Ten ways to fix the OC

Lately I've been disappointed with the OC. It just hasn't held the same magic for me as I watch Marissa yammer on and on about her problems, Ryan brooding and punching people out, Summer, Seth and their goofy hijinks which are resolved at the end of every episode. Then I thought, "Well, I am three years older, maybe I'm just too mature for the show...nah. I still love watching 90210 and Melrose Place repeats. Then I got the first season of the OC on DVD for Christmas, and the magic still held! But to keep my love, the creators should watch the first season again and use it to get the show back on track:

1) Keep Julie Cooper rich: Julie's at her best conniving and using her money to her advantage. When she was the snooty member of the Newport society keeping the dregs of society from her daughter (Ryan) we knew it was because she wanted to get away from her trailer park roots. Since she's lost her money twice in three years, she does seem more human, but not as bitchy. I'd rather see her a rich, bored trophy wife than starting her own business (again!)

2) Keep the revolving door of characters at a minimum: Starting with Oliver, the creators of the OC seem to put forgettable characters on the show just to advance the plots of the "A" characters. One of the latest was Dean Hess. He was a one-note villain who was a vehicle to separate Ryan and Marissa, then--poof! Magically gone! Some new characters have little or no long-term effects on the old ones that you wonder why they even came on the show: Rebecca, Lindsay, Zach, and Charlotte are prime examples. So...

3) ...If the door revolves, keep them inside: Luke started out as a roadblock between Ryan and Marissa's relationship. But he eventually became friends with Ryan and Seth (the Rooney concert in season one was one of the best examples of this). Same with Anna who was Seth's short-term love interest. Everyone liked her and she was different than Marissa and Summer. A good way to incorporate a character would be Alex, who dated Seth, Ryan (one date) and Marissa. They could have just had her stay friends with all of them and continue as bartendress at the Bait Shop. Then she could've been a combination of Sam Malone from Cheers and Valerie Malone on 90210...the social confidante, and would tell them about the hottest indie bands at the Bait Shop. Hey, their names ar both Malone. That's awesome.

4) Make Ryan a fish out of water again: The first season was about how life in the OC was a different type of jungle for Ryan. He was trying to navigate through this world with Seth as his tour guide who didn't fit in either, leading to all sorts of entertaining jams. Somehow, in three short years Ryan's gone from wifebeaters, smoking, and anger issues to range rovers, cell phones, and polo shirts. Even the Fresh Prince of Bel Air was more realistic than this.

5) Consistency in the adult's lives: Not total consistency, but you know. Keeping Kirsten as head of the Newport Group would have been a good idea, and keeping Sandy as a public defender for a few years could've been mined for stories with court trials and helping the helpless. So far, Kirsten has been a housing developer, CFO of the Newport Group, newspaper publisher and now she's going to run a dating service. Sandy has been a public defender, partner in a Newport Group law firm, part owner of the Lighthouse restaurant, owner of his own law firm, and now he's running the Newport Group. Julie went from Newport housewife to CEO to newspaper editor, and now she's working with Kirsten. Now 90210's Jim Walsh: once an accountant, always an accountant.

6) Back to school: This year, Harbor's only been a backdrop for their drama, and not THE drama. It was nice that this season's Taylor Townsend actually forced them to show up to a school function once in a while. Seth is apparently good at school, but it must be all osmosis since he never cracks a book unless its to further the plot. How do the kids study in the OC? They should meet some study partners, do some fundraising, go on some field trips...throw me a frickin' bone!

7) Don't introduce any more family members: After Marissa's little sis Caitlin is re-introduced, no more! They've worked maybe 40% of the time. Seth's nana? Yes. Summer's dad? no. Ryan's mom? Yes. Ryan's brother Trey? no. Kirsten's sis Hailey? hell no. Last time I checked, 40% is a failing grade.

8) Don't allow Jimmy to come back: we've gone to the well too many times for that one. Though I like watching Jimmy getting beat down.

9) Let their be parties! Since Ryan punched Luke out, kids have been partying like bitches in the OC. More parties mean more drama. Last year, Trey was almost sent back to jail for the girl OD'ing in the pool! My heart almost stopped when I saw how the debauchery could've ruined all their young lives. That kind of danger is something I'm looking for every week.

10) Replace the cast with robots.