The O.C. Episode Guide (Season 1)

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EPISODE 101-PREMIERE (aired 8.5.03)
guest starring: Daphne Ashbrook (Dawn Atwood), Ruth Williamson (Peggy), Drew Fuller (Norland), Ashley Hartman (Holly Fischer)
After troubled teen Ryan Atwood is sent to jail, public defender Sandy Cohen, to the dismay of his wife Kirsten, invites Ryan to stay in his guesthouse. Their son Seth takes Ryan sailing, where the two get a chance to know each other. The Cohens take Ryan to a fashion show fundraiser planned by the beautiful girl next door, Marissa Cooper, and Summer invites Seth and Ryan to a Newport Beach house party. At the party, Ryan protects Seth from Luke, Marissa's boyfriend. From the trouble he gets into it's clear from get-go that Ryan may not be able to stay at the Cohen house.

 

EPISODE 102-THE MODEL HOME (aired 8.12.03)
Faced with the prospect of returning to foster care, Ryan attempts to run away from the Cohen house, but is thwarted when Seth discovers his intentions. Unwilling to lose his new and only friend, Seth devises a plan to keep Ryan in the O.C. – offering to hide him in his mother's unfinished housing development. They receive an unlikely accomplice in their scheme when Marissa joins them, taking on the challenge of proving to Ryan and Seth that she is not the shallow rich girl they believe her to be, and creating a deeper divide between her best friend, Summer, and her boyfriend, Luke, in the process. The enclave the three of them have built is destroyed, however, when Luke and his cronies discover Ryan at the development, leading to a near fatal showdown when the house goes up in flames. Concurrently, Sandy and Kirsten discover Ryan has disappeared and question Seth as to his whereabouts to no avail, while they continue to disagree about the appropriate way to deal with Ryan.

 

EPISODE 103-THE GAMBLE (aired 8.19.03)
guest starring: Kim Oja (Taryn), Daphne Ashbrook (Dawn Atwood)
Sandy must once again represent an incarcerated Ryan after his arrest for the model home fire. After he is released, Ryan and Sandy continue to search for his mother, Dawn, and Ryan is faced with the prospect of his mother re-entering his life. With few choices before him, he agrees to give Dawn a second chance and accepts her promises to change when she appears at the Cohen house. In an attempt to solidify this tenuous bond, Kirsten invites Dawn to accompany Ryan and the Cohens to Casino Night. Once there, Dawn is unable to resist the temptation of alcohol and gambling and fails Ryan once again; Dawn and Kirsten both agree that Ryan will be better off in the Cohen household. Meanwhile, Sandy discovers that Kirsten has lent Jimmy $100,000 to help with his debts, while Julie simultaneously learns from Jimmy that Kirsten is now supporting their lavish lifestyle, culminating in a confrontation between Sandy and Julie at Casino Night.

 

EPISODE 104-THE DEBUT (aired 8.26.03)
guest starring: Ashley Hartman (Holly Fischer), Samaire Armstrong (Anna Stern), Ruth Williamson (Peggy), Christopher Cousins (Greg Fischer)
Ryan becomes a member of the Cohen family when Kirsten and Sandy decide to take full, legal responsibility for him. At rehearsal for an upcoming Cotillion, Marissa sets Ryan up to escort Anna, and Summer is regretfully partnered with Seth. When the dancing stops, the drinking begins and all of the kids gather for a pre-Cotillion fiesta on the beach. As in a previous episode, Seth and Ryan arrive to an unwelcoming crowd and problems arise when Luke eyes Marissa and Ryan together, but Ryan resists the desire to fight. Meanwhile, Sandy is approached by the SEC who explains that Jimmy is the subject of a fraud investigation and Kirsten's $100,000 loan to him has placed the Cohen family in the spotlight as well. At the Cotillion, Sandy's, Jimmy's, and Ryan's tempers are all put to the test.

