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The Best Episodes of The O.C.

Every episode of The O.C. ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The O.C.!

Binge this in 2d 16h•Peaking at 8.7/10

Ryan Atwood, a teen from the wrong side of the tracks, moves in with a wealthy family willing to give him a chance. But Ryan's arrival disturbs the status quo of the affluent, privileged community

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The O.C. Season 3 Episode 25 - The Graduates
    8.7/10(881 votes)

    #1 - The Graduates

    S3:E25

    It is graduation day for Ryan, Seth, Summer, and Marissa at Harbor High School. After graduation they all went out to eat and celebrate their graduation. Ryan's mother gave him a new car as a graduation present. Marissa is going to spend a year on a boat with her father as her graduation gift. Seth finally got into RISD for second semester. Summer is still going to Brown University in the fall. Volchok is still mad at Marissa and Ryan so he decided to crash Ryan's car.

    Director:Ian Toynton
    Writers:Bob DeLaurentis, Josh Schwartz

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  2. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 1 - Premiere
    8.2/10(15 votes)

    #2 - Premiere

    S1:E1

    A new life for Ryan Atwood, the Cohens and the Cooper families, and basically everyone else in the wealthy, picturesque, secretive, turbulent community of Orange County. Be prepared to meet spoiled rich kids and watch Ryan struggle to fit in with his new crowd...

    Director:Doug Liman
    Writer:Josh Schwartz

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  3. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 9 - The Heights
    8.1/10(8 votes)

    #3 - The Heights

    S1:E9

    Back to school for the O.C. kids. No one really wants to be there, except for the gossips. Ryan doesn't feel like he fits in at his new school, and Luke doesn't make the situation any better. Sandy accepts a case at his new job, a case that will test his relationship with Kirsten and her father. Anna and Seth hatch a plan. Marissa chooses her man.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writers:Erica Messer, Debra J. Fisher

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  4. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 11 - The Homecoming
    8.1/10(8 votes)

    #4 - The Homecoming

    S1:E11

    It's Thanksgiving time in ‘the O.C.' It's time for family reunions, and Ryan gets called home by his family. Is it because of the holiday, or is it for a favor? Marissa decides to go along for the ride, but ends up going down Ryan's bad-memory lane instead. Seth plays the player role, but not very well.

    Director:Keith Samples
    Writers:Josh Schwartz, Bryan Oh

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  5. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 6 - The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't
    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #5 - The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't

    S2:E6

    It's Chrismukkah once again in The O.C. and this year, Seth wants to take it global. As Caleb is faced with the looming prospect of going to prison, Sandy convinces him to come forward and reveal the truth about his involvement with Renee. Julie and Jimmy spend some quality time together. Caleb's confession shocks the Cohen and Nichol family to the core, and nothing will be the same again.

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writer:Josh Schwartz

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  6. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 24 - The Dearly Beloved
    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #6 - The Dearly Beloved

    S2:E24

    Kirsten hits rock bottom after Caleb's funeral, prompting Sandy to finally take action; Jimmy Cooper resurfaces and almost immediately renews ties with a mourning Julie; Jess bullies Trey into participating in a drug deal that turns into a shootout; Ryan finally learns the truth about what happened between Trey and Marissa, leading to a bloody confrontation.

    Director:Ian Toynton
    Writer:Josh Schwartz

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The O.C.

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  7. The O.C. Season 3 Episode 11 - The Safe Harbor
    8.0/10(503 votes)

    #7 - The Safe Harbor

    S3:E11

    Ryan, Seth and Summer launch a campaign to get Marissa back into Harbour. With the help of Dr. Kim they get the board of trustees to hear the case will Marissa be permitted to return for her final semester?

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writer:Mike Kelley

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  8. The O.C. Season 4 Episode 5 - The Sleeping Beauty
    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #8 - The Sleeping Beauty

    S4:E5

    When Taylor learns about Ryan's sleeping problems she devises a plan to help him but must then turn to Kaitlin when her plan backfires. At Brown Summer and Che step up their activism and it lands them more freedom than imagined. Julie also gets help from Kaitlin to help save the dating service.

    Director:Ian Toynton
    Writer:John Stephens

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  9. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 19 - The Heartbreak
    7.9/10(8 votes)

    #9 - The Heartbreak

    S1:E19

    It's Valentine's Day in Newport, and everyone is preparing for the Valentine's singles benefit. Luke has a new crush, while Sandy gives Seth some sex advice. An old friend of Ryan's shows up in town, which forces Marissa to lay her feelings on the table. Seth and Summer take their relationship to another level.

