The Graduate

Season 4, Episode 22, Aired
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Episode Summary

As graduation approaches, Joey has a tough time preparing her speech and Dawson helps her find some bittersweet inspiration. Joey gets an unexpected surprise gift from her late mother. Pacey wonders if he's going to graduate at all, and he worries that his last final will be the toughest one. He walks out of the test after the teacher makes a comment to him, nearly costing him his diploma. Meanwhile, Andie McPhee returns home for the cap and gown ceremony, and is surprised to meet Jack's new boyfriend, Tobey, and a devious Drue Valentine. Drue, who is staying at Jen's after being kicked out of his home by his mother after a fight, convinces her to help him pull a hilarious senior prank. Pacey tells Andie he has decided to take the job offer on a boat for the summer.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (3)

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  • It's Graduation Day! Joey has trouble writing her speech. Pacey decides to take the job offer. Andie is back! Jen and Drue decide to pull a prank but get caught.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Jon_MW_14, Aug 06, 2009 Report Abuse
    10/10 just because Andie showed up. I am so glad that Andie showed up for graduation. OK let's begin. This episode was amazing. It's graduation time and Joey has trouble writing her speech. I love the letter her mom wrote, and I love the speech she gave at graduation. A teacher made a witty remark at Pacey before an exam, so Pacey decided not to take the exam. I am so glad that the teacher showed up at Pacey's house and allowed him to retake the exam. I'm also glad he passed it. I'm just sad that he didn't graduate with the rest of his class. Drue gets kicked out of his house and asks Jen if he can stay a couple nights. I love Grams. She is so smart. I thought the scene where the principal catches Jen and Drue, and makes them listen to him playing the cello was hilarious. The end of the episode was awesome. It's nice seeing Andie again. I just wish she wasn't going back to Italy. I give this episode a 10/10 just for Andie.moreless

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  • An episode that features all of the cast of Dawson\'s Creek, and a stunning episode, and probably my favorite episode of Dawson\'s Creek that I\'ve seen of all time. The cast gets ready and prepares for Graduation Day.moreless

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By taylorcolefan91, Oct 15, 2006 Report Abuse
    Dawson's Creek is one of my favorite shows, but only when they have episodes like this is when you seem to realize how good it is. Each storyline seemed to be filled with meaning, rather it was the humorful storyline with Drue and Jen, the possiblity of his dream for Pacey, Joey reading a heart-felt letter, Jack hanging out with (his boyfriend)Tobey, or Andie's pleasant return to Cape Side. I don\'t think one segment was frustrating or boring, and this episode could be considered to be one of the strongest episodes of Dawson's Creek. Pure emotion can be felt throughout the episode, and a fateful goodbye from Pacey to Joey seems to make the episode more vital for Pacey and Joey romatics. However, Dawson and Joey have a nice moment, and her speech works pefectly as Pacey gets ready to leave on his exile. Overall, probably my favorite episode of the series, and a definite classic.moreless

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  • Forever Classic

    10
    "Perfect"
    By pamhalpert, Oct 06, 2006 Report Abuse
    I would have to say that this episode is by far one of the top 3 in the entire series. The writers nailed it with emotion, and just sewing up loose ends. Although I was not a huge fan of the 4th season; I have to say that the Drew Valentine character was great!. I wish they would have made him permenant. It is amazing how he transformed into such a likeable character. Dawson and Joey becoming close at the end made the entire season worth it; the writers did a great job at proving their point that their relationship transcends anything.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • Goof: Bessie insists on putting lipstick on Joey for Graduation and since she does it quickly, a noticeable smudge is seen on Joey's upper right lip. However it disappears in the next shot of Joey. Edit
    • Goof: During the senior party, when Andie mentions that Pacey will be in the Caribbean that summer, he replies that she will be Florence. However, later in the episode during the graduation ceremony, Andie tells Jack that she is going back to Italy and that he is the first one to know. How did Pacey know the day before then?. Edit
    • When Doug stops Pacey on the street to talk to him, Pacey's microphone sticks out of his upper shirt. Edit

  • Notes

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    • Dawson's parents give him a watch with an inscription as his graduation present. The inscription reads something like "If you will it, it is no dream". During the audio commentary for this episode, Alan Cross (who wrote that scene) explains that he originally intended to use a line from the Beatles' song "All You Need Is Love" for the inscription. However, the show producers thought that, despite fitting Dawson's parents generation, something a bit more profound would be better. So Alan Cross bought a book of quotes, and finally ended up improvising the aired version of the inscription. Edit
    • Pacey's English Teacher in this episode was named "Mr. Kasdan". This was actually a deliberate reference to Jonathan Kasdan, who was one of the writers on Dawson's Creek during that season. He wrote the episode Unusual Suspects. Edit
    • Alan Cross wrote Joey's Graduation speech. At the end of it, Joey tells everyone to "take a part of Capeside with them on their way through life". Katie Holmes acted about 99% of the original script, but she requested a slight change at the end. Originally, Alan Cross had written the speech to be more personal about Joey's character, and end she asked everyone to "take a memory of me with you as you go through life". However, Katie Holmes felt that it shouldn't really be about Joey but more about the spirit of the Community, the Class and the town of Capeside, and the speech was changed. Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Dawson: You know, on occasions like this, it's nice that we can dress up in polyester choir robes and stupid hats, sit in the sun for a couple of hours to mark the occasion. What fashion Einstein came up with this whole outfit? I mean, is this a hat you really want to be wearing the day you know people are going to be taking pictures? Edit
    • Mitch: When I brag to people and I tell them that my son wants to go off to Hollywood to be a filmmaker, they warn me. They say you'll be eaten alive. You know what I say to them? I say: "You don't know my son." Dawson: I just want to thank you guys for always believing in me. That, uh... it meant a lot. I... I love you guys. (They group hug). Edit
    • Pacey: I was thinking about tomorrow. Joey: What about this tomorrowland? Does it look even remotely bright? Pacey: It certainly didn't when it held the prospect of never seeing you again. Joey: How is that any different from the here and now? Pacey: I think I... I should probably go off and live my own life for a little while. That certainly doesn't mean that this is how I want it to end between us. So hypothetically speaking... if I were lucky enough one day to find myself owning a sailboat again, and I were to ask the woman that I love to go sailing with me... would she? Joey: You wouldn't have to ask, Pace. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Dawson: What fashion Einstein came up with this whole outfit? Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was a German physicist, best known for his Theory of Relativity. Edit
    • The title of this episode, The Graduate, refers to the classic 1967 film of the same name directed by Mike Nichols. Edit

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