The O.C. (season 3)

Infobox tvseason
show_name = "The O.C."
season_name =The O.C." Season 3


caption = From left to right: Julie, Marissa, Sandy, Kirsten, Ryan, Seth and Summer
dvd_release_date = October 24, 2006
country = USA
network = FOX
first_aired = Start date|2005|9|8
last_aired = End date|2006|5|18
num_episodes = 25
prev_season = Season 2
next_season=Season 4|

The third season of the television series "The O.C." commenced airing in the United States on September 8, 2005, concluded on May 18, 2006, and consisted of 25 episodes. The first ten episodes of season three aired Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET in the US on FOX, a terrestrial television network; [cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E03E4D81631F937A3575AC0A9639C8B63&scp=19&sq=The%20O.C.%20marissa&st=cse|title=The Week Ahead: Sept. 4 -- Sept. 10; Television|accessdate=2008-07-05|date=2005-09-04|first=Kate|last=Aurthur|work=The New York Times|publisher=The New York Times Company] however, from January 12, 2006 onwards, "The O.C." was shifted to a later time of Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. ET. [cite web|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117935016.html?categoryid=1614&cs=1|title='OC' sees new slot amid Fox sked shakeup|last=Adalian|first=Josef|date=2005-12-20|work=Daily Variety|publisher=Reed Elsevier|accessdate=2008-09-19]

Following on from season two, the series continues to follow the characters' lives in the wealty community of Newport Beach, Orange County, California, with the main characters entering their final year of high school. Series creator Josh Schwartz said he wanted to explore the characters moving away as he "didn't want to be one of the shows that stayed in high school too long". He added that "graduating from high school is such a seminal moment for kids and parents. It's something we knew we wanted to mine and explore." The season revolves around Ryan Atwood's savior complex causing trouble, and Seth Cohen's lies posing problems in his relationship with Summer Roberts. Seth's mother Kirsten attends rehab in an attempt to put her life back together, while her husband Sandy assumes leadership of the Newport Group after Caleb Nichol's death and finds himself the heir-apparent to a legacy of scandal, and Marissa Cooper spirals out of control after younger sister Kaitlin causes trouble on her return home from boarding school. [cite web |url=http://whv.warnerbros.com/WHVPORTAL/Portal/product.jsp?OID=27094|title=The O.C.-The Complete Third Season|accessdate=2008-09-26|publisher=Warner Bros.] The season was released on DVD as a seven disc boxed set under the title "The O.C.: The Complete Third Season" on October 24, 2006 by Warner Bros. Home Video. [cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/OC-Complete-3rd-Season/6026|title=The O.C. - The Complete 3rd Season|accessdate=2008-09-15|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com]

Season three was also broadcasted outside of the United States. In Canada, the season was simulcast on the terrestrial network CTV Television Network. [cite web|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1125859652613_20/?hub=Entertainment|title=Rowan looking forward to more turmoil on The OC|last=Canadian Press|date=2005-09-06|work=CTV.ca|publisher=CTVglobemedia|accessdate=2008-09-26] It was broadcast on Network Ten on Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. (local time) in Australia, and premiered several months after it did in the US. [cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/07/23/1153593202710.html|title=Dying to be dead|last=Ellis|first=Scott|date=2006-07-24|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media|accessdate=2008-09-26] It premiered in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2006 on the digital terrestrial channel E4, airing Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. GMT. The episodes were rebroadcast the following week on the analogue Channel 4, E4's parent channel, on Sundays at 1:50 p.m. GMT. [cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a26296/special-edition-the-premiere-list.html|title=Special Edition: The Premiere List|last=Wilkes|first=Neil|date=2005-12-31|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hachette Filipacchi Médias|accessdate=2008-09-26]

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Crew

The season was produced by Warner Bros. Television and Wonderland Sound and Vision. The executive producers were series creator Josh Schwartz, McG, a co-founder of Wonderland, and Bob DeLaurentis. [cite web|title =Fox Orders Third Season of 'The O.C.'|publisher=The Futon Critic|author=FOX: Press release|date=2005-03-22|url=http://www.futoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20050322fox01|accessdate=2008-09-23] Stephanie Savage, the other co-founder of Wonderland, served as co-executive producer, whilst Ian Toynton served as supervising producer.cite web|title =Fox Orders Third Season of 'The O.C.'|publisher=The Futon Critic|author=FOX: Press release|date=2005-11-09|url=http://www.futoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20050322fox01|accessdate=2008-09-24] The staff writers were Schwartz, Savage, DeLaurentis, John Stephens, J.J. Philbin and Mike Kelley. The regular directors throughout the season were Toynton, Michael Lange, Michael Fresco, Norman Buckley and Tony Wharmby.

