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"The Links" is the sixteenth episode in the first season of the Fox drama series The O.C.. The episode aired on the fourteenth of January, in 2004.

Synopsis[]

Ryan, Seth, Marissa, Anna, Luke and Summer head to Palm Springs for a parent-free weekend at the home of Marissa's new, troubled friend Oliver. Oliver's behavior becomes more and more concerning and Ryan and Luke seem to be the only ones who notice. Summer attempts to plant herself into a friendship with Seth and Anna and makes things complicated for the new couple. Meanwhile, Kirsten talks to Caleb about Hailey's ongoing financial problems and her lack of independence.

Plot[]

Marissa gets a surprise visit from Oliver at her dad's. He asks to come in and Marissa does so cautiously. Oliver apologizes to Marissa about the night of the Rooney concert. He says how eye opening it was for him about his issues and how he is getting back together with Natalie. He says how it wouldn't have happened if Ryan hadn't helped him that night and how he wants to say thanks. Oliver tells Marissa he wants to take her and Ryan to Palm Springs at his family's house. He even invites Seth, Anna, Summer, and Luke. Oliver says they can all meet his parents and Natalie. Oliver offers to teach her how to play golf and Marissa says how much she wants to meet Natalie. Marissa thinks it sounds fun and she makes a call to Ryan. Oliver starts looking at the photos around and picks up one of Ryan and Marissa, then places it behind another picture.

Sandy is teaching Ryan how to put but he keeps hitting it into the pool which Seth retrieves as he is swimming around. Ryan gets irritated and tells Sandy that he doesn't play golf. Sandy then tells him he could go to the spa which Ryan says he also doesn't do. Ryan says he doesn't want to go to Palm Springs and Seth reasons with him. Sandy is surprised about how this kid has that kind of estate and asks them if Oliver's parents will be there and if they have met them. Seth continues to talk about how cool Oliver is and this just pisses Ryan off the more as he hits the ball into a window. Kirsten asks Sandy if he trusts Oliver which he does not. Sandy says they will just have to worry all weekend but they do trust the boys. Kirsten tells Sandy that Julie and Caleb are coming back from Paris today. Kirsten thinks Hailey will be on her way out once she gets money from Caleb. Hailey walks in asking about Caleb and Julie. She can't believe her dad is with Julie and says how she only wants him for the money.

Sandy and Kristen - The Links

Sandy and Kirsten's banter.


Summer and Marissa are packing for Palm Springs and talking about the trip. Summer jokes about how it will be fun and calls the trip Couples Fest. This is because Marissa and Ryan are together, Oliver and Natalie are together, and Anna and Seth are together. Marissa says that it won't be like that and it is a chance to get out of town and have fun. Marissa makes a sarcastic comment about Summer being okay with Anna and Seth. Marissa asks her why she would do this to herself if it is too hard for her to be around him. Summer tells Marissa how she told Anna and Seth she was okay with it. She then says how she can't mess with them both if she isn't there. Summer notes the ways she could embarrass Seth and quickly starts to realize she is loosing her mind.

Summer Roberts - The Links

Summer realizes she is starting to loose her mind over Seth Cohen.


Sandy runs into Jimmy who just got out of another job interview that rejected him. Jimmy asks to reschedule their dinner plans but Sandy refuses since The Lighthouse restaurant is closing for good. Jimmy then tells Sandy is considering leaving since there are no opportunities for him in Newport. He is considering going to Arizona to stay with his brother. Sandy says he can look for entry level positions at his firm and Jimmy thanks him because he really wants to stay with Marissa.

Ryan and Marissa - The Links

Ryan and Marissa meet up before the trip to Palm Springs.

Marissa and Summer walk into the pool house and Marissa and Ryan start making out. Summer says how the Couples Fest is now beginning and Ryan tells her that Seth is in his room. Summer remembers where and leaves. Marissa then tells Ryan that they need to be nice to Summer since she is by herself with a bunch of couples. Marissa tells Ryan that Oliver will be with Natalie and that they can finally meet her. Ryan notes how he just showed up out of nowhere and Marissa starts to compare Oliver's story with Ryan's. Marissa asks him to give Oliver a chance since he is repaying Ryan for being nice.

Anna and Seth are hanging out in Seth's room, talking about the trip. Anna says how excited they are about being there without any parents and how they will have their own space. Anna and Seth start making out when Summer walks in, asking if they are ready to go. Summer says how much fun they will all have together as friends. Everyone is loading up their cars at the Cohens house. Summer is putting her bags in Luke's truck when Luke says to her how they are the only ones without anyone. Summer takes this as Luke hitting on her, which he is, and she tells him to just run her over at this point.

Summer Roberts - The Links 2

Luke starts hitting on Summer and she responds asking him to run her over with his truck.


