The third season of the Fox drama The O.C., premiered on September 8, 2005 and the season finale aired on May 18, 2006. It consisted of 25 episode.
Synopsis[]
Still reeling from the shooting, Ryan and his friends try to move on as they enter their senior year of high school, where their decisions they make will have a lasting impact on their lives. Sandy takes over Kirsten position at the Newport group, while Kirsten tries to make it through sobriety. After facing the threat of expulsion, Katlin tries her best not to return to Newport. Julie's past comes back to haunt her as she tries to become the richest woman in Newport following Caleb's death.
Main Cast[]
- Peter Gallagher as Sandy Cohen
- Kelly Rowan as Kirsten Cohen
- Benjamin McKenzie as Ryan Atwood
- Adam Brody as Seth Cohen
- Mischa Barton as Marissa Cooper
- Melinda Clarke as Julie Cooper
- Rachel Bilson as Summer Roberts
Although Tate Donovan made a few appearances as Jimmy Cooper, he was not credited as part of the main cast for the season. Mischa Barton left the main cast after the death of her character, Marissa Cooper.
Episode Guide[]
| # | Image | Title | Writer | Director | Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 301 | 
|
"The Aftermath" | Josh Schwartz | Ian Toynton | September 8, 2005 |
| It has been a couple of months since the shooting. Trey has been in a coma all this time leaving the District Attorney impatiently waiting for his side of the story. Feeling the pressure from the community the D.A. continues to put pressure on Ryan, Marissa, Seth, Summer and others for more information. Meanwhile Julie is steaming mad because Caleb’s accountant won’t give up the goods on Caleb’s will and Kirsten is still in rehab. | |||||
| 302 | 
|
"The Shape of Things to Come" | Josh Schwartz | Tony Wharmby | September 15, 2005 |
| Social Chair Summer tries to plan this year’s carnival but is having much difficulty due to a little pest named Taylor. Sandy is surprised to find Kirsten has been released from rehab but instead of informing him, she has been living with another woman named Charlotte who she met in rehab. Julie and Sandy meet with the Dean and Dr. Kim to discuss Ryan and Marissa’s future at Harbor High. Later Ryan and Marissa partake in a similar meeting. Elsewhere Jimmy meets a man and feels more than open to discuss his money problems with him. | |||||
| 303 | 
|
"The End of Innocence" | Josh Schwartz | Michael Lange | September 22, 2005 |
| Jimmy must make once more the difficult decision to leave or stay with his family; Kirsten returns to the Cohen household while Charlotte has to leave her house; Marissa and Ryan face a possible separation; Taylor lords over the school musical and makes Summer and Seth her stooges. | |||||
| 304 | 
|
"The Last Waltz" | Josh Schwartz | Ian Toynton | September 29, 2005 |
| Marissa begins her first day at Newport Union Public School and Ryan doesn't seem to take a liking to the new friends she's made; Charlotte's true intentions towards Kirsten are revealed; Summer finds out the horrifying truth between the Dean and Taylor; Kirsten has a big decision to make regarding the Company. | |||||
| 305 | 
|
"The Perfect Storm" | Josh Schwartz | Tony Wharmby | November 3, 2005 |
| Ryan decides to make a life-changing decision that Sandy surprisingly supports, and Marissa turns to her new public school friends for help with Ryan. Meanwhile, Harbor High's Dean of Discipline, Dean Hess, continues his crusade to ruin Ryan's future, and Summer and Seth go on their own crusade to reveal Dean Hess's secret. Meanwhile, Charlotte makes Julie an offer she cannot refuse. | |||||
| 306 | 
|
"The Swells" | Josh Schwartz | Michael Fresco | November 10, 2005 |
| Taylor Townsend locks up Seth's night when she throws a Harbor School event that keeps Summer at a distance. Meanwhile, Marissa's new friendships at public school worry Summer and she enlists Ryan's help. Meanwhile, Sandy works on a plan for the Newport Group and forms a new partnership. And Charlotte convinces Julie and Kirsten to edge back into Newport society. | |||||
