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"Ew!"
—Summer Roberts iconic catchphrase.

Summer Cohen (née Roberts) is one of the main characters of The O.C., she is portrayed by Rachel Bilson.

Summer initially was the classic spoiled girl from Newport, who only cared about three things : shopping, boys and parties. Although initially may appear a bit superficial, hers is just a mask that hides her insecurities and her doubts. In fact, when she grew up, she did not have an important female figure besides her mother, who left without any explanation. She has been best friends with Marissa Cooper since childhood.

Raised by a single father, she has built around herself the figure of the girl superficial and immature, to defend themselves from what people could think of her and her family. Slowly, however, also thanks to her love affair with Seth Cohen (who has always been in love with her) and her friendship with Ryan Atwood-Cohen, she changed her way of being, remaining, however, always true to herself.

In the fourth season, she left behind the old part of herself, that frivolous and immature, and became a committed animal rights activist and person who thinks it is better to give to others than to keep everything for herself. In fact, she was no longer the spoiled girl she once was. Her character maturation was fundamental part of her life, and helped her bloom like a flower.

Throughout the Series[]

Season 1[]

At the beginning of the series, Summer is presented to us, as the typical snobby, party-goers and attractive girl ; is the daughter of a renowned plastic surgeon, while her mother left her father and her when she was twelve. At the end of the first series Summer you understand that it is useless to be so shallow to have a good reputation at school, so try to be as sweet and tender.

It is during this transformation that Summer will love Seth Cohen. Nevertheless, she decided to leave him alone because she is ashamed of him and thinks that this story can destroy her social life to the Harbour. Since his relationship with Summer does not go very well, Seth decides to give an opportunity to Anna Stern, who exhibits a strong character, she shares his sense of humor and loves comics. With the season progresses, Summer is often jealous of their history and can not stand that Anna and Seth are so good together. So Summer gets angry and begins to attend a fool boy, Danny, but their relationship did not last long and Seth understands really love her.

Towards the end of the season Anna leaves Seth because it is also clear to her that he is still in love with Summer. Seth and Summer thus become a couple and announce it before the whole Harbour kissing each other and declaring their love. Soon after, Ryan Atwood, adopted brother Seth, starts from Newport. Seth fears his life may again be as it was before, because before Ryan takes up residence in Newport, had no social life and was quite marginalized. The arrival of the adopted brother instead had meant for him a new openness to relations with the boys of the school and especially the opportunity to know and be with Summer. For the fear of return to live that ugly period of his life, Seth part on a sailing boat, leaving home worried parents and Summer with the broken heart.

Season 2[]

In Season 2 Summer begins dating Zach Stevens, following Seth leaving Newport to stay with Luke Ward in Portland. When Seth comes home, he tried everything to win her back.

Zach is the beautiful, protestant, quiet and self-confident version of Seth, the two boys are in fact very similar physically, they also have the same passion for comics and other things. Although Summer believes she has to be with Zack, because he is the "perfect guy" for a "person like her", she knows that deep down, she is lying to herself.

When Zach and Seth decided to create a graphic novel of their own and be friends, Summer and Seth become friends again, and get very close. Summer begins to have doubts about her relationship with Zac.

Zach and Seth are presented with an opportunity to show Atomic County (their graphic novel) to professionals comic book creators: a publishing house in San Diego, Wildstorm, takes interest in them. Enthusiastic, they travel with Summer (the inspiration for one of their characters, Little Miss Vixen). Later that night, Seth cannot sleep as he is nervous as to what Summer and Zach are doing together. He ruins the interview with the comic creators and invents a story between two superheroes in their comic: The Ironist (Seth) and Little Miss Vixen (Summer).

When the three return to Newport, Seth expresses his concerns to Zach and Summer, openly asking if they had sex. Zach and Summer are furious about this intrusive question, however they tell him that they did not. Summer later tells Marissa that she did not want to have sex with Zach because she kept thinking about Seth. Meanwhile, Zach is planning a trip to Italy for his sister's wedding and wants to bring her. Summer initially accepts, however at the airport, she realizes she is still in love with Seth. She leaves and returns to Cohen. Upon the return of Zach, a fight breaks out, but Summer and Seth reunite. However, Summer feels that Seth is too invested in their comic, Atomic County, and feeling left out breaks up with him again.

In the following episodes we discover that George Lucas (creator of Star Wars Saga) and Seth's idol, is interested in the comic book (Atomic County), and wants to meet the creator of the comic. Unfortunately, the meeting takes place on the same day as prom, so Seth and Zach discuss who should bring Summer to the dance and who will have to go to the meeting with Lucas.

Seth and Zach fight about what to do, and are conflicted as both are really important opportunities for both of them. In the end they flip a coin to decide, and Cohen goes to the meeting with Lucas, while Zach goes to prom with Summer. Eventually, however, the two realise that they would like to be in the other's place. So they switch places and even clothes, and Seth goes at the prom. Summer meanwhile, is elected: "Prom Queen", but since Zac is gone, she is left alone. Seth however, arrived in time, and after giving a heartfelt speech about how although he and Summer are not compatible according to their classmates he really loves her and wants to get back with her, Summer is impressed by his gesture, and the two kiss in front of the whole school, officially getting back together.

