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"The Nana" is the twenty-third episode in the first season of the Fox drama series The O.C.. The episode aired on the thirty-first of March, in 2004.

Synopsis[]

Sandy's overbearing mother, Sophie Cohen, arrives in Newport Beach to celebrate Passover, but she also brings not only her unattainable attitude, but some bad news. Meanwhile, Ryan searches for Marissa who has gone missing after inadvertently learning about her mother and Luke. Ryan finds her somewhere only he would know. Also, Summer tries to impress the Nana by knowing the traditions of Judaism, while Jimmy and Hailey take a step forward with their own newfound romance.

Plot[]

The morning after Marissa found out about her mother and Luke sleeping together, she has disappeared. Luke and Ryan drove around all night looking for her, while Seth stayed home in the pool house by the phone. Seth slept through Marissa's call and she left a message saying that she was alright and not to follow her. Julie walks in wondering what is going on. Ryan tells her that Marissa ran away. When Julie assumes it was the result of something Ryan must have done, Luke says that it was because she found out about the affair. Julie is mortified and kicks out Luke and Seth to speak to Ryan. Ryan says he just wants to get Marissa back home safely. Julie asks Ryan if he really doesn't know where she is to which Ryan says he at least knows she is okay. Julie doesn't know what to do because the last time Marissa took off, she nearly died. Julie says she will call the police and Ryan asks what she will say when they ask why she left. Julie stops and says she will at least talk to the doctors so that she doesn't hurt herself. Ryan tells Julie she should have thought of that before she slept with Marissa's ex-boyfriend. Julie is insistent that she will find her daughter. Ryan plans to find her first.

In the kitchen, Seth and Ryan are surprised to see a lavish breakfast, courtesy of Hailey. She thanks Ryan and Seth for convincing her to come home. She is eager to begin anew and is already looking for work. Sandy comes in throwing away bread items and saying that some changes have to happen before the arrival of his mother. Seth gives Marissa an update on Marissa and she got the same update but doesn't know where she is. Seth says they don't have a lot of time to continue looking for Marissa since the nana is coming to town. Summer says she would love to meet her and Seth says she really wouldn't want to. Seth says how scary his nana is but Summer thinks she could take it. Seth tells Summer his nana is very judgmental and opinionated but Summer thinks he is ashamed of her. Seth reassures her he isn't and is only protecting her. Seth leaves to pick up food for the Seder which Summer asks what that is. Seth then leaves her with the fact that she is not meeting the nana.

Seth and Summer - The Nana

Seth kisses Summer goodbye, saying she is not going to meet his judgmental nana.


Sandy is remaking the bed and changed the sheets, paranoid about his mother's opinion. Jimmy drops by to see Hailey and tells her that he hopes she stays in Newport. Before the two of them can get intimate, Kirsten calls her into the house and Hailey tells him she plans on sticking around. Ryan gets back home after searching once again for Marissa with no luck. Sandy walks in asking who wants to go the airport with him but no one answers. Someone yells hello at the front door, saying it is wide open. Seth says the nana is here. Sandy's mother, Sophie, greets Sandy who apologizes to her but her plane arrived earlier than expected. Sophie moves on to Kirsten and compliments her and she hugs her confused. Sophie asks Seth how he is but Seth returns the question. Sophie moves to Ryan and says how happy she is to meet him and welcomes him to the family. And finally, Sophie greets Hailey and says she likes her best. Sophie points out how wonderful the house, the yard, the view, and how California isn't so terrible. Everyone stands at the door in shock of what they are hearing and how nice Sophie is being.

Sophie Cohen - The Nana

The Cohens and Hailey are all taken aback by Sophie's unexplainable kindness.


In the pool house, Seth tells Ryan that Sophie is acting strange and he is especially confused by how nice she is being to Kirsten. Ryan is still trying to figure out where Marissa could have gone when Seth remarks that it is strange that two people with nothing in common somehow get along. Ryan realizes where Marissa is and drives to Chino. He knocks on Theresa's door and asks her if Marissa is there. Ryan asks if she is okay and is surprised Marissa went there. Ryan tells Theresa that she should have called him but Marissa told her not to. Eddie walks up and is upset Ryan showed up on this day. Theresa tells Ryan it is the day of their engagement party and Ryan is speechless.

Back in Newport, Sophie is catching up with everyone and she is willing to do whatever they want Seder. Sophie asks to see Sandy's restaurant and she leaves to get ready to go. Sandy questions who she even is because she isn't acting like her usual self. Kirsten says she could have changed but they all assume that something is up. Sandy says he plans on finding out but Kirsten asks him not to because she loves this woman. The doorbell rings and Sophie answers to door to find Summer. She introduces herself to Sophie and brings macaroons for Seder when Seth joins them. Summer tells Sophie that she is dating Seth and asks Summer to come to Seder. She tells Summer that she can ask the four questions and seems to have brushed up on Judaism traditions. Sophie is very impressed and tells Seth how lucky he is. Summer tells Seth that the nana is not scary at all and plans to outdo Seth.

