California, here we come.
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
Its fashion UGGs, strappy tank tops, graphic tees set trends thatdefined the Y2K era.
Nothing in it works.
Its played as straight drama but is one ofThe O.C.s most laughably bad moments.
The Links (Season 1, Episode 16)
Everything in this Palm Springsset entry is annoying.
Kirstens relationship with her much younger sister, Hailey Nichol (Amanda Righetti), also crumbles.
Unfortunately, all this drama comes off as shrill and creaky as opposed to deliciously soapy.
the Nana, in the first season.
Holland is actually quite funny as she rebelliously reads out a book report onCall of the Wildin barks.
But the convoluted plotting is weak compared with earlier seasons.
What pulls this episode down is Taylor.
A divisive character among the fandom, she can hit or miss depending on the episode.
Marissa and Ryan finally consummate their relationship after being on-again, off-again for the first two seasons.
This is also one of the few episodes where everyone shows up for Marissa instead of callously demonizing her.
Instead, lets say it contains the strongest beats between Seth and Kirsten.
Both moments are shockingly and refreshingly raw and real in a series mostly filled with over-the-top sensationalism.
If only the writers had just stuck to his zany presence, this could have been a great episode.
The cliffhanger ending sets the stage for one of the best episodes of the entire show.
Justin Chon, anotherTwilightalum, appears as Summers K-popstar date.
Love it or hate it, theres no denying Hollands firecracker screen presence.
The Perfect Storm (Season 3, Episode 5)
This is actually a really dumb episode.
Its so ridiculous that its referenced in season four as one of the most ridiculous things Ryan ever does.
Yet somehow its so preposterous that it also transcends this bad episode to become soapy perfection.
This arc plays out wonderfully for both characters over the next season and a half.
Its also the episode that introduces Volchok.
over for dinner to talk to them.
Its a beautiful sequence that lets the two see their complicated life stories as strengths, not liabilities.
The Aftermath (Season 3, Episode 1)
There was no way to follow up the season-two finale.
No matter what they did for the season-three opener, it wasnt going to match viewer expectations.
As Seth and Ryan watch her, the camera lingers in ways that have not aged well.
However, Hiltz plays the character with a grounded intelligence that transcends the stereotype shes trapped in.
The Cold Turkey (Season 4, Episode 3)
This Thanksgiving-set episode is surprisingly emotional.
Ryan finally confronts Volchok, with the two letting out their mixed feelings of grief and guilt.
Lastly, Julie finds a constructive outlet for her own grief, asking Ryan to tell her about Marissa.
A sequence under a neon-lit hot-dog stand and an homage toCasablancaare some of the shows most visually creative moments.
Visiting his mom in Arizona, Ryan sees she may be capable of real change.
with guileless, awe-filled intonation.
Its purposefully a little bit sexist but also somehow manages to be endearing.
Summer attempts to deal with Seths abandonment by dating a water-polo preppy named Zach.
After falling off a ladder, Ryan and Taylor end up in an alternate reality where neither exist.
Taylor once again exorcizes her demons, a.k.a.
But the real weight of the episode is found in how it finally addresses Ryans guilt over Marissas death.
But later we see he actually rented the film to try and understand her a bit better.
Seths loss, as the band gives one hell of a performance.
This episode also establishes one of Ryans worst habits his savior complex taking precedence over his future.
Thankfully, thats a tension that the show explores more thoroughly over the next few seasons.
The Lonely Hearts Club (Season 2, Episode 12)
A lot of drama happens in this one.
Seth befriends Zach when he joins his comic-book league, only to later discover hes Summers new boyfriend.
Marissa dates DJ (Nicholas Gonzalez), her familys yard guy.
Hailey exits the show for a fashion job in Japan.
From here on out, even when dating him, she makes room for her own goals as well.
Sandy finally does the right thing and leaves the Newport Group.
Volchok forces Ryan to steal a car with him.
It, like their hopes of ever having a normal relationship, got burned up in the model-home fire.
They often paired Marissa with the worst possible partners, but Ryan fared much better.
Frankly, looking back now, its probably the healthiest pairing Marissa had on the whole show.
Shes prickly, yet lovable, and her heart-to-hearts with both Sandy and Seth are incredibly poignant.
The Proposal (Season 1, Episode 24)
Welcome to Portland, bitch!
thereal, real housewives of the O.C.).
Thus, the shows commitment to live music begins anew with a concert featuring the Walkmen.
The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasnt (Season 2, Episode 16)
While a soundtrack with seven seven!
Hiltons deadpan delivery in this scene remains one for the ages.
Theres a prime moment where Kirsten and Sandy get a little randy in the kitchen before work.
Ryan and Luke work out their frustrations with each other on the soccer field.
Summers jealousy of the bond between Anna and Seth heats up.
Sandys ethics are put to the test over a case that pits him against Caleb.
And Marissa and Ryan finally share a kiss on the Ferris wheel despite his fear of heights.
The Perfect Couple (Season 1, Episode 10)
So many great quips in this episode.
Summer reveals, I like Seth Cohen, after she kisses him during Calebs yacht party.
Welcome to a life of paralyzing insecurity and self-doubt.
Enter Anna Stern, a debutante who has just moved from Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, dirtbag Seth juggles making out with Summer in the pool house and Anna in his bedroom.
Oh, and we first meet Captain Oats.
The Ex-Factor (Season 2, Episode 9)
Everyone is messy, messy, messy in this episode.
Theyre both given beautiful send-offs in this episode, wrapping up their arcs with great emotion heft.
Regardless, this is an exemplary episode.
It ends with Kirsten sobbing alone after Ryan decides to move to Chino with a pregnant Theresa.
Despite this, Bartons talent for wrestling with Marissas internal struggles occasionally manages to shine through.
Upon rewatching, it also becomes laden with a rich, likely unintended melancholy.
Everyone gets a (mostly) happy ending.
Julie graduates from college (and is maybe in a throuple with both the Bullit and Frank).
Kirsten and Sandy raise their daughter in their old Berkeley home.
Ryan, now an architect, sees a street kid who might be in distress.
Its time to pay it forward.
moments before he dies alone in a pool while Coldplays Fix You plays in the background.
What I do know is this is one hell of an episode.
In a fit of jealousy, Volchok forces Ryan and Marissas car off the road causing a big explosion.
Its simultaneously the best and worst ending of any episode.
Although the episode is wrapped in Chrismukkah cheer, it also brings the drama.
The Secret (Season 1, Episode 12)
Yogalates.
TJ, to celebrate before school starts.
While this is the first great taste of Seth and Summers chemistry, its Marissa who steals the show.
All of this happens in the approximately four-minute length of this one pop song.
The Dearly Beloved (Season 2, Episode 24)
[Stefon voice]This episode has everything.
A great soundtrack featuring tracks from Imogen Heap, The Bravery, and Jose Gonzalez.
A botched drug deal in a club.
Premiere (Season 1, Episode 1)
Welcome to the O.C., bitch!
Nothing can top the highest highs and lowest lows hit in the pilot episode.
No dad was ever cooler than Sandy Cohen.
No first love as mystical and puzzling as Marissa and Ryan.
I think I could get into less trouble where Im from, he tells Marissa.
You have no idea, she quips back.
