The O.C. Season 1 | |
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From left to right: Jimmy, Summer, Marissa, Julie, Ryan, Sandy, Kirsten, Seth and Luke |
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Series | The O.C. |
Country of origin | ![]() |
Network | FOX |
Original run | August 8, 2003 | – May 5, 2004
No. of episodes | 27 |
DVD release date | October 26, 2004 |
Next season | Season 2 |
The first season of the television series The O.C. commenced airing in the United States on August 5, 2003, concluded on May 5, 2004, and consisted of 27 episodes. It tells the story of "the Cohen and Cooper families, and Ryan [Atwood], a troubled teen from the wrong side of the tracks" who is thrust into the wealthy, harbor-front community of Newport Beach, Orange County, California and "will forever change the lives of the residents".[1]
The first seven episodes of The O.C. aired in the US on Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. on FOX, a terrestrial television network. Following a seven week mid-season hiatus, the remainder of the season aired on Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. The season was released on DVD as a seven disc boxed set under the title of The O.C.: The Complete First Season on September 26, 2004 by Warner Bros. Home Video.[2] On June 17, 2008 the season became available to purchase for registered users of the US iTunes Store.
In the United Kingdom the season premiere aired at 9:00 p.m. Sunday March 7, 2004 on Channel 4 with the second episode airing immediately after, on sister station E4.[3] After taking a hiatus over summer, the show returned in early September to a 1:00 p.m. slot as part of T4.[4] In Canada it aired on CTV Television Network and in Australia it was first broadcast on Nine Network, but dropped it after three episodes. Network Ten subsequently picked up the show, airing it in its entirety.[5]
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The season was produced by Warner Bros. Television, Hypnotic (now Dutch Oven) and Wonderland.[6] The executive producers were creator Josh Schwartz, Doug Liman, Dave Bartis and McG, with showrunner Bob DeLaurentis joining them after the pilot episode.[7][8] Melissa Rosenberg and Allan Heinberg served as co-executive producers. Stephanie Savage was supervising producer and Loucas George producer. The staff writers were Schwartz, Savage, Heinberg, Rosenberg, Jane Espenson, Debra J. Fisher, Erica Messer, Brian Oh, J.J. Philbin and Liz Friedman. The regular directors throughout the season were Liman, Sanford Bookstaver, Michael Lange, Patrick Norris, Michael Fresco, James Marshall and Sandy Smolan.
The initial season had nine major roles receive star billing. Benjamin McKenzie portrayed protagonist Ryan Atwood, a troubled teenager who is thrust into the wealthy lifestyle of Newport.[9] Mischa Barton played the girl next door, Marissa Cooper, with Tate Donovan starring as her financially troubled father Jimmy.[9] Adam Brody acted as geeky ostracized teenager Seth Cohen with Kelly Rowan playing his mother Kirsten,[9] the powerful businesswomen, and Peter Gallagher portraying his father, Sandy, a public defense attorney.[10] Chris Carmack portrayed Marrissa's boyfriend Luke Ward.[9] Originally only guest stars, Melinda Clarke starred as Marissa's mother, Julie Cooper, and Rachel Bilson played Summer Roberts,[11] best friend to Marissa and Seth's object of affection. Both gained contracts to the main cast list after thirteen episodes.[12]
Numerous supporting characters were given expansive and recurring appearances in the progressive storyline, including Samaire Armstrong as Anna Stern,[13] Alan Dale as wealthy businessman and father of Kirstin, Caleb Nichol.[14] Taylor Handley played Oliver Trask,[13] a psychotic character who viewers loved to hate.[15] Amanda Righetti starred as Kirstin's younger sister Hailey Nichol.[13] Navi Rawat played Theresa Diaz, childhood sweetheart of Ryan.[16] Bonnie Somerville acted as Rachel Hoffman, a former work colleague of Sandy,[17] and Ashley Hartman portrayed Holly Fischer a friend of Marissa and Summer.[17]
Other guest stars in recurring roles include Linda Lavin as Nana Cohen,[14] Daphne Ashbrook as Ryan's mother Dawn and Michael Nouri as Summer's father Neil.[18] Actors Bradley Stryker, as Ryan's brother Trey,[19] and Shailene Woodley, as Marrisa's younger sister Kaitlin, were both only guest stars at this point. However both these characters, portrayed by different actors, would return to a larger role in later seasons.