    Director:Lev L. Spiro
    Writer:Josh Schwartz

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  10. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 23 - The O.Sea
    7.9/10(7 votes)

    #10 - The O.Sea

    S2:E23

    Seth and Zach squabble over who should take Summer to the prom and who will meet George Lucas for dinner; Sandy takes drastic actions with a recovering Kirsten; Ryan starts to piece together what happened between Trey and Marissa, courtesy of Theresa; Julie's attempts to poison Caleb take a surprise turn.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:J. J. Philbin

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  11. The O.C. Season 3 Episode 1 - The Aftermath
    7.9/10(603 votes)

    #11 - The Aftermath

    S3:E1

    In the season three opener, we start off with senior year starting in a few days. It has been a couple of months since the shooting. Trey has been in a coma all this time leaving the D.A. impatiently waiting for his side of the story. Feeling the pressure from the community the D.A. continues to put pressure on Ryan, Marisa, Seth, Summer and others for more information. Meanwhile Julie is steaming mad because Caleb’s accountant won’t give up the goods on Caleb’s will and Kirsten is still in rehab.

    Directors:Ian Toynton, Doug Liman
    Writers:Allan Heinberg, Josh Schwartz

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  12. The O.C. Season 3 Episode 23 - The Party Favor
    7.9/10(540 votes)

    #12 - The Party Favor

    S3:E23

    Harbor School's Senior Prom brings out the best and the worst in everyone. Taylor hits a high at prom, while Summer falls flat with her surprising prom date. Seth and Anna come up with a prom plan to win Summer back. Meanwhile, Marissa convinces Volchok to go to the prom and Ryan brings an unexpected old flame. When one of the girls is elected prom queen, it truly becomes a night to remember. Later, when Taylor's prom funds are missing, Ryan returns to his old ways and prom night turns brutal.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:John Stephens

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  13. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 7 - The Escape
    7.8/10(8 votes)

    #13 - The Escape

    S1:E7

    The Newport kids plan an end-of-summer trip down to Tijuana, Mexico (aka "T.J."). Jimmy has plans of his own, which don't sit well with Marissa. Sandy gets a new job, which Kirsten can't understand. Summer, Seth, Ryan and Marissa find themselves in a strange place together. Jimmy takes it too far. Disaster strikes one of the O.C. kids.

    Director:Sanford Bookstaver
    Writer:Josh Schwartz

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  14. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 26 - The Strip
    7.8/10(8 votes)

    #14 - The Strip

    S1:E26

    It's Bachelor and Bachelorette party time for Caleb and Julie. Caleb and the boys head off to Las Vegas while Kirsten organizes an evening at the Cohen house for Julie, strippers included. Seth and Ryan get themselves into a tricky situation in Vegas while back home, Summer pines over lost love, and Marissa comforts Theresa. Jimmy and Sandy learn of Caleb's true motives. Julie and Hailey take a swim, while Theresa has some shocking news for Ryan and Marissa.

    Director:James Marshall
    Writer:Allan Heinberg

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  15. The O.C. Season 3 Episode 7 - The Anger Management
    7.8/10(512 votes)

    #15 - The Anger Management

    S3:E7

    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:John Stephens

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  16. The O.C. Season 3 Episode 24 - The Man of the Year
    7.8/10(551 votes)

    #16 - The Man of the Year

    S3:E24

    Ryan and Volchok make a deal after a fallout at prom. Sandy is chosen as Man of the Year, but this sparks the DA to dig deeper into his involvement with the hospital problems. Marissa goes and sees Kaitlin at her boarding school and Seth visits the Newport Group HQ and lights up the joint.

    Directors:Ian Toynton, Tony Wharmby
    Writers:Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage

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  17. The O.C. Season 4 Episode 1 - The Avengers
    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #17 - The Avengers

    S4:E1

    Seth works at a comic book store in Newport. Kirsten drops by the store to ask Seth if he has something to send Ryan in a "care package" she is preparing. Later, Seth tries to talk Ryan into coming to dinner at the Cohens' but the latter isn't easily persuaded, saying he works nights, etc. At her dorm, Summer and a friend named Che try to rally students for a protest. Summer gets a phone call from Taylor who seems to be in Paris.

