You know something is up when the creators of a TV program bring back a beloved character who has long since left the show. Either it’s sweeps month, and they’re just doing it as a stunt to boost ratings (witness Noah Wyle’s return to E.R. last month)…or they think the overall health of their show is in trouble. Since March ain’t sweeps month, we can only assume that the return of Samaire Armstrong to “The O.C.” is the writers’ equivalent of a desperate cry for help.
Last seen leaving perfect soul mate Seth (Adam Brody) because, well, Seth is only funny when he’s unhappy, and an unfunny Seth is just annoying, Armstrong’s character Anna moved back to whatever non-O.C. slum from whence she came, and hadn’t been heard from since 2004…until now. Presumably, things are going much too smoothly between Seth and Summer, and Anna needs to throw the balance back out of whack. I say presumably, incidentally, because I stopped watching this show after its second season.
And here’s the thing: Samaire’s adorable, and good for her for being a good sport and showing up where she’s needed…but this quick band-aid isn’t enough to fix the show — or to make me start watching again.
Let’s review some of the writers’ prior infractions, shall we? To date, they have:
1. Turned one of the most likable, stable, level-headed characters on the show (Hot Mom Kirsten) into a raging lush for no apparent reason
2. Killed off one of the other most likable (well, love-to-hatable) characters, Kirsten’s father Caleb
3. Turned public defender and stand-up-guy Sandy into a sneak who lies to his wife about seeing his ex-girlfriend and sells out to go work for “the man”
4. Continued to employ Mischa Barton despite zero evidence of acting ability; and
5. Replaced Marissa’s younger sister Caitlin after a two-year absence at “boarding school” with an actress easily five years older than the original Caitlin.
Not quite sure what the return of Anna Stern will do to address any of the above…but, hey, admitting you have a problem is the first step towards solving it, right?
