Recap: Dawson and Joey are watching Dangerous Liaisons in his bedroom...and when the movie ends, the two gabble about the conundrum that is unrequited love. Dawson says he finds the notion of a love that's not strong enough to overcome the circumstances profoundly sad, while Joey argues that sad stories are the most powerful kind, 'cause they demonstrate the sheer force of immovable love, despite the circumstances. Dawson asks her if she'll always love him despite the circumstance in which they're going to find themselves by the end of this season finale, and Joey responds by kissing him and chirping that it's a moot point now that they already have their happy ending.

Dawson asks Shaggy D.A. for advice on a [pretend] hypothetical: should he tell someone about a bad thing he knows about their loved one? Shaggy D.A. says he could either do that or confront the person who did the bad thing, then abruptly changes the subject and announces that she's decided to take the news anchor job in Philadelphia...given that Mitch has done fuck all to demonstrate that he's interested in resuming their marriage. 

Dawson drops by Joey's house to walk her to school...and when he runs into Mike, he pissily asks him if everything he's up to these days is on the up-and-up. Mike's like, "Well, ish", then tells him and Joey that the under-renovation Ice House is available for them and their friends to use as a study haven to prepare for their finals. Joey chirps, "Kewl!", and then she and Dawson head off to school.

Grams intercepts Jen as she arrives at Capeside High and tells her she'd really really like it if she moved back home. Jen crisply retorts that she already has a home with Jack, and has zero desire to discuss this with her 'cause right now she has a class to get to.

Pacey gets a ride to school from his dad via his police car...and when he hears a message over the radio mention surveillance at the Ice House, Pacey's all, "Wuh?" and asks his dad if they're staking out the restaurant. Pa Witter snappishly says it's none of his business and warns him to not screw up his finals, prompting Pacey to ask why his fatherly advice never seems to take on a positive tone. Pa Witter remarks on how his attitude has gotten worse ever since Andie left town and says that no girl is worth screwing his life up over...and Pacey storms out of the car and grumbles to Dawson about what a snarly assbag his prick of a father always is.

Exam time! Pacey stares glumly into space when his teacher starts handing out the exams.

After school, Dawson drops by the Ice House to confront Mike Potter about the cocaine deal he witnessed go down between him and Pete. He chides Mike for being selfish, and that he can't grasp how a man who claims to love his family would be willing to traffic drugs through the family business. Mike sheepishly explains that he found himself stuck, and Dawson advises him to get unstuck...and to do it fast. Or else. 

Shaggy D.A. tells Mitch she'd like him to move back into Casa Leery and finish raising Dawson now that she's 100% for sure definitely relocating to Philadelphia. When she adds that she's leaving tomorrow, Mitch stares back at her with an aghast expression on his dumb face.
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The Capeside High clique is studying at the Ice House when Pa Witter stops by and snarkishly asks Pacey what the hell he's doing here. When Pacey's like, "Uh, studying..?", Pa Witter pulls Mike Potter aside to ask him if he's seen Pete the Coke Dealer around town lately. Mike says he has, but insists that their relationship is entirely non-coke related - just as Joey bounds over in a blatant attempt to listen in on the conversation. Pa Witter wraps up the mini-inquisition by complimenting the Potters on how great the new 'n improved Ice House is looking these days and heads out, and Joey laments how the Capeside P.D. seems to never want to leave them alone. When Dawson wanders over, Joey grumbles to him about the unwarranted scrutiny on her dad and insists that he isn't a criminal anymore...and Dawson just stares mutely into space while the two smooch.

Mike makes a beeline over to the back office to stare at his coke stash, and look seemingly oblivious to how fucking stupid it is to store such a large amount of blow in such an easily discoverable place.

Jack tells Jen it's clear that Grams wants to reconcile their differences, and urges her to consider making peace with the old lady so that she can move back in, not least 'cause Pa McPhee is about to put the family house on the market. Jen looks visibly upset by what she translates as being kicked out of a second home in a span of four episodes and brusquely tells Jack that she'll be outa there by midnight.

Some faceless person tosses a fireball into the Ice House, with the clear intention of burning the place down. Noooo!!

Outside, Pa Witter is railing at Pacey for blowing two of his finals, then orders him to gather up his stuff and come home with him - as opposed to hanging out with Mike Potter, aka known felon. Pacey refuses to obey and gets a smack across the face - just as the two realize that the Ice House is suddenly on fire. Amid the flames, Mike is desperately flushing his coke stash down the toilet, while Dawson and Pa Witter do their best to put out some of the more manageable flames with fire extinguishers. They're able to flee the restaurant, eventually with Mike in tow, before the fire completely engulfs the restaurant. 

The Fire Department arrives and successfully puts out the fire with zero casualties. Joey hugs Mike and applauds Dawson for his heroic rescue of her father, but Dawson sourly says, "Some situations are too tragic for a hero" and bitchily stalks off. As Joey stares after him with her face scrunched confusedly, Mitch and Shaggy D.A. rush onto the scene, relieved that their son survived the fire. 

Pa Witter tells Pacey he's pretty sure that Mike Potter is lying to him about his drug dealing and maybe even the firestarter, but can't charge him with anything on account of he has zero proof of any wrongdoing. The two then get into another screaming match, which crescendos with Pacey punching Pa Witter in the face after he mocks Andie for having "a few screws loose". Pacey snarlingly caps off the scene by telling his pa that, yeah, Mike Potter may be a druggie, but that the man is a waaaaay better father than he'll ever be.

As Mike and Bessie comb over the insurance policy paperwork, Joey asks them why there's police tape tied around the charred remains of the Ice House. Mike's like "Dunno", and Joey asks him if he really truly absolutely has no idea who started the fire, and he faux assures her that he really truly absolutely doesn't. 

Shaggy D.A. and Mitch advise Dawson to report what he knows to police, but Dawson says he'll feel too horrible about being the person responsible for Joey's dad being carted off to prison a second time. Mitch points out that Mike is the one responsible, and that he's kind of a dumbfuck for re-committing the exact same crime he went to prison for. Shaggy D.A. concurs and says that Joey needs his strength, however little she's likely to appreciate his ratting out of her pa.

Over at Casa McPhee, Jack tells Jen he couldn't help but notice that she didn't immediately flee the Ice House while it was on fire, and asks her if it's 'cause she has some not-so-secret suicidal tendencies. Jen assures him she doesn't, though couldn't help but wonder if the flames were fate's way of giving her an out from carrying on with her aimless life of self-involved misery. As she tears up, Jack commiserates about how easy it is to push people away - but that it's not something one should do to have a happy life. The two hold hands for several seconds, then hug.

Dawson comes right out and tells Joey he knows for a fact that Mike is dealing drugs again, and Joey's all, "Wha-a-a-a?!" and says her dad swore to her that he didn't know nuthin' about nuthin' and had no idea who started the fire. Dawson's all, "What reason do I have to lie?" and strongly urges her to turn her dad in to the authorities, and Joey angrily begs him to stay out of her family's bidness and warns that their relationship won't survive this. Dawson stoically says he's willing to take that risk and do the right thing...if she isn't able to bring herself to do it.

Over at Police Headquarters, Pa Witter admits to Joey, Dawson, Shaggy D.A. and Mitch that he has no actual proof that Mike Potter has broken any laws, but is pretty sure that if the screws are put to him, he'll admit to drug trafficking and then help apprehend the arsonist...and to that end, they could definitely use Joey's help. When Joey balks at helping imprison her own father, Pa Witter points out that the man has betrayed her trust...and she snaps back that she trusts her father far more than anyone in Capeside's law enforcement racket. Dawson asks for a private moment to discuss this with Joey...and once they're in the room alone, Dawson tells her she has no choice but to help Pa Witter take down her dad, and she somehow refrains from pointing out that, on the contrary, she has every right to refuse to do the police's bidding and chides him for forcibly shoving this "solution" down her throat.

Shaggy D.A. and Mitch sit outside their property and agree that their one success in life is their dork son. Mitch tells her he's been reminded of why he loved being part of their family and felt like a father - and husband! - again, then implores her to stay in Capeside. Shaggy D.A. ruefully says she's been praying for his return to their family ever since he left, but now is pretty much meh about the prospect, and realizes that relocating to Philadelphia feels like the right thing for her to do. As Mitch's face falls, she says she's going to take "the unplanned route" for awhile...and that maybe one day they'll stumble upon whatever they've lost after she was caught bumping uglies with her co-anchor, Bob.

Jen arrives at Grams' house with her suitcase and tells her grandmother she's willing to move back in - but has certain conditions that relate to their need to address why their living arrangement went kaput in the first place [though it's undeniably because Jen is a ridiculously cheeky, self-absorbed ingrate]:

• That Grams acknowledge she's been through a lot [and regularly play a tiny violin for her]
• That Grams offer her support instead of being so religiously judgey all the damn time [and hold her tongue every time Jen rolls her eyes when the importance of her faith comes up as a topic of conversation]
• That Grams open her home to Jack, who will be homeless once his dad sells the McPhee home

Grams agrees to Jen's saucy set of conditions and says she'll be more than happy to clear out Gramps' things from the spare bedroom in order to accommodate Jack.

Pa Witter finds Pacey on the dock, staring out at the sea, and sheepishly wanders over. Pacey makes it clear that he's not apologizing for punching him in the face, and Pa Witter acknowledges that he totally had it coming, and applauds his son for giving him that much-deserved face punch. He then tells Pacey he got a phone call from Andie earlier today...and that he found her to be an incessantly chatty gal - but also pretty darn sweet. She apparently referred to him (Pacey) as her hero for all the supportive stuff he's done for her this season...which Pa Witter admits was super nice to hear. He then hangs his head shamefully and apologizes for being such a shit father his whole life, and that Andie had instructed the two of them to make nice and hug it out. As Pacey bursts into tears, the two share an awkward hug at first, but then Pacey leans in for more of a tight squeeze and cries about how he misses Andie sooooooo much.

Joey returns home, finds Mike sitting in the living room, and comes right out and asks him if he's dealing drugs again. Mike reacts by ugly crying and admitting that, yep, he's gotten himself tangled in the world of coke trafficking...and explains that he only did it to provide for his family. Joey rails about how he was supposed to start a whole new life as a rehabilitated ex-con, and that he could have found a way to make an honest living...then admonishes him for ruining everything she and Bessie have worked so hard for. Mike whimpers about how much he wishes he'd died in the fire and is sooooo sorry...and Joey says, "I'm sorry too", and lifts her shirt to reveal that she's been wired up while having this conversation. Mike's all, "Wha-a-a?", then gets up and exits the house, and finds a team of police, waiting to transport him to jail. Despite the absence of any drugs or tangible proof of any crime having been committed.

After Mike is driven off by police, Joey stares sadly at Dawson...and when he asks her if there's anything he can do, she tells him there isn't. He gabbles about how they both did the right thing, and she's all, "Blah blah...", says she's never going to be able to forgive him for getting her daddy locked up a second time, and snarlishly decrees, "I don't want to know you." As a devastated Dawson stares back at her, she storms away and goes inside her house...and he murmurs, "See ya, Joey" and stands all hang-doggish-like in her front yard while the camera pans out.

Recap: Dawson is in his bedroom, working on a final assignment for film class, which appears to be an essay that rails about the evilness of Mädchen Amick. He [rhetorically?] asks Joey why he's always so intent on pleasing the people who dislike him the most, so Joey suggests he scrap the essay idea and submit an on-camera interview of someone who has recently undergone life changes and could be described as heroic. Dawson's all, "Great idea!" and says he'd like her to be his subject, but she tells him she has zero interest in doing that, and to find another sucker who's willing to be filmed while emotionally disembowelling him/herself for the purpose of a high school assignment.

Andie enters her dining room, surprised to see her dad sitting at the table. When she asks whassup with him being here, he tells her he heard about her Tim visions and figured 'why not pretend to be a concerned parent and drop in on the two children I abandoned after a family tragedy?' Andie insists she's fine and that Jack and Pacey helped her through her recent psychiatric episode, but Pa McPhee warns her that a mental break like she just suffered is serious - just as Jack enters the room and informs Andie that he called their dad. Pa McPhee says he had no idea that Andie's mental state was so fragile, then orders the two to start packing 'cause he's making them move to Providence tomorrow. A stunned Andie and Jack protest that they have finals and can't just leave - but Pa McPhee says he'll get permission for at least Andie to take her finals another time. As Andie angrily stomps off, Jack apologizes and says he never fathomed that their dad would just swoop in and force them to leave Capeside so quickly.

Dawson is attempting to interview Jen for his class assignment, but she's not into it and jokes that her new hairdo is probably the most life-changing thing she's done recently. [Well...aside from alienating Grams by talking shit about Abby during her funeral and subsequently getting thrown out of the house.] After that, Dawson tries to enlist Jack to gabble about his life, but he gives Dawson a hard no...as does Joey for the second time.

Dawson runs into Pacey, who's willing to natter on-camera about how he's turned his life around, thanks largely to Andie. He then self-piteously adds that he thinks so little of himself that he's waiting for someone to finally expose his "fraudulent act", and Dawson decides to not exploit his friend's low self-esteem issues for the purpose of a class assignment and shuts off the videocamera. Pacey then scrunches his face into a troubled expression and laments his inability to do anything to help Andie work through her mental health issues, then hang-doggishly tells Dawson, "Find yourself another hero" before slinking out of the room to self flagellate in private.

Andie informs Pacey that Pa McPhee is making her and Jack move back to Providence, then grumbles that she's soooooo angry 'cause of how badly she wants to stay in Capeside. Pacey vows to help her fight her pa's ruling - but Andie says it's futile, since he's planning to whisk them out of Capeside tomorrow. 

Jack tells Jen he called his dad 'cause he figured he should help deal with Andie's 'I see dead people' problems, and that his solution is to take them back to Providence with him. Jen points out the bright side of this development: Andie could get better, and then maybe he and his dad could reconcile. Jack chuckles heartily at that last thing, then asks Jen if she plans on living at Casa Leery forever...and when Jen says she highly doubts she'd be welcome back into her parents' home, Jack urges her to look into that and remember that ever since being banished from their lives, she's changed for the better. (Though not really.)

