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by Mike Metz
Why The Metamorphosis?
"The Metamorposis refers to Summer's transformation from a Newport princess to an eco-crazy Brown student. And, in this episode, it also refers to her trying to reverse what's happened to her. But when a caterpillar changes into a butterfly, going backwards is impossible. Which is what Summer discovers."
— Leila Gerstein, Executive Story Editor and Writer, "The Metamorphosis"
The Handsome Turkey
The Craigslist find of the year: Ryan Atwood is employed. And it's not at some shady bar in which most of his tips come via cage fighting. The El Pavo Guapo employment certainly stands as a step up for Ryan, as well as the whole family (apparently Sandy has a thing for their shrimp tacos).
- His bussing duties give him something constructive to do
- Seth works just upstairs at Centurion Comics
- The ocean is a mere block away
- His first day brings in the hottest dork this side of the 405, Taylor
(who has a thing for the joint's nachos)
- And, if he ever finds the need, there is a Day Spa on the other side
of Newport Plaza
This job, oddly enough as a busboy at a Mexican restaurant, provides Mr. Atwood with the stability he truly needs in his life. A question, however, hovers over the burrito and taco establishment: will it replace the gang's old hangout, the much beloved Bait Shop? No indie rock concerts at El Pavo. There probably are plenty of virgin margaritas and daiquiris, though.
It Takes Two to Tango
In all the clubs in all of Newport, Orange County, Southern California, California, United States, North America, Planet Earth, what are the odds Julie and Kaitlin Cooper would end up at the same one at the same time? Honestly. Julie just wants a night out on the town with fellow Newpsies. Kaitlin just wants a night out on the town as a 23-year old from Nebraska, named Marge. Julie ditches her BFF, Kirsten Cohen, for a crack at those Abercrombie rejects in search of urban cougarness, while Kaitlin ditches her BFFs (Brad and Eric), for a crack at a bottle of Smirnoff Ice. And immediately, both of their dreams are dashed as they spot each other across the crowded dance floor. Mother and daughter made a vow to each other at the beginning of the episode (Kaitlin will stay out of trouble if Julie will stay away from me) — and neither could last an entire 60 minutes without breaking the pact. Pathetic, yet comforting (in a familial way). As the classic saying goes: "like mother, like daughter." The best part, however, is how they deal with their disappointment in each other: a quart of Baskin Robbins. The flavor of choice? Nookies-n-Cream.
The Taylor Foreign Legion
The Frenchies seem to always be on our case. Taylor obviously made a mistake (which she constantly blames on the power of some Burgundy), yet Henri-Michel will not let her get away with it. He sends his very French lawyer with a very French ringtone (the country's national anthem) to ensure she returns to his native land. She won't do it, though. And in classic Taylor fashion, she begs and begs to get Ryan to pretend to be her new lover. When Ryan ends up feeling bad and planting a wet one on her to seal the divorce, Taylor becomes smitten with the guy who shows less creativity in his dress than Taylor does in her morning latte. To show her appreciation, she bakes him a peach torte. Although the thought of Ryan and Taylor sounds abstract at best, I must admit a liking of the torte scene. As far as I know, Ryan has never complimented a dish before — and here he is raving about something probably unavailable at the corner 7-Eleven in Chino. We also must not miss the allegorical reference with this "peaches" torte — Ryan enjoys Taylor's ex-husband's favorite physical attribute of the perky princess.
Song of the Hour
"Love You 'Till the End," The Pogues 
The O.C. Forecast
- Summer reads US Weekly (to see who drives a Prius, "Just Like Us")
- Sandy continues to call his co-worker Spitzy (until he says they can no longer "hang")
- Julie joins Urbancougar.com (after making sure Kaitlin isn't a member)
- Kaitlin joins MySpace (and lists her relationship status as "swinger")
- Ryan gets phat (off the nachos – sorry, had to do it)
- Kiki suggests strip Guess Who? (and the final answer is the blonde from Newport)
- Taylor dreams (of making the greatest peach cobbler of all time)
- Seth plays the new "Scarface" video game (hoping to kill any possible solar panel protestors)
- Metz sells the rights to the Nookies-n-Cream flavor to Baskin Robbins (and becomes the new Jared the Subway guy)
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