Dawson's Creek - 204 - Tamara's Return

Original air date: October 28, 1998

Oh my god, you guys. I wasn't prepared for this. I can't believe how much I hate this episode. I was prepared for hating the return of Capeside's resident statutory rapist but I was not ready for how much I'd hate every story this episode. Literally, every story. This is a big downer of an episode for me and it's sent me into a spiral of sadness about this re-watch and I'm not even at the worst part of the series. No, the worst is still to come.

Pray for Blinvy

*sigh* OK, so we start the episode with (I'm shuddering as I write this) Dawson and Joey making out. I don't know why it bugs me so much, it's just that they are all over each other and it doesn't come off as hot to me, it comes off as awkward. Princess Joey stops the make out session, thankfully, because she is cold and there are bugs outside. Dawson points out that they can't go to either one of their houses because of his parents and her sister and that he thinks it's romantic to make out where they are.

I agree

I wouldn't mind making out outdoors if the setting looked like that...OK maybe I'd mind if I was making out with Dawson. Dawson defends the place and says that if she gets cold, she has him to keep her warm. Ugh. Joey says he is really cheesy and Dawson worries that she doesn't like it. Joey tells him that she finds it "unbearably sexy", excuse me a second...

I'm going to wear out this Van Der Meme

Can the episodes please stop beginning with talk of Dawson's "unbearable sexiness?" Please? And don't get me wrong, James is a very attractive guy. I've seen him in Don't Trust the Bitch and he is very attractive but him as Dawson? Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. I don't know why, but when he is playing Dawson, he becomes unbearably UNsexy. Moving on.

Dawson is chatting with his father the next day. His father is meeting some mystery woman to look at a warehouse she has for sale. Why, you ask? Remember way, way back in the pilot episode? When Mitch was working on a model for a seafood restaurant? No? Oh, that's probably because I found it so insignificant a detail that I didn't mention it in my recaps. Uh...but yeah, apparently Mitch wants to open a restaurant and he is looking to buy a building. Guess who the mystery woman is?



I'm sure it came as a surprise to no one



Tamahra tells Dawson that he is now allowed to call her by her first name. Watch out, Dawson! Pacey was allowed to call her by her first name too. She's going to add you to her young boy collection! Whoa-oh, here she comes. Watch out boys, she'll chew you up!

She's a man-eater!



Dawson runs to tell Pacey the news. Oh god, this story hurts me so much, he was just getting to know Andie and now he's going to be all gaga over his statutory rapist again. Pacey thinks Dawson wants advice because he got into another fight with Joey. His advice is very funny and very on the nose:

Pacey: Let me guess. You and Joey are having another love spat and you want my opinion. Well, here it is. Joey is being sarcastic and oversensitive and you, my friend, are being self-absorbed and self-catering.

God, I love him. Pacey is in a hurry to get to class which is so in character for him, you guys, so Dawson can't tell him.



This isn't a contrived way to keep the Tamara
thing a surprise to Pacey. Shut up, he
always rushes to get to class



Joey runs into Jack and tells him that he has the day off from the Ice House since her sister's sitter cancelled and she has an art show. Jack volunteers to open for them but Joey laughs this off because he's so klutzy. He gets offended and says he can handle it and Joey relents but can't resist a final dig at him to not burn the kitchen down.

Why do people in this show like her?

Abby has just gotten her allowance and wants Jen to go shopping with her. Jen wants to sit around and mope because Dawson rejected her and she's feeling left on the outskirts of the group of friends she used to belong to. Abby won't hear it and convinces Jen to go with her to cheer her up.

I'm going to miss this friendship

Pacey runs into Andie, who has a bunch of movies with her. He makes fun of her for her tastes, until he sees she has Dumbo, which is one of his favourites too. They bond over this and then Pacey asks if she wants to hang out with him and I got super excited, you have no idea. I love these two together but I also know what happens during this outing so now it just makes me sad.

I am so in

On that note, is it just me or did Joshua Jackson get like 1000 times hotter this season? I don't know exactly when this happened. He was cute last season but this season, he's just gorgeous. It's probably the lack of the dorky "Julius Cesar do" but also, his eyes are just spectacular this season. I am a sucker for guys with dark hair and light eyes.




