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"M : Who are you?
R : Whoever you want me to be
"
— Marissa and Ryan meet for the first time. [src]

Marissa Cooper is a main protagonist throughout the first, second, and third seasons of the Fox drama series The O.C.. She is portrayed by Mischa Barton.

Marissa was part of the Core Four, she dated Ryan Atwood-Cohen on and off throughout the series and had been best friends with Summer Roberts since childhood.

Personality[]

Marissa Cooper is characterized as the privileged yet troubled girl next door. Her designer-label-packed wardrobe masks her turbulent mood swings and hard-partying ways. She is afforded all the privileges of a Newport Beach lifestyle, yet she fails to show any interest or engagement with the world around her and instead seems more interested in pursuing something more down to earth and real. All of the glam and money around her only proves to be problematic in her life, much of the time. Altruistic and intuitive, Marissa is sensitive to this and is seeking a way out. Like many of her peers, she is emotionally distant from her mother and becomes disillusioned with her mother's materialistic ways. As a result, she, like her sister Kaitlin, often rebelled against her mother. She is closer to her father, whom she stated was the "last thing keeping [her] sane" through the tumult of the first two seasons. Throughout the series, Marissa is rarely shown participating in clubs and organizations. The only interests she demonstrates with any regularity are romance and risky behavior, which in her case often go together.

Marissa's risky behavior was a factor in her on-off relationship with Ryan Atwood. For example, during Ryan's first Christmas in Newport Beach, he was furious to find her drunk due to his painful experiences as the child of alcoholic parents but she did not understand his aversion to alcohol and thought that he was overreacting.

Throughout the Series[]

Season 1[]

Throughout the first season, Marissa was involved in an on-again, off-again relationship with Ryan, with the relationships being interrupted by Luke Ward and Oliver Trask, respectively. Oliver eventually was discovered to be mentally unstable and hiding an unhealthy obsession with Marissa.

During this time, her mother, Julie Cooper, was romantically involved with Kirsten Cohen's father, Caleb Nichol. During a brief break-up with Caleb, Marissa's mother had a fling with Marissa's ex-boyfriend Luke, which caused Marissa to run away — strangely enough — to Chino and Ryan's ex-girlfriend Theresa's house. This lead to Ryan and Marissa once again becoming romantically involved.

At the end of the first season, Julie and Caleb married, making Marissa stepdaughter to the most powerful, but also the most controversial, man in Newport. She was blackmailed into moving in with her mother and Caleb in their new mansion. Ryan also left her to go back to Chino after it was discovered Theresa maybe pregnant with Ryan's child. Theresa wanted to return there to be with her family and Ryan felt compelled to go with her, effectively ending his relationship with Marissa and leaving her. Marissa as a result once again restarted her drinking.

Season 2[]

During the second season, Marissa struggled with alcohol and depression, caused largely by Ryan's departure from her life. When Ryan returned it looked like they might rekindle their relationship, however after finding out about her relationship with DJ, the yard guy, Ryan decided they should just be friends which they remained throughout most of the season. Marissa's relationships in the interim period seemed somewhat specifically chosen to take stabs at her mother — first with DJ, the lawn boy, and then a relationship with Alex Kelly, Seth's ex-girlfriend. Marissa moved out of her mother's house briefly to live with Alex, returning home once she and Alex broke up. Her relationship with her mother improved little throughout the season. She did eventually rekindle her relationship with Ryan after a period of friendship and growing gradually closer, paticularly as she helped him with his brother Trey after he was released from prison. However this support Marissa provided Trey with for Ryan resulted in Trey getting the wrong idea, and under the influence attempting to rape her. This caused inevitable tensions between Trey and her, which Ryan picked up on and became suspicious of, causing difficulties in their relationship. Ryan eventually found out about the attempted rape, which lead to a confrontation with Trey and turned violent. Trey had Ryan pinned down to the ground and was strangling him, when Marissa, having been warned by Seth and Summer, turned up and pleaded with Trey to let Ryan go. Trey continued despite this, and Marissa picked up a gun and shot Trey to save Ryan's life.

Season 3[]

As the series' third season opened, Marissa was under investigation regarding the shooting of Trey Atwood. In an effort to shield her daughter, Julie attempted to obstruct justice by bribing Trey into accusing Ryan. Marissa becomes aware of this, and convinces Trey to confess the truth, detailing that Marissa fired only to protect her boyfriend, resulting in Ryan being let free and Marissa facing no legal liability as she was defending another person's life using proportional force in the circumstances.

