The Power of Love (The O.C. episode)

Infobox Television episode
Colour = #ffaa44
Series = The O.C.
Title = The Power of Love


Season = 2
(2004-2005)
Caption = Ryan and Lindsay at school
Episode = 8
Airdate = January 13, 2005 (FOX)
Writer = John Stephens
Director = Michael Lange
Production = 2T5108
Episode list = "The O.C." (season 2)
List of "The O.C." episodes
Prev = The Family Ties
Next = The Ex-Factor|

"The Power of Love" is the 35th episode of the FOX television series, "The O.C." The episode was written by John Stephens and was directed by Michael Lange. It originally aired on Thursday January 13, 2005.

Guest starring

Plot

In a role reversal from a year ago, Seth calls Ryan to ask him to cover for him, as he has slept over at Alex's place by accident. Ryan, being the good kid he is now, refuses, but Seth insists and hangs up. Upstairs, Kirsten greets Sandy with a "Happy Anniversary". Sandy is visibly confused, and says the same in return, but mistakenly says "Happy 19th Anniversary", when in reality, it is their 20th. Kirsten realizes that Sandy has forgotten their anniversary, but Sandy insists he has made huge plans. Downstairs, Sandy asks where Seth is and Ryan, after wishing the two a happy anniversary, lies badly, exposing Seth's sleepover with Alex.

At school, Seth is not pleased with Ryan's cover for him, but Summer and Zach show up before he can chew Ryan out for it. When Summer notices that Seth is wearing the same clothes as the day before, she realizes it is because he spent the night with Alex. She passes it off as insignificant, but leaves the group in a huff.

Over at the Nichol compound, Julie is excitedly planning for a photo shoot by Riviera Magazine. She thinks it will be great for exposure, and to capture the strength of the Cooper Nichol family. Marissa and Caleb are less than thrilled- Marissa not wanting to participate in anything Julie desires, and Caleb not wanting to lie to the public.

Back at school, Lindsay and Ryan discuss telling Kirsten about their relationship. Ryan doesn't like the lying, but Lindsay wants to keep the truth a bit longer, as they are still getting to know one another.

Later at the Cohen's, Sandy keeps his fib alive with Kirsten, revealing his plans for a big weekend getaway. Kirsten tells him that regardless of when the reservations were made, she doesn't want to go away for the weekend and leave Seth alone. She is not comfortable with his rebellious ways of late. Sandy tells her not to worry because he will scare Seth into good behaviour. Just then, Seth and Ryan come home from school, and Sandy grounds them both- Seth for being out all night, and Ryan for lying about it.

At Summer's, she and Marissa are doing French homework when Summer reveals that she is upset about Seth staying over with Alex. She assumes that they have been having sex, and wishes she had it first. Marissa suggests not caring about what happens with Seth, and Summer agrees. She decides that it is time for her and Zach to make a new move in their relationship.

In the poolhouse, Lindsay arrives to study with Ryan, but all they end up doing is making out. In the main house, Sandy and Kirsten watch TV and discuss the boys' behaviour. Sandy feels guilty about sending them to their rooms, and decides to let them come watch TV with them. When he goes upstairs, he catches Seth trying to leave through his window. Outside, Kirsten goes to get Ryan, but walks in on him with Lindsay instead.

The next morning, Kirsten repeats herself to Sandy by saying that it is not the time for them to be going out of town. Sandy still thinks Seth will be an angel from this point on. Kirsten is more concerned about Ryan and Lindsay now than Seth and Alex. In the kitchen, Seth and Ryan are waiting with multiple batches of pancakes. Sandy grounds them even more and says that pancakes will not solve this problem.

At the Nichol's, Marissa is on her way to school when her mother approaches her and asks that she be there for the magazine photo. Marissa agrees as long as D.J. can be in the photo. Julie does not approve.

At school, Lindsay apologizes to Ryan for running out the night before, but Ryan says it was his fault anyway. Lindsay says that she is glad Kirsten finally knows, but that she will need to talk to her about it. In the concourse, Summer approaches Zach about taking their relationship to the next level. Zach agrees enthusiastically, but misinterprets Summer's desire for sex, as a desire to meet his family. He tells her he will arrange a diner for that weekend.

