Dawson's Creek - 212 - Uncharted Waters

Original air date: January 27, 1999

Welcome back to another episode recap of Dawson's Creek. Might I just add that I had completely forgotten about this episode and yet upon rewatch, I absolutely love it? Because I do. There is just so much right going on in this episode that it makes up for all the wrongs. For starters, we finally get some insight into Pacey's home life that they've been hinting at for what seems like forever. Not to mention there is an exceptional scene between Jen and Joey in this episode, a couple of them actually, and it makes me happy. It's like the writers finally woke up and realized that they needed to address some things in their story and they delivered.

We start off the episode in Dawson's room where Dawson is working on his script, yet again, and Pacey is playing darts and is actually really good at it. Dawson is trying to add depth to his characters by ripping off The Great Santini. The movie, if you don't know, is about a man who tries to gain the approval of his demanding father who sees him as a screw up. Pacey points out to Dawson that he will find plenty of insight into that type of father-son relationship on their fishing trip this weekend. Hello, plot set-up.

Dawson, being the ever caring friend that he always is, laughs off Pacey's confession about his relationship with his father and then tells him that his father is intense but "not that bad" and accuses him of exaggerating.

Yeah, as long as your dad doesn't do that
one thing, I'm sure he's totally fine.

The next day, Dawson and Pacey are riding their bikes to school when they are stopped by a patrol car. We are finally introduced to the enigmatic Witter father, John. This scene is really great because it showcases why Dawson thinks Pacey's dad is great and, at the same time, why he's not great. I'll show you the part of the exchange that purposefully and perfectly sets this up:

John: Dawson Leery. Capeside's own cinematic wunderkind. You aren't going to go forgetting us when you become a big wig out in la-la land, are you?

Dawson: I wouldn't worry about that, Mr. Witter.

John: I'm sure you'll come back and visit Pacey at whatever fast-food joint he's flippin' burgers at.

You can all see it, can't you? Dawson is the child prodigy and Pacey is the fuck up that will only amount to flipping burgers? This is why Dawson is so blindly alouf to Pacey's domestic issues, because Pacey's father is clearly more proud of someone else's kid than his own. And as we all know, if Dawson is being praised, that is literally all he hears, he does not pick up on other people's feelings at all. This exchange just made me hate Dawson all the more, he's a really shitty character and friend and I really can't figure out if the writers intended this or not. My guess is they thought they'd redeem him enough that no one would care...except they forgot the redeeming part.

John goes on about their fishing trip and how Dawson is so super amazing and smart that he'll make an excellent first-mate all while ignoring his own son. He caps it off by asking Dawson to keep Pacey out of trouble for him and then leaves without saying a word to his own son. Dawson's reaction to this encounter?

Douche!!

That's right, he thinks John Witter is amazing and why wouldn't he? John spent the whole exchange praising him so that's literally all Dawson paid attention to. Pacey even asked Dawson if he heard the "flipping burgers" remark and Dawson just says that John was obviously joking. Way to not back up your friend Dawson. But hey, as long as your ego is stroked, what do you care? Pacey sighs in exasperation while Dawson stares after him with a confused look on his face:

Because Dawson does not understand
hu-mon e-moh-shons.

Later, Joey asks Dawson how his movie is going and Dawson tells her about all the problems he's encountering. Joey brushes it off as usual pre-production chaos but then Dawson says that it's actually not so bad because Jen has everything under control.

I will destroy her!

Joey is obviously not pleased because she is so clearly the most awesome girl and must win all the things and guys from Jen to prove this. She has the gall to critique Jen for not having any on set experience and I'm watching this scene go down like this:

No word of a lie and I think I was grating my teeth too

Dawson says that Jen has an inate talent for producing to which Joey then says it's too bad that she didn't work on his last film, like Joey did and was so much better at it, obvs. And Dawson actually clues in to what she's getting at and tells her that he's not comparing the two of them. Well, he's not but Joey definitely is. Mark this scene down as yet another reason I can't stand Joey.

1) Jen has on set experience, she worked on Cliff's film and Dawson's film last year. Sure she was an actress in both but she could observe the type of work that goes on behind the scenes easily and obviously did.

2) Joey has absolutely zero right to get mad at Dawson for asking Jen to be his producer. He asked Joey first and Joey declined because she wanted to distance herself from Dawson. She chose to distance herself from him in all things and moved on to another boyfriend. To get mad at him because he asked someone else after her to be producer is incredibly selfish. What did she expect, that he would just not make his movie because Awesome!Joey was not available to produce?

3)Joey has even less right to be mad at Jen for producing and being good at it. Jen is helping a friend, she also seems to genuinely like doing it and it is keeping her from becoming the train wreck she was becoming in the past few episodes. And if we are comparing, I think Jen is doing a way better job at producing than Joey did for Dawson's last movie. Just look at what we've been shown of what Jen is doing for Dawson this season compared to what Joey did for him last season, the proof is in the pudding, folks.

Jen comes up at this moment and Dawson says they were just talking about her, she laughs it off and jokingly asks if she dares ask. Dawson then says he was singing her praises which causes Joey to become bitchy again and try to leave. However, Jen was looking for Joey because she wanted to ask her for help with something she is apparently helping Gail with. Joey is all incredulous that Jen calls Mrs. Leery by her first name or maybe she's incredulous that Jen is getting along with her because only Joey should be able to get along with Gail. I think both are true because Joey is awful.

Joey makes snide remarks as Jen asks for her help with Gail. Gail needs teen girls to answer questions for a newsreport she is doing and asked Jen to find some to go to Dawson's house. Jen actually complements Joey again on being articulate and the type of girl that Gail would be looking for, despite Joey acting like a bitch to her. So, you know, another point for Jen being way better than Joey.

Mitch and Dawson are out at the Witter's boat and Mitch is waxing poetic about the life of fisherman. Dawson shows obvious disdain for his father at being wishy washy about finding a job that he wants to do. So, you know, Dawson and John Witter have something in common. They both like to belittle their loved ones and make it obvious how disappointed they are in them for not living up to their personal standards.

Dawson goes over to Pacey who just now remembers to tell Dawson that he invited someone else to come along. That someone else is...

Dun, dun, DUUUUUNNNNNN!

Joey and Andie arrive together at Dawson's house. Jen is waiting for them and ushers them inside, thanking them for coming. Joey cannot resist making a sarcastic comment about wanting to see "the hot new producer in action." Abby has also been asked to join, although I'm not certain as to why. Jen and Abby have not been friends for a while and Abby has been pretty damn nasty to them all lately, especially Andie. But, whatever, she is there and I'm sure much drama will ensue.

Back on the boat, Jack tries to make small talk with Dawson but Dawson will not have it. Dawson asks Jack why he even came and Jack says that he was equally unaware that Dawson would be there. Good job, Pacey. Jack tries to make peace with Dawson but Dawson again refuses to oblige and then goes on a rant that is oddly...antagonistic:

Dawson: There's no problem here, Jack. I'm just...amazed at your confidence, you know? That you'd leave your girlfriend alone, this whole weekend, this early on in your relationship while things are still new and vulnerable, still trying to figure things out.

