The first season of the Fox drama series The O.C. ran from August 5, 2003 - May 5, 2004. It comprised 27 episodes, including a seven-episode "season zero" that began in late summer, with a 43-day hiatus before the next twenty episodes.
Synopsis[]
The first season of The O.C. follows the lives of the Cohen, Cooper, and Nichol families when a troubled teen from the wrong side of the tracks, Ryan Atwood, is thrust into the the wealthy, harbor-front community of Southern California's Orange County. Taken in by a lawyer and his family, Ryan winds up in the midst of snarky, wealthy high schoolers and their sun-drenched angst.
Cast[]
Main[]
- Benjamin McKenzie as Ryan Atwood
- Adam Brody as Seth Cohen
- Mischa Barton as Marissa Cooper
- Peter Gallagher as Sandy Cohen
- Melinda Clarke as Julie Cooper
- Kelly Rowan as Kirsten Cohen
- Chris Carmack as Luke Ward
- Tate Donovan as Jimmy Cooper
- Rachel Bilson as Summer Roberts
Recurring[]
- Alan Dale as Caleb Nichol (14 episodes)
- Samaire Armstrong as Anna Stern (13 episodes)
- Amanda Righetti as Hailey Nichol (10 episodes)
- Navi Rawat as Theresa Diaz (8 episodes)
- Ashley Hartman as Holly Fischer (6 episodes)
- Taylor Handley as Oliver Trask (6 episodes)
- Shailene Woodley as Kaitlin Cooper (6 episodes)
- Bonnie Somerville as Rachel Hoffman (5 episodes)
- Kimberly Oja as Taryn Baker (4 episodes)
- Rosalind Chao as Dr. Kim (3 episodes)
Episode Guide[]
# | Image | Title | Writer | Director | Air Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
101 | "Premiere" | Josh Schwartz | Doug Liman | August 5, 2003 | |
After being released out of juvenile detention, 15 year old Ryan Atwood is thrown out of his house by his alcoholic mom and her abusive boyfriend, but soon finds refuge in a wealthy seaside community with help from his public defender Sandy Cohen.. | |||||
102 | "The Model Home" | Josh Schwartz Allan Heinberg |
Doug Liman | August 12, 2003 | |
After being abandoned from his mom and facing the prospect of being thrown into the custody of CPS, Marissa and Seth hatch a plan to keep Ryan in Newport, however certain factors present themselves that burn this plan to the ground. | |||||
103 | "The Gamble" | Jane Espenson | Ian Toynton | August 19, 2003 | |
Dawn, Ryan's mom pops up back into his life, with the promise that she's changed, but Ryan tests her at the Cohen's annual Casino Night. | |||||
104 | "The Debut" | Josh Schwartz Allan Heinberg |
Daniel Attias | August 26, 2003 | |
Now that Ryan is staying with the Cohens, he must attend the Cotillion Ball, where Newport's finest young ladies enter society. Luke's jealousy results in Ryan escorting Marissa. Jimmy is now considered a suspect in a federal fraud case. | |||||
105 | "The Outsider" | Melissa Rosenberg | Jesús Salvador Treviño | September 2, 2003 | |
Ryan gets a job and meets Donnie, a Newport teen from Corona. Seth decides to invite Donnie to Holly's beach party, but his attendance brings Luke to the hospital. | |||||
106 | "The Girlfriend" | Debra J. Fisher Josh Schwartz |
Steven Robman | September 9, 2003 | |
Kirsten's father, Caleb Nichol, comes to town with his new 24 year-old girlfriend, Gabrielle. Marissa isn't ready to pick between Luke and Ryan. Summer's feelings for Seth begin to show. Julie considers getting a divorce. | |||||
107 | "The Escape" | Josh Schwartz | Sanford Bookstaver | September 16, 2003 | |
To get away from the recent drama in Newport, Ryan and Seth accompany Marissa and Summer on their annual end-of-summer trip to Tijuana, which devolves into chaos when one of them makes a tragic mistake. Sandy considers a job opportunity; Jimmy manipulates Kirsten into a dangerous situation. | |||||
108 | "The Rescue" | Allan Heinberg Melissa Rosenberg |
Michael Lange | October 29, 2003 | |
Julie blames Ryan for Marissa's incident and tells him to stay away. Sandy starts his new job, and Kirsten is displeased with his new coworker, Rachel. Ryan must take a placement test to determine his enrollment at Harbor. | |||||
109 | "The Heights" | Josh Schwartz Debra J. Fisher Erica Messer |
Patrick Norris | November 5, 2003 | |
Ryan doesn't feel at home at Harbor, which gets worst thanks Luke. Summer tries to keep her friendship with Seth a secret, but also can't help her jealous with his relationship with Anna. | |||||
110 | "The Perfect Couple" | Josh Schwartz Allan Heinberg |
Michael Fresco | November 12, 2003 | |
Kirsten becomes worried about Sandy's professional relationship with Rachel. Ryan spots Caleb and Julie together, and becomes responsible for Marissa outing their private relationship at a charity event. Summer tells Seth how she feels. | |||||
111 | "The Homecoming" | Josh Schwartz | Keith Samples | November 19, 2003 | |
Ryan and Marissa get themselves in danger when they visit Trey in prison. Seth must choose between Anna and Summer. Kirsten and Sandy make an attempt to set up Jimmy and Rachel. | |||||
112 | "The Secret" | Josh Schwartz | James Marshall | November 26, 2003 | |
Ryan's trust is tested when he witnesses an affair of a fellow classmates parents. | |||||
113 | "The Best Chrismukkah Ever" | Josh Schwartz Stephanie Savage |
