‘Gossip Girl,’ ‘Dawson’s Creek’ and More TV Graduation Episodes to Stream
Major twists and sentimental moments! Gossip Girl, Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill are among the television shows that delivered some of the most memorable graduations of all time.
The O.C. took the milestone one step further by incorporating a shocking death into the episode that the main characters said goodbye to high school. Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton) — spoiler alert — died in the season 3 finale, shortly after surviving her days at Harbor School.
“It’s complicated,” creator Josh Schwartz explained during a reunion panel in June 2016. “There were a lot of factors involved, and it was something we really wrestled with. There were a lot of reasons, both creative and cynical. [Executive producer Stephanie Savage] and I, we still talk about it.”
Schwartz added that the backlash surprised the creatives behind the show. “The people who were the most vocal online weren’t speaking for everyone, and we realized that people were very attached to that character,” he said. “There was a lot of anger and fan art that came our way.”
Of course, not all TV graduations are doomed before they even begin. In fact, the episodes often serve as opportunities to acknowledge the love and support that brought the characters so far — and will continue to guide them after they earn their diplomas.
As is the case on Gilmore Girls, when Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) graduated from Chilton Preparatory School in season 3. During her valedictorian speech, Rory thanked her mom, Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham), for believing in her. “My mother never gave me any idea that I couldn’t do whatever I wanted to do or be whomever I wanted to be,” she gushed.
Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) and Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) embodied similar emotions when discussing their friendship before graduation. “You are high school to me,” Serena told her best friend in season 2 of Gossip Girl. “All of the boyfriends and mean girls and tests and teachers and our crazy mothers. We went through it together. We raised each other. You’re my sister.”
Scroll down to revisit the best graduations in TV history — from Beverly Hills, 90210 to Modern Family and beyond.
Serena, Blair and their friends attempt to figure out Gossip Girl’s identity once and for all in season 2’s “The Goodbye Gossip Girl.” The episode also gives Chuck (Ed Westwick) and Blair fans a satisfying footnote to their love story. (Netflix)
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First, Lorelai graduates from business school in season 2’s “Lorelai’s Graduation Day;” then Rory finishes Chilton in season 3’s “Those Are Strings, Pinocchio.” (Netflix)
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Season 3’s “Graduation Day” serves as a two-part sendoff for Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and company. (Hulu)
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In season 4’s “The Birth and Death of the Day,” Haley (Bethany Joy Lenz) goes into labor while delivering a speech at graduation. (Hulu)
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Season 3’s “Commencement” finds the gang leaving high school in the rearview. Earlier in the season came the famous "Donna Martin graduates" episode, "Something in the Air." (Hulu)
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Marissa and her friends hang out one last time before going their separate ways in season 3’s “The Graduates.” (Hulu)
Hulu
In one of several Modern Family commencements, the tight-knit relatives prepare for Alex’s (Ariel Winter) graduation in season 2’s “See You Next Fall.” (Hulu)
Hulu
Joey (Katie Holmes), Dawson (James Van Der Beek) and Jen (Michelle Williams) walk in season 4’s “The Graduate,” while Pacey (Joshua Jackson) wonders if he’ll make the cut to receive his diploma. (Hulu)
Hulu
Season 5’s “Graduation” sees the core three — Cory (Ben Savage), Topanga (Danielle Fishel) and Shawn (Rider Strong) — moving on and Eric (Will Friedle) trying to convince Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) not to retire. (Disney+)
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Hard farewells make up season 3’s “Goodbye” as several original members of the glee club graduate. (Netflix)
Netflix
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