The O.C. – Season Three (Episode 25) – “The Graduates”
We open up with shots of Ryan and Marissa..doing their own thing. Ryan waits for Seth to come home and there he is. Sandy comes in as well and tells Kirsten that Seth denied everything to the police. He just picked up the drawing and left. Kirsten and Sandy don’t believe that, though. The cameras say he was the last one to leave the Newport Group. Sandy doesn’t want to accuse Seth of lying, since he has disappointed him enough. Seth says he is going to his mom’s car to listen to depressing music, but Ryan says nope…can’t do that. The car is parked further down.
Ryan goes to move the car and here is Volchok. He is still running from the police and Volchok still needs Ryan’s help. If he goes down, he’s bringing Ryan down with him. If Ryan doesn’t help Volchok, he will tell the cops they stole the car together and everyone will be disappointed in Ryan.
“California…here we come…right back where we started from…California…here we come! Oh!!”
Marissa, Taylor, and Summer all get ready for graduation. They are excited. Summer hopes Seth can actually graduate, though. He could be in jail. Taylor tells them about her Korean threesome after prom. And their reactions to that is priceless. Here comes Julie in to interrupt. She has a letter from Jimmy Cooper that is for Marissa. Marissa goes off to read it.
Dawn Atwood shows up at the Cohen house. She is here for graduation. She and Kirsten hug and talk. Ryan comes in and hugs some more.
Kaitlin shows up at the Roberts/Cooper house to the surprise of Neil. She has decided to make some changes and Neil can help.
Kaitlin: Well, since my grades went from ‘B’s to ‘A’s, I was actually wondering (points to her chest…) if you could change my ‘A’s to ‘B’s.
Kaitlin was just kidding, though. She’s here for Marissa’s graduation or so it seems. Julie wonders why she is really here, though.
Seth comes to talk to Sandy about graduation. Make sure the camera is charged and some other advice.
Seth: When they announce my name, uhh, could you…not do that cheer you did for me when I won capture the flag at parent’s weekend?
Sandy: Which cheer was that? Oh, oh, oh! (rapping) Check out my boy Cohen. Can you believe how he’s growin’? The competition away he’s blowin’!
Seth: That’s the one, please don’t do that..EVER.
Seth comes clean and tells Sandy the truth. He did start the fire at the Newport Group. Sandy is just upset that Seth couldn’t tell him the truth. Seth thought he couldn’t talk to Sandy, because he was busy with work and he didn’t want to upset Kirsten. Sandy understands.
Sandy: We both screwed up.
Seth: We’re both usually so awesome.
Sandy says that this is still serious. Some offices have to get rebuilt and he still has to talk to the police. Sandy doesn’t want that to dampen tonight’s festivities, though. It’s a big night for Seth. They hug.
Sandy: I love you, Seth.
Seth: I can never say “I love you” to another man, but I have much affection for you as well.
Summer finds Marissa and she wants to talk. Marissa tells Summer the news. Jimmy is doing good and he wants her to come live with him on yachts and work on them with him this summer. Marissa will actually be working..shocking..I know! Summer asks about college? Marissa says she is not ready to go. It’s not right for her to go to college now.
Marissa: I need a new life. I need a change.
Summer: Well, scrubbing decks would definitely be a change.
It’s a chance for her to start over with her dad. She would have to leave tomorrow night, though. Summer says as long as she sails to Rhode Island this summer, then she will let Marissa go.
Volchok gets a visit from Heather. She brings him some clothes. Volchok seems to be heading to Mexico, but something is holding him back. Heather thinks it’s Marissa. Marissa was the best thing that has happened to Volchok and now he regrets letting her go. Now he hopes to convince Marissa to go to Mexico with him.
Seth and Ryan walk into Harbor High one last time.
Seth: This is it dude. We’re never gonna have to step foot in this stupid school or this stupid student lounge again.
Ryan: Nostalgic already, huh?
Seth: Never gonna have to see any of these shoe-peeing, shallow, water polo playing… (bumps into another guy…)
Guy: Get out of my way geek. What is that, a dress?
Seth: It’s a graduation gown, you’re wearing one too.
Guy: Queer admitted to wearing a gown!
Summer comes in and tells Ryan and Seth that they look cute in their robes.
Summer: Is everything ok at home?
Seth: Sandy Cohen and I got a little man-boy lovin’ going on.
Marissa is there now and she wants to talk to Ryan. About what? About going with her dad on a boat. He thinks it sounds great. Marissa says that means a lot to her. Ryan wants to drive her to the airport, since she was the first person he met here. Marissa was thinking the same thing. They go back and Ryan says it’s time to graduate!