Sanford Bookstaver | December 3, 2003 | |
Kirsten learns something about her father that'll help Sandy's case, but will put her job in jeopardy. Ryan's Christmas does not go as planned. Marissa meets someone in therapy. Meanwhile, Seth struggles choosing between Anna and Summer. | |||||
114 | "The Countdown" | Josh Schwartz | Michael Fresco | December 17, 2003 | |
Kirsten's younger sister, Hailey, crashes at the Cohen's home and throws a New Year's Eve party that gets out of control. Ryan is worried about Marissa's relationship with Oliver. Anna decides to spend her night with Seth, without Summer's knowledge. | |||||
115 | "The Third Wheel" | Josh Schwartz | Sandy Smolan | January 7, 2004 | |
Hailey realizes she is no longer welcome at the Cohen residence. Oliver invites the gang to a Rooney concert, but Ryan catches him in a drug deal in the parking lot. Seth has difficulties telling Summer about his relationship with Anna. | |||||
116 | "The Links" | Josh Schwartz | Michael Lange | January 14, 2004 | |
Oliver's friendship with Marissa strains her relationship with Ryan. Summer becomes jealous of Seth and Anna's relationship. Meanwhile, Hailey and Kirsten clash when Kirsten convinces Caleb to cut her off. | |||||
117 | "The Rivals" | Josh Schwartz | Ian Toynton | January 21, 2004 | |
Oliver transfers to Harbor, while Ryan risks his academic future to expose him. Seth becomes jealous of Summer's relationship with Danny, forcing him to doubt his relationship with Anna. Meanwhile, Jimmy and Sandy go into business together. Also, Kirsten gets worried about the company when Caleb hires Julie as an interior designer. | |||||
118 | "The Truth" | Josh Schwartz | Rodman Flender | February 11, 2004 | |
Luke starts to see Oliver's true colors after he gets Ryan suspended, but Marissa won't see it. Anna confronts Seth about his relationship with Summer. Meanwhile, Caleb gets Kirsten to break up with Julie for him. | |||||
119 | "The Heartbreak" | Josh Schwartz | Lev L. Spiro | February 18, 2004 | |
Ryan and Marissa need to rebuild trust after the incident with Oliver, but it's hard when Theresa comes to town. Jimmy discovers he has a secret admirer, while Luke spends the night with Julie. Meanwhile, Seth and Sandy have "the talk". | |||||
120 | "The Telenovela" | Josh Schwartz | Sanford Bookstaver | February 25, 2004 | |
Ryan realizes Theresa isn't telling him the truth on why she's staying in Newport. Summer keeps her relationship with Seth private, turning him to Anna for support. Meanwhile, Sandy finds himself in the middle of Caleb's mess. Also, Jimmy suspects something between Julie and Luke. | |||||
121 | "The Goodbye Girl" | Josh Schwartz | Patrick Norris | March 3, 2004 | |
Seth feels guilty when Anna announces she's moving back to Pittsburgh. Legal troubles brew for Caleb and Kirsten, while Sandy works to solve them. Luke and Julie find their secret affair harder to maintain. Meanwhile, Theresa's boyfriend from Chino arrives bringing trouble. | |||||
122 | "The L.A." | Josh Schwartz | David Barrett | March 24, 2004 | |
Ryan, Marissa, Seth and Summer head down to L.A. and find Hailey working as a stripper. Jimmy and Sandy approach Caleb for business help. Meanwhile, Ryan tries to keep Luke and Julie's affair a secret from Marissa. | |||||
123 | "The Nana" | Josh Schwartz | Michael Lange | March 31, 2004 | |
Sandy's mother from Florida comes to Newport for a visit with a different attitude. Ryan searches for Marissa. Summer tries to impress Nana. Jimmy and Hailey take a step forward with their newfound romance. | |||||
124 | "The Proposal" | Josh Schwartz | Helen Shaver | April 14, 2004 | |
Marissa doesn't want to hear what Luke has to say, but gives him a chance after a near-fatal car accident. Meanwhile, Jimmy becomes an obstacle in getting a liquor license. Caleb proposes to Julie. | |||||
125 | "The Shower" | Josh Schwartz | Sandy Smolan | April 21, 2004 | |
Kirsten and Marissa throw a bridal shower for Julie, but Marissa invites Julie's unwanted estranged sister. Theresa calls Sandy for legal advice, but tries to avoid Ryan. Hailey and Jimmy continue their romance. Meanwhile, Summer is disappointed when Seth meets her father. | |||||
126 | "The Strip" | Josh Schwartz | James Marshall | April 28, 2004 | |
While the boys are in Las Vegas, Jimmy and Sandy learn Caleb's true motives. Hailey devises a plan in an attempt to get Caleb to break it off with Julie. Marissa spends the night with Theresa and discovers something that might affect her. | |||||
127 | "The Ties That Bind" | Josh Schwartz | Patrick Norris | May 5, 2004 | |
One Wedding, Two departures, and a path destruction left behind. |
Trivia[]
- The time gap between releases of "season zero" and the next twenty episodes was due to the Fox network's coverage of Major League Baseball playoffs and the World Series.
- In the first several episodes, neither Melinda Clarke or Rachel Bilson were credited in the main cast. They were later added after fan support for their characters increased. Chris Carmack left the cast later in the season.
- While Alan Dale made several appearances as Caleb Nichol, he did not join the cast until Season 2.