Season 3[]

Summer, Seth, Ryan and Marissa are at the centre of the shooting in which Trey Atwood, Ryan's older biological brother, was involved.

However, having established that Ryan is innocent and Marissa shot just to defend him, the school board decides to only allow him to return to school. In addition, Jack Hess, the bad "guarantor of discipline", eager to wanting to ruin the lives of two boys, can also hunt him when, at the party earlier this year, Ryan comes up with Marissa. To defend it from Jake Hess who puts his hands on him, Ryan beats him and so both are out of the Harbor.

Summer and Seth, want to maintain the honor of their friends and especially Marissa (who now lives camped by her best friend and is enrolled in public school) by Taylor Townsend. Taylor has always been his rival in organizing parties at Harbor, so to prevent it, she is to take care of the charge, Summer candidate herself against Taylor, for that place, despite not knowing anything about social activities.

Anyway, with his goals, a bit of intelligence, and Seth's help, Summer begins to gain the approval of others and therefore their votes.

This episode is to question the character of Summer, which begins to take an interest a little 'more to the current and slowly turns into a more mature and responsible, while remaining firmly "small force of nature" of the previous seasons.

When she and Seth discover that Hess and Taylor have a secret affair, they use this information, to make readmit at school, Ryan at least, later, we meet Marissa's new friends : Johnny, Chili and Jonny's girlfriend : Casey, that will depart away, more and more from Summer and Ryan Atwood-Cohen.

The luck of Summer manages to keep her down to earth, and after some quarrels with Seth, because of Taylor, who has fallen in love with him, organizes a campaign for the re-admission of Marissa to the Harbor School.

Just the four back on track, Summer finds out that she has a very high rating to the SAT (the entrance exam to college) and competes with Seth because he now feels he has also lost the advantage of intelligence, the only thing that made him "man" in her eyes. Passed this argument by the force that unites them, come other complications for the couple: Seth begins to make the pipes and jumps the appointment with the Rhode Island Brown's teacher (university of Rhode Island, where Summer, despite the cold, decided to follow him).

So he begins to lie to her, and on Valentine's day, to make amends, writes down anything that might make his parents mad and tells her that if he told some other lie, could have given the list to Sandy and Kirsten. Meanwhile Seth and Summer argue that perhaps only one of them can be admitted to Brown and Summer swears that if only she will be admitted, not attend but Seth will follow wherever he goes. Then come the university letters, to which she was admitted only Summer. Seth begins to lie again saying that he had been admitted, revealing only Ryan the truth. The two continue to fight as long as a school dance Seth tells Summer does not want to go to Brown, but not revealing the truth. Summer, not knowing the real reason, was hurt and the two break up.

Back home starts to tear the photo collage that she had made with her self and Seth at the university and starts crying, consoled by Marissa. The next day, Summer is destroyed and seeking help from Taylor, who asks if she still loves him, she says yes, so the two organize a plan. Taylor convinces her that something is wrong. Invigorated, she confronted him and asked him what he hides, not receiving, however, an answer. Thanks to Taylor's advice, Summer decides to make to Seth a declaration, in the kissing booth, where Seth made his declaration to Summer, in the episode : The Telenovela, around many hearts balloons. Seth arrives and soon after Summer. She climbs on the counter and said that when he left her, the recipe missing an ingredient, the most important : he did not tell her that he did not love her anymore. At this point he is in trouble because Summer asks him to tell her if he really does not love her more, looking into her eyes. Seth, that want, Summer to go to Brown, rather than be with him, tells her that he does not love her anymore. Summer, shocked, begins to cry, and when he tries to console her, she gives him to hell. Summer, trying to forget Seth in all ways, but when Seth is in test of the Brown college and meets Anna, the two are reunited and Summer sees them, thinks that the reason for their breakup is Anna. At the prom, Seth comes up with Anna to try to make Summer jealous, whose rider a famous Korean singer. Summer gets drunk and when she is elected homecoming queen, she falls from the stage and faints. Seth so he tells the whole truth about how it is not admitted to Brown and tells her he loves her more than before, and the two back together. Seth then smoking a joint and forgets to turn it off, setting fire to the Newport Group and being consequently arrested. Later, however, thanks to his father, Seth is released, and the fire is stored as an accident. A couple of days later, Summer, Ryan, Seth and Marissa graduate. While she will spend the summer with Seth and Ryan, Marissa plans on staying with her father in Greece, working on the boats, having decided not to go to university.

Season 4[]

In this season premiere, Summer is at Brown University, and tries to pick up the pieces of her life, staying away from Orange County. Summer is broken by the death of her best friend Marissa Cooper. She can't forget her best friend, and becomes depressed. She believes Marissa is still alive, and 'sees her'. In order to get out of this frame of mind, she finds a new interest and decides to help protect animals along with her college buddy Che.

However, Summers place at Brown is compromised when she and Che decide to free rabbits from the science lab. When Brown investigates the incident, Che blames Summer and tells the investigators that it was all Summer's idea to free all the rabbits from the cages. She is not even given a chance to defend herself, and thus Summer is expelled from the university.