Cast

The third season had star billing for seven major roles. Mischa Barton as Marissa, Rachel Bilson as Summer, Adam Brody as Seth, Melinda Clarke as Julie, Peter Gallagher as Sandy, Benjamin McKenzie as Ryan, and Kelly Rowan as Kirsten all returned to the main cast.cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/column?oid=oid%3A287930|title=TV Eye: 'The OC' effect|last=Acosta|first=Belinda|date=2005-09-02|work=The Austin Chronicle|publisher=Nick Barbaro|accessdate=2008-09-24] Former main cast member Alan Dale did not return due to his character, Caleb, dying at the end of the second season, while Tate Donovan, as Jimmy Cooper, returned only in a recurring role.

Logan Marshall-Green returned for the season premiere, portraying Trey Atwood, comatosed as a result of the shooting in the second season finale.cite web|url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/episodes/season3/01.html|title=Backstage Pass: Episode Guide - "The Aftermath"|work=The O.C. Insider|publisher=Warner Bros.|accessdate=2008-09-24] Additionally Navi Rawat, Samaire Armstrong, Daphne Ashbrook and Nikki Griffin all made brief returns to guest star as Theresa Diaz, Anna Stern,cite web|url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/episodes/season3/22.html|title=Backstage Pass: Episode Guide - "The College Try"|work=The O.C. Insider|publisher=Warner Bros.|accessdate=2008-09-24] Dawn Atwood, [cite web|url=http://www.daphneashbrook.net/Resume.html|title=Daphne Ashbrook Resume|work=daphneashbrook.net|publisher=Daphne Ashbrook|accessdate=2008-09-24] and Jess Sathers, [cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/nikki-griffin/credits/260899|title=Nikki Griffin: Credits|work=TV Guide|accessdate=2008-09-24] respectively. Willa Holland took over from Shailene Woodley in portraying Marissa's younger sister Kaitlin, who returns to the show after being away at boarding school last year. Cast member Michael Nouri continued as Summer's dad, Dr. Neil Roberts, who became a larger part of the series.cite web|url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/episodes/season3/16.html|title=Backstage Pass: Episode Guide - "The Road Warrior"|work=The O.C. Insider|publisher=Warner Bros.|accessdate=2008-09-24] Other actors to leave the series were Nicholas Gonzalez (D.J.), Michael Cassidy (Zach), Shannon Lucio (Lindsay), Olivia Wilde (Alex), Billy Campbell (Carter), Kim Delaney (Rebecca), Johnny Messner (Lance), Kathleen York (Renee), and Marguerite Moreau (Reed).

The season introduced a number of new students to the show. Additions to the cast included Autumn Reeser, Cam Gigandet, Ryan Donowho and Johnny Lewis, as new social chair Taylor Townsend, [cite web|url=http://www.autumnreeser.com/bio|title=Autumn Reeser - Bio|work=autumnreeser.com|publisher=Autumn Reeser|accessdate=2008-09-25] rival surfers Kevin Volchokcite web|url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/episodes/season3/07.html|title=Backstage Pass: Episode Guide - "The Anger Management"|work=The O.C. Insider|publisher=Warner Bros.|accessdate=2008-09-24] and Johnny Harper, and Johnny's best friend Chili. [cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gayspy/a90507/picture-special-boys-from-the-oc.html|title=Picture Special: Boys from 'The O.C.'|last=Levine|first=Nick|date=2008-03-02|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hachette Filipacchi Médias|accessdate=2008-09-24] Jeri Ryan and Jeff Hephner also joined the cast to portray new adult characters Charlotte Morgan, a mysterious woman Kristen befriends in rehab, and Matt Ramsey, an overzealous business partner working at the Newport Group. [cite web|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117932688.html?categoryid=28&cs=1|title=Jeff Hephner|last=Chang|first=Justin|date=2005-11-09|work=Daily Variety|publisher=Reed Elsevier|accessdate=2008-09-25] New guest stars in recurring roles included Paula Trickey as Taylor's mother, Veronica Townsend; Erin Foster as a Newport Union student called Heather; Kayla Ewell and Nikki Reed as Johnny's girlfriend, Casey, and cousin Sadie Campbell; [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-02-07-nikki-reed_x.htm|title='O.C.' girl doesn't back down|last=Keck|first=William|date=2006-02-07|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|accessdate=2008-09-26] Eric Mabius as new Dean of Discipline, Jack Hess; [cite web|url=http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/episodes/season3/02.html|title=Backstage Pass: Episode Guide - "The Shape of Things to Come"|work=The O.C. Insider|publisher=Warner Bros.|accessdate=2008-09-24] Shaun Duke as Henry Griffin, head of the board at Newport Hospital; and Morena Baccarin as Griffin's daughter Maya.

