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The O.C. Season 3 Episodes

Season 3 Episode Guide

25 Episodes 2005 - 2006

Episode 1

The Aftermath

Thu, Sep 8, 200543 mins

Ryan and Marissa deal with the aftermath of Trey's shooting when Julie maliciously goes to great efforts to protect her daughter by influencing Trey to charge Ryan for the shooting. Meanwhile, Kirsten meets a shady young woman, named Charlotte, at rehab who inspires her to move on with her life. Sandy also takes over running the Newport Group while Julie and Jimmy wait for news about the late Caleb's accountants.

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Episode 2

The Shape of Things to Come

Thu, Sep 15, 200543 mins

As the gang returns to school for their senior year, Jack Hess, the new dean of discipline of Harbor High School, wants to expel both Ryan and Marissa for the shooting incident. Summer fights with the annoying and overachieving Taylor Townsend over being Social Chair for planning the school activities. Meanwhile, Kirsten worries about leaving rehab, while Charlotte inspires her to shack up with her, and when Sandy learns that Kristen left rehab without informing him, he becomes worried about Charlotte's influence. Jimmy worries about his business "partner" Don who wants to collect for money he owes in overdue business investments.

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Episode 3

The End of Innocence

Thu, Sep 22, 200543 mins

After Caleb's will is read which reveals that he's lost everything, Jimmy must make a difficult decision whether or not to stay in town or move away again to avoid his business partner. Meanwhile, Ryan and Marissa are told by Sandy and Julie to stay away from each other over their expulsion while back at Harbor High, the evil and vindictive Dean Hess now goes after Seth and Summer by forcing them to work with Taylor in planning a school musical. Also, Kirsten finally returns home to Sandy, leaving behind Charlotte whom is revealed to be not all as she seems.

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Episode 4

The Last Waltz

Thu, Sep 29, 200543 mins

Marissa struggles with attending new public high school Newport Union, and her new friends, Johnny; his girlfriend Cassey; and their nerd friend Chili, all of whom make Ryan slightly jealous. Meanwhile, Charlotte's ruse is up when she learns that Kirsten did not inherit any money from Caleb. But Charlotte's con-artist boyfriend, Glen, forces her to go ahead with their scam to rip off Kristen anyway. Julie's mansion get repossessed, leaving her with nothing but a broken heart. Also, Taylor sets into motion a crafty power play in planning Harbor High's Homecoming Dance in which she successfully dethrones Summer as the school committee chairman by tricking her into admitting to Dean Hess a misdeed with Seth. Later, Summer learns an interesting secret about Taylor and Dean Hess and why he is going around punishing and suspending everyone that Taylor dislikes...

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The O.C., Season 3 Episode 4 image

Episode 5

The Perfect Storm

Thu, Nov 3, 200544 mins

Summer decides to bring the curtain down on a certain student-teacher affair, and gets help from Seth and Sandy. Ryan has a personal crisis after overhearing devastating news at a college fair. Charlotte sets her sights on a vulnerable Julie.

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The O.C., Season 3 Episode 5 image

Episode 6

The Swells

Thu, Nov 10, 200543 mins

Taylor plans a Saturday night lock-in for the senior class, but not everyone is game. Seth helps Taylor in a time of need, but his kind gesture may have ramifications for his relationship. Meanwhile, Julie discovers something about Charlotte, Sandy gets involved in a new venture, Marissa and Johnny get closer when he confides a secret in her, and a beach blast provides the perfect backdrop for drama as Johnny is betrayed by two people he trusts, Summer goes full-on Seth as she tries to save Marissa's relationship, and Ryan bonds with Johnny.

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Episode 7

The Anger Management

Thu, Nov 17, 200544 mins

Charlotte and Julie throw a faux-benefit with an unknowing Kirsten. Taylor's meddling causes a rift between Seth and Summer. Sandy struggles with his new responsibilities. The tension between Ryan and Volchok comes to a head while Ryan tries to prove he is not the impulsive person he used to be.

