# The O.C. season 2

The second season of The O.C. commenced airing in the United States on November 4, 2004, concluded on May 19, 2005, and consisted of 24 episodes. It aired Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET in the United States on Fox. In addition to the regular 24 episodes, two special episodes aired before the season premiere. "The O.C.: Obsess Completely" documented the show's influence on popular culture in its first year. The following week, "Welcome to The O.C.: A Day in the Life," provided a behind-the-scenes look at the show.
The season was released on DVD as a seven-disc boxed set under the title The O.C.: The Complete Second Season on August 23, 2005, by Warner Home Video. On September 7, 2008, the season became available to purchase for registered users of the US iTunes Store. In the United Kingdom the season premiered January 11, 2005 on Channel 4. In Canada the season aired on CTV Television Network and in Australia it was broadcast by Network Ten.

## Synopsis

Ryan, Marissa, Summer, and Seth enter their junior year of high school after serious tension between them had been building throughout the summer. Kirsten and Julie navigate new water as mother and daughter, while Julie's crime-filled past catches up with her. Ryan's older ex-con brother Trey gives Newport a try.

## Episodes

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
| 28 | 1 | "The Distance" | Ian Toynton | Josh Schwartz | November 4, 2004 (2004-11-04) | 2T5101 | 8.56 |
| Ryan starts working in construction to provide for a pregnant Theresa. Sandy tries to convince Seth to come home. Meanwhile, Summer finds a way to deal with Seth's departure, while Marissa distances herself from Julie. ||||||||
| 29 | 2 | "The Way We Were" | Michael Lange | Allan Heinberg | November 11, 2004 (2004-11-11) | 2T5102 | 8.08 |
| Ryan and Seth try to rebuild their relationships with Marissa and Summer. Hailey tells Jimmy about her plans to move for a fashion career, but he does whatever he can to make her stay. Meanwhile, Sandy informs Julie that the District Attorney is paying close attention to Caleb. ||||||||
| 30 | 3 | "The New Kids on the Block" | Lev L. Spiro | Stephanie Savage | November 18, 2004 (2004-11-18) | 2T5103 | 7.42 |
| Seth gets a job at the Bait Shop and turns to his boss for advice on how to rebuild his relationship with Summer. Ryan has a series of mishaps with a new classmate. Meanwhile, Caleb's legal issues threaten to leave Sandy and Kirsten unemployed. ||||||||
| 31 | 4 | "The New Era" | Michael Fresco | J. J. Philbin | December 2, 2004 (2004-12-02) | 2T5104 | 6.51 |
| Seth and Ryan go on a double date with unexpected results. Sandy is fired from the law firm. Meanwhile, Julie finds herself overwhelmed at the Newport Group and turns to Jimmy for advice. ||||||||
| 32 | 5 | "The SnO.C." | Ian Toynton | John Stephens | December 9, 2004 (2004-12-09) | 2T5105 | 6.36 |
| Summer's relationship with Seth strains her relationship with Zach. Ryan asks Lindsay to go to the SnO.C. dance. Meanwhile, Julie finds out about Marissa and D.J.'s relationship and turns to Jimmy for advice. Sandy gets closer to the truth Caleb's been hiding. ||||||||
| 33 | 6 | "The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't" | Tony Wharmby | Josh Schwartz | December 16, 2004 (2004-12-16) | 2T5106 | 6.27 |
| Caleb is on the verge of facing serious jail time, but Sandy tells him to confess his involvement with Renee, which could destroy both their relationships with Kirsten and the rest of the family. Jimmy and Julie's feelings for each other deepen. ||||||||
| 34 | 7 | "The Family Ties" | Lesli Glatter | Drew Greenberg & Josh Schwartz | January 6, 2005 (2005-01-06) | 2T5107 | 7.65 |
| Ryan and Lindsay try to keep their relationship a secret from Kirsten to avoid any more awkwardness. Seth changes his image in an attempt to impress Alex. After realizing his relationship with Julie can only lead to trouble, Jimmy decides to leave for Maui, and a drunken Marissa shows up at his going away party to confront both her parents. ||||||||
| 35 | 8 | "The Power of Love" | Michael Lange | John Stephens | January 13, 2005 (2005-01-13) | 2T5108 | 7.46 |
| Sandy confronts Alex about her relationship with Seth. Ryan and Lindsay try to determine the fate of their relationship. Meanwhile, Summer meets Zach's family. Julie confronts D.J. about his relationship with Marissa, leading him to leave town. ||||||||
| 36 | 9 | "The Ex-Factor" | Michael Fresco | J. J. Philbin | January 20, 2005 (2005-01-20) | 2T5109 | 7.87 |
| After a girls' night out, Ryan finds Marissa to blame for a drunk and passed out Lindsay. Alex's ex is in town and Seth is determined to find out who it is. Meanwhile, Julie and Kirsten collaborate to promote Newport Group's image. ||||||||
| 37 | 10 | "The Accomplice" | Ian Toynton | Allan Heinberg | January 27, 2005 (2005-01-27) | 2T5110 | 8.11 |
| Ryan tries to convince Lindsay to build a relationship with Caleb. Seth and Zach team up to create a comic book. Sandy decides to help his old law school professor find his daughter. Marissa finds new ways to rebel while Julie's out of town. ||||||||
| 38 | 11 | "The Second Chance" | Tony Wharmby | Drew Greenberg & Josh Schwartz | February 3, 2005 (2005-02-03) | 2T5111 | 7.25 |