Like, is that not totally the type of thing that the stereotypical jerk says to the good guy in every rom com ever? Of course, Dawson is alluding to what Jack did to he and Joey and continues the spiel to spell that out to the audience but still...kind of bad guy behaviour right there. Dawson is the bad guy this episode.

I must cause everyone pain,
muahahahahahaha!!

Meanwhile, Gail is having no luck getting the girls to say anything, including Joey. I mean, I get the other girls being shy but Joey has known Gail her whole life and the way she acts in this scene towards her is awful. Gail asks her a question and Joey flat out ignores it and says nothing, while making this face:

I will cut you, bitch.

Gail asks to talk to Jen in the kitchen and asks her if she thinks the girls are uncomfortable sharing their feelings because she's being too formal. Jen says it's because they're uncomfortable being in the same room together. But Jen, you were the one who sought everyone out. You picked who was there, you asked Abby to come and let's face it, Abby is the reason neither Joey or Andie want to talk, why the hell would you do that if the goal was for people to be comfortable? Eh, teen show logic?

Writer 1: We need conflict!
Writer 2: Have them invite the bitchy girl from school.
Writer 1: But they all hate her, why would they do that?
Writer 2: Because conflict!

I think we're just supposed to go with it. Anyway, Gail suggests that they all turn the interview into more of a girl's night and offers them junk food. Because girl's love junk food!

Back at the Witter's boat, John continues to be a complete dick to his son. He gives everyone else good jobs and gives his son "grunt work" and then tries to tell Pacey his job is most important. We all know that John just doesn't think Pacey can handle anything else though.

Jack tries once again to break through Dawson's bratty exterior but Dawson's bratty-ness wins out. Jack tells Dawson that he didn't steal Joey away from him, because she's too smart and awesome and extra-special to be stolen and then he tells Dawson that if he has any respect for Joey he should at least respect Jack too and not be such a douche. I approve.

Dawson does not

At the Leery household, the girls have grown tired of sitting around, eating junk food and so Abby suggests they snoop around in Dawson's room for fun. At first everyone protests but when Abby goes anyway, they all follow her.

Side note: I love that Joey is all aghast at Abby's suggestion and yet, how many times have we seen Joey creep around Dawson's room or closet while he's not there?

Anyway, they go snooping around and Andie discovers that Dawson has a porn video called "Good Will Humping." Is it just me, or does that sound like gay porn?

Jack has caught a fish and John eagerly grabs the pole to reel it in but the line snaps. He immediately snaps at Pacey and asks where the "new pole" is and Pacey tells him it's at the front of the boat. John then proceeds to yell at Pacey about being a fuck up that should just listen to his instructions and then storms off. Dawson immediately rushes over to Pacey to see if he's ok.

Dawson doesn't notice other people's problems

No, Dawson comes over to yell at Pacey for inviting Jack because what you really want to hear after getting told by your father that you're a fuck up, is your best friend telling you the same thing. Now, should Pacey have invited Jack without telling Dawson? No. But still, I think Dawson should pick up on the fact that Pacey's issues right now are just a little bit worse than "OMG, my ex's boyfriend is here!!" Also, Pacey explains that Andie had been bugging him about including Jack because he doesn't know anyone in town. Pacey says he took pity on Jack which Dawson claims to understand but then yells at Pacey for not giving him warning to prepare to deal with his "adversary." Before I can say anything, Pacey says it for me:

Pacey: You know what? Screw you, Dawson. Not all of us can be the fair-haired embodiment of perfection, alright? Not everyone gets wunderkind and genius attached to their name. Some of us are just simple-minded folk trying to make it through the day without breaking anything.

Because you're awesome, Pacey

Meanwhile, the girls have started to watch the porn video and are laughing at its ridiculousness. Jen makes a comment about how she can't believe that women would choose this as a career and Abby shoots back that they are doing something fun that they love and that this could be Jen in a few years. Both Abby and Joey laugh. When Jen points out that the comment was not funny, Joey just says that she didn't say it. Because Joey is a bitch.

Gail appears in Dawson's doorway and questions the girls on what they are watching. Andie quickly shuts the tape off and says that they were just watching a video on human anatomy. Gail is not buying it. Abby opts to tell the absolute truth, that they were watching a porn video and says that Gail needs to face the facts that her son is a pervert. I know I'm supposed to hate her but I just can't help loving her when she does stuff like this. Gail ushers everyone out of the room but Jen holds Joey back to confront her about her bitchyness.

What follows is a conversation where I was both happy and angry. I was happy with Jen calling Joey out for her attitude towards her. Because Joey's attitude is atrocious and Jen is right, Joey won the rivalry and Dawson's heart ultimately so why does she still treat her like a vixen who stole her true love? Joey's comeback is rage inducing. I'm going to quote it for you and then break down all of the wrongness about it:

Joey: Look, you want our relationship to change, Jen? Then stop encroaching on what's mine. I mean, you systematically continue to recast yourself in my role. I mean, everytime I turn around I'm being replaced by you in some form, and then, you feign shock, and surprise when I resent you for it.

Jen: How have I replaced you, Joey?

Joey: Oh, well, first you were Dawson's girlfriend, and now you're his producer, his collaborator, his best friend. I mean, you've adopted his interest in his dreams and now his mother. I mean, what's next? Are you going to get a job at the Icehouse and take up watercolors?

And get a grip on yourself, Joey

First of all, "encroaching on what's mine." Are you for real? You do not own Dawson, you do not own producing, you do not own being someone's friend. People are allowed to have other people in their lives besides you and, last I checked, numerous people are in the producing business, they are not all copying precious Joey Potter.

Second of all, "first you were Dawson's girlfriend"? Jen dated Dawson before Joey did, so technically Joey was trying to cast herself as Jen in this respect, not the other way around. It's not Jen's fault that Dawson was too oblivious to notice that Joey liked him or that Joey was too scared to tell him about it. She wasn't encroaching on anything. Jen was asked out by Dawson, she liked him, so she said "yes". It's as simple as that.

Thirdly, the "producer" thing was also Joey's fault. Jen wouldn't be producer right now if Joey hadn't turned Dawson down. Period. End of sentence. I explained this one more fully earlier, so I'm sure you get my point. Jen, take it away:

Jen: I love how you demonize me, Joey, instead of recognizing your own, rampant insecurities.

The guys have docked up for the day and are hanging out in a dockside tavern. Dawson, Pacey and Jack are playing pool and Dawson makes a snide comment about his dad wanting to open a bar if he has too much fun. Pacey blasts Dawson for criticizing his father and Dawson acts like a bitch about it. He asks Pacey what his problem is and Pacey asks Dawson if he sees what's going on. Then this gloriousness happens:

Sorry, Pacey but Dawson really is this oblivious

Pacey points out that he can't talk to his father the way Dawson talks to his father and says that Dawson has gotten a glimpse into Pacey's hellish life. It's kind of sweet that Pacey still thinks Dawson notices stuff like this, sweet and kind of sad. Dawson asks why his mere presence upsets Pacey so much and apparently, it's up to Jack to explain things to Dawson because Jack is more observant than Dawson is of his supposed best friend. Jack points out that Mr. Witter has put Dawson on such a high pedastol, that Pacey can't possibly live up to it.