Dawson drops by the Ice House, where Mike Potter is doing some renovation work (along with his shady friend Pete) to create a new lounge area inside the restaurant. An impressed Dawson asks Mike if he'd be interested in doing an on-camera interview to detail his metamorphosis from prison inmate to restauranteur exceptionnel. Mike looks intrigued and says he'd looooooove to take part in the interview, in exchange for Dawson's help with the renovation...but when he hands Dawson a level, Dawson's all, "What in the heck is this thing?", causing Joey to giggle at his general cluelessness about anything construction-related.

Pacey stops in at Casa McPhee and tells Jack he heard the news about his pa wanting to relocate him and Andie to Providence. Pacey says he's staunchly against that happening - just as Pa McPhee enters the room and declares the move a done deal. He points out that Andie's doctors in Providence can help enormously with her 'I see dead people' problems, and that it'd be selfish to want her to stay in Capeside instead of getting real help. Pacey pleads with him to reconsider ,'cause he'd be wrecked if Andie were to leave - but Pa McPhee firmly says that his mind is made up.

Jen calls her mom, informs her that she's living at Casa Leery ever since Grams kicked her out, and was wondering if she might possibly be welcomed home in the foreseeable future.

As Dawson pretends to know what he's doing while "helping" Mike with the Ice House renovation, Mike tells him he's ready to be interviewed on camera. Dawson woots happily and scampers off to set up his video equipment, while Mike looks at his shoddy workmanship on the flooring and tells Joey he's going to have to rip out the entire thing.

On camera, Mike confesses that he thought he would die of shame after losing everything he loved...and that deep down he considered himself a weak man who was hopeless about turning things around, and wondered if his daughters could ever forgive him for cheating on their dying mother. Joey, who's been listening to the interview up until now, is so overwhelmed by the rehashing of his past sins, that she gets up and abruptly stomps off. 

Pa McPhee tells Jack that relocating to Providence will be good for everyone and points out that while Andie is getting the kind of 'round-the-clock psychiatric care she needs, he might consider getting some assistance in overcoming his gayness. A visibly irked Jack tells his dad he's just going to ignore the nonsense he just spouted about his sexual orientation and point out that ripping Andie away from Pacey could be damaging to her, and that he thinks the ultimate solution will come from those who love and care for her...which, he snarlingly adds, is not exactly his dad's speciality.

Pacey suggests to Andie that they temporarily forget about their problems and go out on the town tonight...and after a bit of hemming and hawing, Andie agrees that that's exactly what she needs. Pacey happily hugs her and promises her a magical evening.

Back at the interview, Mike recalls that while his wife was getting sicker, the bills kept stacking up...and eventually he decided 'why not traffic some marijuana to help make ends meet?' Joey suddenly interrupts the interview to pull Dawson aside and ask him whassup with making her dad relive the most excruciating time of his life, then challenges him to turn the camera onto himself. Dawson stammers about how afraid he is that he's not good enough for her...and that she'll soon realize that and dump him like yesterday's news.

Andie tells Jack that their dad has now agreed to allow her to stay in Capeside - but she's starting to think she probably should move to Providence and get proper help from medical professionals so that she's not constantly burdening her friends. She urges Jack to stay in Capeside if that's what he wants, and that it's OK for him to stop being selfless and do what he thinks is best for himself.

Jen packs a suitcase and heads over to Grams' house, but then can't bring herself to knock on the door. She sadly shuffles off while muttering, "Bye Grams." 

Dawson apologizes to Mike Potter for making him dredge up so many painful memories, but Mike assures him it's no problem, then waxes on about how he's trying his very hardest to be a better person for the good of his family. He wanders off as Joey ambles over to gush about how perfect her life is now that she has her dad back, the Ice House is getting a makeover, and - best of all - she has an amaaaazing boyfriend. Dawson earnestly says he wants to make her proud of him, and she says that not only is she proud of him, she's proud to be with him, and that the only thing missing from her perfect life is the proverbial white picket fence. Dawson responds by grinning and leaning in for a smooch. 

Jack tells his dad he's decided to stay put in Capeside...regardless of whether or not Andie moves with him to Providence. Pa McPhee urges him to come with them 'cause..

• He's convinced that living under his uptight supervision in Providence will magically turn him "back" into a heterosexual boy
• If he stays in Capeside, he'll wind up homeless, 'cause he's planning to sell the house

..but Jack sourly tells him he'd rather live on the street than put up with his dickish homophobia for one more second.

Date night! Pacey and Andie walk, hand in hand, along the dock and reminisce about how this is the exact place they first danced and kissed. Andie then gets tearful and laments about how her mental health problems don't show any signs of improving, and that she's made the hard decision to move to Providence tomorrow with her dad. Pacey assures her he's A-OK with that...and then the two continue to slow dance in the middle of the street for what seems like a really loooooong time. 

Dawson knocks on Joey's door early the next morning to unveil a romantic surprise, which turns out to be a white picket fence that took him all night to cobble together. Joey looks touched by the gesture and puckers up for a thank you kiss.

Jack rushes over to the bus station and finds Jen about to board a bus. She tearfully reveals that her parents told her to go pee up a rope when she inquired about moving back home, and so she decided to aimlessly travel to the unknown. Jack tells her that some parents, like his dad, are total shitbags - but that it's really their deficiency if they don't have it in them to love their own children. He then grabs her bus ticket and bag and insists she come home with him, and explains that he could really use a roommate now that Andie - and presumably their ma, who I think has been locked in her bedroom since the Reluctant Hero episode - are moving to Providence. Jen mulls that over and agrees to give that arrangement a go...and then the two walk off together, hand in hand.

Dawson drops by the Ice House to return the tools he borrowed from Mike Potter to build Joey's metaphorical but also literal white picket fence. He wanders towards the back of the restaurant and sees Mike and Pete engaged in an unmistakable exchange of cocaine for cash, which...subtle, guys. Dawson scrunches his face disapprovingly before beating a hasty retreat.

Andie and Jack say their goodbyes while Pa McPhee puts her luggage in the trunk of his car. He then shakes Jack's hand and admits that he's fully aware of what a shit father he is and will, no doubt, continue to be - but then wishes his teenage son the best while fending for himself in the world. Pacey suddenly appears to thank Andie for everything she's done for him this season, then hugs her goodbye and urges her to get well so that she can hurry back to him, fully intact mentally. 

Dawson narrates a piece for his filmed interview, wondering aloud what he's supposed to make of a subject who seemingly wants to change, but fears he can't. Or some such blather. He then looks over at Joey, who's laying in his bed and has fallen asleep from the sheer boredom of listening to his tedious, angst-filled ramblings.

Recap: The Capeside High gang (Dawson, Joey, Pacey, Andie, Jen, and Jack) have convened at Casa Leery to watch a movie together. They remark on how "interesting" it is that they're all friends now, but Joey and Jen are like, "Mmm...not so much" and point out that the writers merely decided 'let's throw these six kids in a room together and hope that viewers enjoy whatever tension arises from that'. Pacey argues that they're pretty close to the Peach Pit-frequenting Beverly Hills 90210 gang, and the others are all, "Nooooo!!" [at being compared to a far more entertaining cast of characters] and start a pillow fight that results in feathers flying everywhere. What a mess.

Andie, who has dyed her hair brown, arrives at Capeside High with Jack...and Pacey reacts to her new 'do with an unenthusiastic wow. Andie gets miffed at his under-reaction to her makeover and declines his offer to go out for dinner and a movie, citing that she'll be too busy studying. Pacey points out that it's Friday - just as she suddenly becomes frenetic about having the wrong textbook in her book bag and flails off in the direction of her locker. When Pacey gives Jack a WTF? look, Jack explains that Andie is ultra-sensitive about her newly browned locks.

Andie is rummaging through her locker, frantically searching for her textbook when she glances across the hall and sees the ghost of her deceased brother, Tim, staring over at her concernedly. She then locates her missing textbook and sheepishly shrugs at Ghost Tim in an oops kind of way. 

Joey asks Dawson what romantic thing they're doing together tonight, and he suggests watching yet another movie at Casa Leery. Joey grumbles about how boooooooored she is of doing that all the time, and reminds him that it's their one-month anniversary at being re-hooked-up. Dawson grins and reveals that to celebrate the momentous occasion, he made a reservation for the two of them at Capeside's fanciest French restaurant.

Shaggy D.A. joins Jen on the steps of the front porch of Casa Leery and suggests she call Grams to see if the old lady's remotely interested in forgiving her rudeness and allowing her to move back in - but Jen's like, "Nah" and says they'd probably just clash all over again. She adds that there are some people who simply don't fit in one's life anymore, and Shaggy D.A. wryly says she's familiar with that painful reality...and when Jen sheepishly apologizes for unwittingly invoking the pain of her split with Mitch, Shaggy D.A. suggests they put all their worries on the back burner and just enjoy a fun night with good food and lively conversation. Jen beams and says she definitely likes the sound of that idea.

Mitch and Mädchen Amick walk hand-in-hand to the fancy French restaurant they're dining at...which - by scripted coincidence - is the very same one Dawson and Joey enter, a few seconds later. Dawson is bemused when he learns from the host that the Leery party has already been seated...and is aghast when he sees that "the Leery party" is his dad and Mädchen Amick.

Andie's therapist suggests that her unresolved issues about losing Tim caused her brain to conjure up a vision of Abby...but a troubled looking Andie stammers that, upon reflection, she believes she was mistaken about having seen Abby post-death. The therapist hands her her phone number and urges her to call if she feels her 'I see dead people' type anxiety getting worse...'cause if it does, she may need medication so that she can "heal properly" from her deeply-rooted grief over Tim. Andie responds by making it clear that she's not in favor of popping pills on a long-term basis and looks thoroughly bummed by her therapist's assessment.
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Andie climbs into the driver's seat of her car and tells Ghost Tim, who's sitting in the passenger seat, that she couldn't bring herself to come clean to the therapist about their frequent visits and lengthy conversations. Ghost Tim says he likes that it's their little secret - and Andie concurs, tearfully credits him for listening to her in a way that no one else does, then starts freaking out...I'm assuming over the fact that she's having frequent visits and and lengthy conversations with her dead brother. 

While enjoying a cozy evening in front of the fire, Jen asks Shaggy D.A. if she still harbors a faint hope that she and Mitch will get back together. Shaggy D.A. says she's made every effort to reconcile with the dolt, but has concluded that it's really not possible to connive or entice someone into a loving relationship. She says she's been waiting for a clear sign that he's interested, and Jen's like, "Smoke?" ... and when Shaggy D.A. says that smoke signals might be a tad un-subtle, Jen clarifies that she literally smells smoke coming from the kitchen. Shaggy D.A.'s like, "Ack! My pot roast!"

Due to a contrived table shortage at Chez Français, Dawson and Joey are seated with Mitch and Mädchen Amick. Mitch proudly gabbles about Dawson's plan to get an internship in Hollywood this summer, and Mädchen Amick offers to hook him up with her various contacts. A sour-faced Dawson's like, "You mean the ones that'd 'eat me for breakfast'?" and reminds her of the crippling criticism she dished out after being subjected to his shittastic movie, and she sheepishly apologizes for her bitchy review. Dawson refuses to accept her apology and bitterly guffaws about how he's suddenly worthy of an internship now that she's dating his dad, and she half-heartedly retorts that she's a UGE fan of his obvious enthusiasm. An annoyed Joey pulls him aside and asks whassup with him ruining their anniversary dinner by bickering with Mädchen Amick, so he promises to rise above the tension - just as Jen and Shaggy D.A. enter the restaurant...'cause apparently, on this particular evening, it's the only restaurant in town.

While hanging out and studying at Casa McPhee, Andie tells Pacey she's going downstairs to get a drink...and when she enters the kitchen, Ghost Tim snaps at her for being late for his scheduled spiritual visitation. She explains that she doesn't want Pacey to find out that she's having full on conversations with a ghost, and that it's really really hard for her to have both him and Pacey in the house at the same time. Tim issues her an ultimatum by directing her to choose Pacey/reality or him/non-reality...and while that's happening, Pacey browses through one of Andie's old photo albums and then decides to go downstairs to see what's keeping her. As he tip-toes towards the kitchen, he eavesdrops on her argument with Ghost Tim...and when he enters the room and finds it empty, he's all, "Wha-a-at is happening?"

Joey asks Jen what in blazes she and Shaggy D.A. are doing at Chez Français, and Jen's like, "Dunno, dining..?", then points out that maybe having Shaggy D.A. and Mitch under the same roof for the evening isn't such a bad thing. 

Dawson tells Mitch that Shaggy D.A. is dining across the room, and Mitch nods and says he spotted her. Dawson informs him that she's still deciding whether or not to move to Philadelphia, then implores him to let his estranged wife know if there's even a chance he wants to work things out, for the sake of the entire Leery family.

Shaggy D.A. runs into Mädchen Amick in the ladies room and snarkishly says she had planned to snub her all evening, but will take a break from that to haughtily inform her that she's going to let Mitch decide who he wants to spend the evening with.

Andie tells Pacey she wasn't on the phone with anyone just now, then shrieks at him to leave her alone. Pacey tells her her moods have been all over the place ever since Abby's untimely demise and can't help wondering if she's in desperate need of medical help. Andie bristles and snarls, "You had to go there!" and challenges him to break up with her if he finds her so unbearably squirrelly. Pacey calmly replies that he only wants to help her, then says he was leafing through her photo album upstairs and couldn't help noticing that, years ago, she used to sport brown hair...and that he can only assume she deliberately changed her hair so that she'd look the way she did when Tim was alive. Andie violently grabs the photo album from him, knocking over a lamp in the process, and snarls that she's going to bed...and Pacey stares worriedly into space.

