The OC: The Heavy Lifting (episode 15)

I really have slipped behind on my recaps of the OC since the show has been so boring this year and I can find other things to occupy my time, like sleeping and reading books. However, I promised my friend Dara I would recap while she's backpacking around the world. Recapping a show that peaked during season 1 is the least I can do while she's drinking green tea with monks in Tibet.

The show opens with the crew packed at the hospital. I guess Johnny didn't die after all...oh wait, the doctors come in and tell everyone the news: "he's dead of head injuries." They all take it hard, especially Marissa.

Ryan blames himself for Johnny's death, and Marissa does nothing to comfort Ryan. So when Johnny's cousin Sadie comes to town to pack up Johnny's belongings and help J's mom, Ryan goes to her aid. (Needy chick=Ryan's "I'd love to help!" alert). It doesn't hurt that she's his age and low maintenance. Not to mention hizz-ot. (did I say that?)

Buck up folks, it's almost Valentine's day! Seth buys Summer some sexy lingerie from (product placement alert!) Victoria's Secret. Apparently, so does Sandy. How much do you wannabet their presents get mixed up and hijinks ensue? Well, they do and so do the hjinks. Summer gets mad again, and a fight happens, due to the pot smoking of last episode and the "you don't lie to me, Cohen!" action. But all is forgiven when Seth draws Summer a card with him as Pinnochio. Inside it says "I cannot tell a lie...I love you!" The icing on the cake is the napkin he gives Summer with all of his sins written on them. Summer can deliver it to the 'rents again if he gets out of line. I for one hope those sins are all made up so it proves Seth is devious after all.

Kaitlin is upset over the death of Johnny, so when her prep school boyfriend comes to take her back to school, she says no. This is the same guy that weeks ago wanted to slap her around over 1500 bucks. Bipolar much?

Johnny has a semi-funeral with all of his surfer dude friends. Even Volchok (his arch-nemesis) is there, looking very sad.

Sandy encourages Matt to date Maya, a sexy friend of his from college whose father is a hospital official. Matt wants him to sweet talk her so she'll put in a good word about their bulding his hospital. It's bizarre having Sandy be in favor of this since he's usually Mr. Moral High Ground.

Ryan gives Marissa a pendant and tries to get her to go out, it's Valentine's day! But she shoots him down, and basically tears him a new one, saying that "he's glad Johnny's dead" which Ryan really doesn't care for. Marissa puts the pendant near another, much cheaper one Johnny gave her and continues to mope.

There's another event with NewMatch. They have tons of events, but I wonder if they ever make any money or actually match anyone up. Julie is upset that Doctor Neil hasn't called her or written. But they do become each other's valentines by the end of the episode. Good, because we're approaching the end of the season and it wouldn't be a cliffhanger if Julie wasn't getting married again.

Marissa goes to see Chili, and they have a heart to heart about Johnny. Chili is going back to his real name, since Johnny never liked Chili as a name in the first place. He lost all his friends anyway, he may as well make a fresh start.

Kaitlin packs up and goes back to school. Julie apologizes for her behavior the whole time of the visit. "Was it everything you hoped it would be?" Not really, but at least she got to kill a guy before she left. Marissa gets another talking-to from Kaitlin. "Decide what you felt for Johnny." Her ex-boyfriend comes back, and Kaitlin goes back to boarding school. On the drive back, she says wistfully, "I'm going to miss this place." I'm sure she's really going to miss all the drinking, pot smoking, and making out with her sister's non-boyfriend.

Montage of Johnny sadness with valentine's day fun: Seth and Summer, Kirsten and Sandy, and lonely Marissa. Marissa cries and fondles her Johnny bracelet. Did she love him? Like him? like the games she played with him? We'll never know for sure.

Meanwhile, Sadie and Ryan get closer. They are hanging out and doing cute things until Volchok shows up. Ex-boyfriend maybe? Ryan manages to butt in and throw him out. Wow, Ryan sure knows how to pick the damsels in distress, doesn't he?