Gail is finally doing her news editorial thing and Abby is seen monopolizing the conversation. She is making some compelling points but it deteriorates into insulting Joey, Andie, and Jen so Gail asks her to leave. Abby protests but leaves us with this one bit of awesomeness:

Abby: What kind of journalist, are you? Oh, yeah I know. A trashy one who sleeps around.

I'm sorry if this episode is really quote heavy but there are a lot of really great things being said this episode which is part of what made me love it so much.

Dawson is talking with Mitch about what he wants to do and if he's ok for money and then criticizes Mitch's judgement of taking him on a fishing trip when he should be out looking for a job. Mitch's reaction is...it's just heartbreaking:

Mitch: I'm sorry you're disappointed in me. I want to be the kind of man that you can respect. But, I don't know, there must be something out there, musn't there? Something for me. Something that I can put my heart and my passion behind. Now, I can't stop lookin' for that...until I find it.

How fucking sad is that? I've been pretty hard on Mitch lately because he's made really questionable choices this season but for him to realize that his son is ashamed of him, disappointed in him, that's gotta feel like absolute shit. I want to reach into the television and give him a hug.

Pacey's father, meanwhile, has gotten incredibly drunk and challenges Pacey to a game of darts. Pacey accepts and at first, it seems like they are on even footing. They are both good at darts, they seem to be ribbing each other playfully about who is going to beat who and then John gets to a point where you can see that he is going to be a fucking sore loser. Just look at this:

That is a look that says,
"beat that and I'll beat you later!"

Pacey purposely blows the shot and John crows to his bar friends about how he beat his son at darts because he is a sad, pathetic, little man and I pity him.

Back at the Leery home, the girls are finally opening up. We hear a bunch of random opinions on their lives and what it's like being a teenager and they are actually pretty insightful to the characters. Andie opens up about needing to look and act perfect because her home life is chaotic and being perfect is her mask that hides the fact that everything is not alright and she's actually unsure of herself. Jen opens up about how fast her life moved in New York and how pressured she felt and that when she came to Capeside, she finally felt like she could slow down and be herself. Kind of like what I was saying last season. However, she acknowledges that her past came back to haunt her anyway and she'll always be seen in Capeside as the town slut.

Most importantly, Joey opens up and gives me a bit of hope that the writers do see and acknowledge her faults and that maybe this is the beginning of her changing for the better:

Joey: So when somebody comes along who has seen things that I've never seen or done things that I've only dreamed about, my defenses go up because I...I can't compete with that. I don't know. I think...I think I'm just Joey Potter, you know? You know the small town girl who will live and die on the creek. You know, and as much as I completely disdain that identity, you know, it's all I've got. And I dunno, so if I ever feel like, you know, somebody is going to steal that measly bit of self that I have or that or that small amount of love that I've somehow managed to accumulate, I feel threatened and I go for the jugular. I admit it.....I admit it...

Oh my god, you guys! She admits it!! She admits that she's needlessly bitchy because she's insecure! Now, if she could just start working towards changing that and acknowledging that she chose to push Dawson away and it's not Jen's fault for helping him out, this episode would be perfect.

Jack and Dawson have a conversation about their fathers where Jack confesses that his father is not around anymore and is staying in Providence not to look after the business, but to hide from the family problems. Dawson says he can understand how that feels and Jack puts Dawson in his place:

Jack: Dawson, your father moved up the street. My father's gone. Try and put that in perspective.

See how many great quotes there are this episode?

Now this next scene...it pushed this episode into all kinds of awesomeness but also of sadness. I just love this scene, it is heartbreaking, it is great character insight, and it is acted really well. Kudos to Joshua Jackson. I'm just going to post the whole scene for your enjoyment. Fair warning, you may need tissues:

Sorry, I seem to have something in my eye...

The next morning, Jack has snagged another fish on the line. John is tied up so Pacey jumps in and starts helping Jack. He tries to instruct Jack how to do it but Jack bails and tells Pacey to do it. His father also tells him to jump in, so Pacey does and manages to reel the giant fish in. I can't tell you how great it was to watch Pacey succeed at doing this right after having watched him break down to his father the previous scene. With how down he was, it really set the tension nicely for this scene, you know how much it means to Pacey to have his father let him reel in the fish, how much it meant for him to get it in and make his dad proud.

Next we have to go to this completely undeserved and out of nowhere scene between Gail and Joey where Gail confesses that she always wanted a daughter and that she realized that Joey is her surrogate daughter. She tells Joey how proud she is of her and gives her a hug. I don't understand where this scene came from but I guess it was meant to make Joey feel better about thinking she was being replaced. I don't think it was deserved because her feelings on the matter were pretty bratty and were only shown to be between her and Jen, not her and Gail. But whatever, the writers still want us to like Joey and think she's the best ever. 

There is however, a really great scene between Abby and Andie that is both deserved and overdue given the animosity Abby has shown to Andie this season. Andie discovers that Abby has been sleeping outside the Leery household all night and Abby confesses that she is waiting for her mother because she thought Abby was spending the night. Abby thinks Andie doesn't care and Andie confesses that she doesn't and why should Abby be surprised about that? Especially with the way Abby has made Andie's life a living hell. Abby counters that she doesn't do that, she plays the crucial role in their group of being the scapegoat, the girl everyone loves to hate. Andie points out that Abby has it backwards and that Abby trashes them.

Abby: Well being sweet is boring! I don't have family lives like you guys. My mom isn't a lunatic. My dad isn't in prison. I'm not the prodical daughter from New York. My parents' divorce is boring. My house is boring. There's no intrigue. No drama. So you know what? I create drama. And I think it's a valid extra-curricular activity.

So, pretty much what I guessed about her. She creates drama because she's bored and how funny that she longs for drama in her life while Andie craves normalcy and no drama. I like this dynamic between them. Andie points out that Abby is lucky and how much she wishes she had the life Abby has. Abby then shows Andie kindness by offering her a ride home. 

It's a sweet scene

Finally, Jen and Joey have a scene where they kind of apologize to one another, though I still don't think Jen has anything to apologize for but whatever. Joey admits that she is competitive and Jen assures her that there is room in Dawson's life for both of them. Joey then admits that she respects Jen and who she is. It's kind of nice to hear that but I know nothing will really come out of it and that makes me sad. This episode had some great potential for building and strengthening their relationship. 

Meanwhile, Pacey excitedly talks about how great it felt to reel in the fish and his father offers for him to have the trophy. You think they are going to have a bonding moment but then the episode hits you right in the feels again when John follows up the offer with this:

John: Be proud of yourself. Enjoy this moment. You probably won't have many more like it.

Dude! What the hell kind of father are you? When DID you give up on your son and decide that he can't be anything more or at least something to be proud of in his own right?

