The Perfect Couple

Infobox Television episode
Colour = #ffaa44
Series = The O.C.
Title = The Perfect Couple


Season = 1
(2003-2004)
Caption = Ryan and Marissa; the 'perfect couple'
Episode = 10
Airdate = November 12, 2003 (FOX)
Writer = Allan Heinberg
Director = Michael Fresco
Production = 176509
Episode list = "The O.C." (season 1)
List of "The O.C." episodes
Prev = The Heights
Next = The Homecoming|

"The Perfect Couple" is the 10th episode of the FOX television series, "The O.C.". The episode was written by Allan Heinberg and was directed by Michael Fresco. It originally aired on Wednesday November 12, 2003.

Guest starring

Plot

Articleissues
cleanup = May 2008
fansite = May 2008
inappropriate tone = May 2008

Marissa and Ryan are making out in the pool house. Ryan tries to go to "second base", but Marissa puts a stop to that. She has to get home. Ryan suggests maybe this weekend they spend an entire night together. An official date. Saturday night, it's on. Kirsten walks in on Marissa on top of Ryan. Marissa gets up and leaves. Kirsten, shocked, admits to Ryan that it's never happened with Seth before.

The next morning, Kirsten wonders if maybe Sandy should have a birds and the bees talk with Ryan. Sandy says they obviously don't believe in sex in the Cohen house judging from recent history. He and Kirsten complain about work keeping them late, and then vow to be home by 10 tonight for some loving.

At work, Sandy is trying to sneak out when Rachel calls him on it. How can he leave with their big conference tomorrow? He agrees and postpones. On the other side of the lawsuit, Kirsten walks into a meeting with her father and is surprised to see Julie Cooper. She was there because Caleb was offering the use of his yacht for the Children's Hospital Benefit. Julie exits and Kirsten tells her dad they can have a working dinner tonight, after all. Hearing about Sandy's cancellation, Caleb plants a few seeds in Kirsten's mind about Sandy continually working late with his attractive partner.

At lunch, Ryan, Anna and Seth try to plan the big date with Marissa, with no luck. Anna and Seth walk off, but when Seth asks what she thinks Summer's three favorite movies are, Anna lashes out. Enough Summer talk! Enough, I say! Seth is confused by the female wiles.

Marissa comes home from school, only to find Julie waiting for her. Jimmy and Julie need to talk to her. Julie wants Marissa to attend the hospital benefit. It's important to let everybody know the Cooper family is back. Marissa scoffs at first, but Julie begs her to help her get everything back together.

Ryan is relaxing in the pool house when Marissa drops by. The good news is, Ryan doesn't have to plan the best date ever anymore. The bad news is, it's because they'll be attending the charity event. Ryan is reluctant since Julie hates him, but Marissa says "it's times like these that a girl needs her boyfriend the most." Boyfriend? Ryan's never been a boyfriend before. This makes him nervous. But Saturday night is a go!

At school, Ryan cracks the news that he's boyfriend material now and he's going to be trapped on a boat with Julie Cooper. So Seth better be there for backup. But who will he take? How about…a friend? Seth sidles up to Anna and says he won't bring up Summer again. So how about attending a charity ball to celebrate? At a loss for words, Anna eagerly accepts.

The big conference. It's getting a little snippy. Bottom line, Caleb wants to know how much the land trust is offering for his tract. He ends the meeting after seeing their offer. And then things get really snippy. Caleb wonders what Sandy and Rachel have been doing every night 'til 2am if this is all they have to offer. Sandy says he's never seen somebody stoop as low as Caleb, trying to sabotage his daughter's marriage for profits. Caleb says Sandy's living off those profits, to which Sandy replies if Caleb thinks he's been quiet until now, wait until he has Caleb on the stand.

Marissa is rooting through her closet for a dress for the ball when Ryan expresses a tinge of nervousness about his expected attendance. Julie walks in, surprised to see her daughter's guest. She tells Marissa she can stay for the night if she wants, but Marissa says no. Still a little tension there.