Despite a lack of legal repercussions, the event caused Marissa to be expelled from The Harbor School, as it was cited along with her past of flagrant shoplifting. She eventually was readmitted after a campaign to let her in from Ryan, Seth and Summer with the suprising assistance of Taylor Townsend as well. However while at Newport Union she befriended a local surfer called Johnny Harper, who eventually fell in love with her and caused rifts in her relationship with Ryan. However Marissa confirmed her committment to Ryan, and wrote Johnny a letter saying that whilst he was her friend and she cared for him, she would never love him. This resulted in Johnny falling to his death after a drinking spree, which eventually caused further riffs and distance for Marissa and Ryan from each other. They broke up shortly afterwards, conceding their relationship was not working. Marissa then fell for Volchok, whom she broke up with him when she found him cheating on her at the prom.

Some time later, Marissa decides to go to visit Berkley, the university where she would like to go to study, but the experience turns out to be a failure, and Marissa, begins to reflect on her life.

After thinking about it for a long time, the young Cooper decides not to continue studying, not feeling ready to attend university. Just in those days, her mother Julie, receives a call from her father, Jimmy, in which he asks her, if Marissa could come with him, to work in a boat headed for Greece. She without thinking twice, decides to leave . After a couple of days, she and her friends graduate.

Season 4[]

In The Avengers a ghostly Marissa appears to Summer, when she returns to the adjoining bedrooms they shared together, for the first time since Marissa's death, this causes Summer to fast track her trip back to Brown and leave Newport.

Marissa's death has a significant impact on the entire fourth season which is most explicitly examined in the episode The Chrismukk-huh? where Ryan and Taylor Townsend, both in comas, enter into an alternate universe where he has never moved to Newport Beach, and the lives of most major characters are completely changed.

While trying to find out what is happening in this reality, Taylor stumbles into Marissa's bedroom. She surprises Julie's maid, who tells Taylor that "Miss Cooper's" plane arrives at 3 o'clock from Berkeley. Taylor then sees a photograph of Marissa and Julie on her desk, which leads her to believe that Marissa is still alive in this alternate universe.

After Taylor tells Ryan the news, he immediately wants to go to the airport to see Marissa. Taylor does not want him to in, fear that Ryan who is still recovering from Marissa's death, would be willing to spend the rest of his life in a coma if he could be with Marissa. At the airport Ryan catches a glimpse of a girl with a pink Berkeley sweatshirt tied around her waist. The sweatshirt resembles the one worn by Marissa in The Day After Tomorrow. Ryan grabs her shoulder and realizes that it was not Marissa, but her sister, Kaitlin. Kaitlin then explains to Ryan that her sister died three years ago in an overdose in Tijuana.

Ryan then returns to Newport Beach, realizing that he can never be with Marissa again, alternate universe or not. At first, Ryan and Taylor believe they need to restore the relationships that existed before Marissa's death in order to wake up. However, it becomes apparent that both Ryan and Taylor need to battle their internal demons instead. For Taylor, her demon is her mother, for Ryan, it is getting over Marissa.

Back in the real world, Kirsten finds a letter from Marissa addressed to Ryan, but does not read it, and hands it over to Julie, who subsequently reads the letter. In the letter, Marissa wrote that she still loved Ryan, but would be leaving Newport because she knew that it was the best thing to do, so that they could both move on. The letter is eventually placed right beside Ryan, which allows the letter to be "delivered" to Ryan in the alternate universe.

Ryan then goes to the beach, and upon discovering the letter, reads it. He finally says goodbye to Marissa and exits the alternate universe.

In the final episode, Marissa appears as Ryan's final flashback as he reflects on his life in Newport. As he backs out of the driveway, Ryan remembers seeing Marissa standing on the corner watching as he and Sandy drive away when Ryan thought he was not coming back to Newport.

Relationships[]

Romances[]

Family[]

Main article: Julie-Marissa Relationship

Main article: Marissa-Jimmy Relationship

Main article: Cindy-Marissa Relationship

Friends[]

Main article: Johnny-Marissa Relationship

Quotes[]

The Proposal

Caleb: Marissa, your mother is a wonderful woman.
Marissa: She is?

Marissa: Standing my ground is not really my strong suit.

Marissa: Wow. You guys really need to work on your improv.

The Ties That Bind

Marissa: I think we should spend the entire summer just being normal.
Ryan: We're not gonna hold Seth to that, are we?
Marissa: No. No, that'd be impossible.