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The O.C., Season 3 Episode 7 image

Episode 8

The Game Plan

Thu, Dec 1, 200544 mins

It's time to start college applications: Ryan can't decide where he wants to go, Sandy is pushing his alma mater on Seth, and Summer is worried about being on the opposite side of the country to Seth. Worst of all, Marissa isn't sure if she'll be going anywhere at all, as she struggles with memories of Trey when faced with having to explain her expulsion. In the midst of all of the turmoil, Taylor gives Summer some good advice, Sandy invites a friend from Berkeley over for dinner, Julie finds herself forced to return to her roots, and Marissa goes to Johnny's surf competition, where an accident occurs.

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Episode 9

The Disconnect

Thu, Dec 8, 200543 mins

Marissa cares for an injured Johnny. But could they be getting too close? Ryan and Matt pull an all-nighter to prepare for a big meeting, but their night takes a turn. Seth grows insecure when Summer gets a higher SAT score than him. Now they might both be competing to get into the same college. Julie and Kirsten put their business plan in motion, but their first client turns out to be far from what they expected.

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Episode 10

The Chrismukkah Bar Mitz-vahkkah

Thu, Dec 15, 200543 mins

Ryan, Marissa, Seth, and Summer try to raise money for Johnny's knee surgery by throwing Ryan a Bar Mitzvah as part of Seth annual Chrismukkah celebration. Ryan is glad to help Johnny, but soon back out when he sees that Johnny has romantic feelings for Marissa. Meanwhile, Kirsten tries to make amends to the dirt-poor Julie who still is concealing her living situation from Marissa. But when Julie meets Summer's father whom agrees to cater the Ryan "Bar Mitz-vahkkah" she feels find confiding in him about her current living condition.

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The O.C., Season 3 Episode 10 image

Episode 11

The Safe Harbor

Thu, Jan 12, 200643 mins

Ryan, Seth, and Summer plot to get Marissa back into Harbor School so they can be all together for the rest of the senior year. Johnny asks Marissa to attend a social function to celebrate his successful knee surgery. Also, Julie continues to have a meeting of minds with Dr. Neil Roberts.

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Episode 12

The Sister Act

Thu, Jan 19, 200643 mins

Trouble brews for the gang when Marissa's younger sister, Kaitlin Cooper (whom is even more devious and amoral then Julie), arrives in Newport for a visit from her Montecito boarding school. Julie is finally forced to tell the truth about her living condition to Kaitlin and Marissa. Within a matter of hours, Kaitlin has hit upon Johnny. Soon, some of Kaitlin's problems follow her to Newport involving her drug-dealing boyfriend Justin, and she fibs a lot to Ryan and Marissa about her problems. Meanwhile, Kirsten and Julie decide to start their own dating service, but the evil Veronica Townsend brings more trouble when she blackmails them to get her up on a date with Summer's father. Johnny, frustrated that he will not be able to go on a surfing tour, beings to distance himself from Marissa.

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The O.C., Season 3 Episode 12 image

Episode 13

The Pot Stirrer

Thu, Jan 26, 200643 mins

Julie tries to make up for forgetting Kaitlyn's fourteenth birthday by throwing her a party. Marissa and Kaitlyn butt heads over Johnny. Seth begins to spiral after being offered a college interview, and resorts to an unlikely method to take the edge off. Sandy is determined to close a deal, and in doing so, finds himself having to resort to playing Caleb's game, instead of his own.

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Episode 14

The Cliffhanger

Thu, Feb 2, 200643 mins

Summer discovers the truth about Seth's pot smoking, 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 for some partying and drinking, Johnny loses it and finds himself at the edge of reason, and of a 100-foot cliff.