The pilot episode of the season gained 7.5 million viewers and was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award for best episodic drama.[20] As the season progressed, ratings picked up with 8 million viewers tuning into for the third episode and 8.6 million viewers watching the fourth installment.[21][22] This resulted in FOX initially ordering an additional six episodes.[22] The season was split into two parts, the first consisting of seven episodes shown weekly, which averaged 8.43 million viewers.[23] This was followed by a seven week hiatus, in which FOX announced it had ordered another five episodes, bringing the total season to twenty-seven.[24]
The time-slot for the second half of the season was originally planned for Thursday nights, but facing competition from CSI: Crime Scene Investigation on CBS and Will & Grace on NBC it was moved to Wednesday nights at 9:00 p.m. instead.[25] Overall season one was the highest-rated new drama of the season among adults aged 18 to 34,[26] averaging a total of 9.7 million viewers.[27] The show picked up four Teen Choice Awards and was nominated for another two, as well as getting nominated for the Outstanding New Program TCA Award.[28] In the UK, its two showings a week averaged 1.2 million viewers, and it was one of the highest rating Sunday daytime programs, also attracting fans to E4 on Monday nights.[29] It was also well received in Australia, picking up a Logie Award for Most Popular Overseas Program in 2005.[30]
However, the show did come in for some criticism. San Jose Mercury News criticized the plot and the casting saying that "the storylines usually involve the obligatory three-episode-arc drug problems or lost virginity with dialogue designed to keep a dog up to speed",[31] and that "Whoever at FOX thought Benjamin McKenzie (Ryan on "The O.C.") could pass for anything younger than 25 should be fired".[31] A DVD review was critical of the repetitive plot stating that "the Ryan-Marissa fol-de-rol gets tiresome as it devolves into relentless bad timing",[32] while Entertainment Weekly did not think the acting was always up to scratch, stating "it's unfortunate to have all this potential for arm-flinging drama invested in Barton, an actress who can be as flat as a paper doll".[33] It was also denounced for excessive brawling and glamorizing underage drinking.[34]
"Series #" refers to the episode's number in the overall series, whereas "Episode #" refers to the episode's number in this particular season. The first season's episodes are altogether 1186 minutes in length.
Series # |
Episode # |
Title | Directed by | Written by | American viewers in millions | Original airdate | Production Code |
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1 | 1 | "Premiere" | Doug Liman | Josh Schwartz | 7.5[35] | August 5, 2003 | 475197 |
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 that Ryan may not be able to stay at the Cohen house. | |||||||
2 | 2 | "The Model Home" | Doug Liman | Allan Heinberg & Josh Schwartz | 7.9[35] | August 12, 2003 | 176501 |
Faced with the prospect of life in a group home, Ryan decides to run away from Newport, but Seth and Marissa convince him to stay and hide in one of Kirsten's vacant building projects. Marrisa's boyfriend, Luke, misinterprets an encounter between Ryan and Marrisa. When confronting Ryan a fight breaks loose, burning down Kirsten's "model home" and getting them both arrested in the process. | |||||||
3 | 3 | "The Gamble" | Ian Toynton | Jane Espenson | 8.0[35] | August 19, 2003 | 176502 |
Sandy comes to Ryan's rescue once again after he has a difficult stay in juvie hall. Seth makes his mum, Kirsten, aware of his anger over Ryan's situation. Kirsten invites Dawn to accompany Ryan and the Cohens to Casino Night, but 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. | |||||||
4 | 4 | "The Debut" | Daniel Attias | Allan Heinberg & Josh Schwartz | 8.6[35] | August 26, 2003 | 176503 |