 

EPISODE 105-THE OUTSIDER (aired 9.2.03)
guest starring: Kim Oja (Taryn), Paul Wasilewski (Donny)
Ryan wants to be less financially dependent on the Cohens and so he gets a job at the Crab Shack, where he meets Donnie, a fellow outsider with a connection to the past Ryan has recently left behind. His worlds collide when Donnie invites him and Seth to a party in the "old neighborhood." Ryan is reluctant knowing the rough crowd that will attend, but Seth finds Donnie's anti-Newport style refreshing and is eager to see life outside the O.C. Additionally, armed with a paycheck and after some prodding from Seth, Ryan had finally worked up the courage to ask Marissa out. Unfortunately, the date is the same night as the party Donnie has invited him and Seth to. Meanwhile, Sandy puts his true feelings for Jimmy aside and offers to assist him with his legal affairs now that the rest of the community has turned against him.

 

EPISODE 106-THE GIRLFRIEND (aired 9.9.03)
guest starring: Alan Dale (Caleb Nichol), Nichole Hiltz (Gabrielle)
Kristen prepares for the arrival of her father, Caleb, and his upcoming birthday bash but isn't prepared for his girlfriend, Gabrielle. When Caleb criticizes Kirsten's judgment about Ryan, the party, and the family business, Sandy pressures her to take this opportunity to move away, return to their old life and do the things she truly loves. Then, after Julie tells Jimmy that she will be filing for divorce he faces more rejection when Caleb turns him down for a job. Caleb is however very interested in a proposition from Julie. Meanwhile, Marissa continues to waiver between her feelings for Luke and for Ryan, but in the meantime Ryan is tempted by Gabrielle's flirtatious advances; and Seth and Summer share their first kiss.

 

EPISODE 107-THE ESCAPE (aired 9.16.03)
guest starring: Bonnie Somerville (Rachel Hoffman), Ashley Hartman (Holly Fischer)
Sandy entertains a job offer from a former colleague to help cure his feeling of inadequacy. Kristen, upset that Sandy is considering the new job, finds herself in a compromising position with Jimmy in his new apartment. Meanwhile, Ryan, Marissa, Seth and Summer share close quarters on a road trip to Tijuana. The tension between Ryan and Marissa is undeniable but it isn't the only problem during the long ride south of the border. Marissa learns about her parents' divorce and, once in Mexico, learns the truth about Luke. To cope with all of the new information, Marissa makes a potentially deadly decision.

 

EPISODE 108-THE RESCUE (aired 10.29.03)
guest starring: Bonnie Somerville (Rachel Hoffman), Rosalind Chao (Dr. Kim), April Grace (Dr. Burke)
While Marissa is in the hospital recovering from her overdose, everyone is concerned about her, but Julie vents her anger at Ryan. She blames him for all of Marissa's troubles and warns him to stay away from her daughter.
Meanwhile, Sandy is trying to get acclimated in his new job and is becoming friendly with co-worker, Rachel. Kristen is not happy about her husband's new relationship and it's apparent when she spots Jimmy and Rachel having an after-work cocktail.
The group of people who don't want Ryan around gets a new member – Dr. Kim, the dean of Harbor High School. The dean is not happy about possibly having a student with a criminal background and makes Ryan take a placement exam that will determine whether he will be accepted into the school. During the exam Ryan risks his future at Harbor High and his future in Newport by abandoning the test to join Summer and Seth in an attempt to save Marissa from being sent away to San Diego. Will it be worth it? Or will both Ryan and Marissa be forced to leave The O.C.?

 

EPISODE 109-THE HEIGHTS (aired 11.5.03)
guest starring: Keri Lynn Pratt (Girl #3), Melissa Strom (Girl #1), Samaire Armstrong (Anna Stern), Bonnie Somerville (Rachel Hoffman), Rosalind Chao (Dr. Kim), Eric Allan Kramer (Soccer Coach)
The summer is officially over and it's the first day of school. Summer still ignores Seth in public, but privately is jealous of Seth's new relationship with Anna. Summer isn't the only person fighting feelings of jealousy. Kirsten still isn't comfortable with Sandy's friendship with his new co-worker, Rachel. It doesn't help when Rachel offers Sandy a case against Kirsten's father, Caleb. Back at school Marissa and Ryan are becoming closer, but Luke is still desperate to get Marissa back. When it looks like Luke may be getting exactly what he wants, Ryan lets his jealousy get the best of him and picks a fight with Luke. Marissa is not happy about the brawl and is not happy with Ryan. So, when the two of them find themselves alone on a ferris wheel, will she turn her back on him or forgive his jealous rage?

