The Shape of Things to Come

Season 3, Episode 2, Aired
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Episode Summary

Social Chair Marissa tries to plan this year's carnival but is having much difficulty due to a little pest named Taylor. Sandy is surprised to find Kirsten has been released from rehab but instead of informing him, she has been living with another woman named Charlotte who she met in rehab. Julie and Sandy meet with the Dean and Dr. Kim to discuss Ryan and Marissa's future at Harbor High. Later Ryan and Marissa partake in a similar meeting. Elsewhere Jimmy meets a man and feels more than open to discuss his money problems with him.moreless
9.3
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Fan Episode Reviews (34)

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  • Taylor Townsend is hot.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By ZaleIsBackAgain, May 22, 2011 Report Abuse
    The follow up to the season opener, which was average on the standards of The O.C., has set up things nicely for the season to come. Although new character Taylor Townsend is setting herself up as the main antagonist of the season so far, along with the new Dean, who can hate the uncredited underachiever that always wants to do her best? Plus she's been the most beautiful gal so far in this show. Dean though is an ass. And with Jimmy introducing himself in the story, he seems to be experiencing the same money problems once again. Kirsten seems to have a secret enemy herself in Charlotte who is jealous of her and her husband's relationship. As always the episode is backed up by some brilliant writing and funny jokes, but more importanty, like the second episode of the second season, it sets the tone for the entire season nicely.moreless

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  • this was a good ep

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By cube2k8, Jun 12, 2010 Report Abuse
    in this ep of the show the oc mariss is tring to prepare the carval for senior year and so marris is having problems do to a new girl talor townsland and dr kim meets with sandy and julie to talk about ryans future and she says its not up to her its up to a new guy and he will decide there future since the board wants him to do it and they start to talk to him and sandy tells ryan that and in this ep jimmy meets with a guy he met when he was relaxing far way and turns out jimmy is still owing money to peoeple and he is counting on the money from the will this was a good ep i thought and it was very exciting.moreless

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  • Ryan and Marrisa face being kicked out of harbour. Jimmy is still having money problems. Charlotte takes Kirsten to her "holiday home" which upsets Sandy. Seth and Summer clash with Taylor.moreless

    8.9
    "Great"
    By stewie1423, May 11, 2010 Report Abuse
    This episode was good. i liked the version of Califonia at the end, and i thought it was a good ending to the show though i thought it was wierd that Marrisa was kicked out of the carnaval but anyway .... I don't know why Jimmy just doesnt tell Julie about his money problems because it seems like she seems to actually love him this time. I think seth and summer taking down Taylor was brill and very funny. Good episode!moreless

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  • Exactly what i have been waiting for.

    9.4
    "Superb"
    By daretodream, Apr 15, 2010 Report Abuse
    Previous to this episode everything from summer\'s (not character) past is seemed to be behind them, but within the first 5 minutes we find out that Marissa Cooper and Ryan Atwood is endangered of being kicked out of school. This episode was very realistic and something important to lots of people. Being kicked out of your school senior year does not look all that get on any application, especially along with shooting someone. This episode was exactly what I wanted happen, something really important. When Marissa is told she has been kicked out of school, while Ryan has not, it brings your emotions to a new level. We are worried what is going to happen to Marissa both academically and socially. All of the characters deal with this differently. Summer believes that she must make up for Marissa being gone and stand up to Taylor Townsend, a girl who is convinced she is going to take over Marissa place at Harbor. Summer causes drama, and wins of course, adding some happiness to this episode. Seth did not really have a reaction except for being strong for his girlfriend. Ryan feels guilty and he and Marissa finally fight over the Trey incident. They make up and decide to go to the kick off carnival, and that is where the new dean of discipline arrives and decided to throw Marissa out of the carnival, when Dean Hess grabs Marissa\'s arm aggressively, Ryan defends his girlfriend by punching Dean Hess, bringing some of the old school O.C back. As Ryan and Marissa leave the carnival, Marissa stops and looks into the carnival through a chain linked fence looking extremely sad and Ryan comes towards her and buts is arm around her shoulder and guides away, by doing that we see the affection and love between the two characters that I have personally yet to see since they made up in season two. This episode was full of emotion and it was exactly what I have been waiting for.moreless

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  • A really great episode of The O.C. that is given a better rating than what I should've given it because of the fantastic last 2 minutes.