Shaggy D.A. tells Jen she's defiantly staying put at the restaurant, and Jen applauds that decision and asks her if, by chance, she and Mitch have a favorite song...and while that's happening, the waiter delivers a bottle of wine, sent anonymously to Mitch's table. Mädchen Amick, meanwhile, is blathering about the importance of a film's quality...and when she wanks Dawson about one day becoming a player in Tinsel Town, Joey calls her out on that load of bullcack by reminding her that she made it very clear she didn't think he had an ounce of filmmaking talent.

Jack returns home and asks Pacey whassup with the broken lamp, so Pacey explains that Andie had a total meltdown when he caught her talking to the kitchen walls. Jack says he too recently eavesdropped on her doing that...and when Pacey reveals that she referenced someone named Brown, Andie suddenly appears on the staircase and explains that Brown was her pet name for Tim. She hastily insists that she's not a total headcase like her mom and that she really truly actually does see Tim and fully believes that he's been paying her regular visits from beyond the grave...and when Pacey and Jack scrunch their faces concernedly, she runs past them and into the nearest bathroom and locks herself inside.

As Mädchen Amick continues to babble self-importantly about the film industry, Joey asks her what she found most lacking in Dawson's movie...so Mädchen Amick stammers that, while a lot of people have lofty filmmaking dreams, very few have the potential to actually make it in Hollywood. Dawson snarlingly points out that she has no business determining the potential of anyone, and Mitch glares at his gal pal and points out that, as a high school teacher, her job is to encourage students to follow their dreams, not completely crush their spirit. Mädchen Amick argues that the real world doesn't work like that...and when Joey calls her a bitter and persnickety cretin, she reacts by huffily leaving the table.

Dawson pulls Joey aside and asks whaddup with all the avoidable bickering, so she informs him that it's all part of Operation Reunite Mitch and Shaggy D.A., and explains that she and Jen have joined forces to get Mädchen Amick to leave the table in order to create an opening for Mitch and Shaggy D.A. to start conversing.

Mitch wanders over to where Shaggy D.A. is sitting and remarks on how coincidental it is that their favorite song is suddenly playing in the background. He then invites her to dance...and Jen, Joey, and Dawson look pleased by the development.
 
Mitch thanks Shaggy D.A. for the bottle of wine...and she's all, "Wuh?" before correctly guessing that Jen and Joey must have sent it over to his table on her behalf and takes the credit. He asks her if she's still considering moving to Philadelphia and laments how difficult her departure will be on Dawson (meaning him), and Shaggy D.A. coyly replies that she'll miss "Dawson". When the song ends, the two wander back to their respective tables...and Mitch finds a miffed looking Mädchen Amick, who somehow decided to still hang around and finish out this wretched dinner date. 

Pacey and Jack beg Andie to open the bathroom door, while Ghost Tim orders Andie to stop sobbing. Andie implores Ghost Tim to go away and shrieks, "You're not real!" before smashing the mirror. Ghost Tim warns Andie that she can't trust anyone but him and instructs her again to choose between Pacey/Jack/reality and him/non-reality, and Andie cries, "I caaaaan't chooooooose!" Pacey overhears this and swiftly urges her to choose him, coos about how special she is on account of she gives so much to everyone, and insists that he and Jack need her a helluva lot more than Ghost Tim does. Andie mulls that over, decides 'yep, that sounds right', and slowly opens the door, and Pacey pulls her into a hug and breathes a huge sigh of relief.

After Andie has been put to bed, Jack tells Pacey he thinks he should call his dad and inform him of the alarming situation 'cause he's pretty sure that Andie is going to need 'round-the-clock therapy and some pretty powerful meds. He recalls that the same thing happened to his mom after Tim was killed...but because she didn't get the help she needed right away, she was abandoned to create a false reality for herself to cope with the loss. Pacey silently mulls that over and agrees that calling Pa McPhee is probably the right thing to do.

Shaggy D.A. thanks Jen for an entertaining evening, and happily says that dancing with Mitch made her realize that she can never truly let him go. She adds that she's pretty sure he feels the exact same way...but then glances toward the nearby dock and sees Mitch caressing Mädchen Amick's cheek before leaning in for a tender smooch. Ouch. Shaggy D.A. reacts by staring despondently into space for several seconds, then rushes off.  

Joey and Dawson are floating on a rowboat, discussing the possibility of "closing the deal" to seal their romantic one-month anniversary at Chez Français. A hopeful Dawson says, "The night is still young", which Joey counters with, "So are we", but assures him that she's strongly considering the possibility of the two of them maybe hopefully hitting the sheets one day. Dawson seems satisfied enough with that answer, gives her several long smooches, then begins rowing her home.

Andie wakes up and finds Pacey hovering by her bedside. She apologizes for her mental break and says how sad she is that this is happening to her. Pacey assures her she'll be fine once she gets the right medication, but she wails, "What if I'm not?!" and tells him she's soooooo scared. Pacey admits he is as well, but quickly assures her she won't lose him...and the two exchange I love yous and gently canoodle as the camera slowly pans out.

Recap: Following the wedding reception, Joey and Dawson smoochily stroll over to Casa Leery. Dawson implores Joey to not over-analyze their re-connection - as would be her natural tendency - then invites her to climb up the ladder leading to his bedroom. Joey smilingly decides 'sure, why the hell not?' ... and when they find a tearful Jen sitting on Dawson's bed, they ask her whassup with her being here at this time of night. She mumblingly replies that she and Abby had been drinking on the docks when Abby fell and hit her head, then took a fatal plunge into the water below. An incredulous Joey and Dawson are all, "Wha-a-a-a?", and Joey sits beside Jen and puts a comforting arm around her shoulders.

The next morning, a morose Joey is staring at photos of her mom when her dad enters the room and asks whassup with all the sad reminiscing. Joey explains that a fellow classmate died last night, and the unexpected death got her thinking about her own deceased loved one. She then abruptly says she doesn't have time to talk about it anymore 'cause she has to go get ready for school.

Jen arrives at school and is immediately aware that everyone is openly gawking at her in morbid curiosity.
​
A grief counsellor is leading a session with a group of students sitting in a circle. She asks Jen if she'd like to share her feelings regarding Abby’s untimely demise...and when Jen gives her a sullen no, she puts Andie in the hot seat. Andie BSes about what an incredible spirit Abby had and how she was "very alive" before the tragedy - which, technically, was true enough - and Jen contorts her face into an expression of disgust before getting up and storming out of the classroom.

Joey joins Dawson in the cafeteria, and both agree 1) to again not over-analyze their re-connection, and 2) that they completely despised Abby, and have no problem acknowledging that even after she's dead. Joey declares that she's not planning to attend the funeral 'cause it'd remind her too much of her mom's death...which she admits she hasn't fully dealt with, as is evidenced by her refusal to visit the poor woman's gravesite. She explains that part of her is still waiting for her mom's return, so that her "death" will have been a cosmic error that's been corrected. Dawson furrows his brows and points out that that's a child's false hope which eventually she needs to let go of - but Joey's like, "Nope, don't wanna" and tells Dawson he can't fathom what it's like to lose a parent [at least yet].

Andie finds Jen in the ladies room and asks her if she's OK, and Jen grumbles about how sickening it is to watch everyone at Capeside High pretend to have been friends with Abby, despite Abby not actually having friends. Andie blurts out, "Because she was a bitch!", and Jen's like, "Exactly!" and chides Andie for not trashing her in front of the grief counsellor just now. Andie explains to the dimwit that she doesn't like the idea of publicly maligning a dead person, and Jen nonsensically argues that it isn't maligning if the trash-talk is true, then complains about how everyone is treating her like a celebrity just 'cause she was with Abby when she fell ass-backwards into the sea. She caps off the rant by blaming Andie for the accident 'cause she had kicked the two of them out of the wedding reception they crashed, which I guess gave Jen and Abby no choice but to guzzle booze on a rickety dock with not high enough rails.

Shaggy D.A. informs Dawson that she's been offered a job as a network correspondent in Philadelphia, and that she's super thrilled 'cause she's worked very hard for years to get such a high-profile gig. Dawson scrunches his face concernedly and says he has zero desire to move to Philadelphia, and Shaggy D.A. hastily says she would never dream of uprooting him from Capeside and hopes that maybe Mitch would be willing to move back in and parent him until he's a fully functioning adult. She sadly admits that since Mitch has no interest in their marriage, she's pretty much dunzo barking up that tree.

Grams finds Jen laying in bed and says she's worried about her, and Jen assures her that she's fine, just tired. Grams admits that Abby wasn't exactly her favorite person in the world and always got the sense she was mocking her, and Jen chuckles and confirms that, yep, she was mocking her all right...but that since she was such a malevolent turd, she treated everyone with the same level of disdain. Grams laments God's decision to take someone who was so young and remarks on how he works in mysterious ways, and Jen gets all prickly and says she's in no mood for any kind of religious discussion on the matter.

At a downtown eatery, Pacey tells Andie she can't possibly blame herself for Abby's death, not least 'cause she was "a hideous creature" who she (Andie) repeatedly tried to befriend. A few seconds later, Abby's mom walks into the eatery, recognizes Andie, and asks her if she wouldn't mind saying a few words at her daughter's funeral. Andie assures her she'd love to... but once Ma Morgan is out of earshot, Andie stares at Pacey in horror and wonders aloud what in blazes she's just gotten herself into.

Andie and Pacey arrive at Abby's house for a pre-funeral memorial. Andie says she wants to do her best to honor Abby's memory truthfully yet respectfully...and decrees that in order to do all that, she needs to see her late frenemy's bedroom.

​Jen has returned to the scene of Abby's demise, and is guzzling booze and angrily tossing flowers from the RIP wreaths into the water.

While wandering around Abby's bedroom, Andie tells Pacey that the room feels as though it's waiting for Abby to return. She rummages around and finds Abby's diary and decides 'why not sneak a peek?' ... and proceeds to read aloud snarky passages about how "that slut Jen" stole her boyfriend, how much she hates her own mother, and that she (Andie) is a psycho. Pacey grabs the diary from her, says he can't bear to hear anymore, and suggests they head downstairs to join the rest of the mourners.  

Over at Capeside High, Dawson tells Mitch about Shaggy D.A.'s job offer in Philadelphia, and Mitch just stares blankly into space for a few seconds before saying that he'll have to congratulate her on this notable achievement. Dawson's all, "That's it?" and says he's irked that that's all he's willing to do for his soon-to-be ex-wife.

At the Ice House, Jack suddenly realizes that he's probably the last person Abby ever smooched. Joey nods and replies, "She went out with a bang!", and the two chuckle about Abby's attempt to turn Jack hetero...or, at the very least, confuse him with her flirtitude.

Dawson is watching footage of Abby from his movie when Pacey enters the classroom. He tells Dawson that Ma Morgan asked Andie to give a eulogy at Abby's wedding, then remarks on how weird it is that his latest movie features a now dead girl.
​
Grams is cooking dinner when Jen returns home, and she haughtily tells her granddaughter she can smell the booze on her breath. She chides Jen for masking her grief with alcohol and warns that binge-drinking can only make things worse. Jen explains that she was boozing it up to numbly remember all the good times she had with Abby, then jokes that the troll is probably in hell right now, doing shooters with Satan. Grams reminds her of her belief that God has a special place in heaven for deceased children, and Jen rails about how there's no God, heaven, or peace...and that her "Sunday school fables" are making her wanna puke. When Grams patiently says she's merely trying to be understanding, Jen bellows, "Are you sick of me yet?" [uh, if Grams isn't, I definitely am] and proposes moving out if she's going to be shackled from speaking her mind. As Grams mulls over that attractive prospect, Jen bitchily stomps upstairs.   

Over breakfast, Joey tells her dad she can no longer get a clear picture of her mom 'cause her image is slowly fading away, and Pa Potter nods sympathetically and says that while he was languishing in prison he felt so much guilt for cheating on his cancer-stricken late wife, then tells Joey she's a lot like her: tough, independent, funny,  stubborn...and, presumably, obnoxiously miserable every moment of every day.

While walking along the beach, Andie tells Pacey she has no idea how to eulogize Abby, and has no real desire to go the honest route and shock/devastate her mother. Pacey offers to take the burden off of her shoulders by delivering the speech on her behalf, but Andie says she doesn't want him to regard her as "a helpless lunatic" who can't take care of herself, and vows to cobble together something reasonably appropriate to say.
​
Funeral Day. Inside the chapel, Andie psychs herself up to deliver the eulogy, while Joey makes a surprise appearance and seats herself next to Dawson. Grams arrives and tells Jen she forgives her for acting like such a selfish little shitbag earlier, and Jen dickishly retorts that she's looking for understanding not forgiveness, and doubts that she's capable of offering that.

The minister starts the ceremony and invites anyone who's interested to share their memories of Abby to step forward. Jen decides 'why not use this opportunity to express my disdain for Abby's many deficiencies in front of her entire family?' and goes to the front of the chapel and describes Abby's personality as toxic, as in the radio active variety. She describes Abby as "cruel, spiteful, and petty", and someone who enjoyed stirring up trouble and taking pleasure in others' pain. She then wonders aloud that if God really, truly, actually made Abby in his image, what this says about God...and concludes that Abby was good for one thing: teaching her the sadistic nature of God. As everyone stares at her with open-mouthed WTF? expressions, she returns to her pew, where Grams shoots her a really squinty stink-eye before storming out of the church. As Ma Morgan looks as if she might suffer a total emotional meltdown, Andie hastily gets up to balance out Jen's eulogy-turned-roast with some far kinder remarks.

Andie describes Abby not as a person who had ever given her comfort in life, but as someone who cuntishly challenged her by pushing her to the breaking point. She credits Abby for unwittingly giving her more strength than she thought she could ever have...and the mourners look touched by her round-about way of concurring that, yep, Abby was a hateful troll-child throughout her short life. After a few more minutes of half-hearted wankery, Andie wraps up her eulogy by referring to Abby as "a one-of-a-kind" who will always hold a special place in her heart.

During the burial portion of the ceremony, Abby's schoolmates place flowers atop the coffin, including a now sheepish looking Jen. 

