Ryan Atwood, along with his brother, is caught attempting to steal a car in Chino. His brother is over 18 and has multiple arrests, so he is facing jail time. Public defender Sandy Cohen is hired to defend Ryan, however, and arranges for him to be released. Before leaving for his home in Orange County, Sandy gives Ryan his card and tells him to call any time.
When Ryan returns to his fatherless home, his mother is drunk and angry. She throws him out of the house and Ryan is left with nowhere to go ... until he pulls out Sandy'�s card and makes the phone call that would change his life forever. Sandy picks Ryan up and, much to the dismay of Sandy'�s wife, Kirsten, invites the troubled teen to stay in the family�s guest house.
Seth Cohen jumps at the opportunity to befriend this pseudo brother and takes Ryan sailing. The duo bonds. Later that night, the Cohens take Ryan to a fashion show fundrasier that is partly planned by Marissa Cooper, the beautiful next door neighbor. Ryan and Seth are invited by Summer Roberts -- Seth'�s childhood crush -- to attend a Newport Beach house party after the event. Once there, Ryan protects Seth from Luke Ward, Marissa'�s hotheaded boyfriend. At the conclusion of the evening and the episode, Ryan�'s attitude and behavior put his future with the Cohens in jeopardy.
"The Pilot" File: