Synopsis of The Graduate
Written by Tamara Jaron
It's graduation rehearsal time, and the gang is gathered to go through the motions. Joey will be giving a speech, since she is the winner of the Capeside "Pinnacle" award. Her friends are proud of her as she nervously takes the stage to practice. Turns out she has yet to write the speech.
The principal issues a warning - anyone planning to commit a graduation prank should take heed. Security will be out in force.
Pacey runs up to rehearsal, better late than never, but he is stopped by Mitch. Apparently he will not be allowed to attend graduation rehearsal so that he may spend his time studying for his big exam. This exam, English lit, will determine whether or not he graduates. Pacey begs Mitch not to send him away in front of all his friends, but Mitch says he has no choice. Pacey leaves without a fight as the gang looks on.
Joey confides in Dawson that she is having trouble writing her graduation speech. Dawson thinks her writer's block has something to do with Pacey, and he encourages her to go talk to him. Joey admits that she wants to help Pacey in any way that she can.
Tobey and Jack are hanging out cleaning Jack's car. Tobey decides to bring up a tough subject. He wants to know why Jack never refers to him as his "boyfriend." He accuses Jack of going out of his way NOT to say it. Jack is defensive and promises to say it when the time is right. They change the subject and engage in a playful water fight.
Drue shows up at Jen's window in the middle of the night. At first she won't let him into her room, but finally she acquiesces. It's all part of their new love/hate relationship.
Drue explains that he got into a fight with his mother and he is looking for a place to crash. Jen likes the idea of doing something nice for Drue - she agrees to let him stay for one night.
It's exam time for Pacey. When he sits down at his desk to start the test, his pencil breaks. His only pencil. He asks the teacher, Mr. Kasdan, for a new pencil. Mr. Kasdan makes a crack about Pacey being consistently unprepared, and Pacey snaps.
The teacher's words only support his feelings about his own worthlessness; only he can't stand hearing them from another person. Pacey goes off on Mr. Kasdan, saying that no one seems to realize or care about how hard he's been working. Mr. Kasdan tries to silence him, but Pacey cannot stop himself. He gets up in the teacher's face and asks him why he should even bother. Then, he walks out of the exam.
Joey comes to Pacey's place to talk. She heard about what happened. He doesn't want to talk about it. He's prepared not to graduate. Joey wants to help him, but he doesn't want her help.
Joey tells Pacey that she still wants to be his friend. Pacey admits that he loves her too much to just be her buddy. He needs to move on in order to get over her, and he doesn't want to think about what will happen with them in the future.
Joey leaves, disappointed and sad.
When Joey gets home, she sits at the kitchen table to write her speech. Bessie comes in and sees that she is distracted. She asks Joey what's up. Joey tells Bessie about her talk with Pacey and her difficulty writing the speech.
Bessie has a surprise for Joey. Something she hopes will inspire her to write the speech. It's a letter that her mom wrote her just before she dies. Bessie has been holding onto it until Joey's graduation. Joey is hesitant to open it and decides to save it for later.
Jack and Tobey are at the airport - to pick up Andie. Andie comes off the plane and Jack gives her a great big hug. Then Jack has to introduce Tobey. It's clear that Jack has never mentioned him to Andie. Jack finally gets up the nerve to introduce Tobey as his boyfriend, and both Andie and Tobey are thrilled. Andie gives Tobey a big hug.
Jen comes home to discover Drue sitting in the kitchen with Grams. She takes Grams outside to ask why Drue's still around. Grams explains that she's offered to let Drue stay for another night in exchange for his help packing and moving. Grams is a smart one.
They go back inside and Jen and Drue talk. They decide to go to the big graduation barbecue together. But first, says Drue, they must make a "recreational" detour.
Joey comes over to Dawson's house. She wants Dawson to read her mother's letter to her. Dawson is honored that she would want him to do that. He opens the letter and reads the contents.
The letter is a congratulations and an apology for hardship. Joey is touched and tearful. Her mother instructs her to keep Capeside close to her heart.
