The O.C. (2003 — 2007)

The O.C. (2003–2007) is an American teen drama series that aired on Fox from August 2003 to February 2007, spanning four seasons. The show is named after Orange County, California, where it takes place. It follows the journey of Ryan Atwood, a troubled youth from a broken home who finds a new family in wealthy couple Sandy and Kirsten Cohen. With his socially awkward but witty adoptive brother Seth by his side, Ryan navigates life as an outsider in affluent Newport Beach. Along the way, they encounter Marissa Cooper, Seth’s lifelong crush Summer Roberts, and fierce loner Taylor Townsend. The series explores the clash between the idealistic Cohen family and their shallow and narrow-minded community.

Season 1 (2003–2004). In season 1, Ryan Atwood moves in with Sandy and Kirsten Cohen after being kicked out by his mother. The main focus of this season is Ryan’s struggles to adapt to the upper-class environment of Newport Beach, after growing up in poverty and experiencing domestic abuse. He quickly becomes close friends with Seth Cohen and starts a romantic relationship with Marissa Cooper. Despite their different backgrounds, Ryan realizes that he shares common issues with his new peers such as identity conflicts and feeling disconnected from family. As Ryan supports Marissa through her parents’ divorce, their relationship grows stronger. Throughout the show, Ryan takes on a protective role for Marissa, revealing a more stable and composed side of himself than initially shown.

Season 2 (2004–2005). The second season of The O.C. continues to delve into the complicated love lives of Ryan and Marissa, Seth and Summer, and Sandy and Kirsten. According to the show’s creator, Josh Schwartz, this season shifts its focus from Ryan’s past to his future. As a result, the storytelling will slow down and the characters will evolve. This is evident in Ryan’s advanced physics class, where he clashes with another student named Lindsay. She initially doubts his ability as a lab partner and refuses to let him contribute to their assignment. However, Ryan’s character begins to develop when he stands up for himself and convinces Lindsay to work with him, ultimately leading them to successfully complete the project together.

Season 3 (2005–2006). In season 3, major changes occur in the characters’ relationships and power dynamics. Marissa is expelled from the Harbor School, leading to financial struggles for the Cooper family as they move into a trailer park. Julie Cooper-Nichol, once extremely wealthy, now struggles to provide for her daughters. Meanwhile, Marissa’s life spirals out of control due to substance abuse and the loss of her friend Johnny. Kirsten also confronts her alcoholism and leaves rehab, but faces new challenges when she gets involved with a con artist. As for their futures, Seth and Summer compete to get into Brown University while Sandy grapples with his morals when an ex-love interest reappears. He also takes over Caleb’s old position at The Newport Group and works on a project to increase low-income housing in Newport.

Season 4 (2006–2007). The fourth and final season of The O.C. (2003–2007) kicks off five months after Marissa’s tragic death in a car accident. Ryan, consumed by grief and thirst for revenge against Volchok, starts the season in seclusion. With Julie’s support, they team up to track down Volchok in Mexico and hand him over to authorities. The ever-loving Cohen family and quirky Taylor Townsend help guide Ryan back into the light. As this unfolds, Seth and Summer navigate the challenges of their long-distance relationship as she heads off to college. In the first half of the season, the characters come to terms with Marissa’s passing, while the second half focuses on their individual struggles with identity crises. Expect plenty of surprises throughout this final season, including a new member joining the Cohen clan, an alternate reality where Sandy is mayor, and a devastating natural disaster that rocks Newport.