Teen Drama Spring Break Episodes
In movies and television, spring break is often a big deal.
That’s why it’s surprising there aren’t many teen drama spring break episodes. Even though the genre is known for relying on tropes and stories tied to the high school and college calendar, only four of our core teen dramas used the theme once or twice — and the other two didn’t at all.
Sit back, relax, and journey back in time to these teen drama spring break episodes… no passport required.
Beverly Hills, 90210
Episode 7.24, “Spring Breakdown”
It took “Beverly Hills, 90210,” our OG teen drama, ‘til its seventh season before doing an episode centered around spring break. The main storyline actually starts in the prior installment, with Brandon wrestling with whether to bring Tracy with him to visit his parents in Hong Kong during the break from school. In this episode, they make the trek, but — unbeknownst to Tracy — Brandon is struggling with whether he sees a long-term future for them. Meanwhile, the rest of the gang stays in Beverly Hills, where Kelly is struggling with her own feelings… for Brandon.
Dawson’s Creek
Episode 3.19, “Stolen Kisses”
Dawson’s never-before-seen aunt Gwen hosts him, Joey, Pacey, and Andie for a weekend during spring break. Pacey brings along an old friend, Will, who is introduced for the sole purpose of setting up the show’s impending spinoff, “Young Americans.” Much of the plot focuses on the blooming Dawson-Joey-Pacey love triangle, culminating in one of the series’ best scenes — one I can recite from memory (and you can watch below). Despite the Poey-focused ending, the episode also establishes “Daydream Believer” as a Joey-Dawson song, with the track resurfacing in the season 4 finale and season 5 premiere.
Episode 5.19, “100 Light Years From Home”
They aren’t 100 light years from Capeside, but it’s the 100th episode of “Dawson’s Creek” and Joey, Jen, Pacey, Jack, and Audrey do travel to Florida for spring break. They stay at the Liddell family beach house and, wouldn’t you know it, MTV is hosting spring break festivities nearby — and one of their VJs just happens to be Audrey’s ex-boyfriend. Another VJ on hand? Hilarie Burton, who shares a scene with her future “One Tree Hill” co-star, Chad Michael Murray. And though I’m a Poey fan through and through, one of my favorite aspects of this episode is Dawson reflecting on his relationship with Joey as he makes a surprise trek to the Sunshine State. What can I say? I’m a sucker for flashbacks.
The O.C.
Episode 2.21, “The Return of the Nana”
This episode of “The O.C.” also revolves around a trip to Florida. In this case, Sandy takes Seth and Ryan to Miami during spring break after finding out his mother, aka the Nana (played by the late Linda Lavin), is planning to get married. Seth fits right in with the senior set, but also finds himself roped into a salacious contest during Music Video Nation’s spring break special. As Summer watches on TV in Newport, he licks whipped cream off a woman he’s just met — and it’s just as raunchy and gross as it sounds. Also in Newport, Marissa’s attempt to be a supportive friend toward Ryan’s brother Trey ends with him trying to rape her, the ramifications of which come to an explosive head in the season finale a few episodes later.
90210
Episode 3.18, “The Enchanted Donkey”
This spring break takes the Beverly Hills gang to Mexico, where they stay at a fictional resort that gives this episode its title. As one may or may not expect in Cabo, there’s a gastrointestinal illness (Silver), a rabies shot (Annie), a terrible sunburn (Adrianna), weed (Ivy), and lots of hooking up (various pairings). There’s also a swimming-pool fight, a setup previously seen in episodes of “The O.C.” and “One Tree Hill.” The installment is also notable for featuring Alan Ritchson long before he’d become a breakout star thanks to “Reacher.”
By default, “Dawson’s Creek” is our spring break queen — simply for being the only teen drama to have more than one spring break episode. “One Tree Hill” and “Gossip Girl” don’t have any at all, although the latter at least mentions spring break during a Gossip Girl voiceover in season one.
I’m really surprised there aren’t more spring break installments, especially considering “Beverly Hills, 90210” had seven seasons with the characters in high school and college and generally stuck pretty closely to the real-world calendar. In other words, the show — and its peers — had plenty of opportunities to use spring break as a plot device. But perhaps the rarity of this theme makes these episodes all the more special. Share which one is your favorite in the comments below!
Want to look back at more themed teen drama episodes? Check out the teen drama Valentine’s Day episodes, teen drama Halloween episodes, teen drama election episodes, teen drama Thanksgiving episodes, teen drama holiday episodes, teen drama New Year’s Eve episodes, teen drama earthquake and hurricane episodes, teen drama throwback episodes, teen drama Breakfast Club episodes, all the “Beverly Hills, 90210” Christmas episodes, and the one teen drama Easter episode.