Graduation

The gang has completed their finals, and the realization that they'll never take another test at Bayside has sunk in. Zack's obviously excited, and Kelly is heartbroken. It's also time for the senior ballet recital, "Swan Pond."

Zack goes to Belding's office expecting a tearful goodbye. But there's only one problem. Zack's not graduating. It seems Zack is one credit short of graduating, and it's too late to make up the credit. It looks like summer school for our blonde hero. But he's determined to graduate on time, and he heads back to Belding's office to give the performance of a lifetime.

Zack seems ready for summer school, until Big Pete walks in with a pulled muscle. Unless Belding finds a replacement, the ballet is off. He asks Zack to fill in, and offers that one credit required for graduation. Everything worked out, right?

There are big problems. Jessie's not the valedictorian. It's Screech, and she will flip out if all of her hard work hasn't paid off. Screech is the first person in the history of the award to turn it down. Also, the nerds came down with the flu, and the ballet is off. That means Zack won't graduate.

Zack, being the blonde mastermind that he is, always has a plan. He gets Screech and Slater to fill in for the nerds. Swan Pond is on! Hilarity ensues, although this commentator thinks AC should have been the star of the show.

After the show, the gang is sitting in the stairwell, and the finality of it all finally sets in. Everyone is extremely sad, except for Zack. He can't wait to get out. And Lisa spills the beans that Screech is the real valedictorian.

It's graduation time, and Belding seems a little biased towards this class. That doesn't seem fair. Also, Jessie becomes the first student in the history of the award to turn down being valedictorian when she hands the award over to Screech. Make up your minds people. Then, for some reason, Zack gets to give a speech.

You know, it's funny. I thought the last day of high school would be the happiest day of my life. Until I realized what I'd be leaving, my friends. See, that's what Bayside means to me. Not just girlfriends, though I'll miss all 86 of you. No, I'm talking about those people who are always there when you need them. Like when your parents ground you for borrowing the car and not bringing it all home. Or a girl you'd die to go out with tells you to drop dead. Or better yet, when you're a credit short of graduating, and your friends stand up for you no matter how ridiculous you look. I'm lucky. I have the greatest friends.

Give me a second to wipe the tears from my eyes. Okay. Belding finally gets the awesome handshake right, and he and Zack share a tender hug. The gang tosses their caps in the air, and I feel lost. What am I going to do now that the gang has graduated? Until next time, America.

QUOTES!

Belding: If you can't trust your principal, who can you trust?