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The O.C., Season 3 Episode 14 image

Episode 15

The Heavy Lifting

Thu, Feb 9, 200643 mins

In the aftermath of Johnny's untimely death, the gang tries to sort out their problems and face the reality of the situation. Johnny's cousin, Sadie Campbell, arrives in Newport for the funeral. Ryan helps her move into Johnny's house and they to try to get rid of the nasty Kevin Volchok, causing Ryan to question his relationship with Marissa. Meanwhile, Kaitlin's winter break is over, meaning that she must return to her boarding school, just as she gets close to her family. Kaitlin has mixed feelings about going back to school with Justin, but also leaving the trailer park where they live. And in the wake of Newport's latest events, Kirsten and Julie press on with their Valentine's Day party where Sandy and Seth get their Valentine's Day gifts for Kirsten and Summer mixed up. Dr. Roberts professes his love for Julie, while Sandy and Kirsten continue to help Matt work out his arranged relationship with Maya.

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The O.C., Season 3 Episode 15 image

Episode 16

The Road Warrior

Thu, Mar 9, 200643 mins

Summer asks Julie and Kirsten, via their matchmaking company, to find a woman for her father. However, the pesky Taylor discovers Julie and Dr. Roberts having dinner, and she naturally tells Summer and Seth, who learn about the romantic attraction between Julie and Summer's father. Meanwhile, Ryan goes on a road trip to help Sadie find her trouble-ridden Uncle Jack, Johnny's father, to collect some late child support payments. Marissa is yet again involved in another police investigation involving Johnny's death, and she and Ryan break up, leading to Volchok to make the moves on her. Also, Matt continues dating Maya in order to influence her father to give more funding for their hospital, while Kirsten begins to think Sandy is being corrupted by his business deals with Matt over Maya.

Where to Watch
The O.C., Season 3 Episode 16 image

Episode 17

The Journey

Thu, Mar 16, 200643 mins

It's Ryan's 18th b-day and the Cohens decide to throw him a party at the Bait shop. Ryan wonders about if he should invite Marissa or not, trying not to give her the wrong idea. Meanwhile, Summer confronts Julie about her knowing Julie and Dr.Roberts' fling. Julie then confronts Marissa about it, and surprisingly Marissa is OK with it. While Marissa tries to get over her break-up with Ryan, Kevin Volchek seems to keep being in the way, and Matt has to rescue her from Volchek's attempt for a talk.Ryan and Sadie gets closer. Marissa looks for Volchek to apologize to him, and comes by the old house that her and Ryan spent a night in. Marissa falls down the stairs and Volchek is there to rescue her. Volchek gets closer to Marissa; and they talk a lot, Marissa gets invited to Ryan's party, but she decides not to go and heads to the beach instead. There she runs into Volchek, and they spend the night at the beach; together. Ryan's birthday goes well; The episode ends with Ryan and Sadie dancing at Ryan's party, and Summer and Seth dancing together, and Marissa and Volchek at the beach, with Marissa leaning over Volchek's shoulder .. you know what that means -- dunh dunh dunh!!! :)

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The O.C., Season 3 Episode 17 image

Episode 18

The Undertow

Thu, Mar 23, 200643 mins

Ryan returns to old habits when Jess returns to Newport with news about Trey; Kirsten asks Ryan to confront his savior complex, before it jeopardizes his relationship with Sadie; Seth and Summer receive advice from Taylor on how to spice up their sex life; Sandy is forced to make a difficult choice when it comes down to Matt or the hospital project: Marissa and Volchok keep finding themselves in each other's orbit.

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Episode 19

The Secrets and Lies

Thu, Mar 30, 200643 mins

Marissa's ties with Volchok send her into a substance abuse downward spiral. Summer is concerned about her friend--and the fate of her father's relationship if things don't improve. Ryan and Sadie's relationship is on the line, as Ryan and Marissa keep finding themselves intertwined in one another's lives. Seth spends some quality time with Kirsten, as she reaches nine months sober. The events at Newport Group turn violent.