Your an awful human being, John Witter

Dawson sees this exchange and, to his credit, actually tries to make Pacey feel better this time. He tells Pacey that he does have people in his life who care about him and are proud of him, one of them being himself and the other being Andie. You can tell that Pacey is still kind of upset about his father, you know it can't possibly feel the same, but he is thankful to Dawson all the same and does seem a bit happier. 

Dawson also realizes how great he has it with his father and apologizes for making Mitch feel like crap. He assures his father that he is not disappointed in him, he just worries but he still respects the hell out of him. Mitch is touched and they have a father-son hugging moment. 

Awwwwwwwwww!!

It's what Mitch deserves but I can't help feeling bad that Pacey doesn't get this moment with his father while Dawson does. Not Dawson's fault though and it's nice that he has tried to make ammends with the people he hurt this episode. He even shakes hands with Jack, showing that he can at least respect Jack enough to be civil to him. 

So that was Uncharted Waters. Can you tell why I liked this episode so much? The characterizations were great, the drama didn't feel too forced, asides from Abby being invited out with the girls, and we got to see Joey admit that she's bitchy because she's insecure. A feat I never thought I'd see on this show that usually loves to build Joey up as a "Goddess". I especially adore the Pacey storyline, much as it was depressing. It was just nice to finally see the dysfunction rather than be told about it by Pacey. It made his issues much clearer and more real. I want them to keep this up but I know it's going to get shoved in the background again. 

Join me next time, when I recap the thirteenth episode, His Leading Lady.

Dawson's Creek - 211 - Sex, She Wrote

Original air date: January 20, 1999

So last week, we left off on a gripping cliffhanger where it seems that all of our characters, save for Pacey and Andie seem to have had sex. I'm guessing we're supposed to wonder if any, all or none of them actually went through with it but this was never something that piqued my interest and be warned, the climax is unsatisfying.

The episode opens with Joey and Jack saying an awkward goodbye to each other cut with Jen and Dawson saying awkward goodbyes to each other and with another cut of Pacey and Andie happily kissing. Oooooh, steamy. Did Joey lose her virginity to Jack? Did Dawson give his to Jen? Pacey and Andie seem pretty content, are they happy with their decision to put it off, or did they actually do it too?

Well, it's a good thing that this episode's theme appears to be "mystery" as Dawson is giving a presentation on the subject to his English class after the opening credits are done. Of course Dawson is comparing film mysteries to literary mysteries because, in case you forgot, he's into films. I like that the English teacher looks bored to tears with Dawson's over the top presentation. Good job, Mr. Peterson. The teacher then calls on Abby to deliver her project but she hasn't done it, so Mr. Peterson threatens to fail her if she doesn't turn it in.

The bell rings and everyone exits the classroom but Max Ford spots a folded up note on the floor. He picks it up and reads it, looking...mildly interested, I think?



This is his intrigued face.


Jack catches up with Joey where they once again awkwardly talk. Jack asks why it's so awkward and Joey snaps out a witty comment, that doesn't answer why things might be awkward to the audience.

Andie sneaks up on a nervous seeming Pacey, kisses him and thanks him again for the night before. She says he was a perfect gentleman and that she thoroughly enjoyed herself. Pacey seems uncomfortable with them kissing in public for some reason, but says he had a nice time too.

Dawson trots up to Jen and hands her an envelope with his newer new and improved script for her to read. He says he made some changes to it that "addresses her concerns". Jen asks if his characters now "do it" and Dawson responds that the Dawson character now does it with the New York girl he has a crush on as per their conversation. Jen asks if it was because of a conversation or because of their physical encounter and Dawson says "Let's just say, you inspired me."

Why is it that Dawson comes off creepier than
"bad guy" Max Ford when he talks about sex?

We then cut to Abby and Max Ford, who are apparently still friends even though Abby seems to hate him. She complains about failing English and Max Ford asks her bluntly if she had sex. When she looks confused, he explains that he found a note in English class that talks about two people having sex and he's trying to figure out who the note was written by and who it was for. The note says:

I want to talk to you about last night. The whole night was amazing, but sex changes everything. And I think we should take some time before anything happens again.

Abby looks extremely excited about the note and thus the "set-up" portion of our mystery themed episode has been acheived. Now, on to the testimonies!

Jack asks Joey if she finished her drawing and Joey casually whips it out for him to see. Jack is obviously embarrassed and covers it up right away, saying that he doesn't want anyone else to see it. Joey reassures him that it's for her professor's eyes only and Jack takes a look at it. He asks her if he can have it once she gets it back from her professor as a keepsake so that he can remember everything about last night.



Or most likely, so he can burn it


Andie sits down next to Pacey, who is looking at his history quiz. He gets extremely defensive when she asks if she can see how he did so she asks him if anything is wrong. More importantly, if he's mad about the quiz or at her. He says that last night was fine and Andie tries to talk to him about it but he totally shuts her down, saying that he has to study.



Andie looks crushed and I has feels again


Jen asks Dawson if he's ok and he says that he is and that they now have a movie to make. He tells her that they are still friends and "whatever word applies to what [they] are." Jen agrees that they are "friends. Or whatever."

Abby excitedly states that she will make her project about who wrote the note. Max says that anybody could have written it but Abby points out that they can eliminate 90% of the students and that there are three obvious couples, who all happen to be in the same class, to choose from. Pacey and Andie, Joey and Jack, and Jen and Dawson. I think my favourite part of this scene is when Max tries to pick Abby up, her response is just wonderful:



Yet another reason this character is awesome.
Oh and Max Ford's actual name in the show is Chris.

 

But I refuse to call him that


She asks him to focus because she needs his help and he refuses until she offers to let him touch her in bad places. I'm kind of saddened that she's offering to let Max Ford touch her because he sucks but on the other hand she does know how to get what she wants.

Dawson and Joey are stuck sheltering from the rain together and Dawson asks her what she has in her folder. Joey tries to brush it off as a drawing for art class but Dawson knows she was drawing a naked man and presses her how it turned out and asks to see it. Joey answers his question by throwing back her own about how his movie is going.

He says that it's going well except that he can't find a leading lady. He then goes on to describe Joey in mary-sue-ish descriptors that is all too common for this show because according to Dawson's Creek Joey is the best girl ever and she wins at everything, especially winning guys over with her awesome amazingness. And she's so super awesome and modest that she thinks he's looking for Julia Roberts but Dawson corrects her by saying "What I need is a you."



Awkwaaaaaard


Joey finally clues in to what his script is about and asks him point blank if he wrote about their relationship. He says it's a "romance in the vain of us" and Joey then asks if she can read it to make sure she isn't going to be character assassinated. Dawson then claims that he would never write anything hurtful about her before ditching her.

Abby has apparently seen Dawson's rewritten script and is none too pleased that her and Max's characters have sex now. I'm guessing that means that Max is playing Dawson and Abby is playing Jen. She is happy that the script offers them a bit of a clue as to who wrote the note.

