The Best Episodes Directed By Michael Fresco

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   9.0/10(6 votes)

   #1 - The Trial

   S2:E235/10/2007

   Things are finally looking up for Earl with a GED, a job, a new apartment and love interest however it may all come crashing down during Joy's trial date. Earl's shocking testimony could help Joy but at what cost?

   Director:Michael Fresco

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Michael Fresco

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2. 

   8.2/10(5 votes)

   #2 - No Heads and a Duffel Bag

   S3:E144/17/2008

   When Randy visits his parents to make up for their ruined vacation, he realizes that he forgot to tell them about Earl's prison sentence and the following coma at all.

   Director:Michael Fresco

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Michael Fresco

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3. 

   8.2/10(8 votes)

   #3 - South of the Border (1)

   S2:E1012/7/2006

   In the first half of this special one hour episode, Earl and Randy face problems in their quest to take Catalina off Earl's list and bring her home after she was deported because of Earl. Joy's friendly attitude causes the neighbors to get closer and Darnell doesn't like it at all.

   Director:Michael Fresco

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Michael Fresco

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4. 

   8.0/10(6 votes)

   #4 - Mailbox

   S2:E711/9/2006

   Catalina helps Earl cross off No. 75 on his list "Used a mailbox as a trash can" This leads to the discovery of two undelivered letters one is a declaration of a man's love the other reveals Darnell's secret.

   Director:Michael Fresco

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Michael Fresco

   Writer:N/A
5. 

   7.8/10(5 votes)

   #5 - My Name Is Inmate #28301-016

   S3:E19/27/2007

   Earl begins his prison sentence. Meanwhile, Joy tries to repay Earl by taking care of Randy (who is struggling to adjust) and a prison bully is looking for Earl.

   Director:Michael Fresco

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Michael Fresco

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6. 

   7.7/10(6 votes)

   #6 - Earl and Joy's Anniversary

   S4:E1011/13/2008

   Earl remembers his first wedding anniversary and the events that finally lead to their break up, involving Earl's cousin Blake and an invasion of killer bees.

   Director:Michael Fresco

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Michael Fresco

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7. 

   7.7/10(7 votes)

   #7 - The Showdown

   S2:E225/5/2005

   Seth and Zach declare themselves rivals for Summer's affections; Marissa is still reeling from being nearly raped by Trey; Sandy confronts Kirsten when her drinking problem becomes very apparent; Caleb hands divorce papers to Julie.

   Director:Michael Fresco

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Michael Fresco

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8. 

   7.6/10(9 votes)

   #8 - The Perfect Couple

   S1:E1011/12/2003

   Couples are plentiful in 'The O.C.' It is a night of firsts. Now that they are free to love one another, Ryan and Marissa plan their first official date. Kirsten sees her father with a new woman, and fears Sandy has found a new woman of his own. Seth takes matters into his own hands with a girl, and is taken by another girl.

   Director:Michael Fresco

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Michael Fresco

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9. 

   7.6/10(7 votes)

   #9 - The Anger Management

   S3:E711/17/2005

   When the gang heads to The Bait Shop to see The Subways, Taylor's horsing around causes a major rift between Seth and Summer. Marissa, determined to end the potentially explosive rift between Ryan and Volchok, does whatever it takes to watch out for Ryan. Meanwhile, Matt, Sandy's Newport Group partner, goes above and beyond the call of duty when he learns he has to cut Newport Group staff.

   Director:Michael Fresco

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Michael Fresco

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10. 

    7.6/10(7 votes)

    #10 - The Swells

    S3:E611/10/2005

    Marissa discovers something in Johnny that Ryan lacks and Charlotte convinces Julie and Kirsten to throw a charity event. After discovering fake IDs in Charlotte's purse, Julie confronts her.

    Director:Michael Fresco

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Michael Fresco

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11. 

    7.5/10(8 votes)

    #11 - The Countdown

    S1:E1412/17/2003

    It's New Years and "love" is in the air. A sister returns home, and throws a party. Oliver casts his spell. Sandy and Kirsten find themselves in a rut, and out of their environment. Seth finally makes a decision between Summer and Anna. 2004 is born.

    Director:Michael Fresco

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Michael Fresco

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12. 

    7.4/10(9 votes)

    #12 - The New Era

    S2:E412/2/2004

    It's a new era in Newport Beach. Kirsten and Julie try and work together at The Newport Group, while Sandy tries to find out what Caleb is hiding. Seth and Ryan go on a double date with Lindsay and Alex, but it ends differently than the four of them might have expected.

    Director:Michael Fresco

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Michael Fresco

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13. 

    7.4/10(7 votes)

    #13 - The Road Warrior

    S3:E163/9/2006

    When Ryan and Sadie go on a road trip to search for one of Johnny's relatives they end up in Ryan's old neighborhood in Chino, which brings the two closer together. While the two are away Marissa is implicated in Johnny's death and Seth and Summer learn the truth about Julie and Dr. Roberts new secret.