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Summer plans on making a good impression on Seth's grandma, Sophie.

In Chino, Ryan asks Theresa when the wedding is and she tells him that she wanted to call and tell Ryan. He says how he didn't think Theresa wanted this but she insists that Eddie really loves her. Ryan asks more questions and Theresa says he has no right to show up this way. They get into an argument of how Ryan is taking the news when Theresa's mom, Eva, greets Ryan saying she knew Ryan would come. Theresa says he didn't come for the party and Marissa chimes in to say he came for her. Marissa asks Ryan why he is there and Marissa says he is wasting his time and that she won't go home with him. Hailey drops by Jimmy's house but Jimmy quickly rejects her attempts at intimacy. He says he was worried about her and she leaves, putting him in his place. Back in Chino, Ryan tries to get Marissa to leave as she is helping set up the engagement party. Marissa says she wants to hide out in Chino for now and plans to get a job and save money. Ryan tells her that his mom is threatening to call the cops to which she says that she can't go back there. Ryan says he won't go back without her.

Ryan and Marissa - The Nana

Ryan finds Marissa in Chino but she is persistent in staying rather then going back to Newport.


At the Cohens, Sandy is confused that Sophie thought the restaurant was nice and insists that Sophie drop the act. As if on cue, Sophie starts criticizing Sandy's life in Newport and begins being mean to Kirsten again. Sophie apologizes and says they won't have to put up with it much longer given that she is dying. Sophie announces that she has been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and has 4–6 months to live. Sophie says she came to say goodbye. In Chino, Eddie confronts Ryan asking why he is still in town. Ryan says he is just there for Marissa and Eddie tells him to leave. One of Eddie's friends shoves Ryan to the ground, telling him to leave as well. Ryan gets a call from Julie and asks where Marissa is. Ryan tells her he won't say where and Julie threatens to call the police and demands he brings Marissa home right away.

Back at the Cohens, Sandy is questioning why Sophie didn't say anything. She wants him to keep the illness a secret from his siblings and Seth. She doesn't want to seek any treatment because the cancer has spread and there doesn't seem to be a way to stop it. Sandy says that she should get the treatment so they have more time with her. She gets really angry at that point, saying that she hates that he left home and that he married Kirsten (whose father is the type of man Sophie hates), and that she doesn't know why she came to California. She storms out in anger.

Sophie Cohen - The Nana 2

Sophie refuses to talk about her cancer diagnosis.


Ryan tries to talk to Marissa, again, about going back home and notices Ryan's arm that happened because of Eddie. Marissa apologizes and says it is all her fault. Ryan reassures her and asks to go home but Marissa tells him they aren't going anywhere. Marissa leaves to talk to Eddie and Ryan gets a phone call from Seth ho pleads with Ryan to come home because things are heating up and nana is scary again. Summer asks if Marissa is okay and Ryan tells them she won't leave. Ryan says how Eddie is threatening to fight him and Julie is threatening to have him arrested. Seth tells Ryan to come home then since there is nothing more he can do but Ryan doesn't want to leave Marissa there.

Seth and Summer - The Nana 2

Seth and Summer try to convince Ryan to come home since Marissa won't leave Chino.


Luke arrives at Julie's to apologize for everything that has happened, but she says that it's her fault, not his. She says she has no choice but to have Marissa committed, to keep her safe. Sandy finds Sophie smoking in the backyard. He talks to her and asks that she seek treatment, if not for herself, then for him and her grandchildren. Seth overhears the conversation and Sophie goes after him. Seth asks Sophie why she didn't tell him and she says she couldn't handle the thought of telling him. Sophie tells him that she wanted to spend this time getting to know him instead of being the dying nana. Seth asks her if she is even interested in seeking treatment and she explains that the disease is too "complicated" for her to do so.

In Chino, Marissa thanks Theresa for letting her stay and asks if it is okay now that Ryan is there. Theresa assures Marissa that she is fully committed to Eddie and that her recent attempt to get back into Ryan's life was a mistake. Theresa tells her that she has nothing to be afraid of. Theresa assures Marissa that she doesn't need to be afraid either. Marissa sees Ryan helping out and Theresa reminds her that Ryan came to Chino for Marissa not Theresa. Eddie is upset to still see Ryan there but Ryan tells him that it isn't by choice. Eddie tells Ryan he thought he came for Theresa and it freaked him out but Marissa talked to him and he realized that wasn't the case. Ryan says he doesn't think that Marissa wants him there either to which Eddie tells Ryan that Marissa came to Chino because it was the one place she knew only he could find her.