Jen comes up to them to talk about the script and Abby wastes no time in interrogating Jen as to the reality of the rewrites. I love how everyone has figured out really easily that Dawson's stupid movie is obviously about him and his relationships with Jen and Joey. Anyway, Jen let's slip that "what happens in [her] bedroom, is [her] business" Abby has hooked her fish and reels it in, getting Jen to all but admit that Dawson and her had sex. Or so it seems...

Abby isn't convinced that Jen wrote the note so she sets about interrogating each of our main characters, starting with Pacey. She gets him to sign a petition, in order to match the handwriting on the note. Then she harrasses Jack for his signature but botches the attempt by flat out asking him if he's had sex with Joey. She fails to get his signature or a confession.

Max Ford takes a different tactic with Dawson by asking for his input on how to play his character. Specifically the sex scene and Dawson clues in as to what Max is asking.



I love how incredulous he is about this.
Me? Have sex with a girl? No sir,
Lord Spielberg would not allow it!


Abby chats with Andie about signing her petition about getting a condom machine by saying that Andie should know from experience about protecting yourself during intercourse. Andie looks confused but Abby presses the issue by saying that what happened last night between her and Pacey is common gossip. She also goes further to say that Pacey said she was "lacking" but his experience is with a 40 year old teacher so what did he expect of her. This upsets Andie and she storms off without signing the petition.

Max Ford then approaches Joey but instead of interrogating her, he just offers to give her a copy of Dawson's new script. I guess so that she'll get jealous and then get Dawson to admit to sleeping with Jen? I don't know but she tries to decline, saying that she should wait until Dawson asks her to read it. Max Ford slips the script into her bag and tells her she can make the call.

Joey storms out and leaves her folder behind. Max shows it to Abby who's eyes light up at the discovery of the naked Jack picture.

Abby confronts Dawson with her new angle. Dawson once again states that he didn't sleep with Jen but Abby counters that Joey will feel really guilty for having had sex with Jack if Dawson didn't sleep with Jen. Dawson tries to ignore her so she hands him the drawing of Jack naked. He claims it means nothing but Abby points out that she hasn't drawn Dawson naked.



She is good at pissing off Dawson.
I approve


Abby meets up with Max Ford at the school book fair that is also going on and they plot to finally call everyone out. Max points out that Abby doesn't know who wrote the note yet but Abby is a friggin mastermind and is going to get whoever wrote the note to fess up once she gets everyone in a room together. The denoument fast approaches.



Hell yeah, she is


The next day, Pacey tries to talk to Andie but she is clearly pissed at him, with good reason. I'm having a hard time believing he could be so clueless as to why she's angry at him when he was a total jackass to her yesterday and kept blowing her off. So what, Witter, now that you're ready to talk she should just forget about you being a cold jackass to her yesterday?




You're breaking my heart, Pacey...
oh and Andie's too

 
Pacey has the gall to be offended that Andie is insecure about their relationship after a) the way Pacey treated her after their romantic date, which only gets worse when you find out what went down between them, and b) Abby picked on her insecurities and fed her a lie that most people would probably believe based on Pacey's actions yesterday too. But yeah, Pacey, you go ahead, be offended and pretend like she's in the wrong. Damn Pacey, why are you making me hate you in this episode?

Pacey storms out and Andie finds a mysterious letter for her in her desk.

Jen and Joey bump into each other at the book fair and Joey proceeds to be a gigantic bitch, as per usual. Jen notices the script that Max Ford gave to Joey and asks if she's read it. Joey snarkily responds that she "flipped through it". Jen asks her if she liked it and Joey basically slams it as one-sided and a story that's better left untold, which I guess I agree with but that's not Jen's fault. Joey then goes on to decry Jen for sleeping with Dawson which, hold directly the fuck up, Potter. What business is it of yours who Dawson sleeps with? You broke up with him, you started dating Jack, you pushed him away when he asked for your help on his film project. He owes you absolutely fuck all at this point and if he chooses to sleep with Jen, that's his choice to make. Did you honestly expect him to wait around while you dated other guys and "found yourself" so that when you get bored with everyone else, you can still be the one to deflower him?



You are seriously deluded, Potter


Jen rightly tells Joey that she should take her issues up with the writer because Jen is not at fault for what Dawson writes. She leaves as Joey glares at her because Joey is a bitch and have I mentioned how much I hate her character enough already?

Now it's Dawson's turn to be a piss-ant to Jack. He walks up to Jack, who has just found his own mysterious letter, and asks him where Joey is. Jack tells Dawson she's at the book fair and I add in "being a bitch to Jen" because it's the truth. Dawson then angrily hands Jack the drawing and tells him to tell Joey he was overwhelmed by her talent. To Jack's credit, he hides his embarrassment well by shooting back that he was overwhelmed too.



Dawson storms off with his panties in a bunch


We then cut to Jack waiting in a dark classroom while reading his mysterious letter. Jen walks in and they ask each other what is going on but neither of them knows. Pretty soon, the whole gang enters the room, each with their own note. Pacey thinks he knows who's behind the mysterious gathering but before he can say who, Abby enters the room followed by Max Ford with a camcorder.

Abby explains that she brought them to the room for her mystery project and explains that she found a note in their English class. She reads it aloud to everyone and pretty much everyone in the room looks like they wrote it but we all know only one of them did. Then, Abby proceeds to just own everyone in the room and it is glorious. I'm just going to go ahead and share this monologue because it is wonderful and I'm going to bold my favourite part, for you pleasure:

Abby: When the letter was first brought to my attention...my gut instinct said 'Dawson and Jen.' She's been trying to seduce him for weeks! And now with all their late night working sessions and him reliving his puny affair with Joey through his writing, I thought, maybe in the heat of the moment, he needed a Joey replacement. Then, I thought, Dawson, no way. He's saving himself for Joey...or old age, whichever comes first. And Jen? She has way too many intimacy issues to bump somebody she cares about. So my next guess was Jack and Joey. Joey is the liberated woman these days and underneath Jack's sensitive, little-boy-lost fascade, I have a feeling that there's a sex pig just waiting to jump out. *softer to Jack* Let me know when you're ready to graduate to a real woman.

Oh Abby, how I love you and your unrelenting hatred and belittlement of Dawson Leery. Anyway, Jack tells her she's full of it and Dawson claims she's not because they've "all seen the picture." Jack tries to explain that it was for Joey's art class but Dawson asks what happened after the modeling session. Joey snipes that Dawson shouldn't care because he obviously had sex with Jen. They then argue back and forth with each other about the fact that the other should tell the truth and I again question why anyone roots for this relationship. They seem like they can't stand each other and they obviously don't trust each other not to lie. Of course they build up to a big moment where they both simultaneously admit to each other that they did sleep with other people and then they stare at each other, horrified.

I, on the other hand, am horrified for both Jack and Jen because they are nothing more than unwitting pawns in Dawson and Joey's chess game to one up each other and it is sad. Seriously, I think Jen sums it up best though, so I'm going to throw her quote in here:

Jen: That's not the truth. We did not sleep together. I couldn't go through with it and neither could he. It wasn't right and this pathetic display here makes it all the more obvious why.

Exactly. Dawson and Joey are awful people who don't care who they hurt in their little games with each other. They are pathetic.