    Director:Michael Fresco

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Michael Fresco

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14. 

    7.3/10(13 votes)

    #14 - Mr. Monk and the Paperboy

    S2:E101/16/2004

    When his paperboy is murdered, Monk turns to the pages of the newspaper for clues to solve the baffling crime.

    Director:Michael Fresco

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Michael Fresco

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15. 

    7.2/10(5 votes)

    #15 - Camdenites

    S3:E185/15/2008

    When Earl finds out that making up for all the bad things he did to women changes Billie's behavior to the good, he picks the worst thing he ever did to women on his list. Billie wants him to choose between her and his list. When he picks the list, she steals it and starts undoing the items he has already accomplished.

    Director:Michael Fresco

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Michael Fresco

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16. 

    7.2/10(8 votes)

    #16 - The Ex-Factor

    S2:E91/20/2005

    Seth is thrown when Alex's ex arrives in town for a visit, and is even more thrown when he finds out who it is. Julie has a plan to try and save The Newport Group, which to everyone's surprise, might actually work. Lindsay sticks out when she joins Summer and Marissa for a girls night out; meanwhile, Ryan, Seth and Zach contemplate playing it safe on a guys' night in. But nothing ever goes as planned.

    Director:Michael Fresco

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Michael Fresco

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17. 

    7.1/10(7 votes)

    #17 - The Secrets and Lies

    S3:E193/30/2006

    Julie and Dr. Roberts announce their engagement and the Cooper ladies move in with Summer and her dad. Meanwhile, Marissa drifts away from the group and Summer when she seeks solace in the bad company of Volchok and his crew. Ryan tries to move on with Sadie, but Seth's concerns for Marissa get in the way. At the Newport Group, Sandy's woes with Matt continue and Kirsten surprises Seth with a night out.

    Director:Michael Fresco

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Michael Fresco

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18. 

    7.0/10(5 votes)

    #18 - Reading Is a Fundamental Case

    S4:E1212/4/2008

    Earl remembers a list item he crossed off while reading to the children of Camden County. While going down memory lane, Earl recalls that his old friend Raynard kept company with a raccoon while living in the great outdoors.

    Director:Michael Fresco

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    Director:Michael Fresco

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19. 

    7.0/10(10 votes)

    #19 - Prisoner Of Love

    S1:E1012/4/1990

    A city arts commissioner and a socialite come under investigation when an artist noted for his sadomasochistic themes is found dead under suspicious circumstances.

    Director:Michael Fresco

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    Director:Michael Fresco

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20. 

    6.7/10(6 votes)

    #20 - Love Octagon

    S3:E165/1/2008

    When Earl finally wakes up from his coma, he believes in Karma again and considers Billie his soul mate.

    Director:Michael Fresco

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Michael Fresco

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21. 

    6.5/10(11 votes)

    #21 - The Rainy Day Women

    S2:E142/24/2005

    It's a rainy day in Newport where Lindsay decides to take the DNA test and makes a difficult choice regarding her life with Caleb while Ryan helps her through it. Sandy still wants to help Rebecca with her case and tries to convince her not to run again. Kirsten is still upset and wishes her marriage would go back to normal and for Rebecca's case to be over with. Meanwhile, Seth thinks he's lost Summer forever untill Summer is unable to hide from her feelings once and for all. Marissa moves out of the Cooper-Nichol mansion and moves in with Alex after she tells her mother about Alex being her girlfriend.

    Director:Michael Fresco

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Michael Fresco

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22. 

    5.8/10(6 votes)

    #22 - Joy in a Bubble

    S4:E310/2/2008

    Earl's attempt to give Joy the hot tub she's always wanted backfires and she is forced to stay in a makeshift bubble because of a flesh eating toe infection. While she is out of commission, Earl must fill in as the new Joy. Between gossiping with the ladies at the salon and shopping for meat out of some guy's trunk, Earl learns about the Turner family. This includes the fact that Dodge and Earl Jr. might have a social disorder that causes them to have no friends. Can Earl fix this problem too?

    Director:Michael Fresco

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Michael Fresco

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23. 

    5.8/10(6 votes)

    #23 - Ashes to Ashes

    S2:E1110/3/2004

    When George tries to pass herself off as the relative of a homeless man, she finds herself more involved in his death than she planned.

    Director:Michael Fresco

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Michael Fresco

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24. 

    5.6/10(7 votes)

    #24 - The Gangs of Camden County

    S3:E210/4/2007

    Earl is offered a deal to receive a lesser sentence if he can resolve problems between rival gangs. But, he finds the task harder than he expected. Meanwhile, Randy looks for ways to join Earl in prison.

    Director:Michael Fresco

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Michael Fresco

    Writer:N/A