It's time for the annual Cotillion Ball, the time when Newport's finest young ladies enter society. Luke and Marissa break up, so Ryan escorts her to the Ball. Jimmy becomes subject of a fraud investigation and Kirsten's $100,000 loan to him has placed the Cohen family in the spotlight as well. At th ball Holly's father punches him, embarrassing both Marissa and Julie. | |||||||
5 | 5 | "The Outsider" | Jesús Salvador Treviño | Melissa Rosenberg | 9.1[35] | September 2, 2003 | 176504 |
Ryan, wanting to be more financially independent, takes a job at the Crab Shack diner, befriending Donny who has connections to his previous life. Wanting to experience Ryan's social group, Seth accepts Donnie's invitation to a party in Donnie's neighborhood. Ryan fears that Seth doesn't comprehend the type of people he will encounter, so he sacrifices his first date with Marissa to protect him. Sandy attempts to help Jimmy sort out his life, but gives him some bad news. Julie reveals her plans to divorce Jimmy. | |||||||
6 | 6 | "The Girlfriend" | Steve Robman | Josh Schwartz & Debra J. Fisher | 9.1[35] | September 9, 2003 | 176505 |
Kirsten's father, Caleb Nichol, comes for a visit along with his new girlfriend, Gabrielle, a 24-year-old fashion model. Kirsten finds her job in jeopardy. To Ryan's disappointment, Luke decides he wants a second chance with Marissa, but she chooses Ryan. Ryan makes out with Gabrielle in the pool house, so Marissa lets Luke be her "first". Summer makes a move on Seth. | |||||||
7 | 7 | "The Escape" | Sanford Bookstaver | Josh Schwartz | 8.8[35] | September 16, 2003 | 176506 |
The Newport kids plan an end-of-summer trip down to Tijuana, Mexico. 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. Marissa learns about her parents' divorce and, once in Mexico, catches Luke with Holly. In trying to cope, Marissa overdoses on painkillers and tequila. | |||||||
8 | 8 | "The Rescue" | Michael Lange | Melissa Rosenberg & Allan Heinberg | 9.27[36] | October 29, 2003 | 176507 |
Everyone is back home in Newport and Marissa is recovering. Julie unfairly blames Ryan for the incident and forbids him from seeing Marissa. Sandy starts his new job, but finds himself surprised by the heavy casework, meanwhile Kirsten finds herself is displeased when Sandy shares a cocktail with his attractive new co-worker, Rachel. Ryan enrolls at Harbor High School. Julie betrays Jimmy and Marissa. Ryan is made to take a placement examination for Harbor High school, but risks his future, leaving in the middle of the test to prevent Julie sending Marissa away to San Diego. | |||||||
9 | 9 | "The Heights" | Patrick Norris | Debra J. Fisher & Erica Messer | 7.52[37] | November 5, 2003 | 176508 |
During the opening day of the new school year at Harbor High, Ryan does not feel like he fits in at his new school and Luke does not make the situation any better. Summer still ignores Seth in public, but privately is jealous of Seth's new relationship with Anna. Sandy accepts a case against Caleb at his new job, that will test his relationship with Kirsten. Marissa and Ryan share their first kiss while stuck on the ferris wheel. | |||||||
10 | 10 | "The Perfect Couple" | Michael Fresco | Allan Heinberg | 8.28[38] | November 12, 2003 | 176509 |
Now that they are free to be together, Ryan and Marissa plan their first official date. Kirsten sees her father with a new woman, and fears Sandy has found a new woman of his own. Summer passionately kisses Seth and admits she likes him, but if he tells anyone he's dead. | |||||||
11 | 11 | "The Homecoming" | Keith Samples | Josh Schwartz & Brian Oh | 9.03[39] | November 19, 2003 | 176510 |
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. | |||||||
12 | 12 | "The Secret" | James Marshall | Allan Heinberg & Josh Schwartz | 6.9[40] | November 26, 2003 | 176511 |
Anna and Summer remain upset with Seth for his behavior over Thanksgiving, and Seth struggles to reconcile with them. Julie wants Caleb to make a romantic commitment, but they decide to separate for a while. Jimmy and Sandy team up to tackle Jimmy's legal issues and an indiscretion by Kirsten is exposed. Ryan and Luke become partners on a project and the revelation that Luke's father is gay creates an unexpected alliance between them. | |||||||