Dawson tells Joey he suddenly realizes how fleeting life is, and that he doesn't want to die regretting taking action in his life. He tells her again how very happy he is about their re-connection, and Joey responds by kissing him and asking him if he'd walk her someplace she's been avoiding for the last three years. 

Andie finds Jen sitting alone beside Abby's coffin and joins her. Jen apologizes for blaming her for Abby's fatal accident and says, in fact, she blames herself for egging Abby on to drunkenly party on the docks. As well she should. She also regrets the bitchy rant she blurted out at the chapel 'cause she feels especially bad about angering Grams - but Andie points out that her speech was truthful to Abby's general nastiness, then reveals that she kept a diary that would probably really upset her mom if she were to find it.

Dawson escorts Joey to her mom's gravesite...and Joey tearfully lays down some flowers and tells Dawson she hopes her mom is happy, wherever she is. 

Jen arrives home and is stunned to see that Grams has packed up her things and tossed them onto the front porch. When Jen's all, "Wha-a-a-at is happening?!", Grams rails at her for thumbing her nose at her faith, repeatedly taking her pain out on her, and never once considering that she (Jen) could maybe offer understanding to her (Grams) once in a fucking while considering everything she's done for her since Season 1. She snappishly tells Jen she'd be better off living with someone she respects, then storms into the house and slams the door on her. Ouch. And hurray for Grams!!

Andie sneaks into the Morgan house, tiptoes upstairs, and quickly retrieves Abby's diary. In the process, she sees a vision of Abby smirking at her in the mirror, and when she whirls around, there's no one there...which causes her to stare into space with a haunted, freaked out expression.

Recap: Shaggy D.A. has just finished watching Dawson's new film, and she wanks him about how "impressive, moving, funny, and real" she found his dreck to be. Dawson grumbles that she's only saying that 'cause she's his mom, and that he had a vision for the film that maybe didn't translate so well on the big screen. He frets, "What if I can never make a good film?", and Shaggy D.A. half-heartedly urges him to stay tenacious and not let someone's negative opinion of his work derail his filmmaking dreams. She then changes the subject to Mitch and asks if he's enjoying his new job, and Dawson shrugs and says that the dolt seems to like being Capeside High's newest faculty member.

Over at Casa Potter, Mike is making breakfast when Joey ambles into the room. He tells her how glad he is to be home again, and assures her that he's not going anywhere. A smiling Bessie enters the room and informs Joey that she and Mike stayed up late brainstorming about how to expand the Ice House's profits, and decided to fill in for a cancelled caterer at her friend's wedding this weekend. Joey's all, "Wha-a-a?" and expresses deep concern about them being capable of successfully pulling off a big catering job - but Mike coos at her to not worry so much, then hugs her and gushes about how awesome it is that they're suddenly a family again.

At school, Joey tells Jack about the catering gig, and he too expresses doubt that the Ice House can seamlessly make the transition from Yokeltown eatery to wedding caterer, then says she must be thrilled to have her ex-con daddy back in the house. Joey says it's nice, though kinda weird...and that she can't just pick up where they left off three years ago, and is very very anxious that the Potters are going to screw the pooch on the upcoming catering gig. She worriedly wrings her hands about how excited Bessie is about Pa Potter's return and doesn't want to rain on her parade, and Jack's like, "OK, well whatevs" and says he'd be happy to pitch in this weekend as a wedding caterer waiter.

Dawson tells Pacey he's going to re-edit his movie 'cause he's questioning whether he "put the pieces together wrong" ... which I'm guessing is the least of the film's problems. He then glances across the school lawn and looks less than thrilled to see his dad gabbing with his hot new gal pal, Mädchen Amick. A few seconds later, Jack bounds over to tell them that..

1. Pa Potter is out of prison and living at Casa Potter
2. The Ice House is catering a wedding this weekend
3. There's $60 in it for each of them if they want to work as wedding caterer waiters

Jen finds Abby primping in the ladies room and apologizes for the snarkitude she dished out at her during their falling out earlier in the season (however much Abby totally had it coming). Jen laments never fully being accepted by the Capeside crowd, and that she's finally come to the realization that the most fun she's had during Season 2 were their contrived adventures. A flattered looking Abby says that that's possibly the nicest thing anyone's ever said to her, declares their bad blood water under the bridge, and agrees that they should totes hang together this weekend.

Pacey proposes to Andie that they combine their caterer waiter earnings to enjoy a special evening out on the town. Andie grumbles that she absolutely haaaaaates weddings, as well as the general notion of marriage 'cause it's an antiquated institution that's designed to set people up to fail. Pacey's all, "Say wuh?" and suggests she stick to him during the wedding so that she can see first-hand what a beautiful thing marriage can be...and bets that if she doesn't change her mind 'bout that, he'll give her his caterer waiter earnings. Andie's all, "Boring wager accepted!"

Dawson drops by the Ice House, warmly greets Mike, and says he'll be more than happy to help out at the wedding. When Mike heads back into the kitchen, Dawson asks Joey how she's handling her dad's unexpected release from prison, and she tells him that Jack has been coaching her through it, then hastily adds that she only turned to Jack when she couldn't immediately track him (Dawson) down. The two then overhear two catty women gossiping about Mike Potter's sordid history as a drug dealing philanderer...and Joey scrunches her face in frustrated irksomeness before rushing off.

Wedding Day! Dawson stares worriedly at Joey and asks her if she's OK, and she assures him she's fine, and that she's directing all of her energy into serving delicious Ice House food to the wedding guests.

Shaggy D.A. arrives at the wedding as a guest and asks Dawson if she's seen Mitch, who apparently is also a friend of the bride or groom. She then smugly announces that she's going to do her best to win him back, and Dawson smiles happily - but his smile quickly fades when Mitch arrives with a sleek looking Mädchen Amick on his arm.

Andie is railing to Pacey about the stupidity of weddings and how she has no intention of even witnessing the ceremony. As she rants about the general dysfunction of most marriages, she flails her arm about and knocks over the top layer of the cake...and a few seconds later, Joey enters the room, sees the cake mess on the floor, and shoots Pacey and Andie the stink-eye. 

Dawson finds Pam (the bride) in a room by herself, hyperventilating and wailing about how tempted she is to do that stupid TV tropey thing where brides suddenly realize, a minute before the wedding's supposed to take place, that they're not actually sure they can go through with it, and then dramatically flee the venue while decked out in a billowy white gown. When a stunned Dawson's all, "Wha-a-a-a?", she babbles about how she's suddenly unsure if she loves the groom and worries that marrying him could be the biggest mistake of her life. 

Over at Casa Lindley, Jen and Abby dance around Jen's bedroom...then admit that they're bored senseless. Jen suggests going somewhere tonight where they can have "a blast", and Abby agrees and specifies that she wants this blast to include booze and boys. Jen tells her that the entire Capeside gang is catering a fancy wedding that no one thought to invite them to, and Abby's all, "We have to crash it!" and Jen says she definitely likes the sound of that ill-thought-out idea.

Jack asks Dawson whassup with the bride holding up the ceremony, so Dawson explains how freaked out she is about getting married to a man she worries may not be the one. Jack offers to talk to her...and when they go into the room where Dawson found her, they find it empty - but then breathe a sigh of relief when they see that she hasn't fled through the window, but has merely locked herself in the bathroom.

A frazzled Joey freaks out to Bessie about what a disaster the food is, and nervously natters that she has no idea where their pa is, that Jack and Dawson too have disappeared, and Andie broke the wedding cake. Bessie urges her to calm down, assures her that everything is under control, and that the hastily thrown together Ice House Catering Company can successfully feed the wedding guests. Joey nonsensically rails that their pa can't expect to put their family back together after so dickishly breaking it apart with his infidelity and drug dealing...then glances over at the doorway, where Mike Potter is standing, looking visibly hurt by the rant he's just overheard.  

After urging Pam to emerge from the bathroom so that everyone can go on with the wedding (or not), Jack opens the door and finds the bride perched atop the toilet, wringing her hands about whether or not her husband-to-be is her soulmate. Jack points out that everyone is flawed, no love is perfect, and that she'd be short-sighted if she walked away from "something real" when the perfect thing doesn't even exist. Pam mulls that over for a few seconds and decides 'I guess I can marry the dumb lug after all!' 

Pam is walked up the aisle by her father while Shaggy D.A. and Mitch exchange pensive, troubled looking glances...and Joey and Dawson grin at each other.

Pam thanks Jack for saving her life, credits him with being right about the 'no love is perfect' platitude, and realizes she's suddenly sooooo happy to now be Mrs. Whatever Her Husband's Name Is. Dawson good-naturedly tells Jack he's a tad miffed that he was able to successfully counsel the woman in a matter of minutes after his efforts failed, and Jack just shrugs modestly and says he was merely able to say something that resonated with her. He then assures Dawson that he is, indeed, Joey's soulmate...and that if he can't quite connect to her, he needs to keep pressing ahead and force that connection.

Pam tries to get a look at her wedding cake, but is blocked by a panicked Andie, who tells her it's bad luck. Pam seems satisfied with being barred from going anywhere near the cake and remarks on how the cake's top layer is the most important layer of all, 'cause it's the one that couples eat on their anniversary. Once she's out of earshot, Andie urges Pacey to continue trying to fix the cake, and in exchange is willing to concede that marriage is the world's most romantic institution.

Joey finds her dad in the kitchen, working on the rest of the food prep. He tells her they're pretty much all caught up, and a pleasantly surprised Joey gushes about how amaaaaaazing everything looks. He sheepishly confesses that he didn't spend a single second considering how his sudden prison release might affect her, and concurs that he really has no business expecting everything to magically feel normal now that he's free, blah blah... I'm really starting to find their 'we can't just resume being a family again' conversations tedious and [spoiler] am kinda looking forward to his swift return to prison. 

Shaggy D.A. asks Dawson who Mitch's tart is, so he explains that Mädchen Amick is a fellow teacher at Capeside High - just as the two wander over to say hey. Shaggy D.A. hastily slinks off as Dawson shoots his dad the stink-eye and tells him it was douchey to bring a date to a wedding he knew Shaggy D.A. would be at...and Mitch argues that he enjoys spending time with Mädchen Amick and adds that he had no intention of putting him in the middle of their marital strife. Dawson bitterly retorts that that's exactly what happens when he decides to date one of his teachers, then storms off.

Jen grumbles to Abby about the lack of cute guys at this wedding - just as Andie stomps over to berate them for crashing a private wedding. Jen suggests to Abby that they head over to the boardwalk and come back when everyone has loosened up after a few glasses of booze...and on her way out, Abby grabs a full bottle of wine and cackles at her gumption. 

​Dawson finds a tearful Joey in the kitchen and asks her whassup, and she tells him she has a lingering fear of getting her heart broken again by her ex-con father. Dawson says it's perfectly natural to be wary of the crimes Pa Potter is likely to re-commit in the near future, then gushes about the inner strength she's demonstrated for the last three years despite all the cunty gossip she's had to eavesdrop on from judgemental Capesiders. He tells her she has nothing to be ashamed of, and isn't alone 'cause she now has her sister and her dad in her life - plus she'll always have him. Joey thanks him for the kind words and gives him a grateful hug.

As the wedding wraps up, Joey happily tells her dad it all went smoothly, and that she's proud of him being able to hold his head high despite his infidelity and drug dealing that got everyone in Capeside gossiping behind their backs for the last several years. She squeaks, "I love you" and tells him she's glad he's home and that she'd now like to show him off in front of all the petty gossipers - but he tells her he isn't ready and needs to take things slow.

Pacey wheels out the wedding cake he somehow expertly repaired despite the top layer being a pile of mush after Andie sent it hurtling to the floor. The bride and groom start feeding it to each other...and Andie looks moved by the romantic spectacle while Pacey stares over at her in smug satisfaction.

Over on the docks, Jen and Abby climb to the top level, giggling and swigging from the bottle of wine. Abby drunkenly rambles about how unhappy she is wherever she is, then suddenly stumbles and hits her head on a wooden beam. Jen reacts by laughing heartily, which annoys Abby, who unwisely seats herself onto the top edge of the dock, then promptly loses her balance and topples backwards and into the dark water below. A horrified Jen's all, "OMG! Abbbbbbbyyyyy!!" and jumps in after her in an attempt to rescue her friend. 

Back at the wedding reception, Pacey invites Andie to dance, and she accepts and admits that he was right about weddings being sacred, romantic affairs. Elsewhere, Dawson sees Shaggy D.A. sitting at a table by herself looking glum, so he wanders over and asks her to dance. He tries to buoy her spirit by giving her the same advice she gave him about his poorly reviewed movie: stay tenacious and don't let anyone derail what you want outa life. 

Joey tells Jack she's very glad the wedding is over, and is extremely relieved that the Ice House was able to deliver tasty food to the guests. A few seconds later, Mike Potter enters the room, looking well groomed and spiffy in a fancy suit. He hands Joey a rose and asks her to dance, and she happily accepts...and Bessie enters the room a few seconds later and looks on happily. Mike then spots Dawson dancing with his ma and tells Joey there's probably someone who really really wants to dance with her...and the two couples swap partners so that Joey and Dawson can stare deeply into each others' eyes and exchange I love yous.

Back at the dock, first responders have managed to fish Abby out of the water, and zip her grisly looking corpse into a body bag before transporting her to the morgue. A sobbing Jen stands in the street, wrapped in a blanket, staring after the ambulance.

Recap: After watching Dawson's new movie at Casa Leery, an emotionally overcome Joey tells Dawson that this brilliant work of art has fundamentally changed the way she looks at life, and is prompting her to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about the world. As Dawson grins joyously, Joey natters about how proud Jack should feel for his geniusness in directing such a gem, and a bewildered Dawson's all, "Wha-a-a?" - just as Jack climbs into his bedroom through the window, announces that Steven Spielberg just offered him a job, and that he's off to California to live his dream of becoming a Hollywood filmmaker. He then gets down on one knee and proposes to Joey...and when Dawson points out that he recently came out of the closet, Jack decides he's not very gay after all and climbs out of the window with his new fiancée. Dawson implores Joey not to leave him, but she tells him he's not her type and never was...and Dawson yells, "Noooooo!!" as he wakes from the nightmare, alone in his bedroom.