| 307 | 
|
"The Anger Management" | Josh Schwartz | Michael Fresco | November 17, 2005 |
| When the gang heads to The Bait Shop to see The Subways, Taylor's horsing around causes a major rift between Seth and Summer. Marissa, determined to end the potentially explosive rift between Ryan and Volchok, does whatever it takes to watch out for Ryan. Meanwhile, Matt, Sandy's Newport Group partner, goes above and beyond the call of duty; Julie Cooper reigns supreme as the only "bitch" in Orange County; and Ryan needs to use his head for once. | |||||
| 308 | 
|
"The Game Plan" | Josh Schwartz | Tate Donovan | December 1, 2005 |
| As college options are weighed, Seth looks east, Summer west and Taylor looks happy with their possible separation. Ryan, meanwhile, tries to persuade Marissa to go to school at all before Johnny proposes another direction. Elsewhere, Kirsten offers Julie a business opportunity. | |||||
| 309 | 
|
"The Disconnect" | Josh Schwartz | Ian Toynton | December 8, 2005 |
| Ryan takes an internship working for Sandy and Matt at the Newport Group, but he ends up working harder to save Matt's reputation. Summer and Seth, determined to get accepted to Brown University, do whatever it takes to stand out at Harbor School. Johnny finally tells Marissa how he really feels. After Ryan and Marissa cross paths, they end up telling each other the truth. | |||||
| 310 | 
|
"The Chrismukkah Bar Mitz-vahkkah" | Josh Schwartz | Ian Toynton | December 15, 2005 |
| After the gang spends hours picking out the perfect Christmas trees, they devise a special plan to help a friend in need. Meanwhile, the holidays bring out a somber Summer who misses her mom, and Johnny's sudden misfortune forces him to take matters into his own hands. Kirsten, meanwhile, puts the past behind her and reaches out to Julie Cooper. And when a reminiscing Seth vows to put a little "mukkah" into Ryan's "Chris," Ryan gets Bar-Mitz-vahkkahed on the third annual O.C. "Chrismukkah" episode. | |||||
| 311 | 
|
"The Safe Harbor" | Josh Schwartz Mike Kelley |
Tony Wharmby | January 11, 2006 |
| Summer, Seth and Ryan launch a mission-impossible campaign to get Marissa back into Harbor, and Johnny struggles between a friend's happiness and his own feelings. Meanwhile, Sandy must make an ethical decision that could change Marissa's fate, and Julie Cooper and Dr. Roberts are apprehensive about admitting to the lies they have told their daughters. | |||||
| 312 | 
|
"The Sister Act" | Josh Schwartz | Ian Toynton | January 19, 2006 |
| Kaitlin Cooper, returns to the O.C. during her winter break from an exclusive Montecito boarding school, bringing a lot of attitude and a few secrets of her own. Much more in the mold of her mother Julie Cooper than her sister Marissa, Kaitlin turns heads as she tries to get closer to her family the only way she knows how. | |||||
| 313 | 
|
"The Pot Stirrer" | Josh Schwartz | Norman Buckley | January 26, 2006 |
| While Marissa does all she can to get to know her sister, Kaitlin just stirs up trouble for the gang as she prepares to celebrate her birthday. Sandy encourages Seth about college, but Seth finds a better alternative. Sandy and Matt work together to secure a contract for the new hospital. And Julie continues her quest to put her family back together again. | |||||
| 314 | 
|
"The Cliffhanger" | Josh Schwartz | Michael Lange | February 2, 2006 |
| Summer discovers the truth about Cohen, while Sandy and Matt encounter an obstacle with their hospital project. Meanwhile, Kirsten and Julie take their matchmaking business a little too far, causing Julie to go into hiding. Marissa finally tells Johnny how she truly feels and Kaitlin wonders which "Cooper" Johnny really likes. When Johnny and Kaitlin head to the beach, Kaitlin finds Johnny at the edge of reason. | |||||
| 315 | 
|
"The Heavy Lifting" | Josh Schwartz | Ian Toynton | February 9, 2006 |