We come back to graduation. It is set to music. A montage..of course. The song is “Speeding Cars” by Imogen Heap. We get various images of them walking and getting their diplomas. Taylor is the valedictorian. The parents overreact at the appropriate times and all of that. Taylor has one last piece of advice in her speech.
Taylor: But if I can leave you all with one final word of advice: Illegitimis nil carborundum. Don’t let the bastards get you down!
Time for pictures of everyone set to the same music. The foursome plus Taylor a.k.a. The Fab 5 all get pictures. Hats fly into the air and it’s over.
Time for the graduation dinner. Sandy has a few words to say.
Sandy: Excuse me, forgive me, but I’m a very proud father, and I, I want to say a few words. I think I can speak for Kirsten and the other parents here tonight, when I tell you kids how thrilled we are to share this wonderful touchstone with you (applause…). I know the last few years have been a little rough for us (everyone groans and laughs…). There’s been tragedy, and comedy, and first loves, and broken hearts. Family members were lost, and found. It hasn’t all be perfect, but we’re all family here. So cheers.
Summer is sad. Everyone is leaving. Seth says he will be in Rhode Island with her. Summer says that have not heard from RISD yet, though.
Marissa wants to talk to Julie now. She tells Julie the news, except Julie already knew. Jimmy called her and asked her what she thought? Julie says she will miss Marissa, but it could be a good thing for her. Kaitlin knew too and that is why she is coming home for good. Julie will need a daughter around the house. Julie gives Marissa her graduation gift, which is a pearl necklace.
Dawn has a gift for Ryan as well and it’s a car! Ryan is shocked and excited!
Taylor comes to say goodbye to Summer and Seth. She and Sung Ho are going away for the summer. Seth says that Taylor can join the “Inner Circle”. Taylor is happy and excited. She then steals my nickname by calling themselves “The Fab 5”. She hugs Summer and Seth.
Marissa gets a call from Volchok. He says he is sorry. And he wants to see Marissa one last time. If he doesn’t, he will make Ryan’s life really bad. He tells Marissa to ask Ryan about the car they stole.
She goes and does just that in Ryan’s new car. Ryan says Volchok wants money and Marissa wants to help. Ryan says she doesn’t have to help.
Marissa: Ryan, I brought Volchok on us, it’s only fair I help get rid of him. Come on, we’re in this together, ok? (takes Ryan’s hand…) One last time.
Ryan: One last time.
We come back to see Dawn saying goodbye to everyone.
Dawn: Ok, I’m gonna try to say goodbye without losing it.
Ryan: Why don’t we just, not say goodbye. How about “see you soon?”
Dawn: See you soon.
Ryan: See you soon?
Dawn (laughs): See you soon. Love you.
Ryan: Love you too.
Dawn: Hey, Seth, good to see you again.
Seth: Good to see you too! It means a lot that you made it down. (silence …) I was being sincere.
Ryan says thanks for the car as well and that is news to Seth.
Seth: Ryan got a car? Really? I’ve been waiting 3 years for a car! I’m supposed to be the spoiled one.
Kaitlin is redecorating Marissa’s room for herself. Julie comes in to chat after telling her to turn off the music.
Kaitlin: It’s pretty cool that you’re letting her go.
Julie: And it’s pretty cool that you came back so she can leave.
Kaitlin: Well I don’t love Marissa that much. Just, all the older kids, they just see me as Marissa’s little sister. And they’ve graduated. And now I can rule Harbor. (Julie rolls her eyes…)
Ryan drops by Marissa’s house and Marissa gives him the necklace that Julie gave her. They are going to pawn it off for some money. Marissa wants to go with Ryan. Ryan doesn’t think so, but Marissa takes no for an answer. She’s coming, but she stays in the car.
Sandy drops by his old office. He tells the new guy in his office that working here was the best days of his life. He is really here to talk to the DA, though.
Kirsten comes into Seth’s room. Seth tries to apologize for the fire, but Kirsten says he doesn’t have too. It was the best thing that could have happened. She tells Seth that Sandy is talking to the lawyers. She also informs Seth that the letter from RISD came in. Seth looks at it.
Volchok comes to meet Ryan and get the money. Ryan says they are done now, but Volchok says no. He just wants to talk to Marissa..that’s all. Marissa picks up Ryan and Volchok bangs on the window. He just wants to talk to Marissa! Ryan and Marissa drive off and Volchok is pissed as we go to a break!
We come back to Marissa packing her things. Julie comes in to say goodbye to her.
Julie: Marissa, I just want you to know that, everything I ever did, good, bad, or otherwise, I did it for you. So that you could have a better life than I had. And I know I wasn’t perfect. I mean, the thing with Luke and trying to frame Ryan for attempted homicide…
Marissa: Mom, I love you. Ok, just know that. (both crying…)
Julie: Oh sweetheart, that’s all I wanted. I love you too.
