DVD Review: The O.C. – Season Four

DVD Reviews

By Patrick Luce May 29, 2007, 13:20 GMT

It is a year later. Marissa is still dead; Ryan joined Fight Club; Seth is no longer a pot head; Taylor is married to some weirdo from France; and Summer quit shaving her legs. All of this happens in the opening episode of The O.C.’s fourth and final season - which is now available on a five disc set.

While the fourth season seems to have even more ties to previous similar teen shows that came before (most notably Beverly Hills, 90210), the series does a good job of wrapping up the dangling threads of Season Three (such as the aftermath of the death of Mischa Barton’s Marissa), and also brings a conclusion to the entire series (thank God!). The season sees the cast of young actors (including Benjamin McKenzie, Adam Brody, Rachel Bilson, and Autumn Reeser) struggling to figure out life after high school, and deal with the emotions of Marissa’s death.

Ryan has moved out of the Cohen house and is making a living in a sleazy bar. He is also spending his nights as a cage fighter (what??), and eventually starts a quest to kill/get even with Volchok (Cam Gigandet) – who he blames for Marissa’s death. Seth and Summer are dealing with a long distance relationship, and the changes that Summer is going through as a college student. She isn’t the same funny girl from the past seasons, and instead has become a “tree hugger” bent on saving the world. This is also a way for her to deal with Marissa’s death and prove that she can be as annoying as Barton was in Season Three. The equally annoying Taylor Townsend (Reeser) gets a bigger part in Season Four and fills the void left by the departing Barton. Her character returns from France to start up a love affair with Ryan – which at times is extremely funny and helps redeem some of the show’s more retarded plots. Willa Holland's Kaitlin Cooper also gets an expanded role for Season Four and fills the “bad girl” void left by the death of her sister. Not quite as annoying as Barton, Holland tends to grate on the nerves towards the end of the season, but for the most part remains just a side character.Like the series’ teens, the parents of The O.C. (including Peter Gallagher, Kelly Rowan, and Melinda Clarke) continue to have problems of their own. The writers do a good job making the older characters more than just someone to bail out the young actors when they screw up. Clarke’s Julie Cooper has to deal with her daughter’s death, yet another failed relationship, and two marriage proposals – including one from Ryan’s father (Kevin Sorbo). Sandy and Kirsten Cohen continue to be the role-models for perfect parents. Their relationship has a few ups and downs during the season and even a surprise at the end. For the most part, their characters are basic cookie-cutter roles. They are there to help Ryan and Seth find their way in life, and don’t offer much more for the audience.

Like Season Three, the series is continuing to jump the shark and run out of the steam. The show’s producers were right to pull the plug on the sinking ship before things got even worse with a potential fifth season. This season makes sure to hit all the clichés – including teen pregnancy, drugs and alcohol, and the aftermath of teen death. We also get to see some new issues – including the changes that come after the high school diploma. The season also features jumping forward in time (which was extremely annoying), an earthquake (which I thought was funny), and a marriage (sort of).The DVD set comes with audio commentary; some deleted scenes; and some featurettes. The deleted scenes are always an interesting touch for a DVD, but these are simply stuff from the cutting room floor. They don’t add anything to the show. The featurettes explore the show’s unique Christmas holiday – “Chrismukkah;” and the evolution of the Summer character. Both are a funny look at the show, and how the series (and the Summer character) evolved over the four seasons. However, you would still expect more features since it is the final season of the series.Overall, I wasn’t entertained by Season Four of The O.C., and it did little to change my impression of the entire series. I did like the way the writers wrapped everything up in the final episodes, but it took way too long to get there. The characters continued to evolve throughout the season, and the tone was much lighter compared to the third season. If you are a diehard fan of The O.C., you will want to pick up this set just to complete the collection. If not, you aren’t missing much.

The O.C. – The Complete Fourth Season is now available at Amazon and AmazonUK. Visit the DVD database for more information.

View blog reactions

If you liked this story please support M&C and Buzz the site on Yahoo.

