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"The L.A." is the twenty-second episode of the first season of the Fox drama series The O.C.. The episode aired on the twenty-fourth of March, in 2004.

Synopsis[]

When Marissa and Summer run into Grady Bridges, the star of Summer's favorite TV series "The Valley", he invites them and their friends to a party in Los Angeles, they accept and invite Ryan and Seth along. Seth and Ryan find out about Marissa's mom's affair with Luke and plan to keep Marissa from finding out in which Ryan persuades Luke to break it off. At the party, Grady tries to keep Summer away from Seth while Ryan and Marissa run into Hailey who is now working as a stripper. Back in Newport, , Sandy and Jimmy approach Caleb to ask for his help to arrange a get-together for some of Newport Group's wealthy business elite to get funds to open their own restaurant.

Plot[]

At the Mermaid Inn, Ryan and Seth go to the front desk looking for Ryan's watch he left behind. They get his watch and talk about how Theresa is back with Eddie. Seth says how Ryan no longer has any girl to protect or take care of. They are about to get in the car when they spot Luke outside of a room. Luke doesn't see them but someone opens the door. Julie Cooper emerges and kisses Luke. Seth and Ryan hide behind the car and watch Luke leave the room. The next morning, Ryan and Seth sit in silence and in shock of the prior night's revelation. Seth speaks first saying he cannot believe they were even at a motel. Seth points out how they will see Luke at school later and wonders how he could do this to Marissa. Ryan wonders how Julie could do it since it's her daughters ex-boyfriend. Seth and Ryan agree that Luke and Julie need to end it before Marissa finds out.

Ryan and Seth - The LA

Ryan and Seth find out about Luke and Julie's affair.


Jimmy joins Kirsten and Sandy in the kitchen for breakfast and tells Sandy they are screwed. Jimmy says that they are close to opening and they have no contractor or designer. They also don't have hardly any money and Jimmy shows them the receipts. Kirsten gets a letter from Hailey who says she is an aerobic instructor. Jimmy says he will take the time to interview designers and Kirsten suggests Julie could do it. Jimmy says no several times and is in complete disagreement. Sandy says she did a good job with the offices in Newport Group but Jimmy responds saying that the restaurant is his happy place to rebuild after Julie. Sandy says she would be free and wouldn't have a choice.

Marissa and Summer are walking on the beach. Summer encourages her to enjoy her time without having a boyfriend and be more independent. They run into a filming set and Summer sees Grady Bridges from her favorite T.V. show, The Valley. Summer drags Marissa with her to meet him. Summer tells Grady how much she likes the show and he starts to explain what episode they are filming. Marissa says she has never seen the show and Summer punches her in embarrassment. Grady laughs as Summer hugs and apologizes Marissa. Seth and Ryan are still talking about Julie and Luke, hoping they aren't actually having sex when they run into Summer and Marissa. Summer says she has news and that nothing they know could top it. Ryan and Seth give each other a look as Summer tells them about meeting Grady. Seth and Ryan both don't know who he is and Summer tells them how he invited them to his birthday party in Los Angeles. Seth is beyond jealous and asks to see the photos she took with him as they walk away. Marissa asks about Theresa and Ryan gives her update before they awkwardly part for class.

Summer and Marissa - The LA

Summer rubs Marissa's arm after punching her for saying she hasn't seen Grady's show in front of him.

At the Newport Group, Julie is looking at the pictures of the Lighthouse with Kirsten, Sandy, and Jimmy. Julie points out the places flaws and finally agrees to do help redesign. Sandy tells her that they can't pay her but Julie doesn't mind as long as she can add it to her resume. She then goes through a list of items the need and considers how much it will cost. She gives them a price that Jimmy knows is more than they could afford and Kirsten offers to pitch in. Sandy turns this down and Julie suggests that Caleb could help. Sandy throws a fit and considers the Lighthouse his own happy place like Jimmy. Kirsten says that Caleb could be a silent partner which Sandy says he would ruin everything. Jimmy tells Sandy that they don't have a choice.

Jimmy, Sandy, Kirsten and Julie - The LA

Jimmy and Sandy try to figure out the money to pay for a design of the restaurant with Julie.

