Ready for some drama? Head for 'The O.C.'

The plot of the show often directly relates to teenagers' lives.
By MOLLY PERKINS
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Wednesday night's homework, done. Wednesday night's chores, done. Now what? Flip through channels until you stumble upon Fox and tune in to "The O.C." California scenery, hot new actors, real-life situations -- a necessary component to add to your must-see list.
After watching for 10 minutes, you will be hooked, guaranteed. Soooo much drama. When main characters Ryan, Seth, Marissa, Summer and Luke travel to Mexico, Luke (Chris Carmack) and Marissa's relationship ends as she watches him with another girl at a club. In response to her sighting, Marissa (Mischa Barton) overdoses on painkillers she finds in Summer's purse.
Her friends immediately notice Marissa's absence and begin the search. The group finally finds her in an alley, and Ryan (Benjamin McKenzie) carries her limp body. During the troubled teen's hospital stay, her scheming, insane mother plans to send her to an institution in San Diego. Ryan stands by Marissa's side through her mother's bickering and assists her in any way he can.
Ryan and Marissa soon gain status as a couple. He helps her through alcohol cravings and dealing with parents in the middle of a divorce. Seth (Adam Brody), on the other hand, faces another obstacle -- his inability to be two places at once. Both Summer (Rachel Bilson) and Anna (Samaire Armstrong), another friend of the group, yearn to be "more than a friend" with the witty, geeky boy. Instead of picking one, he enjoys benefits with both of the girls, creating controversy among the three.
Familiar issues
With the young actors, relationship difficulties and parental troubles, the plot of "The O.C." often directly relates to teenagers' lives. Youths often experience divorces, debt and arguments within their family, one of the reasons why this show proves to be realistic to teenagers.
Besides family affairs, the teens on the show face setbacks amid boyfriend-girlfriend relationships. Ryan handles Marissa's alcoholic tendencies and attempts to prevent her from overdosing again. This complication causes uncertainty in their relationship, but because of his support and care, their relationship survives.
These days, many teens face pressures involving drugs and alcohol. Ryan tries to deplete Marissa's abuse of alcohol and eliminate her "need" to overdose again. He looks past her weaknesses, praises her strengths and attempts to make her a stronger, independent woman.
Companionship
Unstable and confusing, friendships always prove difficult to make and break among teenagers. Luke and Ryan go from pure hatred to companions when Ryan helps Luke through the time when his father came "out of the closet."
Marissa and Summer have their share of quarrels, but they are always there for each other. Fighting over Seth, Summer and Anna fail to click instantly but learn to cope with and view each other as comrades.
Some of the parents fall short when it comes to adult companionship, but they still support each other when they sense that the other needs backing.
As the real-life struggles and relationships unfold, viewers can find themselves addicted to the show.
XMolly Perkins is a junior at Homestead High School in Mequon, Wis.