The O.C. brought drama to Newport Beach when Ryan Atwood arrived at the Cohen’s house. Making fast friends with Seth, the two become each other’s rock through hardships. As someone who had lost his family to jail and bad choices, Ryan gets a chance to feel secure with Sandy, Kirsten, and Seth as they welcome him into their family.
But, Ryan doesn’t just get a family out of his move, he also gains some new friends in Marissa, Summer, and Taylor. Along the way, Ryan may have even found a passion for a potential future career in architecture. But, Ryan also had to balance his past with his present and future in how he handled social situations regarding fighting out his problems.
The series also placed a substantial amount of time on Sandy and Kirsten’s relationship, showing that they were always there for each other no matter if it was good or bad. Julie Cooper was also utilized as a vital parental character, even if she wasn’t the best mother. Still, The O.C. was filled with essential character dynamics, growing individuals, and complex relationships.
Entire Show: 72%
Poor teenage boy moves to a wealthy town and shakes everything up. While that may be what the show may appear to be on the surface, it is much more than that. The teen drama focused on more than just teenage issues, going outside the scope to keep Sandy, Kirsten, and Julie just as exciting as their kids.
Sandy, Kirsten, and Julie were always characters and people in their own right, never tied down to the role of being a parent. Their relationships, developments, and growth were just as vital to the story as Ryan, Seth, Summer, and Marissa’s journeys. By allowing the different dynamics, it added layers to all the character’s relationships.
Season 4: 55%
Marissa Cooper’s death left a scar on Ryan, Julie, and Summer. Ryan and Julie wish revenge on Volchok for killing Marissa in a car accident. While that storyline wraps up quickly enough, there is still a notable change in the group dynamic without Marissa. Summer latches onto activities at college to focus on anything but Marissa and ends up loving being involved in initiatives to save the planet.
As the final season, The O.C. wraps up loose ends with its main characters and uses its series finale to reveal each character’s ending. Sandy and Kirsten end up back in their old home in Berkely. Seth and Summer get married, and Summer continues her involvement in saving the Earth. Ryan becomes an architect and offers a helping hand to a teenager who appears to need help. With Ryan’s conclusion bring the series full circle, it acknowledges how much he has grown since the series premiere.
Season 3: 61%
High school is coming to an end, and everyone is preparing for the next step. Since Marissa is unable to continue her education at The Harbor School, she must transfer to Newport Union School. At Newport Union, Marissa meets Johnny Harper, an up and coming surfer.
Unfortunately, Johnny spirals after a car accident that left him unable to continue his surf dreams. Ryan, Seth, Summer, and Marissa deal with the fallout of Marissa shooting Trey. Marissa, who already had an out of Newport Beach to spend time with her father, dies in a fiery car accident.
Season 1: 84%
Ryan Atwood’s life is changed forever when Sandy Cohen offers Ryan a place at his home. Moving to a much more prosperous neighborhood, Ryan has access to things he never had before. From becoming involved in the Cohen family unit to a better high school, Ryan has to adapt to the changes all around him. Luckily, Ryan’s got some people on his side, like his new best friend, Seth Cohen and Marissa Cooper, the girl next door.
But Ryan isn’t the only one facing drama. Seth’s long-time crush on Summer Roberts finally starts working in his favor when Ryan and Marissa’s relationship allows Seth and Summer to spend time together also.
Season 2: 86%
After leaving Newport Beach in the season one finale, Seth and Summer face the aftermath of Seth’s return and where their relationship stands. Summer’s new boyfriend, Zach, joins forces with Seth for their new comic book creation, “Atomic County.” “Atomic County” was based on the people and events in Seth’s life, including himself, Ryan, Summer, and Marissa. Seth, Summer, and Zach’s love triangle comes to a head at the end of the season when Seth and Zach must decide which of them will attend prom with Summer and which will go to an important meeting.
Meanwhile, Ryan and Marissa face conflicts and struggles when Ryan’s brother, Trey, becomes heavily involved in Ryan’s life. It reaches a point where Trey attempts to rape Marissa. However, things get worse when Marissa shoots Trey.
