The O.C is an ensemble drama revolving around the young adult community of the Orange County area. A street-smart teen winds up in the high-class society of Newport Beach, sparking something of an edgier take on the Melrose Place-esque premise.

Following on from season two, the series continues to follow the characters' lives in the wealthy community of Newport Beach, Orange County, California, with the main characters entering their final year of high school. The season revolves around Ryan Atwood's savior complex causing trouble, and Seth Cohen's lies posing problems in his relationship with Summer Roberts.

Seth's mother Kirsten attends rehab in an attempt to put her life back together, while her husband Sandy assumes leadership of the Newport Group after Caleb Nichol's death and finds himself the heir-apparent to a legacy of scandal, and Marissa Cooper spirals out of control after younger sister Kaitlin causes trouble on her return home from boarding school.