 

EPISODE 110-THE PERFECT COUPLE (aired 11.12.03)
guest starring: Alan Dale (Caleb Nichol), Samaire Armstrong (Anna Stern), Bonnie Somerville (Rachel Hoffman)
Marissa and Ryan are one week into their relationship and are taking things slowly. Summer tries to deny her true feelings for Seth, while Anna and Seth are getting closer. The case against Caleb continues to cause friction between Sandy and Kirsten. Julie tries to mend her relationship with Marissa, and asks Marissa, Jimmy and Ryan to attend her charity event where her new relationship is revealed.

 

EPISODE 111-THE HOMECOMING (aired 11.19.03)
guest starring: Alan Dale (Caleb Nichol), Samaire Armstrong (Anna Stern), Bonnie Somerville (Rachel Hoffman), Navi Rawat (Theresa), Gina Gallego (Eva), Demetrius Navarro (Arturo), Santiago Douglas (Gattas)
It's Thanksgiving and Seth is trying to choose between Summer and Anna, but ends up in a situation. Meanwhile, Ryan decides to pay a visit his brother Trey in prison and Marissa goes along for the ride. When Julie finds out Marissa is with Ryan in Chino she's incensed. All nervously wait at the Cohen house for their return from Chino and when tensions mount tempers begin to fly. The Cohen's host a Thanksgiving to remember.

 

EPISODE 112-THE SECRET (aired 11.26.03)
guest starring: Alan Dale (Caleb Nichol), Samaire Armstrong (Anna Stern), Kim Oja (Taryn), Kevin West (Mr. Bendis), Brian McNamara (Carson Ward)
Turkey isn't the only thing left over from Thanksgiving. Anna and Summer are still upset with how Seth acted over the holiday and Seth is struggling to make it up to them. Meanwhile, Julie is looking for commitment from Caleb, but when Caleb is honest about what he can offer, the couple decides to take a break. Meanwhile, Kirsten is keeping a secret from Sandy, and when Jimmy and Sandy team up to tackle Jimmy's legal issues, the indiscretion is brought to light. And when Ryan and Luke become partners in a history project, an astonishing revelation creates an alliance between them.

 

EPISODE 113-THE BEST CHRISMUKKAH EVER (aired 12.3.03)
guest starring: Alan Dale (Caleb Nichol), Samaire Armstrong (Anna Stern), Taylor Handley (Oliver Trask)
Seth has combined both Hannukah and Christmas into his own, perfect holiday called Chrismukkah. It looks like this holiday season is going to be another smashing success until Summer and Anna force him to choose between them. Ryan is weary of the holidays knowing that every other Christmas has involved family fights and watching his mom hit the bottle. He won't have to watch his mom drink this holiday season, but Marissa is having problems coping with her family situation and turns to alcohol to drink the holiday away. Kirsten, fed up with her father's antics, takes her first vacation in years while Sandy continues the battle against Caleb's company in the fight to save the Heights. It's Chrismukkah in Newport Beach.

 

EPISODE 114-THE COUNTDOWN (aired 12.17.03)
guest starring: Samaire Armstrong (Anna Stern), Amanda Righetti (Hailey Nichol), Taylor Handley (Oliver Trask), Kim Oja (Taryn), Alaina Kalanj (Yvette)
It's sure to be a countdown to remember when Kirsten's rebellious sister Hailey comes to town. Ryan and Marissa decide that they want to spend a low-key night together in the comforts of popcorn and movies, and Seth tags along since he hasn't received any better offers in light of his recent relationship woes. When Marissa gets invited to Oliver's New Year's shindig, it seems that their special evening together will be spent apart. Fortunately, Hailey is about to spice up the night for everyone by getting Kirsten and Sandy out of the house so that she can throw a raging party for a few friends. As the clock ticks closer towards midnight, Ryan hopes that he can make it to Marissa in time for their first New Year's kiss together.

