Oliver Trask is a fictional character on the FOX television series The O.C., portrayed by Taylor Handley. Oliver appeared in the series' first season as a thorn in Ryan Atwood and Marissa Cooper's relationship, soon developing a severe obsession with the latter. After holding Marissa captive at gunpoint in his penthouse, Oliver was arrested and sent to a rehabilitation clinic. Character development Concept and creation Oliver was created by Josh Schwartz, whose concept for the character was "based on a guy...a friend of mine dated who faked having cancer to [hang on to her]." Schwartz said of the guy "That kind of desperation and loneliness was really fascinating to me, and that's what inspired the Oliver character." Characterization Taylor Handley says of his character that "Oliver is very intelligent, (...) and intelligent people are good manipulators." Handley also elaborated that "[his] character is very needy due to his past" which would take some of Marissa's attention away from Ryan, and that, by request, he dyed his hair dark for the show to give "a more sinister look". Oliver used to go to a school referred to as "Pacific". At his former school Oliver was obsessed with a girl and cut his wrists. She had a restraining order filed against him, and later attended rehabilitation. Storylines According to Schwartz the storyline was "designed as a six-episode arc where we would bring in a character whose circumstances coming into this world were not unlike Ryan's". Season 1 Oliver Trask is a rich kid who lives in the penthouse of a hotel. His parents own a chain of hotels, and are largely absent from his life. He left his last school, Pacific High, because a girl took out a restraining order against him, after he became obsessed with her. Oliver eventually attempts suicide because she rejects him. He meets Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton) at therapy, and falls for her and transfers to Harbor to get close to her. Marissa initially thinks of him as merely a casual friend, and so doesn't notice anything sinister in his constant presence in her life. Marissa's boyfriend, Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), doesn't trust him, and warns Marissa about her new friend's intentions. Marissa and many of their friends dismiss Ryan's warnings as jealousy; Luke Ward (Chris Carmack) believes him, however, having taken an instant dislike to Oliver. In the episode "The Truth", Oliver invites Marissa to his