13 | 13 | "The Best Chrismukkah Ever" | Sanford Bookstaver | Stephanie Savage | 9.27[41] | December 3, 2003 | 176512 |
Seth introduces Ryan to Chrismukkah, a holiday resulting from a Christian mother and Jewish father. Meanwhile, on opposing sides of a lawsuit, Sandy and Kirsten dread working through the holiday season, with Kirsten learning something about her father that could change everything. Ryan and Marissa's shopping trip leads to trouble, and Seth is forced to choose between Anna and Summer. Elsewhere a new boy, Oliver, enters the Newport scene. | |||||||
14 | 14 | "The Countdown" | Michael Fresco | Josh Schwartz | 7.99[42] | December 17, 2003 | 176513 |
On New Year's Eve, Kirsten's spoiled younger sister Hailey comes to town. Hailey persuades Sandy and Kirstin to go out so she can throw a wild party, having locked Ryan and Seth in the pool house. Oliver casts his spell over Marissa by inviting her to his penthouse party. Meanwhile Ryan is hoping he can make it to Marissa in time for their first New Year's kiss together. | |||||||
15 | 15 | "The Third Wheel" | Sandy Smolan | Melissa Rosenberg | 9.4[43] | January 7, 2004 | 176514 |
Hailey discovers, due to her irresponsible habits and lifestyle, she is no longer welcome. Oliver invites the gang to a concert where the band Rooney is performing and Luke makes some new friends. Having chosen a relationship with Anna, Seth struggles to tell Summer about it. Also trouble brews when Ryan catches Oliver buying drugs in the parking lot. | |||||||
16 | 16 | "The Links" | Michael Lange | Debra J. Fisher & Erica Messer | 8.9[44] | January 14, 2004 | 176515 |
Oliver plans another trip, taking the gang to a golf course in Palm Springs. Summer tries to annoy Anna and Seth and Oliver keeps Ryan and Marissa apart. Caleb and Julie return from Europe, and Hailey and Kirsten clash, when Hailey's cash flow is shut off. Oliver claims he's taken a handful of drugs to kill himself, but Ryan is unconvinced of a suicide attempt. However Marissa insists on staying the night with him. Meanwhile Jimmy and Sandy decide to go into business together. | |||||||
17 | 17 | "The Rivals" | Ian Toynton | Josh Schwartz | 12.72[45] | January 21, 2004 | 176516 |
Sandy and Jimmy begin their new business partnership when they buy the Lighthouse. 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 Oliver makes his presence known by transferring to Harbor High, and Ryan risks everything to expose him for who he really is, which concerns everyone else. | |||||||
18 | 18 | "The Truth" | Rodman Flender | Allan Heinberg | 12.70[46] | February 11, 2004 | 176517 |
At the office, Caleb once again leaves Kirsten holding the bag when he forces her to fire Julie. Thanks to Oliver, Ryan gets suspended from school and is shunned by everyone else, who refuse to believe that Oliver is dangerously obsessed with Marissa. However Luke believes Ryan and offers to help him. Seth drifts further apart from Anna and is drawn to Summer. Oliver finally loses it when Marissa rejects him and holds her hostage with a gun. | |||||||
19 | 19 | "The Heartbreak" | Lev L. Spiro | Josh Schwartz | 10.95[47] | February 18, 2004 | 176518 |
It's Valentine's Day in Newport, and everyone is preparing for the Valentine's singles benefit. Luke has a new crush, Marissa's mother Julie, and Jimmy finds out he has an admirer in the Cohen house. Sandy gives Seth some advice about going all the way with Summer, as their relationship reaches new levels and Theresa, an old flame of Ryan's, shows up in town, forcing Marissa to reveal her feelings for Ryan. | |||||||
20 | 20 | "The Telenovela" | Sanford Bookstaver | Stephanie Savage | 9.56[48] | February 25, 2004 | 176519 |
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. | |||||||
21 | 21 | "The Goodbye Girl" | Patrick Norris | Josh Schwartz | 10.27[49] | March 3, 2004 | 176520 |