    Director:Ian Toynton
    Writer:Josh Schwartz

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  18. The O.C. Season 4 Episode 4 - The Metamorphosis
    7.8/10(6 votes)

    #18 - The Metamorphosis

    S4:E4

    When Seth visits Summer, she realizes that her materialistic, gossiping self may be forever gone ever since she went to Brown. Ryan helps Taylor with her divorce. Temptation stirs when Kaitlin and Julie vow to stay out of trouble. And Sandy longs for a guy's night out.

    Director:Norman Buckley
    Writer:Leila Gerstein

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  19. The O.C. Season 4 Episode 14 - The Shake Up
    7.8/10(8 votes)

    #19 - The Shake Up

    S4:E14

    It's Taylor's birthday and she hopes Ryan will tell her he loves her. She's unsure whether she should tell him she got into Berkeley as well. Summer feels that Seth should find something in his life that he really cares about whereas Kirsten is having second thoughts about raising another child in Newport. Then the unexpected happens even though it's been predicted.

    Director:Ian Toynton
    Writer:John Stephens

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  20. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 3 - The Gamble
    7.7/10(10 votes)

    #20 - The Gamble

    S1:E3

    Sandy comes to Ryan's rescue once again, after he has a difficult stay in Juvenile Hall. Seth makes Kirsten aware of his anger over Ryan's situation, and Kirsten makes a compromise. Ryan's mother, Dawn, makes a surprise visit to Newport, and things don't go quite as she and Ryan may have planned. The monetary secret involving Julie, Jimmy, Kirsten and Sandy comes to a head.

    Director:Ian Toynton
    Writer:Jane Espenson

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  21. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 13 - The Best Chrismukkah Ever
    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #21 - The Best Chrismukkah Ever

    S1:E13

    Ryan, and the World, are officially introduced to the bi-religious holiday Chrismukkah, thanks to Seth. And Seth insists he has TWO Godly forces helping him as he plays TWO girls. Marissa has some 'discount shopping' to do, and finds herself in an embarrassing situation, or two, or three. Kirsten does something that could cost her more than just her job. Summer and Anna each have very special gifts for Seth, but which one will he like the most? And a new boy enters the Newport scene.

    Director:Sanford Bookstaver
    Writer:Stephanie Savage

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  22. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 21 - The Goodbye Girl
    7.7/10(9 votes)

    #22 - The Goodbye Girl

    S1:E21

    Anna announces that she is leaving Newport to go back to Pittsburgh, which leaves Seth feeling saddened and guilt-ridden. Legal troubles brew for Caleb and Kirsten while Sandy works to solve them. Luke and Julie's secret romance is getting harder to contain, and Theresa brings a bit of trouble from Chino to the O.C.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writer:Josh Schwartz

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  23. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 27 - The Ties That Bind
    7.7/10(10 votes)

    #23 - The Ties That Bind

    S1:E27

    Julie and Caleb walk down the aisle, as Ryan and Theresa face a difficult decision regarding their pregnancy. Marissa moves into Caleb and Julie's new castle on the cliff, and Seth struggles to find himself when things around him seem to fall apart. Life in The O.C. comes full circle from one year before.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writer:Josh Schwartz

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  24. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 8 - The Power of Love
    7.7/10(9 votes)

    #24 - The Power of Love

    S2:E8

    When Sandy forgets his and Kirsten's 20th wedding anniversary, he finds himself going to a lot of trouble to make it up to her. Seth and Ryan's respective relationships with Alex and Lindsay add to the trouble, and doubt falls upon their futures together. Marissa and Julie continue to butt heads over DJ, and Summer wants to take her relationship with Zach to the next level.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:John Stephens

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  25. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 17 - The Brothers Grim
    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #25 - The Brothers Grim

    S2:E17

    When Ryan's brother, Trey, gets out of jail and gives Ryan a call, the Cohens give him a warm welcome. Though, Ryan knows nothing good can come from it. Zach returns from his Italy trip and gives some news leaving Summer curious and Seth ... not really sure what to think. Meanwhile, after Julie admits her naked mistake to Kirsten, they both agree to get Caleb in on it for more help. Newport Living is officially launched.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:J. J. Philbin

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Graduates" is the best rated episode of "The O.C.". It scored 8.7/10 based on 881 votes. Directed by Ian Toynton and written by Bob DeLaurentis, Josh Schwartz, it aired on 5/18/2006. This episode scored 0.5 points higher than the second highest rated, "Premiere".