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The Worst Episodes of The O.C.

Genre:Drama
Network:FOX

Every episode of The O.C. ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst 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...
Episodes
92
Avg. Rating
7.8
S1
S2
S3
S4
E1
E2
E3
8.9
8.0
7.9
8.2
8.4
7.7
7.4
7.5
8.1
7.8
7.6
7.9

Filter By Season (4)

  • The Dream Lover
    6.8/10(482)
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    #1 - The Dream Lover

    Season 4 Episode 11

    Aired 1/18/2007

    Ryan overcomes his indecision and competes with Henri-Michel for Taylor's affections. Che leads Seth on a trek of spiritual renewal. Meanwhile, Kirsten and Julie have to do some damage control.

    Director: Patrick R. Norris

    Writer: Leila Gerstein

    Comments

    0
  • The French Connection
    7.0/10(487)
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    #2 - The French Connection

    Season 4 Episode 10

    Aired 1/11/2007

    Taylor's ex-husband comes to Newport and causes a rift in her relationship with Ryan. Seth goes to Seattle to obtain Dr. Roberts blessing, while Summer "travels to the past" for 48 hours. Kaitlin finds love, while Julie finds problems with Kirsten.

    Director: John Stephens

    Writer: J. J. Philbin

    Comments

    0
  • The Heavy Lifting
    7.1/10(484)
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    #3 - The Heavy Lifting

    Season 3 Episode 15

    Aired 2/9/2006

    Kaitlin prepares herself to head back to school. Ryan has doubts about his relationship with Marissa after helping out Sadie. Kirsten and Julie make plans for a Valentine's Day party.

    Director: Ian Toynton

    Writer: Stephanie Savage

    Comments

    0
  • The Road Warrior
    7.2/10(478)
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    #4 - The Road Warrior

    Season 3 Episode 16

    Aired 3/9/2006

    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: Mike Kelley

    Comments

    0
  • The Undertow
    7.2/10(485)
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    #5 - The Undertow

    Season 3 Episode 18

    Aired 3/23/2006

    When an old friend returns to Newport, Ryan decides to help her, which causes problems for him and Sadie. When Summer and Seth run into another rough patch Taylor tries to help them out. Sandy has to deal with more problems with the Newport Group and Marissa must deal with being alone.

    Director: Robert Duncan McNeill

    Writer: J. J. Philbin, Mark Fish

    Comments

    0
  • The Secrets and Lies
    7.2/10(471)
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    #6 - The Secrets and Lies

    Season 3 Episode 19

    Aired 3/30/2006

    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: Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage

    Comments

    0
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  • The Swells
    7.3/10(477)
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    #7 - The Swells

    Season 3 Episode 6

    Aired 11/10/2005

    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: J. J. Philbin

    Comments

    0
  • The Pot Stirrer
    7.3/10(445)
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    #8 - The Pot Stirrer

    Season 3 Episode 13

    Aired 1/26/2006

    Kaitlin starts going out with Johnny with the sole motive of making Marissa jealous. Seth starts getting nostalgic as he prepares for his Brown interview.

    Director: Norman Buckley

    Writer: John Stephens

    Comments

    0
  • The My Two Dads
    7.3/10(474)
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    #9 - The My Two Dads

    Season 4 Episode 9

    Aired 1/4/2007

    Kaitlin is assigned a tutor after she presented a ruffled report to her class. Julie comes clean to Kirsten about who Frank really is. Summer and Seth continue their recent commitment despite how they really feel about it. When Ryan's dad comes to the Cohen's for dinner things don't go as planned.

    Director: Michael Schultz

    Writer: Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage

    Comments

    0
  • The Links
    7.4/10(640)
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    #10 - The Links

    Season 1 Episode 16

    Aired 1/14/2004

    Oliver plans a trip for the gang, but things don't go as well as everyone might have hoped- except for Oliver of course. Summer really plants herself into "friendship" within Anna and Seth's relationship. Jimmy and Sandy decide to go into business together. Caleb and Julie return from Europe, and Hailey and Kirsten butt heads. Ryan finds himself in the cold.

    Director: Michael Lange

    Writer: Erica Messer, Debra J. Fisher

    Comments

    0
  • The L.A.
    7.4/10(737)
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    #11 - The L.A.