After the opening credits, Dawson and Jen are at the tail end of film class, which is now being taught by film industry guru Mädchen Amick for the next several episodes. Dawson gushes to Jen about how much he loooooves being taught by a Hollywood insider - but when Jen suggests he invite Mädchen Amick to a private screening of his new movie, he says he's not sure he's ready [for the kind of crippling criticism she rather dickishly unloads onto him later in the episode]. A few seconds later, the two run into Mitch, who's now a member of Capeside High's faculty...and Dawson makes it clear how embarrassing he finds it that his dad is suddenly the school's new English teacher. He then yawns and explains that he's not getting enough sleep 'cause he keeps having nightmares about the hopeless dullness of his life...except for the one thing he does have control over: pursuing a career as a filmmaker. 

Joey is sitting in the cafeteria with Jack, rating the guys standing in the lunch line...and coming to the conclusion that they're mostly undatable. When Jack refuses to engage in her ratings game, Joey moans about how boooooooored she is with school, her job, and herself...then assures him she's A-OK with their relationship taking a hard turn into platonic territory now that his sexual orientation status has shifted to gay.
​
While wandering downtown, hand in hand, Andie reminds Pacey about the upcoming fair and how eager she is to get some face time with the fortune teller. She then tells Pacey he should volunteer to run the Police Safety Booth with his stuffed animal sidekick Captain Skippy...and whispers - too quietly for viewers to hear - that if he does, she'll reward him by blowing him (or something). 

Fair day! Joey is hanging up her artwork in her booth and telling Jack how much she misses their hetero smoochfests. Jack assures her it'll eventually happen for her again - this time with a straight dude - just as Dawson appears out of nowhere and asks, "What'll happen?" When Joey breezily mumbles, "Nuthin'", Dawson says he's off to help Mädchen Amick with the sound exhibit, then dejectedly shuffles off. Jack remarks to Joey that lately Dawson seems more moody than usual, then urges her to consult with the fortune teller to learn when she can expect her next kiss.

Pacey tells Andie he has zero interest in having his fortune told 'cause he doesn't want to hear a prediction about how horribly his life is going to turn out. Andie points out that if he knows for sure that he's headed towards a horrible outcome he can at least be prepared, but he's like, "Nope, still not interested."   

The fortune teller, who goes by the name Madame Zenovich, charges Joey $5 to tell her that someone with a C in his/her name has great importance to her, and can sense that there's been a huge loss in her life, and that she's used it as an excuse to exclude herself from experiencing new adventures. Madame Zenovich then warns Joey that she'll soon come to a fork in the road and advises her to simply follow her heart, then adds that a tall dark man is about to enter her life.

Mädchen Amick asks Dawson when she's going to see his moving pictures masterpiece, then explains that Mitch has been endlessly bragging about it in the Capeside High faculty lounge. A red-faced Dawson says that his dad tends to grossly exaggerate his ability to cobble together a film that anyone would ever consider worth watching, then says he's sooooo jazzed and inspired to be conversing with a true film expert...and would be thrilled if she were to watch his film and give him an honest critique.

Joey grumbles to Jack about how annoyed she is for wasting $5 on a fortune teller who lamely predicted that she's going to meet a tall dark stranger - just as she spots a tall dark stranger inside her booth, perusing her art. The hottie introduces himself as Colin Manchester and compliments her artistic ability before sexily sashaying off. As Joey stares after him, looking visibly intrigued, Jack tells her this is a clear sign that she's about to get that much-anticipated smooch, then urges her to move things forward by making a flirty play for Colin.

Jen is helping Grams set up her booth filled with knitted goods when she spots an old man staring over at them. A few seconds later, he ambles over...and Grams is all, "Whit Hubley! I thought you were dead!" - LOL - and he remarks that, yep, it's been over thirty years since they've seen one another. He then invites her out to dinner...and when she declines, he tells her she knows where to find him if she changes her mind.

Joey stops by Colin Manchester's photography booth and gushes over his obvious talent...and when he invites her to join him for a cup of hot chocolate, she eager accepts.

Dawson is hanging with Mädchen Amick in the sound exhibit and summons the courage to ask her if she'd be willing to watch his film right now and give him some feedback, and she looks all into that idea and says she'd be more than happy to [sit through two hours of his amateur dreck before mercilessly crushing his teenage spirit].

Colin tells Joey she's so unbelievably hot, and that few faces can express the many emotions that are clearly swirling throughout her tiny brain. As she girlishly blushes, he reaches out to touch her lips and mutter, "Mmm, sensuous.." then gets all earnest when he asks her if she'd be willing to let him ... [pause for effect] ... photograph her! Joey visibly deflates at the non-kissing related request while simultaneously scrunching her face in puzzlement and mumbling, "Uh, OK."

Whit Hubley wanders over to Grams' booth carrying a rose and asks her once again to have dinner with him. Grams hems and haws before agreeing...then looks overwhelmed by the sudden male attention she's getting, and - once Whit is out of earshot - tells Jen she assumed that after Gramps's corpse had finally been wheeled out of her house, the 'romance part' of her life was over. When she laments how old she looks and feels these days, Jen suggests a fun makeover.

Pacey is performing a 'safety tips' ventriloquist schtick with his stuffed animal sidekick Captain Skippy for a group of unimpressed group of kids, one of whom snarls that he's a smelly jerk. LOL. That he is, kid. That he is.

Madame Zenovich is reading Andie's palm when she suddenly looks alarmed by the misery she [accurately] predicts in Andie's near future. Minutes later, Andie exits the tent looking visibly distraught...and she brusquely tells Pacey she's off for a solitary walk so that she can stew over Madame Zenovich's bad news in private.

Joey tells Jack that Colin wants to photograph her (in private) after the fair, and a concerned Jack says he insists on accompanying her in case this handsome stranger turns out to be a deranged serial killer.
​
Mädchen Amick is enduring a screening of Dawson's film and looking less than impressed by the drivel she's seeing.

Jen is coloring Grams' hair in the kitchen sink and razzing her about bringing contraceptives along on her date. She then says that Whit Hubley seems like a cool enough guy, and Grams nods while commenting that she's still very nervous about the whole thing.

Joey is in Colin's studio, and goes through various outfit changes as he snaps away with his camera while barking instructions how how she should pose...and an enthusiastic Jack bounces around and gets in on that action. When she shoot finally wraps, Joey motions at Jack to disappear, and Colin stares at her in fascination and calls her "a born diva", but then doesn't make any kind of move to kiss her.

Now that the grey has been washed out of Grams' hair, Jen helps her pick out a suitable outfit for her dinner date...but Grams just stares into the mirror, looking transfixed by the new brunette her.

An irritated Pacey confronts Madame Zenovich about scaring the bejeezus out of Andie and asking why she can't just say something positive about her future. An unfazed Madame Zenovich shrugs and says it wouldn't be the truth, then chides him for wearing a mask to the world to hide his fear of everything, then remarks that his fake bravado is "resting on a house of cards". Pacey reacts by shooting the Madame the stink-eye and angrily stalking off while she grins evilly to herself.

Colin leans in close to Joey and says that he has something to ask her...then inquires about whether or not Jack is dating anyone. 

A fully deflated Joey returns to her art booth and reports to Jack that Colin is a confirmed gay man. When Jack's all, "Wha-a-a-a? Gayyyyy?", Joey says that he really needs to acquire better gaydar - as does she, clearly - then reveals that she agreed to a set-up between him and Colin later. Jack's all, "Wha-a-a-a?" and makes it clear that he has zero interest in hooking up with the handsome photographer.

After the screening, Mädchen Amick tells Dawson that his shitpile of a film is a "completely uninspired" soap opera featuring a bunch of boring teenagers who solely communicate with implausibly over-engineered dialogue that offers nothing of value to viewers. As an ashen-faced Dawson stares back at her with a look of dejected devastation, she acknowledges that rejection is tough - but that he's just the sort of sweet guy that Hollywood likes to eat for breakfast. I find it interesting/bizarre/continually baffling that the Dawson's Creek writers seem painfully self-aware of the implausible sounding teen dialogue they incorporate into pretty much every script...yet stubbornly continue to churn the same kind of shit out, season after season.

Jack apologizes to Joey for overreacting about being set up with Colin, then explains that he's not yet 100% ready to move forward as an out-of-the-closet individual. Joey assures him that they have a lifetime of adventures to look forward to, and he agrees that there's plenty of time for each of them to receive kisses. The two then sit next to each other and put their arms around one another.

A glum Dawson notices his dad getting into a car with Mädchen Amick, then glances over at Joey, who's happily hugging Jack after selling one of her paintings. Dawson contorts his face into an expression of extreme hang-doggishness before dejectedly shuffling off.

Pacey implores Andie to tell him what happened with Madame Zenovich, but she just frets about how the troubles of her past are a mere preview of what's to come. Pacey tells her she probably shouldn't take the word of a $5 fortune teller so seriously and points out that her future is likely to be amaaaaazing, but she sadly says she can't bring herself to believe that.

Joey breaks the news to Colin that Jack isn't coming 'cause he wasn't actually interested in being set up...and that she regrets accepting the invitation on his behalf. Colin says he totally understands, and that it's probably for the best, given that he's currently on the rebound and is mostly just trying to fill a void in his life. Joey asks why he and his fella broke up, and Colin says he can't actually remember, but that he now wishes he hadn't been in such a hurry to move forward with dating a dude so soon after coming out of the closet. He then leans in, kisses Joey's cheek, and bids her good night.

Jen finds Grams sitting by the dock and asks whassup with her not being on her dinner date...and when Grams ruefully replies that Whit cancelled 'cause his wife wasn't feeling well, Jen's all, "Wha-a-a-a? Wife?", Grams assures her she's A-OK about nearly going out with a two-timer, not least 'cause she feels wonderful after her makeover and realizes that she needs to be more open about meeting new people, making friends, and maybe even hitting the sheets with a future lover.

Dawson runs into Madame Zenovich and says he'd like her to read his fortune, so she looks at a tarot card and predicts many lovers in his future - but then adds that a soulmate walks in his path, one who apparently can see into his soul. Dawson bitterly says that this "soulmate" dumped him like yesterday's news during The Dance episode - but Madame Zenovich insists that "what is lost can be found again". Dawson mulls that over, looks encouraged by her words, and pulls out his wallet to pay her the $5 fortune telling fee - but when he turns around again, she has mysteriously disappeared.

Dawson is in his bedroom, brooding and staring at the model of Capeside he used during the filming of his latest movie. He angrily smashes it onto the floor - just as Joey approaches the house and stares longingly up at his bedroom window. As she's doing that, Dawson picks up the phone, but then changes his mind and puts the phone back onto its cradle and shuts off the lights...and this prompts Joey to sadly turn around, and walk back to the creek to row home. When she arrives at her house, she's startled to see a man standing on her porch, and when she demands to know who's there, he turns around and reveals himself to be Mike Potter, aka her felonious father.

Recap: At Casa Leery, Dawson freaks out to Pacey about how he's about to turn sixteen in a few minutes, and that he's still the whiny loser he was a year ago, which...well d'yuh. Pacey half-heartedly tells him that that's not true - but Dawson continues to rail about how everyone but him is growing up and moving on while he remains in the exact same place he was in a year ago. Pacey's like, "OK, whatever, just try to enjoy your birthday" while Dawson wrings his hands about being stagnant in his life, which he now believes is the reason Joey dumped him for a gay guy. Pacey urges him to figure out what he wants out of life and make it happen, and Dawson says that what he wants is to win Joey back. %$#@!

Mitch drops by Casa Leery to cook Dawson his traditional birthday breakfast, much to the surprise of both Dawson and Shaggy D.A. Mitch serves Dawson his birthday meal, then asks Shaggy D.A. to head out to the porch with him so they can discuss birthday present stuff. Shaggy D.A. tells him it's a bit late, given that today is Dawson's birthday, and smugly informs him that she bought their son a Ford Explorer. Mitch clucks disapprovingly and calls that "a big decision" that they should have made together - but Shaggy D.A. asks what the point of that would be since he has no cash. A few feet away, Dawson is trying to enjoy his birthday breakfast, but is unable to avoid eavesdropping on his parents' bitchy argument.

Over at the the Ice House, Pacey and Joey are going over their plans to successfully implement Dawson's surprise birthday party, which will take place at Casa Leery. As Jack spacily wanders past, Pacey discreetly asks Joey how that awkwardness is going, and Joey rolls her eyes about how everyone keeps asking her that, then admits that while she's still shocked about Jack abruptly switching teams, she's doing A-OK.
​
Abby and a couple of snooty looking gal pals - Tracy and Kelly - arrive at the Ice House for lunch...and when Jack brings them menus, Tracy and Kelly marvel at his courage in coming out of the closet by reading a gay poem to his English class. Abby concurs, but then calls it "a waste" given that he's a total babe, and Jack snarkishly calls her Satan before storming off. Abby chases after him to apologize and acknowledge that they've gotten off on the wrong foot, then points out, "Sometimes people can surprise you" and saucily adds that he should know all 'bout that...and Jack responds by staring back at her with an inscrutable expression before turning and sauntering off.

Andie is at her first therapy session, telling Dr. Sumner she's the glue that's been holding her fragile family together, the side effect of which has been some serious panic attacks. Dr. Sumner remarks on how overwhelming that must have been and asks Andie to articulate what she wants out out life, so Andie says she'd looooove to rid herself of her constant worries, just "sail through life", and not give a hoot what anyone thinks of her. Dr. Sumner chews on that for a few seconds, then prescribes "one night of imperfection", and Andie stares concernedly into space as she mulls over that prospect.

Bessie dismisses Joey from her Ice House shift early so she can head over to Casa Leery and help get everything ready for Dawson's surprise party. Joey self-piteously says she really doesn't need to waste her time getting all gussied up, given that she permanently turned Jack off to women. She then glumly acknowledges that she knows Jack's sexual preferences are solely about him not her, then unhappily cries, "What am I supposed to doooo?" Bessie suggests she paint and/or discover what makes her happy - just as Dawson arrives for a tête-à-tête.