Anna announces that she is leaving Newport to go back to Pittsburgh, which leaves Seth feeling guilty for the way he treated her. Legal troubles brew for Caleb and Kirsten, while Sandy works to solve them. Luke and Julie's secret romance is becomes harder to contain, and Theresa's possessive boyfriend from Chino arrives, bringing trouble. | |||||||
22 | 22 | "The L.A." | David M. Barrett | Josh Schwartz | 11.09[50] | March 24, 2004 | 176521 |
When Summer and Marissa run into Grady Bridges, the star of Summer's favorite soap 'The Valley', he invites them to a party in Los Angeles. At the party, Summer is thrilled to spend time with Grady, but Seth is not as happy. The situation is reversed when Seth meets sexy Kate (Paris Hilton), and it's Summer's turn to be jealous. Additionally the gang run into Hailey, who is now working as a stripper. Jimmy and Sandy present their restaurant to Newport's finest and approach Caleb for some financial help. Meanwhile in heading back home Ryan has a hard time keeping Luke and Julie's affair a secret from Marissa. | |||||||
23 | 23 | "The Nana" | Michael Lange | Allan Heinberg | 11.37[51] | March 31, 2004 | 176522 |
Sandy's overbearing and obnoxious mother, Sofia "Nana" Cohen (Linda Lavin) arrives in California for Passover with some sad news. Ryan searches for Marissa, who'd gone missing after learning Julie and Luke's romantic secret, and he finds her in the most unlikely of places. Summer tries to impress Nana. Jimmy and Hailey take a step forward with their newfound romance. | |||||||
24 | 24 | "The Proposal" | Helen Shaver | Liz Friedman & Josh Schwartz | 10.49[52] | April 14, 2004 | 176523 |
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, but 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 the license or Jimmy as his partner. Caleb uses the occasion to surprise everyone when he proposes to Julie and Luke moves away to Portland to live with his father. | |||||||
25 | 25 | "The Shower" | Sandy Smolan | J. J. Philbin | 10.13[53] | April 21, 2004 | 176524 |
Everyone is still reacting to the surprise engagement of Julie and Caleb. Kirsten is put in a difficult position when asked to be Julie's maid of honor, and her and Marissa end up in charge of throwing Julie's wedding shower. Marissa invites an unwanted guest, Julie's estranged sister Cindy. Theresa calls Sandy for help and tries to avoid Ryan. Jimmy and Hailey continue their romance. Seth awkwardly meets Summer's father. | |||||||
26 | 26 | "The Strip" | James Marshall | Allan Heinberg | 10.52[54] | April 28, 2004 | 176525 |
It's Bachelor and Bachelorette Party time for Caleb and Julie. Caleb and the boys head off to Las Vegas while Kirsten organizes an evening at the Cohen house for Julie, strippers included. Jimmy and Sandy learn of Caleb's true motives, while back home Julie and Hailey have a swim and a catfight. Marissa gets to know Theresa better but finds out something that could have big consequences. | |||||||
27 | 27 | "The Ties That Bind" | Patrick Norris | Josh Schwartz | 10.72[55] | May 5, 2004 | 176526 |
Julie and Caleb officially get married, as Ryan and Theresa face a difficult decision regarding her pregnancy. Marissa moves into Caleb and Julie's new castle on the cliff, and Seth struggles to find himself when things around him seem to fall apart. Life in The O.C. comes full circle from one year before. |
The DVD release of season one was released by Warner Bros. in the US on October 26, 2004, after it had completed broadcast on television. As well as every episode from the season, the DVD release features bonus material including a preview of the second season, deleted scenes, audio commentary and behind-the-scenes featurettes.
The O.C. - The Complete First Season | ||||
Set details[56] | Special features[56] | |||
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Release dates[56][57][58] | ||||
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October 26, 2004 | October 18, 2004 | February 2, 2005 |
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