| Tragic news forces the gang to sort out their problems and face the reality of the situation. After Sadie arrives in Newport, Ryan helps her move and get rid of Volchok, causing Ryan to question his and Marissa's relationship. Meanwhile, Kaitlin's winter break is over - just as she gets close to her family, she once again has to say goodbye. Will she ever return to the O.C.? And in the wake of Newport's latest events, Kirsten and Julie press on with their Valentine's Day party. | |||||
| 316 | 
|
"The Road Warrior" | Josh Schwartz | Michael Lange | March 9, 2006 |
| Summer asks Julie and Kirsten, via their matchmaking company, to find a woman for her father. Ryan helps Sadie find her trouble-ridden uncle Jack, and Sadie wants to collect. Marissa is yet again involved in another police investigation, and she and Ryan break up. | |||||
| 317 | 
|
"The Journey" | Josh Schwartz | Roxann Dawson | March 16, 2006 |
| Summer and Julie talk about the latter's relationship with Dr. Roberts. Sandy goes to jail to visit Dawn Atwood. Volchok insists a little too much to have a talk with Marissa. Matt comes to her rescue. Later, she decides not to go to Ryan's birthday party, goes to the beach and rings Volchok, to talk to him. The episode ends with Marissa resting her head on Volchok's shoulder. | |||||
| 318 | 
|
"The Undertow" | Josh Schwartz | Robert Duncan McNeill | March 23, 2006 |
| Ryan has problems opening up to Sadie. Henry Griffin drops by the Newport Group and wants to talk to Sandy about problems with Matt's personal life. Taylor helps Seth and Summer deal with their couple problems. Marissa shows weakness towards Volchok, and one thing leads to another. | |||||
| 319 | 
|
"The Secrets and Lies" | Josh Schwartz | Michael Fresco | March 30, 2006 |
| Julie and Dr. Roberts announce their engagement; Marissa seeks solace with some bad company. Ryan tries to move on with Sadie, Kirsten surprises Seth with a night out, and Sandy's woes with Matt continue. | |||||
| 320 | 
|
"The Day After Tomorrow" | Josh Schwartz | Norman Buckley | April 6, 2006 |
| The college acceptance and rejection letters arrive leaving the kids to consider their future. Taylor organises a college bonfire party ; Summer and Marissa fix their problems. Seth tells Summer she should go to brown but he will go elswhere causing them to break up. | |||||
| 321 | 
|
"The Dawn Patrol" | Josh Schwartz | Ian Toynton | April 13, 2006 |
| Ryan visits his mother but there's a problem. Taylor and Summer aim to find out Seth's secret. Julie helps Marissa out of a bad situation. Sandy solves his work problems but hurts Kirsten in the process. | |||||
| 322 | 
|
"The College Try" | Josh Schwartz | Tony Wharmby | April 20, 2006 |
| Graduation is just weeks away and Ryan, Seth, Summer and Marissa leave Newport to attend their respective pre-frosh orientations at UC Berkeley and Brown. Kirsten is surprised by who she sees at the airport. Seth is surprised by who he meets at Brown. Later, Sandy and Kirsten attend a hospital benefit where Kirsten returns to an old habit. | |||||
| 323 | 
|
"The Party Favor" | Josh Schwartz | Michael Lange | April 27, 2006 |
| Taylor hits a high at prom, while Summer falls flat with her date. Seth and Anna plan to win Summer back. Marissa convinces Volchok to go to the prom and Ryan brings an unexpected old flame. When one of the girls is elected prom queen, it truly becomes a night to remember. Later, Taylor's prom funds are missing and Ryan returns to his old ways. | |||||
| 324 | 
|
"The Man of the Year" | Josh Schwartz | Tony Wharmby | May 4, 2006 |
| Ryan and Volchok make a deal. Sandy is named Man of The Year. Marissa goes to visit Kaitlin at boarding school. Meanwhile, Theresa has to make a difficult decision. | |||||
| 325 | 
|
"The Graduates" | Josh Schwartz Bob DeLaurentis |
Ian Toynton | May 18, 2006 |
| After the graduation ceremonies Ryan has to face Volchok's threat. Marissa decides to help Ryan, because without her, he would have never been dragged into the problems with her recent affair. Although they pay off Volchok, season 3 ends tragically. | |||||
Gallery[]
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