The O.C.: Season 3

2005 · 25 episodes · ★ 7.5

What Season 3 of The O.C.

Ryan, Marissa, Seth and Summer are about to begin their senior year at Harbor High. But while everyone else celebrates the last days of summer, a dark cloud hangs over the foursome. Trey, Ryan's brother, still clings to life two months after the shooting and the cops want to know who really shot him. Meanwhile, Julie Cooper and Jimmy are determined to protect Marissa at whatever cost. And while Sandy, Seth and Ryan try to fend for themselves at home, Kirsten, still recovering in her plush rehab by the sea, forms a friendship with fellow recovering alcoholic Charlotte, who like all things in the O.C. may not be everything she appears to be.

25episodes

Sep 8, 2005premiered

May 18, 2006latest episode

18.2 hrtotal runtime

Season 3 Episodes

3x01 The Aftermath
Sep 8, 2005 · 44 min · ★ 7.6
In the season three opener, we start off with senior year starting in a few days. It has been a couple of months since the shooting. Trey has been in a coma all this time leaving the D.A. impatiently waiting for his side of the story. Feeling the pressure from the community the D.A. continues to put pressure on Ryan, Marisa, 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.
Directed by Ian Toynton, Doug Liman · Written by Josh Schwartz, Allan Heinberg · Starring Tate Donovan, Timothy Omundson, Jeri Ryan, Logan Marshall-Green
3x02 The Shape of Things to Come
Sep 15, 2005 · 44 min · ★ 7.6
Social Chair Marissa 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.
Directors: Doug Liman, Tony Wharmby · Writers: Josh Schwartz, J. J. Philbin, Allan Heinberg · Starring: Autumn Reeser, Tate Donovan, Tiffany Thornton, Jeri Ryan
3x03 The End of Innocence
Sep 22, 2005 · 44 min · ★ 6.3
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.
Directed by Michael Lange · Written by Stephanie Savage · Starring Autumn Reeser, Tate Donovan, Jeri Ryan, Eric Mabius
3x04 The Last Waltz
Sep 29, 2005 · 44 min · ★ 7.8
Marissa struggles with attending a public high school, and her new friends make Ryan jealous; Charlotte's ruse is up when she learns that Kirsten did not inherit any money from Caleb; Julie's mansion is repossessed, leaving her with nothing; Taylor's power play dethrones Summer as commitee chairman, who then learns an interesting secret about her and Dean Hess.
Directing: Ian Toynton · Writing: John Stephens · Starring: Autumn Reeser, Jeri Ryan, Ryan Donowho, Eric Mabius
3x05 The Perfect Storm
Nov 3, 2005 · 44 min · ★ 7.6
Ryan decides to make a life-changing decision that Sandy reluctantly supports; Marissa looks to her new friends to help with her latest crisis with Ryan; Summer and Seth go on a mission to reveal a secret between Taylor and Dean Hess; Charlotte makes Julie an offer that she can't refuse.
Directed by Tony Wharmby · Written by Mike Kelley · Starring Autumn Reeser, Jeri Ryan, Ryan Donowho, Eric Mabius
3x06 The Swells
Nov 10, 2005 · 43 min · ★ 7.6
Marissa discovers something in Johnny that Ryan lacks and Charlotte convinces Julie and Kirsten to throw a charity event. After discovering fake IDs in Charlotte's purse, Julie confronts her.
Directed by Michael Fresco · Written by J. J. Philbin · Starring Autumn Reeser, Jeri Ryan, Ryan Donowho, Paula Trickey
3x07 The Anger Management
Nov 17, 2005 · 44 min · ★ 7.6
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 when he learns he has to cut Newport Group staff.
Directed by Michael Fresco · Written by John Stephens · Starring Autumn Reeser, Jeri Ryan, Ryan Donowho, Paula Trickey
3x08 The Game Plan
Dec 1, 2005 · 44 min · ★ 7.6
Ryan, Summer, Seth, and Marissa think about what they'd like to do with their lives as they compile their college applications, but they run across several obstacles; Johnny's surfing career takes an unfortunate twist; a revealed secret complicates Julie's friendship with Kirsten.
