The O.C.

Josh Schwartz, creator of ''The O.C.,'' has some changes in store for the second season of his punch-drunk teen/adult screwball comedy/soap: ''In the first season we wanted to make an impact,'' he says, ''a lotta melodrama, and that was fun. But now we want to explore these characters' inner lives in a way we didn't get a chance to. We'll call this year ''My So-Called O.C.'' -- a kinder, gentler 'O.C.'''

We think Josh is joshing us a little. Just consider what he's going to accomplish in the season premiere alone, according to Benjamin McKenzie: When we last left McKenzie's monosyllabic muscle-shirted Ryan, he'd headed back to Chino to do the right thing by Theresa, the homegirl carrying his baby. Meanwhile, his buddy Seth (wittily voluble Adam Brody) literally sailed off into the sunset. ''Man, when I got the script I said, 'Are they settin' me up for some ''Gilligan's O.C.'' thing?''' says Brody. ''But then Josh talked me through it and I think you'll see it as'' -- he pauses, assumes a mock-serious tone -- ''part of my growth process.''

So what's next? (Skip to the next paragraph if you want to avoid some spoilers.) The six months that will have elapsed in real time will be about three months for the show. And says McKenzie, ''Ryan has gotten a job in construction, he's trapped in this almost businesslike relationship for the sake of the child; Seth is in Portland, refusing to come back. Sandy [Peter Gallagher as Seth's dad] convinces Ryan to come and try and get Seth back.'' Wow. What else you got, Ben? ''While Ryan's in Portland, Theresa phones and tells him that she's lost the baby. She says this is a sign that he should go back to where he was free -- that is, the O.C.''

McKenzie agrees with critics who've said his character has been a bit too broody, too guarded...and too hung up on Mischa Barton's wifty, woozy Marissa. ''We were accused, with some degree of truthfulness, of creating a character who was a bit too melancholic,'' he says. ''So we're opening him up. 'Ryan Speaks!' is the headline for my character for the second season.'' He laughs. ''I can handle dialogue!'' He'll also handle a new love interest. ''There was always a question in my mind: Why is Ryan interested in Marissa? What do they talk about? We're looking for a less melodramatic relationship and a more three-dimensional one.''

In addition to Ryan's new squeeze, Schwartz says there'll be new hotties all around -- including one for Marissa, one for Seth, and one for Summer (Rachel Bilson) -- though he won't offer any information about who these fresh O.C.-ers are. For adult ''O.C.'' fans -- we know you're reading this -- rest assured Sandy and Kirsten (Kelly Rowan) remain prominent. Seth's boat trip puts a strain on their marriage, and Sandy will start lawyering again. Tate Donovan has been rumored to be on his way out of the show; the tight-lipped Schwartz won't comment on such speculation, but a Fox spokesman says Donovan will remain in the O.C. at least through early next year. What Schwartz WILL say of Donovan's Jimmy: ''He's living on his boat now. He's making some money -- Jimmy's the one guy coming back into the season who's better off!''

-- Ken Tucker

You Might Also Like

• TV Review The O.C. | Gillian Flynn
• Review The O.C. | Gillian Flynn
• TV Review The O.C. | Gillian Flynn
• TV Review The O.C. | Carina Chocano
• 5 Reasons to Live Catching up with ''The O.C.'' | Ken Tucker
• The Q&A The ''O.C.'' creator answers EW.com readers' questions