Marissa: Besides, you know the strength it takes to start over, to go out on my own? That has to come from being Julie Cooper’s daughter.
Julie: I am spirited, aren’t I?
We get one more family hug from Julie, Marissa, and Kaitlin. Time to go, though.
Marissa needs to hang out with Seth, Ryan, and Summer before she leaves. It’s their graduation party. Some place new.
Sandy comes home and tells Kirsten that he told the DA that the whole thing was an accident. Since Sandy owns the Newport Group and won’t press charges, then Seth is free.
Kirsten: Then it’s back to the Newport Group, business as usual?
Sandy: Well, how ’bout not? I went back to my old office, the place looked worse than ever. The guy in there was beaten down, exhausted…oh, it was a thing of beauty.
Kirsten thinks that Sandy may want to go back to being a lawyer now. Sandy doesn’t say anything. Sandy and Kirsten then think about the “nest” being empty all next year and they have a few ideas to pass the time with.
The foursome pull up outside of “The Model Home”. Ryan thinks it looks like Marissa’s old home. But this house is for sale and it’s empty. So they all go in and jump into the pool. Now they all sit by the pool and talk about the past and stuff.
Summer: You guys ever wonder what life would be like if Atwood never came here?
Marissa: I definitely never would have talked to Seth.
Summer: Oh, hell no, me either.
Seth: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Ryan: See? You own me one, buddy.
Seth: Me? (points to Marissa…) She’d still be dating the dude who shaves his chest.
More fun in the pool and then more talking.
Summer: I can’t believe I was actually interested in Atwood. No offense.
Ryan: None taken, biatch
Marissa: It was only because you found out he was from Chino.
Summer: Exactly.
Ryan (to Summer): You actually invited me to Holly’s beach house.
Summer: Oh my god!
Seth (in a dark voice): You said she invited me. (all but Seth laugh) I’m not faring well on this trip down memory lane.
But now it’s time for Marissa to say goodbye to everyone. She hugs Summer. They are best friends forever. Marissa waves to Seth. Seth waves back, but Summer wants them to hug..so they do. Marissa cries..Summer cries..they say goodbye.
Ryan goes in to check on Marissa. Marissa asks Ryan if he thought they would actually ever be together? He says you never know what can happen.
Marissa: I’m sorry…for all of the craziness.
Ryan: I wouldn’t have done it any differently. Except maybe Oliver.
Marissa (laughs): Me too.
Now Ryan and Marissa get into Ryan’s new car and drive off. We see that Volchok and Heather are stalking them and they follow Ryan and Marissa.
Seth brings Summer back to his room where Seth gives Summer her gift. It’s Seth’s RISD letter and Seth got in for the second semester. He starts in January! Seth is sorry about everything, but Summer says everything doesn’t always happened as you plan. They will still make it work and still be together. Summer will just go and get a handle on life in Rhode Island before Seth gets up there.
Ryan and Marissa drive now. Ryan asks her if she is ready for all of this? She doesn’t know. Marissa asks how Ryan feels about moving away from the Cohens and going to college. He’s terrified and Marissa agrees. Ryan says that they need to stay in touch, though.
And here we go! Volchok pulls up from behind Ryan and Marissa and tries to make them stop their car. Volchok says he wants to finish this and do so by making them stop..so he can talk or fight or both. But here comes a sharp turn and Ryan can’t pull the car over. Volchok pushes them off of the road and Ryan and Marissa go flipping down a hill and land upside down in Ryan’s car. Ryan moves and sees that Marissa is out. He then notices that gas is leaking out and the car is on fire. Not good. So Ryan breaks a window and climbs out of the car. He drags Marissa away from the car and holds her in his arms. The car blows up behind them in a great visual. The song playing is “Hallelujah” by Imogen Heap. And the whole time that Ryan is carrying Marissa..we get flashbacks of all the OTHER times that Ryan has saved Marissa and carried her away from danger.
Ryan lays Marissa on the ground and she is not doing good. She is awake, but she is losing blood. Ryan wants to go get help, but Marissa doesn’t want him to go.
Marissa (to Ryan): No, stay. Don’t leave.
And that could be her final words as she falls out of consciousness in Ryan’s arms. Ryan is not going anywhere. He tells her everything will be okay, but it’s not. Now we get more flashbacks. This one is Ryan leaving Newport Beach at the end of Season 1. Marissa was there to save goodbye and now Ryan is there to say goodbye to Marissa.
And there we go folks! We are done with this season!