Following her expulsion from Brown, Seth decides to postpone his departure for Providence to stay with her, and they decide that they will instead leave together. However, before New Year's Eve, Summer takes a pregnancy test because she thinks she is pregnant. However because she manages to loose the bag containing the pregnancy test before finding the result, Summer and Seth are not able to discover the outcome until the next day. Seth decides to ask Summer to marry him before discovering the result, which proves to be negative. The two decide to get married anyway.

After bumping into his ex-friend Holly Fischer (who attended high school with him) Seth discovers that no one actually knew who he was. He feels confused, and wants to rediscover who he is, so he breaks off the engagement.

Summer is determined to continue her activism also staying at home and thus opened a blog in defense of seals, thus stands out from G.E.O.R.G.E. (Group of Geo-Energy Resources) that offers to go to work with them touring for nine months between the universities of America, to bring activism, living on a bus. Even if you think this is a part of her life and her destiny, while the other half is Seth, does not decide immediately who to choose between the two.

One day an earthquake destroys Newport Beach, but Seth and Summer fortunately manage to reach safety in Ryan's car. Six months after the incident, Seth urges Summer to accept the job offer and leave with G.E.O.R.G.E., because the two of them always stay together regardless of distance and time. She finally understands his point of view and at the end of the series appears in an article in a newspaper for the contribution she has made.

Summer and Seth eventually get married in 2013, in the series finale.

Personality[]

Summer Roberts is initially the typical spoiled young girl of Newport, who then evolved into a nice person thanks to her love for Cohen.

The only things that initially interested her were parties, boys, and how to find a rich man who she would then marry, of course only for his money. Her personality (self-centered, superficial and "hysterical") was just a way to hide all her insecurities and fears. However, thanks to her love for Seth Cohen, her way of approaching others and the world will change. In fact, you know well that to please the guys in Newport, you must "behave in a certain way", and avoid “those like Cohen", considered by the boys of the elite, only losers.

Relationships[]

Romances[]

Family[]

Main article: Summer-Gloria Relationship

Friends[]

Main article: Luke-Summer Relationship

Main article: Kaitlin-Summer Relationship

Main article: Anna-Summer Relationship

Main article: Summer-Holly Relationship

Quotes[]

Pilot

Summer: Chino? Ew!

The Outsider

Donnie: You fine, you know that?
Summer: Good one! But aren't you, like, the busboy? Ew. Random.

The Escape

Summer: This is a nightmare. I'm sweating to death, driving ten miles an hour on, like, a rickshaw, listening to this... music.
Seth: Hey, do not insult Death Cab.
Summer: It's like one guitar and a whole lot of complaining.
Seth: That reminds me of someone else that's doing a lot of complaining.
Summer: Who gets passed by a van full of nuns? Oh, that's right. Cohen Does!
Seth: Well they have God on their side, Summer. I'm not gonna beat Jesus.
Summer: I'm gonna call Holly and see how far ahead of us they are. And she's a girl!

Summer: I am positive that I'm leaving this place with a rash.
Seth: So you're planning on making some extra money tonight?

Summer: You make a move, I rip out your jugular.

Summer: I suffer from rage black-outs.

The Heights

Summer: Sailing is so not like the fastest way to get anywhere.

The Perfect Couple

Marissa: So how goes it with Chip?
Summer: He's suprised the ocean's big. Go smoke another beer Chip!

Summer: I like Seth Cohen
Seth: You what?
Summer: Nothing. I wasn't talking to you. And if you repeat anything you heard, I'll kill you.

The Homecoming

Summer: I... I just can't help it. And I certainly can't explain it. You didn't tell anyone?
Seth: No, of course not.
Summer: 'Cause I'll kill you.
Seth: No, I believe you.

Seth: Could you give me a minute? Because I've got some green beans I need to check on.
Summer: You're passing me up for beans?

Summer: Back so soon? Cause I was, —Ew, uh... I mean, not ew. You're very attractive... for a dad! Distinguished. But, uh— Oh my god.

The Best Chrismukkah Ever

Summer: Way to go, Wonder Whore.

The Countdown

Summer: You’re not Seth Cohen.

The Links

Summer: I was being sarcastic.
Marissa: So was I.
Summer: Which we never were before Cohen showed up and taught us all irony. Jackass.

Summer: What are you? Like 70?

The Rivals

Summer: I guess I really will end up bitter and alone.

The Heartbreak

Summer: I'm not gonna be your sloppy seconds, assface.

Summer: I'm busy. Studying. Naked.
Seth: And that's supposed to keep me away.
Summer: Cohen? You're at my house!
Seth: And you are dressed. I wonder who's more disappointed.

Marissa: Are you limping?
Summer: Yeah. Cohen knee'd me in the leg.
Marissa: Why?
Summer: Um, the Kama Sutra or something. Love hurts.

Summer: The other night, when we... had sex, you weren't the only virgin in the room.
Seth: There was someone else in the room? Like, like filming us?
Summer: Me. Me, Jackass.

Summer: Cohen, you are so cheesy!
Seth: I'm sweeping you off your feet.
Summer: The sad part is, you kinda are.

