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Season 2 – The O.C.

Play trailer Poster for Season 2 – The O.C. Nov 2004 Drama Romance Soap Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
86% Tomatometer 14 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
This modern soap opera mines the intertwined lives of the Cohen, Cooper and Nichol families for drama, with a contemporary music soundtrack adding to the proceedings. Ryan, a teenager from the wrong side of the Chino tracks, finds himself in well-to-do Newport Beach -- an enclave of Southern California's Orange County. Taken in by a lawyer and his family, Ryan winds up in the midst of snarky, wealthy high schoolers and their sun-drenched angst.
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The O.C. — Season 2

The O.C. — Season 2

What to Know

Critics Consensus

The O.C.'s second season doles out the series' hallmarks in spades with a wealth of sly humor and addictive melodrama -- all set to an infectious indie rock soundtrack.

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Critics Reviews

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Mike McDaniel Houston Chronicle 03/31/2020
The writing, lead by show creator Josh Schwartz, is as sharp and funny as ever, hallmarks for a serial that flirts with melodrama on a weekly basis. Go to Full Review Linda Stasi New York Post 03/31/2020
3/4
What's good: The acting, the actors. What's bad: The lack of real tension that was there last season. What's there: The same characters and the same storyline. What's not: Anything really new to get excited about. Go to Full Review John Leonard New York Magazine/Vulture 09/18/2018
None of this matters because all these people wink at us. They're pretending to be real; we're pretending to be ironic; but what really frosts everybody's cake are hot bodies and class hate Go to Full Review Mary Colgan PopMatters 03/31/2020
The show spirals toward the end of the season, with a series of tragedies and quick fixes that falsely promise a happy-ish ending. Go to Full Review Hal Boedeker Baltimore Sun 03/31/2020
The lighter moments give the dramatic scenes punch and keep the show from sliding to mush. Go to Full Review Scott D. Pierce Deseret News (Salt Lake City) 03/31/2020
The first two episodes of the new season are as smart, funny, surprising, involving and entertaining as the best of Season 1. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Friend G @RT33887870 Jun 4 dare i say better than season 1 See more Trey T @RT93210669 Apr 6 Season 2 of The Oc just has so many memorable and classic episodes like the Trey epsiodes etc which are so good. See more green eyed r @RT61846735 07/09/2024 Great season, better than the 1st one See more 05/24/2021 Had some good drama and laughs throughout the show with some great recurring characters like Alex, Lindsey and Zach to overpower some not so good ones like DJ. Once you get past the terrible first episode Seth is the stand out character over the season along with Summer. Barton's portrayal of the whinny depressed popular girl got old quick in the season and is the anchor pulling down the show. See more 04/10/2021 One of the best teen dramas of all time. See more Otvio F @RT47579327 11/13/2020 Not as good as season 1, the drama and comedy remains intact, only the addition of certain characters makes the season tired. See more Read all reviews
The O.C. — Season 2