So, that makes two couples out and one left. Andie says she didn't write the note and Abby, masterful bitch that she is says that of course Andie didn't, she checked the handwriting and the note was written by Pacey. She knew all along, ever since she got Pacey's signature but she played everyone for chumps and got them to air all their dirty secrets. I know she's supposed to be evil and we're supposed to hate her but goddamn is she ever great at stirring up conflict in this show. She is an awesome character.

Andie confronts Pacey and asks him what the note was about but Pacey once again refuses to talk. I think he's supposed to be too emotional to but it is frustrating to see Andie hurt and looking for answers and Pacey offering nothing. Andie asks him what he's trying to say and if he doesn't want her anymore after they had sex. He doesn't say anything and then she looks like this:



Why, Pacey, why are you making her so sad this episode?


Jack looks like he wants to punch Pacey in the face and I'm surprised that he doesn't. I would have. Pacey claims that "that's not how it is." to Jack before leaving. Everyone leaves but to Jen's credit, she actually tries to stick up for her friends by calling Abby out for being so cruel and manipulative. Jen is truly the best person in the show. I don't care if she lost her way for a couple episodes and was a little annoying, she is still the best person. She actually seems to have gotten through to Abby too because Abby looks like this:



Am I weird for feeling bad for her?


The next day, my thoughts are proven right. Mr. Peterson asks for Abby's assignment and Abby claims that she hasn't done it, despite the fact that she did. Mr. Peterson fails her on the spot and that, my friends is why I love Abby despite the fact that she does put the main characters through the ringer. Deep down, she has a heart and she actually intentionally failed her class and is going to have to take summer school just to spare Andie's feelings. That's a pretty big sacrifice to make, so she really isn't all that evil. She looks absolutely miserable that she is getting an "F" but Andie whispers a thanks to her and she actually seems really happy about that bit of acceptance.



See? She just wants acceptance


Now if only the writers could actually keep this character arc going but they probably won't, they like using her as a villain.

Jen has another awesome scene in this episode where she notices that Jack is still at school and talks to him. Jack confides in her about how it's not that much fun playing second fiddle and Jen offers her understanding about his situation, since she's gone through and is going through it with Dawson. Jack asks her what she wants to do and she simply says this:

Jen: Well, I guess there's really nothing I can do. I mean, as much as I love the guy, he's just not there yet. I mean, I can take all the jerks in the world climbing in and out of my bedroom window, but when Dawson Leery does it, it better be for me.

That is awesome and Jen is awesome. I think this line is actually what shaped a lot of my views on relationships. It made me realize that I did not want to settle for a guy who wanted a girl, I wanted to find a guy who wanted me. It's a nice message, even if I don't buy the fact that Dawson is "one of the good ones."

Jen asks Jack why he and Joey didn't and after a bit of prompting and promising that she wouldn't tell a soul, Jack confesses that he couldn't get it up. I think this is the beginning clue that Jack is not into girls so the coming out episode may be coming up. Jen tries to reassure them and jokes that "those things never cooperate" and they laugh together. I can't wait for their friendship, you guys.




So cute

 
Pacey finally talks to Andie and tries to explain himself. He starts by showing her his History mark that he refused to show her before. He got an "A" and it freaked him out because he'd never gotten an "A" before. He was always predicatble but he now feels his world is changing and it's all because of Andie and it makes him scared. He puts it a lot more eloquently than I can so I'm just going to use his quote:

Pacey: I'm afraid because you're the single-most, important being to ever grace my existance. Andie, I am falling hopelessly in love with you. *pauses* Say something because I did kind of just cut it open and lay it out for ya.

Andie admits that she is scared too and shares his exact fear. I kind of like that she didn't respond right away with an "I love you too" it feels a bit more genuine plus, I don't think Pacey has earned it yet. He still acted like a prick for someone who wanted to be with Andie, he can't just use an "I love you" as a way of glossing over that. So I like that he said it but that she only expressed sharing the same fear as him in regards to their relationship and what it means to her without just responding back for the sake of reciprocation. You gotta earn it, Witter.



They kiss and make up


Dawson and Joey then have their usual ambiguous conversation about their feelings for each other because they can never be honest with each other. Joey refuses to give an actual answer about why she wanted Dawson to think she had sex with Jen but to be fair, it's not like Dawson was telling her why he wanted her to think he had sex with Jen so they can both suck it. They're annoying. They both say that they missed each other and they tell each other that they should try to be friends again. I thought they'd already agreed to try and be friends again and look how well that's turned out.

Dawson then has to ask what she thought about his script because he craves validation. Joey says she's not sure because apparently it was sooooooo mysterious. Dawson says that Joey is definitely a mystery and Joey says that she likes the way he sees her. They have made up as well and I guess we're supposed to be satisfied with this but all I can think is they both should be talking to and making amends with Jack and Jen but they didn't. So, I feel kind of empty after this episode, it was fun seeing Abby in action and I kind of liked the resolution for Andie and Pacey, even though he was really douchey to her to begin with for a not very good reason, but I don't feel like the Jen/Dawson, or Joey/Jack relationships were handled well. It was clear that the writers only cared about the Joey/Dawson relationship and wanted to further that but they threw Jen and Jack under the bus and they got no apologies, they were only left with feeling unimportant to people they value and that just doesn't sit right with me.



But as long as we're happy, no one else matters!


I really do hope that the writers address the issue of Dawson and Joey's selfishness with regards to their other friends but we all know they won't. I'm sure none of this will be brought up and all new dramas await us in the next episode, Uncharted Waters. Stay tuned.

Dawson's Creek - 210 - High Risk Behavior

Original air date: January 13, 1998

When we last left off, Andie had almost had some sort of mental melt down and it is revealed that she, like her mother, needs pills to stabilize her moods. All that is being pushed, at least a little bit aside in favour of this episode's topic, sex.

The episode opens up with Pacey and Dawson staring intensely at each other as Dawson declares his love for Pacey, despite it being nonsensical. Dawson tells Pacey that he has been wrestling with these feelings for so long and Pacey confesses that his heart is telling him to consider the possibility of loving Dawson back. Then, it looks like Dawson is leaning in for a kiss...


Is it just me, or did it just
get really hot in here?

Much to my bitter disappointment, it turns out Dawson was just reaching for his overwrought script because they were reading lines from it. This is actually his retelling of his relationship with Joey and Dawson totally stole Joey's part by writting himself as the one who needed to confess his love. Lame.



This show ruins all my fun!


Dawson asks Pacey if it will make a good movie and Pacey is contractually obligated to say that it will and even calls it "dark, obtuse, and very un-Dawson Leery" Do the writers know what obtuse means? Because I think it was supposed to be a compliment but it's more of an insult.

ob·tuse
Adjective
1.Annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand.
2.Difficult to understand.

Synonyms
dull - blunt - dense - slow-witted

I think obtuse is very much Dawson Leery. Unless I heard Pacey wrong, I think he was secretly insulting Dawson and I whole-heartedly approve.