Oliver mysteriously shows up, again, and tells Marissa that him and Natalie broke up ... for the second time ... not even sure what time this was. Oliver then says that they probably shouldn't go anymore and Ryan agrees. Marissa gives Ryan a look and then asks Oliver what happened. He starts to get emotional and says he doesn't want to talk about it. Marissa says he needs to and that they need to get out of town. She suggests he could tell her about it on the way there and Ryan rolls his eyes. She asks Ryan if it is okay to go with Oliver and he has no choice but to be okay with it. Luke says that Ryan can ride with him and Summer jumps into the passenger seat of Anna's car. Ryan watches Marissa and Oliver go to his car and he looks at Seth who gives him a look of reassurance. Everyone heads off to Palm Springs with mixed emotions.

Julie and Caleb arrive at the Cohen's house, earlier than expected. Caleb starts looking for Hailey as Kirsten says she didn't expect them to get back so soon. Julie says that Caleb didn't want to waist anymore time without seeing Hailey. Kirsten tells Caleb that Hailey is good and notes Julie's new haircut. Hailey walks in and greets her dad. Hailey and Julie unwillingly greet each other and Caleb is anxious on catching up with Hailey. Caleb asks Kirsten to make them all lunch.

Luke and Ryan get to the house and are unloading the truck to find Marissa and Oliver talking on the couch. Oliver shows Luke to the kitchen and Ryan asks Marissa how the drive was. Ryan sits down next to Marissa and she tells him that mainly Oliver talked and she thinks he just wanted someone to listen. Oliver walks back in and apologizes to Ryan about taking his girlfriend away from him. Ryan tells him he wasn't worried and it could not be more awkward. Summer, Seth, and Anna eventually show up and Sandy keeps calling Seth, checking in on him. Ryan is closely watching Oliver and asks him where his parents are, as they are no where to be found in the house. Oliver claims that their plane got delayed so they won't be making it to Palm Springs.

Oliver - The Links

Oliver helps everyone get settled into the house before they go golfing.


Oliver shows Marissa and Ryan their room and he claims he forgot it was twin beds. Marissa goes to change and Oliver helps Ryan push the beds together. Ryan could not be more annoyed with Oliver, especially when he makes a comment about how cool Ryan is about his friendship with Marissa. Oliver brings up Marissa and Ryan's history with Luke and how the last thing Ryan needs is someone like that. He then jabs at Ryan's background that Marissa just so happened to share with Oliver. He continues to jab at Ryan's character when Marissa comes out in her golfing outfit.

Back in Newport, Sandy's coworker, Tom, approaches him about working over the weekend. Sandy asks him about a lady that is going on maternity leave and if her position has been filled yet and suggests Jimmy to fill it. Tom says that the firm is very reputable and if Jimmy was working there, people would not want to work with the firm. Sandy starts to defend Jimmy and Tom tells him to go into business with Jimmy as a joke. Kirsten and Julie are watching Caleb and Hailey catch up when Kirsten says how much Hailey looks like their mom, making it so much harder for her dad to say no to Hailey. Kirsten is scared about what she will do and which wild trip she will take now since she doesn't know when she would come back this time. Julie tells Kirsten that she is the only one Caleb will listen to and encourages her to talk to him.

In Palm Springs, everyone is trying to enjoy playing golf. Marissa is learning and for some reason, Oliver is teaching her and grabbing her waist to show her how to swing. Ryan gets pissed and even Luke is a little weirded out. Summer is still making an effort in coming between Seth and Anna on the golf course. Seth and Anna are getting really irritated at the fact that Summer keeps saying "friend" like its a threat. Oliver keeps making condescending comments about Ryan's putting game and Luke says how much he could hurt Oliver. Oliver asks Marissa if he is "trying too hard" and all he wants is to be friends. Marissa says that Ryan likes him but not very confidently. Oliver suggests a race back and whoever comes in last on the golf carts has to buy everyone a first round of drinks. Oliver and Marissa are in one while Luke and Ryan are in the other. As they are racing, Oliver purposely drives toward Ryan and tries to hit his golf cart but Ryan is able to avoid him but runs into the bushes. Ryan gets out of the cart and asks Oliver what his problem is. Marissa asks if he is okay and that Oliver was just "playing." She leaves to go back to the house and Luke says that Oliver was not playing.

Ryan & Luke - The Links

Ryan and Luke bond over their shared hatred of Oliver.

At the Cohens, Sandy is getting ready to go visit Jimmy while Kirsten is preparing to talk to her dad. Sandy says how things really could be over for him in Newport and getting out might be the best thing for him. Caleb walks in and Sandy leaves. Kirsten tries to talk about Hailey with Caleb and why she is really back. The conversation leads to the idea of cutting Hailey off. Seth is setting up his humidifier in his room and gets into bed with Anna when Summer bursts through the door. Summer asks to watch T.V. with them and they tell her they were going to go to bed. Summer goes on a rampage about hanging out this weekend as friends and sits in between them and turns on the T.V.