At Harbor, Ryan finds Luke playing pool and confronts him about having an affair with Julie Cooper. Luke is shocked he knows and Ryan tells him he saw them at the hotel. Ryan asks what he is thinking, sneaking around with Marissa's mom. Luke tries to deny it and finally admits that its happening and that he has never felt this way before. Ryan says that if Marissa finds out which Luke says she won't. Ryan fires back saying how she found out Luke was cheating on her in Tijuana in The Escape and that the town is small so people easily find out secrets. Ryan tells Luke that Marissa is going to L.A. the next day and that Luke must break up with Julie. Ryan demands that Luke ends it before Marissa finds out.

Ryan and Luke - The LA

Ryan demands that Luke ends his affair with Julie before Marissa finds out.

Ryan gets home to find Seth watching The Valley and thinks that Grady is the T.V. version of himself. Seth starts to freak out saying that Summer will pick the T.V. version of himself. Ryan says that they are going to L.A. with the girls so that Luke can break up with Julie when they are gone. Seth is glad that Ryan took care of it when the doorbell rings. Ryan answers it to find Marissa wanting to talk. She says she isn't going to L.A. because she thinks her and Ryan need some time apart to salvage their relationship, wherever they stand now. Marissa says how intense things have been lately and that she thinks they need to be away from each other and independent. Marissa thinks it is a good time to be by themselves and says she will stay home with her mom while Ryan goes to L.A.

Ryan and Marissa - The LA

Marissa tells Ryan they need some time apart and that she will stay in Newport while he goes to L.A.

The next morning, Ryan tells Seth he is staying home so that Marissa will go to L.A. Seth still has to ask Kirsten and Sandy but wants Ryan to do the work. Seth and Ryan walk out to the backyard to find Kirsten and Sandy and immediately gives it away that Seth wants something. Seth asks to go to the party in L.A. and Sandy says no. Seth says he is trying to be truthful this time and could have lied, saying that he was going to Comic Con (they went to Tijuana instead in The Escape) or the IMAX Theater (they went to a party in Long Beach instead in The Outsider). Kirsten reveals that she knows for sure he was lying about going to the IMAX movies. Seth tags Ryan in and he asks in his own way. Sandy asks who the birthday party is for and Seth tells him who. Kirsten immediately knows who Grady is given that she likes The Valley. Seth goes on to say that Grady wants Summer of all people and has to go so that doesn't happen. Seth pleads with them and Kirsten and Sandy give him a curfew. Kirsten asks him to get her an autograph and to take pictures.

Ryan goes next door to convince Marissa. Marissa is on the phone when she answers the door and tells Ryan she meant it when she said they needed time apart. Ryan asks what she has and Marissa tells him she found Luke's necklace in the house. Ryan tells Marissa that choosing not to go to L.A. because he is going is not independent. Ryan starts rambling and she tells him he sounds like Seth. Ryan says that he has to go in order to keep an eye on Seth and then tells her he doesn't want Marissa to miss out on being there just because he is going. Ryan goes on to say how it will be fun which confuses Marissa since she is usually the one convincing him to do something fun. Ryan says that he's changed and they are friends now so they will have to do things independently but together. Ryan says that it is about what she needs which makes Marissa laugh. Marissa agrees to go but is still confused.

Ryan and Marissa - The LA 2

Ryan convinces Marissa to come to L.A. but she is left wondering why he is so persistent.

Caleb is looking at a model or the restaurant and asks questions regarding the crew. Caleb and Sandy argue about favors when Jimmy steps in and talks about how the chef could prepare some meals for Caleb as soon as possible. Caleb says he can't do that night because of his meeting with the board but Julie argues that it is the perfect time to attract good publicity for the restaurant given Jimmy's lack in that department. Kirsten suggests they could host the dinner at their house. Seth, Ryan, Summer, and Marissa are stuck in L.A. traffic. Marissa tells Summer how weird her mom has been acting lately in that she is never home and is always sending Kaitlin to her grandparents. Summer says it sounds like how her mom acted when she was having an affair. Seth interrupts them and changes the subject and Ryan joins him. Ryan then goes on to say how fun it will be which Summer and Marissa exchange confused looks as he says this.

