The Graduates (The O.C.)

"The Graduates" is the 76th episode of the FOX television series, The O.C.. It was written by Josh Schwartz and Bob DeLaurentis and directed by Ian Toynton. It originally aired on Thursday May 18, 2006.

Guest starring

Actor / actress	Character
Michael Nouri	Dr. Neil Roberts
Cam Gigandet	Kevin Volchok
Autumn Reeser	Taylor Townsend
Willa Holland	Kaitlin Cooper
Paula Trickey	Veronica Townsend
Rosalind Chao	Dr. Kim

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 1 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 DA's 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. The Core Four return to 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 a gas leak causes his car to explode.

Ryan, who's holding an almost lifeless Marissa, tells her that he's going to go get help. But Marissa begs him to stay with her. She stays alive for a minute, then she looks at Ryan sadly until her eyes go blank. Before he is able to get help, she dies in his arms. As he cries with Marissa in his arms, he remembers the time when he thought he'd leave Newport forever and sees Marissa at the end of her driveway.

Music

"I Don't Care What My Friends Say" by Chris Holmes
"Breaking The Ice" by Mojave 3
"Speeding Cars" by Imogen Heap
"Bossy" by Kelis
"Chapters" by Commuter
"Hallelujah" by Imogen Heap

Trivia

This episode marks the last appearance in the series of Mischa Barton as Marissa Cooper, as well as the last appearances of Daphne Ashbrook as Ryan's biological mother Dawn Atwood and Rosalind Chao as Dr. Kim, headmistress of Harbor High.

Imogen Heap's cover of "Hallelujah" is a homage not only to the Leonard Cohen song but a homage to Ryan leaving Newport in season 1 when Jeff Buckley's cover was featured, as Marissa was leaving Newport as well in this episode.

When Taylor calls the students, she calls Alex Patsavas, a reference to Alexandra Patsavas, music supervisor on the show.

External links