Reception

Season three was widely regarded by both fans and critics as the worst season of "The O.C."cite web|url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/771/771116p1.html|title=The O.C.: Which Season Was Best?|last=Goldman|first=Eric|date=2007-03-07|work=IGN|publisher=Fox Interactive Media|accessdate=2008-09-25] The season premiere attracted 7.5 million viewers, but average viewing figures decreased twenty percent from the previous season to 5.6 million. [cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576393|title=Series Primetime Wrap 2005–2006|date=2006-05-26|work=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|accessdate=2008-09-25] The first half of the season averaged 6.3 million viewers, representing a substantial decrease in the show's popularity. However Marcy Ross, head of current programming at FOX said that the "ratings are perfectly fine and acceptable".cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-12-14-oc-graduation-plans_x.htm|title=Graduation plans grip 'O.C.'|last=Oldenburg|first=Ann|date=2005-12-14|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|accessdate=2008-09-26] After the eventual cancellation of the show, Schwartz admitted that "the whole first half of the third season was a total mess".cite web|url=http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2007/09/josh_schwartz_on_gossip_girl_a.html|title=Josh Schwartz on ‘Gossip Girl’ and Avoiding the Mistakes of ‘The O.C.’|last=Yuan|first=Jada|date=2007-09-19|work=New York|publisher=New York Media|accessdate=2008-09-29]

The third season was nominated for five Teen Choice Awards and won four of them, including "Choice Drama/Action Adventure Show" and "Choice Actor: Drama/Action Adventure", which Adam Brody won for the third consecutive year. [cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1538972/20060821/spears_britney.jhtml|title=Britney Introduces K-Fed, Nick Lachey Scores 'Awkward' Award At Teen Choice 2006|date=2006-08-21|first=Corey|last=Moss|work=MTV.com|publisher=MTV Networks|accessdate=2008-09-26] IGN faulted a season which, in their opinion, had "far too much time and too many episodes spent with the less than beloved character Johnny". IGN also noted that "Kirsten and Sandy both suffered from unsatisfying stories", and that the departure of character Caleb Nichol had been a mistake "as he had been a great character to bounce off both of the elder Cohens". In September 2007, Schwartz admitted in an interview for "New York" that the show "went down the wrong road" with Johnny. The season did, however, receive some praise. The new character Taylor Townsend was stated as being "played to perfection by Autumn Reeser" and her character was described as "one of the greatest elements of "The O.C." Jeffrey Robinson of DVD Talk described the storylines as "very intelligent and also incorporate a great deal of humor to keep your interest". [cite web|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/25060/oc-the-complete-third-season-the/|title=The O.C. - The Complete Third Season|last=Robinson|first=Jeffrey|date=2006-11-14|work=DVD Talk|publisher=Internet Brands|accessdate=2008-09-25]

"USA Today" critic Robert Bianco said that the season premiere was "as dreary and ridiculous as any episode the show ever gave us", [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/criticscorner/2005-09-07-critics-corner_x.htm|title=What to watch Thursday|last=Bianco|first=Robert|date=2005-09-07|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|accessdate=2008-09-26] but the season finale was commended by IGN's Eric Goldman for killing off main character Marissa Cooper. Goldman said that "the episode documenting her demise was a fairly strong one" and that the following season "would really pay off this shocking twist". Despite not being the final season it was also noted that the graduation of characters gave "the show a feeling of ending".

Episodes

"Series #" refers to the episode's number in the overall series, whereas "Episode #" refers to the episode's number in this particular season. The third season's episodes are altogether 1089 minutes in length.

DVD release

The DVD release of season three was released by Warner Bros. in the U.S. on October 24, 2006 after it had completed broadcast on television. As well as every episode from the season, the DVD release features bonus material including a gag reel, featurettes, and the making of a music video by The Subways.

References

;General
*cite web|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/show/CTVShows/20050922/OC-episodes|title=Season 3 Episodes|work=CTV.ca|publisher=CTVglobemedia|accessdate=2008-09-25
*cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/AllPopShowbiz/theoc-home.html|title=The O.C. Season 3|work=Canadian Online Explorer|publisher=Quebecor Media|accessdate=2008-09-29;Specific

External links

* [http://www.theocinsider.com/backstage/episodeguide03.html Episode Guide] at Warner Bros.' "The OC Insider"
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362359/episodes#season-3 "The O.C." Episode List] at "IMDb.com"
* [http://www.tv.com/the-o.c./show/16960/episode_guide.html?season=3&tag=season_dropdown;dropdown;2 "The O.C." season 3 episode guide] at "TV.com"
* [http://savetheoc.wordpress.com/episode-guide-and-summaries/ "The O.C." Episode Guide] at "savetheoc.wordpress.com"