    8.7
    "Great"
    By Charmed1408, Jan 14, 2007 Report Abuse
    A really great episode of The O.C. that is given a better rating than what I should've given it because of the fantastic last 2 minutes. It wasn't that great actually, well I mean it was & it wasn't, some storylines in it were fantastic, others were weak. I REALLY loved the introduction of Taylor, I also was intrigued by the reunitation of Jimmy & Julie, the Kirsten / Charlotte storyline bored me & the Ryan / Marissa possibility of being expelled storyline could have been done better. I don't know why, but I LOVE Dean Hess & Taylor, they are so cool but mean, it's hard to explain!moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • Summer: Hey Ash! What do you think about getting a chocolate fountain?
      Ash: That would be awesome! Didn't Britney have one at her wedding?
      Summer: You know what? She did. And Seth and I here rented one for tonight.
      Taylor: Sorry Summer, that's not really our carnival.
      Autumn Reeser (Taylor) played the part of Angela on Complete Savages, and in the episode "Save A Dance For Me" she was the one who desperately wanted a chocolate fountain for the school dance while her boyfriend Sam preferred a confetti cannon. Edit
    • This episode marks the reunion of Mischa Barton and Eric Mabius. In the movie Lawn Dogs (1997), a very young Mischa shot rich brat Eric and left him badly injured. The shooting occurred when Mischa was trying to save the life of Trent, the lawn mover that the community rejected for being poor and with sort of a history of violence, but who was Devon's (Mischa) only friend. Edit
    • When the episode ends it shows the shot of the carnival, they did the same shot of the carnival in episode 9 The Heights. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Music: "Soul Meets Body" by Death Cab for Cutie "Get the Party Started" by Cobra Verde "Do You Want To" by Franz Ferdinand "California 2005 (No Whistling)" by Phantom Planet Edit
    • Death Cab for Cutie's new song "Soul Meets Body" was played in this episode. Death Cab is really one of Adam Brody's and Seth Cohen's favorite bands. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Summer: She's Taylor Townsend. She's like the Karl Rove of our school. Seth: So, you can take Karl Rove— You know who Karl Rove is? Summer: Yeah, my step-mom sometimes naps in front of CNN. I hear things as I'm dragging her off to bed. Edit
    • Seth: We thought you could use some breakfast. We've got bagels. And a support group. (cue Captain Oats and Princess Sparkle). Summer: Captain Oats is a really good listener. Princess Sparkle, she just stands there and looks cute. Edit
    • Sandy (about the Seth Cohen Starter Pack Rehab Edition): Our son has a very strange take on self-help. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • n/a: Tina Woo
      During the planning of the kick-off carnival, Seth makes a reference to the shenanigans, and a girl says that they're not funny since Tina Woo left. Tina Woo is one of the girlfriends Seth is "shopping for" in the yearbook at the beginning of "The New Era". Edit
    • When Seth is making his "Seth Cohen Starter Package: Rehab Edition" he makes reference to having "the new Klosterman." This is a direct allusion to Chuck Klosterman's Killing Yourself to Live : 85% of a True Story. Ironically, during a previous episode, Klosterman's other book Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, was mentioned as well. Edit
    • Seth: Taylor Townsend! Summer: She is Karl Rove! (Karl Christian Rove, U.S. President George W. Bush's senior advisor, chief political strategist, and deputy chief of staff in charge of policy.) - This remark is most likely in reference to the controversy surrounding Karl Rove having allegedly revealed the identity of an undercover CIA agent, to a reporter. As Summer gathered that Taylor had ratted Marissa out to the new Dean of Discipline. Edit

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