100th TV Episodes

We made it! This is the 100th issue of Seen & Heard. We're entering syndication territory, people! Before we get into our regularly scheduled programming, I want to thank you for subscribing and reading. It means the world to me -- truly.

In honor of the 100th, we're diving into TV shows that also reached this milestone. How did they celebrate their 100th episode? Some made it the most dramatic episode ever, some peppered in special guests, some added a random musical number (you can never go wrong with that strategy), and some featured a BIG event. Beware! SPOILERS ahead for: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Scandal, The Office, Gossip Girl, Friends, How I Met Your Mother, Jane the Virgin, One Tree Hill and Gilmore Girls.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: This 100th episode definitely falls into "most dramatic episode ever" territory, because it's the season five finale and if you're racking your brain to remember, yes it's the episode where Buffy dies (in a matter of speaking). She & the crew are trying to figure out how to kill Glory without sacrificing Dawn (fun fact: Michelle Trachtenberg is also featured in another 100th episode I'll be highlighting below, but in that show she actually plays a less annoying character...). Buffy & Spike share a moment. Xander proposes to Anya. And Buffy realizes sacrificing herself is part of her destiny as a Slayer, so in the episode's final moments she jumps into the portal between dimensions. 
Where did we land on the 100th episode meter?
Extra dose of drama? YES
Special guest(s)? NO
Random musical number? NO
BIG Event? YOU BET
And for extra fun: Here's the WB promo of the episode

Scandal: Shonda Rhimes takes the alternate universe route with Scandal's 100th, meaning we have fun seeing characters kiss who wouldn't normally kiss. As Olivia Pope imagines a world in which she'd never agreed to rig the election (kind of a triggering plot point these days), she and Fitz get married, Mellie and Cyrus get married, Fitz cheats on Olivia with Quinn, Mellie runs for president and Fitz and Olivia have all kinds of issues but work it out in the end. It doesn't move the plot much or trigger much character development, since Olivia has been grappling with her election rigging decision since season two but who doesn't love a good alternate universe episode?
Where did we land on the 100th episode meter?
Extra dose of drama? By way of the AU, YES
Special guest(s)? NO
Random musical number? NO
BIG Event? YES
Promo time!

The Office: What starts out as a seemingly normal episode of the NBC comedy turns into a truly momentous one, as the Dunder Mifflin group heads to the annual company picnic. It's rare we get a whole episode outside the confines of the actual office but what better way to celebrate 100! The season five finale features a wonderful reunion between Holly and Michael (despite the fact that she has a boyfriend who is also present), the return of Idris Elba, a truly cringe-worthy skit and a competitive volleyball game. Holly and Michael make great strides in their relationship, as Michael finally decides to take his time (cue the tears: "It's going to take a long time, and then it's perfect. I'm in no rush") because he and Holly are "soup snakes." And if you ship BJ and Mindy like I do, that term carries special meaning. Pam reveals herself to be a champion volleyball player but slips and gets injured. She and Jim travel to the nearest doctor and find out that they're expecting in a scene that still makes me tear up.
Where did we land on the 100th episode meter?
Extra dose of drama? BORDERLINE
Special guest(s)? YES
Random musical number? They got close with a skit, but NO
BIG Event? YES

Gossip Girl: We open with a dream sequence musical number, yes please! This season five episode has it all! Blair is engaged to that boring Prince and Chuck is plotting sabotage. The delightfully evil Georgina returns (Michelle Trachtenberg hello again!!!). Serena has feelings for Dan again (YAWN). Nate has a crush on someone new who has a secret (TYPICAL). Let's get back to the wedding drama. Secrets are revealed, confessions are spilled via Gossip Girl, Georgina wears a great hat, and Dan comes through for Blair in a big way. If you can't tell from my recap, I actually really love any time we get a Dan/Blair pairing. SUE ME. XoXo.
Where did we land on the 100th episode meter?
Extra dose of drama? YES
Special guest(s)? YES
Random musical number? YES
BIG Event? YES
Watch the promo 

Friends: Titled The One Hundredth (clever), the A plot is momentous but the B and C plots are pretty much your average episode of Friends. C: Joey is in the hospital for kidney stones. B: Chandler and Monica get into a tiff after Chandler downplays their secret relationship and Monica says she's going to go on a date with a nurse as revenge. Spoiler: She doesn't. A: Phoebe is gives birth!
Where did we land on the 100th episode meter?
Extra dose of drama? BORDERLINE
Special guest(s)? NO
Random musical number? NO
BIG Event? YES

How I Met Your Mother: Get excited, there's a musical number coming! First up, we get another tease as Ted gets closer to meeting the mother (or you know, not that close since we're still in season five) by way of her roommate, played by Rachel Bilson. This also marks the crucial moment that he leaves his yellow umbrella at their apartment. Meanwhile, Barney tries to hookup with a woman who hates men who wear suits, so he has to make the ultimate decision girls vs. suits (hence the episode title), which leads to this random musical number.
Where did we land on the 100th episode meter?
Extra dose of drama? A potential mother encounter only qualifies as BORDERLINE at this point
Special guest(s)? YES
Random musical number? YES
BIG Event? NOPE

Jane the Virgin: In a pretty rare occurrence, the 100th episode of Jane also doubles as the show's SERIES finale, so suffice it to say it's filled with some epic moments and a much anticipated reveal (aka the narrator's identity). Jane works to finish the ending of her book, while also planning for her wedding, Petra reunites with JR. Rogelio and Xo plan to leave Miami. The episode is peppered with callbacks to the pilot & the entire series. It's a beautiful end to a wonderful show, even if I'm still working through my problems with character arcs during the final season.
Where did we land on the 100th episode meter?
Extra dose of drama? YES
Special guest(s)? NO
Random musical number? NO
BIG Event? YES
Here's a promo to relive it all.

One Tree Hill: In Gossip Girl fashion (it must be a WB/CW trend), this episode features wedding drama, the return of an evil character and someone running away! Lucas and Lindsey are getting married (remember her?), so everyone is reunited in Tree Hill for the big day. Karen returns. Peyton is miserable. Hayley and Nathan are on the rocks. Dan is skulking outside the church. And CRAZY Carrie the deranged Nanny makes an appearance. Right when Lindsey is supposed to say "I do," she realizes that Lucas is still in love with Peyton (shocker) and she says she can't marry him. In all the commotion, CRAZY Carrie kidnaps Jamie. Wow, I could have sworn the episode ended here, but Dan follows them and rescues Jamie, so we get a happy ending. I told you these episodes pack a lot in!
Where did we land on the 100th episode meter?
Extra dose of drama? YES
Special guest(s)? YES
Random musical number? NO
BIG Event? YES
Another WB promo for your viewing pleasure!

Gilmore Girls: And last but not least, how could we forget our beloved Gilmore Girls. In this 100th episode, Richard and Emily are reunited and celebrating with an over-the-top vow renewal ceremony (which is basically a second wedding). Lorelei is the maid of honor. Rory is the best man (suit and all). Logan and Rory share their first kiss (UGH). And Christopher shows up, gets drunk and sparks a fight between Luke and Lorelei (to be fair, it was kind of Lorelei's fault...). A random musical number is included (sort of ), as Richard dances with Emily during a performance of Wedding Bell Blues.
Where did we land on the 100th episode meter?
Extra dose of drama? YES
Special guest(s)? Does Christopher even count? BORDERLINE.
Random musical number? BORDERLINE
BIG Event? YES