Latest Headlines in DVD

Talkback

Add your comment (no registration required)

page: 1

ShelbyyCMar 6th, 2008 - 17:35:07

I love the O.C its my favret Show ever I wotch it every dayy lol I love itt.

Report this comment

LukeSApr 12th, 2008 - 16:23:39

I'm from Czech republic and I so love the OC.

Report this comment

kittieApr 17th, 2008 - 00:54:04

The O.C is the best show ever I watch it every day, and Benjamin Makenize
talk about a hottttttttttttty!I don't care what anyone says the O.C is the best show ever. I wish they had made a fifth season. I so would of watched it. The actors in the O.C are the best actors in the whole world

I love the O.C

Report this comment

Taylor.MApr 17th, 2008 - 00:59:44

Oh my gosh I love the O.C it is my favorite show ever I think every =one can agree that Benjamine Macenzie Is the hottest guy alive. I also think that if I was a guy and I saw Benjamin Macenzie I would Probaly turn gay
EMIEADIATLLY Oh and Seth lookin good!! ... Benjamin Macenzie if you read these comments call me!

Report this comment

BeaTriceApr 17th, 2008 - 20:19:15

Hi!!!!!I'm italian I love the o.c., I watch it twice a day!My mum and my brother also like it!

Report this comment

Pier&GraApr 27th, 2008 - 17:42:51

we ar two italian fans of oc......WE LOVE IT!!!!
MARISSA SUMMER SETH SIETE SUPER GIUSTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
CALIFORNIA WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!

Report this comment

anasuyaMay 1st, 2008 - 09:19:44

i absolutely dig the oc.......its amazing........ 1 of the very few tv.. shows...dat i like.....nd the oc cast is fabulous too......mischa barton's done her best till the very end.......ben mckenzie vos good too......hopefully if nt da oc @least sumoder show where the same cast acts????? toooooomuch to hope...eh???

Report this comment

TaylorMay 8th, 2008 - 00:12:21

Oh my gosh i am in love with the O.C iam so confused what to watch now that it is over i dont think my grammer is that great huh? oh and by the way if Benjamin Macenzie or seth call me!!!!

Report this comment

someoneMay 23rd, 2008 - 16:06:58

Fucken rights thats a good showw !!
I Watch it every dayy too:)
even thoo its not really new ones:(
wish theere was more episode!!!

Report this comment

HERA_23 < from somewhere>Jul 2nd, 2008 - 10:22:33

Actually it is my first time to see this movie, and josh I don't know what to do... coz the cast are so cute! They're awesome!
Well I think I am really in love with this movie series, O.C.!
Oh God, I couldn't even add some more coments, coz I think I'm ganna die!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I'm out of myself, so someone PLEASE help me...
Gosh I love them all. With all that team ups, especially that seth-summer chemistry! and ofcourse that ryan-marrisa! Uh, O.M.G!

(Philippines...)

Report this comment

page: 1

Add your comment (no registration required)

Latest from M&C Blogs

Second presidential debate; no 'gamechanger' ? - Global Eye on October 8, 2008 5:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Debate: did McCain do enough? - Global Eye on September 29, 2008 6:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (22) | TrackBacks (1)

Should Sen. John McCain's health records be made public? - Global Eye on September 15, 2008 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (50) | TrackBacks (0)

Raindance Film Festival - Estomago - London Calling on October 8, 2008 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Raindance Film Festival : It's Hard To Be Nice - London Calling on October 8, 2008 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

London Film Festival - Dean Spanley - London Calling on October 6, 2008 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Devotee to Chinese Shrine of Sapam has face pierced - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Indian Muslims offer prayers on the occasion of Eid-al-Fitr - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

DVD

DVD Review: The O.C. – Season Four

DVD Reviews

Latest Headlines in DVD

Talkback

Latest from M&C Blogs

The O.C. - The Complete Fourth Season

Similar articles

More about Mischa Barton

More about Rachel Bilson

In Monsters and Critics

Corporate

The Fine Print