Previously on Dawson's Creek
You kissed my girlfriend.
Yeah, I did.
Truth is, I'd do it again.
Oh my god, Jack! - After everything that we
have been through, you just want to go back to
being friends? - Yeah.
Joey, if you don't understand why that can't happen,
if you don't get that, you don't get me.
Your mother and I have decided
to spend some time apart.
That's the conclusion that we've reached.
Well, I conclude that
your conclusion sucks.
And you're aware that his goal is to
sleep with you tonight?
Are we on the same page?
Same page.
Well, I guess the gentlemen
are in a pretty tall hurry to get me out of here.
And the way the evidence is piled up against me,
I can't say I blame them much.
And I'm quite willing to go, sir,
when they voted that way...
Mind if I have these extra pepperonis?
Shh! For the 10th time.
Pass me the crushed pepper.
Pacey, you're driving me crazy.
I'm a hungry person.
You're an annoying person.
A bored person.
Mr. Smith goes to Washington, Dawson?
Come on, it's in black and white.
It's a Frank Capra classic.
With a bunch of dead people in it.
Everybody in this movie is decomposing somewhere.
It's morbid.
We got this whole section at the video store.
It's called new releases. Check it out.
This is a timeless tale about a man faced with his heroic nature.
I can't connect to the wholesome and morally grounded.
That's more your style. Who you are.
Are you insulting me?
Mm-mmm. You're an endangered species.
The last of a dying breed.
This movie is killing you softly with its song.
You are insulting me.
No. I'm stating the obvious.
You take in stray dogs, Dawson.
You help old women across the street.
You just say no. You are Jimmy Stewart.
What does that make you?
The needless waste,
born to walk in the shadows of greater men.
Somebody's having a self-esteem crisis.
On the contrary, my friend.
Knowledge is power.
I'm happy with my below-average status.
I dropped my purse in your hedge.
Remind me tomorrow.
It's so bright in here. Hi, Pacey.
Ohh!
Looks like you got company.
Third time this week.
Come here. Help me out.
Once again, hero Dawson to the rescue.
Shut up.
It's not exactly the ideal situation.
Too bad for you.
Ohh!
Ugh! I think I'm going to be sick.
Wastebasket, quick!
False alarm.
I don't know what to do about her.
She's spiraling.
Maybe you should just finish watching the movie.
Jimmy Stewart would know what to do.
And this same man, Mr. James Taylor,
came down here and offered me--
Hey. What are you doing here?
I was just, uh, packing up some more stuff.
Moving out.
Oh.
Actually, I was going to see
if you could give me a hand later.
Then I thought we could grab a bite to eat,
spend some time, do, like, a friend thing.
Um...sure.
Might have to skip on the friend thing, though.
I have real friends for that.
Look, Dawson, I know this isn't easy for you
and that you're disappointed in me.
And--but believe me,
I wish things could be different, but...
They're not.
I'm trying here, Dawson.
See you after school, then?
Sure.
Oh, before I forget.
I grabbed this by accident
when I picked up my mail yesterday.
I don't know what you expect from me,
but this isn't a transition I'm thrilled to make.
If you want what's best for this family,
I don't see how moving out
is a step in the right direction.
Yeah, but that's my decision to make.
Not yours.
I see.
Oh, my god!
"Witter, Pacey.
"Grade point average-- 1.7.
"Currently failing biology... And U.S. history.
"Extracurricular interests...none.
"Tendency to be disruptive in class.
Has difficulty with tests requiring a number 2 pencil."
Let's see here... Career aptitude test--
I didn't realize it was possible to fail
an aptitude test.
This shows that you have absolutely zero career objectives.
Congratulations.
Most people with your academic record
can't walk upright.
What are my options?
Summer school.
Followed by a return engagement of your sophomore year.
And if by some miracle you make it to graduation,
a life of leisure.
Until welfare reform kicks in, that is.
What? No witty comeback?
Now I'm really disappointed in you, Pacey.
Joey!
Joey, wait up! Joey!
Hey, we won!
We won. You and me.