Dawson is satisfied with Pacey's answer though and proceeds to pat himself on the back for being super dark and edgy to which Pacey takes the opportunity to bring one point up. Why don't his characters have sex? Dawson counters by proclaiming his decision to not include sex in a teen movie is the much riskier option.



Sure it is, Dawson


The next day at school, Dawson runs into Jen who is really getting out there and drumming up interest in auditions for Dawson's movie. This shows me, that Jen is the far superior producer than Joey ever was. You know who was in Dawson's movie when Joey was producer? Pacey, Joey and Jen. Jen is actually getting out there and handing out audition flyers to try and get the people interested in acting to come out and audition. That's pretty awesome of her to do that.



Jen is once again, an awesome friend


Dawson asks her to hand an audition flyer to a guy he thinks would be a great lead and Jen turns him down saying that he's not sexy at all. Dawson is confused by this and Jen explains that girls go to movies to see the slightly dangerous and sexy guy, not their sweet nextdoor neighbour. I don't know, I think there's a market for both, myself. Lloyd Dobbler was not dangerous at all but he still sends my heart aflutter.

Pacey, meanwhile, has handed Andie a paper which she identifies as an HIV test. Pacey is in the clear, and wanted her to know. Thankfully, TamAHra didn't give him anything. Andie is touched that he listened to her when she asked him to get tested but is adamant that just because he got tested, does not mean that they are going to rush into sex. Actually she says this:

Andie: Just don't think that now that we got tested we're going to....you know.

Pacey: What?

Andie: You know...

Pacey: No, I have no idea what you're talking about.

Andie: Okay, uhm, you know, we haven't been very, uhm, *lowers her voice* physical, or anything and I'm not opposed to us becoming more...*lowers again* intimate, but I just want you to know that everything has a perfect place and time.

And I let out an exhasperated sigh.

Oh, Andie why?

No, I'm not upset about the fact that she doesn't want to jump Pacey's bones right away, in fact she goes on to make it very clear that she does and just isn't ready. I'm upset because she is too embarrassed to say sex at all and had to whisper "physical" and "intimate" and this is how teen girls are written all the fucking time and it just gets depressing. In order to be "good girls" we have to be written as afraid of sex or super shy about it because only sluts talk about sex, of course.

I think it would shock a lot of guys to know that girls were just as interested in sex as teens as guys were, yes even the "good" ones. You can be interested in sex, be curious about it and want to wait until you're ready for it. Just because you know you're not ready, does not make you a shy, giggly, too afraid to use the "s" word prissy pants. I really wish a show could write a smart teenaged girl character who can talk freely about sex, even if she is a virgin and not ready for it yet. It does happen. /rant.

Dawson bumps into Joey as he's handing out his audition flyers and has an awkward conversation with her. Joey is working on a drawing for art class which turns out to be drawing the human form. Dawson is noticeably uncomfortable with the idea of a nude person just posing for a bunch of people to sketch their bodies and asks if it makes her uncomfortable. Joey says it doesn't but then admits that she blushes a little but is getting better. This is probably why they don't do these types of art classes for highschoolers. Joey says she is changing and is not "little Joey Potter" anymore and Dawson agrees.

Joey notices that Jen is handing out audition flyers too and asks if she's Dawson's producer. Joey has the gall to be upset about it too but she's the one who told him she didn't have time to be his producer so shut up, Joey! She then asks Dawson what his movie is about and he obviously doesn't want to tell her that it is a retelling of their relationship so he just tells her that it's a coming of age story and then bolts.



Uh...it's this story about a guy...coming of age and...gotta go!


Max Ford runs up to Abby, because apparently he doesn't care that she was just using him in the Election episode and they are actually, sort of friends, and asks her if she's auditioning for Dawson's movie. Abby laughs at the notion and says she's not interested in being in one of Dawson's home movies.

Max Ford says that he wants to get into the movie because actors get action because this character is all about sex, get it? He also wants to audition with Abby because he thinks they have serious chemistry.



I'm back to loving her again.


Jack sneaks up on Joey while she's still working on her nude drawing. She tries to cover it up out of embarrassment because she thinks she sucks but she's Joey so of course Jack thinks it's great and that she's super talented. Then he accidentally spills his milkshake all over her drawing and ruins it.



I laughed.


We then cut to Dawson and Jen sitting through a montage of horrible auditions but honestly, I think the scripts dialogue is what's killing the auditions. I mean, just take a look at this dialogue, it is so clunky:

But my heart says something different. That I should consider the unequivical, possibly damaging highly irritional, hypnotically scarring, proposition of loving you back.

I honestly think it's even more overwrought and melodramatic than your average episode of Dawson's Creek.



Mmm hmmm


Jack catches up with Joey and begs her to let him make it up to her. Joey tells him there's nothing he can do and that she can't redraw it from memory so Jack offers to pose for her. They have a little back and forth about this idea, but Joey eventually agrees and Jack says he'll be over at her house at 7. He's trying his best to look and sound confident.



But looks more like he's going to crap himself


Meanwhile at the pharmacy, the mystery of Andie's crazies is somewhat solved when Pacey runs into her picking up a prescription for ZanX.

Pacey: Andrea McPhee, take two tablets a day, as directed. ZanX, 20mg.' ZanX, um, that's for severe depression and anxiety, right? It's like Prozac so..

Andie quickly explains that she and her mother share the same first name. Pacey feels bad for mentioning it but Andie reassures him that her mom is getting better. She changes the subject by asking what Pacey is doing at the pharmacy...in the condom department. Pacey feins innocence but we all know he was there looking to stock up, just in case. It's kind of a cute scene but kind of undercut by the uncomfortableness of Pacey pressuring Andie who made it clear that she wasn't ready before.

Of course, when Andie says that perhaps they should get some, he's immediately shocked. I don't get it. What was his endgame here? Does he want her to want sex or did he just want to tease her because he thought she'd freak out and be all prudish about it? I honestly can't tell but I'll go with that he was testing the waters and was shocked that she is actually going along with it. I'm going to have to again state that girls want sex too, even if they aren't sure they are ready.

Back at the auditions, it turns out that Abby is going to try out for a part. Confusing, she seemed really adamant about not wanting to audition and we never got to see her change her mind so I guess this is just for the comedy? Especially since she is, for some reason, stuck auditioning with Max Ford.

Max Ford questions Dawson's masterpiece and asks why the characters don't do it. Dawson explains that his character believes there is more to love than sex and Max Ford says that's the part he doesn't get. Get it? Because Max Ford is evil and obsessed with teh secks!! Only evil people like sex, kids.




Not made up at all


Anyway, they audition and they are actually good. Max Ford kisses Abby, she gets pissed off and leaves while he takes a bow and asks if he should continue. End scene.

Andie and Pacey are discussing what she would like in her first sexual encounter, it's all romantic stuff, fancy dinner, walk on the beach, romantic bed and breakfast, leading up to the encounter but props to this show for having a couple seriously talk about having sex before doing it rather than just jumping each other at the first opportunity. I mean, it's not the worst thing in the world to talk things through before doing them, sometimes it can help get you into the mood and be arousing in and of itself to talk about it. So, seriously, good job writers. Plus, I like that Andie is being pretty matter of fact about things now and even admits to being turned on.