Directed by Tate Donovan · Written by Cory Martin · Starring Autumn Reeser, Ryan Donowho, Johnny Lewis, Kim Evey
3x09 The Disconnect
Dec 8, 2005 · 44 min · ★ 7.6
Marissa visits Johnny at his house after his accident to see how he is doing. Julie and Kirsten get a contract for their new catering business while Sandy, Ryan and Matt meet with investors.
Director: Tony Wharmby · Writer: Stephanie Savage · Starring: Tiffany Thornton, Adam Donshik, Ryan Donowho, Lisa Rotondi
3x10 The Chrismukkah Bar-Mitzvahkkah Mid-Season Finale
Dec 15, 2005 · 44 min · ★ 7.9
Chrismukkah has returned to the Cohen house and Seth suggests to have a Bar Mitzvah to Ryan to raise money for Johnny's knee surgery after his accident but Ryan then pulls out after seeing Johnny and Marissa get too close.
Director: Ian Toynton · Writer: Josh Schwartz · Starring: Ryan Donowho, Lisa Rotondi, Michael Nouri, Blair Hickey
3x11 The Safe Harbor
Jan 12, 2006 · 44 min · ★ 7.8
Ryan, Seth and Summer launch a campaign to get Marissa back into Harbour. With the help of Dr. Kim they get the board of trustees to hear the case will Marissa be permitted to return for her final semester?
Director: Tony Wharmby · Writer: Mike Kelley · Starring: Autumn Reeser, Tiffany Thornton, Ryan Donowho, Paula Trickey
3x12 The Sister Act
Jan 19, 2006 · 44 min · ★ 7.6
It's winter break and Kaitlin Cooper has returned home from her Montecito boarding school.
Directed by Ian Toynton · Written by Leila Gerstein · Starring Autumn Reeser, Willa Holland, Ryan Donowho, Paula Trickey
3x13 The Pot Stirrer
Jan 26, 2006 · 44 min · ★ 7.6
Kaitlin starts going out with Johnny with the sole motive of making Marissa jealous. Seth starts getting nostalgic as he prepares for his Brown interview.
Director: Norman Buckley · Writer: John Stephens · Starring: Willa Holland, Ryan Donowho, Robert Picardo, Michael Nouri
3x14 The Cliffhanger
Feb 2, 2006 · 43 min · ★ 7.6
Sandy and Matt's hospital project hits a roadblock. Kirsten and Julie run into troubles of their own with their matchmaking business. Marissa confesses her feelings to Johnny. Summer finds out out about Seth.
Director: Michael Lange · Writer: J. J. Philbin · Starring: Willa Holland, Ryan Donowho, Lisa Rotondi, Johnny Lewis
3x15 The Heavy Lifting
Feb 9, 2006 · 44 min · ★ 7.3
Kaitlin prepares herself to head back to school. Ryan has doubts about his relationship with Marissa after helping out Sadie. Kirsten and Julie make plans for a Valentine's Day party.
Director: Ian Toynton · Writer: Stephanie Savage · Starring: Willa Holland, Nikki Reed, Cam Gigandet, Lisa Rotondi
3x16 The Road Warrior
Mar 9, 2006 · 43 min · ★ 7.4
When Ryan and Sadie go on a road trip to search for one of Johnny's relatives they end up in Ryan's old neighborhood in Chino, which brings the two closer together. While the two are away Marissa is implicated in Johnny's death and Seth and Summer learn the truth about Julie and Dr. Roberts new secret.
Directed by Michael Fresco · Written by Mike Kelley · Starring Autumn Reeser, Nikki Reed, Cam Gigandet, Marc Vann
3x17 The Journey
Mar 16, 2006 · 44 min · ★ 7.3
Ryan thinks about not inviting Marissa to his 18th birthday after their falling out but Sandy tries to get him to invite a relative. After months of avoiding telling Summer and Marissa the truth Neil and Julie tell Summer and Marissa the truth.
Directed by Roxann Dawson · Written by John Stephens · Starring Nikki Reed, Cam Gigandet, Michael Nouri, Daphne Ashbrook
3x18 The Undertow
Mar 23, 2006 · 44 min · ★ 7.1
When an old friend returns to Newport, Ryan decides to help her, which causes problems for him and Sadie. When Summer and Seth run into another rough patch Taylor tries to help them out. Sandy has to deal with more problems with the Newport Group and Marissa must deal with being alone.
Directed by Robert Duncan McNeill · Written by Mark Fish, J. J. Philbin · Starring Autumn Reeser, Kat Graham, Matt Cohen, Nikki Reed
3x19 The Secrets and Lies