The Telenovela

Summer: What are you gonna do, Coop? Lift weights? Wear a wife beater?

Summer: I'm just not comfortable about PDA.
Seth: you're kissing guys for 10 dollars a pop at a kissing booth, how more publicly can affection be displayed?

The Goodbye Girl

Summer: My Dad says chins are the new nose.
Anna: Picasso thought so, too.
Summer: Really? What hospital does he work at? Kidding! I'm not that dumb. Just shallow..

The L.A.

Summer: What if you guys break up? won't that be, like, bad for the show?

The Nana

Summer: I'm gonna study this thing so hard I'm even gonna out-Jew you.
Seth: You're reading it backwards.

The Proposal

Summer: How can you live like this? Your t-shirts are touching your sweaters.

Summer: You cry during chick flicks, you don't want to go to the hardware store. Next thing you're going to tell me, you walk in on Ryan changing?
Seth: That's crazy! Hey let's go to the hardware store.

Summer: Do you have the stud finder?
Seth: Oh Summer. I think you are the stud finder.
Summer: You see this hammer in my hand?
Seth: Yeah, I'll find the stud finder. What does it look like?
Summer: Don't you know what a level is?
Seth: Yeah, it's something that you advance to in a video game.
Summer: That's funny. The tool doesn't know about tools.

Summer: You're such a dandy, Cohen.

The Shower

Summer: They're playing Pac-Man. It's not a Mandy Moore movie.

Summer: Mostly we talk about me.
Seth: You?
Summer: Yeah. It's like our common interest.

The Strip

Summer: I have been crying actual tears over that ass and he's kissing randoms!

Summer: Get away from him, whore!
Seth: Whoa, whoa, hey, hey, she's not a whore, okay? She goes to UNLV.
Summer: Ooooh, you know, I'm sorry. Skank!

Summer: Way to go, Whore Boy.

Summer: Did somebody order more skanks?

The Ties That Bind

Summer: I'm holding hot coffee, Cohen.

Summer: $6,000 in cash? What are you, fleeing the country or something?
Seth: No, it's for Ryan.
Summer: What, for vintage wife-beaters?

Summer: They sent me to find you. Found you. I figured you'd be stuffing your pockets with cocktail weenies.

Seth: He's the only friend I've ever had.
Summer: No. You have me.

The Distance

Summer: The more time I spend with Zach, the less times I think about ... God, what's his face? Built like a bean pole, curly hair, runs away like a little bitch on his sailboat, leaving nothing but a note for his girlfriend who cried over and over for him until the Fourth of July when she decided she doesn't cry over bitches on boats.
Summer: What do you want from me, Cohen?
Seth: I just want you.
Summer: No you don't. You had me. You had me at Chrismukkah in a freakin' Wonderwoman costume and you chose Anna. You had me three months ago and you left.
Seth: I want to make that up to you.
Summer: It has nothing to do with me. It's about you. And it is always about you: what you need and what you want. You know, it seems you only want me when you can't have me. You like the chase, and that's all. And you know what? You can have it.

: Summer: I had a boyfriend and then he sailed away.

The SnO.C.

Summer: You've gotta go Ice-Man on her ass.
Seth: Was that your first X-Men reference?
Summer: Top Gun.

The Family Ties

Summer: Your breath smells like Marissa! You are so drunk!

Zach: You're going by yourself?
Summer: Han Solo.

The Power of Love

Marissa: Who's Kofi Annan?
Summer: Some guy Zach's mom knows. I think he works for United Airlines.

The Ex-Factor

Summer: Am I about to get whacked?

The Accomplice

Summer: I don't wanna hear it. What are you guys? Like Kavalier and Gay?
Seth: That was funny.
Summer: I know.

Summer: Princess Sparkle, you are not going to believe this.

Summer: Not as long as I have boob approval.

The Second Chance

Summer: Alcoholism as a Super Power. Now that is an interesting take.

Summer: Oh, I will compromise your vision. Do not forget my rage-blackouts!

Zach: And Cohen, you gotta nail Summer!
Seth: What?!
Summer: Excuse me?

Summer: Okay, let's be more professional! Less drooling, more drawing. And don't give me any junk in the trunk, either.
Seth: Just the gifts God gave you.

Seth: Okay, the way you're holding the pencil, you're choking it.
Summer: I am not! This pencil can breathe on its own!

Summer: Who have you been nose-grazing with?

The Lonely Hearts Club

Summer: Do you think these are too bling for a meeting?

Summer: You know what? My teeth are all plaque-y. I'm gonna go for a last-minute floss.

The Father Knows Best

Summer: Party at Caleb's. That sounds awesome. Maybe a little shuffleboard...bingo.

Summer: (on the phone to Zach) I haven't seen Cohen, why? -pauses- Well he always smells sort of weird.

Summer: I'm only saying this for the people that live with you: take a shower, Cohen. Zach and I didn't have sex.

Summer: Alex? Seth's Alex? Girl Alex?

Summer: This isn't turning you on, right?

The Rainy Day Women

Seth: Spiderman is really the only protective headgear I own.
Summer: Well, it's too bad you weren't wearing protective headgear when you were dropped on your head as a child.
Seth: Oh, zing!

