'The O.C.'s' Wilde Girl
(Friday, February 04 01:27 PM)
By Kate O'Hare

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) On the Thursday, Feb. 3, episode of FOX's soaper "The O.C.," fans got a hint of things to come, when Newport Beach high-schooler (and former exclusive heterosexual) Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton) got all hand-holdy with her new best pal, bisexual bartender Alex Kelly (Olivia Wilde).

Alex's most recent Orange County squeeze was Marissa's old neighbor and classmate, Seth Cohen (Adam Brody). Also in the Feb. 3 episode, Alex made peace with Seth -- who is still pining for his ex-girlfriend, Summer (Rachel Bilson) -- acknowledging that they were each other's "in-between" person.

Those awaiting the big kiss anticipated since series creator Josh Schwartz revealed the lesbian storyline may not have to wait very much longer (February sweeps, after all, having begun). But they have been waiting, for many episodes, which is unusual for a series known for burning through story with the speed of a Malibu brush fire.

"What's interesting," Wilde says, "is watching people's reactions as all this unfolds. People might have expected 'Girls Gone Wild,' kiss-in-the-hot-tub type of thing, but what's going to be interesting is when people realize that's not what we did.

"I hope they don't want that and expect that, 'Oh, I want some crazy, hot lesbian scene.' It's not like that. It's much more about Marissa discovering these feelings, and Alex tentatively welcoming her into this, and then what happens after is even more interesting."

One has to assume the affair doesn't last, because neither does Alex's storyline on "The O.C.," which ends with the March 17 episode.

"Right," Wilde says. "Who knows who she goes to next, but I'm gone after episode 16."

Over the season-and-a-half of "The O.C.," Marissa has gone through a few boyfriends, including a painfully up-and-down relationship with Chino expatriate Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie). She has also had huge issues with the adults in her life, through her parents' divorce, the subsequent marriage of her mother, Julie (Melinda Clarke), to Seth's grandfather, developer Caleb Nichol (Alan Dale), and the recent departure of her father, Jimmy (Tate Donovan).

Marissa has been a heavy drinker and attempted suicide in Mexico. Overall, she has spent very little time being happy, but some of that time has been during her thus-far platonic adventures with the free-spirited Alex.

"It's true," says Wilde. "So many people have said that to me, that what they really like about Alex is what she brings out in Marissa, and what this situation brings out in her, a hint of happiness and another side to her character. I think that's great.

"We work really well with each other, too, and a lot of people have commented on the chemistry. I was worried, because neither of us is actually bisexual or gay, how do we make the chemistry seem real, not just real enough to make out, but really powerful enough to make people go beyond what they would normally expect or want to watch. That was the challenge.

"I feel like we did that, just because she's a professional, and she knows what she's doing. We agreed on what we were doing there, and we took it really seriously."

Wilde sees the relationship as part of Schwartz's larger plan for the entire cast. "He really was eager to show other sides of his characters. To do that, he had to put them in other situations. You'll see that with every single one of them, from Caleb and Julie to Summer and Seth. This season is about showing a softer side for some and a harder side for others.

"Already we've seen a harder side of Seth, with continuing to defy his parents. And Ryan's become the sensible one, but what's interesting is you'll see later on this season that it's still very delicate. Ryan's created this world for himself, and something could destroy it if he isn't careful."

Asked if the love scenes with Barton pushed her beyond her comfort zone, Wilde says, "No, no. It was definitely something I had never done, it was definitely a challenge, but it wasn't something that ever made me feel uncomfortable. I got pushed, but in a good way, in a direction that made me try something new."

As to the ultimate resolution of the storyline, Wilde says, "I'm really satisfied with the way they handled the whole Marissa/Alex thing. The way it ended, it's very heart wrenching. People will feel emotionally attached to them by the end."