Gorgeous



Anyway, Joey and Dawson are at an art lecture being taught by the lady who helped Joey with her assignment last episode. Wow, some minor continuity for a change. Joey is completely riveted while Dawson is bored out of his skull. Joey calls him out on hating the art lecture and Dawson admits that expressionism probably isn't his thing. Joey gets offended and so Dawson explains further that it felt unresolved which further offends her. Look, Joey, he is stating his opinion about a certain type of art, that is what people do and not everyone is going to like the same things. I don't even understand what she is getting so upset about here, so what? Dawson isn't as interested in art as her, big fucking deal.

Get over yourself

The woman comes out then and tells them that she is teaching a drawing class and invites them both to come. Dawson says he has work and Joey says that she is not very good at art. The woman convinces her to try her class anyway.

Pacey and Andie are talking with each other, apparently about how Andie got into another car accident. Pacey proclaims her the world's worst driver but then is distracted when he spots the evil bitch queen herself, Ms. Jacobs. Pacey stares at her like an idiot while she introduces herself to Andie. I'm warning you, stay away from Andie's man, Tamahra! God, I hate her. She quickly leaves and Andie asks Pacey if he's OK because he looks like he's "seen a ghost." Pacey then bails on her to follow Ms. Jacobs, leaving poor Andie behind.

Taaaaaaaaaaaaaaam!-ahra

We cut to art class and it looks like Joey decided to go. The woman, Laura commends Joey for her artistic talent. Joey mentions that her mom used to paint and this is the one and only time so far that she actually looks uncomfortable to bring her mother up or talk about her death. Most times, it seems like she's bragging about it but I actually feel bad for her here, good acting by Katie Holmes in this scene. Anyway, Laura tries to encourage Joey to keep drawing and says that she can recommend some good classes to take.

Joey is genuinely happy for once...this won't
last long, I'm sure

Meanwhile, Andie shows up at Dawson's house. Clearly desperate for some insight on Pacey after he ditched her because, as it turns out, Andie likes him and is hoping he likes her too. Dawson says that Pacey hasn't mentioned anything to him but to his credit, he quickly amends it with that just because Pacey hasn't mentioned anything, doesn't mean he doesn't like her. He also tells her that Pacey's "obnoxious pig behaviour" is sometimes his attempt at flirting. This cheers Andie up.



Awwww, she is just too cute



Jen and Abby are sitting at a table after a long day of shopping. This is one of the last few times we'll see them genuinely liking each other and it saddens me. Abby spots a guy she likes, who is older I might add. She proceeds to flirt with him but the guy seems uninterested, until he spots Jen. He makes a specific request for her name and then says it was nice to meet her.

Joey is working on her sketch from class. She immediately closes her sketch pad when Dawson shows up. He tries to ask her what she was drawing and Joey admits it was just a bowl of fruit but freaks out when Dawson asks to see it. So he tries to tell her that he likes her "art thing" which is admittedly a poor choice of words but he is trying to be supportive and interested in something she is doing. She bites his head off and then he tries to apologise for referring to it as a "hobby" because he didn't intend to belittle her interest in art. But she isn't having it and decides to leave and then, this rage inducing moment happens:

Dawson: Well, so you're just going to leave it like this?

Joey: Like what? Unresolved?

Dawson: Yeah.

Joey: Why don't you just consider me a nonspecific, incoherent, expressionistic painting? (she kisses him on the cheek and slaps his back) Have a GREAT day, Dawson.

Back the fuck up

What the fucking hell? Your boyfriend is trying to be supportive of you and tries to say the right thing and you bite his head off. Not only that but you use his explanation of his opinion on art as a way of attacking him? What the fuck is wrong with you, Joey? He's entitled to an opinion on expressionism, it doesn't mean that he thinks all art is garbage or that he thinks you're stupid for liking it, he was just trying to explain why it didn't appeal to him. You are a fucking bitch-cunt.

I will consider you a bitch-cunt
and you will like it

Pacey meets up with Tamahra at her house (STOP, DON'T DO IT, PACEY!) and they have a boring conversation about awkwardness, silence, and Pinter and I'm over here trying to contain my anger that they are still treating this relationship like it's not fucked up. Moving on.

