The Links

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


Season = 1
(2003-2004)
Caption = "Last guy back buys the first round"
Episode = 16
Airdate = January 14, 2004 (FOX)
Writer = Debra J. Fisher
Erica Messer
Director = Michael Lange
Production = 176515
Episode list = "The O.C." (season 1)
List of "The O.C." episodes
Prev = The Third Wheel
Next = The Rivals|

"The Links" is the 16th episode of the FOX television series, "The O.C.". The episode was written by Debra J. Fisher and Erica Messer and was directed by Michael Lange. It originally aired on Wednesday January 14, 2004.

Guest starring

Plot

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

Sandy is teaching Ryan to putt in the backyard. He hits one into the pool. He doesn't really take to golf. And he's going to need something to do in Palm Springs because he doesn't spa either. Incidentally, he's going to Palm Springs because Oliver has extended an invitation to his mansion to thank Ryan for his largesse during the coke bust.

In the kitchen, Kirsten and Sandy fret over the boys spending the weekend out of town, and then start fretting about how Caleb and Julie return from Europe today. Kirsten suspects that Hailey will soon hit up daddy for a blank check and head out of town.

Marissa tries twisting Summer's arm into joining the Palm Springs jaunt, but she isn't stoked about being the 9th wheel during a couples' weekend. And she definitely isn't stoked about the Seth and Anna relationship, despite her earlier claims. Maybe she can break them up somehow.

Sandy runs into Jimmy down at the pier. Jimmy is pondering ditching Newport. Sandy assures him he can get him some paralegal work at the firm. Marissa and Summer drop by the pool house but Summer quickly exits to Seth's room. Ryan still isn't taking to Oliver but Marissa says Natalie will definitely be there this weekend. They made up!

Summer bounds into Seth's room, interrupting a little Anna makeout action. She very fakely proclaims her excitement at the three of them spending a weekend together as friends. Hey! Here's Oliver! With bad news. He broke up with Natalie. Marissa feels bad for him. Ryan feels bad for himself as his girlfriend falls into Oliver's sticky web of lies. Marissa rides with Oliver so they can talk about his sad breakup while Ryan hops in the truck with Luke.

The kids are gone and Caleb and Julie drop by the house. Caleb is very interested to see how Hailey is. Is she on drugs? She might not be, but she's definitely not on the Julie Cooper bandwagon. Which is fine, because Julie doesn't like her either.

Palm Springs! Ryan and Luke, toting a giant cooler, arrive at the mansion to find Oliver and Marissa ensconced in a chat on the couch. Ryan points out how they tried to follow them but Oliver was driving too fast. As the kids settle in, Ryan asks Oliver where his parents are. "Yeah. Their plane got delayed in, uh, Zurich. I don't think they're going to make it this weekend." Inspector Ryan unearths another Oliver "embellishment" which nobody else seems to pick up on.

Oliver shows the kids to their rooms. Ryan and Marissa, this is your room. Oh! I forgot! This is the room with the two twin beds! Umm…do you mind? Marissa goes to put her stuff away, leaving Ryan and Oliver to push the beds together. Oliver begins to disingenuously compliment Ryan. Boy, you sure are well-adjusted for somebody with your, uh, situation. You know, with Luke and your past and whatnot. Marissa filled me in during the ride. So good for you, Sport! Then a little staredown. Oliver is trying to play his hand. Ryan is trying to not start punching Oliver. Marissa comes back into the room, oblivious to it all.

Heading into the office on Saturday, Sandy runs into one of his coworkers. He asks what he thinks about Jimmy Cooper filling an entry-level position. The lawyer doesn't want the stink of Jimmy Cooper ruining the firm's reputation. Maybe if Sandy is so concerned for his well-being, he should go into business with Jimmy.

Hailey and Caleb start catching up. Inside, Julie and Kirsten talk about what Hailey is really up to. Julie says Kirsten is the only one Caleb really listens to. Maybe she should say something.

Golf! Oliver helps Marissa with her swing. Right in front of Ryan. Elsewhere on the course, Seth and Anna are caddying for Summer, who is possibly up to something. She hits her ball into the trees and asks Seth for help finding it. She also asks Anna to stay back because there's poison ivy in there. Smooth.