Summer: Look Cohen are we gonna do this again or are we gonna advance the plot?

Summer: I don't want the Italians to think I have bad style. I'm representing America.
Zach: Well, that's very patriotic of you.

Summer: I can't go. I can't do this.
Zach: Truth be told, I didn't think you'd make it past security.
Summer: I'm really sorry.
Zach: You can't fight fate.

The Mallpisode

Seth: This thing with Lindsay is just really kicking Ryan's ass.
Summer: Which is why it's a good thing we're like the Marines.
Seth: How are we like the Marines?
Summer: We leave no man behind. Look, Lindsay may have turned her back on Ryan, but we won't. No. You have got to cheer him up. Semper Fi.
Seth: Oh, Semper Fi. That's so cute.

Seth: And besides, now with Lindsay out of the picture, maybe Ryan and Marissa will get back together.
Summer: Are you crazy? They're like the worst couple ever. And besides Marissa's happy now.
Seth: Okay, and by happy you mean gay.

Summer: Trapped in a department store. Which is like my ultimate fantasy.
Ryan: Okay, and what if we get caught?
Summer: We'll be stealth.

Seth: How is it that Ryan and Marissa are now the functioning couple?
Summer: Oh my god, we can not be more annoying than Ryan and Marissa. we're monsters.

The Blaze of Glory

Summer: Break out the hose, Cohen. It's a metaphor.

The Brothers Grim

Summer: Oh my god, I'm having a panic spiral.

Summer: I'm about to get bitch-slapped.

The Risky Business

Summer: Ew. Foot fetish, much?

The Rager

Summer: Cohen learned how to grill this summer. It's a major life achievement.

Summer: Cohen, just shut up. 'Cause even when you're not lying you're lying.

The O.C. Confidential

Summer: You know, it's one thing blowing me off, but blowing off Death Cab?

Summer: I mean where other than The Bait Shop, where tickets are always plentiful and the band never too loud to talk over.

Marissa: Don't mind my friend. She's really, really stoned.
Summer: Totally. Like very, very high. Isn't this place, like, so visual?

Jess: How 'bout you?
Summer: Hm? Oh no, strictly ganga. Yeah, what's from the Earth is of the greatest worth.

The Return of the Nana

Seth: Hey, Summer! Busy?
Summer: What do you want?
Seth: To talk.
Summer: Yeah. Hold my bag.
Seth: Anything for my Million Dollar Baby.

The Showdown

Summer: You know, I really thought things were going to be different this time, but you haven't changed at all. You've found new and even more public ways of disappointing me.

Summer: Oh, it is ass-kicking time, Coop.

Reed: Summer, Seth and Zach have talent. They could have careers in comics. But you are the Nico of the group.
Summer: I'm sorry. I don't get references before 1990.

The O.Sea

Summer: Did I miss something? 'Cause for like a blip you two seemed actually happy.
Marissa: It's complicated.
Summer: Well, it's you and Ryan. It's supposed to be.

Marissa: So, everyone's saying you're going to be voted prom queen. Isn't that like your fifth grade dream coming true?
Summer: No. My dream involved an actual date. A hot guy in a tux with a carnation pinned in his lapel. Instead I'm drawing straws between Nerd Boy and Ass Clown.

Summer: Tomorrow I will be outside in front of my house in a dress and one of you will pick me up. Got it? Good.

Summer: He better be real sick. Like dead. Cause if he isn't I'm gonna strangle him with his wifebeater.

Zach: I saw your face when I got out of the limo.
Summer: And I saw yours. You want to be there, talking about your comic book with Reed. Look, my prom fantasy, it didn't quite happen. But you've been dreaming about this comic book your whole life. You should go.
Zach: I can't abandon you.
Summer: I did it to you.
Zach: Good point.

The Dearly Beloved

Seth: Well Captain's pretty lucky.
Summer: Yeah, well, if he gets fresh with her it's straight to the glue factory.

Seth: I know running away was really hard on her last summer.
Summer: Cohen, no offense, but you're being self-involved again. I think this is bigger than you.

Summer: One girl, two brothers. It's all a little Legends of the Fall.

The Shape of Things to Come

Summer: Captain Oats is a really good listener. Princess Sparkle, she just stands there and looks cute.

Summer: She's Taylor Townsend. She's like the Karl Rove of our school.
Seth: So, you can take Karl Rove— You know who Karl Rove is?
Summer: Yeah, my step-mom sometimes naps in front of CNN. I hear things as I'm dragging her off to bed.

The End of Innocence

Summer: You can't leave. I won't let you.
Marissa: I know.
Summer: No, I really mean I won't let you. I'll restrain you if I have to. You may be tall, but I am wiry and I have Ryan on my side.

The Last Waltz

Summer: You know I always thought that social chair was a ceremonial position. Like Rose Bowl Queen or President.

Taylor: Summer!
Summer: No. Just so you know, you and your friend the dean may have won this round, but the war is not over.
Taylor: Well unless you have an exit strategy, don't even get out of the boat. I am a human quagmire. Storms off.
Summer: What's a quagmire? Hello! Anyone? Quagmire?