Tyson is over at Jen's place, wrapping Dawson's birthday gift, when he tells Jen that he can feel her eyes burning a hole into his back...which, yep, they definitely are. The two engage in some flirty back and forth before Tyson orders Jen to close her eyes so that he can lean in for a smooch and then share a giggle with her about having smooched.

While strolling along the dock, Dawson comes right out and tells Joey that he wants her back, presumes to know that she feels the same way, and declares them soulmates. Joey winces and tells him that her reason for dumping him was 'cause she needed to pretend to sort out some complicated life stuff...and Dawson pissily retorts that she doesn't know nuthin' if she doesn't fully realize that they're meant to be, then bitchily storms off.

Over at Casa Leery, Joey, Bessie, and Shaggy D.A. are putting out all the party food. Bessie assures a glum Joey that Dawson will get over their argument earlier and be in a great mood when he arrives with Pacey and Andie.

Pacey is driving his brother's police cruiser [which I continue to insist can't possibly be legal] with Dawson in the passenger seat and Andie behind the cage in the back. Dawson continues to bitch and moan about his pathetic life going nowhere, and is extra annoyed that he's third-wheeling it with them on his sixteenth birthday. Pacey urges him to concentrate on the positive, while Andie announces that she's cutting loose tonight and would like Pacey to drive them to a cool night club so that she can go a little wild.

When Jack arrives at Casa Leery for the party, Abby and her gal pals are all, "Hubba hubba!" and gush about how hot he's looking. A perplexed Jack tells them that the only thing different about him tonight is some gel he put in his hair.  

Elsewhere at the party, Jen tells Tyson she can now feel his eyes burning a hole in her back...and after the two smooch, Tyson tells her that he's a bit freaked out about them getting closer. She asks him if that's a problem, and he's like, "Uh, kinda" 'cause he's worried about their canoodling getting out of hand. Jen perks up at the possibility of things getting out of hand, then coos about how adorable he is whenever he acts as if he's a 1950s choirboy.

At the night club, Dawson is still pouting when Andie announces that she's going to allow herself to indulge in her desires and worst instincts during the cutting loose process. Dawson says he definitely likes the sound of that, so Andie proposes they egg each other on all evening to make total arses of themselves in public. As Pacey heads off to the men's room, Andie and Dawson hoodwink the waitress into believing they're old enough to be ordering multiple rum and cokes.

Abby follows Jack onto the Leery's front porch and asks him how it feels to turn this shitty hamlet on its heels, and he's like, "Why are you even talking to me when I clearly hate you?" Abby points out that, like him, she's an outcast...then wanks him when she pronounces that there isn't any such thing as "being gay" 'cause she figures that all humans are bi-sexual animals just trying to get by in a puritanical society.

Dawson orders another round of rum and cokes for himself and Andie, and a clueless Pacey asks them how many cokes they're going to guzzle. The manager then gets on stage and announces that it's open mic night and that he'd welcome some volunteers to sing the blues. Dawson and Andie decide that this is their moment to start embarrassing themselves and run onto the stage, where Dawson belts out what sounds suspiciously like a prepared-in-advance tune about having the blues after the love of his life dumped him for a gay boy. Andie then takes the mic and is also able to magically come up with rhyming lyrics about the state of blues her life is in...and, back at the table, Pacey stares at them with his arms crossed and looking less than impressed with their performance.

After Dawson and Andie (mercifully) stop singing, Pacey suggests they head off to Casa Leery, where Dawson has correctly guessed that a surprise birthday party awaits him. Pacey takes a sip of Andie's "coke" and finally realizes that she and Dawson have been drinking heavily all night - just as the waitress storms over and asks for their IDs. Andie's like, "You should have done that, like, five drinks ago" - LOL - and chides the waitress for breaking the law, and Pacey hustles his friends to the nearest exit.

Mitch tells Shaggy D.A. that he took a peek inside the garage and saw the Explorer she bought for Dawson, and that it's not the kind of jalopy he would have purchased for their sixteen year old son. Shaggy D.A.'s all, "Whatever" and makes clear that she doesn't feel even a tiny bit bad about her gift-buying decision.

Over in the garage, Jen and Tyson are steamily making out inside the Explorer...and parodying Titanic's hand slapping scene against the car's steamed up window. Tyson abruptly puts a halt to the heavy petting, tells Jen he can't do this, then chides her for tempting him when she knows full well that he doesn't believe in pre-marital sex. Jen's all, "Who said anything about sex?" and bursts out of the car...and Tyson rushes out after her and explains that with her slutty history, he just assumed she'd be expecting a pre-marital ride atop his baloney pony. Jen gets angry at what was probably a pretty reasonable assumption, tells him to shove it, and storms off.
​
Jack asks Abby if she seriously believes that everyone is bi-sexual...and when she's like, "Um, yeah..?", the two go upstairs to Dawson's bedroom. He tells her he's starting to warm to her company and that he no longer regards her as Satan.

Dawson drunkenly staggers into his house with Pacey and Andie in tow and yells, "Surprise!" - LOL - and then he and Andie proceed to climb onto the kitchen table and dance, while a peeved Joey and Pacey urge them to get down. Joey then escorts Dawson upstairs so that she can privately funnel some coffee down his throat as a means of sobering him up - but when they enter his bedroom, they catch Jack and Abby lounging atop the bed looking disturbingly cozy. Dawson stares at them in shock before bursting out in laughing and singing his 'I have the blues' song, while Joey shoots her ex the stink-eye before storming off. Jack runs out after her, while Abby seems somehow entranced by Dawson's drunken buffoonery.

Abby heads back downstairs, where she smugly informs Tracy and Kelly, "He's not so gay anymore." Except that...yes, he is.

Shaggy D.A. brings out a large birthday cake for Dawson - just as she realizes he's hopelessly drunk. At the sight of the cake, Dawson ponders aloud what his birthday wish should be..

• that his mom had never slept with her co-anchor
• that his aimless dad would find a damn job already
• that his parents would stop their petty bickering, at least within earshot of where he is
• that Pacey weren't so sanctimonious these days so he could go back to feeling morally superior to his reliable doltishness
• that Jack hadn't stolen his girlfriend before outing himself via poetry to his entire English class
• that Joey hadn't dumped him with the phony sounding excuse that she needs to find herself

He then pretends to look around the kitchen and announces - a ha! - that he "found" Joey, then makes a beeline over to her and plants a big smooch on her lips. She reacts by shoving him away from her, which implausibly causes him to fall face-first into his large birthday cake...which made [me and] some of the partygoers laugh heartily at the messy spectacle, while his parents and the less amused partygoers stare down at him in horrified shock.

Later, Dawson and Andie are repeatedly vomiting in the bathroom, expressing mortification at their behavior, and vowing to never drink alcohol again. 

Shaggy D.A. tells Mitch that she's taking the Explorer back to the dealership now that Dawson has so clearly demonstrated that he's not ready for the responsibility of owning a car. Mitch suggests splitting the cost of the downpayment on a jalopy so that Dawson is forced to continue to make his own car payments and can learn the value of a dollar, and Shaggy D.A. agrees that that's an idea she can get onboard with.

Joey tells Jack what a terrible surprise party this turned out to be, then asks WTF about him canoodling Abby...and that she hoped if he were going to switch teams again, he'd at least choose a quality female. Jack insists that he's still definitely gay, but doesn't like the feeling of being singled out for his sexual preferences...and Joey reminds him how lucky he is to have so many supportive people around him, and cautions him to not lose sight of that.  

Tyson is waiting on Jen's porch to tell her that they prolly shouldn't see each other anymore, and explains that he's so against pre-marital sex 'cause his whole life has been centered around the church. Jen sourly points out that his Christianness seems to conflict with his desire to frequently booze it up, party at night clubs, and judge guys like Jack for coming out gay. Tyson concedes that it's a struggle to be a judgey, horny teen, and that the desires of his penis are in direct opposition to what he's been taught to believe. He apologizes for acting like such a prudish douchebag earlier and says that his insults had nothing to do with her - but Jen calls bullshit on that and argues that they had everything to do with her. She nonsensically claims that when they were dry humping in the Explorer Titanic-style, she was merely looking for something pure - not sex! - then storms inside and slams the door in his face.

Joey sits by Dawson's bedside, where he's quietly laying and staring at the ceiling. He apologizes for his drunken boorishness earlier, and she easily forgives him and says he's allowed to make a mistake...even if his mistake was expressing his true feelings. Dawson moans about how hopelessly lonely he is, then asks her to fully come clean about why she dumped him. Joey assures him that it truly was more about her than him, and that she wants to see if she can be a whole person on her own, aka without the guy her life has been so intertwined with since childhood. Dawson urges her to find herself quickly, then moans, "God, I love you" ... and as he closes his eyes and passes out, Joey murmurs, "I love you too, Dawson" then ambles over to the window to watch the snow gently falling.

Recap: Pacey, who has spent his week-long suspension at Casa Leery, is sacked out in Dawson's bedroom watching Jerry McGuire. A few seconds later, Dawson returns home from school, hands Pacey his assignments, then provides updates about..

• Jack, who appears to be keeping a low profile
• Joey, who surprisingly doesn't seem any more crotchety than usual
• Andie, who (Dawson jokes) left town when she ran off with another guy 

Dawson urges Pacey to call Andie and make up, but Pacey says he's still miffed at her for blaming him for the fallout of Gay Poem-gate. Dawson tells him it's stupid to avoid his girlfriend indefinitely and advises him to just suck it up and apologize - but Pacey argues that he was merely standing up for what was right and doesn't feel that he has anything to apologize for.

At school the next day, Dawson gets an eyeful of Jen smooching Tyson and calls their coupling "a beautiful thing". Jen beams happily and invites Dawson to tag along with her and Tyson this evening for a fun excursion.

Joey and Jack are hanging at his locker when a group of jocks blurt out a homophobic slur as they amble past. Joey grumbles about how much she hates the gay jokes after Jack has insisted that he's not gay, and Jack jokingly suggests they remove all suspicion about his sexuality by indulging in some public sex and then hosting a "going into the closet party" ... and Joey somehow refrains from retorting, "Me thinks you doth jokingly over-compensate too much." After Jack heads off to Mr. Peterson's English class, a visibly bummed looking Joey runs into Dawson, who invites her to Jen's/Tyson's fun evening excursion, but she declines and says that she and Jack have plans to study. Dawson makes an ew face and suggests the two of them come along to the excursion, or at least do something more romantic than study together...and Joey scrunches her face perplexedly at the notion of Dawson giving her and her gay boyfriend relationship advice.

Mr. Peterson makes it clear how utterly un-delighted he is to have Pacey back in class, and Pacey manages to keep from hocking anymore loogies at the fuck-face's face and submits all of the assignments that were due during his suspension week. Mr. Peterson accepts them while nattering sarcastically, then hands Pacey back his poem, which he graded an F. When Pacey asks what was wrong with the poem and politely requests some constructive criticism on how he might improve his grade, Mr. Peterson growls, "It stunk. Write better." He then smugly turns his attention to the rest of the class and outright admits that their grades are subject to the whims of his personal taste...and that those who are smart enough can figure out how to appeal to him, while the rest should "come to terms with their inevitable failure". It's really waaaaay past time for this demented troll to either retire or stumble into a new career that involves as little human-to-human interaction as possible.

During the lunch hour in the cafeteria, Pacey tells Dawson that Mr. Peterson is looking for any excuse to fail him, then shows him his poem with the F scribbled across the top in red. He then notices Andie entering the cafeteria...and as he stares over at her in sullen contemplation, Dawson urges him to go and talk to her.

Joey presents Jack with a menu for dinner items at her place tonight, and he coos about how romantic that sounds and credits her with being very supportive [of his imminent coming out of the closet].

Pacey wanders over to Andie...and the two snipe back and forth about who owes each other more of an apology. She eventually declares that they're never going to see eye to eye on the matter...then rushes off to see the school counsellor, who apparently has summoned both her and Jack for an important meeting. A few seconds later, Andie is stunned to see her father in the counsellor's office and happily hugs him while a miffed looking Jack glowers in his direction.

Jack calls Joey to cancel their dinner plans, then explains that his pa is in town from Rhode Island and wants to take him and Andie out to eat. Apparently, Mr. Milo blabbed to Pa McPhee about Gay Poem-gate, so he figured he should probably stop in to see whether his remaining son is gay or nay...and Joey assures him it's no problem, and then calls Dawson to tell him she's up for a fun night out with him, Jen, and Tyson after all. 

The four arrive at a club with live music...and when Tyson orders four stiff drinks, Joey and Dawson promptly change their order to cokes. A few seconds later, Tyson is summoned to the stage, where he starts playing piano for the singer - much to the surprise of Jen. Dawson asks her if Tyson's religion doesn't frown on drinking and clubbing, then says he can't help but remark on the irony of him being out at a club for the evening with two girls who dumped him. As he chuckles about what a pathetic loser he is, Jen says she's more pathetic 'cause her boyfriend is "a bible thumping hypocrite", while Joey argues that she's the most pathetic 'cause she has to glumly acknowledge that her boyfriend is likely gay.

Pacey is at the library, researching codes of conduct for all county public jobs, including teaching guidelines. The librarian helping him gather his research asks why he's doing this - and asks him this as if it's any of her damn business - and he cryptically tells her that he's just trying to make the best of a bad situation.

