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The O.C. Season 2 Episode 13

The Test (aka The Father Knows Best)

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9.1

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 2/17/05

As Sandy continues working on Rebecca's case, Kirsten questions how strong their feelings are for one another. Seth continues his downward spiral in the aftermath of Zach and Summer's Valentine's night together, while Marissa confronts her fear about her relationship with Alex. Caleb offers Lindsay a place in his family, but not without a paternity test.moreless

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (6)

this was a good ep

9.0

By cube2k8, Jun 08, 2010

in this ep of the show the oc seth is continuing his downward spiral after the aftermath of ruining there valentines day night togeathe with zack and summer and marrisa is confronting her fear about her realationship with alex and sandy is still doing the cae with his first love and thing is it makes kirsten question her marriage to sandy and then clabo goes and says that linsay is apart of the family but not without a test this was a good ep i thought and it was very intense and that is why igave it 9 istead of anyting lower then thatmoreless
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As always The O.C. delivers.

8.5

By ZaleIsBackAgain, Dec 02, 2009

Some new interesting developments. Kirsten visiting Rebbecca was sort of a surprise but it really does question where Sandy's heart lies, if he really hasn't gotten over her despite not seeing her for twenty years. You're use to Sandy Cohen making logical decisions, not decisions engineered by his emotions. Though the other interesting story is Lindsay and her situation about getting adopted by Caleb. As weird as it was, Lindsay being Caleb's daughter was a bit intriguing. Surprisingly Ryan didn't have as much of an involvement other than trying to stop the adoption. And Seth still looks like he has the witty and humourous lines in him after a long drought as a result of not getting sleeping over the thought of Zach and Summer having sex. Sandy and Seth Cohen need to step their game up.moreless
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The O.C. Orange County, It's where all the beautiful people live.

9.0

By unitedalex, Apr 13, 2007

As Sandy continues working on Rebecca's case, Kirsten questions how strong their feelings are for one another. Meanwhile, Seth continues his downward spiral in the aftermath of Zach and Summer's Valentine's night together, while Marissa tries to confront her fear about her relationship with Alex. Also, Caleb offers Lindsay a place in his family, but not without a paternity test.

- Alex
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Getting better, still not as good as it was though! :(

8.5

By Charmed1408, Dec 14, 2006

Getting better, still not as good as it was though! :( I loved things about this episode, while hating things about while hating things about this episode, I now HATE Zach, love Seth (more!) & am angry at the Sandy / Kirsten / Rebecca storyline, I really liked the way the Alex / Marissa episode went in this episode though! So it was better than the last episode, but definately not one of my faves! Oh & my fave part of this episode was Lindsay's powerful emotions when Caleb asked for a test, I love her!moreless
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Caleb offers Lindsay a place in his family but she has to pass a paternity test!

10

By InuKenFreak, Dec 02, 2005

oh my gosh this episode is one of those that people like me LOVE to see on the O.C. !! its so cleverly plotted (as i said above) and truly brings out the drama the show has to offer! lol the reason i love this show is that everyone would THINK that Lindsay is Calebs daughter but the ending of this show (or the next i cant remember) it really turns that thinking around! its great coz you guess but proves that just because theres evidence in the show that proves something that youre guessing at doesnt mean that youre always gonna be right!!!!!! great episode a true writing of the O.C.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Adam Brody	Seth Cohen
Alan Dale	Caleb Nichol
Ben McKenzie	Ryan Atwood
Kelly Rowan	Kirsten Cohen
Melinda Clarke	Julie Cooper-Nichol
Mischa Barton	Marissa Cooper

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Deirdre M. Smith	Agent Jill Stonerock	Guest Star
Christopher Lawford	Ross (FBI)	Guest Star
Danielle Bisutti	Joan	Recurring Role
Kim Delaney	Rebecca Bloom	Recurring Role
Shannon Lucio	Lindsay Gardner	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (5)
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- Caleb wants Lindsay to undergo a DNA test to prove that she is his daughter - in S02EP34 "The Family Ties" Caleb confesses in court (not shown) that Lindsay is his daughter and that is why he was paying money to Renee - wouldn't the judge have required him to take a paternity test then? =/
  