Summer: You know what? You're at a new school and there is a dance. It's like Social Survival 101.

The Perfect Storm

Summer: She's got Dean Hess in her back pocket, front, and who knows where else.

Summer: You know, college fairs are kind of like shopping. It's all about brand recognition.

Seth: I got a room at the Mermaid Inn.
Summer: You mean the place where Ryan may or may not have conceived Theresa's baby and the place where Marissa's mom and Luke got it on?
Seth: Newport's very own den of sin.
Summer: Ew. But I like it.

Summer: Hey, skank.
Seth: You were expecting someone taller, blonder with a pageboy haircut?
Summer: Welcome to the terror dome, Townsend. You're busted.
Taylor: For what, exactly?
Summer: Hmm. A little extracurricular activity with Dean Hess? Yeah, I saw you two making out at the dance.
Taylor: So what if we did?
Seth: She'd make a hell of a poker player. I mean, she's pretty good.
Summer: Yeah, unless you and the dean want this little thing-a-majig...
Seth: Heinous crush, yeah.
Summer: to go public...
Seth: Whattup?
Summer: we have a few demands, don't we?
Seth: Yeah.
Summer: Yeah. Starting with the lifting of the ban of Ryan Atwood from Harbor.
Taylor: You can go ahead and tell anyone you want. No one's gonna believe you.
Seth: She like a block of ice!
Summer: Are you willing to bet your squeaky little reputation on that, Taylor Trash? Hm? Cause I have got a huge mouth and an even bigger buddy list. Mmhmm. See this right here? Sidekick. Walkie-talkie of the 21st century. Who should we radio first?
Seth: How about my dad?
Summer: Yeah, ten-four, good buddy. So what's it gonna be? You can either tell Seth's dad the perverted truth and save your sorry ass, or you can roll the dice. Over - and out.

The Swells

Summer: Nightmares, huh? You know at first I thought you were just a sweaty sleeper. I didn't want to say anything, but—

Chili: I don't get it. Why don't you like me?
Summer: I'm already dating a dork.

Summer: I'm sorry I overreacted. I meddled. Oh my god, I'm Seth.

Taylor: Sorry! I can't hear you.
Summer: What do you mean you can't hear—? You're responding!

The Anger Management

Ryan: Maybe the girls should pick the movie next time.
Seth: Do I have to remind you about the Bring It On phase?
Summer: Now that is a great movie.

Summer: What were you doing talking to her? Did you forget that she didn't let me into the lock-in? I totally bruised my hand pounding on that door.
Seth: She probably didn't know it was you.
Summer: No, she knew it was me. She just didn't wanna let me in.
Ryan: Hm, wonder why.

Summer: Who was that? It sounded like a girl.
Seth: Did it? Yeah. Well, sure. Because I'm listening to the radio. And This American Life is on. And so there's a girl talking.
Summer: Is that that show where those hipster know-it-alls talk about how fascinating ordinary people are? God.

Taylor: Hi, Summer. You look really cute.
Summer: I know. But more importantly, why are you always talking to my boyfriend?

The Game Plan

Summer: I can't even pick out my shoes in the morning, let alone plan the rest of my life.

Summer: Could you imagine me on the East coast? I'd be like one of those animals that they rip from their natural habitat and put in a zoo. Their fur would get all mangy and they'd throw dung at people. It would be awful.

Summer: What is it with people showing up with bags?

Seth: What made you change your mind?
Summer: Taylor. She made me see that at Brown you're going to be surrounded by, like, really smart people that are going to make you feel really stupid. So you need someone around to makes you feel smart again.

The Disconnect

Seth: You know I read a study once that said that if 1500 third graders took the SATs one would get a perfect score by probability alone.
Summer: Hm. Yeah. I'm not a third grader, Cohen.

Summer: Well maybe I never had a dream. You know, maybe for once in my life I actually want to do something in my life. Like something important. Be the first woman in space or win one of the noble prizes.
Seth: Summer, women have been going to space since the 60s. And it's not noble prizes, it's Nobel prize. Marie Curie won in 1903 for discovering radium.
Summer: I think you've made your point.

Summer: A vicodin love confession is still a love confession.

The Chrismukkah Bar Mitz-vahkkah

Summer: I don't know, Cooper Scooper.
Marissa: That's a really bad nickname.

Summer: Poor guy. Slight of build and on crutches. He's kind of like our very own Tiny Tim.

The Safe Harbor

Ryan: Summer's planning Operation Free Marissa.
Summer: Yeah. Secure some key allies, go behind enemy lines.
Seth: Have you've been watching the War Channel again?
Summer: Yes. it's the new news network.

Summer: If we're going to launch a successful campaign to get Marissa back into Harbor we have to find someone who can organize the masses. Someone who they'll follow, you know, into battle.
Seth: You mean General Townsend?
Summer: Affirmative.

Summer: This school is apathetic. They need someone who can inspire. Someone who can intimidate.
Seth: They need Taylor.
Summer: Yeah. You know, maybe it's better to be feared than loved. Cohen, you have my permission to do whatever it takes.
Seth: What is it?
Summer: I'm picturing, like, Indecent Proposal. You're Demi. Naturally. And Taylor is the leather-faced guy who talks to horses.
Seth: You want me to trade sex for signatures?
Summer: Get her on board. I want Marissa back at this school.
Seth: I feel so dirty.

