Why Summer Roberts from "The O. C." is my sister in spirit

The O.C. was my favourite tv show growing up. I totally obsessed over it and my favourite character has always been Summer Roberts. I'm re-watching it right now and I still love Summer most, though in a different way. As a teenager I just thought that she's cool, I adored her, I looked up to her. Today I connect with her on a deeper lever, like a kindred (though fake because fictional) spirit or sister in spirit. I know, Summer's a bit over the top most of the time, but she is still a character to be inspired by and here's why:

She let's noone treat her like shit

What I love most about Summer is that she always stands up for herself. When she is mistreated, she gets angry as hell and makes sure the person who hurt her knows her anger. Summer's not someone you want to have around when she's angry at you. Which is actually the way it should be. So many people silently brood whenever they are unhappy with other people's behavious. Consequently they stay unhappy and the other person stays unaware of how much they hurt them and will therefore never change. I think Summer's way is much better: yell, cry, curse, protest, do whatever you need to do to express your anger and make sure the person who wronged you feels it.

She knows her worth

Yep, I guess you can say that Summer is quite arrogant. But she isn't arrongant about things she's not. She knows that she's a worthy person and all she asks for is to be treated accordingly. Which is truly the absolute minimum that we should all ask for.

She is always there for her friends

Despite her arrogance, Summer is never self-centered in a way which keeps her from being their for her friends (unlinke other characters on The O.C. like Seth Cohan). Whenever a friend needs her, she puts everything aside to be there for her. She goes through all the crap her best friend Marissa fabricates (which is A LOT of crap) but she stands at her side no matter what. She knows when something is wrong and she accepts her friends (especially Marissa) in whatever state they might currently be in.

She knows when something is more important than being right

Summer and Seth's relationship was one of my favourite things about the show when I watched it for the first time. I still think it's cute but I can also see now how fragile and at times unhealthy it is. They got through problem after problem and to be honest most of the drama involved is Seth's fault. From cheating over ignoring her to leaving her with nothing but a note and lying to her about major stuff - he does it all. And of course Summer makes all hell break lose every single time but in the end they always come back together. Everyone would understand if she couldn't forgive him but she does nevertheless because she knows that their love is more important than what ever catastrophe they went through even if she was right. This is real strength.

She always tries to improve herself

In the beginning Summer is portrayed as this this dumb, superficial party girl but she develops so much throughout the series. You can see it in the little things like her constantly listening to spirituality and self-help tapes. Or you can just think about how she studied all the Jewish rituals for Seth's grandma's visit (and even learned them by heart because Seth forgot to tell her that she can use the book) or dug deep into world politics to keep up with Zack's family. The biggest development is of course Summer becoming an earth- and animal-right protester in season 4. She might seem dumb on the first glance, but Summer's always willing (and suceeding) to improve herself.

She does everything with passion

This is actually one of the most important character traits for me: passion. It doesn't matter so much what you do, as long as you do it wholeheartedly as if your life depends on it. And Summer Roberts is an extremly passionate person. It doesn't matter if it's catching up on the latest celebrity news, freeing rabbits from a lab, helping her friends or planning a revenge: Summer Roberts does it all with passion.

She's an uplifting person

This might sound like a simple reason but how many people are out there (real and fictional) who are just downers, who are constantly loading their doubts and problems on you? The O.C. itself is full of these people (see: Marissa), so that it's a pure delight to watch someone like Summer who actually lifts you up. There should be more people like this, both in tv shows and in real life.

The 10 Best and Worst Couples of TV Histroy

I love TV shows! But who doesn't? What I love most about TV series is that in contrary to a movie they have the oppurtunity to invest a lot of time and energy into developping interesting characters who engage in believable and inspiring relationships with each other. A movie is a great way to tell a story. But if you want to learn something about human behaviour over time, go watch a show.

So yes, I am also totally a sucker of good matching TV couples. And with good matching I don't mean that they are equally hot (which is a bonus) but that they make sense, that they proove that real love is possible and that they grow with and through each other.

So here are my 7 favorite and 3 least favorite TV couples!

The 7 Best:

1. Anya and Xander - Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Okay, I have to admit that I'm a bit biased with this one. First, Buffy is my all time favorite show. Second, Anya Jenkins is my abolute favorite character.