    Season 1 Episode 22

    Aired 3/24/2004

    When Summer and Marissa run into Grady Bridges, the star of Summer's favourite prime-time soap 'The Valley', he invites them to an LA party, and they accept. On the road trip to LA, Seth, Summer, Marissa, and Ryan run into Hailey, now working at a strip club. Jimmy and Sandy present their restaurant to Newport's finest and approach Caleb for some financial help.

    Director: David Barrett

    Writer: Josh Schwartz

    Comments

    0
  • The Father Knows Best
    7.4/10(521)
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    #12 - The Father Knows Best

    Season 2 Episode 13

    Aired 2/17/2005

    As Sandy continues working on Rebecca's case, Kirsten questions how strong their feelings are for one another. Seth continues his downward spiral in the aftermath of Zach and Summer's Valentine's night together, while Marissa confronts her fear about her relationship with Alex. Caleb offers Lindsay a place in his family, but not without a paternity test.

    Director: Michael Lange

    Writer: John Stephens

    Comments

    0
  • The Shape of Things to Come
    7.4/10(518)
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    #13 - The Shape of Things to Come

    Season 3 Episode 2

    Aired 9/15/2005

    Social Chair Marissa tries to plan this year’s carnival but is having much difficulty due to a little pest named Taylor. Sandy is surprised to find Kirsten has been released from rehab but instead of informing him, she has been living with another woman named Charlotte who she met in rehab. Julie and Sandy meet with the Dean and Dr. Kim to discuss Ryan and Marissa’s future at Harbor High. Later Ryan and Marissa partake in a similar meeting. Elsewhere Jimmy meets a man and feels more than open to discuss his money problems with him.

    Director: Tony Wharmby, Doug Liman

    Writer: Josh Schwartz, Allan Heinberg, J. J. Philbin

    Comments

    0
  • The Disconnect
    7.4/10(452)
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    #14 - The Disconnect

    Season 3 Episode 9

    Aired 12/8/2005

    Marissa visits Johnny at his house after his accident to see how he is doing. Julie and Kirsten get a contract for their new catering business while Sandy, Ryan and Matt meet with investors.

    Director: Tony Wharmby

    Writer: Stephanie Savage

    Comments

    0
  • The Groundhog Day
    7.4/10(488)
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    #15 - The Groundhog Day

    Season 4 Episode 12

    Aired 1/25/2007

    Sandy, Ryan and Seth prepare for Kirsten's upcoming 40th birthday party, however Kirsten learns some news that will change her life forever. Kaitlin tries to stop her mother having a secret love affair. Taylor visits a therapist and Ryan pretends that he doesnt miss her. Elsewhere Che finally learns that Seth isn't his soulmate.

    Director: Ian Toynton

    Writer: Mark Fish

    Comments

    0
  • The Rivals
    7.5/10(651)
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    #16 - The Rivals

    Season 1 Episode 17

    Aired 1/21/2004

    Sandy and Jimmy have plans to sign papers for the Lighthouse... but is Jimmy ready? Oliver makes his plans official to Ryan, but Ryan just cannot catch a break from anyone and finds himself in an all too familiar position. Summer has a "big" new boyfriend... for a little while. And Julie gets a job.

    Director: Ian Toynton

    Writer: Josh Schwartz

    Comments

    0
  • The Shower
    7.5/10(591)
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    #17 - The Shower

    Season 1 Episode 25

    Aired 4/21/2004

    Marissa plots to ruin her mother's happiness by inviting someone from her mother's past to the wedding shower, while Sandy attempts to hide Theresa's return to the O.C. from Ryan. When Ryan discovers Sandy's lies and Theresa's reasons for coming back, he puts himself in a dangerous situation. In the meantime, Seth's unimpressive first meeting with Summer's father leaves their relationship in doubt.

    Director: Sandy Smolan

    Writer: J. J. Philbin

    Comments

    0
  • The Accomplice
    7.5/10(552)
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    #18 - The Accomplice

    Season 2 Episode 10

    Aired 1/27/2005

    Things heat up between Sandy and Kirsten when Sandy decides to help his mentor in law school find his daughter, Rebecca, whom was Sandy's first love. Seth and Zach start up a comic book based on their lives in Newport, while Summer questions why she's been left out. Ryan makes the attempt to unite Lindsay and Caleb after Lindsay tells Ryan she is curious in getting to know her "new" father. While Julie is in Paris, Marissa looks for new ways to rebel; in doing so, her friendship with Alex increases.