The next morning, Dawson talks to Mitch about his relationship issues with Joey. I guess he couldn't handle Pacey's honesty on the subject. Mitch offers this bit of wisdom:

Mitch: Well, in my experience, Dawson, erratic behaviour of the female orientation usually means the root of the problem is something unexpected. It's probably not about art. Go find out what it is.

Mitch, don't lump us all in with that Drama Queen, Joey. K? Thanks. Most of us are capable of telling people what we are pissed about and most of us have good reason to be pissed when we are pissed. We don't all have over-dramatic non-issues like Joey does.

Go fuck yourself

Pacey comes in after Mitch leaves, looking for advice from Dawson. Bad move, my friend. Apparently...ughhhhh! Pacey realised that he still has feelings for Tamahra.

Pacey, stop. Just please, stop it. Thankfully, Dawson gives Pacey the advice to stay away from her. I'm happy about this advice but also it makes me a bit angry because he's giving the advice based solely on the fact that Pacey hasn't yet recovered from the "gossip fallout last time." Um, excuse me? That's not the issue, the issue isn't town gossip. The issue is that it is completely fucked up and wrong of this woman to do that to him. Quit brushing her creepy manipulative behaviour under the rug, writers! But, he did tell Pacey to stay away so I'm just going to have to be happy with that.

Thank you, Dawson

Dawson also tells Pacey that Andie likes him. Pacey then says that Andie is a girl but Tamahra is a woman and just stop! Stop! Andie is a million times better for you than that creepy statutory rapist. I don't like Pacey in this episode. I really don't.

Since the Ice House is dead, Joey asks Bessie if she can check out an art exhibit. Bessie agrees but asks her to take Jack. They both mock him like crazy but Joey asks him if he wants to go. Actually, she does it in a really condescending way:

Joey: Hey, Jack! Do you know what an art exhibit is?

Jack: Yeah...

Joey: Do you want to go to one?

Jack: Sure.

Seriously? I think Joey would die if she didn't snark at people and belittle them constantly. How dumb does she really think he is? Everyone knows what an art exhibit is, Joey. There was no need to ask him like that. And despite her bitchiness to him, Jack still has a crush on her. Why?

Mitch and Tamahra are talking about her warehouse that she wants to sell him. He asks her why she wants to unload the property and asks if it's because she's in financial trouble. Tamahra responds by saying that they both know her problems aren't strictly financial.

Mitch: Yeah, well, since you brought it up. Um, a student, wasn't it?

It was your fucking son's fucking best friend!!! What the hell, Mitch? Were you that oblivious? Are you that flip about a woman who took advantage, albeit allegedly according to Capeside officials, of your son's best friend? A kid who you probably are quite protective of too? There's no way Mitch didn't know who the student was when everyone in town was gossipping about it. What the fucking hell, writers?! *sigh* Moving. On.

Jen and Abby are trolling the docks because Abby wants to find the hot guy, Vincent, from before. She apparently is really interested in him. Jen finds out that they are there looking for Vincent and has this gem of wisdom to say:

Jen: [...]yeah, he may be good looking but he's old enough to be your father. Haven't you ever heard of statutory rape?

I think my brain exploded

Yes! Yes! I have heard of statutory rape, writers. Can I ask you, dear writers, if you've heard of a little something called double fucking standards? Because you just wrote a doozy of one into one episode. Bravo, writers, bravo. You are the most classless pieces of shit ever. Remember everyone, according to Dawson's Creek writers women can have sex with teens because they probably love them but older men having sex with teen girls? That's statutory rape. I mean, am I the only one infuriated by this? They spent all last season trying to get us invested in Pacey and Tamahra's relationship, trying desperately to paint her as conflicted but hopelessly/tragically in love with her student and they've brought her back still trying to insist the same thing and yet when a girl tries to get with an older guy, that's when you try to preach to us about statutory rape? Un-fucking-believable.



Excuse me for a second...



Jack starts gushing about the art exhibit and Joey is blown away that he isn't the doofus she pegged him for. He then starts spouting off about how much he loves the exact painting that Dawson had said he didn't care for and how "intense" it is. I notice he doesn't actually analyse what he thinks the painting is though, he just mentions that he thinks it's emotional and intense.



The painting is intense. Good analysis, bro



Joey apologises for being a bitch to Jack and for judging him before she really knew him. That's nice of her, I expect it won't last.