 

EPISODE 115-THE THIRD WHEEL (aired 1.1.04)
guest starring: Samaire Armstrong (Anna Stern), Amanda Righetti (Hailey Nichol), Taylor Handley (Oliver Trask), Rooney (Themselves), Antonio Leon (Man/Cop)
Seth finally has chosen between Anna and Summer, but how does he tell the one he didn't choose? Ryan is trying to understand Oliver, but still feels uncomfortable about Oliver's relationship with Marissa. When the gang heads to a concert together, Oliver is placed in a trying, legal situation. Will Ryan help him out of it?

 

EPISODE 116-THE LINKS (aired 1.14.04)
guest starring: Alan Dale (Caleb Nichol), Samaire Armstrong (Anna Stern), Amanda Righetti (Hailey Nichol), Taylor Handley (Oliver Trask), Michael Reilly Burke (Tom Willington)
Sandy and Jimmy decide to go into business, while Caleb puts Hailey out of business by shutting off her cash flow. Seth and Anna anticipate spending some time alone as Summer and Luke bond over being single. Ryan and Marissa's disagreement about Oliver reaches new heights when Oliver claims he tried to kill himself. He survived, but can Ryan and Marissa's relationship make it through the ordeal? Oliver comes between Ryan and Marissa.

 

EPISODE 117-THE RIVALS (aired 1.21.04)
guest starring: Alan Dale (Caleb Nichol), Samaire Armstrong (Anna Stern), Taylor Handley (Oliver Trask), Rosalind Chao (Dr. Kim), Bret Harrison (Danny), Kevin West (Mr. Bendis)
Sandy and Jimmy begin their new business partnership when they buy the Lighthouse, a beloved Newport restaurant, while Kirsten and Julie face off at the office when Julie is hired as the Newport Group's new model-home designer. Seth becomes jealous of Summer's new boyfriend and begins to doubt his relationship with Anna. Meanwhile, Ryan risks everything to prove that Oliver is a fraud, leaving Seth and the Cohens concerned and afraid.

 

EPISODE 118-THE TRUTH (aired 2.11.04)
guest starring: Alan Dale (Caleb Nichol), Samaire Armstrong (Anna Stern), Taylor Handley (Oliver Trask)
At the office, Caleb once again leaves Kirsten holding the bag when he forces her to get rid of Julie. Sandy and Kirsten have reached the breaking point with Ryan, as they question their choice to bring him into their home. Meanwhile, Ryan and Luke become allies in the quest to bring Oliver down and protect Marissa. When Marissa discovers the truth about Oliver for herself, a tense showdown ensues as Sandy and Ryan come to the rescue.

 

EPISODE 119-THE HEARTBREAK (aired 2.18.04)
guest starring: Amanda Righetti (Hailey Nichol), Navi Rawat (Theresa)
Marissa tries to mend her relationship with Ryan, but he can't forgive her for the situation with Oliver. Things become even more complicated when Theresa, Ryan's ex from Chino, arrives to cater the Valentine's Day dance. Meanwhile, Seth and Summer decide to take their friendship to a new level, and Jimmy finds out he has a secret admirer in the Cohen house.

 

EPISODE 120-THE TELENOVELA (aired 2.25.04)
guest starring: Alan Dale (Caleb Nichol), Samaire Armstrong (Anna Stern), Navi Rawat (Theresa), Eric Balfour (Eddie), Richard Herd (Shaun)
Marissa and Ryan try to start over as friends, but it's not as easy as it seems. As Theresa begins spending more time in Newport, Ryan discovers that she hasn't been honest about why she's there. Seth believes his relationship with Summer is going great, but when she refuses to acknowledge him at school, he feels he has to teach her a lesson. Meanwhile, Sandy finds himself embroiled in another mess created by Caleb, while Jimmy begins to suspect something is amiss with Julie and Luke.

