The Graduates
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| “The Graduates” | |
|---|---|
| The O.C. episode | |
 Seth, Summer, Ryan and Marissa |
|
| Episode no. | Season 3 (2005-2006) Episode 25 |
| Written by | Josh Schwartz |
| Directed by | Ian Toynton |
| Production no. | 2T6275 |
| Original airdate | May 18, 2006 (FOX) |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "The Man of the Year" | "The Avengers" |
"The Graduates" is the 76th episode of the FOX television series, The O.C..
Contents |
[edit] Guest starring
- Rosalind Chao as Dr. Kim
- Cam Gigandet as Kevin Volchok
- Willa Holland as Kaitlin Cooper
- Michael Nouri as Dr. Neil Roberts
- Autumn Reeser as Taylor Townsend
- Paula Trickey as Veronica Townsend
[edit] Plot
Seth denies the charges of arson that have been pressed against him. Sandy and Kirsten discuss matters with Seth. Ryan returns to Kirsten’s car and Volchok appears; Volchok threatens to press charges against Ryan for fighting him if he does not assist him.
Marissa, Summer and Taylor help prepare for the upcoming graduation ceremony and discuss their sex lives. Julie delivers a letter to Marissa which was initially sent by her father, Jimmy. The letter issues Marissa with a life-changing proposition; she is offered a job for a year with her father on a boat; however she only has one night to make her decision. Ryan supports Marissa’s plans to work on the boat.
Dawn stops by the Cohen’s house for graduation; Kaitlin Cooper also returns home unexpectedly. Seth tells the truth to his father, that he caused the fire with a joint.
At the graduation ceremony, the proud parents of Ryan, Marissa, Seth, Summer and Taylor tearfully applaud their children's completion of high-school. Later that night, the Cohens, Coopers and Roberts collectively attend a dinner and Sandy makes a toast.
Marissa tries to notify her mother of her plans to leave, but Julie reveals to Marissa that she already knew. Julie presents Marissa with her graduation present, a pearl necklace. Julie also admits to the mistakes she has made as a mother, however Marissa forgives her and tells her that she loves her unconditionally. Julie, Kaitlin and Marissa share an emotional "Cooper family hug".
Dawn presents Ryan with a car as a graduation gift. Taylor and Sung-Ho plan to go to Sung’s home town in the DMZ to help defuse land mines.
Volchok calls Marissa and notifies her about Ryan’s involvement in his plan; she then questions Ryan. Dawn bids farewell to Ryan and leaves Newport.
Sandy visits the PDs office to meet on “neutral ground” - and pays a visit to his old office. Kirsten tells Seth that the fire was the best thing that could have happened to him (Sandy). Ryan gives Volchok the money that they got from pawning Marissa’s present; he then proceeds to have an angry fit when Marisa refuses to talk to him.
Sandy decides not to return to the Newport Group. Ryan and Marissa revisit the model home for a swim and reflect on the past, and the journey which has united the "Core Four". Seth presents Summer with her graduation present, his admission to Rhode Island School of Design.
As Ryan and Marissa are driving to the airport, a drunken Volchok rams Ryan and Marissa off the road and onto a hill. The car flips over, and lands upside down. Ryan isn't hurt very badly and breaks the door window to get out and goes around to the other side to save Marissa before the vehicle explodes as gas begins to leak.
Ryan, holding an almost lifeless Marissa, tells her that he's going to go get help, but Marissa begs him to stay. She stays alive for a minute, and she looks at Ryan sadly until her eyes go blank. Before he is able to get help, she dies in his arms.
[edit] Music
- "Friends" by Chris Holmes
- "Breaking the Ice" by Mojave 3
- "Speeding Cars" by Imogen Heap
- "Bossy" by Kelis
- "Chapters" by Appogee
- "Hallelujah" by Imogen Heap
- "Into Dust" by Mazzy Star
[edit] Trivia
- Marissa said that Summer had lost romantic interest in Ryan after discovering that he came from Chino. However, Summer still asked Marissa to set her and Ryan up for Cotillion (The Debut).
- "Hallelujah", originally sung by Leonard Cohen, was covered by Imogen Heap specifically for the final moments of the episode. Another cover by Jeff Buckley was used earlier throughout the series, most notably in the Season 1 finale.
- The final scene in which Ryan picks Marissa up is similar to the season 1 episodes Pilot and The Escape. The corresponding scenes in these episodes are shown translucently during Marissa's final scene.