Abby and Jen have found Vincent but there was one flaw in Abby's plan of snaring him, he doesn't like her. Vincent rejects her and Jen tries to talk to him about how Abby may seem harsh but means well, most of the time. Vincent then completely flirts with Jen and wants to see her again.

Abby is pissed

Joey tells Jack readily about how she's taken up drawing and Jack gives her the advice to draw what she's passionate about. Cue Dawson walking up. Jack gets obviously uncomfortable and excuses himself from the conversation. Wanting to make things up to her, Dawson offers to go to the exhibit with her. She replies, with her usual snark, that she's already seen it. So he counters by asking if she'd like to show him the paintings she really liked. She responds with bitchiness, saying that she knows art isn't her thing and that he earned his points just for tracking her down there.

What. A. Bitch!

Dawson apologises again for being too flip about her new interest in art and that he was just trying to have a discussion with her about art like they do about movies. Where they debate and share their differing opinions, he even mentions that she put him in his place a thousand times about some movie. This is valid but of course, Joey doesn't see reason or logic, she just wants to be mad.

Bah! I'm running away again!

Pacey confronts Tamahra at her warehouse and tells her that he is over her and I am happy to hear that. However, they are addressing this like it was a relationship without closure that is finally getting some and not in the way that this relationship was severely unhealthy and illegal, so it still pisses me off a bit. It then pisses me off further when this happens:

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Thankfully, Tamahra suggests he leave and is not talking in subtext but then they have a stupid subtext goodbye where Pacey asks if she misses "teaching" and she replies that she does and he says that he misses her "teaching" too.

Yup, I'm using the Van Der Meme on Pacey now

Jen and Abby have an argument about Vincent. Abby is hurt because she liked that guy and she sees it that Jen stole him from her. Eh, he never seemed that into Abby, he always seemed into Jen but I get her hurt feelings. Jen tries to say that Abby can have him and that all she cares about is their friendship but Abby is still pissed.

Awwww, is their friendship over already?

Joey approaches Dawson to talk. She wants to explain her behaviour but she doesn't even understand why she's acting like that (Psssst! The writers just wanted you guys to fight so that they could break you up for more DRAMA!). She then says that someone told her that she should draw what was important to her and she shows him her sketchpad to reveal:

Shock of shocks, it's Dawson

Dawson is moved but then she says that she's not OK with that. Wow, you are going for head bitch in bitch town, aren't you? You're not OK with your boyfriend and best friend being important to you? What the hell, Joey? She then tells him that she wasn't fighting with him, she was fighting with herself. One part wanted to send him away and the other part wanted to hold him tight. Dawson asks her which part won and Joey asks him if this can be unresolved for now. Um, no it can't. That is a serious issue, you're sounding like you want to dump him for a really stupid reason and you want him to just deal with it and pretend like nothing's wrong? But Dawson is her lap dog so he agrees to let it be unresolved.

Oh Dawson, you are such a door mat

Pacey runs into Andie and starts pestering her about liking him. It looks like they are finally going to get together, so yay! Andie points out Ms. Jacobs and asks "don't you know that woman?" To which Pacey responds "I did but not anymore." Yay! Please tell me that means there will be no more Pacey and Tamahra interactions because these writers clearly can't handle it. And besides, look how cute Pacey and Andie look together:

OK, one good thing happened this episode

Leaving it on that note calms me down a bit but there was so much wrong with this episode. Joey was a complete bitch, Pacey ditched Andie after asking her out to pursue his statutory rapist, Mitch acts like he didn't know Tamahra was accused of having an affair with his son's best friend, no one acknowledges Tamahra as a statutory rapist but Jen immediately pulls that card in reference to Abby wanting to date an older man, and Abby and Jen's relationship is disintegrating. Wrong, this whole episode is wrong and if I had my way, I would will it from existence. That's right, I will rid the world of this episode.

The episode must die!

Stay tuned for Full Moon Rising. Hopefully it will be a less rage-inducing episode.

Dawson's Creek - 203 - Alternative Lifestyles

Original air date: October 21, 1998

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Only three episodes in to this season and the "opening scene in Dawson's room" streak has already been broken. There will be no perfect score this season. I'm so sorry.

