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"The Ties That Bind" is the twenty-seventh and final episode in the first season of the Fox drama series The O.C.. The episode aired on the fifth of May, in 2004.

Synopsis[]

On the days leading up to Julie and Caleb's big day, things could not be more unbearable or difficult with the new revelations and changes in the lives of the Cooper, Nichol, and Cohen families. Theresa's decision to continue her pregnancy in Chino makes Ryan wonder if he should leave and help support her. At this revelation, everyone handles it differently, Ryan's current girlfriend, Marissa, can't seem to let him go as Seth struggles to deal with Ryan's departure, including Sandy and Kirsten. Marissa reluctantly moves in with Caleb and Julie in their huge new home while Seth makes his own escape for himself.

Plot[]

At the pier, Seth and Ryan are talking about the baby as Theresa takes a pregnancy test in the clinic. Ryan says he doesn't even know if the kid is his while Seth argues they don't even know if there is a kid. Kirsten is on the phone and reminds the caterers to not add cilantro to anything since Caleb hates it and other things to withheld that Caleb hates. Kirsten gets off the phone confirming the wedding rehersal and freaks out that the wedding is actually happening. Kirsten goes on talking about Jimmy punching Caleb and asks Sandy when they will make up. Kirsten asks Sandy to make up with Caleb and starts making out with him so that he would. Ryan, Seth, and Theresa walk in on them and asks if everything is okay. Theresa tells Sandy and Kirsten that she is pregnant.

Theresa - The Strip

Theresa tells Sandy and Kirsten she is pregnant.


At Harbor, Ryan tells Marissa the official news and she asks who the father is. Ryan says that they don't like to do paternity tests until the baby is born. Marissa asks if there is a chance the baby is Ryan's to which he responds saying that when it happened, he and Marissa were broken up. Marissa says that they were broken up for a week and Ryan apologizes saying he wish he could take it back. Ryan sees how upsetting this is for Marissa and offers her a chance to break up with him. Marissa refuses and then says that if he is the father, he will get back together with Theresa. Ryan refuses this as well saying that he wants to help Theresa out but he wants to be with Marissa. Ryan and Marissa walk to class together, holding hands.

Marissa - The Ties That Bind

Ryan tells Marissa he wants to be with her despite Theresa's pregnancy.


Summer and Seth are getting coffee before class and they say how much they are freaking out about their friends. Summer asks what will happen to Ryan and Marissa, saying they are the perfect couple. Seth says he doesn't know what will happen but he wishes there was something he could do. Summer says how they just got past drama and were supposed to have a good summer together. Theresa is working a busy shift when Kirsten comes to visit her. Kirsten tells her that if she wants to talk about it, she can but Theresa is really busy.

At the Newport Group, Caleb is in his office when Sandy comes to visit him to make peace at Kirsten's request. Caleb reveals to Sandy that his intentions were to save the company since they are in great debt due to bad investments. Caleb tells him that Kirsten doesn't know about it and that the DA is watching him. Marissa is packing up some of her things when Jimmy gets home. Jimmy tells her that she doesn't have to move anymore but Marissa says that he would have to move away and she doesn't want that. They joke about Julie when Jimmy asks her to take a break and spend some time with him. Marissa tells him that she has a lot to go through still.

Sandy and Ryan are getting the table set for dinner when he asks Ryan if Theresa's family knows about her pregnancy. Sandy and Kirsten try comforting Ryan in that they will help Ryan through it when Theresa gets back. She asks to speak to Ryan alone in private and she says she has been thinking about getting an abortion. The next morning, Seth asks Ryan to come with him to renew his dock fees for his boat and to take it out. Seth reflects on the last time they went out together and how they are now closer than ever, practically brothers now. Ryan finally gives in and Seth picks the wrong choice of words with how Theresa is ending her pregnancy. Ryan says it is just complicated. Kirsten goes to Theresa to talk and she tells her about her appointment at Planned Parenthood later in the day. Theresa hasn't told Ryan she is doing it soon and hasn't spoken to her mom about it at all. Kirsten offers to go with her.

At Harbor, Marissa checks in on Ryan to see how he is feeling about all of it. Ryan tells her he is feeling a lot of things and that Theresa is going ahead with the abortion soon. Marissa tries to explain that things could at least go back to normal and Ryan seems hopeful with being normal again with Marissa. She says how they should spend the entire summer together just being normal and kisses him. Caleb blindfolds Julie as he shows her the new house he bought for her. It is ginormous and she says how she wants to live there forever. Seth and Ryan are on the dock with Summer Breeze when Ryan asks what happened to Seth's plans of sailing to Tahiti, something he shared with Ryan in Premiere. Seth says that it was because Ryan showed up and that he was his reasoning in staying. Seth talks about plans with Ryan of sailing around the coast with Summer and Marissa, which he thinks sounds great.

Ryan and Marissa - The Ties That Bind

Ryan and Marissa remain hopeful that their relationship can return back to normal.


