The O.C. backdrop
Drama
The O.C. poster

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.!

The Best Episodes of The O.C.

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...

Seasons4

  1. Background image for Premiere
    8.2/10(14 votes)

    #1 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  2. Background image for The Heights
    8.1/10(8 votes)

    #2 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  3. Background image for The Homecoming
    8.1/10(8 votes)

    #3 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  4. Background image for The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't
    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #4 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  5. Background image for The Dearly Beloved
    8.1/10(7 votes)

    #5 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  6. Background image for The Graduates
    8.1/10(8 votes)

    #6 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of The O.C.

    READ
  8. Background image for The Sleeping Beauty
    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #7 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  9. Background image for The Heartbreak
    7.9/10(8 votes)

    #8 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  10. Background image for The O.Sea
    7.9/10(7 votes)

    #9 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  11. Background image for The Chrismukkah Bar-Mitzvahkkah
    7.9/10(7 votes)

    #10 - The Chrismukkah Bar-Mitzvahkkah

    S3:E10

    Chrismukkah has returned to the Cohen house and Seth suggests to have a Bar Mitzvah to Ryan to raise money for Johnny's knee surgery after his accident but Ryan then pulls out after seeing Johnny and Marissa get too close.

    Director:Ian Toynton
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  12. Background image for The Escape
    7.8/10(8 votes)

    #11 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  13. Background image for The Strip
    7.8/10(8 votes)

    #12 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  14. Background image for The Avengers
    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #13 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  15. Background image for The Metamorphosis
    7.8/10(6 votes)

    #14 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  16. Background image for The Shake Up
    7.8/10(8 votes)

    #15 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  17. Background image for The Gamble
    7.7/10(10 votes)

    #16 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  18. Background image for The Best Chrismukkah Ever
    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #17 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  19. Background image for The Goodbye Girl
    7.7/10(9 votes)

    #18 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  20. Background image for The Ties That Bind
    7.7/10(10 votes)

    #19 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  21. Background image for The Power of Love
    7.7/10(9 votes)

    #20 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  22. Background image for The Brothers Grim
    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #21 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  23. Background image for The Risky Business
    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #22 - The Risky Business

    S2:E18

    Sandy reluctantly serves as host/auctioneer at yet another OC benefit; Trey lies to Ryan to prove that he can be self-dependent; Carter reinvigorates Seth and Zach's comic book dream, much to the annoyance of Summer. Marissa moves in with the Cohens.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  24. Background image for The Return of the Nana
    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #23 - The Return of the Nana

    S2:E21

    Sandy, Seth and Ryan travel to Miami to visit the Nana after she tells Sandy she is getting married. Unable to go because of work, Kirsten is left on her own to deal with her feelings for Carter. Trey misinterprets Marissa's friendship; Zach invites Summer to a home-cooked dinner.

    Director:Ian Toynton
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  25. Background image for The Showdown
    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #24 - The Showdown

    S2:E22

    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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  26. Background image for The Last Waltz
    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #25 - The Last Waltz

    S3:E4

    Marissa struggles with attending a public high school, and her new friends make Ryan jealous; Charlotte's ruse is up when she learns that Kirsten did not inherit any money from Caleb; Julie's mansion is repossessed, leaving her with nothing; Taylor's power play dethrones Summer as commitee chairman, who then learns an interesting secret about her and Dean Hess.

    Director:Ian Toynton
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

Best Episodes Summary

"Premiere" is the best rated episode of "The O.C.". It scored 8.2/10 based on 14 votes. Directed by Doug Liman and written by Josh Schwartz, it aired on 8/5/2003. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Heights".