  --In regards to the comment posted about a judge would have required Caleb to undergo a paternity test: in many states, paternity would only need to be established if the case in question was related to that fact specifically, i.e. child support or custody. Caleb was justifying his reasons for paying Renee. It's quite possible that whatever judge was handling that case didn't even have jurisdiction over juveniles.
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- Goof: At the beginning of this season, Marissa drove a 2005 Mustang GT Hardtop. In this episode, she is in a 2005 Mustang Convertible, exposing a likely deal with Ford to plug their new cars.
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- Goof: Rebecca Bloom scatters her father's ashes in the sea, but as is mentioned many times earlier on in the series, the Blooms are Jewish. Jewish people aren't allowed to be cremated.
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- Goof: California's Health and Safety Code 7117 prohibits scattering of ashes from any bridge or pier. In addition, anyone scattering ashes must register the scattering with the state. Neither Sandy or Rebecca could have done this as the Feds would be waiting.
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- Goof: Julie comments that her new magazine will be "the first magazine to represent the people of Newport Beach". However, in Season One, Julie also said the same thing about 'Riviera Magazine' in the episode "The Perfect Couple."
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QUOTES (7)
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- Marissa: I just figured, if I can't even tell my best friend, maybe I'm not ready for this.
  Alex: So you're here to break up with me.
  Marissa: Then I told her.
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- Seth: No, I'm not wallowing, Ryan, I'm agonizing. The two are vastly different.
  Ryan: Really?
  Seth: Yeah. See, wallowing, that's, like, lounging around eating ice cream, watching VH1. But agonizing, that's more like MTV2, okay. It's no thrills, requires dicipline.
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- Sandy: The FBI was here.
  Kirsten: Well, it wouldn't be the Cohen house if it wasn't a visit from law enforcement.
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- Marissa: I've been dating Alex.
  Summer: What?
  Marissa: I mean (worried) Alex and I, we've been dating.
  Summer: W-what?!
  Marissa: Just for a couple of weeks.
  Summer: Alex... Seth's Alex?
  Marissa: Mm-hmm
  Summer: Girl Alex?
  Marissa: Yeah.
  Summer: Huh. Well who knows?
  Marissa: Uh, just you.
  Summer: Oh...so you and Alex?
  Marissa: Uh-huh.
  Summer: So are you...are you like a-
  Marissa: No, no I don't know I'm just.. I really like her.
  Summer: Well, she is pretty hot.
  Marissa: Hey look, you don't have to say anything, I just...I really needed to tell you (Summer nods and closes her eyes) We're still friends, right?
  Summer: Course we are (Marissa looks worried) Come here.(Summer and Marissa hug)
  Summer: This isn't turning you on, right?
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- Lindsay (about Julie): We should put garlic up in case she comes back.
  Renee: Definitely.
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- Summer: I have to go kick Cohen's pervy little ass.
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- Zach: I just want to be straightforward with you Seth, so you can plan your freak-out accordingly.
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NOTES (2)
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- Was originally titled "The Father Knows Best". This episode is also called that on the Season 2 DVD.
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- Music:
  "No Sleep" by Sam Roberts
  "Lesson No 1" by Viva Voce
  "Memories Left At Sea" by Sunday Runners
  "Faking The Books" by Lali Puna
  "Your Ex- Lover Is Dead" by Stars
  "Misread" by Kings of Convenience
  "Universal Traveler" by Air
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ALLUSIONS (2)
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- Sandy: Well, I've smelled him. Smells like Teen Spirit to me.
  This is in reference to Teen Spirit deoderant and to Nirvana's song "Smells Like Teen Spirit".
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- Seth: So, I'm going to go home and watch Vh1. I think Best Week Ever is on.
  In reference to Vh1's popular week-in-review show Best Week Ever.
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