The O.C. Season 1 Episode 17 The Rivals

In season 1, episode 17 of The O.C., entitled "The Rivals," tensions rise between Orange County high school rivals, Harbor School and Newport Union. The episode begins with Ryan and Marissa bonding over their shared love for Chris Isaak and their Las Vegas road trip while Seth and Summer's relationship continues to blossom as they plan their upcoming prom.

As the Newport Union-Harbor School rivalry heats up, Seth decides to ask Summer to prom using an elaborate comic book-themed scavenger hunt throughout the school. Meanwhile, Ryan tries to avoid getting caught up in the rivalry by declining an invitation to a fight with a Harbor School student and instead opting for a night in with Marissa.

But tensions between the two schools continue to escalate and come to a head when a Harbor School student crashes the Newport Union prom and chaos ensues. As the melee unfolds, Ryan and Marissa find themselves trapped in a stairwell, where they finally confront their feelings for each other.

"The Rivals" is a fast-paced episode full of drama and tension as the high school rivalry takes center stage. It also continues to explore the burgeoning relationships between the core cast of characters and sets the stage for further conflicts and resolutions as the season progresses.