What are you talking about?
The Boston film festival.
We won the juror's prize
for best short film, junior division.
Oh, my god!
Listen to this.
"Your clever send-up of the horror genre
"shows profound understanding
"of traditional Hollywood machinations,
"turns them upside down in a refreshing
and entertaining way."
"Writer-director Dawson Leery and producer Joey Potter
"have been allotted a budget of $2,500
towards their next project."
This is a check for $2,500 to finance our next movie.
We've already been pre-accepted in their winter workshop.
We?
Yeah...
I mean, I-- you know...
I understand that we said we'd give each other space,
and I totally respect that,
but I was wondering-- hoping--that you'd still produce.
Think about it.
We could actually rent equipment.
Say good-bye to halogen lamp lighting
or shopping cart dollies,
and if we move fast,
we could finish by summer,
maybe travel with it to festivals.
Dawson...
I'm really sorry, but I don't think I can do it.
I mean, I don't think I have the time right now.
I just signed up for some art classes,
and between work and school...
We made such a great team.
Ok.
I understand.
Listen... This is amazing.
You should be thrilled. It's incredible.
Yeah, it is.
I am. I am.
I'm thrilled.
So...all right.
I'll see you.
Joey, you got a second?
Actually, I'm kind of late for 2nd period.
Ok. I'd really like to make things right between us.
So give me a second, ok?
There was a full moon,
and I know that's no excuse,
but I'm really sorry.
Just tell me what I've got to do
to get our friendship back,
'cause this silent treatment is killing me.
Jack, I'm not giving you the silent treatment.
It's just...I'm trying to figure things out.
You've been avoiding me like I have some kind of disease.
I've just had a lot on my mind lately.
Oh. Ok, so you're not mad at me?
No. I mean, actually,
I think you had it right the night of the dance.
Um, more than anything, I guess I was...
Mad at myself.
Well, then, you know, get over it already.
This whole interpersonal turmoil thing,
just kind of, like, wrinkles up your forehead.
Besides, I miss hanging out with you.
Got to go.
Yeah.
See you.
Hey, you.
How's the hangover?
Oh. Post-Advil.
It's fine.
So, what are you writing?
A script.
Really? That's great.
Great and...funded.
$2,500.
Dawson, you won. You actually won?
Yeah. Yeah, I did.
Congratulations. I am so proud of you.
Thank you.
So, how does it feel to be the star
of an award-winning film?
An honor.
Although next time, I would like to request
that you extend my dialogue beyond "help" and "aah!"
That's a deal.
And then he tells me
I've got no future
that doesn't involve the fast-food industry.
And he's called a guidance counselor.
Yeah, amongst other things.
Just because a student doesn't fit into some cookie-cutter mold
that the public school system deems acceptable,
they're ready to write him off?
I mean, Einstein failed the 2nd grade
and not because he was stupid,
but because he was bored.
And the incompetency of an inferior public school system
failed to recognize it.
They rather dismiss someone who's in obvious need of some guidance
rather than reach out to him.
If someone along the way
had just taken 2 seconds to notice, to care,
they would have realized
that you needed to be rescued, not ridiculed.
Ladies and gentlemen, Andie McPhee.
Lindley.
Hey, you guys. I was looking for you earlier.
Impressive showing last night.
I'm surprised to see you here.
Well, I recuperate well.
Hey, Dawson.
What's up, Chris?
So, listen. I got to confess.
I am on a mission. Mmm.
Todd here is having a p-a-rty tonight.
Kegs and eggs. Party till breakfast.
We're just getting the word out.
Well, you know that you can sign me up.
Excellent. See you there.
All right.
So...what's your deal with them?
I've just been hanging out. What?
Well, I--
Come on, Dawson. Save me the character dissection.
And while we're at it, why don't you come with me?
Well, let's see.
We've got scriptwriting career advancement on one side,
useless drunk oblivion on the other.
Tsk. That's a tough call.
Don't judge me, Dawson.
You don't want to go, don't go. That's fine.
But just because I'm finally enjoying myself,
you don't have to treat me like I've been lost to the other side.
