by Mike Metz

Why "The Cold Turkey"?
"We felt that this was the episode where everybody had to quit whatever coping mechanism they had adopted after Marissa's death. Thanksgiving was a turning point, rock bottom – after this, everyone goes from spiraling to recovery mode. Also, we wanted to do something thanksgiving themed, 'cause we're cheesy like that."
— J.J. Philbin, Producer and Writer, "The Cold Turkey"

Another One Bites the Dust
Julie Cooper-Nichol-(almost)Cooper(again) will not become Julie Cooper-Nichol-(almost)Cooper(again)-Roberts. What a shame. I really enjoy the ring of that potential name – kinda like Dikembe Mutombo. It would have been fun. She finds the richest man in town (again) and scares him away (again). But, oh well. Julie Cooper never makes the right decisions, so this isn't a big surprise. The real person to feel for here is Dr. Roberts. I mean, honestly, what the heck did he do wrong? He took a trailer-queen-in-the-making-Julie Cooper and returned her to elite Newpsie status (something she so dearly desired). Honestly, it could have been an "Extreme Makeover" episode. There is no PROOF Dr. Roberts cheats on Julie; he simply needs "someone to talk to." I guess that's the Newport fatherly justice system for you: guilty-until-nothing-is-proven-which-doesn't-matter-anyway-because-you-are-already-in-a-new-city (Jimmy Cooper anyone?). Julie basically ruins Dr. Roberts' life and to ensure she receives her just desserts, she's keeping the house she does not own. C'mon, Julie. He already has enough problems with his daughter at Brown. At least he's got one constant in his life –the Awesome Blossom at Chili's. They do have those in Seattle, right?

Stuffing and Other Carbs
The Cohen Thanksgiving meal is clearly a metaphor – a metaphor representing the changing face (and literally, faces) of "The O.C." Think about the joyous tone of the meal, despite all the drama taking place surrounding it.

Sidenote: drama recap:

• Marissa’s dead
• Summer heads back to Providence without even a goodbye to Seth
• Julie Cooper is, well, Julie Cooper
• Taylor got kicked to the curb by her bitchy mother
• Etc.
• Etc.

The Mermaid Inn
Atwood versus Volchok in the non Pay-Per-View event of the season. Not so much. So Ryan doesn't end up beating the life out of Volchok (a little disappointing after witnessing his Ultimate Fighting skills in the season premiere), but the result brings a little closure (and justice) to Marissa's unfortunate passing. One would expect the old Ryan Atwood to not have left Ensenada without getting revenge, let alone walk out of the motel room with a breathing Volchok. Ryan has changed, and finally, in my eyes, becoming Berkeley quality. Would Cal really have let a kid with a grand theft auto and first degree murder record into their architecture program? Not exactly the extra curricular activities the Bears expect. What they do expect and might receive (as demonstrated in this episode) is an upright citizen (who still manages to land a few smacks to Volchok's face — but, only a few). However, one must question whether or not this is the last Volchok-Atwood encounter. Volchok may be going to "jail," but so did Trey, and look what happened when he got out. And a few years down the road, I'm not sure Ryan would be able to contain himself like he did this evening. Maybe he'll meet a psychology major at UCB.

Song of the Hour
"All of My Days," Alexi Murdoch

The O.C. Forecast

• Summer returns to Providence (and wishes she was in Newport)
• Kaitlin finds a young male to keep her company (and his name isn't Brad or Eric)
• Seth works at the comic book store (and works some more at the comic book store)
• Ryan tries to find something to do with his time (and is incredibly bored)
• Julie says, "Darn it, did I really scare away the cash cow, again?" (and realizes, "Yes. Yes I did.")
• Kirsten sleeps at night (and awakes every hour to make sure her kids are safe in bed)
• Taylor enjoys her new digs (and is not exactly enjoyed by everyone in her new digs)
• Sandy works at the P.D. office (and publicly defends other kids who killed his kid's sweetheart)