Kirsten and Theresa are talking about her appointment over lunch. Theresa say she can't believe she is doing it when Kirsten tells her she doesn't have to. Theresa disagrees saying she should because of how young she is and how it makes the most sense. Theresa becomes surprised that this advice is coming from Kirsten whose life is so perfect and put together. Without words, Kirsten is implying that something similar happened to her in what is now happening for Theresa, especially with all the knowledge she has surrounding abortions. Theresa realizes this and apologizes. Kirsten says that she doesn't regret her decision but that she wishes that someone was there for her when she was stuck. Kirsten tells Theresa that whatever she decides, she has people there for her. Later that night, Ryan asks Theresa how she is doing and she tells him that she changed her mind and is going to have the baby. She hugs Ryan and he is not sure what to do.

Kirsten and Sandy are arguing the next day as he asks her what she said to Theresa that convinced her to change her mind. Sandy says how Ryan and Theresa are both kids and won't know how to handle it. Kirsten defends Theresa saying that she is alone and scared and Kirsten decided to listen to her. Ryan walks in on his way to talk to Theresa. Kirsten asks if Sandy has spoken to her dad because she can't get a hold of him. Ryan walks into the pool house to find Theresa packed and ready to leave. She tells him that she is going home and that her mom knows now. Ryan tells her she doesn't have to leave and that they can figure it out together. Theresa asks him to go with her and he doesn't respond so she leaves.

Marissa, Jimmy, and Hailey walk into the new castle with Marissa's stuff as Julie sees them enter. Julie starts going after Jimmy for being there since Caleb will be back soon. Marissa leaves to get more of her stuff as her parents continue to fight. Hailey chimes in and then they all start arguing about psychology. Julie, Jimmy, and Hailey are now all arguing with each other when Marissa comes back inside and yells at them all to stop. Marissa tells her mom that she is getting what she wanted since Marissa is now unwillingly moving in. Julie is confused because she thought it was what Marissa wanted.

Summer is at the dock with Seth and is surprised his boat is named, "Summer", and doesn't quite figure out that Seth named it after her. A guy comes up to Seth asking for the paperwork and tells him that someone would be interested in his boat with $6,000 in cash. Summer asks him what it is for and Seth tells her it's for Ryan. Seth tells Summer not to tell Marissa but Theresa is going to have the baby. That is why he is selling his boat so that he can help out both Ryan and Theresa. At the rehersal dinner, Caleb gives Jimmy the cold shoulder. Summer and Seth congratulate Julie just as Marissa joins them, who also gives her mom the cold shoulder. Marissa asks Seth and Summer if they have seen Ryan since he hasn't called her back. Seth and Summer blame it on his hair, of all things.

Seth and Summer - The Ties That Bind

Seth and Summer attempt to cover for Ryan while Marissa wonders if he is okay.

Sandy finds Caleb and says how he spoke to the DA and that the Newport Group will be done for, including Caleb financially. Sandy says that Caleb should tell Julie or postpone the wedding. Caleb refuses and thanks Sandy for trying. Sandy says how ironic it is now that Julie is marrying someone else who is also broke. Marissa finds Ryan in the pool house and asks where Theresa is. Ryan says how she went back to Chino to have the baby. Marissa realizes that Theresa is doing this all alone. Caleb makes his toast saying how important the wedding is the next day as they are uniting the Cohens, Nichols, and Coopers together as one family.

Rehersal Dinner - The Ties That Bind

The Cohens, Coopers, and Nichols listen to Caleb's speech about uniting the families.

Ryan leaves the table and Marissa goes after him. She asks if he is okay and he says he just needed air, but Marissa can tell something else is up. Seth and Summer soon follow and Ryan asks them to get out of there and go hang out. The Core Four walks by the beach and Seth talks about the time they got beat up by Luke and the water polo team in the Premiere. Marissa asks when that was and Ryan tells her when he first got to Newport after the fashion show. Marissa asks Ryan if he is feeling any better and he responds saying he thinks he should go back to Chino to help Theresa. Ryan says he is leaving and no one responds.

The Core Four - The Ties That Bind

Ryan tells Marissa, Seth, and Summer that he is going back to Chino, most likely for good.

On the day of the wedding, Seth goes back to the dock to see if his boat was sold but the buyer backed out, saying they need a couple of months. Seth stresses that he needs the money right away and freaks out about it. Seth goes to the diner and tells Summer and Marissa his plan to keep Ryan in Newport. Seth says they should all get jobs to cover rent for an apartment in Newport. Marissa says that Theresa wants to stay with her family and Ryan has to go with. Seth thinks that Marissa just wants to let him go but Summer chimes in saying there isn't anything they can do. Marissa then says she wishes there was something she could do to which Seth says that she has done enough. Marissa questions this and Seth says that if she never let Oliver come between her and Ryan, he would have never been with Theresa and this wouldn't have happened. Summer yells at Seth as he continues saying that Marissa just dragged Ryan into her messed up life. Marissa fires back saying that all Seth ever did was use Ryan to meet girls and get out of fights. Summer tries to get them both to stop and Seth storms out.