Caleb is dropping off Julie and asks her to go on that date. Julie says they have to see how this dinner goes and then they can decide. Julie gets out and Caleb backs out of the driveway. As Julie is searching for her keys, Luke drops in on her and scares her. He tries to talk to her about their relationship but Julie stops him with a make out session and takes him inside. Seth, Ryan, Summer, and Marissa finally arrive at the party in a club called Luna Chicks when Grady finds them. He leads Marissa and Summer to meet some people. Ryan steps aside to make a phone call. Grady introduces Summer, Marissa, and Seth to his team. Ryan leaves Luke a message making sure he broke things off with Julie. As Summer and Seth are walking with Grady to meet the cast, a girl named Kate runs into Summer. She exchanges glances at Seth and Summer hits him for it, asking what is up with him. Ryan is talking with Marissa about their past history as a couple when a stripper grabs Ryan. He turns around to see that the stripper is Hailey. Ryan is confused and Marissa recognizes her as Hailey gets back to work. Marissa asks Ryan if Kirsten knows that Hailey is working there but Ryan is sure she doesn't know.

Ryan and Marissa - The LA 3

Ryan and Marissa run into Hailey who is working as a stripper.

Julie rushes out of the house in a hurry as Luke is trying to stop her and talk things out with her. Caleb is talking with the board about the Lighthouse restaurant as a magnet for destination dining. Sandy, Jimmy, and Kirsten talk about the restaurant as a form of restoration for the town as Julie comes in late. Caleb says that she is glowing which she says is because of how excited she is. Luke gets in his car to leave and listens to the message Ryan left for him. After he hears it, he turns around and goes back. Sandy asks Jimmy if he is ready to be stuck with these people and Jimmy argues that they have to do it for the money. Sandy gets a phone call from Ryan who tells him how they found Hailey working as a stripper at the club. Sandy is upset to find out that there are strippers at the party they went to and that they went to a club. Ryan asks what they should do and Sandy tells him that Hailey is not his responsibility. Sandy says he will deal with Hailey the next day and tells Ryan to bring everyone back to Newport. Sandy tells Jimmy that they found Hailey working there as a stripper and Sandy says they need to keep it from Kirsten and deal with Hailey another time.

Caleb walks in with Kirsten and Julie and he starts complaining about the food they are serving. Caleb tries to direct one of the cooks to the crab shack and Sandy stops him saying that it is their restaurant. Caleb says that they don't have a restaurant without him to which Jimmy chimes in and says that they are probably better off then. Jimmy argues that the restaurant was supposed to be fun and if Caleb is going to ruin everything then he doesn't want any part of it and leaves. Kirsten spots a hickey on her neck and Julie lies about it. Marissa and Ryan are looking for Seth and Summer when Marissa says they also need to get Hailey out of there. Ryan isn't sure since it isn't his business but Marissa says it's his family. Ryan and Marissa go looking together for Seth, Summer, and Hailey. Summer is sitting with Grady and his team while Seth watches from the bar. Kate returns and starts flirting with Seth. Kate talks about her grad school classes and Summer sees Kate put her phone number in Seth's found. Summer leaves with Grady.

Caleb joins Sandy outside in the backyard. Caleb brings up how Jimmy was another let down when Sandy tells him how Jimmy left to get Hailey. Sandy tells Caleb about Hailey's new job as a stripper. Sandy says it is why Jimmy is his partner. Grady is showing Summer an episode of The Valley that has yet to air in a car in the club's parking lot. Back in the club, Ryan and Marissa find Seth and ask where Summer is. Seth and Ryan both make eye contact with Hailey and go after her. They ask what she is doing and she tells them not to tell Kirsten. The owner comes in and pushes Hailey back up on the platform and Ryan tells him not to tell her what to do. The owner kicks out Seth, Marissa, and Ryan. Outside of the club, Seth walks around trying to get back to Summer when Marissa has an idea that could get her and Ryan back in.

Seth and Ryan - The LA

Seth and Ryan spot their aunt, Hailey, working as a stripper.