I'm not out of control.
All I'm doing is having fun.
All right, it's a simple 3-letter-word-- fun, f-u-n.
I didn't say a word, Jen.
This isn't funny, Pacey.
It's just that your entire future is on the line here,
I think you should be more nervous.
You're so not nervous that you're making me nervous.
Now that my posturing as village idiot
has been duly documented,
I feel like a weight's been taken off, you know?
If that's the way you perceive yourself,
that's the way people will look at you.
If you act like a joker, people will treat you like one.
Finally figured it out.
I'm not Luke Skywalker.
I'm not even Luke Perry.
There's no hero here, Andie.
I am a joke.
I'm not coming to your pity party.
You know I don't think you're a joke, Pacey.
It's too late.
I've spent so long being a screw-up,
I'm past the proverbial point of no return.
Bull. Change your course. Break the chain.
Anyone can reinvent themselves.
It's America. Madonna does it every week.
But I don't know how.
I don't know where to start.
Try starting from the inside.
I mean, anyone can change their fate.
Heroes are made, not born.
Ahem. Welcome to chez cafeteria.
One of our specials tonight is a chateaubriand for two,
with a side of braised baby carrots on a bed of spring lettuce,
which I highly recommend.
Now, we have some other specials tonight,
which include some reddish-yellow stuff down there.
And, of course, we have this green gelatin dessert
of a highly suspicious nature.
You are such a freak.
Thanks.
Hey, um, what are you up to tonight?
Oh, I don't know.
Probably just the usual.
You know, have my driver pick me up around 8:00,
go for a massage before my catered dinner aboard my yacht,
then maybe jet over to Paris
to see the Matisse exhibit at the louvre.
Actually, that exhibit was moved to the met last week.
However, I'm pretty sure
I could get us a reservation--
say...8:00? At William's.
You know. Billy.
That hot dog vendor guy down at Bailey's Wharf.
You mean like a date?
No. No, of course not.
It's more like, um... More like a dat.
Oh, a dat.
Yeah, you take the "E" off of date,
you have a dat.
And what do people do on dats?
Well, there's really no code of conduct.
Etiquette is definitely optional.
So, just kind of make up our own rules.
The only requirement is that we have a great time.
Ooh, and don't worry,
because I checked out the lunar calendar.
No full moon for weeks.
Ok.
You know, Jack, you do have a certain charm.
But I'm going to ignore it
and hang out with you anyway.
See you.
I have a date with Joey.
That's great.
Yeah.
Uh...
Pace, I'm sorry. I know Dawson's a friend.
Doesn't matter. It's ok. Just leave me out of this, right?
Yeah.
So, Andie, um, I know that it's my night with Mom.
So if you don't want me to go out--
No. I have to stay in and study, anyway.
Go.
We have to stay in and study.
Remember?
Right. I can't believe I've forgotten.
Look, Jack, don't worry about Mom.
I mean, she's not entirely your responsibility, ok?
There's 2 of us. And besides, with this new medication she's on,
she's doing so much better.
Andie, come on.
I mean,
Mom pulled another Sybil last week.
Let's at least be honest with each other.
Look, just go out with Joey, ok?
Everything's under control.
I've got it all under control.
Dawson, um...
What you doing here?
Um, this is for you.
What is it?
It's half the prize money.
You can use it for art classes or...
Whatever.
I can't accept this, Dawson. This is for your movie.
Joey, I want you to have it. You deserve it.
Joey, my intentions here are honorable.
I'm not asking for anything in return.
Except that you be happy.
I could use the money. I mean--
Thank you.
I believe in you, Joey.
I always have.
Thanks.
So, um...
Are you going somewhere?
Oh, no. I'm just hanging out with a friend.
Ok. All right, um, so I'll, um...
I guess I'll see you around.
Ok.
Dawson.
Yeah?
Do you think things could get back to normal between us,
and we could just be friends again?
I'd like that. Yeah.
Ok.
And, um...
You know,
whatever kind of movie you decide to make,
I...
I know it'll be great.
I'm thinking of doing a love story.
You know, boy meets girl,
boy gets girl, boy loses girl.
Boy gets girl back.
Dawson.
Heh.
You know me. I'm a sucker for happy endings.
Yeah.
Well, thank you.
Yeah.
Hey.
Everything ok?
Yeah. Yeah, fine. Just, uh, you know,
saying hi.
Maybe we should go inside.
Sure.
Go ahead.
Thanks.
All right.
The last box.
So,
I guess I'll see you later.
Whoa. Dawson, what's the rush?
Stick around.
Hang out.
Working that friend angle?
I was trying.
Talk to me.
Look, Dawson, we've always been able
to talk freely and openly.
I don't want that to change.
Ok. Let's talk.
Ok, good. So, um...
How's Joey?
Joey dumped me
and is falling for another guy.
Next.
And, uh, Jen?
Probably drunk and stuck to a sidewalk somewhere.
Dawson--
Dad, this isn't going to work, ok?
I'm so--I’m going to get going.
You don't have to like my decisions, Dawson.
I just ask that you respect them.
You know what? All I ever do
is respect other people's wishes, ok?
I'm sick of it. It makes everybody else feel better.
It makes me feel like hell.
Well, maybe that's because
you're only considering the outcomes
and not the intentions.
Nobody's out to get you, Dawson.
Certainly not me.
I want you to think of this place as yours.
Now, if you need anything,
please.
You want me to be open and honest, right?
Yes.
Well, here goes:
I don't want another friend or a buddy.
I want a father.
Can you respect that?
Guess I'll have to.
All right.
Hey.
Hey, Dawson. What's up?
I was just wondering
if that invitation to go out with you tonight
was still open.
Really?
Yeah, that's what I need this evening.
Run-in with Joey, huh?
You're quick. No way around that.
Yes, Dawson, you can come with me,
but you cannot bitch or moan about my partying habits,
you've got to keep an open mind. No judging.
I can do that.
Maybe.
To some degree.
And this is not a date.
You're way too far gone as a rebound case
for me to be even remotely interested.
Is it that obvious?
Dawson, you're so on the rebound,
you're practically bouncing.
All right, well, then tonight will be exactly what I need.
What time should I pick you up?
Actually, uh, why don't I pick you up?
7:00.
That would work, too.
This could be good, Dawson.
You, me, together again.
Uh, this is not a date, remember?
And I'm not interested, remember?
Don't judge, Dawson.
Uh, no, I'm not judging.
I'm just observing.
The destruction of young America.
Fun, remember? That's what this is gonna be all about.
It's fun.
I think I miscalculated.
Hello, you guys.
Hey. You guys made it. Hey.
Dawson.
You're a surprise, dude.
Thank you.
Hey. Wanna dance?
Mm. Mm-hmm.
Dawson, come on.
No, no. Go on, have fun.
Well...
Enjoy yourself, ok?
Pacey.
Hello.
It's nice to see you again.
Ok, we're going to be upstairs studying
if you need anything, ok, Mom?
Would you kids like something to eat?
I could make a sandwich.
No, thanks. I just ate.
What are you studying?
Tonight's double feature
includes U.S. history and biology.
It Tim were here, you could get some help.
U.S. history's one of Tim's favorite subjects.
Ok.
I thought you said your mother was getting better.
She is. She just slips sometimes.
I don't mean to be insensitive,
but she talks about your brother like he's alive.
Well, she has her good days and her bad days.
And what day is this?
Pacey.
I'm sorry.
You know the only thing I ever won
came out of a cereal box?
How do you do all this?
I've heard of type-a personality,
but, my god, Andy.
On top of everything, you take care of your family,
and you still find time in the day
to try and rescue a guy like me.
Aren't you tired?
You do what you got to do.
Ok, let's get started.
Now, I always build in for myself
a margin of error
for any of those occasional unforeseen roadblocks.
Unfortunately,
you have no margin of error.
You are what we in studious circles refer to as...
Up crapola creek without a paddle.
