Lindsay Gardner
| Lindsay Gardner | |
|---|---|
| The O.C. character | |
 Shannon Lucio as Lindsay Gardner |
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| First appearance | "The New Kids on the Block" (episode 2.03) |
| Last appearance | "The Rainy Day Women" (episode 2.14) |
| Created by | Josh Schwartz |
| Portrayed by | Shannon Lucio |
| Information | |
| Occupation | High school student (at the Harbor School; departed) |
| Family | Caleb Nichol (father) Renee Wheeler (mother) Kirsten Cohen (paternal half-sister) Hailey Nichol (paternal half-sister) Marissa Cooper (stepsister, via Caleb; deceased) Kaitlin Cooper (stepsister, via Caleb) Seth Cohen (nephew, via Kirsten) Ryan Atwood (adoptive nephew, via Kirsten) Sophie Rose Cohen (niece, via Kirsten) |
| Significant other(s) | Ryan Atwood (ex-boyfriend) |
| Residence | Chicago, Illinois Formerly: Newport Beach, California |
Lindsay Gardner is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Shannon Lucio. Featured only during the first half of season two, Lindsay is the illegitimate daughter of Caleb Nichol by his former secretary, Renee Wheeler. During her time on the series, she went on a date with her nephew, Seth Cohen, and was a girlfriend of her adoptive nephew Ryan Atwood. Both instances, however, Lindsay, Seth and Ryan were unaware of their relation. In "The Rainy Day Women," both Lindsay and her mother departed Newport and moved away to Chicago.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Conception
Creator Josh Schwartz described Lindsay as "a working-class, middle-class girl who comes to Harbor School, who's really smart and may challenge Ryan to use his brain instead of his fists."[1]
[edit] Season 2
As Lindsay is introduced to Newport and viewers of The O.C. in season 2, she is shown as a studious and socially struggling new arrival at Harbor High School. In comparison to most students, she is also shown to be from a less economically advantageous upbringing. Her contrast with fellow students somewhat mirrored the acclamation of Ryan Atwood during the previous season. Over the course of the season, Ryan becomes a love interest for Lindsay. The relationship between the two — at first tense — begins to blossom, only to be derailed by the revelation that Lindsay is potentially the illegitimate daughter of local real estate magnate Caleb Nichol, Ryan's adoptive grandfather. With his finances in upheaval, Caleb has apparently made regular payments to Lindsay's mother, bringing the question of paternity to light. By extension, the news about Lindsay causes Caleb to clash even more with his daughter Kirsten, though Kirsten is compassionate to Lindsay (almost zealously so, at one point).
Disputes within the Nichol family subside to the point that Caleb seriously considers legally adopting Lindsay, and thus making her an heir. The discussion is much to the chagrin of Caleb's current wife, Julie, who begins to fear for her own potential as an heir to Caleb's supposed fortune. Julie stalls the adoption proceedings with the suggestion of a DNA test to prove Caleb's paternity.
Caleb eventually caved into the insistence of Julie into demanding a paternity test. Lindsay was devastated by this, particularly as it was at the very same party Caleb was about to announce his adoption of Lindsay to the Newport community. The test went ahead, and proved conclusively that Lindsay was Caleb's daughter. However, despite this, Lindsay and her mother moved to Chicago, leaving both Ryan and Caleb behind. It's unknown why Lindsay didn't turn up for Caleb's funeral.
It is not known if Lindsay ever met her other half-sister Hailey or her stepsister Kaitlin, since none of the three characters ever appeared in an episode together.
[edit] References
- ^ Barker, Lynn (2004-10-25). ""O.C." creator Josh Schwartz: California Dreamin'". TeenHollywood.com. p. 7. http://www.teenhollywood.com/d.asp?r=82329&cat=1035&p=7. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
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