| Kirsten arranges a dinner and invites Lindsay, Ryan and Caleb, but the dinner results in disaster. Sandy keeps Rebecca's presence in Newport a secret from Kirsten. Meanwhile, Marissa and Alex grow closer. Seth and Summer spend time together to work on the comic book. ||||||||
| 39 | 12 | "The Lonely Hearts Club" | Ian Toynton | J. J. Philbin | February 10, 2005 (2005-02-10) | 2T5112 | 8.15 |
| Sandy tries to make amends with Kirsten after she finds Rebecca living in his office. Seth, Summer and Zach go to San Diego to promote the comic book idea, but Seth uses the trip to try to get Summer back. Ryan's relationship with Lindsay gets interrupted by her relationship with Caleb. Meanwhile, Julie is back in town and attempts to reconnect with Marissa. ||||||||
| 40 | 13 | "The Father Knows Best" | Michael Lange | John Stephens | February 17, 2005 (2005-02-17) | 2T5113 | 7.79 |
| Sandy's helping Rebecca's case gets in the way of his marriage. Caleb requests a paternity test for Lindsay. Meanwhile, Seth worries as Summer and Zach plan a trip together. Marissa's new relationship with Alex intensifies. ||||||||
| 41 | 14 | "The Rainy Day Women" | Michael Fresco | Josh Schwartz | February 24, 2005 (2005-02-24) | 2T5114 | 7.23 |
| A rare rainy day in The O.C. serves as the backdrop for a series of dramatic events. Ryan convinces Lindsay to take the paternity test, but the results lead to bigger issues for their relationship. Seth tries to win Summer back before she leaves for Italy with Zach. Meanwhile, Kirsten makes it obvious for Sandy that Rebecca is testing their marriage. Marissa tells Julie about her relationship with Alex. ||||||||
| 42 | 15 | "The Mallpisode" | Ian Toynton | Stephanie Savage | March 10, 2005 (2005-03-10) | 2T5115 | 7.66 |
| A postcard from Zach comes in between Seth and Summer's relationship. The "fantastic four" spend their day/night at the mall doing some charity work, providing Ryan and Marissa with apt distraction from the issues of their love lives. Marissa begins hiding things from Alex when she spends a night with Ryan. Meanwhile, Julie and Kirsten await the new editor of Newport Living, but Julie gets distracted when someone from her past shows up looking for her. ||||||||
| 43 | 16 | "The Blaze of Glory" | Robert Duncan McNeill | Mike Kelley | March 17, 2005 (2005-03-17) | 2T5116 | 7.55 |
| Alex's jealousy of Ryan gets in way of her relationship with Marissa. Meanwhile, Kirsten wants Carter to continue working with the magazine. Julie seeks Sandy's legal help. ||||||||
| 44 | 17 | "The Brothers Grim" | Michael Lange | J. J. Philbin | March 24, 2005 (2005-03-24) | 2T5117 | 8.59 |
| Marissa and Ryan explore their newfound relationship, but Trey's arrival to Newport gets in the way. Zach returns from Italy and face Seth and Summer with news. Meanwhile, Julie seeks Kirsten's advice with her sex tape. ||||||||
| 45 | 18 | "The Risky Business" | Norman Buckley | Cory Martin | April 7, 2005 (2005-04-07) | 2T5118 | 6.79 |
| Trey's arrival brings trouble to the Newport Beach yard sale, and Ryan insists he moves out of the Cohens' home. Zach and Seth's comic book gets help from Carter. Meanwhile, Caleb and Julie leave to avoid public humiliation. ||||||||
| 46 | 19 | "The Rager" | Tony Wharmby | John Stephens | April 14, 2005 (2005-04-14) | 2T5119 | 6.39 |
| Marissa convinces Ryan to help throw Trey a birthday party, which rapidly gets out of control. Summer finally meets Reed, much to Seth's displeasure. Sandy and Carter's friendship begins to grow. Meanwhile, Julie returns to Newport and decides to confront Lance. ||||||||
| 47 | 20 | "The O.C. Confidential" | Tony Wharmby | Mike Kelley | April 21, 2005 (2005-04-21) | 2T5120 | 6.55 |
| Sandy, Ryan and Marissa try to help Trey from going back to jail. Kirsten and Carter take a trip to the wine country. Meanwhile, Caleb returns from Europe and rebuffs Julie's romantic advances. ||||||||
| 48 | 21 | "The Return of the Nana" | Ian Toynton | Josh Schwartz | April 28, 2005 (2005-04-28) | 2T5121 | 6.77 |
| Sandy, Seth and Ryan go to Miami, Florida to visit the Nana, and Summer finds out how Seth spent his visit. Trey tries to rape Marissa. Meanwhile, Kirsten's feelings for Carter deepen once he tells her he's leaving Newport Living. ||||||||
| 49 | 22 | "The Showdown" | Michael Fresco | John Stephens | May 5, 2005 (2005-05-05) | 2T5122 | 7.19 |
| Carter's departure has taken a toll on Kirsten. Marissa's anxiety leads Ryan to wonder what happened between her and Trey. Summer confronts Reed about Seth and Zach's behavior. Meanwhile, Caleb confronts Julie about her lies. ||||||||
| 50 | 23 | "The O.Sea" | Michael Lange | J. J. Philbin | May 12, 2005 (2005-05-12) | 2T5123 | 6.12 |
| Caleb confronts Kirsten about her drinking, but it doesn't go as planned. Ryan heads home to Chino to find Trey, but sees some familiar faces. Meanwhile, Summer and Reed confront Seth and Zach about prom and an important comic book meeting. Julie devises a plan around her divorce with Caleb. ||||||||
| 51 | 24 | "The Dearly Beloved" | Ian Toynton | Josh Schwartz | May 19, 2005 (2005-05-19) | 2T5124 | 7.63 |
| Caleb's death brings Kirsten to rock bottom, forcing Sandy to put his marriage at stake to help her. Marissa takes action when Ryan confronts Trey. Hailey and Jimmy return to Newport to comfort their families. Seth and Summer rekindle their relationship. ||||||||