But even apart from that, I think that Anya and Xander are a great couple. In Buffy long-lasting relationships are extremely rare but they somehow make it work. They date for almost 3 years and they do love each other unconditionally. I love how the show keeps their relationship in the background for most times, just potraying it as a constant in the ever changing world and now and then they throw in a heart breaking scene which makes you want to believe in true love.

Anya is absolutely adorable and Xander is the only one who can see it. I love how they build a team which noone else is allowed to enter.

2. Marshall and Lily - How I met your Mother

This one shouldn't come as a surprise. I mean come one, they're basically the perfect couple! To be honest I was always someone who thought that you should get some experience first before you settle down but those two have only been intimate with each other and they're absolutely happy. They taught me that when it's the one then all the rules and games are pointless because you just want to spend your life with that person.

Ted once says, that they're great pickers because they picked each other. And he's right. They are scarily similar but not so much that they start to hate each other. They're incredibly cute and most importantly they are forever.

3. Monica and Chandler - Friends

It's funny how I only started to like these two characters, when they started dating because man, they work well together! Noone would have expected it but Monica becomes a little more relaxed and less neurotic because Chandler is basically the perfect partner, endlessly passionate and always supporting her no matter what (it's really funny, because before he got together with Monica I thought he was this stupid macho guy). And Chandler starts to let go of his insecurities and becomes stronger because Monica always pushes him to be a better version of himself.

Kudos to the friends writing team for making these two work!

4. Summer and Seth - O.C., California

O.C. was basically my youth and to be in a relationship like Summer and Seth one day was what I've aspired to. That they made each other better is no question. Summer developped from a selfish and superficial girl to a politically active and sensitive woman. Seth was once a shy nerd and then became someone who goes after what he wants.

I love how they keep fighting for each other and never give up because this is the true secret to lifelong love.

5. Howard and Bernadette - Big Bang Theory

This is another case where I only started liking a character because he started dating someone. I couldn't have cared less for Howard (this weird pervert) before Bernadette came along. Who would have thought that he makes such a cute and caring boyfriend? And Bernadette is simply adorable. She's so tiny and cute and at the same time she will always stand up for herself and speak her mind. I love that!

6. Turk and Carla - Scrubs

They are absolutely perfect for each other. I was always a fan of relationships which are steady throughout the complete series and Turk and Carla are such an example. They are proof that sometimes it might actually work out. Sometimes, if it's meant to be, it's easy. It's really nice to see a well functioning relationship once in a while. This is how life is supposed to be.

7. Elena and Damon - The Vampire Diaries

Okay if I played the "Which one doesn't fit" game with this list, Elena and Damon would be it. They are not exactly what you call a healthy couple and they don't really make each other better. In contrary. Through Damon Elena becomes a lot darker and meaner. And to be honest, I love it! I'm a complete fan of the new Elena because this Elena is interesting and she's a person who actually fits to Damon pretty well.

I mean, come on, if you want to watch a show about good people, Vampire Diaries is the last show you should watch. Basically every character of this show is devious. But that's the fun of it. Noones perfect and yes, Elena and Damon are in fact equally hot.

The 3 Worst:

1. Ross and Rachel - Friends

Yes, unlike every other person I've ever met, I hate Ross and Rachel. I don't hate them individually (though I'm not a big fan of Ross, I really like Rachel) but I deeply believe that they are an aweful couple.

I mean come on, all the times they broke up, they lied to each other, they hurt each other and -the worst- all the times they gave up on each other. Honestly, if they can't make it work in 10 years, they will never make it work. Even love is not that blind.

2. Ted and Robin - How I met your Mother

The only thing that comes close to the uncompatibility of Ross and Rachel are Ted and Robin. I do love both of these characters. I love Ted's dedication to romance and his soft side. I love Robin's unstoppable ambitiousness and how strong she is. But they are the absolute worst match in the universe. How can a person who would do everything for love be with someone who's not even willing to make the smallest compromises for her partner? They can't.

3. Barney and Robin - How I met your Mother

This is a funny one. From the very beginning of the show, I rooted for them because I thought they would make a perfect couple. They're basically the same person! I always thought that they would be awesome together like best friends, them against the world.

But then they started dating and it was aweful. Turns out they're too similar, too selfish, too playing, too awesome that all their energy combined blew up right in their faces.

Hmm, I'm starting to think that Robin and anyone else might always be a bad couple. It's just too hard to find a person strong enough to hold a wild bird like Robin. I love Robin but realistically the love stuff would just not be for her.

What are the best and worst couple in TV history in your eyes? Leave a comment.