Dawson whines about how horrible the auditions went and laments getting so close to being able to make a movie but that it might not happen. Jen comments that it's like his script, he finally gets to be with Joey, but then he loses her before he can have her. Dawson is still claiming that the script is not about his relationship with Joey but Jen calls bullshit because it is really obvious who the script is about.

She then expresses her hurt over the fact that she thought they had something too but her character was reduced to the first act. Dawson reassures her that she was important to him too. Jen then says that Max Ford had a point about his script and says that the two characters should do it. Dawson protests, saying that his movie is about romance and before I can say fuck off, Jen counters that sex can be romantic.




Of course it can


Dawson says that he didn't want to make the obvious choice and Jen says that it's funny when you think about it. Dawson looks cluelessly at her and she explains that if he hadn't gone for the obvious choice of girl, the ending to his script might not have been so obvious. Ooooh, sick burn. Although, I'm a bit confused, that sounds like something you would say if you wanted Dawson back but last episode she rejected him...eh whatever, Jen dissed Dawson and Joey's relationship and therefore I approve.



But remember, Jen, Stephen Spielberg
never puts sex in his movies,
and he is our Lord and Savior



Jack is at Joey's house and is naked, except for a towel. Joey is obviously uncomfortable and nervous and so is he. She tries to act calm but then freaks out about not being able to do it and knocks over her easel. Jack moves to catch it and his towel drops to the floor.



Jesus Christ, it's a graboid!!!


Jack decides that he might as well stay and Joey seems to have relaxed because we timelapse to her drawing him. They bond over their interest in art and how exciting it can be to explore different parts of you. Jack mentions that art is about a world of uncertainty and that's what makes it scary. Joey asks Jack what scares him and he says sex.

Joey asks if it's first time anxiety and looks disappointed when Jack says that he has had sex before. However, Jack has only had it once.

Meanwhile, Dawson and Jen are talking about the auditions and Dawson thanks her for being so supportive and commends her for sitting through the auditions with him, saying it was "above and beyond the call of duty" I'm not sure if it is or isn't, seems like she should be involved in the casting process if she's the "producer" but it's nice of him to say. Jen jokes that if he gets really desperate, she could always play his leading lady since she has all the lines memorized from hearing them so much. Dawson says that she probably should have been his leading lady.



Yeah, she really should have been


Joey asks Jack what sex was like for him because, as I said before she is insanely curious and scared of sex which is why she lashed out at Jen so much. To further drive this point home, though I don't think the writers necessarily intended this, we cut back to Jen and Dawson discussing sex.

Jen is talking about how sex is risky and interesting and not necessarily the obvious choice, like Dawson claims. Jen is knowledgable about sex, comfortable with it, even knows that sex can mean different things to different people and that scares the shit out of Joey. Joey is a book smart person who is scared of the real world while Jen just lives in the real world. I'm absolutely convinced that this is the reason Joey hates Jen so much and why they aren't friends when by all accounts, they could have been. It's Joey that doesn't want the friendship because, no matter who Jen goes after, she will always be a threat to Joey and her scared, closed off ways. I think this is an interesting conflict that I do wish the writers were writing intentionally and had actually resolved. Unless I'm remembering incorrectly, I don't think this issue was ever fully addressed but it always seemed to lurk in the background to me.



Bitter and scared. Always.


But, I will give Joey credit that she is trying to learn about sex, perhaps so that it is not so scary and daunting to her. She asks Jack to describe what sex feels like, as if it was art and Jack obliges by comparing it to various famous paintings like Van Gogh's Starry Night and Munch's The Scream until they are interrupted and Joey notices that he has a boner. An implied one as this was aired on network tv and they'd never actually show it.

Meanwhile, Pacey has taken Andie out to a fancy restaurant and is now leading her into a really nice room. Andie doesn't know whether to be touched or terrified. If you remember, this is exactly the night Andie described as being her ideal for losing her virginity and Pacey has made it a reality. Talk about pressure. Not cool, Pacey.

Don't get me wrong, it was a very sweet gesture and I remember just swooning when I was a teen and saw he'd done this but viewing it through my adult eyes, it's a little troublesome. I mean, she clearly stated earlier that she wasn't ready yet and instead of respecting that, he takes her fantasy and makes it a reality, so what is she supposed to do with that? I mean, if she says no, she's a bitch who's hard to please, right? If she says yes, she'll always wonder if it was because she was ready or because she felt she had to say yes because of everything he did. It's actually not as romantic as I remembered it being and that disappointed me slightly because I love this relationship.

Now, to be fair, Pacey does try and say that there is no pressure and that he just wanted to give Andie her fantasy evening because she means so much to him which is very sweet. She does say she isn't ready and he is fully supportive of that which again, is nice. I just can't shake that pesky adult over thinking of the situation. Pacey tells her that he is fine with waiting and that he just wanted to treat her special because of how much she has given him and she says that he makes her want to do it.



He makes me want to do it too. What?


Back with Jack and Joey, they are awkwardly talking after the aftermath of his stiffy about how it probably wasn't such a great idea for him to pose nude for her and that they didn't intend to bring sex into the equation but they're human so it happens. Then Joey actually supports my theory and finally has some insight on herself:

Joey: Yeah. For all the big words and not wanting to hear the gory details, I guess I'm just wrestling with my hormones like everyone else.



Good for you, Joey. Way to realize the obvious


Jack mentions that it was a night of "firsts" and there is no reason that has to stop.



Dun, dun, DUN!


We see Dawson working on his script. He looks at a picture of Joey and then deletes the ending from his computer.

In a twist on an old theme, Dawson climbs through Jen's window. He claims he's been doing a lot of thinking about what she said about sex and motives for having it. Then, he kisses her and asks her not to ask for his motive.



Dun, dun, DUN!


Pacey wins back my heart by being the one to put the brakes on their make out session. He says he doesn't want to do it, not that he doesn't want to do her, it's just that he values their relationship too much to fall back into his old ways of "act now and think later" plus he says that when they are ready, they'll know. Andie claims that his talk makes her want to do it even more and he jokes that it's part of his evil plan but then says that he will drive her home.

We flash back to the other couples kissing passionately before ending the episode with Pacey and Andie walking out of the bed and breakfast hand in hand and an ominous message appears on screen:



More exciting drama to come!


I'll be honest, I was always confused about the "to be continued" message as the episode seemed to have wrapped itself up rather nicely and there didn't appear to be any cliffhangers at all. But, I guess we're supposed to wonder/worry about whether or not Joey and Dawson lost their virginity with people other than Dawson or Joey. Given that I don't care about their relationship and was actually happy that Dawson was getting with Jen, I felt satisfied with the ending, I guess it would be different if you were invested in the Dawson/Joey relationship.

So, that was High Risk Behaviour and time will tell whether any/all/or just a few of these characters actually got down and dirty with each other. Stay tuned for all the sordid, steamy answers in Sex, She Wrote.