The O.C. Episode Recaps: Season 1 Episode 8 "The Rescue"

108 - "THE RESCUE"
Aired 10/29/2003

Ryan and Seth sit in the kitchen in the middle of the night. Sandy and Kirsten are there. Grim. Looks like whatever happened in Mexico did not stay in Mexico. The phone rings.

Jimmy is sitting with his girl in the hospital when the Cohens arrive. Jimmy tells them she just fell asleep, but she's awake and aware. He tells them if Marissa wasn't airlifted out of Mexico, she uh…it wouldn't have been good. Julie enters, and this isn't good either. She's quite upset to see the Cohens there, particularly Ryan.

The Cohens leave and Julie comes out into the hall and asks to speak to Ryan. She says that since he's arrived, Marissa has been a wreck. He's stolen a car, burned down a house and now almost killed Marissa. Ryan says despite his past, he would never hurt Marissa. Julie says he'll never have that chance, because if he goes near her again, she'll have him thrown back in juvy, where he belongs.

Later, Seth, Ryan and Julie are on campus. Seth is confused that Julie is mad at Ryan, and not Luke. Ryan didn't tell her it was Luke's fault. But that will all have to wait because it's time to register Ryan for high school.

At work, Rachel is showing Sandy the way things work at the new law firm. He'll have a whole staff working for him now. Sandy and Ryan are similarly overwhelmed by their posh new environments.

Ryan is nervous about having to take classes where you actually learn stuff for a change. Sandy is nervous that he's sold out. He gets a glimpse at his first case files. Bad skin peel, Botox error, noise complaint on a yacht. Not exactly helping the down and out anymore. Back at school, the dean is less than impressed by Ryan's stellar record. Dr. Kim wonders if the Ryan is adequately prepared for Harbor Prep. Kirsten wonders if she fears the pressure from the parents that don't want him around. Ryan defends himself and asks for a shot. Dr. Kim says if he can pass a placement exam, he could be in. Just tell me where and when, Doc.

Seth and Summer see each other on a patio. They commiserate about Marissa. It's a little awkward. Seth wonders if maybe he and Summer should take in a movie sometime. Some kids walk by, confused by why Summer is talking to Seth and that says it all. They're back in school. Old rules apply.

Jimmy and Julie keep vigil in the hospital. She chides him for calling the Cohens this morning. She blames her for letting Marissa slip off to Tijuana and also for destroying the family with his business problems. Which is why she's asking for sole custody. Jimmy vows to fight her on that point. Unbeknownst to them, Marissa was awake and listening to the whole thing. Her parents leave and Marissa pulls out her cell.

At home, Seth helps Ryan prep for his test. He needs Ryan to pass because he needs him at school with him. Particularly because Seth can't comprehend why cheerleaders walking past their table means the Summer/Seth summer memories are wiped away. The phone rings. It's Marissa calling for Ryan. She wants to see him because she's upset. What about the test? It'll have to wait. He rushes out.

Marissa apologizes and says she didn't want to kill herself. Ryan understands. Then we hear Julie coming down the hall. Ryan gets up and hides in the bathroom. Julie notices the flowers on Marissa's bedstand. He was here, wasn't he? Marissa says it wasn't his fault. Julie goes off to yell at a nurse about the appalling security the hospital features. Ryan comes out and says he'll be back. Marissa isn't so sure that's wise.

Back home, Kirsten wants to see Ryan what he needs for lunch. Seth covers for him. Jimmy drops by to speak with Sandy. He needs help with Julie's lawsuit. At the hospital, Julie is talking about moving to San Diego so Marissa can see a psychiatrist there. Marissa wonders what if she doesn't want to go? Well, that's for Dr. Burk to decide. Marissa excuses herself to the bathroom, secretly snatching her cell on the way.

Seth is lounging in his bedroom when Summer drops by for a visit. She says Marissa called her about Julie's plans. Summer wants Ryan to help save Marissa. At work, Rachel tells Sandy that he should not have scheduled court dates for five of his first six cases. That's not the company works. She begs him to start settling those cases.

Ryan is taking his exam when Summer and Seth barge in looking for his help. Dr. Kim immediately comes in and kicks them out. Ryan goes to follow, but Dr. Kim threatens that if he walks away from the test, he's walking away from the school. He says it probably wouldn't have worked out anyway and takes off.

Marissa is being examined by Dr. Burk. Marissa tells the good doctor that her mom would rather have her shipped off to an institution than deal with these problems at home. Dr. Burk asks to hear what's really going on with Marissa and her mom. Summer, wearing her volunteer candy striper uniform, sneaks Ryan and Seth through the hospital. Dr. Burk meets with Jimmy and Julie and advises some group therapy, either at the institute or here at the hospital each week. Julie thinks institute, Jimmy thinks she should stay in Newport. They each threaten to call their lawyer. Julie excuses herself to go talk to Marissa, but instead intercepts Dr. Burk. Julie tells her that she and Jimmy have discussed it, and the institute is the way to go. She can drive her down tonight.

Julie then tells Marissa that Dr. Burk agrees the institute is the way to go. She also tells her Jimmy agrees. Marissa doesn't make a fuss. Because when Julie leaves Ryan pops out of the bathroom with Summer's nurse uniform. In the hall, Summer and Seth see Julie and Dr. Burk heading toward Marissa's room. Summer runs interference while Seth runs to tip off Ryan and Marissa. Ryan and Marissa open the room door to leave and…Luke is standing there. Seth drops in with the tip off. Luke can't believe they're running away. Is he going to muck it up? "Take the stairs," he heroically advises.

Sandy and Rachel are enjoying drinks at a Mex place when Jimmy and Kirsten drop in. Kirsten is maybe a little miffed to find out "Rachel from work" is so hot. After a few awkward moments, Kirsten and Jimmy take off. When Jimmy gets home to his apartment, the gang is waiting for him. Marissa tells him she checked out. Marissa begs her dad for help. She doesn't want to go to the institute. Jimmy says with Julie suing him, he can't do the slightest thing wrong. Julie calls and Marissa slips out when Jimmy is distracted.

The four walk down the boardwalk trying to come up with a plan. Ryan offers to stay away if this will end all this stuff with her mom, but Marissa says she doesn't want that. If she could just get her mom to listen. Sandy comes home and Kirsten is waiting. Unhappily waiting. Sandy doesn't think she should be upset, especially when he didn't say anything after Kirsten helped paint Jimmy's new apartment. Ryan calls, looking Sandy's advice with Kirsten.

Julie comes over to the Cohens. Sandy and Ryan want to talk to her. Julie wants nothing to do with it. Ryan tells her that what Julie wants and Marissa wants are two different things. Marissa doesn't want to go to San Diego and she doesn't want to live with Julie. Marissa emerges from the hall and says she wants to stay in Newport. Julie says this isn't over and leaves.

That night, Sandy advises Ryan to ask Dr. Kim for another shot. The next day, he passes his test and gains enrollment in the Harbor School.

If you enjoy the content on this site, consider making a contribution! Donating helps keep this site ad-free and pay for the high cost of website hosting. 

Captain Oats says thank you in advance in his horsey speak!