The Way We Were

Marissa: Come on, I can't wait to show you the house. And my mom's face when she sees you in it.

The New Era

DJ: So, what, are we friends now?
Marissa: Judging by this conversation, probably not.

The Family Ties

Julie: Do you see what your leaving me with? Do you see how screwed up she is?
Marissa: Of course I'm screwed up. I'm the daughter of a thief and a slut.

The Accomplice

Marissa: What are you doing here?
Caleb: You're not at school.
Marissa: Yeah, well you're not at work.

Marissa: You're not my father, Cal. You know what, if you want to be a parent why don't you go over to Lyndsay's house and ruin her life. oh wait, you already have. *turns around to leave* don't wait up.

The Second Chance

Alex: Who knew you Harbor girls could throw down.
Marissa: Yeah, well, I'm not like the other girls.
Alex: Well, then I guess it's about time I show you the meth lab in the basement.
Marissa: I thought you'd never ask.

The Blaze of Glory

Marissa: You guys stop it, okay? Cut it out! [the pep squad turns to look at her] Oh, no, not you guys! You guys are great. Go Harbor.

The Rager

Ryan: You've been amazing.
Marissa: I know what it's like to have someone who believes in you when no one else does.

Marissa: Afraid someone's gonna steal your beanbag?

The O.C. Confidential

Julie: All I'm asking is that we not mention any lesbian dalliances or bodies in the pool.
Marissa: Maybe I should stay with Summer tonight. That way you don't have to worry about me slipping up with Caleb and you can make all the "personal sacrifices" you want.

The Return of the Nana

Trey: I was All-Chino in drinking.
Marissa: Yeah, well, I thought I was All-Newport, but clearly you're in a league of your own.

The Dearly Beloved

Julie: All my black dresses look like they should be accessorized with a broomstick. Do you have anything I could borrow?
Marissa: It's a funeral mom, not a fashion show. Sorry. Look, let me see what I've got.
Julie: Wait. I can do it.
Marissa: No. You've been through more than enough. I didn't mean to be a bitch.
Julie: Apples and trees. You are my daughter.
Marissa: Which means I must have something that will look great on you.

The Shape of Things to Come

Dean Hess: You almost killed another kid. I don't even hear a hint of remorse in your voice.
Marissa: Because I don't have any. I'm proud of what I did and I'd do it again.

The End of Innocence

Marissa: Dad, I don't know what kind of trouble you're in, but if you have to go, go. But if you do, don't come back.

The Last Waltz

Marissa: Mom, Caleb was broke. It makes sense that we'd have to sell everything. You know, you don't have to protect me.
Julie: Well then do you think it would be alright with Summer if you stayed until we got back on our feet? And we will get back on our feet and we'll be wearing very expensive shoes when we do.
Marissa: I trust you.
Julie: You do?

The Chrismukkah Bar Mitz-vahkkah

Summer: I don't know, Cooper Scooper.
Marissa: That's a really bad nickname.
Marissa: What's your problem, Johnny? You don't want help from anyone or you don't want help from me?

The Safe Harbor

Marissa: Hey. What are you doing here?
Ryan: I dropped by to give you an update. And some campaign swag. What do you think?
Marissa: I love it. What's next? Coffee mugs? Baseball caps?
Ryan: Whatever it takes.

The Secrets and Lies

Marissa: Wow. Well, aren't you a regular Veronica Mars. Way to solve this week's mystery.

The Party Favor

Summer: Taylor this is amazing.
Taylor: I know.
Marissa: This is way better than any dance I ever designed.
Taylor: Marissa, that means so much to me. I've been saying that but no one listens.

Marissa: Clearly I was wrong about you.
Volchok: Finally. You're learning.

The Graduates

Ryan: You know, this is gonna sound weird, but can I drive you to the airport? You were the first person I met here, I'd kinda like to be the last person to say goodbye.
Marissa: You know, it's funny. I was gonna ask you the same thing.

Ryan: Sure your mom won't be offended?
Marissa: Well I feel bad. But she did say I could use it to barter with pirates. This seems to fit the bill.

Julie: I just want you to know, everything I ever did—good, bad or otherwise—I did it for you. So that you could have a better life than I had. And I know I wasn't perfect. I mean, the thing with Luke, and, trying to frame Ryan for attempted homicide, I—
Marissa: Mom, I love you. Just know that.
Julie: Oh, sweetheart. That's all I wanted. I love you too.