Summer: Surrender, much? I bet Napoleon never talked like this.
Ryan: Well, maybe he should have before he was defeated and exiled.
Seth: Summer, my little Empress, this is our Waterloo. Let's just retreat and minimize collateral damage.
Summer: Well, can't we just wait a couple of minutes before we raise the white flag? She's always late. I mean, maybe she got lost. Or something.

The Sister Act

Summer: She is so going back to the pound.

The Pot Stirrer

Ryan: Who's been the greatest influence in your intellectual development?
Summer: Um, Miuccia Prada.
Seth: You probably wanna say somebody more like Einstein or...
Summer: So you want me to, like, lie?
Seth: No, I just, I don't think that, uh, Prada is the answer that they're looking for.
Summer: Well, this interview could, like, determine the rest of our lives, right? Well, if I say something that I don't believe in, I could end up with the wrong life. How awful would that be?
Ryan: She has a point.
Summer: I have to go get a mani pedi.
Seth: Summer.
Summer: Cohen, if you wanna memorize answers you think that they wanna hear, that's fine. But I believe in being myself. And by the way, Miuccia Prada combined styles from time periods in ways people never even imagined possible. Her clothes teach you to change your perspective.

Summer: Hey, Cohen. I'm looking to see if Brown has a course in human sexuality. Cause, no offense, you are so taking that.

The Heavy Lifting

Summer: Hm. That's pretty smart. You may just have rocked my world. I was hoping you'd come with the half-court shot at the buzzer!
Seth: Is that a sports metaphor? I don't...follow.
Summer: I'm wearing...the thong.
Seth: Yeah, that's...that's my mom's.
Summer: Ew.

The Road Warrior

Summer: Oy.
Seth: As in vey?

Summer: My dad has disastrous taste in women. If I don't step in he'll wind up with the first money-grubbing slutbag that gets into the backseat of his Mazerati.

The Journey

Summer: My dad was whistling this morning. Julie Cooper makes my dad whistle! I can't tell him he can't have that.

Summer: Coop, you're tapping into core relationship mythology. It's romantic.

Julie: Well, I guess I better hury then...And buy me a new bikini.
Summer: Awwwwkwaaaarrrrdddd.

: Summer: We have a problem.
Seth: Oooh, yeah. Today's the day you were gonna tell Marissa about your parents doin' the bone dance. (Summer hits him) How did that go?
Summer: Don't ever say that again. I'm talking about Ryan and Marissa
Seth: No, we've gotten them back together before, you remember? What thanks do we get? They just broke up again.
Summer: Well, they need to make a decision. Either to get back together or to move on. Cause right now they are frozen in that post-break up "holy crap, what did I do?" moment. And the longer it goes on for, the worse it is for everyone. So you need to do something.
Seth: Me?
Summer: Yeah.
Seth: I'm in charge of Ryan's birthday.
Summer: Wait, Ryan's birthday is now? What is he thinking!
Seth: I don't know. He didn't exactly plan it. If you care so much, why can't you handle this?
Summer: Oh, because I have to worry about Julie Cooper giving my dad VD and taking all of his money, so my plate is full.
Seth: Fine...Dr. R and Julie Cooper are doin' the bone dance. (Summer hits him upside the head)

Summer: Um, hi. Two homeless guys just got into a fight over the crudité and knocked down Scientist Ryan.

Summer: Hey, Dad. If you really do like her, maybe don't wear the bathing suit you bought last year in Rome. Just a thought.

The Undertow

Seth: Is that a no to the Wheelbarrow?
Summer: I'll Wheelbarrow you!

Summer: We should fight, like, everyday.

The Secrets and Lies

Summer: Atwood skipping? Now there's a disturbing and... odd visual.

Summer: Volchok is Atwood's krptonite. He'll totally Hulk out.
Seth: You're mixing comic book metaphors. But you think we can keep Marissa quiet?

Seth: Women like abs. I got a six-pack myself. I know.
Summer: Oh, Cohen, those are your ribs.

Summer: You may be Mrs. Cooper-Nichol-Cooper-Roberts, but if you make my dad happy...
Neil: She does.
Julie: I do.
Summer: Then I'm happy.

Summer: We have a major problem. Marissa just bailed on our parents' engagement party to skank out with the surf Nazi.
Seth: Your dad and Julie got engaged? You kind of buried the lead there, Summer.
Summer: We've got bigger fish here, Cohen. Marissa is on a slut spiral and we need to stop her.

Summer: The slut is still spiraling. I thought you talked to Ryan.

The Day After Tomorrow

Taylor: Have you spoken to Marissa lately?
Summer: Well, if you count "pass the milk" and "don't be so skanky."

Seth: Well, he's eighteen. I just think college should come first.
Summer: Well, not if you're with the one you think you should be with, like forever be with.
Seth: Yeah, well, who really knows that at eighteen?
Summer: I do...Oh, my God...You don't.

