The Graduate

The Graduate
Season	4
Episode	22
INFO
Aired	16 May 2001
Written by	Alan Cross
Directed by	Harry Winer
EPISODES
Previous	Separation Anxiety
Next	Coda

The Graduate is the 22nd episode of Season 4 of Dawson's Creek.

Synopsis

THE CAPESIDE HIGH CLASS OF 2001 GRADUATES -- A chapter comes to a close as Dawson (James Van Der Beek), Joey (Katie Holmes), Jen (Michelle Williams) and Jack (Kerr Smith) don cap and gown, but it's not smooth sailing for all as Pacey's (Joshua Jackson) temper may cost him his final chance to graduate. Andie (guest star Meredith Monroe) returns to Capeside for the graduation ceremony.

Starring

James Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery Katie Holmes as Joey Potter Michelle Williams as Jen Lindley Joshua Jackson as Pacey Witter Kerr Smith as Jack McPhee Mary-Margaret Humes as Gale Leery John Wesley Shipp as Mitch Leery Mary Beth Peil as Evelyn Ryan Nina Repeta as Bessie Potter

Special Guest Stars Meredith Monroe as Andie McPhee Dylan Neal as Doug Witter Mark Matkevich as Drue Valentine David Monahan as Tobey Barrett Harry Shearer as Principal Peskin Co-Starring David Downs as Mr. Kasdan

Lillian's Letter

My darling Joey

I know if you're reading these words it means you've graduated from high school. Congratulations, sweetheart. You didn't have a lot, growing up. You even have been shortchanged one mother. Still, I want you to be proud of your family. If our strife has caused you pain, remember, it also makes you strong. Bessie is strong, and I'm sure she's taking good care of you. Of all the things my illness has robbed me of, I count the greatest of them watching you grow up. You're barely 13 now, still a young girl. And so, I'm left to imagine the woman you've become. Strikingly beautiful, I'm sure, and equally unaware of it. Quick-witted and strong-willed. Possessing the deep, soulful eyes of an artist, and a shy smile that regularly betrays the tough façade you do your best to keep up. If any of this sounds remarkably on the nose, it's because it's the girl you always were, Joey. And it's the woman you'll always be. Whatever you decide to do with your life, I know your future will be luminous. Wherever you decide to go when you leave, remember your days in Capeside fondly, and keep close those who shared your childhood. They will always love you in a way no one else can. And they will always be with you. Just as I love you and will always be with you.

Love, Mom

Joey's Speech

Principal Peskin, our families, my fellow graduates, I stand here before you aware of the similarities that we share. I know that you're feeling, outside of my incredible stage fright, the same things that I'm feeling — pride and accomplishment, closure and regret, and a hopeful outlook on the future. But I don't think you need me to elaborate on those feelings. Instead I wanted to share something personal and tell you that...there are people in my life who are gone now, people I miss very much and people who I am haunted by in different ways, but whether we're separated by death or merely distance, I know that they're still with me because I keep them in my heart. The truth is, in time, that's all that we're going to be to each other anyway, this population of memories, some wonderful and endearing, some less so. But taken together, those memories help make us who we are and who we will be. So whether you're here with each other now or you're merely in each other's thoughts, remember each other on that road ahead. And I hope that no matter where your travels lead you in this life...you'll always take Capeside with you. Congratulations.

Quotes

❝

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?

—Dawson

❝

Bessie – It's not fair, you deserved a mother

Joey – Bessie, I got two

❝

You want to know what the truth is, Jo? I still love you, and I probably will love you for a very long time. But I can't just be your buddy. 'Cause, as much as I enjoy the concept of being just friends, in reality, it's a bizarre form of torture, and I'm just not willing to participate in it. So, right now, what I want to do is just move on and get over you, and the only way for me to do that is to not be around you anymore

—Pacey to Joey

Locations

• Capeside High School
• Jen's House
• Gretchen and Pacey's House
• Joey's House
• Dawson's House
• Mr. P's Oyster Bar
• Principal Peskin's Home

Trivia

• Pacey graduates in absentia and only tells Andie that he graduated
• Jack finally says that Tobey is his boyfriend out loud to Andie.
• Out of the group, Andie and Joey graduate with honors. Joey is the recipient of Capeside High’s Pinnacle Award and class of 2001's senior salutatorian.

BROADCAST

• The episode was watched by 5.45 million people upon its original airing on the WB.

PRODUCTION NOTES

• Paul Stupin and writer Alan Cross provide audio commentary for this episode on DVD.

Films

WATCHED

—

REFERENCED

The Graduate (1967)

Music

pinch me | BARENAKED LADIES

grad party

if it's hurting you | ROBBIE WILLIAMS

dawson and andie talk

dream too small | AMY DALLEY

andie and pacey walk on the beach

if | DRAGMATIC

pacey sees joey at the graduation party

good mother | JANN ARDEN

bessie and joey

fields of gold (cover) | EVA CASSIDY

graduation

Photos

promos

Media

Dawson's cast goes off to college (EW • APR 2001)