'The O.C.' Thanksgiving Episodes Are The Best

Let's return to a simpler time: one where The O.C. was still on air, the perils — big and small —of the fab foursome still dominated our Tuesday nights, and Thanksgiving was a time to marathon watch all of the above. Since we're so close to the yearly arrival of this beloved, cherished American holiday, it's only appropriate that we begin television preparations now. (As in, what television shows you are going to watch after you prepare food, eat it, and then slowly slip into a quasi-coma.) If my opening sentence, didn't make it clear enough, The O.C. should top the list, specifically the two The O.C. Thanksgiving specials that the series put out back in the glorious, glorious '00s.

While the iconic Thanksgiving episodes from Friends are a solid marathon watching choice, and the How I Met Your Mother slapsgiving saga will always be hilarious/appropriate, nothing has the nostalgic, melodramatic feel of an O.C. marathon moment. Dare I say that the two O.C.Thanksgiving eps are even better than that precious non-holiday, holiday The O.C. has gifted us — Chrismukkah? I think I just did, and I'll say it again. The O.C. Thanksgiving eps are better than Chrismukkah. Here's why you should watch them, and then marathon the whole series come this holiday (naturally).

1. "The Homecoming" (Season 1, Episode 11)

Best quote: "You know what I dream about when I dream of Thanksgiving? I dream about eating food that has so much flavor that, when I eat it, all the blood rushes to my stomach and I pass out at the table. Don't deny me that." —Seth Cohen

There's so much going on in this episode, it's hard to even know where to begin. We have Ryan Atwood venturing back to Chino to visit his incarcerated brother — of course with new GF, Marissa Cooper, by his side. Back in Newport, the Cohens host Thanksgiving dinner, and, 12 years later, I'm still lamenting my non-invite. Kristin's wealthy father brings his young girlfriend, Marissa's mother Julie, to the feast, because family drama. And then we have Seth Cohen trying to make the ultimate decision on who to date: Summer or Anna? (Though, be honest, we always knew that he was going to choose Summer.) There are so many iconic moments in this episode — from Ryan's first season "hard" exterior to some of the most adorable and sweetest Seth and Summer flirting you've ever seen. It's OG O.C. at its finest.

2. "The Cold Turkey" (Season 4, Episode 3)

Best quote: "You wouldn't happen to know how to cook a turkey, would you?" —Julie Cooper

Ah, how far we've come since Season 1. If any episode were to stand as a pillar of change from The O.C.'s early seasons, BMC (Before Marissa Cooper) to The O.C.'s sad and final fourth season, AD (After Death), it would be "The Cold Turkey." There's a plan to imprison Volchok (Marissa Cooper's ex-boyfriend, who just so happens to be the one responsible for her untimely death), Summer coming home from college a changed woman, and family drama galore. But this episode gets heavy too. Summer finally deals with the death of her longtime best friend. Sort of step bros, Ryan and Seth, mend broken fences, and Ryan gets closure on the whole Volchok killing the love of his life thing. This episode just goes to show how much everyone in the series truly transformed, in a matter of just four seasons.

See? Two episodes deeply imbued with both Thanksgiving cheer and The O.C. nostalgia. I really can't think of any reasons not to be grateful for these.

Images: FOX; Giphy (2)