    Director: Ian Toynton

    Writer: Allan Heinberg

    Comments

    0
  • The Second Chance
    7.5/10(529)
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    #19 - The Second Chance

    Season 2 Episode 11

    Aired 2/3/2005

    After hearing about Lindsay and Ryan's failed attempt at dinner with Caleb the night before, Kirsten arranges a dinner that she can supervise. But her presence makes no difference when Ryan and Caleb butt heads and disaster strikes. Sandy keeps Rebecca's presence in Newport a secret from Kirsten after deciding to take her case to court. Marissa and Alex's relationship intensifies, while Seth and Summer spend a lot of time together at Zach's insistence.

    Director: Tony Wharmby

    Writer: Josh Schwartz, Drew Z. Greenberg

    Comments

    0
  • The Lonely Hearts Club
    7.5/10(550)
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    #20 - The Lonely Hearts Club

    Season 2 Episode 12

    Aired 2/10/2005

    It's Valentines Day 2005 in O.C. when Sandy and Kirsten's conflict about Rebecca continues. Ryan tries to make peace with Caleb to spend Valentines Day with Lindsay. While Seth, Zach, and Summer head to San Diego in hope to make their Comic Book idea succeed Seth has a breakdown and ends up in a lonely state. Marissa and Alex take a step forward in their relationship while Julie returns from her trip in hope to reconnect with Marissa.

    Director: Ian Toynton

    Writer: J. J. Philbin

    Comments

    0
  • The Blaze of Glory
    7.5/10(520)
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    #21 - The Blaze of Glory

    Season 2 Episode 16

    Aired 3/17/2005

    Spring has flung in Newport where Marissa recruits Ryan to help her with Harbor School's Pep Rally Bonfire. Alex accepts that her and Marissa are from two different lives and knows she is fighting a lost cause. Seth is stuck and misses last year's good times while Summer disagrees and tells him it's time to move on. Meanwhile, Julie still doesn't know what she is gonna do about her blackmailer and seeks some advice from Sandy. Kirsten wants Carter to stick with the magazine despite his reservations.

    Director: Robert Duncan McNeill

    Writer: Mike Kelley

    Comments

    0
  • The O.C. Confidential
    7.5/10(517)
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    #22 - The O.C. Confidential

    Season 2 Episode 20

    Aired 4/21/2005

    Sandy and the boys devise a plan to save Trey from going to jail after he took the fall for supplying drugs at his birthday party. Kirsten and Carter, fulfilling more than their editorial duties, take a trip to Featherbrook's winery. Meanwhile, Caleb returns home and questions his marriage with Julie.

    Director: Tony Wharmby

    Writer: Mike Kelley

    Comments

    0
  • The Perfect Storm
    7.5/10(467)
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    #23 - The Perfect Storm

    Season 3 Episode 5

    Aired 11/3/2005

    Ryan decides to make a life-changing decision that Sandy reluctantly supports; Marissa looks to her new friends to help with her latest crisis with Ryan; Summer and Seth go on a mission to reveal a secret between Taylor and Dean Hess; Charlotte makes Julie an offer that she can't refuse.

    Director: Tony Wharmby

    Writer: Mike Kelley

    Comments

    0
  • The Sister Act
    7.5/10(465)
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    #24 - The Sister Act

    Season 3 Episode 12

    Aired 1/19/2006

    It's winter break and Kaitlin Cooper has returned home from her Montecito boarding school.

    Director: Ian Toynton

    Writer: Leila Gerstein

    Comments

    0
  • The Journey
    7.5/10(477)
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    #25 - The Journey

    Season 3 Episode 17

    Aired 3/16/2006

    Ryan thinks about not inviting Marissa to his 18th birthday after their falling out but Sandy tries to get him to invite a relative. After months of avoiding telling Summer and Marissa the truth Neil and Julie tell Summer and Marissa the truth.

    Director: Roxann Dawson

    Writer: John Stephens

    Comments

    0

Worst Episodes Summary

"The Dream Lover" is the worst rated episode of "The O.C.". It scored 6.8/10 based on 482 votes. Directed by Patrick R. Norris and written by Leila Gerstein, it aired on 1/18/2007. This episode scored 0.2 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The French Connection".