Ryan misses another putt, much to the delight of Oliver. Luke and Ryan discuss pummeling Oliver, while Oliver continues to plant seeds in Marissa's head. Ryan holes out and Oliver suggests they call it a day. Last one to the clubhouse buys the first round. Ryan and Luke's competitive instinct kicks in, along with some aggressive rock music. The cart race is on! Oliver spins the cart around and cuts in front of Ryan, forcing him to swerve into the reeds. Ryan's ready to fight, but it doesn't come to a head. Incidentally, Luke is totally on Ryan's side with this one.

At home, Kirsten starts talking to Caleb about Hailey. Is she suggesting Caleb cut her off? Back in Palm Springs, it's an early bedtime for Anna and Seth. Although Anna isn't ready to sleep, wink wink. And that's when Summer pops in! Hey guys, can I watch TV in here? They try to wiggle out of it, but she puts the friend guilt trip on them, which works to perfection.

Ryan is doing the dishes when Oliver snakes into the kitchen. He asks Ryan if they can start over. What does he have to do? Ryan says next time he wants to be alone with Marissa, give him advance warning so he can stay home. This is the end of the line for Oliver. He screams "So stupid!" and punches himself in the head because Ryan, like everybody else that has known Oliver, hates his guts now. Marissa comes in to see if everything is OK, and Oliver takes off. Marissa wonders what Ryan did to cause this. When he says they were talking about her, Marissa thinks Ryan is the one with the issues.

Sandy and Jimmy sit down in an old favorite restaurant to break bread. They try to map out Jimmy's future. Then they start to reminisce over the restaurant given its upcoming closure. Jimmy's favorite job ever was managing this place in his 20's. Idle talk ensues. You know, this is it. This is old Newport. Last bastion. Jimmy points out that the land value alone would be enough to secure a renovation loan. A light goes on in Sandy's head.

Watching TV, Summer is tiring of Anna and Seth dissecting every single thing on the tube with their ironic, postmodern panache. She lauds them for their witty conversation, saying they could be just like brother and sister. And then she goes to bed. Queased by the familial comparison, Anna rolls over and goes to bed.

In a more somber mood, Marissa is waiting up to hear from Oliver. He finally calls and Marissa pleads with him to call an ambulance. He took a bunch of pills. Ryan and Marissa head out. She's in a panic.

Back in Newport, Hailey demands to know what the hell Kirsten said to Caleb. She yells at Kirsten for interfering and threatens to leave for good. Kirsten wants to know where she's going with no money. Stay here and work for dad! No, Hailey thinks she needs to have her own life by getting as far away from Caleb and Kirsten as possible.

Ryan and Marissa pound on a hotel room door until Oliver opens up. He apologizes for the inconvenience. He was in the shower cleaning up. Ryan stares at him. Something isn't quite right. Oliver tells them to take off and enjoy the weekend, but Marissa isn't going anywhere. Oliver promises that everything is out of his system, but Ryan suggests maybe taking him to the emergency room. After all, we don't want to take any chances. Checkmate! Oliver talks them out of that plan.

Back in Newport, Luke and Summer drop off the cute couple. Seth and Anna are alone at last in Seth's room. They kiss, but then Seth starts yawning. Anna doesn't take to that. She wonders if they are brother and sister and then Seth starts back up with the kissing. Problem solved.

In Palm Springs, Ryan is sneaking around Oliver's pad looking for something. Marissa comes out and says she's going to stay with Oliver tonight to make sure he's OK, and that's when Ryan has had enough. He tips off Marissa to Oliver's fakeout. Look! This place is in perfect shape! And so is he! When Ryan wonders what kind of person would try to kill himself with pills, Marissa has had enough. Oh right! Tijuana. Marissa has made up her mind. She's staying by Oliver's side tonight.

Sandy comes home to Kirsten, full of gin and good news. He and Jimmy Cooper may have gone into business together tonight. They're buying the restaurant.

Music

*"Away From Me" by Puddle of Mudd
*"Quiet Village" by Martin Denny
*"It's Not Unusual" by Tom Jones
*"Love Dance" by Martin Denny
*"Addicted" by Enrique Iglesias

Trivia

* When Summer, Anna and Seth were watching TV on their bed, "Addicted" by Enrique Iglesias came on. Coincidentally, Marissa's portrayer Mischa Barton was actually Enrique's love interest in the music video.

External links

*imdb title|0663890|Full Cast & Crew
* [http://www.fox.com/oc/recaps/season1/116.htm Recap from Official Website]
* [http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/articles/content/a1616/ Recap] from Television Without Pity