It's barbecue time. Dawson and Joey arrive together. Joey still hasn't written her speech. They see Tobey, Jack, and Andie, and want to know all about Andie's time in Italy. Andie is eager to share, as usual.
Meanwhile, Pacey is moping at home. A knock on the door reveals Pacey's English teacher, Mr. Kasdan. Pacey is still angry with him, but Mr. Kasdan invites himself in and asks whether Pacey studied for the exam he walked out of. Pacey answers with a resounding yes.
Mr. Kasdan has come to offer Pacey another chance to take the text. Pacey doesn't believe his ears. Mr. Kasdan tells Pacey that he is not an idiot and he didn't mean to upset him.
Pacey accepts his second chance with a big smile.
Jen and Drue are busy with their "recreational" detour - a graduation day prank. Drue wants to set the lawn sprinklers to come on during graduation. As they are setting the timer, they are caught by the principal and a security guard. Foiled again!
Back at the party, Andie is sharing her condolences with Dawson about his relationship with Gretchen. Dawson thanks her, but says he doesn't need her condolences - he going to be just fine. He will always remember Gretchen fondly.
Andie wishes she had someone who remembers her that way. Dawson assures her that she does.
Pacey finally shows up at the barbecue and spends a little time watching Joey from a distance. As he's milling around, he runs into Andie and is caught completely off guard. He sweeps her into his arms.
Jen and Drue's punishment is at hand. The principal forces them to sit in his house and listen to him play cello music all night long. Let's just say his cello skills are a little rusty.
Andie and Pacey are catching up on the past year. Andie offers her help if he needs to talk about his breakup with Joey. Pacey says all he wants is to know what it's like to be on your own. Andie says it's scary but exhilarating.
Pacey confides in her - he's taking the offer to crew on the boat in the Caribbean, AND, he's a high school graduate. Andie is happy for him and wants him to tell everyone else. Pacey says he did it for himself and he doesn't need to tell anyone else about it. He just wants to be happy for a change. He told Andie the news because she was the first person who believed in him.
Graduation day. Pacey is lounging in a chair on the high school lawn. The chairs are set up for graduation and he is basking in the sun. Pacey is the only one there and he is happy to be alone enjoying the moment.
Joey is rushing out of the house in cap and gown. Bessie runs after her and stops her to put on lipstick. She asks Joey is she read their mom's letter. Joey says yes and thanks Bessie for being such a great second mom. Bessie is touched.
At the Leery residence, Dawson's parents are a gushing mess. They give him a pocket watch as a graduation present and tell him just how proud of him they are. Dawson thanks them for being so supportive and tells them he loves them.
Pacey is not dressed for graduation. In fact, it looks like he's packing. Doug comes over to congratulate him and offer him money. He tells Pacey that he's glad he has an exciting summer ahead of him - he deserves it. Pacey doesn't know how to respond to Doug's sincerity. He tells Doug that he's always looked up to him, and that it's okay that he's heterosexual.
Jack and Andie are heading to graduation. Andie shares some news with him. She's decided to stay in Italy and has deferred Harvard for a year. Jack says he's happy for her.
Grams congratulates Jen on her big day. She's not upset about the past night's indiscretions.
Joey is super-nervous. Dawson tries to lighten the mood, and succeeds in making Joey smile. They take their designated seats for the ceremony.
Joey is called upon to give her speech. Her message: Never forget the times and friends you have had in Capeside. Though people in her life are dead or gone, they will always be in her heart and in her memories. The entire group ponders her words.
As she continues to speak, we see a satisfied Pacey arriving at the airport.
The students applaud Joey at the end of her speech. Just then, the lawn sprinklers come on, drenching the graduates and their families. Drue succeeded in his plot. As the water falls upon them all, they cheer and throw their caps into the air.
Pacey heads out onto the tarmac to catch his plane. And he walks, in slow motion of course, we hear a voiceover of names being called during graduation. The final name: Pacey Witter.
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