Sandy drops by the Bait Shop to pay Alex a visit. He tells her that he doesn't expect Seth will stop seeing her because his father asks him to, but that maybe if Alex were to say something, Seth would listen. He tells her that his marriage is in a rough place and that Seth is adding to the tension. He also tells her that he doesn't like going behind Seth's back but that he has to in order to remain a good father. Alex respects his honesty and good intentions, and later, when Seth drops by to visit her at home, she tells him that Sandy came to see her, and that she needs to do the right thing and not see Seth for a while. Seth is bummed, but leaves without much of a fight.

Back at the Cohen's Sandy tells Kirsten about his visit to Alex, and that he feels confident they can go away for the weekend. Kirsten unleashes in anger that the boys are out of control. She is sick of being that bad parent compared to him, and suggests that his loose parenting is the reason Seth was able to run away so easily last summer. She called and cancelled the reservations for their weekend trip.

The next morning, Sandy calls the boys into the living room where he asks what is going on with them. Seth says that his behaviour is less about trying to rebel against his parents, and more about trying to prove to Alex that he deserves to be with her. Ryan apologizes for lying about trying to be friends with Lindsay versus in a relationship. Ryan asks Sandy how he and Seth can help salvage his anniversary with Kirsten.

At the Newport Group, Lindsay drops by to apologize to Kirsten for seeing Ryan behind her back. Kirsten says that she thinks they should take a break from becoming sisters, and maybe just try and be friends for the time being. Lindsay isn't happy with that, but agrees, and leaves the office.

Summer meets with Zach's sister and mother for dinner, and makes a horrible impression. Zach's sister, Abigail, is a brilliant world humanitarian, and she is not impressed with seemingly flaky Summer.

At the Bait Shop, Alex is surprised to see Seth there, as they were supposed to be taking time apart from one another. Seth wants his job back at the club. He claims his allowance has been cut due to his parents anger, so he needs some cash. Alex is a little tired of Seth's whining about his parents. She tells him he is lucky for having parents that care. She is also upset because she doesn't feel his parents will ever approve of her. Seth thinks he has a solution for that.

The next day at the Nichol's, it's photo time. When D.J. shows up for the photo, Julie is furious, and refuses to allow it. Marissa refuses to be in the photo. When D.J. walks off, Julie goes after him and offers him $5,000 to dump her daughter. D.J. wants no part of it, but Julie tells him that Marissa is just using him to piss her off. She writes the cheque and leave the name section blank (because she can't spell it).

At the pier, Ryan tells Lindsay that he thinks they should take some time apart because he doesn't want to cause any stress with the Cohen's as he owes them so much. Lindsay tells Ryan that she chose him over Kirsten when she went to see her at the office. She now feels she is left without a sister and a boyfriend.

That night, Sandy tells Kirsten to get ready, as he is taking her out to an anniversary dinner. To reassure her about the boys' behaviour, Sandy invites in two police officers to watch them for the night. The boys look terrified. At dinner, Kirsten apologizes for lashing out at Sandy the night before, but the good mood doesn't last long, as the police officers approach them at dinner to let them know the boys have gotten away.

At Summer's, Marissa finds her watching and reading tonnes of news. Summer is overwhelmed as she tries to become better informed for Zach. She compares her lunch with Zach's family as even worse than the one Seth had with her and her father. Marissa reveals that she hasn't seen D.J. since her mother talked to him.

After leaving the restaurant with the officers in pursuit of Ryan and Seth, Sandy and Kirsten arrive at the Bait Shop, where friends and family, including Seth and Ryan, are waiting. They turn the lights on and surprise Kirsten. Sandy has a surprise of his own for his wife- a song. Sandy sings "Don't Give Up On Me" to a Kirsten in awe.

As Sandy sings, Zach and Summer talk about how it doesn't matter what Summer's intelligence is, all that matter is that he really, really cares about her. Julie tells Marissa about how she paid D.J. to leave her alone, and that it was to test him, and that he obviously failed. Marissa leaves the club in anger. Kirsten urges Ryan to dance with Lindsay, and she introduces herself to Alex, which pleases Seth.

Outside, Marissa finds D.J. on the pier. He tells her that he thinks it needs to end because she is only using him. Marissa doesn't deny it, and apologizes. D.J. gives Marissa the cheque from her mother and tells her to fill in the blank name and go shopping. They wish each other well and part company. Marissa goes back into The Bait Shop to stand with the rest of the group as Sandy sings another song.

Trivia

*Sandy says "What's with this new 'Bizzaro Seth'?" this is a reference to a Superman villain who was the complete opposite of Superman.

External links

*imdb title|0663903|Full Cast & Crew