During the McPhee family dinner, Andie gives her pa an update on her mom and earnestly tells him she made honor roll again...and Pa McPhee's all, "That's nice", then turns his attention to Jack to tell him that Mr. Milo called him to inform him of Gay Poem-gate, and grumbles about how the call forced him to disrupt his life so he could look into whether or not anything was seriously wrong. He then comes right and asks, "Are you gay, Jack?" ... and when Jack sourly asks him if he'd care if he were, Pa McPhee says he would on account of the family has enough problems to deal with. Jack asks if being gay would qualify as a problem, and Pa McPhee's like, "Well d'yuh" and reminds him that now that Tim is six feet under, he's the only McPhee son left - meaning that people [who have nothing better to do] are more likely to notice him and titter cattily about any non-hetereo life choices he might make. When Andie implores her father to shut his stupid pie-hole, he tells her that Jack should recognize that the family has had enough problems, and that he should be grateful for everything he has...aka a hapless mother who can no longer cope with life and an absentee shit-stain of a father.

Back at the club, Joey is slow dancing with Dawson and telling him what a nice time she's having. She then blurts out, "You think he's gay, don't you?" and Dawson's like, "Um duh."

Tyson tells Jen he thinks that Dawson and Joey make a great couple, then shakes his head in bewilderment as to why Joey would opt to be with a "fruit fly" like Jack. Jen gives him a 'the fuck?' look and denies this bitchy categorization of Jack, and then the two get into an argument about whether or not being gay is a choice. As Jen gets visibly miffed, Tyson gets her even more miffed when he declares that men can not be gay if they don't want to be.

Andie drops by Jack's bedroom to remind her brother that Pa McPhee hasn't had it easy, and that she'd loooove it if he rejoined the family to help them take care of their checked-out mother. Jack's all, "Ack!" at that prospect and says that, from his perspective, they lost their pa when he bailed on the family shortly after Tim's death. He then chides her for seeking the dickwad's approval all the time...and when Andie says she merely wants her father to be proud of her, he urges her to stop and wonder sometime if she's proud of him.

Grams makes Tyson a sandwich and covertly gushes to Jen about how much she likes the well-mannered young man as Jen stares dispiritedly into space. Tyson notices Jen's sullen expression and stupidly insists again that, according to the bible, being gay is not OK, then tries to enlist Grams to support his side of the tedious argument. As Jen urges Grams to please stay mute on the touchy subject, Grams refuses to hold herself back from shooting Tyson the stink-eye and pointing out that if Jack were gay, he'd need all of the love and tolerance he can get...and that he (Tyson) should defer his petty cattiness about homosexuality to someone who has a helluva lot more wisdom and life experience than a cluelessly judgey teenager such as himself.

Dawson walks Joey home and asks what's bugging her, so she asks, "Am I sexual?", then follows up the odd question by explaining that she now wonders if Jack chose to date her 'cause she's "safe" and could easily be kept at a distance. Um, probably. Dawson assures her that she's very sexual, not to mention witty, feisty, and intelligent...and that this 'not a girl, not yet a woman' stage of her blossoming is extremely sexy. He then asks her to contemplate why she chose Jack, then heads home and leaves her to chew on that ill-fated decision.

Pacey runs into Principal Markey when she arrives at school early the next morning, hands her a document he prepared, and decrees that Mr. Peterson is in violation of the 'bylaws of ethics' that include all city employees, including teachers. Principal Markey scrunches her face in annoyance and asks what his point is, so Pacey quotes from his report about how teachers are supposed to behave professionally towards their students, meaning free of vindictiveness, recrimination, harassment, and general douchebaggery. Principal Markey sarcastically asks if she should summon Mr. Peterson to her office and give him Saturday detention...and Pacey [somehow refrains from suggesting that she could do her fucking job by at least issuing a formal warning to the shitbag about his abusive behavior and making it clear that relentlessly denigrating students in front of their peers is a fireable fucking offence and] says she doesn't need to do anything 'cause he took it upon himself to gather twenty testimonies from other disgruntled students and sent them to every school board member so they can publicly reprimand Mr. Peterson at the next board meeting. He then needlessly apologizes to the principal for going above her head - but figured that since she wasn't willing to do fuck all about her subordinate's shitty behavior, he did the best he could with the resources available to him.

Pa McPhee announces that he's off to Rhode Island, then hands Andie a list of nurse companies to help care for her mom. As Andie implores him to stay, he barks at her for getting emotional and half-heartedly promises to be back in a few weeks. Jack enters the room and snarkishly tells him not to bother coming back...and when Pa McPhee admonishes him for his tone and reminds him how hard he works, Jack snorts derisively and asks why he's bothering to support a family he doesn't even care about. He then orders his father to ask him again if he's gay so that he can dramatically admit he is - then bursts into tears and wails about how he can no longer ignore his sexual identity, even if it means risking his father's ire or "bothering" his family with yet more "problems". When Andie too starts sobbing, Pa McPhee orders her to leave the room so that he can continue to have this conversation privately with Jack, but she refuses and yells at him to get the hell out...to which he's like, "Can do!" and happily beats a hasty retreat.

The next morning at school, Jack tells Joey he'd like them to get together tonight, and she perkily says she's good with that.

Mr. Peterson has left a note on the door of his classroom stating that today's English class has been cancelled, and that everyone should report to study hall. When Pacey arrives at school, Jack gives him a hearty, belated thank you for sticking up for him in front of the class...and a gratified and also curious Pacey wanders into the English classroom where Mr. Peterson is packing up his stuff in a cardboard box. He wryly tells Pacey he's leaving Capeside High so that he doesn't have to bother explaining to the board why he's been such an abusive turd to his students, then breezily adds that he was going to retire in six months anyway. Pacey asks him why he's so damn mean all the time and points out that respect is earned through compassion - not fear. Mr. Peterson's like, "Blah blah.." and asks Pacey if he should respect him after he just abruptly ended his career, then self-piteously asks, "Where's the compassion?" Pacey somehow refrains from pointing out that it was his own callously fuckwitted behavior that ended his career, then stares sheepishly into space as Mr. Peterson shuffles out of the classroom with his box o' stuff, hopefully never to be seen in Capeside again.

Tyson drops by Jen's place to see if their budding romance is salvageable, but Jen tells him she can't get beyond his intolerant views on gay people. Tyson implores her to see him for the open-minded lad he's suddenly pretending he is, then turns the tables and asks if her liberal views are as open as he's willing to be, and if they can't just continue to date and see what happens next. Jen chuckles at his persistence and concedes that he's very charming, even though...meh.

Pacey ambles over to Andie to apologize at the same time she tries to apologize to him. She assures him that she doesn't need a knight in shining armour, but rather a boyfriend who loves her despite her faults...and Pacey grins happily as he chides her for making her apology so much better than his, and the two sweethearts-once-more kiss.

Jack arrives at Casa Potter as Joey is creating a romantic ambiance in her backyard with tiki-torches. Jack tells her she shouldn't have gone through the trouble, as in she really shouldn't have, and alarmed looking Joey stares back at him as she anticipates the bad news he's about to deliver. Jack tells her that this morning he told his dad he's gay...and when Joey asks if he's maybe just part gay, he chuckles at her idiocy before confirming that he's completely, 100%, full on gay...and that their hetero-on gay coupling should probably come to an end, like yesterday.

Jack explains that when he was writing his gay poem, something inside of him, which had been dormant for a long time, suddenly clicked. He then credits Joey for being such a great friend to him and insists that he doesn't want to hurt her in any way or lose their friendship. Joey responds by thanking him for being honest with her.

Jack returns home, and Andie gives him a smile and a supportive hug.

Dawson is watching TV in his bedroom when Joey crawls through his window and starts sobbing. Dawson correctly assumes that she finally got the 'I'm gay' confirmation from Jack and gives her a comforting canoodle as she weeps.

Recap: At Casa Leery, Jack is showing Dawson and Pacey the model replica of "Creekside" he created so that Dawson can film faux arial footage of the fictional Creekside village for his new movie. After a few minutes, Pacey excuses himself to go home and finish his homework for Mr. Peterson's English class, while Jack opts to stay and watch Dawson stay and do some test shots of the village with his video camera. Jack mentions that Mr. Peterson assigned the class to write a poem about the significance of their being and wonders how in the heck he's going to be able do that, and Dawson advises him to listen to his innermost self and be willing to open up to his English teacher about his homosexual tendencies.

The next morning at school, Pacey runs into Mr. Milo, who applauds Pacey for all of the good work he's been doing this term and gaily tells him to keep it up. Pacey makes a beeline over to Andie and spins her around before planting a big 'thank you for inspiring me to finally get my act together' smooch on her lips. As Joey and Jack watch the PDA, Dawson wanders over to make arrangements with Jack to get together later to work on the movie...and a few seconds later the bell rings, and Jack and Pacey head off to Mr. Peterson's English class.

Tyson chides Jen for not returning his phone calls, and she admits that him taking her on a date to his bible study group totally freaked her out. He tells her he's so much more than a bible reader and implores her to give him a chance - but she tells him that since he goes to bible study meetings three times a week, she really doesn't see their relationship rising above the barely platonic level.

Mr. Peterson glares at the poem Pacey is submitting and says his penmanship is so wretched that he wants it rewritten and handed in tomorrow. Pacey mutters to Jack that  Mr. Peterson somehow seems to get meaner every day...and when Jack concurs, Mr. Peterson zeroes in on him and orders him to read his poem aloud for the class. Jack's all, "Ack!" and reminds him that the poem was supposed to be for his eyes only, and Mr. Peterson shrugs and says he justs dickishly changed his mind. Jack says he really really doesn't want to read his extremely personal poem aloud, and Mr. Peterson says he doesn't give a rat's ass what he wants and barks at him to start reading. An anguished looking Jack reluctantly stands up and starts reading about an unnamed male who's "the image of perfection" with his smooth supple lips, then questions his fear of what these thoughts means that he could be...and a few seconds later, he bursts into tears before bolting from the classroom. Pacey gets up to follow him out - but Mr. Peterson snappishly tells him to sit his ass back down, and Pacey complies while glaring back at his teacher hatefully.

Over in the computer lab, Dawson and Joey are tapping away at their workstations when they overhear a couple of their classmates cackling about Jack and his gay poem, then concur that "McPhee is a total homo." 

Later, Dawson drops by the Ice House to ask Joey if she talked to Jack about all the rumors swirling around his gay poem, and she says she hasn't - despite the gossip mill in Capeside running wild. She tells Dawson she's opted to delude herself into believing that Gay Poem-gate is all a big joke, and he's like, "Is it?" and looks visibly concerned about her denial of what's pretty clear to anyone with even the basest level of gaydar. He tells Joey he thinks she should get to the bottom of what's really going on with Jack, and she responds by angrily accusing him of nefariously plotting to break her and Jack up.

Over at Casa McPhee, Andie tells Pacey she's choosing to believe that Jack's poem and its strong homoerotic undertones was totally misinterpreted by everyone, not least 'cause he's always had kind of a "different drummer" thing going on. Pacey argues that clearly something much deeper is going on with the lad and urges Andie to try to get Jack to open up about his sexuality - but Andie insists that Jack can't possibly be gay, as is evidenced by how crazy for Joey he is. Pacey asks her how she'd feel if Jack were to come out, and she says she'd be disappointed...which is why she's fervently clinging to the hope that Gay Poem-gate is nothing but a hilarious misunderstanding.

​Tyson phones Jen to ask her out on a non-bible study date, and she responds by hanging up on him. He then demonstrates his annoying persistence by promptly phoning her back twice, and eventually succeeds in wearing her down.

Back at the Ice House, Bessie urges Joey to talk to Jack, who's clearly troubled about all of the gossip surrounding his gay poem. After she heads off, Joey wanders over to Jack and mutters, "Long day, huh?" and he irritably tells her to just come right out and ask him exactly what's on her mind. Joey reminds him that people are talking and that he hasn't yet offered her an explanation regarding the gay leanings of his poem...and when he snappishly says, "I don't owe you one", she's like, "Uh, you do actually", since, as his girlfriend, it'd be nice to know why he wrote a poem about a physically perfect guy he became so emotional about that it caused him to burst into tears. Jack explains that he merely wrote about the first thing that popped into his head last night, which just happened to be an image of a masculine, but not necessarily (though more than likely) a sexual being. He says it could have been him or his brother and weakly insists that there wasn't anything remotely non-hetero about it. Joey chews on that for a few seconds and looks as if she's ready to buy that nonsensical explanation, then assures him that she doesn't believe the rumors. Jack reminds her that he didn't do anything wrong and adds that if he had written a love poem, it would have been about her...then moves in for a hug while Joey audibly breathes a sigh of relief.

Tyson takes Jen to a dance club with live music and orders two alcoholic drinks...and when the singer on stage starts to croon, the two begin to slow dance together.

The next day at Capeside High, Jack's poem has been printed up, photocopied, and littered in every hallway of the school...and Mr. Peterson decides 'why not make a bad situation for a student I humiliated yesterday infinitely worse?' and asks Jack to continue to read aloud his "now public work" poem. Jack stares back at him incredulously and says, "You can't be serious", and Mr. Peterson assures him he is, chides him for leaving the class "high and dry" yesterday, and says that in order to receive a completed grade for the assignment, he must endure a second round of public humiliation [to which no other student in his class is being subjected]. An incensed Pacey leaps up, grabs the poem from Jack and reads it aloud to the class, prompting an even more incensed Mr. Peterson to order him to the principal's office asap. Pacey accuses the bitter assbag of indulging in pathetic scare tactics, and Mr. Peterson comes right out and gleefully says he's been waiting for months to fail him, and adds that he's destined to be a failure in life. He rails, "Trying to teach people like you is like spitting in the face of the entire educational system", and Pacey responds by literally spitting in his face (!) and capping it off with, "No sir, that is spitting in the face of the entire educational system" before storming out...and the entire class is all, "Wha-at just happened?!" as a stunned Mr. Peterson wipes the spittle from his eye-glasses.
​
Pacey tells Principal Markey he refuses to apologize for the spitting, and she assures him he'll be relentlessly pressured to do so, regardless of the circumstances that led to the loogie being hocked in his English teacher's face. Mr. Milo chimes in to call Mr. Peterson out for making a student cry and then acting like a complete douchewad towards another, but Principal Markey's just like 'whatever...don't make me have to dooooo my job by reprimanding an abusive teacher' and decrees that they shall all reconvene tomorrow, at which time Pacey will be leaned on even harder to apologize or risk suspension.

