I heart THE O.C.: Episode Guide & Trivia

"The Graduates"


Episode Number: 76
Season Num: 3
First Aired: Thursday May 18, 2006


It is graduation day for Ryan, Seth, Summer, and Marissa at Harbor High School. After graduation they all go out to eat and celebrate their graduation. Ryan's mother gives him a new car as a graduation present. Marissa is going to spend a year on a boat with her father as her graduation gift. Seth finally gets into RISD for second semester. Summer is still going to Brown University in the fall. Volchok is still mad at Marissa and Ryan, so he decides to crash Ryan's car.


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This episode marks the final appearance of Mischa Barton on the series as Marissa Cooper. Although she is shown in a flashback during the series finale.


When Marissa asks Ryan's opinion on if she should go to her dad to serve on a yacht going to the Greek Islands, Ryan offered Marissa a ride to the airport, because "you're the first person I met, and I want to be there last to say goodbye". At the end of the episode, Ryan is the last person that Marissa sees as she passes away in his arms.