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The O.C., Season 3 Episode 19 image

Episode 20

The Day After Tomorrow

Thu, Apr 6, 200643 mins

When college acceptance and rejection letters are received, the kids must consider what path they are going to follow. Summer is accepted into Brown University, whereas Seth is not. Not wanting to hold back Summer from such an grand opportunity, Seth lies by telling Summer and everyone that he got accepted into Brown, and begins to treat Summer badly. Ryan and Sadie try to decide what Ryan will do after high school when he is accepted into Berkeley. Marissa is also accepted into Berkely, but does not know if she wants to leave Newport. Meanwhile, Sandy tries to resolve the conflict between the unscrupulous, and mob-connected Henry Griffin and the hotshot Matt, where Mr. Griffin tries to bribe Sandy into not filing charges against him. Accepted to a college in France, a joyful Taylor holds a college acceptance bonfire party where Summer and Marissa try to fix their friendship problems, and Sadie decides not to move to Berkey with Ryan after seeing that it will hold him back and she leaves for Portland, for good.

Where to Watch
The O.C., Season 3 Episode 20 image

Episode 21

The Dawn Patrol

Thu, Apr 13, 200643 mins

Ryan travels to Albuquerque to invite his mother, Dawn, to his graduation. He meets beautiful, Chloe, who happen to be a colleague and friend of Dawn's. Summer calls off the break up with Seth to find out what his problem is. After Seth breaks it off with Summer, Summer and Taylor team up to find out if Seth still loves Sum. After he declines his love, Summer is heartbroken. Meanwhile, Marissa is dealing with her controlling mother's influence on her as she hangs with Volchok and helps Heather. Also, Sandy is still trying to rescue Matt from Griffin's huge mess. It may cost Sandy his marriage, but if he doesn't do anything...it will cost Matt's life.

Where to Watch
The O.C., Season 3 Episode 21 image

Episode 22

The College Try

Thu, Apr 20, 200643 mins

Some go East, some stay West for freshmen orientation weekends. Ryan and Marissa arrive at Berkeley, and Summer and student/poseur Seth visit Brown. Familiar faces also surface. Anna is at Brown. And doesn't Theresa's baby look like...Ryan?

Where to Watch
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Episode 23

The Party Favor

Thu, Apr 27, 200643 mins

During planning for Harbor High's senior prom, Seth tries to convince Summer to accompany him. But she is still mad at him over the Anna Stern incident at Brown and refuses to listen to any explanation. Taylor arranges a date for Summer with the rock star Big Korea, the cousin of Taylor's Korean boyfriend Ho. Therefore, Seth's date for the prom is the visiting Anna, who gives him advice on how he can win back Summer. Ryan's date is Theresa, who tries to explain why she lied to him two years ago about having a miscarriage, while Marissa's date is Volchok, who causes a lot of trouble and by that raises Ryan's anger level, because he still feels responsible for Marissa.

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The O.C., Season 3 Episode 23 image

Episode 24

The Man of the Year

Thu, May 4, 200643 mins

Sandy is voted "Man of the Year" by Riviera magazine due to his work for the hospital, but at the same time is having some trouble with the law for his connections to Henry Griffin when Mr. Griffin's mob connections are made public. Although Seth is happily back together with Summer, he is not out of sorrow: His mom struggles with alcoholism again and Sandy finds out that Seth lied about being accepted into Brown University. Meanwhile, Marissa visits Kaitlin at her posh boarding school, who needs her help to get out of trouble with another student. After Ryan brought Volchok to the hospital after he nearly and inadvertently tried to kill him, Volchok wants Ryan to help him with some illegal activities; which includes some burglary and the theft of a car, otherwise he will bust Ryan to the cops.

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The O.C., Season 3 Episode 24 image

Episode 25

The Graduates

Thu, May 18, 200644 mins

In the season finale, all the seniors are graduating and heading off to college but Volchok is blackmailing Ryan with the stolen car unless he pays him off... and lets him see Marissa but they're all trying to finish what they started and boy do they finish it.

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The O.C., Season 3 Episode 25 image