Caleb talks about the meal that the board is enjoying. Julie goes into the kitchen to get more wine when she sees Luke out the window trying to get her attention. Julie opens the back door and tells Luke to meet her at her house instead. She shuts the door and the cooks are all staring at her. She tells them to get back to work. Back at the club, Marissa is trying to get in through the VIP entrance as Ryan walks up. Marissa starts freaking out, pretending that Ryan is some A-list celebrity. The bouncer watches them interact and asks Ryan if he is there for the party which he says yes. Marissa then asks to go with him and the bouncer lets them both in. Summer is ready to go back to the party but Grady keeps her there listening to the music and tries to kiss her, but Summer stops him. Seth opens the door to the car when another star from The Valley, April, opens the other door, asking Grady what he is doing with Summer. Summer realizes Grady and April are dating and says it won't work out. Seth and Summer head back in the club ready to go home.

As Hailey is getting off her shift, Ryan and Marissa plan to take her home with them. The owner comes back and kicks Ryan and Marissa out again along with Hailey. They are getting ready to hit Ryan when Jimmy steps in and asks if they would hit a kid. Jimmy insults the owner and he tells Jimmy to keep them out of his club. Jimmy tells Ryan and Marissa to head home and he will take Hailey back. Marissa and Ryan leave and Hailey starts crying. Jimmy asks if she is okay and she says that she has been having trouble finding a job. Jimmy reassures her and asks if she wants to come home. Hailey nods and he gives her a hug. Seth, Ryan, Summer, and Marissa are walking back to their car and talk about the night they had. Seth starts giving all of them nicknames saying that he is the "brains" and Ryan is the "brawn". Ryan tells Marissa she is the "beauty" and Seth tells Summer she is the "boobs".

The Core Four - The LA

The beginning of their friendship group, the Core Four.

Caleb talks about how successful the dinner was when Jimmy walks in with Hailey. Jimmy says he picked her up from the airport and Kirsten and Caleb embrace Hailey with hugs. Caleb thanks Jimmy for bringing her back home. Kirsten takes Hailey to the guest room and Julie heads home. Caleb tells Jimmy and Sandy that they will do it their way. Caleb says how it is all good food and good people coming together. Caleb shakes their hands as Julie finds Luke on her porch. Luke tells Julie he can't do it anymore and she can't believe he is breaking up with her. Luke says it isn't a good idea and would never work. Julie says okay and Luke leaves. Julie picks up her phone and leaves Caleb a message, saying she is ready for their date.

The Core Four gets back to the Cohens and Seth and Summer watch The Valley in the living room while Marissa and Ryan hang out in the pool house. Ryan asks if she had fun and Marissa says yes when Ryan got kicked out of the club twice. Ryan says how impressed he was when she got them back into the club and Marissa argues that she should be the "brains" of the group. Ryan argues that Seth is the "brains" to which Marissa jokes that Ryan is not the "beauty" and Ryan responds saying she's now the "bitch". They laugh as Marissa starts hitting Ryan with his pillows and tells Ryan she will be right back. Luke comes to the door and Kirsten invites him in. Luke storms into the pool house and Ryan tries to keep him quiet as Luke yells that he is done having sex with Julie Cooper when Marissa walks back in, hearing everything. Marissa is walking toward the door when Ryan beings to panic and asks her to stop. Marissa realizes now why Ryan wanted her to go to LA. Ryan says that he didn't want her to find out this way. Marissa storms out.

Marissa - The LA

Marissa finds out about Luke and her mom's affair.

Cast[]

Starring[]

Guest Starring[]

Co-Starring[]

Quotes[]

  • Seth: [both in shocked silence] I can't believe they were at a motel, it's so cheap, so tawdry.
  • Ryan: Yeah, cause that's the real moral of the story here.
  • Seth: How could he do it? I mean, I get how he could do it, it's Mrs Cooper.
  • Ryan: What about her? It's her daughter's ex-boyfriend. If Marissa ever found out
  • Seth: No, she can not find out, she doesn't handle bad news well at all.

Music[]

Gallery[]

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