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The Best Episodes of The O.C. Season 1

Every episode of The O.C. Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The O.C. Season 1!

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The O.C. Season 1 Episode 1 - Premiere
    8.8/10(1991 votes)

    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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  2. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 27 - The Ties That Bind
    8.7/10(982 votes)

    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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  3. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 11 - The Homecoming
    8.6/10(940 votes)

    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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  4. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 13 - The Best Chrismukkah Ever
    8.4/10(922 votes)

    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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  5. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 2 - The Model Home
    8.3/10(1201 votes)

    S1:E2

    Faced with the prospect of life in a group home, Ryan decides to run away from Newport, but Seth and Marissa convince him to stay and hide in a vacant building project. Jimmy discusses his recent financial woes with Kirsten, and she offers a solution. After Luke witnesses a close encounter between Marissa and Ryan, he confronts Ryan and a fight breaks loose. Ryan's presence in Newport is exposed in a big way, and two arrests are made.

    Director:Doug Liman
    Writers:Josh Schwartz, Allan Heinberg

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  6. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 7 - The Escape
    8.3/10(978 votes)

    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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  7. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 12 - The Secret
    8.3/10(835 votes)

    S1:E12

    Seth and Kirsten want to avoid facing the world after their respective displays at Thanksgiving. Sandy has some advice for Jimmy, which doesn't sit well with Julie. Ryan and Luke find themselves getting along after an O.C. loved-one comes out of the closet to face negative reactions.

    Director:James Marshall
    Writers:Josh Schwartz, Allan Heinberg

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  8. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 14 - The Countdown
    8.3/10(898 votes)

    S1:E14

    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:Josh Schwartz

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  9. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 4 - The Debut
    8.2/10(1024 votes)

    S1:E4

    It's time for the annual Cotillion ball. Cherished by many, hated by most, it's the time when Newport's finest young ladies enter society. More information about Jimmy's business trouble comes to light, and Kirsten's loan to Jimmy is not happy news for Sandy.

    Director:Dan Attias
    Writers:Josh Schwartz, Allan Heinberg

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  10. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 21 - The Goodbye Girl
    8.2/10(772 votes)

    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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  11. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 3 - The Gamble
    8.1/10(1064 votes)

    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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  12. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 9 - The Heights
    8.1/10(879 votes)

    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:Debra J. Fisher, Erica Messer

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  13. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 18 - The Truth
    8.1/10(761 votes)

    S1:E18

    Changes are happening within the couplehoods of the O.C.'ers. Lines seem to be blurred. Oliver reveals himself as he falls apart, but not before Ryan is completely left in the cold. Someone loses school, one loses work, two lose their partners, and one more loses it all.

    Director:Rodman Flender
    Writer:Allan Heinberg

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  14. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 19 - The Heartbreak
    8.1/10(780 votes)

    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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  15. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 26 - The Strip
    8.1/10(739 votes)

    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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  16. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 6 - The Girlfriend
    8.0/10(952 votes)

    S1:E6

    Kirsten's father, Caleb Nichol, comes for a visit along with his new girlfriend, Gabrielle. 24-year-old Grandma Nichol has arrived. Kirsten finds her job in jeopardy, while Sandy considers making a change. Much to Ryan's disappointment, Luke decides he wants a second chance with Marissa... but who will Marissa choose? Summer makes the moves on Seth, who wonders if her feelings are real.

    Director:Steven Robman
    Writers:Josh Schwartz, Erica Messer

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  17. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 10 - The Perfect Couple
    8.0/10(852 votes)

    S1:E10

    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:Allan Heinberg

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  18. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 23 - The Nana
    7.9/10(714 votes)

    S1:E23

    Nana Cohen comes to California for Passover with some sad news. Ryan searches for Marissa, who'd gone missing after learning Julie and Luke's secret, and he finds her in the most unlikely of places. Summer tries to impress Nana. Jimmy and Hailey take a step forward.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:Allan Heinberg

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  19. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 24 - The Proposal
    7.9/10(707 votes)

    S1:E24

    Jimmy and Sandy run into a roadblock in their effort to re-open the Balboa Lighthouse restaurant. Summer and Seth take it upon themselves to finally make Marissa feel more at home at Jimmy's. Everyone is shocked when Caleb makes a proposal, which sparks a near-fatal accident for Luke. Marissa, and Sandy and Jimmy each strike deals with Caleb. An old O.C. friend moves away.

    Director:Helen Shaver
    Writers:Josh Schwartz, Liz Friedman

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  20. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 8 - The Rescue
    7.8/10(868 votes)

    S1:E8

    Everyone is back home in Newport, and Marissa is recovering. Julie points her finger at Ryan and forbids him from seeing Marissa, who does not appreciate the help. Sandy starts his new job, but finds himself surprised by the case work. Kirsten finds herself surprised by Sandy's new co-worker. Ryan enrolls at his new school, with conditions. Julie gets an intervention, and Jimmy gets a new roommate.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writers:Melissa Rosenberg, Allan Heinberg

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  21. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 20 - The Telenovela
    7.8/10(759 votes)

    S1:E20

    Ryan and Marissa begin their life together as "friends", but both discover that it might be harder to do than to say. Theresa drops into Newport for work, and another visit. Julie and Luke realize the meaning of "booty calls", and Seth and Summer make a declaration.

    Director:Sanford Bookstaver
    Writer:Stephanie Savage

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  22. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 5 - The Outsider
    7.7/10(957 votes)

    S1:E5

    Ryan takes a job at the Crab Shack diner. A co-worker at the diner might mean bad news for the Newport kids. Ryan asks Marissa out on a date. Sandy attempts to help Jimmy sort out his life, and gives him some bad news. Julie reveals a long-held secret to Kirsten. Disaster strikes at another one of Holly's parties.

    Director:Jesús Salvador Treviño
    Writer:Melissa Rosenberg

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  23. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 15 - The Third Wheel
    7.6/10(756 votes)

    S1:E15

    Hailey discovers she isn't as welcome as she might have thought. Perhaps the Cohen house is full? Luke makes some new friends, while Seth and Anna try to tell a friend about their decision. Rooney sings, a lot, and Oliver noses, a lot. Trouble brews.

    Director:Sandy Smolan
    Writer:Melissa Rosenberg

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  24. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 17 - The Rivals
    7.5/10(751 votes)

    S1:E17

    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

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  25. The O.C. Season 1 Episode 25 - The Shower
    7.5/10(677 votes)

    S1:E25

    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

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Premiere" is the best rated episode of The O.C. season 1. It scored 8.8/10 from 1,991 votes. Directed by Doug Liman and written by Josh Schwartz, it aired on August 5, 2003. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "The Ties That Bind".