Seth and Marissa - The Ties That Bind

Seth starts blaming Marissa for Ryan's departure.

Ryan is getting his tux ready when Sandy walks in. Ryan tells Sandy Theresa is picking him up shortly after the wedding. Sandy says that as his guardian he could stop Ryan. He says to Sandy that in what he has learned from Sandy, he has to do whatever is best for your family. Ryan says that Theresa is his family now to which Sandy says they are as well. Sandy argues that they could stay with them and make it work so Ryan doesn't have to leave. Ryan says he can't do that and that when Sandy took him in, he had nothing and doesn't want Theresa's kid to grow up like he did, as he is trying not cry. Sandy refuses to let Ryan go even though he is leaving.

The wedding starts with Julie walking herself down the aisle. Sandy and Kirsten look at each other while Ryan and Marissa do as well. After their vows, Caleb and Julie share their first dance as a married couple, dancing to the song, Maybe I'm Amazed by Jem. Sandy and Kirsten join them followed by Hailey and Jimmy and everyone of the guests join them as well. As Ryan sits by himself, Marissa approaches him. He gets up and asks her to dance. They start dancing together and Kirsten and Sandy watch them. Marissa tells Ryan she understands but wishes he didn't have to go, starting to cry. Ryan says he wishes he didn't have to either. Marissa tells Ryan through tears that she loves him, she hugs him and they continue to dance together throughout the rest of the song as Marissa cries in his arms.

Ryan and Marissa - The Ties That Bind 3

Marissa tells Ryan she loves him before he leaves for Chino.

Summer finds Seth sitting on the grass alone looking at the ocean. She sits with him and tells Seth that he will still be able to see Ryan. Seth is in disbelief his first real friend he has ever had is leaving. Summer tells Seth that he has her now to which Seth says isn't the same. Seth goes on to explain to her that he was nothing and hated where he lived before Ryan showed up. Seth says he doesn't want to know what it's going to be like now that Ryan won't be there. Summer tells Seth that he will get through it. Before she leaves to tell Ryan that Seth will be back, Seth tells Summer that the boat was named after her.

Seth - The Ties That Bind 2

Seth tells Summer that his boat, Summer Breeze, was named after her.

As Ryan is packing up his things, he takes a look around the pool house completely devastated. Kirsten is packing up a lunch for Ryan when he walks into the kitchen. Kirsten gives it to him and pleads once more with him to stay. Ryan responds by thanking her for inviting him into their home. Kirsten starts crying and hugs Ryan tight. Ryan goes to Seth next to say goodbye who also pleads with him to stay. Ryan offers Seth the chance to visit him but Seth doesn't respond. Ryan gives him the map of Tahiti Seth gave him when they first met and is fighting through tears. Seth tosses it aside and they awkwardly say goodbye.

Ryan and Kirsten - The Ties That Bind

Ryan and Kirsten hug each other goodbye.

As Theresa pulls out of the Cohens driveway with Ryan in the passenger seat, Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley plays. Ryan spots Marissa waiting for her ride at the edge of her driveway as they drive by her. It's the same sequence as when Ryan left the first time in Premiere. As they drive away, Ryan turns around to take one last look at Marissa Cooper before her ride comes. As Ryan and Theresa are leaving Newport, Seth is packing his bag in his room and leaves notes for Summer and his parents. Marissa walks into her new room in Julie and Caleb's home. She goes out to her balcony and takes a look at her view. Seth is on the dock now and is unfastening his boat. He hops in and takes out his compass and sails off. Kirsten removes the sheets from Ryan's bed in the pool house and holds them close to her. Kirsten sits down on his bed and starts bawling. Sandy joins her. Marissa takes out a bottle of liquor and chugs it. Kirsten continues to sob in Sandy's arms as Ryan exits Newport and Seth sails off into the sunset.

Sandy and Kirsten - The Ties That Bind 3

Kirsten sobs in Sandy's arms when Ryan leaves Newport.

Cast[]

Starring[]

Guest Starring[]

Co-Starring[]

Quotes[]

  • Marissa: [while dancing] I just want you to know... that I understand why you have to do this.
  • Ryan: Thanks.
  • Marissa: [starting to cry] But.. I wish you didn't have to.
  • Ryan: [hugging Marissa] Me too.
  • Marissa: I love you.

Music[]

Trivia[]

  • When Ryan leaves Newport, he is wearing the same outfit he arrived in one year before. He also watches Marissa at the end of her driveway as he did the first time he left Newport. It's kind of like a flashback or a parallel.
  • In the Pilot episode, Premiere, while saying goodbye, Seth gave Ryan a map of the Pacific Ocean. Symbolically, In The Ties That Bind, while saying goodbye again, Ryan returned Seth his map.
  • Adam Brody, who plays Seth Cohen, doesn't like boats, so when he sails away he is not in the boat at all. It is a 40-year old stunt double in a wig that is actually sailing the boat.

Gallery[]

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