Ryan is cleaning up the dishes after dinner when Oliver tells him he didn't have to. Ryan continues to wash the dishes and then Oliver offers to help. Oliver asks where Marissa is and if Ryan is joining her in the hot tub. Ryan continues to ignore him and Oliver asks for them to start over so that they can be friends. Ryan then tells him the next time he wants to be alone with Marissa, let Ryan know so he can stay home. Oliver breaks a plate when Ryan says this and has a breakdown. Marissa walks in and Oliver turns back to normal and leaves. Ryan explains to her what happened and how Oliver got upset when they talked about Marissa. She goes on to say how Oliver has his problems but Ryan seems to be the one who is paranoid. Ryan then says how upset it made him that Marissa spent the ride to Palm Springs telling Oliver everything about Ryan. Marissa says how she was talking about her life which Ryan is a big part of and she doesn't understand what is going on with Ryan.

Ryan Atwood - The Links

Ryan warns Oliver about spending too much time with Marissa.

Jimmy and Sandy are talking about what Jimmy will do with his life. Sandy asks what he really wants to do and Jimmy says basically not what he is and who is he right now. Sandy asks Jimmy what he used to want to be and Jimmy says a pilot. He goes on to say that his favorite job was managing The Lighthouse restaurant the summer he married Julie. They start talking about the history of the restaurant and how fun it would be to have it back. Sandy orders them more drinks. Anna and Seth flirt and talk the entire time Summer is in the room with them. Summer keeps changing the channels, hoping they will stop but they find more and more things to talk about. Summer interrupts them and says how cute their banter is and that they could totally pass for brother and sister ... nicely played Ms. Summer. She leaves them with that thought and Anna goes to bed immediately.

Marissa is still up, waiting for Oliver to get back when Ryan finds her. Marissa is worried since it has been a couple of hours now and Ryan asks what exactly is wrong with Oliver. Marissa says he has been battling depression and has substance abuse issues. Marissa finally gets a call back from Oliver and he tells her that he drove back to Newport and took a bunch of pills. Marissa tries to get him to call an ambulance and Oliver says he will just throw them up to get them out of his system. Oliver asks Marissa to come to Newport because he is scared. Marissa tells Oliver that her and Ryan are on their way. In the car, Marissa is trying to get a hold of Oliver and he won't answer. At Oliver's penthouse, he is dancing around and drinking and popping open a bunch of pill bottles. Marissa is still trying to call and Oliver is tossing the bottle caps around and laying out the pills, obviously creating a scene that makes it look like he is having an overdose. He then gathers all of the pills and hides them, leaving nothing but the presence of empty bottles and bottle caps.

Hailey bursts through Kirsten's door asking what she had said to Caleb. She is so mad that she packs her bags and is heading for the front door. Hailey claims Kirsten sabotaged her relationship with their dad but Kirsten says they don't even really have one. A cab is outside picking her up when Kirsten asks where she will go and with what money. Hailey says she will get by and needs to find her own life as far away from Kirsten and Caleb as possible. Ryan and Marissa are banging on Oliver's door but he won't open the door. Marissa is crying as this reminds her of her own overdose in The Escape. Marissa says how they have to call security and Ryan leaves to go get them. As Ryan is leaving, Oliver opens the door and Ryan comes back when Marissa greets Oliver. Oliver says he showered and got messed up and is okay now. Oliver says that they should go as Ryan is questionably looking at him but Marissa is determined to stay. Ryan and Marissa walk into his penthouse and she asks him what he took. Oliver starts listing them out but he can't say how much he took. Ryan suggests that they go to the ER and Oliver protests this.

Sandy attempts to sneak into their bedroom but Kirsten is still up and watching his every move. He tries to close the door quietly and almost runs into a dresser. Sandy is obviously drunk and Kirsten tells him about how Hailey left since Caleb cut her off. Sandy tells her how he might have gone into business with Jimmy but he isn't sure. Sandy says that he hasn't been having much fun since starting at the firm and how he doesn't want Jimmy to leave. Kirsten says how great it is that Sandy wants to help Jimmy as he drifts off to sleep in Kirsten's arms. Luke drove Anna, Seth, and Summer back to Newport. Luke arrives at the Cohen's first and Anna and Seth get out and go inside. Luke tells Summer how weird it must be for her to see Seth with someone else. Summer says she is over it and is ready for her next "victim." Luke starts hitting on Summer and she quickly stops him and says how there is no way anything would happen between them.

Sandy and Kirsten - The Links

A drunk Sandy falls asleep in Kirsten's arms.

Ryan is looking around Oliver's apartment and finds an empty pill bottle on the floor when Marissa walks in. She tells Ryan she is staying with Oliver so that he doesn't try it again. Ryan sets the empty pill bottle on the counter and Ryan starts to reason with Marissa about how Oliver has to be faking it. Ryan then says what kind of person does this and Marissa is immediately thrown off and offended. Ryan apologizes and she says that she can't leave Oliver alone. Marissa tells him to go home and she will see him the next day. Oliver walks in thanking Ryan, Marissa tells him she will call him, and Ryan hesitatingly walks out of Oliver's penthouse.

Ryan and Marissa - The Links 3

Marissa tells Ryan she is not backing out of watching over Oliver.

Cast[]

Starring[]

Guest Starring[]

Co-Starring[]

Quotes[]

Music[]

Gallery[]

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