It's that time of the year when the winter weather cannot decide what it wants to do. Snow? Rain? Sun? Sleet? It can all happen at once leaving you inside your apartment or dorm waiting out the weather.
These are the days that my roommates and I love. Why you ask?
Two words: The OC, the complete first season on DVD, of course.
We became the happiest girls in Happy Valley the day my one roommate received this seven-disc set for Hanukkah.
Sure, we're avid watchers of the show, but in the beginning we missed a few key episodes and this DVD set will bring any fan of The OC up to date on all things Orange County.
Not a dreary Saturday afternoon goes by where we do not watch at least one episode. Maybe we'll watch Ryan (Benjamin McKenzie) and Marissa's (Mischa Barton) first kiss at the kick-off carnival or we'll watch our favorite TV dad, Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher) save the day...again.
Buyers beware: This DVD set can be quite addicting. My roommates and I managed to fly through all 27 episodes within four days. Mind you, each episode is a little under an hour long.
The best part of season one, for those who missed it, is that you are brought up to speed on the second season that is currently running on FOX every Thursday at 8 p.m.
Episode one starts off the viewers with the pilot episode and how Ryan came to live with Seth and his parents and takes you through the whirlwind of emotions that is high school.
Granted this is high school like you've never experienced it before.
Sex, drugs & rock n' roll does not often describe high school, but somehow in Orange County, they don't blink an eye at these things.
Some things do seem highly farfetched, like the "gang" heading down to Tijuana (TJ as they refer to it) for a few days. This is where Marissa OD'd when she caught her boyfriend cheating on her.
My parents got nervous if my friends and I went down to Oakland in Pittsburgh when I was 16.
So things are a little more unbelievable out in Cali, but for the 42 minutes you're watching you are definitely living life Newport-style.
While watching the DVD you won't be able to pick up any cool new slang like you'll find in the real OC like when Laguna Beach's Kristin started the phrases "Dunzo!" and "Ste-phen!" However, you will gain one thing, some amazing music.
Ok, so the words amazing music and Marissa Cooper don't go hand-in-hand but that's ok. It took me and the roomies a few times to watch some episodes to drown out the actors to really focus on the music, but we managed.
With certain scenes music is everything, and the people over at FOX really know what they're doing.
My favorite would have to be the New Year's Eve episode where Ryan runs up the stairs of the hotel just in time to kiss Marissa at the stroke of midnight.
Never mind how cute that is, but in the background the most amazing song is playing, "Dice" by Finley Quaye and William Orbit.
Also, an amazing cover of "If You Leave" performed by Nada Surf is featured in the season. Both of these songs can be found on The OC Mix 1 and 2.
This DVD set is essential for any rainy day or any fan of Summer (Rachel Bilson) and Seth's (Adam Brody) on-again, off-again relationship, and for anyone who wants to see how Marissa's drinking came about.