Hanging on to the 10th grade by a thread.
One cliff note away from...
From complete and utter disaster. I get it.
I guess.
Whoa.
Heat lightning.
You know, I almost got hit by lightning once
when I was a kid.
We were playing freeze tag in the park,
and I froze
and crack!
I mean, I could smell the ground burn.
Oh, my god. Did you freak?
No.
I got fascinated.
With lightning.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah. Lightning's amazing.
See, it's opposite charges attracting
until the force just gets so great
that the air just kind of breaks down.
It's like...
Nature's version of performance art.
Jack,
how do you know all these things
that normal people don't know
when you don't know things that normal people do?
Don't know. Don't you ever get bored
and watch the weather channel?
No.
But...
When we were kids, Dawson and I did try to replicate
Ben Franklin's experiment
with the kite and the key.
We almost electrocuted ourselves.
You and Dawson.
I'm sorry.
I don't know why I brought him up.
It's just we've known each other for such a long time.
It's ok.
I mean, I understand. You guys have a history.
He made that pretty clear when he punched me.
Yeah.
See, you have to understand Dawson.
I mean...
Life is a movie to him, and in the movies,
the hero always punches out the bad guy.
I mean, not--not that you're a bad guy.
It's just...
He was upset?
Yeah.
Yeah. Well...
I'm sure I would be, too,
if I let you slip through my fingers.
I saw the look he gave you outside of my house tonight.
Yeah.
You know, you--you were right
about that movie thing.
He made me feel like I was in the middle of a western,
and...
He was John Wayne, you know,
challenging me to a duel at sunset.
You know, I'd be up for that challenge, though.
Some things are worth fighting for.
God.
Whew!
It's so cool.
So, what's going on with you two?
You getting some post-Joey action or what?
She's a friend.
Yeah, Jen's a good friend to have.
Wish I had more just like her.
You know what I mean?
You're about as subtle as you are genuine, huh?
What you see is what you get.
Clearly.
After you've read through the chapter once,
you want to go back through
and highlight any of the passages
that seem important enough to appear
on any given standardized test.
Well, how do you know what's important?
I mean, if it's not important,
why would you bother to write it down?
Whose job, whose right is it
to decide which passages in U.S. history
are important enough to deserve
a fluorescent yellow marker?
Huh?
You're giving me a headache.
I need a break.
Hello.
Yes, this is Andie.
What? Uh, oh, my god.
Ok, um...
Please don't call the police.
Uh, I can be there in 5 minutes, ok?
Just give me 5 minutes.
Ok, thanks.
Bye.
Andie, what's wrong?
Um, it's my mother.
She's at Molly's market again.
Again?
Oh. Look, um, I didn't call the cops
'cause I think you and your brother are nice,
and I really do feel sorry for you,
but this is the third time.
I know.
If you can't keep her out--
I know, I know. Thank you. Really.
This is not good for business.
Excuse me.
My husband usually takes care of things.
You should call my husband.
He takes care of things, you know?
Let's go, Mom.
No, I can't. I'm sorry, honey.
I can't go home. I'm sorry, honey.
Please, let's just go home now, ok?
No, I can't!
Mom, stop it.
Please?
It's all over. It's all gone!
Hey, Mrs. McPhee.
Remember me, Pacey?
Pacey?
Yeah.
Yeah, it's me.
What are you doing here, picking up some groceries?
I don't know. I--I don't know.
All right, hey.
Don't worry about it. You're fine.
Just help me pick out a couple of things.
Uh...hey.
Check it out. Marshmallows.
It's a food group all on its own.
Uh...
You don't want that.
I have some turkey and some roast beef
in the fridge.
You know,
that sounds to me like a triple-Decker club sandwich.
You make me a sandwich, Mrs. McPhee?
Yes, I can make you a sandwich.
Pacey.
Excellent.
You, Mrs. McPhee, are my savior.
Shall we?
Mm-hmm.
Let me take that for you.
It's all right. Don't worry about it.
Let's go dance.
Ooh...
Hey, Dawson. You wanna play?
