The OC's Bold Twist: Marissa Cooper's Shocking Exit Revolutionizes the Show!
The OC's controversial decision to kill off Marissa was a misstep that damaged the show However, Season 4 managed to salvage the series, showcasing how the show improved after her departure
Summary
Killing off Marissa in The O.C. was a mistake, according to the show's creators. It was a forced decision that ultimately angered fans.
The show's decline began in its third season due to its darker storylines, with Marissa's death being just one aspect of its struggle. However, despite the negative fan reaction, The O.C. successfully rejuvenated itself in its fourth season by reintroducing humor and charm, ultimately providing viewers with a gratifying conclusion.
The O.C. made a regrettable choice by killing off Marissa Cooper, but her departure ended up benefiting the show. Created by Josh Schwartz, The O.C. became a significant cultural phenomenon in the early 2000s. Spanning four seasons, the show followed troubled teenager Ryan Atwood as he embarked on a new life with the affluent Cohen family. Despite its initial success, The O.C. encountered difficulties during its third season, which ultimately led to the unexpected demise of one of its main characters.
Marissa, the girl-next-door and Ryan's love interest, met her tragic end in the final moments of The O.C. season 3's finale. When series antagonist Kevin Volchok deliberately ran Ryan's car off the road, Ryan miraculously survived the crash, but Marissa succumbed to her injuries in his arms. This powerful scene, accompanied by a haunting rendition of "Hallelujah" and an emotionally charged flashback to the moment Ryan and Marissa first laid eyes on each other, remains one of the most memorable moments in The O.C. history. Although the show's producers, Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, described her death as a "mistake," ultimately, their decision helped rectify the issues plaguing The O.C.
The O.C. Creators Are Right: Killing Mischa Barton's Marissa Was A Mistake
The decision to kill off Marissa, one of the show's main characters, in the season 3 finale of The O.C. was made with the intention of giving the show a fresh and exciting twist for season 4. However, a decade later, creator Schwartz and Savage have acknowledged that this decision was a mistake, influenced by pressure from higher authorities to make a bold move. The finality of Marissa's death and the overwhelmingly negative reaction from fans support their assessment.
Marissa's death was unexpected and sudden. The character was originally planned to leave Orange County with her father for a year in Greece, which could have provided a satisfactory exit for Barton's character while leaving the possibility for her return in the future. The choice to kill her off in a brutal and surprising way felt like a disservice to the audience, and Schwartz himself has admitted that this storyline did not treat The O.C.'s viewers with the respect they deserved. Nonetheless, her death did ultimately contribute to the show's overall impact.
The O.C. Was Going Downhill In Season 3
The problems of The O.C. actually began before Marissa's death, during season 3. Despite the beloved characters and their complex family dynamics that were established in the first two seasons, the show started to deviate from its charming beginnings. The drama intensified, with Marissa's storyline even being described as "chaotic" by Barton herself. This shift in tone resulted in a loss of the sweet essence that originally made the show successful.
After the season 2 finale, where Trey was shot, The O.C. delved into darker storylines. While it was applauded for tackling more mature teenage issues such as substance abuse, it didn't necessarily have the desired outcome. Season 3 introduced the divisive character Johnny, a surfer who had romantic feelings for Marissa, which in turn caused turmoil in her relationship with Ryan. The inclusion of Johnny's death, which was deemed as one of the most absurd storylines in the series, ultimately set the stage for Marissa's own tragic demise. Even the strong couple of Sandy and Kirsten Cohen faced their share of problems. Not a single character emerged unscathed, resulting in season 3 being the worst reviewed season of The O.C. on Rotten Tomatoes.
The O.C. Season 4 Fixed The Show After Marissa's Death
Marissa's death was a devastating blow to fans, but The O.C. season 4 managed to surpass season 3. Despite some outlandish storylines, such as Ryan's attempt to become a cage fighter while dealing with his grief, the season brought back the humor and charm that was lacking in the previous season. A prime example of this is Summer's time at Brown, which solidified her as one of the greatest female protagonists in any teen drama. Even Taylor Townsend, originally portrayed as an annoying Queen Bee stereotype in season 3, underwent growth and became a more likable character.
Unfortunately, The O.C. experienced a decline in viewership with each passing season. Season 4 garnered only 3.96 million viewers, a significant drop from the impressive 9.48 million viewers of season 1. Ultimately, these low numbers led to the show's cancellation. However, for dedicated fans who remained loyal throughout the series, season 4 provided a satisfying conclusion, including the much-desired happy ending for Seth and Summer.