Ryan talks to Marissa in the middle of the party asking how she likes Chino. She makes the same statement Ryan made to her in the Premiere and they laugh. Ryan then apologizes to her about the trip to L.A. and for not telling her about her mom. He insists that they have to get back since Julie is threatening to put her away. Marissa says she will have to find herself and goes inside. Ryan follows her and they continue to argue about going back to Newport. Marissa tells Ryan she didn't ask him to come and get her. Marissa tries to leave but Ryan won't let her. She pushes her way for the door but Ryan won't let up. Marissa finally gives in and breaks down in Ryan's embrace. She tells him that she can't go back to Newport and he holds her. Marissa continues crying in his arms when someone knocks at the door, asking to speak to Ryan.

Ryan and Marissa - The Nana 2

Marissa's heartfelt and emotional breakdown in Ryan's embrace.


Ryan leaves to find Luke waiting for him. Ryan tells Luke to leave and that he shouldn't be there. Luke says he is there to talk to Marissa. Ryan and Luke start arguing as Eddie attempts to break them up. Marissa walks out and tells Ryan to get away from Luke. Both Eddie and Ryan step back as Marissa walks up to Luke and slaps him so hard across the face, everyone hears and turns to look. Marissa tells him to leave but Luke tries to explain himself. Marissa demands he leaves and he apologizes and heads out. Marissa looks at Ryan who is shocked at what just happened.

Luke and Marissa - The Nana

Marissa slaps Luke across the face for what he did.


Back in Newport, Kirsten is setting the table when Summer walks in, telling her how hard it is to be Jewish. Summer asks what happened to make the nana scary again when Sophie walks in. Summer leaves but plans to come back for Seder. Kirsten tells Sophie that she has a choice to make - to die or to try to get better, so she can be in the family again. Ryan asks Theresa if Marissa is okay. Theresa says she is but feels sorry for Luke since he will have a handprint on his face for a while. Ryan apologizes to her for showing up and ruining the party. Theresa says it isn't ruined at all and that she would have been mad if Ryan missed it. Theresa apologizes for not inviting him and he says he could be invited to the wedding and she agrees, stating he will bring Marissa. Ryan says he has to leave as Marissa sits down. Theresa and Eddie get up to give them some space. Marissa tells Ryan she doesn't want to go but Ryan explains to her that she didn't do anything wrong. Marissa says she doesn't ever want to see Luke or Julie again. Ryan asks about her dad and Summer and himself. Ryan asks Marissa what he is going to do without her and that he would get over her eventually but it would take a while. Marissa laughs and finally agrees to go back.

Ryan and Marissa - The Nana 4

Ryan doesn't know what he would do without Marissa.

Before the Cohens start Seder, Sophie tells Sandy that she is flying home early tomorrow to her first treatment. Sandy hugs her and thanks her. Sophie tells him she will tell Sandy's siblings. Marissa has returned home with Ryan and they go by Julie's to get some clothes. Julie is thrilled to see her daughter, but Marissa insists she is not staying. She tells her mother not to think about having her committed or she'll tell everyone why she left. Julie tells her to get her things and get out.

Jimmy goes to the Cohen house for dinner and isn't sure how Hailey will react. She is fine with it, however, and says that she thinks he is right, and that they should not be in a relationship. Jimmy then says he was thinking the opposite, and that he wants them to be together. Hailey says it'll be their secret for a while. Ryan and Marissa come over and reunite with Seth and Summer. Ryan tells them how Marissa slapped the hell out of Luke so they probably won't be seeing him for a while. Seth says its because Marissa has been around Ryan too much and both Marissa and Ryan smile at each other. They join the family for their Passover dinner.

Cast[]

Starring[]

Guest Starring[]

Co-Starring[]

Quotes[]

  • Ryan: Yeah, well, I don't think Marissa wants me here either.
  • Eddie: Come on. Of all the places she could've picked to go, she chose Chino. Dude, she picked the one place she knew only you could find her.

Music[]

Trivia[]

  • Summer tries to learn the Cohen family's Jewish ways and words, but in real life Rachel Bilson (who plays Summer) is actually half Jewish on her fathers side.
  • In this episode, Ryan asks Marissa "What do you think of Chino?" and she replies, "I think I could get in more trouble where I'm from." This is a reference to the pilot episode, "Premiere", when Marissa asks Ryan what he thinks of Newport ("I think I could get in less trouble where I'm from").
  • Theresa Diaz's mother Eva is played by Cynthia Avila. In the character's first appearance in "The Homecoming", she was played by Gina Gallego.

Gallery[]

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