It's truly a dark day for us all

The episode actually starts outside of Dawson's room. Mitch is pulling down the ladder that Joey always uses to sneak into Dawson's room. You'd think they never would have let it go up in the first place because, what is the damn point? Bitch should just use a door like everyone else. Also, wouldn't they have pulled it down when they knew he was dating Jen? Or was only Joey allowed to use this ladder and it repelled everyone else? Well, we know that isn't true because Jen climbed it last season and spent the night with Dawson. Sleeping beside him, not with but still. Dawson's parents are kind of stupid.

Dawson acts like a smug prick about Mitch taking down the ladder and starts explaining to his dad that he is a "sexual being" and Mitch just can't handle his sexy, sexiness.

Exactly

Wasn't Dawson complaining just last episode that his father was trying to talk to him about sex and now this episode, Dawson is superior and his father just can't handle him having sex? Continuity, writers!

Anyway, Dawson goes to his room and Joey is there waiting for him. I'm pissed for a second that they are getting away with it because I'm finding myself actively hating Dawson getting what he wants and supposedly outsmarting other people but Mitch interrupts them and escorts Joey out.

All is right with the world

After the theme song is done, we find Joey rushing to get ready for school but Bessie keeps preventing her from getting on her way. First by making her help with the baby and then asking her to stop by her restaurant to make sure it looks clean. Uh, Bessie? It's your business and your responsibility to keep it clean, it's Joey's responsibility to go to school. Don't make her late to class for the sake of your business.



Worst guardian ever



Meanwhile, in the Dawson household, the writers succeed in pissing me off by making Dawson outsmart Mitch with the whole "sexual being" debate. It's not that I'm against what Dawson is saying, that teens will have sex if they want to, it's just that I'm against Dawson winning anything. He's so freaking smug that it bugs me to see his self-involved ego inflate more than it already is.

It can't just be me that wants to punch him, right?

Gail then pisses me off by having the gall to be pissy at Mitch for making excuses to explore his "sexual impulses." Uh, you want to check your hypocrisy at the door, Gail? Who made excuses, lame ones at that, to explore their sexual desires last season? Oh right, that was you. I'm not on Mitch's side about an open marriage because, while they work for some people they are not a good band aid for a broken relationship but I'm definitely not on Gail's side either.

Both of you can suck it

Abby and Jen are talking together about boys. Abby asks Jen who she'd rather sleep with and names two jock stereotype-looking extras. Jen says neither because they are "gym junkies" with no cultural interests. Abby then laments the fact that she is friends with someone who only has eyes for Dawson Leery. I hear ya, Abby. Despite her distaste for Dawson, which I highly applaud, Abby still encourages Jen to go for it and "make it happen."

Despite her flaws, Abby is a good friend

Andie asks Pacey for his notes for Econ class because she forgot her books and couldn't take them herself and she also apparently forgot his confession to her about flunking the other night. Then again, I guess she could assume he was only flunking bio but still, he never screamed "diligent note taker" to me. Pacey, of course, doesn't have the notes and Andie freaks out about not having done the homework and flunking out and ending up on the streets. Pacey mocks her by saying that she's rich, so she won't end up on the streets. She is not impressed.



I love their interactions


I'm not going to bore you with the details of their Econ class because...boring. I'm just going to say that everyone has to pair up and pretend to be a couple. Pacey and Andie get paired off, naturally. Jen and Dawson get paired up, much to my delight and Joey's displeasure and Abby gets paired off with a nerd. Joey ends up alone. Oh and those two jocks I mentioned earlier that Abby was lusting for? Yeah, they are paired together because this show loves making the gay jokes and "Oh noes! Two jocks who spend all of their time together are paired with each other and have to pretend to be a gay couple!" Laugh, laugh, it's hilarious...according to Dawson's Creek.

At lunch, Joey complains to Dawson about their assignment because she always complains but this time it's because she has no idea what she wants to be when she grows up and this assignment will depress her or something. I think she's moping because she has to do her assignment by herself and Dawson is paired with Jen who is an Evil!blond. I think I'm right because Joey immediately starts in with the "Are you as excited to be partnered with Jen as she is?" line, fishing for Dawson to tell her that she is vastly superior to that blond witch. Dawson obliges but Joey still isn't happy.

