15 Episodes That Made Us Fall in Love with ‘The O.C.’
15 Episodes That Made Us Fall in Love with ‘The O.C.’ (continued):
11. The Rainy Day Women (Season 2 Episode 14)
Everyone knows epic romantic moments almost always take place in the rain, and there’s no shortage of them on The O.C. Season 2 Episode 14, “The Rainy Day Women.”
Truthfully, every episode featuring Olivia Wilde as The O.C.’s version of a rocker chic (vintage tees and a purple streak in her hair) is just a little bit better. Making her the object of Marissa’s affections is a nice twist (too bad their fling results in a tramp stamp for Marissa). When a high-profile show makes same-sex relationships the norm, it fosters tolerance and acceptance.
Marissa’s emotional and sexual connection to Wilde’s Alex feels very genuine, so we can forgive the show’s writers for dropping the ball when it comes to the ever-present male gaze.
Before comic books actually became cool (one could argue The O.C. accelerated that trend)l, Seth and Summer pay their own homage with a very Spidey kiss — one of the best all-time teen show kisses.
12. The Dearly Beloved (Season 2 Episode 24)
Trey Atwood (Logan Marshall-Green) may look like a younger, thinner Tom Hardy, but that doesn’t excuse all his bad behavior (it just makes it more bearable to watch). With Trey being just an all-around scumbag, it’s only a matter of time before we see brother pitted against brother in a biblical fashion (did Cain try to bludgeon Abel with a phone?) on The O.C. Season 2 Episode 24, “The Dearly Beloved.”
The appeal of this episode is the anticipation of what will happen when Ryan finds out Marissa’s secret. There’s this incongruity with the character. He’s so busy trying to protect others he self-destructs in the process.
The ending isn’t exactly on par with who shot J.R., but it’s still pretty good, and for once, Marissa isn’t the one who needs rescuing.
13. The Graduates (Season 3 Episode 25)
Seth becomes a stoner and accidental arsonist? Marissa implicated in another death? A villainous surfer? The best thing about The O.C. Season 3 is the revelation that Summer is a genius (we knew it all along).
On The O.C. Season 3 Episode 25, “The Graduates,” Seth, Ryan, Marissa, and Summer finally bid farewell to high school, and the milestone gets the usual sentimental treatment. Things are looking up for the foursome which is never a good sign. The series most tragic character lives fast, dies young, and leaves a gorgeous and fashionable corpse.
This means much more brooding moving forward, but the over-the-top final chapter of the Marissa-Ryan love story comes to a close in a surprisingly satisfactory and definitive way. Plus, we all know Coop is the most disposable. So an otherwise disappointing season ends with an actual bang.
Sometimes the best episodes are the saddest, and the ones that will undoubtedly change the course of not just a character’s story but of the show in general.
14. The Chrismukk-huh? (Season 4 Episode 7)
After some pretty serious wallowing, the series reinvents itself. The O.C. Season 4 Episode 7, “The Chrismukk-huh?” is full-on whimsical, but it also manages to find a way to wrap up unfinished business.
The tonal shift is the best gift the show could give its viewers, and this very O.C. take on It’s a Wonderful Life is a departure from the usual Chrismukkah mishigas. The episode marks a definitive turning point as the show winds down and focuses less on the past and more on the characters’ futures.
The idea of Ryan and Taylor trying to right the wrongs in a parallel universe feels like acknowledgment to loyal fans that while the show may have veered off course, it’s finally finding its way back.
15. The End’s Not Near, It’s Here (Season 4 Episode 16)
After four angst-filled years, The O.C. goes out with Ryan Atwood as the proud parent of a bunny rabbit. The O.C. Season 4 Episode 16, “The End Isn’t Near, It’s Here,” is the series finale, and for once, the characters all enjoy some good fortune. Even Ryan Atwood ditches the chip on his shoulder he’s been carrying around for years.
The newfound spring in his step can be attributed to no longer having to bail out women in desperate need of saving. This episode feels easy and a bit silly, but it’s still hard not to get choked up.
The show that almost immediately left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape fades out without much fizzle. But after years of addiction, lies, infidelity, fights, makeups, breakups, deaths, and dysfunction these characters have nowhere to go but up.
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Are you a fan of The O.C.? Have a favorite episode we missed? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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Jennifer Lind-Westbrook
Jennifer has been working as a freelance writer for six years, contributing to BuddyTV, Screen Rant, TVRage, Hidden Remote, Gossip On This, and PopMatters. She prefers binge-watching old episodes of The Office (British and American versions) to long walks on the beach. She's still holding out hope that Happy Endings will get a revival.