josh Schwartz has made fascinating characters and an addictive story line. Extras are few; there are no bloopers or commentary, but it's still a terrific DVD set that will satisfy your craving for all things O.C.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
'Good God, No?' Best US Import In Ages, 19 April 2006
Thinking of buying this boxed set for a friend, I was immediately struck by the two (identical) one-star reviews at the very top of the list, written by an incomprehensibly enraged 'viewer' who condemned the OC as shallow, badly acted trash before grandly predicting a second Wall Street Crash as a symptom of modern society- and all this from someone who, amongst other things, spelt 'lobotomy' with an 'a'.
I'm writing this, then, for two reasons; firstly to encourage prospective buyers not to be put off and to give it a go, but also because I seriously do enjoy the series.
The OC is described on the official review as 'edgy', a term which sums it up well; it may be set in the materialistic, artificially beautiful world of Orange County, but a more than desultory flick across channels makes it clear that this is completely self-aware. The OC is a show about outsiders. Revolving around Ryan, a resented lower-class arrival into the community,and Seth, a geek despised for not fitting in, the mere fact that the series was written by Josh Schwartz,(who in his teen years suffered bullying in Orange County) should make it clear that while it may take us into the homes and stories of beatified, trivial rich kids, it is far from celebrating them. It will not be too much of a spoiler, hopefully, to say that Marissa, who with her water-polo playing boyfriend fits initially fairly well into the 'rich kid' category, finds that when her desperate attempts to break away from the Orange County tight social circle lead to emotional disaster; society is unwilling to let go of her, a beautiful 'rich kid', as much as it is the customary outsiders.
I could say more but hope I've made some case for the OC. If further evidence of its edgy intelligence over real soaps (and many British ones in particular) is needed, just look both at the unknown yet interesting indie singers found for every episode(their appearance contributed hugely to the Killer's success) and the post-modern banter between the two male leads. The OC is a treat for the mind and frequently the tear ducts as well; whether on TV or DVD, don't let pseudo-intellectual moaners spoil your fun.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing, 29 Dec 2004
By A Customer
People everywhere have been talking about the OC, and I never really gave it a chance. But after receiving the box set as a Christmas present, and having watched the whole of the first season in a span of no less than 3 days, I can confirm that all the hype is necessary. I have never watched anything so gripping, dramatic and unpredictable as the OC. The plot is so engrossing and addictive, it's almost impossible to stop watching. There is comedy, as well as tragedy. You will be shocked by many of the intense revelations and it'll have you both laughing and crying. The balance between the two is what makes the OC particularly special.The OC has it all. The overlapping storylines include relationship problems, covering themes like jealousy, infidelity and heartbreak, as well as the development of other relationships and friendships, with the odd punch-up or cat fight in between. The introduction of new characters keep the flow of story interesting and there is always something new going on. It never gets boring. Entertaining, full of surprises, with an amazingly talented cast, 18 hours of television masterpiece. What more could you ask for? Bring on Season 2!
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