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Peter Gallagher

Sandy Cohen

Ben McKenzie

Ryan Atwood

Kelly Rowan

Kirsten Cohen

Adam Brody

Seth Cohen

Mischa Barton

Actor

Tate Donovan

Actor

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Nov 4, 2004 The Distance Kirsten's anxiety over Seth reaches the breaking point; Summer and Marissa try to forget their ex-boyfriends; Caleb becomes increasingly paranoid about his business; the Cohen house is in a state of disarray as renovations are made. Details Episode 2 Aired Nov 11, 2004 The Way We Were Seth, Ryan, Marissa and Summer adjust to their changing dynamics. Details Episode 3 Aired Nov 18, 2004 The New Kids on the Block Summer reconsiders her feelings for Seth, as he tries to prove that his friends do not know him as well as they think. Details Episode 4 Aired Dec 2, 2004 The New Era Seth and Sandy take the rest of the family along for the ride as they embark on new adventures; Ryan and Seth go on an awkward double date to see the Killers perform; Julie is overwhelmed by her new role at the Newport Group. Details Episode 5 Aired Dec 9, 2004 The SnO.C. Seth, Ryan, Summer and Marissa attend the Snow O.C. Winter Ball; Julie and Jimmy spend time together as leaders of the host committee; Sandy gets closer to learning the truth Caleb has been hiding. Details Episode 6 Aired Dec 16, 2004 The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't During a "Chrismukkah" celebration, secrets come out that may change the Cohen family forever. Details Episode 7 Aired Jan 6, 2005 Family Ties The Cohens decide to try to accept Lindsay as a member of the family after Caleb's revelation; Seth tries to be a bad boy like Ryan, in hope of improving his relationship with Alex. Details Episode 8 Aired Jan 13, 2005 The Power of Love After Caleb's revelation, Lindsay and Ryan try to figure out their exact relationship. Details Episode 9 Aired Jan 20, 2005 The Ex-Factor Marissa, Summer and Lindsay have a girls night out, while Ryan, Seth and Zach stay in and bond over video games and pizza. Details Episode 10 Aired Jan 27, 2005 The Accomplice Zach and Seth start a comic book based on their lives in Newport Beach; Sandy decides to help an old friend find his daughter, but the search leads to more questions. Details Episode 11 Aired Feb 3, 2005 The Second Chance Summer decides to take an active role in the making of the comic book, but Seth isn't sure he can handle spending that much time alone with her. Details Episode 12 Aired Feb 10, 2005 The Lonely Hearts Club Sandy showers Kirsten with valentines to make up for keeping Rebecca's return a secret; Zach, Summer and Seth head to San Diego to pitch their comic-book idea, and, Seth plans to use the trip to get Summer back. Details Episode 13 Aired Feb 17, 2005 The Father Knows Best While Rebecca pays her last respects to her father, Kirsten grows impatient with Sandy's long absences from home and pays Rebecca a visit. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 24, 2005 The Rainy Day Women Summer and Seth share a kiss when she leaves Zach at the airport; Ryan is surprised when Lindsay makes a difficult choice; Marissa's relationship changes course in an unexpected way; Sandy makes a difficult decision that leaves one woman alone. Details Episode 15 Aired Mar 10, 2005 The Mallpisode Ryan and Caleb are confused by Lindsay's actions; Marissa takes a break to join Summer, Seth and Ryan at the mall; Julie and Kirsten await the arrival of the new editor of Newport Living. Details Episode 16 Aired Mar 17, 2005 The Blaze of Glory Seth is determined to bring back the spirit and fun times of last year, but Alex's growing jealousy over Marissa may ruin his efforts. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 24, 2005 The Brothers Grim When a visitor from Ryan's past comes to town, he is worried that nothing good can come of it. Details Episode 18 Aired Apr 7, 2005 The Risky Business When Sandy becomes the honoree chair of the Newport Beach charity yard sale, he gets help from Trey, who has his first run-in with the Newpsies. Details Episode 19 Aired Apr 14, 2005 The Rager Marissa throws a birthday party for Trey at Caleb's mansion, hoping to help the two forge a relationship; Summer discovers Reed's true identity, leaving Seth in hot water. Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 21, 2005 The O.C. Confidential Sandy and the boys devise a plan to save another Atwood from jail; Kirsten and Carter take a trip to wine country to fulfill their editorial duties; Caleb returns from Europe and appears immune to Julie's advances; Death Cab for Cutie performs. Details Episode 21 Aired May 5, 2005 The Return of the Nana Sandy, Seth and Ryan travel to South Beach to visit Nana (Linda Lavin) at Leisure World, where they meet a woman who helps Seth take center stage on a music channel's spring break show; T.I. performs. Details Episode 22 Aired May 5, 2005 The Showdown Sandy questions Kirsten about her drinking; Ryan wonders whether something happened between Marissa and Trey; Summer confronts Reed about the graphic novel and finds herself center stage at the launch party. Details Episode 23 Aired May 12, 2005 The O.Sea Filmmaker George Lucas expresses interest in Seth's graphic novel; Sandy and Caleb confront Kirsten about her behavior; Ryan, looking for the truth about Trey and Marissa, heads home to Chino. Details Episode 24 Aired May 19, 2005 The Dearly Beloved Sandy must make a life-changing decision in order to save his and Kirsten's marriage; Seth, Summer, Marissa and Ryan get caught in the crossfire at the Bait Shop. Details

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The O.C. — Season 2

The O.C. The O.C. The O.C. The O.C. View more photos

Season Info

Director
Ian Toynton, Tony Wharmby, Michael Fresco
Executive Producer
Josh Schwartz, McG, Doug Liman, David Bartis, Robert DeLaurentiis
Screenwriter
Allan Heinberg, J.J. Philbin, Mike Kelley
Network
Fox
Rating
TV-14 (D|L)
Genre
Drama, Romance, Soap
Original Language
English
Release Date
Nov 4, 2004