Is she ever happy?

Abby tries to give Jen a pep talk about using her partnership with Dawson to get back with him. Jen expresses doubt but Abby pushes her to show off her "naughty" side and to use the study sessions and the role playing as husband and wife as a way to remind him of what a great couple they were and how compatible they are. It's actually good advice but I know we're supposed to hate them for plotting to steal Dawson away from Perfect!Joey but I'm kind of rooting for Jen and Abby to succeed.

How can I not?

Joey asks Bessie if they can save some of the cleaning at the restaurant for another day because of her Econ project. Joey explains that she has to be a successful, single, career mother and she has no idea where to start. Bessie offers up her help, seeing as how she is "virtually a single career mother" too. I have to agree, we haven't seen Bodie since last season, I think the Double Date episode? I wonder if they've changed the actor that plays him again.

Anyway, Joey shoots down Bessie's suggestion, saying that she has to be "successful" and make $160,000 a year. Bessie tries to explain that she may not make that income but she knows how to budget money and Joey brushes her off again and says she'll find someone else to advise her.

Bitch

Pacey and Andie are trying to work on their assignment but Pacey is too busy drooling over a Viper. Andie says that their made up income won't allow for that but Pacey remains adamant that he wants to get the expensive car because he's a typical teen boy and he's a slacker who doesn't want to take the assignment seriously. He condescends her again for being rich and spoiled which she still brushes off. She then compromises with him that he can get a viper if they can find a "viable two-bedroom apartment." Damn, that is compromising, stuffing three kids into one bedroom, just so the husband can have a fancy car?

Pacey, you're being a douche. Stop it!

Gail comes home from work in another man's car and Mitch sees her and gets upset. He throws a giant hissy, even when she explained that her car had broken down. But, because she didn't call Mitch for a ride, he declares that they will have an open marriage and that Thursday is "date night." Huh, Mitch and Pacey are competing for the title of head douche bag this episode.

I still like Mitch and Pacey but they are
making bad choices this episode.

Dawson and Jen are working on their assignment and getting along really well. They have been agreeing on every decision so far and Jen starts hinting at how compatible they are. Dawson looks confused...

Or like he's just realised, he has to poo

He then gets uncomfortable and suggests that they've done enough for the night so Jen goes home, disappointed.

Pacey and Andie are arguing about having nothing done on their assignment because they have been busy looking for affordable housing so that Pacey can get his Viper. I'd say Pacey is at fault but he is mad at Andie. She calls him lazy and he gives her his sob story about his parents not being very supportive of him which caused him to not be motivated. He starts to get some sympathy from Andie but then shits all over it by telling her she is fascinated by the assignment because she's so rich and that budgeting must be a novelty to her. He calls her rich and spoiled and Andie finally breaks.

Pacey, stop! You're being mean

Awwww, you made Andie upset

Joey meets with some super powered business woman who runs her own architecture firm and is completely wowed by her. The woman even asks Joey for her advice on floor plans for a restaurant they are designing. Of course, Joey has a perfect idea and they decide to help each other out with their respective projects.

Abby scolds Jen for not getting anywhere with Dawson when they only have one more night together while she continues to ignore her own nerdy partner and avoid doing any of her own assignment. I don't blame her. She convinces Jen to grab life, or Dawson so to speak, by the balls and take what she wants. I agree with her even though, I guess I'm not supposed to but I do disagree with the constant Joey is a virgin bashing. Look, there is nothing wrong with liking sex but there is also nothing wrong with not being ready/choosing to wait/not liking sex. I hate the constant shaming the media does to both sides, it's like you're damned if you do it and you're damned if you don't. It's an annoying message and it needs to stop. Teens, just have sex when you, yourself, are ready for it. End of.

