Kevin Volchok

Kevin Volchok (often simply referred to as Volchok) is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Cam Gigandet.

Development

Background

The name Kevin Volchok was taken from Endeavor's agent of the same name, who represents Adam Brody (Seth).^[1]

Storylines

Season 3

Volchok is Johnny Harper’s top rival for a surfing sponsorship though they used to be close friends. Later, Johnny catches his girlfriend, Casey, cheating on him with Volchok, who justifies it with, “You got my sponsorship, I got your girl. Seems fair to me.” Later, Johnny decides to confront Volchok at the beach, but before a fight can ensue, Ryan Atwood intervenes and ends up punching Volchok in the face.

That punch lands Ryan another enemy for the rest of the season. Volchok persistently tries to pursue a rematch with Ryan including confronting him at the diner, keying “Lil’ Bitch” into the Cohens' car, taking money from Marissa Cooper, and kidnapping her for ransom with a payoff of a fight with Ryan. Ryan ends up at the pier seemingly ready to fight him but breaks a glass bottle and tells Volchok that he had better be prepared to die or kill him.

Volchok is not seen again until after Johnny’s death, which he takes badly. Marissa, empathizing with this change and the need for closure, begins a casual relationship with him. In the meantime, while Ryan pursues a relationship with Sadie Campbell, Johnny’s cousin, it becomes apparent that Volchok previously had a relationship with Sadie that deepens their rivalry. Eventually Volchok and Marissa develop a casual romantic relationship first fueled by Marissa’s growing distance from her friends and Volchok’s desire to anger Ryan.

The relationship evolves into something serious, with Volchok once falling asleep watching The Sound of Music while trying to get to know Marissa better. Then Marissa catches Volchok cheating on her at prom, which ends their relationship. He also steals the post-prom party money, a few thousand dollars, from Taylor, though Ryan retrieves the cash. Ryan shows up at Volchok's place, and a fight finally breaks out between the two. Volchok has the upper hand and is going to finish Ryan off with a cigarette holder. Realizing that he was in the same position with older brother Trey, Ryan appears to learn from that beat down. As Volchok smashes Ryan's face with the weapon, Ryan blocks it and turns Volchok on his back. Ryan repeatedly bashes Volchok in the face with his fist, beating him nearly to death before realizing his previous fight with Trey ended in a similar situation, which prompts Ryan to stop. He takes Volchok to a nearby hospital, and Volchok says he was jumped and doesn’t know who did it. Volchok assures Ryan that "this isn't over." He blackmails Ryan initially to participate in a robbery, along with car theft, to help him escape Newport, and finally to get Marissa to talk to him again when he realizes that she was the best thing to ever happen to him.

Marissa refuses to become involved with him again, and blackmailing Ryan doesn't encourage her to talk to him, let alone get back together with him. Upon her last refusal to speak with him, Volchok decides to follow them. As Ryan drives Marissa to the airport, a drunken Volchok decides to convince them to pull over by ramming his car into theirs, but Ryan does not pull over. Eventually, Volchok pushes them over a ridge, and their car rolls in a ditch. Marissa then dies of her injuries in Ryan's arms.

Season 4

Volchok escapes south to Mexico but Ryan tracks him down to Ensenada with the help of Marissa's mother Julie Cooper, who hired a private investigator to find Volchok. When Ryan (and Seth, who insists on coming along) goes to Mexico, he is unable to find Volchock. Seth locates him through a contact and attempts to coerce him into turning himself in, as Sandy could help him get a deal. Volchok refuses and flees. Ryan extracts Volchok's location from Seth and attempts to track him down, only to find that Seth gave him a false address and contacted Sandy and Kirsten to bring them both home.

Eventually, Volchok contacts Sandy and meets with him at his office. Sandy emphasizes the nature of their relationship as strictly business and says that he can get Volchok a good deal and he could be in prison for less time. Ryan goes to see Sandy at the office, and a woman at the door says that he just missed him and that he was with a client. Ryan sees Sandy drive by with Volchok in his car and is infuriated.

He confronts Sandy, who isn't talking. Eventually, Sandy "gives in" and brings Ryan to the hotel where Volchok is staying. He tells Ryan to go in there and that he trusts him. Ryan rushes in, and Volchok is waiting. Ryan punches him twice and breaks a bottle, ready to kill him, but pauses. Volchok tells Ryan to shank him in the neck with a bottle, that he doesn't care anymore and just wants it to be over. Volchok told Ryan that if he wants to "finish this," he will not fight back. Ryan realizes that he can't kill him, and the two talk. He asks Volchok why he did not even stop or try to help after the accident. Volchok tells him that he was scared and panicked, so he fled. Ryan tells Volchok that he will not do him any favor as an easy way out and that he has to live with his mistakes as punishment. The last words exchanged between the two rivals come when Ryan telling Volchok that "It's over" before walking out of the motel room, allowing the police to arrest Volchok.

References