The O.C.

10 Worst Episodes of The O.C.

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 of Newport Beach, California.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 02, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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The O.C. - S2E16

#10 - The Blaze of Glory (Season 2 - Episode 16)

$500,000 is still the going rate to keep Julie's porn past off the net. Meanwhile, Seth plays matchmaker, suggesting that Ryan help Marissa plan the school's spring bonfire. Someone's gonna get burned.

The episode was rated 7.64 from 174 votes.

The O.C. - S3E15

#9 - The Heavy Lifting (Season 3 - Episode 15)

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Life goes on. Love goes on. But how can anyone focus on Valentine's Day after Johnny's tragedy? Well, maybe love and understanding are the medicines everyone needs now. Even so, nothing will be easy.

The episode was rated 7.64 from 132 votes.

The O.C. - S1E25

#8 - The Shower (Season 1 - Episode 25)

Kirsten, Marissa. Neither is the hostess with the mostest. But they reluctantly host Julie's wedding shower just the same. Seth's get-acquainted lunch with Summer's dad is a FEMA-sized disaster.

The episode was rated 7.62 from 206 votes.

The O.C. - S4E4

#7 - The Metamorphosis (Season 4 - Episode 4)

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Great news, Seth: The real artificial Summer is back! Her eco-activism is just a way of coping with Marissa's death. Or is it? Ryan isn't ready to be Ryan the Rescuer again. But Taylor needs rescuing.

The episode was rated 7.61 from 133 votes.

The O.C. - S3E13

#6 - The Pot Stirrer (Season 3 - Episode 13)

Little sister. Big problems. Kaitlin feels she's spent her whole life in Marissa's shadow - maybe now it's time for some payback. Seth, meanwhile, may be seeing his college plans go up in smoke.

The episode was rated 7.61 from 138 votes.

The O.C. - S3E21

#5 - The Dawn Patrol (Season 3 - Episode 21)

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No party, no surf. It's a different Dawn Patrol: Ryan's off to Albuquerque to invite his mom Dawn to graduation (maybe). Seth quits Summer (oops). And, at Volchok's party, Marissa sees something secretly poured into a drink (uh-oh).

The episode was rated 7.60 from 138 votes.

The O.C. - S3E16

#4 - The Road Warrior (Season 3 - Episode 16)

Ryan road-trips with Sadie. Strip poker, anyone? Summer learns - ew! - about her dad and Julie. Kirsten worries that The Newport Group is corrupting Sandy. And Marissa is a suspect in Johnny's death.

The episode was rated 7.60 from 148 votes.

The O.C. - S4E2

#3 - The Gringos (Season 4 - Episode 2)

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South of the border...Ryan slips away to Mexico to search for Volchok. Seth rides shotgun. And worried parents Sandy and Kirsten soon follow. Meanwhile, Summer has a surprise dorm visitor at Brown.

The episode was rated 7.59 from 147 votes.

The O.C. - S2E21

#2 - The Return of the Nana (Season 2 - Episode 21)

Nana's getting married - news that has Sandy, Seth and Ryan off to Miami. Back at the OC, Zach wows Summer with a home-cooked meal, Kirsten sorts out her Carter feelings and Trey's feelings for Marissa take a terrifying turn.

The episode was rated 7.58 from 172 votes.

The O.C. - S4E10

#1 - The French Connection (Season 4 - Episode 10)

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Taylor's ex-hubby writes a hot-selling wrotic novel. Who's the lead character? Three guesses and the first two don't count. Seth seeks Neil's permission to marry Summer. Kirsten uncovers Julie's biz scam.

The episode was rated 7.54 from 127 votes.

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