Mar 30, 2006 · 44 min · ★ 7.1
Julie and Dr. Roberts announce their engagement and the Cooper ladies move in with Summer and her dad. Meanwhile, Marissa drifts away from the group and Summer when she seeks solace in the bad company of Volchok and his crew. Ryan tries to move on with Sadie, but Seth's concerns for Marissa get in the way. At the Newport Group, Sandy's woes with Matt continue and Kirsten surprises Seth with a night out.
Directed by Michael Fresco · Written by Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage · Starring Nikki Reed, Cam Gigandet, Jonathon Trent, Michael Nouri
3x20 The Day After Tomorrow
Apr 6, 2006 · 44 min · ★ 7.3
When college acceptance and rejection letters are received the kids must consider what path they are going to follow. Ryan and Sadie are trying to decide what they will do after high school. Taylor holds a college party and Summer and Marissa fix their friendship problems.
Director: Norman Buckley · Writer: Leila Gerstein · Starring: Autumn Reeser, Nikki Reed, Cam Gigandet, Michael Nouri
3x21 The Dawn Patrol
Apr 13, 2006 · 44 min · ★ 7.4
Ryan decides to go and invite his mother to his graduation party. Taylor and Summer work together to try and find out what Seth is hiding, but Summer ends up getting hurt. Marissa realises she is in bad company after she finds out how low Volchok's friends can go. Sandy is able to fix his work problems with Matt but while doing so he hurts Kirsten.
Directed by Ian Toynton · Written by Mike Kelley · Starring Autumn Reeser, Cam Gigandet, Jonathon Trent, Nicole Garza
3x22 The College Try
Apr 20, 2006 · 44 min · ★ 7.6
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. While dropping the boys off at the airport, Kirsten is surprised to see Theresa and her all-too-familiar-looking baby boy. While visiting Brown, Seth runs into Anna on the quad and they instantly connect. Could this be the end of Summer and Seth? Meanwhile, Kirsten and Sandy attend a hospital benefit where Kirsten vents her frustrations and falls back into an old habit.
Directed by Tony Wharmby · Written by J. J. Philbin · Starring Samaire Armstrong, Navi Rawat, Erick Avari, Cam Gigandet
3x23 The Party Favor
Apr 27, 2006 · 43 min · ★ 6.7
Harbor School's Senior Prom brings out the best and the worst in everyone. Taylor hits a high at prom, while Summer falls flat with her surprising prom date. Seth and Anna come up with a prom plan to win Summer back. Meanwhile, 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, when Taylor's prom funds are missing, Ryan returns to his old ways and prom night turns brutal.
Directed by Michael Lange · Written by John Stephens · Starring Autumn Reeser, Lisa Tucker, Samaire Armstrong, Navi Rawat
3x24 The Man of the Year
May 4, 2006 · 44 min · ★ 7.5
Ryan and Volchok make a deal after a fallout at prom. Sandy is chosen as Man of the Year, but this sparks the DA to dig deeper into his involvement with the hospital problems. Marissa goes and sees Kaitlin at her boarding school and Seth visits the Newport Group HQ and lights up the joint.
Directors: Ian Toynton, Tony Wharmby · Writers: Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage · Starring: Willa Holland, Lucy Hale, Lamont Thompson, Navi Rawat
3x25 The Graduates Season Finale
May 18, 2006 · 42 min · ★ 8.1
It is graduation day for Ryan, Seth, Summer, and Marissa at Harbor High School. After graduation they all went out to eat and celebrate their graduation. Ryan's mother gave him a new car as a graduation present. Marissa is going to spend a year on a boat with her father as her graduation gift. Seth finally got into RISD for second semester. Summer is still going to Brown University in the fall. Volchok is still mad at Marissa and Ryan so he decided to crash Ryan's car.
Directed by Ian Toynton · Written by Josh Schwartz, Bob DeLaurentis · Starring Autumn Reeser, Willa Holland, Lamont Thompson, Paula Trickey