The O.C.: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 69 Ratings

See All

6.8

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.8	Your Score
6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 69 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Season Details & Credits

FOX | Season Premiere Date: August 5, 2003

Starring: Melinda Clarke, Adam Brody, Tate Donovan

Summary: The O.C. - also known as Orange County, California - is an idyllic paradise, a wealthy, harbor-front community where everything and everyone appears to be perfect. But beneath the surface is a world of shifting loyalties and identities, of kids living secret lives hidden from their parents and of parents living secret lives hidden fromThe O.C. - also known as Orange County, California - is an idyllic paradise, a wealthy, harbor-front community where everything and everyone appears to be perfect. But beneath the surface is a world of shifting loyalties and identities, of kids living secret lives hidden from their parents and of parents living secret lives hidden from their children. 'The O.C.' tells the story of the Cohen, Cooper and Nichol families and Ryan Atwood, a troubled teen from the wrong side of the tracks who is thrust into this world and who will forever change the lives of the residents of The O.C.Produced by: Warner Brothers TV, College Hill Pictures, Wonderland and Hypnotic ProductionsTheme Song: California (Here We Come) by Phantom Planet.… Expand

Creator: Josh Schwartz

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E27. The Ties That Bind
Air Date: May 5, 2004
tbd
S1:E26. The Strip
Air Date: April 28, 2004
tbd
S1:E25. The Shower
Air Date: April 21, 2004

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Hal Boedeker

May 7, 2013

The first new fall TV series is also one of the most promising. The O.C. -- which stands for Orange County, California-style -- mixes potent conflicts with lavish backdrops and attractive folk. The concoction carries a surprisingly bittersweet kick. [3 Aug 2003, p.4]

Glenn Garvin

May 6, 2013

It flickers with longing and resentment, vulnerability and rejection, temptation and moral erosion. It is totally absorbing television. [5 Aug 2003, p.1E]

Alessandra Stanley

May 6, 2013

Purists may be irritated by the pilfering of James Dean's classic film "Rebel Without a Cause," including, in the show's second episode, an entire plot line in which Ryan (Benjamin McKenzie) runs away and plays house with Marissa and another young friend in the unfinished model house of a new development. Yet the empty swimming pool, used by the boys as a skateboarding rink, is a rather amusing homage to that 1955 movie by Nicholas Ray. Read full review

San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times

Chuck Barney

May 6, 2013

Brody's portrayal of the wise but nerdy Seth energizes The O.C. He's comical without being cartoonish, and the humorous touches he brings to the story help to lighten up a show that at times feels overly heavy. Here's hoping the script writers don't leave his character in the dust in favor of chasing more glamorous story lines. [5 Aug 2003, p.D01]

Ellen Gray

May 7, 2013

McKenzie may look like Russell Crowe's younger brother - while playing nearly a decade below his own age - but for all the James Dean comparisons being bandied about, he's a character straight out of Dickens: a little bit Pip, a little bit David Copperfield. [4 Aug 2003, p.28]

Terry Kelleher

Jun 28, 2013

Nothing in the opener is especially fresh or intriguing except the relationship between Ryan and Seth. Read full review

Tom Shales

May 6, 2013

Encumbered by a script that is nearly breathtaking in its imbecilic banality, The O.C. makes one long for the cold comforts of a sleazy-minded "reality" show. Fox is trying to pass off this moody, moon-faced trifle, a drama about rich young brats in Orange County, Calif., as the first series of the new fall season (in August?). But if there's any justice left in television, "O.C. will be canceled by the time the actual fall shows premiere. [5 Aug 2003, p.C01]

SEE ALL 17 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

6.8

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

User Reviews

sombrassolidas

Mar 20, 2014

la primera temporada de the o.c fue simplemente perfecta, luego en la segunda para adelante decayo fue una copia de la primer temporada con un par de toques distintos pero muy copia de la primera temporada. debo darle un 10 a la primera temporada de the oc. porque tiene musica perfecta y ala primera temporada de the o.c fue simplemente perfecta, luego en la segunda para adelante decayo fue una copia de la primer temporada con un par de toques distintos pero muy copia de la primera temporada. debo darle un 10 a la primera temporada de the oc. porque tiene musica perfecta y a tiempo paisajes inreibles un guion genial actores muy buenos (bueno es una telenovela media facil pero lo hicieron muy bien) y creo que deberian hacer mas series como esta y skin 10 la primera y las demas la segunda 6 la tercera 7 y la ultima no la termine… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Cater

May 31, 2017

I just started watching The O.C. and it's actually good. A lot of things happened in the pilot. And it really surprised me. The O.C. is a binge-worthy show. And whoever is reading this, you should watch this show. You won't be disappointed.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Gabriel7ML

May 11, 2018

A powerful teenage drama. After so many years the characters are so present on my memory, especially the female protagonist, Marissa Cooper. I miss more TV shows like this.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

brianonthescene

Apr 27, 2021

One of the rare perfect seasons of a TV series, The OC S1 is a 2000-era time capsule and a masterclass in genre reinvention.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Seasons & Episodes

67

Series Overview
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: November 2, 2006
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: September 8, 2005
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: November 4, 2004
Season 1

67
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: August 5, 2003
- tbd
  S1:E27. The Ties That Bind
  Air Date: May 5, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E26. The Strip
  Air Date: April 28, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E25. The Shower
  Air Date: April 21, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E24. The Proposal
  Air Date: April 14, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E23. The Nana
  Air Date: March 31, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E22. The L.A.
  Air Date: March 24, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E21. The Goodbye Girl
  Air Date: March 3, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E20. The Telenovela
  Air Date: February 25, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E19. The Heartbreak
  Air Date: February 18, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E18. The Truth
  Air Date: February 11, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E17. The Rivals
  Air Date: January 21, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E16. The Links
  Air Date: January 14, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E15. The Third Wheel
  Air Date: January 7, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E14. The Countdown
  Air Date: December 17, 2003
- tbd
  S1:E13. The Best Chrismukkah Ever
  Air Date: December 3, 2003
- tbd
  S1:E12. The Secret
  Air Date: November 26, 2003
- tbd
  S1:E11. The Homecoming
  Air Date: November 19, 2003
- tbd
  S1:E10. The Perfect Couple
  Air Date: November 12, 2003
- tbd
  S1:E9. The Heights
  Air Date: November 5, 2003
- tbd
  S1:E8. The Rescue
  Air Date: October 29, 2003
- tbd
  S1:E7. The Escape
  Air Date: September 16, 2003
- tbd
  S1:E6. The Girlfriend
  Air Date: September 9, 2003
- tbd
  S1:E5. The Outsider
  Air Date: September 2, 2003
- tbd
  S1:E4. The Debut
  Air Date: August 26, 2003
- tbd
  S1:E3. The Gamble
  Air Date: August 19, 2003
- tbd
  S1:E2. The Model Home
  Air Date: August 12, 2003
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: August 5, 2003