The BEST episodes of The O.C. season 4

Every episode of The O.C. season 4, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The O.C. season 4!

The O.C. is an idyllic paradise, a wealthy, harbour-front community where everything and everyone appears to be perfect. But beneath the surface is a world of shifting loyalties and identities, of kids living secret lives hidden from their parents, and of parents living secret lives hidden from their children. Cohen, Cooper, Nichol families, and Ryan Atwood, a troubled teen from the wrong side of the tracks, who is thrust into this world, and who will forever change the lives of the residents of The O.C.

Last Updated: 8/28/2024Network: FOXStatus: Ended
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The End's Not Near, It's Here
star
8.78
346 votes

#1 - The End's Not Near, It's Here

Season 4 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/22/2007

Six months after Mother Nature grabbed everyone by the neck and shook, events return to normal. Very normal. But complacency is never the Cohen or Cooper way. Time to follow the head and heart to what's right.

Directors: Ian Toynton
Watch Now:Amazon
The Night Moves
star
7.82
334 votes

#2 - The Night Moves

Season 4 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/15/2007

Everything's okay. As okay as anything can be after a major earthquake. Now come coping, staying calm, helping...and somehow getting Ryan to the hospital before he bleeds to death.

Watch Now:Amazon
The Cold Turkey
star
7.82
215 votes

#3 - The Cold Turkey

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/9/2006

Julie is no longer invited. But guess who is coming to dinner: Homeless men, recruited by Summer, show up for the Cohen Thanksgiving. Ryan will be there, too - if he doesn't first commit murder when he learns where Volchok is.

Directors: Michael Lange
Writer: J.J. Philbin
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Earth Girls Are Easy
star
7.75
218 votes

#4 - The Earth Girls Are Easy

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/21/2006

Seth is clueless about what to do for New Year's Eve. Solution? Crash the Ryan-Taylor road trip to Vegas. Now add pregnancy tests, a space alien rave, thefts, misunderstandings, pursuits and a marriage proposal and it's time to welcome 2007!

Directors: Norman Buckley
Writer: Mark Fish
Watch Now:Amazon
The Chrismukk-huh?
star
7.72
245 votes

#5 - The Chrismukk-huh?

Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 12/14/2006

Sandy is married to Julie. Kirsten is Mrs. Jimmy Cooper. Summer is engaged to Winchester. Seth is in full geek mode. It's a parallel Newport. And Ryan, stuck there after a conk to the head, must change it.

Directors: Ian Toynton
Watch Now:Amazon
The Case of the Franks
star
7.72
237 votes

#6 - The Case of the Franks

Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/1/2007

Julie and Gordon? Or Julie and Frank? Summer and Seth? Or Summer and George? No, make that GEORGE. Mysteries of the heart (and the meddling of others) unfold as Valentine's Day nears.

Directors: Norman Buckley
Writer: J.J. Philbin
Watch Now:Amazon
The Sleeping Beauty
star
7.67
240 votes

#7 - The Sleeping Beauty

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/30/2006

Taylor is sure the remedy for Ryan's sleeplessness is...Taylor! Plus: Summer is set up to take the fall for lawbreaking activism at Brown. And Kailtlin and Julie eye the same himbo.

Directors: Ian Toynton
Watch Now:Amazon
The Metamorphosis
star
7.63
275 votes

#8 - The Metamorphosis

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/16/2006

Great news, Seth: The real artificial Summer is back! Her eco-activism is just a way of coping with Marissa's death. Or is it? Ryan isn't ready to be Ryan the Rescuer again. But Taylor needs rescuing.

Directors: Norman Buckley
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Shake Up
star
7.62
244 votes

#9 - The Shake Up

Season 4 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/8/2007

Make a movie: Summer challenges Seth's passivity. Make a move: Taylor wants to hear Ryan's profession of love. Make a mess of it: Kaitlin floats rumours about Frank and clown porn. Make way for Mother Nature...everyone!

Directors: Ian Toynton
Watch Now:Amazon
The Gringos
star
7.58
224 votes

#10 - The Gringos

Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/8/2006

South of the border...Ryan slips away to Mexico to search for Volchok. Seth rides shotgun. And worried parents Sandy and Kirsten soon follow. Meanwhile, Summer has a surprise dorm visitor at Brown.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Summer Bummer
star
7.50
270 votes

#11 - The Summer Bummer

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/7/2006

Love is a funny thing: Che handcuffs himself to the newly expelled Summer. And a sexy thing: Ryan fantasizes about Taylor. And a tender thing: Sandy and Kirsten share a recommitment ceremony.

Directors: Michael Lange
Watch Now:Amazon
The Avengers
star
7.45
313 votes

#12 - The Avengers

Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 11/2/2006

Marissa is gone but not forgotten. Definitely not forgotten: Julie has hired a detective to find Volchok, who caused Marissa's death...and she wants to make sure the P.I.'s report ends up in the hands of angry Ryan.

Directors: Ian Toynton
Watch Now:Amazon
The My Two Dads
star
7.44
266 votes

#13 - The My Two Dads

Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/4/2007

Warm hearts, cold feet: Seth and Summer each look for a way to call off the wedding. Who will crack first? Ryan's biological father plays the Big-C Card in hopes his son will see him.

Directors: Michael Schultz
Watch Now:Amazon
The Groundhog Day
star
7.37
233 votes

#14 - The Groundhog Day

Season 4 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/25/2007

Free Newport Chuck! Che - with more than activism on his mind - enlists Seth in a plan to spring a groundhog from it's Feb. 2 rites. Kirsten has a 40th birthday party...and reveals another reason to celebrate.

Directors: Ian Toynton
Writer: Mark Fish
Watch Now:Amazon
The Dream Lover
star
7.34
239 votes

#15 - The Dream Lover

Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/18/2007

Take her, I want her. Ryan overcomes his indecision and competes with Henri-Michel for Taylor's affections. Che leads Seth on a trek of spiritual renewal. Embrace your inner otter, Seth!

Watch Now:Amazon
The French Connection
star
7.28
267 votes

#16 - The French Connection

Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/11/2007

Taylor's ex-hubby writes a hot-selling wrotic novel. Who's the lead character? Three guesses and the first two don't count. Seth seeks Neil's permission to marry Summer. Kirsten uncovers Julie's biz scam.

Directors: John Stephens
Writer: J.J. Philbin
Watch Now:Amazon