30 Days and Counting

Until the season premier of The O.C., of course, on Thursday, November 2, at 9:00 p.m.:

When the series returns for season four, high school seems like a distant memory to the young graduates, who have been thrust into adulthood after the heartbreaking death of their beloved friend MARISSA (Mischa Barton).

Who heads to college to try to put the past behind them? Who stays in town because they can’t let the past go? Will VOLCHOK (Cam Gigandet) go free after causing the tragic accident that killed Marissa? Or will RYAN (Ben McKenzie) decide that the way to heal is through revenge?

It’s a battle for Ryan’s soul as the Cohens struggle to keep him focused on the future, fighting the forces that threaten to pull him back into his old life. SANDY (Peter Gallagher) returns to the Public Defender’s office, and he and KIRSTEN (Kelly Rowan) find themselves reaching out to another troubled teen, but this one is not a stranger. It’s KAITLIN COOPER (Willa Holland), the number-one troublemaker at The Harbor School, and too much to handle for her mother JULIE (Melinda Clarke), who’s off making some trouble of her own. The person most excited about leaving high school finds himself back there – as a teacher. And new cast member TAYLOR TOWNSEND (Autumn Reeser) finds herself with some unlikely new roommates – and family members.

As much as the arrival of Ryan has changed the lives of this community, so, too, has the loss of Marissa. This season hits the ground running with THE OC’s trademark mix of heart, humor, drama, action and romance. It’s a new day on THE OC . . . .