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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 1d 3h•Peaking at 8.1/10

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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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The O.C. Season 2 Episode 6 - The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't
    8.1/10(7 votes)

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

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

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

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

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

    #6 - 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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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The O.C.

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

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

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

    #9 - 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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  10. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 18 - The Risky Business
    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #10 - 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.

    Director:Norman Buckley
    Writer:Cory Martin

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  11. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 21 - The Return of the Nana
    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #11 - 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
    Writer:Josh Schwartz

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  12. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 22 - The Showdown
    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #12 - 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.

    Director:Michael Fresco
    Writer:John Stephens

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  13. The O.C. Season 4 Episode 3 - The Cold Turkey
    7.7/10(7 votes)

    #13 - The Cold Turkey

    S4:E3

    It's Thanksgiving time. Volchok is back in town and Ryan seems eager to take revenge. At first Sandy and Kirsten try to talk him out of this but, then, Sandy makes Ryan face Volchok. Julie's behavior turns Kaitlin away and permanently jeopardizes her relationship with Dr. Roberts. Summer starts protesting against poverty issues and turns the Cohens' Thanksgiving dinner into a homelesses' refuge. It's clear she hasn't got over Marissa's death yet. Veronica kicks Taylor out as soon as she discovers her beloved daughter married a French man during her European trip.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:J. J. Philbin

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  14. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 19 - The Rager
    7.6/10(7 votes)

    #14 - The Rager

    S2:E19

    It's Trey's 21st birthday and Marissa, anxious to help Trey and Ryan forge a relationship, throws a birthday party for Trey at the Cooper-Nichol mansion that turns out to be a rager. Seth is left in hot water by both Summer and Zach, but why? Sandy wants to continue his friendship with Carter, leaving a confused Kirsten. Meanwhile, Julie shares some memories with an "old" friend and in the process learns a few things and gains a few ideas.

    Director:Tony Wharmby
    Writer:John Stephens

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  15. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 2 - The Way We Were
    7.5/10(8 votes)

    #15 - The Way We Were

    S2:E2

    Now that Ryan and Seth have returned to Newport, its time to get back to school. The boys reunite with their former girlfriends but it becomes apparent that things will not be going back to the way they were. Caleb's legal troubles catch up with him, and Hailey has bad news for Jimmy.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:Allan Heinberg

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  16. The O.C. Season 4 Episode 2 - The Gringos
    7.5/10(8 votes)

    #16 - The Gringos

    S4:E2

    Ryan and Seth go to Mexico to find Volchok, but Seth secretly phones home worried about what Ryan might do if they find him. A distraught Sandy and Kirsten decide to go after the boys and try to stop Ryan before he does something he might regret. Meanwhile, Julie and Kaitlin are forced to participate in a clothing drive at the school, and Summer and her hippie friends try to save a tree.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writer:John Stephens

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  17. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 4 - The New Era
    7.4/10(9 votes)

    #17 - The New Era

    S2:E4

    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:J. J. Philbin

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  18. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 15 - The Mallpisode
    7.4/10(8 votes)

    #18 - The Mallpisode

    S2:E15

    After Lindsay moves to Chicago with her mom, Ryan is heartbroken and Caleb's confused. Seth, Summer, and Marissa invite Ryan to the mall to get his mind off things. Caleb tags along to vent when Sandy tries to make amends with Kirsten by searching for her wedding ring or even a grand gesture that will take her back to when Sandy first proposed. Meanwhile, Alex learns that Marissa might not be as into her as she thought she would be. Kirsten and Julie call an editor for Newport Living but at the same time Julie's Riverside past catches up to her.

    Director:Ian Toynton
    Writer:Stephanie Savage

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  19. The O.C. Season 4 Episode 9 - The My Two Dads
    7.4/10(8 votes)

    #19 - The My Two Dads

    S4:E9

    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
    Writers:Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage

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  20. The O.C. Season 4 Episode 15 - The Night Moves
    7.4/10(8 votes)

    #20 - The Night Moves

    S4:E15

    In the immediate aftermath of a violent earthquake that rocks Newport, everyone struggles to stay together and keep their spirits up. Sandy and Kristen are stranded at the local shopping center where Kristen has an accident. Across town, Julie and Kaitlin are stranded in a demolished ice cream parlor on the pier with a pitiful worker of the place. Meanwhile, Ryan is seriously wounded with a piece of glass in his side, but keeps the news from Taylor to avoid panicking her. Seth soon learns of Ryan's condition and attempts to drive him to safety while Summer and Taylor search the ruins of the Roberts' house for Summer's missing rabbit, leading to Taylor having a confrontation with her mother.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writer:Stephanie Savage

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  21. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 3 - The New Kids on the Block
    7.3/10(9 votes)

    #21 - The New Kids on the Block

    S2:E3

    After Caleb is released from custody, he must make some decisions about the Newport Group, and his decisions don't sit well with Kirsten. Seth is determined to win back Summer's friendship, even if it means getting a job. Ryan has a string of awkward encounters with a new girl at school, while Marissa faces being alone.

    Director:Lev L. Spiro
    Writer:Stephanie Savage

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  22. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 7 - The Family Ties
    7.3/10(9 votes)

    #22 - The Family Ties

    S2:E7

    After Caleb's confession, The Cohens try to welcome Lindsay as part of the family. Jimmy is faced with a choice when Marissa finds out about his relationship with his ex-wife, Julie. Seth attempts to be a "bad boy" like Ryan to impress Alex. Summer finds out what Zach did on his Christmas break while Ryan and Lindsay want to know if it is too awkward for them to be together.

    Director:Lesli Linka Glatter
    Writers:Josh Schwartz, Drew Z. Greenberg

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  23. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 20 - The O.C. Confidential
    7.3/10(7 votes)

    #23 - The O.C. Confidential

    S2:E20

    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

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  24. The O.C. Season 4 Episode 8 - The Earth Girls Are Easy
    7.3/10(7 votes)

    #24 - The Earth Girls Are Easy

    S4:E8

    Ryan and Taylor may be heading out on a Las Vegas road trip for New Year's Eve, but there's even more fun in store when Seth and Summer join them. Meanwhile Julie doesn't trust NewMatch's new accountant, and Sandy suspects the reason why.

    Director:Norman Buckley
    Writer:Mark Fish

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  25. The O.C. Season 2 Episode 9 - The Ex-Factor
    7.2/10(8 votes)

    #25 - The Ex-Factor

    S2:E9

    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:J. J. Philbin

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't" is the best rated episode of "The O.C.". It scored 8.1/10 based on 7 votes. Directed by Tony Wharmby and written by Josh Schwartz, it aired on 12/16/2004. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Dearly Beloved".