When Pacey exits the principal's office, he finds Jack sitting in the waiting area. Jack grumbles at Pacey for making a spectacle of him and his gay poem, and chides him for not just staying out of his bidness.

Tyson brings Jen a cupcake and asks her if she had fun last night, and she scrunches her face perplexedly about the dichotomy of him being both an avid churchgoer and nightclub partier, and Tyson perks up at what he interprets as a compliment and asks her out again.

Dawson urges Pacey to swallow his pride and apologize to Mr. Peterson for spitting in his face, but Pacey argues that the fuckbag doesn't deserve an apology, and that he's pretty sure the abusive way he's behaving towards his students can't possibly be OK. As that's happening, Jack and Joey meander down the hall and see that everyone's tittering about the slur FAG that someone spray painted on Jack's locker. A visibly mortified Jack shuffles over to his locker to get the books for his next class, and Joey decides that the best antidote to all the homophobia surrounding them is to march over to her not yet un-closeted boyfriend and give him a long smooch while everyone looks on confusedly.

Over at Casa McPhee that evening, Andie apologizes to Jack for resenting him for sparking so much gay hoopla over his homeoerotic poem, assures him it's a beautiful piece of literature, and that she suddenly doesn't give a hoot if he's gay or straight.

Joey climbs into Dawson's bedroom and tells him she strongly suspects that Jack is gay, but somehow can't bring herself to come right out and ask, 'cause then Jack will deduce that she's considered the possibility that he's gay...even though the horse is already out of the barn on that imminent reality. Dawson points out that she has the right to ask her boyfriend if he doesn't generally have heterosexual tendencies and reminds her that relationships should be based on honesty. Joey mulls that over, concedes that he's probably right 'bout that, then kisses his cheek and climbs back out of the window from whence she came.

At school the next day, Mr. Peterson glances over at Pacey and Dawson, who are sitting in Principal Markey's waiting area, and shoots Pacey the stink-eye as he enters the office. Pacey wonders aloud if maybe he should just bite the bullet and apologize for the loogie, then asks Dawson if he'd be ashamed of him if he's not able to bring himself to do it - just as Mr. Milo summons Pacey into the office.

Principal Markey asks Pacey what he has to say for himself, and Pacey admits that while he's ashamed of having spit in Mr. Peterson's face, it can't be denied that the man is a ginormous shitbag who's had a big wet face loogie coming for awhile now. He says that the students in his class are afraid to speak up, and points out how pathetic it is that a teacher has been allowed to strip a particularly vulnerable student of his dignity in front of an entire class without repercussions of any kind from his superior [aka you, useless Principal Markey].

That evening, Pacey is moping by the dock when Andie wanders over and asks him how his meeting with Principal Markey went...and he tells her he's been suspended from school for a week, then chides her for her complete lack of support this episode. Andie's all, "How dare you!" and says she can't be expected to agree with everything he does, and that there are better ways of dealing with a douchebag teacher that don't involve spittle. Pacey retorts that he stepped up to defend Jack 'cause Mr. Peterson is less able to bully him...and Andie expresses surprise that he feels so much responsibility to defend her hapless brother. She asks him if he wants to head off and stroll hand-in-hand with her, and he mumbles, "Not tonight" and dejectedly shuffles off by himself.

At the Ice House, Joey comes right out and asks Jack if he's gay...and after following that up with some incoherent nattering that I mostly tuned out, he weakly insists he's not gay and leans in for a smooch. A relieved Joey decrees, "No more sexually-unambiguous poems!" ... and Jack agrees and hugs her while covertly looking sadly contemplative.

Recap: Joey is back to hanging with Dawson in his bedroom for movie night...and when he tells her he thinks that their first get together post-breakup went pretty well, she says she's surprised about how everything is suddenly so harmonious between them. Dawson explains that he's sooooo happy to be past their relationship drama, is thrilled that she's back to helping produce his movie (Creek Times), and would be over the moon if she's willing to help him cast Sammy (aka the leading lady character that's based on Joey). Joey suggests that he not think of Sammy so much as the Joey character as something an actress can bring her own interpretation to for the role, then continues to marvel about how A-OK he is with her after the abrupt dumperoo. Dawson says he's [pretending he's] finally ready to let go after the abrupt way she ended their romance in order to move on with Jack...and Joey looks put off by the mention of her new beau and shoots him a wistful stare before exiting his bedroom and heading home. 

The next day, Joey is in her art class on the university campus, sketching the form of the young woman who's posing for the class in her birthday suit. Her teacher wanders by to check out her drawing and tells her her sketching abilities are improving nicely...and a few seconds after that, Dawson pops in to deliver the latest copy of his newly edited movie script. Joey's all, "The hell?" and tells him he can't just come to her private art class where a woman is nakedly lounging, and Dawson's all, "Naked..?" and stares at the nude model lustily - just as the art teacher rushes over and tells him this ain't no peep show and to get the hell out. Dawson clumsily beats a hasty retreat, nearly knocking over an easel in the process.

Pacey is hanging at Andie's house, admiring his ass in her mirror (?), before he notices an empty pill bottle with Andie's name on it in the trash can. He stares down at it concernedly.

Dawson is ambling through the stacks of the university library when he runs into the naked model from Joey's art class, who introduces herself as Devon. He blushingly asks her how in blazes she can strip down to the buff in front of a roomful of strangers, so she explains that she's an actress and merely thinks of it as an acting exercise. Plus, posing naked for artists actually pays pretty well. Dawson perks up at the mention of her being an actress and tells her he's in the process of directing a movie...and when she condescendingly coos, "Aww...your first movie, how cute", he informs her it's his second flick, and that his first attempt somehow won best picture in the junior division category of the Boston Film Festival [which, considering the snippets we saw of it during Season 1, I continue to find utterly laughable]. He tells her he's still looking to cast his leading lady, then hands her a copy of his script in case she's interested in auditioning for the role. 

Grams arrives home with a handsome, helpful lad (Tyson Hicks) who's carrying her groceries. Grams tells Jen that Tyson is very interested in helping out on the set of Dawson's movie, so Jen gives Tyson an appreciative once over and says he's more than welcome to pitch in 'cause a) he's adequately hot, and b) Dawson can use all the help he can get.

Pacey blabs to Dawson about how he found Zanac in Andie's trash can, then asks Dawson if he's noticed her acting squirrelly lately. Dawson says he hasn't (not least 'cause he almost never hangs out with her) and urges Pacey to come right out and ask her whassup with her taking anti-anxiety meds. Pacey says he's far more comfortable talking about this behind her back, and would prefer to not put any pressure on his fragile girlfriend.

Devon drops by Casa Leery to tell Dawson she read his script...and that while she found it about as verbose and heavy-handed as the kind of overly-babbly crap that the Dawson's Creek writers regularly churn out in their weekly scripts, she felt that she was able to get to the core of the Sammy character. Dawson gets insulted by the slight to his writing style and pissily says he's no longer interested in having her read for the part, and Devon rolls her eyes and says he's not going to make it in the film biz if he's this thin-skinned about taking a little constructive criticism. When she turns to leave, Dawson stops her, admits to overreacting just now, and asks her if she'd like to audition for the part right now. Devon indulges him, and has such an impressive acting ability that Dawson gushes about how perfect she is for the role of Sammy.

Over at the Ice House, Joey tells Jack she needs to cut out early so that she can help out on Dawson's movie set, and Jack happily replies, "Hey - me too!" and explains that he talked Jen into letting him lend a hand. As Joey ponders the awkwardness of working alongside her boyfriend on her ex-boyfriend's movie set, Devon enters the restaurant to order some lunch while covertly studying Joey's speaking style and mannerisms [presumably as "research" for the Sammy role]. Joey gets weirded out by Devon's freakish scrutiny and asks Jack to go wait on her...and when he serves Devon her soda, she asks him if he wouldn't mind sharing with her everything he knows about the scowling brunette.

Pacey drops in on Andie, who's studying in her backyard. He comes right out and asks her whassup with the empty Zanac pill bottle he spotted in her trash can the other day...and when she fibs that it belongs to her mother, he tells her he's not buying that and chides her for lying to him. She then admits that, yeah, she started taking meds soon after Tim died 'cause she needed to get a handle on evening out her mood swings, then says the topic is a moot point 'cause her doctor is recommending therapy in lieu of refilling her prescription. Pacey says he thinks that that sounds like a fine idea, and Andie gets all prickly about him sticking his nose into her mental health bidness and snarks that she's quite capable of taking care of herself, and that he'll be the first to know if she starts backsliding into a pit of depression.

The filming of Creek Times begins the next day...and when Abby is a no-show to the set, Dawson asks Jen to briefly act as a stand-in so that Devon and Chris Wolfe can rehearse a scene. When Joey arrives a few minutes later, Dawson introduces her to Devon, and she immediately recognizes her from the Ice House. Devon asks her if she has any character insights she could use for playing Sammy, then says she believes that Sammy and Wade (aka the Dawson character) are soulmates...and Joey responds by being her usual cheerful self and shooting a blank stink-eye in her direction.

Jack asks Joey if being on Dawson's set bothers her, given that the movie is about their short-lived romance...and Joey pretends she's not bothered at all, particularly since Dawson is fully over the dumping. Jack mutters, "Yeah right.." and says he doesn't buy that for a second - but Joey insists it's the truth and assures him that everything with their budding new romance is going to be A-OK [pending his decision to come out of the closet].

As shooting resumes, Tyson offers to massage Jen's sore neck, which seemed overly forward given that they barely know each other...and Jen reacts by saucily asking him out on a date once filming wraps for the day.  

​When Chris tells Dawson he's having trouble relating to his character (Wade), Dawson stares wistfully at Joey and gets all emotional about how agonizing it would be for a fictional dork when the love of his life kisses another guy. Devon, meanwhile, notices Dawson's tortured expression as he's staring over at an oblivious Joey and looks intrigued by all the drama that's not-so-subtly bubbling under the surface.

Devon approaches Joey and asks her to describe the general source of her anger issues and if she wouldn't mind describing to herwhat it's like to be a perpetually angry person - but Joey denies being angry by nature and makes it clear that she won't be baited into losing her temper. Devon ignores that last thing and asks her to explain how she can date a guy while still being in love with someone else, and Joey warns her not to go there - just as Jack happens to wander over. Devon turns her attention to him and asks him how it feels to be a transitional man whose girlfriend's heart is reserved for another, and Joey launches into a snappish diatribe at Devon for being an annoying, third rate wannabe who masks bitchiness as research. Devon looks satisfied with the outburst she intentionally provoked, thanks Joey for that blast of bitchitude, and casually saunters off.

Prop Manager Andie berates Devon for losing a hair barrette...and when Devon tells her to fuckin' chillax about it, Andie incoherently rails at her, prompting a concerned Pacey to rush over and gently tell her she's going all schizo-titso for no real reason. Andie insists she's fine, then bitchily decides that, of all the things that are overwhelming her in her life, he's the most expendable to her. Pacey's all, "Noooo...dooooooon't dump me!" - but Andie barks that they're through and tells him to leave her the hell alone.

Dawson is impressed and visibly moved by an emotional scene he just filmed between Devon and Chris...and after he victoriously calls, "Cut!", a vexed Joey tells him they need to have an emergency tête-à-tête in a vacant classroom so she can ask him why, in the name of all that is holy, does he insist on reliving such a painful episode in their lives? She adds that she can't fathom how he could possibly be OK with their breakup when she hasn't yet gotten over it. Dawson reminds her that she's the one who dumped him, reveals that he's not actually over it, and angrily adds that he's desperately clinging to the one thing that keeps him going: making dipshit movies and somehow winning Boston Film Festival awards.

After filming wraps for the day, Grams wanks Jen about how awesome she is at keeping everything behind the scenes of the set running like a well-oiled machine...and that she's particularly impressed 'cause, in her day, there was no such thing as a female movie producer. As Jen basks in the glow of Grams' compliments, Tyson wanders over and tells her he's ready to go on their date now, and Grams tells her to have a nice time and to not stay out too late.

An anguished Pacey tells Dawson he pushed too hard with Andie and can only assume that when she told him to get lost, he permanently screwed the pooch on their relationship. Dawson shrugs and advises him to let her go, the way he's pretending to do with Joey - but Pacey argues that his/Andie's romance is an entirely different situation, and that he's not going to abandon the love of his life when she so desperately needs his help. 

Tyson takes Jen to what she assumes is going to be a rollicking house party, then is dismayed when she realizes that the gathering is a bible study group.

That evening, Pacey drops by Andie's house clutching a rose - but she looks unimpressed by the gesture and snidely tells him to go away before slamming the door in his face. Pacey wanders over to the side of her house and starts climbing the lattice that leads to her bedroom...and when Andie opens her window and sees him advancing, she chides him for being the one who's acting all schizo-titso and barks at him to leave. Pacey refuses and stubbornly says that after everything she's done for him he's not going to turn his back on her when she needs him the most...and Andie chews on that for a few seconds before softening enough to reciprocate his I love you and lean in for a smooch.

Devon tells Dawson that so far she's been very impressed with his movie-making abilities, and wanks him about how he shows real potential as a director. Dawson beams happily in response, then declines her invitation to go grab a bite to eat with her and Chris 'cause he really just wants to soak in the ambiance of his movie set. 

Joey wanders over and apologizes to Dawson for her bitchitude earlier, then explains that it's very difficult to watch such a painful period of her life being acted out in front of cameras. Dawson apologizes for causing her any kind of emotional turmoil, then says that the movie has been very cathartic for him in putting the past behind him. Joey earnestly tells him that even though she was the one who gave him the dumperoo, their breakup has been tearing her apart...and that she somehow still believes that their lives are destined to be forever intertwined, even if they move on with other people. A few seconds later, Jack ambles over to ask Joey if she's ready to head home, and Dawson politely thanks him for all of his help and declines his offer to stick around and help clean up. Joey amiably wishes Dawson a good night, and he stares after them with an inscrutable expression as the two scamper off into the night.