The best episodes of The O.C.
Ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
Used to be Seth couldn't find a girl. Now he has two - Anna and Summer show up for Thanksgiving. Ryan also has double trouble, as he and Marissa visit his old neighborhood and encounter an ex-flame.
- 02
No one was supposed to see what happened. But Luke did. And so did Ryan. Now, somehow, all of Newport knows that Luke's dad has been living a lie. And subsequent gossip raises questions of secrecy and trust.
- 03
It's girls against boys when Marissa and Summer decide to plan a girls' night out and include Lindsay in the festivities. Ryan, Seth and Zach, left to their own devices, have their own bonding session over video games and pizza, but find it hard to stay away from their female counterparts. Julie and Kirsten collaborate on an idea to help the image of the Newport Group while Sandy and Caleb try to convince them there may be a better way.
- 04
What happens in Mexico stays in Mexico. But the secrecy surrounding a summer's-end teen trip to Tijuana can't stop Marissa from feeling the way she feels when she sees Luke with Holly.
- 05
Calculus. AP English. History. The ways of the human heart. Not everything learned at Harbor High is on the schedule of classes. The Cohen casa is a house divided when Sandy takes an environmental case against Kirsten's father.
- 06
He says he's a friend. But who can believe a word Oliver says? During a group getaway in Palm Springs, Ryan is sure he's wise to Oliver's game. Marissa is just as sure Oliver is a friend who needs help.
- 07
People who won't be on each other's Christmas-card list: Ryan and Oliver. Their rivalry for Marissa intensifies, with Ryan risking his standing at Harbor to unmask Oliver's true character.
- 08
Julie wears out her welcome with Caleb: true. Seth thinks Summer's hot: true. Oliver is crazy-mad about Marissa: true. Now sure of it, Ryan races against time to keep Oliver from hurting himself or Marissa.
- 09
The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't
The whole gang is invited to Chrismukkah at the Cohens, but Seth's favorite holiday is nearly ruined as secrets are revealed that will change the Cohen family forever. Summer and the gang make a plan to save Chrismukkah.
- 10
Time to forgive and forget - or so Marissa thinks. But Ryan isn't ready, and the presence of former love Theresa at the Valentine Dance adds to Marissa's concerns. Summer and Seth work on the, um, mechanics.
- 11
Little sister. Big problems. Kaitlin feels she's spent her whole life in Marissa's shadow - maybe now it's time for some payback. Seth, meanwhile, may be seeing his college plans go up in smoke.
- 12
The Johnny-Kaitlin-Marissa-Ryan situation finds closure, perhaps, and tragedy for sure. Summer may be running out of forgiveness for Seth's half-truths. And Dr. Roberts makes a startling admission to Julie.
- 13
Sandy's picture will be on the cover of Riviera. Or, if the DA has his way, a mugshot. More troubles: Volchok blackmails Ryan into a crime, Kirsten is drinking and Seth burns down his dad's office. Didn't mean to. Honest.
- 14
Graduation: A time for friends, family, celebration , remembrance, letting go, and moving on to tomorrow. Odd man out in all the events is Volchok. Then, it happens...
- 15
Taylor is sure the remedy for Ryan's sleeplessness is... Taylor! Plus: Summer is set up to take the fall for lawbreaking activism at Brown. And Kaitlin and Julie eye the same himbo.
- 16
Love is a funny thing: Che handcuffs himself to the newly expelled Summer. And a sexy thing: Ryan fantasizes about Taylor. And a tender thing: Sandy and Kirsten share a recommitment ceremony.
- 17
Warm hearts, cold feet: Seth and Summer each look for a way to call off the wedding. Who will crack first? Ryan's biological father plays the Big-C card in hopes his son will see him.
- 18
Julie and Gordon? Or Julie and Frank? Summer and Seth? Or Summer and George? No, make that GEORGE. Mysteries of the heart (and the meddling of others) unfold as Valentine's Day nears.
- 19
Just a freeway's ride away. And yet worlds apart. Rejected by his parents after a brush with the law, Ryan Atwood moves temporarily into the pool house of his attorney's posh Newport Beach home... and finds both friends and foes among the privileged O.C. youth.
- 20
When Ryan is faced with being shuffled into the child-services system, Seth comes up with a plan: Ryan can secretly live in an unfinished home owned by Seth's mom. It's a foolproof plan - for a while.
- 21
It's part Christmas, part Hanukkah and totally a Cohen-family way to celebrate the holidays. But a time out for the holidays doesn't mean time away from Marissa's personal problems or Caleb's business tactics.
- 22
That Ryan-Marissa thing is more iffy than ever when Theresa hangs in Newport. The telenovela-like suds-o-rama overflows with the Summer-Seth follies, the Luke-Julie fling and an insider who may be a threat to the Caleb-Kirsten biz.
- 23
Ryan promised to stay out of trouble. But trouble finds him as he, Seth, Marissa and others take part in one of the biggest events of the Newport social calendar: the Debutantes Ball.
- 24
Work keeps Sandy and Kirsten apart, Rachel makes a play for Sandy, Julie's secret lover is revealed and - omigod! - Summer realizes she likes Seth (but don't tell anyone).
- 25
As the New Year looms, Ryan doesn't know hot to respond when Marissa says those three meaningful words. Sandy and Kirsten are wallflowers at a swingers' party. And at home, Seth thinks of what might have been.
Shows like The O.C.
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
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Gilmore Girls is a drama centering around the relationship between a thirtysomething single mother and her teen daughter living in Stars Hollow, Connecticut. - 03Drama·Comedy·RomanceThe best episodes of Hacks2021–2026
Hacks explores a dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedian, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old. - 04Drama·Comedy·RomanceThe best episodes of Rivals2024–present·Disney+
Rivals dives headfirst into the cut-throat world of independent television in 1986, where the shoulder pads are big and ambitions even bigger. - 05Drama·Comedy·RomanceThe best episodes of Hart of Dixie2011–2015·The CWRachel Bilson also stars·
- 06Drama·Comedy·RomanceThe best episodes of Master of None2015–2021The show follows the personal and professional lives of Dev, a 30-year-old actor who has trouble deciding what he wants to eat, much less the pathway for the rest of his life.
