Season 1 poster
27 episodes

The O.C. - Season 1

First aired Aug 5, 2003Season 1

Browse all 27 episodes in this season, including available images, air dates, runtimes, ratings and episode summaries from TMDB.

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Reviews

Community reviews for The O.C., shown here with its season details.

I

Izu Okafor

10.0

It’s been over 10 years since The O.C. aired it’s first episode and people are still talking about it. On August 5th, 2003 The OC first premiered on tv. That was 19 years ago. Happy The OC day! Miss this show. The Fox drama has had quite the cultural impact and what many people don’t know is that it could have been a very different show. From the Cohen’s name to the stars who were almost cast, here are a few behind the scenes secrets about The O.C.! I've been revisiting some of a sitcom that was very impactful to my teenaged and young adult years, LOL: it's The O.C. ❤ It's neat to see what still resonates and I have to be honest: a lot does. Even more now, actually, as an adult. The show is all about adults, really. Anyway, one of the gains I got from #TheOC was a plethora of incredible music and an introduction to so many artists that would become my personal favourites. This is a Rooney song that's fun for rainy-day vibes - like today. So, with that said, here's your #JamOfTheDay

Episodes

Premiere still

Episode 1

Premiere

8.2
Aug 5, 200345 min16 votes

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...

The Model Home still

Episode 2

The Model Home

7.7
Aug 12, 200344 min12 votes

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.

The Gamble still

Episode 3

The Gamble

7.7
Aug 19, 200344 min11 votes

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.

The Debut still

Episode 4

The Debut

7.1
Aug 26, 200344 min8 votes

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.

The Outsider still

Episode 5

The Outsider

7.7
Sep 2, 200344 min9 votes

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.

The Girlfriend still

Episode 6

The Girlfriend

7.2
Sep 9, 200344 min9 votes

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.

The Escape still

Episode 7

The Escape

7.8
Sep 16, 200344 min9 votes

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.

The Rescue still

Episode 8

The Rescue

7.7
Oct 29, 200344 min9 votes

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.

The Heights still

Episode 9

The Heights

8.1
Nov 5, 200343 min9 votes

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.

The Perfect Couple still

Episode 10

The Perfect Couple

7.6
Nov 12, 200344 min10 votes

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.

The Homecoming still

Episode 11

The Homecoming

8.1
Nov 19, 200343 min9 votes

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.

The Secret still

Episode 12

The Secret

6.4
Nov 26, 200343 min11 votes

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.

The Best Chrismukkah Ever still

Episode 13

The Best Chrismukkah Ever

7.8
Dec 3, 200343 min8 votes

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.

The Countdown still

Episode 14

The Countdown

7.6
Dec 17, 200343 min9 votes

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.

The Third Wheel still

Episode 15

The Third Wheel

7.3
Jan 7, 200444 min9 votes

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.

The Links still

Episode 16

The Links

7.6
Jan 14, 200444 min9 votes

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.

The Rivals still

Episode 17

The Rivals

7.1
Jan 21, 200444 min8 votes

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.

The Truth still

Episode 18

The Truth

7.7
Feb 11, 200444 min9 votes

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.

The Heartbreak still

Episode 19

The Heartbreak

7.9
Feb 18, 200444 min9 votes

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.

The Telenovela still

Episode 20

The Telenovela

7.7
Feb 25, 200444 min9 votes

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.

The Goodbye Girl still

Episode 21

The Goodbye Girl

7.7
Mar 3, 200444 min10 votes

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.

The L.A. still

Episode 22

The L.A.

7.3
Mar 24, 200444 min9 votes

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.

The Nana still

Episode 23

The Nana

7.6
Mar 31, 200444 min9 votes

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.

The Proposal still

Episode 24

The Proposal

6.3
Apr 14, 200444 min11 votes

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.

The Shower still

Episode 25

The Shower

7.3
Apr 21, 200442 min9 votes

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.

The Strip still

Episode 26

The Strip

7.8
Apr 28, 200442 min9 votes

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.

The Ties That Bind still

Episode 27

The Ties That Bind

7.7
May 5, 200441 min11 votes

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.