Otherwise, I love this friendship

Gail prepared a super fancy dinner for Mitch but Mitch shits all over her gesture by reminding her that it is Thursday night or "date night." Aaaaand, now I'm remembering why I started siding with Gail again. Look, she cheated, I know that and I definitely condemn her for it because she did it for stupid and selfish reasons. For a while, I understood Mitch's reservations to her assertions that it was suddenly over because it did seem to me that the only reason she stopped was because she got caught, not because she seriously wanted to end things. The trust was definitely gone and it was definitely her fault, I'm not excusing her. However, this whole "open relationship" concept that Mitch is going with, is stupid, insensitive and wreaks of him wanting to revenge cheat on her guilt free. You know because they "agreed" on an open relationship. Except that, she is legitimately trying to create intimacy between the two of them again, trying to show him that on date night, she wants to be with him and he is shitting all over it. Also, the open relationship was not agreed upon, it was commanded by Mitch because he got his panties in a bunch about her getting a ride home with a guy. So. Not. Cool.

Slowly leaning towards Gail's side now...

Joey and Dawson are sitting on the porch and Joey is bragging about how her report is done while Dawson still has some things to finish up with Jen. She also says that she was really inspired by the woman that helped her with her report because it showed her that she has options out there, if she works hard enough. Gail interrupts them to tell them she is going out, so I guess they now don't care that Dawson and Joey will be left alone? So much for the beginning of the episode where they actually seemed concerned. Dawson and Joey are about to take advantage of the situation when Jen interrupts them.

Jen's lookin' to get some

Joey makes a snarky comment about Jen's dress before leaving and Jen urges Dawson up to his room.

Joey walks into the Ice House to find the Jocks from her class arguing over their project. You see, it's funny because they are meat heads and supposed to be straight but they are arguing like they are an actual gay couple. Oh, 90s, you're so hilarious.

Anyway, Joey proceeds to go on and on about how awesome the interior designer woman was and how she would help them with their financial problems and help them with a new logo and menus. Bessie is offended by this and snaps at Joey and they begin arguing. Bessie reaches her limit and sends Joey home.

That's right, you're not needed

Pacey walks into the Ice House to get a coffee and asks Jack for advice on Andie, seeing as how he's her brother. Jack asks Pacey what he did and Pacey admits that he called her a spoiled Princess, thinking that the truth hurts. Jack then tells Pacey that he couldn't be further from the truth about her and the reason Jack is working at the Ice House is because their family is losing or has lost their wealth. Her clothes and her Saab are just the last remains of their family's fortune.

Pacey feels like an ass, as he should

Mitch and Gail are both on their own for date night. This again, makes me wonder why Mitch couldn't just take the dinner his wife had planned as their date night but I guess he was really intent on trying to get some and even the score a bit.

Not cool, Mitch

Dawson and Jen have finished their project and Jen is throwing herself at Dawson. She suggests she sleep over and Dawson actually shows he has a pair by rejecting the idea and setting a clear boundary: they can still hang out but she can't sleep over. Fair enough. Seeing that her plan has failed she just lays it all out on the line, telling Dawson that she accepts that he's with Joey but that she doesn't respect it. She also says that he has options and that she is one of them and then leaves him to think about her offer. If Jen was like this at the beginning of the first season, I could have gotten behind Joey hating her, that was a low thing to do. However, she's not very proud of what she did herself.

See?

Mitch and Gail lie to each other about what they did on date night which completely refutes Mitch's claim that an open relationship would help them be honest with each other and props up my argument that an open relationship should not be used as a band aid to fix a broken relationship. Way to go, you two.

Bessie and Joey finally talk. Joey apologises for treating Bessie like she is a dumb and unsuccessful mother and Bessie apologises for working Joey too hard. Joey tells her sister that she likes helping out at the restaurant and that she is proud of Bessie and they make up.

Awwwwww

The students all hand in their projects. The nerd, Kenny, rats Abby out for not helping with the project. Andie is about to hand in half a project because Pacey bailed on her when he comes in with a completed project for the teacher. Ah, the beginnings of the Pacey I really, really love.

Joey and Dawson begin kissing and Abby tells them to get a room. I love that she does this for the sake of Jen's hurt feelings, even if the action is childish and immature. She really does want to stick up for Jen and be a good friend. Joey asks Dawson what that was about but he says he has no idea.

Does he ever?

Andie catches up with Pacey and thanks him for finishing their assignment and he apologises to her about being a dick. They have a back and forth banter that is so cute and I love them



They are just too cute, you guys



I thought this episode was going to end on a nice note until this happens...



My exact reaction

Ugh! So, stay tuned for the next episode recap, Slutty Ephebophile Tamara's Return. I am sure I'm going to hate it.