Walking the halls of school, Seth and Anna continue falling in like when Summer approaches. Summer and Anna snipe at each other and Seth is awkwardly caught in the middle. And then Summer asks Seth if she can help him with history. Seth says he can't because of the charity yacht function. Wait. You're going with her? But…that's okay! I'm going with him! Chip! Summer saves face. Sorta.

That night, Ryan sees Caleb drop by Julie Cooper's from his balcony. Caleb greets her with a more than friendly kiss and heads inside. Looking up, Julie notices Ryan spying on her.

The day of the charity event has arrived. Seth and Anna and Ryan and Marissa are ready to go. The girls depart for the bathroom and Ryan subtly tries to guide Seth's Summer lust in Anna's direction. But the kid doesn't pick up on it. There's Kirsten, but where's Sandy? Don't ask. There's Sandy! Boning up on the big case over Thai at Rachel's.

Show time! Summer comes aboard with Chip and notices Seth and Anna. Well, isn't she the jealous one? Julie catches Ryan at the bar, and he says he can't deal with lying to Marissa. Julie tells him it's her life, so don't worry about it. Topside, Summer complains to Marissa about Seth's date. Do you see the way she looks at him?! Marissa calls Summer on her jealousy and teases that she likes Seth, a charge that Summer refutes. Marissa leaves with, "Too bad, 'cause he likes you."

Marissa finds Ryan and says her parents are getting along so well. Maybe pretty soon she can move back home. Ryan doesn't share her excitement, which stings her. She wants to know why he can't be happy for her and Ryan spills the beans about Julie and Caleb. Marissa storms off.

Night comes and Rachel and Sandy are still cracking the books. And then things get a little flirty. And then Rachel makes her move. If they're spending all this time together, shouldn't they just be together? Sandy excuses himself to catch a boat.

Topside again, Seth and Anna are entertaining themselves by cracking on party guests. Then Anna pulls a Rachel and moves in for a kiss. Like his pa, Seth ends the moment and gets up to get them drinks. At the same time, coincidentally enough, Summer bails on Chip. She grabs Seth and asks if they can talk.

Inside, Julie is giving a speech thanking everybody for their generous support. Marissa enters the room, determined to call shenanigans on her mom. Outside, Summer plants a smooch on Seth and a realization sets in. "Oh God. I like Seth Cohen." She slumps to the ground and Seth is mighty confused. Warning him not to tell anybody or face death, Summer jets off.

Back in the cabin, Julie asks Marissa to join her onstage, which she reluctantly does. Younger Cooper daughter Kaitlin chooses the raffle winner while Julie hands Marissa the mic to announce the winner. Marissa uses this opportunity to thank Julie and Caleb for their work and tell the assembled donors if anybody deserves a romantic getaway after this it's them. "Don't they just make the perfect couple?" Shock and dread washes over Julie's face. Where is this going? Ryan looks like he's ready to jump overboard and Marissa continues. "They've been keeping their romance a secret. But tonight, the secret's out." Marissa exits. Ryan seems slightly pleased. Jimmy seems slightly crushed. The crowd seems slightly eager to end this awkward moment. Oh, by the way, Sandy and Kirsten won the romantic getaway.

Julie heads outside to confront Marissa. Interestingly, Julie claims she was trying to show that life could be like it used to be tonight. But because of what Jimmy did, "we have no future together." "Neither do we," retorts Marissa. An irate Kirsten tells her father she can't believe she told him about her entire life, which he used at the negotiating table, and he kept this secret. From now on, outside of the office, they have nothing to say to each other.

And after all the excitement, Ryan and Marissa go back to the pool house and spend the night together.

Music

*Strange and Beautiful" by Aqualung
*"A Fine Romance" by Stacy Kent
*"Breathe" by Leaves

Trivia

*Though credited in the opening credits, Chris Carmack (Luke) does not appear in this episode.

External links

*imdb title|0663900|Full Cast & Crew
* [http://www.fox.com/oc/recaps/season1/110.htm Recap from Official Website]
* [http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/articles/content/a1610/ Recap] from Television Without Pity