 

EPISODE 121-THE GOODBYE GIRL (aired 3.3.04)
guest starring: Phil Abrams (Mr. Sheeran), Alan Dale (Caleb Nichol), Samaire Armstrong (Anna Stern), Navi Rawat (Theresa), Eric Balfour (Eddie), Lamont Thompson (Greg Hodes)
When Theresa decides to stay in Newport, Ryan is glad, but feels obligated to help her find a job and a place to stay. Julie and Luke's affair continues to flourish, but their secret is threatened when Jimmy witnesses a moment of intimacy between them. Meanwhile, Anna announces that she is moving back to Pittsburgh and an upset Seth is convinced it's because of him.

 

EPISODE 122-THE L.A. (aired 3.24.04)
guest starring: Steffany Huckaby (April), Alan Dale (Caleb Nichol), Amanda Righetti (Hailey Nichol), Colin Hanks (Grady Bridges), Paris Hilton (Kate)
Sandy and Jimmy find themselves in a bind that only the unlikeliest of heroes can help them out of. Meanwhile, Marissa and Summer head out of Orange County and into Los Angeles looking for a good time. Seth, concerned that Summer may have too much fun, decides to tag along. Ryan wants to keep Marissa far away from Julie and Luke's affair and encourages the group to make the drive into the city.

 

EPISODE 123-THE NANA (aired 3.31.04)
guest starring: Linda Lavin (Sophie "Nana" Cohen), Navi Rawat (Theresa), Eric Balfour (Eddie), Amanda Righetti (Hailey Nichol)
The Cohen family prepares for a visit from Sandy’s mother. She’s coming for Passover dinner, but Seth wants to make sure she doesn’t meet Summer during the festivities. He thinks his “Nana” won’t approve of her, but Summer is out to prove him wrong. Meanwhile, Ryan desperately looks for Marissa, who disappeared when she found out about Luke and Julie’s affair.

 

EPISODE 124-THE PROPOSAL (aired 4.14.04)
guest starring: Alan Dale (Caleb Nichol), Amanda Righetti (Hailey Nichol), Brian McNamara (Carson Ward), Doug Ballard (Peter Johnson)
Luke is desperate to explain himself to Marissa, but Marissa isn’t ready to speak to him or her mother after finding out about their affair. But when Luke gets into a near-fatal accident, both Marissa and Ryan decide it’s time to hear what he has to say. Meanwhile, it’s opening night for The Lighthouse. Just prior to opening, Jimmy and Sandy are shocked to find out the liquor license has been denied, and Sandy is faced with the choice of keeping the license or keeping Jimmy as his partner. Caleb uses the occasion to surprise everyone when he proposes to Julie.

 

EPISODE 125-The SHOWER (aired 4.21.04)
guest starring: Alan Dale (Caleb Nichol), Amanda Righetti (Hailey Nichol), Navi Rawat (Theresa), Michael Nouri (Neil Roberts), Holly Fields (Cindy)
Every bride-to-be must have a wedding shower, and Julie Cooper is going to have one to remember, thanks to Marissa. Teresa decides to return to Newport Beach and when Ryan finds out why she came back, his whole world is turned upside down. Meanwhile, Seth gets the chance to meet Summer's father, but it doesn't go as well as either of them would have liked.

 

EPISODE 126-THE STRIP (AIRED 4.28.04)
guest starring: Alan Dale (Caleb Nichol), Amanda Righetti (Hailey Nichol), Navi Rawat (Theresa), Kristen Renton (Jenn), Kevin Rankin (Lucas)
These are Caleb's last days as a bachelor and he's spending them in Las Vegas! Seth and Ryan join him in "Sin City" for the celebration while a reluctant Kristen plans a bachelorette party for Julie back home in Newport Beach. Meanwhile, Marissa and Teresa are learning more about each other, but what Marissa learns about Teresa could have big consequences.

 

EPISODE 127-THE WEDDING (aired 5.5.04)
guest starring: Alan Dale (Caleb Nichol), Amanda Righetti (Hailey Nichol), Navi Rawat (Theresa), Holly Fields (Cindy), Jem (Herself)
All of Newport Beach turns out for the social engagement of the year: the wedding of Caleb Nichol and Julie Cooper. But the wedding is only the tip of the iceberg in a series of events that will change the lives of many in the O.C. forever. After all, nothing is as it seems in The O.C.