Excuse me.
What--oh-- oh, my god!
Dawson, stop it.
Put me down! This is not a joke!
What the hell are you doing?
Dawson, put me down now!
Put me down! Damn it, Dawson!
Put me--
I cannot even believe you--
Jen, look at yourself.
You're drunk. You're hooking up with 2 guys.
Where are you going?
I'm going home.
You're going the wrong way.
Jen, stop.
Why, so you can explain this?
And so that we can talk this out,
and you can explain to me
why you are so determined
to pull the plug on anybody
who's having a good time?
This is not having a good time.
Oh, maybe not to you--
Not to anybody, Jen. You're hiding.
You avoid dealing with the fact that you're unhappy.
Frankly, it's disgusting.
Oh, you're really one to talk, Dawson.
Look at yourself, ok?
You don't drink,
and you don't mess around
with anybody or anything,
but you are the unhappiest person that I know.
You're right. I would take my melancholy over this any day
because it's real.
I'm not fighting to pretend like I'm having a good time.
I'm not pretending, Dawson!
I was having a good time.
How's that for irony, huh?
Bad girl throws up on white picket fence.
And don't be disgusted by me, Dawson.
Jen, come on.
Deal with me.
Ok?
Accept me.
And accept the fact
that there are people in this world
who don't need saving.
Ok, Jen, you're drunk.
No.
Listen to me.
I have tried.
Ok?
I have tried to live my life
just like you.
I just don't have that sort of...
Hope.
But if everybody did, then people like you
wouldn't be so special, so...
Jen...
You're special.
No.
No, I'm not. You just want me to be.
I don't agree with that.
Jen, if you weren't so special,
you wouldn't be so miserable.
Come here.
Dawson.
I can't go home.
I know someplace nearby we can go.
Ok.
Yeah.
Ok.
Ready to go?
All right.
Well, Jack McPhee,
that was a unique evening.
Unique weird
or unique good?
Unique fun.
So, um...
I guess I should get inside.
Yes.
You're not going to stop speaking to me again, are you?
No, I think you're safe.
Crescent moon.
So, um...
Maybe we could hang out again?
Yeah.
I mean, I think it's a distinct possibility.
I mean, unless, I get engrossed
in the weather channel, which is likely,
so--
Don't knock it until you try it.
Good night.
Bye.
Hey, Jack.
Yeah.
I had a really nice time tonight.
Thanks.
See you.
She went out like a light, huh?
Yeah.
She goes way up and then crash.
You going to be all right, Andie?
I'm worried about you.
Look at you.
Taking care of my mom
and saving me.
It's pretty funny, huh?
Don't you see? I mean,
you just proved yourself wrong, Pacey.
You can be anything you want.
What you did for me tonight was...
Nothing short of spectacular.
I'm proud of you.
What's so funny?
Well,
not really used to hearing those words
"I'm proud of you."
At least, not when they're directed to me, you know?
Come on.
Where are we going?
Upstairs to your bedroom.
Oh, really. And what did you have in mind?
What do you think?
Pacey.
I still got 3 chapters to read.
Let's go.
How's Jen?
She'll be ok.
I think.
Dad, I know I've been really hard on you lately.
It's just...
You've always been this-- this larger-than-life
Harrison Ford ideal to me.
You know?
No one can live up to that, Dawson,
not even Harrison Ford.
You know, that...
Screen image doesn't exist.
In reality, people are flawed.
I can be your father, Dawson.
And if you let me,
your friend.
Your call.
Then it's done.
Hey, tiger.
Dawson Leery, you're my hero.
No, not a hero, just a friend.
What's it about?
Uh, your movie?
Oh, it's a romance.
Mmm.
Star-crossed lovers. That kind of thing.
So how does it end?
I don't know yet.
I haven't finished writing it.
You want some editorial advice, Dawson?
No happy ending.
They're bogus and pat
and totally unrealistic.
And things never end happy in real life.
Just get some sleep.
You'll feel better in the morning.
I really wish that were true.
No happy ending, Dawson.
Hey, Dawson.