The Blaze of Glory

Infobox Television episode
Colour = #ffaa44
Series = The O.C.
Title = The Blaze of Glory


Season =
(2004-2005)
Caption = Ryan, Marissa and Seth at school
Episode = 16
Airdate = March 17, 2005 (FOX)
Writer = Mike Kelley
Director = Robert Duncan McNeill
Production = 2T5116
Episode list = "The O.C." (season 2)
List of "The O.C." episodes
Prev = The Mallpisode
Next = The Brothers Grim|

The Blaze of Glory is the 43rd episode of the FOX television series, "The O.C." The episode was written by Mike Kelley and was directed by Robert Duncan McNeill. It originally aired on Thursday March 17, 2005.

Guest starring

Plot

Seth wants Marissa and Ryan back together to rekindle the good times from last year. In spite of Summer's strong disapproval he suggests to Marissa, who is organizing the Harbor School Pep Rally Bonfire, that she ask Ryan to help her with the event. Alex is worried about her relationship with Marissa and threatens Ryan to stay away from Marissa; however, encouraged by Julie, he still helps Marissa plan the bonfire. Later, at the bonfire, Alex shows up with two male friends of hers that threaten to beat up Ryan. Marissa talks to Alex and they break up, parting on good terms. Marissa, Ryan, Seth and Summer enjoy the bonfire together.

When Carter, "Newport Living" magazine's new editor, does not show up at work, Kirsten pays him a visit and finds him drunk and depressed about his recent divorce. Since he also is not particularly interested in the job, he resigns as editor. Appealing to nostalgic sentiments, Kirsten later convinces him to return when she drops off one of Sandy's old copies of a previously successful magazine he edited.

Julie, who is being extorted by Lance with an old pornography tape in which she stars, asks Sandy for legal help. Sandy and Lance agree on a settlement whereby Lance sells all rights to the film for $500,000 - Lance's asking price - to be paid in two weeks. Although the settlement means Lance will likely never expose the tape on the internet (due to copyright violations), Julie does not yet know how she will obtain $500,000.

Trivia

* Although he is credited, Alan Dale (Caleb) does not appear in this episode.
* In the library, Seth is seen reading The Turn of the Screw.
* This is the last appearance of Alex Kelly.
* Sandy's remark to Julie, "don't call me "Sanford" - only Caleb calls me "Sanford" because he won't not", mirrors a remark made by Kirsten in "The Countdown".
* The discussion between Seth and Ryan about "last year being better than this year" reflected discussion on internet message boards by many fans who felt the first season of "The O.C." was better than the second season.

Music

* "Meantime" by The Futureheads
* "What I'm Looking For" by Brendan Benson
* "Debaser" by Pixies
* "Frequency" by Feeder
* "Rock You Like a Hurricane" by Scorpions
* "AFK" by Pinback
* "A Smile That Explodes" by Joseph Arthur