The second season of the Fox drama series The O.C. ran from November 4, 2004 - May 19, 2005, contained 24 episodes and once again ended with a cliffhanger.
Synopsis[]
This season follows the tumultuous relationships of Marissa and Ryan and Summer and Seth as they enter their Junior year. Kiersten becomes more withdrawn with life and turns to the bottle for support, putting her relationship with Sandy and Seth in danger. Julie tried to settle in her new role as Queen of Newport, but soon realizes that Caleb isn't the man she married. Ryan's older brother, Trey, decides to give Newport a try after being released.
Main Cast[]
- Peter Gallagher as Sandy Cohen
- Kelly Rowan as Kirsten Cohen
- Benjamin McKenzie as Ryan Atwood
- Adam Brody as Seth Cohen
- Mischa Barton as Marissa Cooper
- Melinda Clarke as Julie Cooper
- Rachel Bilson as Summer Roberts
- Tate Donovan as Jimmy Cooper
- Alan Dale as Caleb Nichol
Episodes[]
| No. overall |
No. in season |
Image | Title | Writer | Director | Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 1 | 
|
"The Distance" | Josh Schwartz | Ian Toynton | November 4, 2004 |
| As another summer comes to an end, emotions in the wealthy oceanside town is tense as Seth and Ryan have not returned home. Kirsten and Sandy are growing apart due to the absence of Ryan and Seth. While summer is almost over Seth, Marissa finds a new guy to get over Ryan. | ||||||
| 29 | 2 | 
|
"The Way We Were" | Allan Heinberg | Michael Lange | November 11, 2004 |
| Now that the boys are back in OC for Junior year, they learn their reception is met with cold shoulders. Sandy works secretly with Caleb | ||||||
| 30 | 3 | 
|
"The New Kids on the Block" | Stephanie Savage | Lev L. Spiro | November 18, 2004 |
| Seth gets a job at the Bait Shop and turns to his boss for advice on how to rebuild his relationship with Summer. Ryan has a series of mishaps with a new classmate Lindsay they become Physics lab partners and share some romantic chemistry.. Meanwhile, Caleb's legal issues threaten to leave Sandy and Kirsten unemployed. | ||||||
| 31 | 4 | 
|
"The New Era" | J.J. Philbin | Michael Fresco | December 2, 2004 |
| 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. | ||||||
| 32 | 5 | 
|
"The SnO.C." | John Stephens | Ian Toynton | December 9, 2004 |
| It's the annual "SnO.C." winter dance. Seth wants to take his relationship with Alex further, but she might have other plans. Marissa's secret relationship with D.J. is exposed, while Zach continues his pursuit of a Seth-free relationship with Summer. Sandy solves Caleb's legal puzzle ending with a shocking twist. | ||||||
| 33 | 6 | 
|
"The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't" | Josh Schwartz | Tony Wharmby | December 16, 2004 |
| 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. | ||||||
| 34 | 7 | 
|
"The Family Ties" | Drew Z. Greenberg & Josh Schwartz | Lesli Linka Glatter | January 6, 2005 |
| 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. | ||||||
| 35 | 8 | 
|
"The Power of Love" | John Stephens | Michael Lange | January 13, 2005 |
| 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. | ||||||
| 36 | 9 | 
|
"The Ex-Factor" | J.J. Philbin | Michael Fresco | January 20, 2005 |
| After a girls' night out, Ryan finds Marissa to blame for a drunk and passed out Lindsay. Alex's ex is in town and Seth is determined to find out who it is. Meanwhile, Julie and Kirsten collaborate to promote Newport Group's image. | ||||||
| 37 | 10 | 
|
"The Accomplice" | Allan Heinberg | Ian Toynton | January 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. | ||||||
| 38 | 11 | 
|
"The Second Chance" | Drew Z. Greenberg & Josh Schwartz | Tony Wharmby | February 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. | ||||||
| 39 | 12 | 
|
"The Lonely Hearts Club" | J.J. Philbin | Ian Toynton | February 10, 2005 |
| It's Valentines Day 2005 in Orange County 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. | ||||||
| 40 | 13 | 
|
"The Father Knows Best" | John Stephens | Ian Toynton | February 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. | ||||||
| 41 | 14 | 
|
"The Rainy Day Women" | Josh Schwartz | Michael Fresco | February 24, 2005 |
| It's a rainy day in Newport where Lindsay decides to take the DNA test and makes a difficult choice regarding her life with Caleb while Ryan helps her through it. Sandy still wants to help Rebecca with her case and tries to convince her not to run again. Kirsten is still upset and wishes her marriage would go back to normal and for Rebecca's case to be over with. Meanwhile, Seth thinks he's lost Summer forever until Summer is unable to hide from her feelings once and for all. Marissa moves out of the Cooper-Nichol mansion and moves in with Alex after she tells her mother about Alex being her girlfriend. | ||||||
| 42 | 15 | 
|
"The Mallpisode" | Stephanie Savage | Ian Toynton | March 10, 2005 |
| 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. | ||||||
| 43 | 16 | 
|
"The Blaze of Glory" | Mike Kelley | Robert Duncan McNeill | March 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. | ||||||
| 44 | 17 | 
|
"The Brothers Grim" | J.J. Philbin | Michael Lange | March 24, 2005 |
| 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. | ||||||
| 45 | 18 | 
|
"The Risky Business" | Cory Martin | Norman Buckley | April 7, 2005 |
| 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. | ||||||
| 46 | 19 | 
|
"The Rager" | John Stephens | Tony Wharmby | April 14, 2005 |
| 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. | ||||||
| 47 | 20 | 
|
"The O.C. Confidential" | Mike Kelley | Tony Wharmby | April 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. | ||||||
| 48 | 21 | 
|
"The Return of the Nana" | Josh Schwartz | Ian Toynton | May 5, 2005 |
| 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. | ||||||
| 49 | 22 | 
|
"The Showdown" | John Stephens | Michael Fresco | May 5, 2005 |
| 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. | ||||||
| 50 | 23 | 
|
"The O.Sea" | J.J. Philbin | Michael Lange | May 12, 2005 |
| 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. | ||||||
| 51 | 24 | 
|
"The Dearly Beloved" | Josh Schwartz | Ian Toynton | May 19, 2005 |
| 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. | ||||||
Trivia[]
- This season added Alan Dale to the cast. In the first episode, Chris Carmack returned for an appearance as Luke Ward, but was not credited in the main cast. Tate Donovan left the cast during the season, but came back for a guest appearance during the season finale. Alan Dale left the cast after his character Caleb Nichol's death.
Gallery[]
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