Ryan: Okay, uh, this looks familiar.
Marissa: Yeah? Well it shouldn't. They rebuilt it completely after you burned it down.

Marissa: I'm sorry for all the craziness.
Ryan: I wouldn't have done it any differently. Except maybe Oliver.

Trivia[]

  • Her first line on the show is said to Ryan: “Who are you?” [1]
  • She likes punk music. Some of her favorite bands are Sex Pistols, The Cramps, Stiff Little Fingers and The Clash.
  • Her favourite book is On the Road. [2]
  • She lost her virginity to Luke. [3]
  • In 9th grade, she shoplifted a lighter and a pack of cigarettes. [4]
  • Marissa’s most often worn shoes are flats. This choice for the character was made because of Mischa Barton’s height (1.75 m or 5ft 9, compared to Rachel Bilson’s 1.57 m or 5ft 2) and to give her an effortless chic look.
  • Marissa has a collection of Chanel bags. At the beginning of Season 1, due to the small budget, the show’s costume designer Alexandra Welker had to use knockoffs for her character. After the show took off, various brands were falling over themselves to lend pieces. Mischa Barton would later become an ambassador for Chanel fine jewelry.
  • She was cheated on by two of her boyfriends: Luke and Volchok.
  • She is bisexual.
  • Marissa has a tattoo on her lower back. She got it with Alex in The Accomplice. The storyline was written when Mischa Barton got the tattoo without asking the producers for permission.
  • In The Man of the Year, Trevor says to Marissa "I don't buy that phony English accent for a second." This is an inside joke, as Barton is actually British.
  • In an alternate reality, where Ryan never came to Newport, she dies from an overdose on her trip to Tijuana. [5]
  • Her last words are also said to Ryan: “No. Stay. Don’t leave.” [6]
  • Mischa Barton was 17 when the pilot episode aired. She was the only actual teenager from the main cast to play a high-schooler.
  • In The Family Ties, Seth says "All the vomit? How much vomit? Like, the little girl in Sixth Sense or the fat guy in Monty Python?” Mischa Barton played that little girl.
  • Her Atomic County counterpart is Cosmo Girl. She has a passion for fashion and a magic flask.
  • She never wears earrings, because she doesn't have pierced ears. This is because, at the time, Mischa Barton also didn't have pierced ears, as she didn't get them done until 2009 in order to play supermodel Sonja Stone in TBL: The Beautiful Life.

Appearances[]

Season 1
"Episode 1": "Episode 2": "Episode 3": "Episode 4": "Episode 5": "Episode 6":
Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears
"Episode 7": "Episode 8": "Episode 9": "Episode 10": "Episode 11": "Episode 12":
Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears
"Episode 13": "Episode 14": "Episode 15": "Episode 16": "Episode 17": "Episode 18":
Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears
"Episode 19": "Episode 20": "Episode 21": "Episode 22": "Episode 23": "Episode 24":
Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears
"Episode 25": "Episode 26": "Episode 27":
Appears Appears Appears
Season 2
"Episode 1": "Episode 2": "Episode 3": "Episode 4": "Episode 5": "Episode 6":
Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears
"Episode 7": "Episode 8": "Episode 9": "Episode 10": "Episode 11": "Episode 12":
Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears
"Episode 13": "Episode 14": "Episode 15": "Episode 16": "Episode 17": "Episode 18":
Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears
"Episode 19": "Episode 20": "Episode 21": "Episode 22": "Episode 23": "Episode 24":
Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears
Season 3
"Episode 1": "Episode 2": "Episode 3": "Episode 4": "Episode 5": "Episode 6":
Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears
"Episode 7": "Episode 8": "Episode 9": "Episode 10": "Episode 11": "Episode 12":
Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears
"Episode 13": "Episode 14": "Episode 15": "Episode 16": "Episode 17": "Episode 18":
Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears
"Episode 19": "Episode 20": "Episode 21": "Episode 22": "Episode 23": "Episode 24":
Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears Appears
"Episode 25":
Appears
Season 4
"Episode 1": "Episode 2": "Episode 3": "Episode 4": "Episode 5": "Episode 6":
Mentioned Mentioned Absent Absent Absent Absent
"Episode 7": "Episode 8": "Episode 9": "Episode 10": "Episode 11": "Episode 12":
Mentioned Absent Absent Absent Absent Absent
"Episode 13": "Episode 14": "Episode 15": "Episode 16":
Absent Mentioned Mentioned Mentioned

Gallery[]

References[]

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