Summer: Remember when the boys made us watch that movie about the gay guys on the mountain?
Marissa: Lord Of The Rings.
Summer: Yeah. And remember that Gollum guy? How he got evil and more evil the closer he got to that firey thing? That's kind of how Seth is about Brown.

The Dawn Patrol

Taylor: Hey, Sum. If it makes you feel any better, I just saw Seth and he looks as miserable as you do.
Summer: The only thing that would make me feel better would be seeing that ass-less, gut-less wuss skinned, flayed and served as ass-less, gut-less wuss tartar.
Taylor: That's very descriptive, Summer.

Summer: It's good to have you back, babe.

Summer: No way. No scheming, no plan Bs, no wacky hijinks. Cohen broke up with me. Only he has the power to unbreak us up. There's no way I'm gonna go groveling back to him like some pathetic brokenhearted little bitch.

Summer: He doesn't love me.

Summer: All right, look, T to the T, I know you're all up with life, down with God, you have a very positive, optimistic view on the world, but I ain't havin' it.

The College Try

Summer: What am I thinking? Kids at Brown don't wear sparkly scarves. Maybe on the way to the airport I'll stop and get some angry-looking piercing.

Summer: 48 hours ago, Coop, you were Newport's Courtney Love. Baby steps.

Brown Guy: The fact is, the US has been performing their own jihads for decades. Just instead of Allah, the killing is done in the name of oil.
Brown Girl: Totally.
Summer: You guys, what is a jihad?
Brown Guy: Exactly.
Brown Girl: Way to reframe the question, Summer.
Summer: Hm.

Seth: Summer, you can't just ignore me forever.
Summer: Oh yes I can. Don't you remember middle school? I was really good at ignoring you. Now I'm just getting back in shape.

The Party Favor

Summer: I haven't spoken to you in four days. You think that pancakes are going to make me forget about you and Anna behind my back.

Summer: Not only will I not go to prom with you, but if you and I were stranded on a desert island, I would take the nourishment that your meager frame has to offer and then I would feed your bones to the sharks.

Seth: I knew you weren't going to go if I didn't go, and I didn't want you to do that. I didn't want you to miss the opportunity so I broke up with you.
Summer: That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard.
Seth: Yeah, well, then I realized I couldn't be without you so I flew there to try and talk my way in.
Summer: Okay, now that is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. (Hopeful) Did it work?

The Man of the Year

Marissa: Hey, Sum. How are you?
Summer: I wish I could pluck out my eyeballs with a fork and rinse them in a tall glass of ice water.
Marissa: Yeah, that's a hangover.

Summer: Oh, my god. Nauseous tsunami!

Summer: (Stops kissing) Where was your dad going this morning?
Seth: ...You're thinking about my dad?
Summer: He had his briefcase with him. Does he usually keep important papers in there?
Seth: Ugh, you're turning me on.
Summer: I'm sorry. Cohen, there's something I need to tell you.
Seth: That you're using me to get to my father?
Summer: Serious!
Seth: So is this. We just got back together. The window for a make up hook up is rapidly closing, unless you wanna break up again.
Summer: No, definitely not.
Seth: Okay, so what'd you have to tell me?
Summer: ...I wanna be on top this time. (Pushes him down)
Seth: But you're always on top- (Summer kisses him)

Trivia[]

  • Summer was originally only meant to be a supporting character. Eventually, Rachel Bilson's performance and especially her scene with Seth in the diner in The Escape, convinced them to make her a series regular.
  • Her birthday is August 13th. This makes her a Leo. [1]
  • She has a toy horse, Princess Sparkle.
  • She worked as a candy striper at the Newport Hospital. [2]
  • She and Anna Stern are big fans of Golden Girls. Their nicknames for each other are “Blanche” and “Rose”, respectively.
  • Betty and Veronica from the Archie Comics had a big influence on her. [3]
  • She loves shopping, tanning and celebrity gossip. [4]
  • Her style is described as “A little bohemian, a little Californian. Her outfits are like eating an organic, dairy-free yogurt with $20 granola sprinkled on top. But, like, with a Dior saddle bag.” by Christian Allaire.
  • She lost her virginity to Seth Cohen. [5]
  • She won the title of Prom Queen twice. [6] [7]
    Summer Roberts winning Prom Queen

    Summer winning Prom Queen in The O.Sea and The Party Favor

  • In an alternate reality, where Ryan never came to live with The Cohens, she never ends up with Seth. Instead, she’s a shallow bimbo and still friends with Holly. Her fiancé, Ché, is unfaithful and has an affair with Julie Cooper. [8]
  • She has a passion for environmental activism and is an animal lover. [9]
  • She has a tendency to abandon personal hygiene when dealing with personal problems. This happens when she adjusts to college life, after Marissa's death and after the destruction of the Cohen Residence. [10]
  • Her favorite show is The Valley.
  • She is one of the four characters to have their name in an episode title: The Summer Bummer. The others are Sophie Cohen (The Nana and The Return of the Nana), Dawn Atwood (The Dawn Patrol) and Frank Atwood (The Case of the Franks).
  • Her Atomic County counterpart is Little Miss Vixen. She uses her credit cards to decapitate her enemies.

Appearances[]

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

References[]

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