Jerry D

Dawson reluctantly admits to his parents that he's decided not to return to USC. Though Gale doesn't mind having Dawson closer to home, Mitch is disappointed to see Dawson give up pursuing his dream so that he can explore his ambiguous relationship with Joey. When Jack is asked to pledge the Sigma Ep fraternity, he's surprised to learn that it wasn't for the reasons he'd thought it was. Jen and Charlie's relationship progresses, but Jen worries that she doesn't know enough about him. When Joey unexpectedly runs into Pacey, Jen's forced to admit she knew he was in Boston. A curious Joey pays a visit to her ex. As Mitch leaves the grocery store, a single moment changes the Leery family forever.

jopace1970

I love the P/Jo scene at his boat and the girls having dinner. I thought Jen and Charlie had great chemistry and were fun to watch.

Mitch's death by ice cream was a big shock.

Jerry D

Hi everyone. Here's what I wrote about this episode at the time that it aired:

I found this episode to be bittersweet, as Dawson Leery faced a true crossroads in his life, and Joey and Pacey encountered each other for the first time since Pacey had left her and his life in Capeside behind. As always, there were certain parts of the episode that I really enjoyed, particularly Dawson’s conversations with Mitch, but there were other parts of the episode that I really disliked, particularly Jen and Charlie’s ridiculously facile and over the top storyline.

I liked the conversation between Jen, Joey, and Audrey in the beginning of the episode, although the conversation seemed forced, and their allusion to “Sex In The City” was hokey, but their whole scene was obviously a set up to allow Joey to see Pacey, and the look on her face when she saw him was priceless.

I enjoyed seeing Grams give well-needed advice to both Jack and Dawson, bolstering their confidence about the decisions they were going to make, and proving what a warm and caring person she is. I think that of all the characters on the show, Grams has changed the most for the better, changing from a harsh and one-dimensional religious zealot to a truly beloved character that’s been a wonderful grandmother to Jen, and a wonderful friend to Jen’s friends.

I haven’t been impressed with Jack’s storyline so far, and I was disappointed that the fraternity was only interested in Jack because he was gay, and because the dean wanted them to diversify, but it’s obvious that Jack has a great desire to belong somewhere, given his past history of always feeling “different” and out of place, even within his own family, but I don’t think that having him pledge for a stereotypical macho fraternity does his character justice, but what else is new? The Powers That Be wasted so much potential in telling Jack’s story since he first came out in “To Be Or Not To Be,” and “That Is The Question,” just like they’ve wasted the potential of so many other stories on the show.

I was completely repulsed by Jen and Charlie’s scenes together, to the point where I fast forwarded through every scene they were in together when I re-watched the episode to make notes for my commentary, and I was once again chagrined to see the talent of Michelle Williams wasted in yet another pointless story line that’s a complete waste of screen time, working with another horrible actor. To me, it was like watching a bizarre X-Rated version of the Jen and Henry story, as once again, this wonderful character is being totally mistreated by the “geniuses” in charge of the show. What a waste! Jen is not a shallow person who’s only interested in sex, and I hate the fact that she’s being presented that way, and her conversations with Charlie were enough to make me cringe. I also think that Charlie’s reluctance to reveal any personal information about himself portends future heartache for Jen, as it seems that he’s hiding something, but either way, I hope The Powers That Be end this incredibly shallow and worthless story line as soon as possible.

I could identify with how Dawson was feeling as he took in his surroundings as he returned home, as I often had that feeling over the years when I would go home to visit my parents, and I could also identify with how he felt when he came to the moment when he had to face his parents and tell them news that he knew they were not going to be happy about.

I thought the scenes between Dawson and his parents were very well done, particularly the scenes with Mitch, and I was glad that for once, Mitch and Gail acted liked real parents to Dawson, and they told Dawson what he really needed to hear, but I was disappointed that Dawson didn’t take their advice, as he seemingly at least delayed his life’s ambition to stay in Boston to continue his ever ambiguous relationship with Joey Potter.

I thought that Mitch was absolutely correct when he told Dawson that he should choose his own path, and not follow Joey down her path, and I also agreed with Mitch that it’s unwise to make major life decisions based on someone else, and I think that Dawson’s decision, and Mitch’s words to him, will soon come to haunt Dawson, particularly in light of what happened at the end of the episode. Mitch knew his son well, and I wish that Dawson would have considered his advice more carefully, because like Mitch said, opportunities, and even life itself, can be gone in a moment.

My heart broke seeing Mitch and Gale together for the final time, especially watching as Mitch spoke with pride about the son he loved so much, and showing what a caring and loving father and husband that he is. I thought the final scene between Dawson and Mitch was really poignant, as he told Dawson that he loved him even though he thought he was making a big mistake and that he was disappointed in his decision, and I’ll really miss Mitch. I also think that Dawson made a big mistake, and I don’t think that Joey is the kind of person that Dawson should take a very big leap of faith for.

I was disappointed that Joey barely mentioned her relationship with Pacey to Audrey, and I thought the writers overdid it when they had Audrey elaborately praise Joey, telling her that she was the kind of girl that guys never get over, and that other girls get compared to, but then again, Dawson’s Creek is all about Joey, and even Audrey has fallen victim to Joey’s “Mary Curse!”

I thought that Pacey and Joey’s scene together was very sweet and moving, and it was filled with warmth and affection, and I was happy to see them get through their initial discomfort and relate to each other in a touching way. I was glad to see that they could honestly communicate with one another about the end of their romantic relationship and move on, falling back into the friendly and affectionate banter that had always typified their relationship, free of angst, and free of bitterness and regret. I thought their scene together was very well done, but I still wish that Pacey would be given a better story line than the one he has right now, as I didn’t like his interaction with either Karen or his boss, and I hate seeing one of the most popular characters on the show wasted in what’s been a pretty pointless storyline so far.

I thought the final scene between Dawson and Joey was touching, and, in fact, it was the best scene that I’ve seen between them so far this season, as they finally related as friends again, and we got to see some of the humorous banter between them that so many of us have sorely missed over the years. Obviously, though, this type of banter is something we won’t be seeing again on the show for quite some time, as Joey’s words that “you can’t go home again” proved to be sadly prophetic, as we saw in the tragic scene that ended the episode.

Deb D

Oh how I hated the end of this episode. Not in a 'it was crappily done' kind of way but because I've always loved Mitch and knew I would miss his character.
I loved the DJ moments in this episode and like you too Jerry was disappointed in the 'fluff' background, b story that Jen had been given.

-Kelly-

I thought Mitch was a little hard on Dawson because he got fired if Mitch was under that pressure, he would leave too
Jack and the Fraternity was boring to me, that wasn't the real Jack to me
I knew Joey would run into Pacey one day, living in the same town
The ending was sad but also it bugged me about Mitch died because he dropped a Ice-cream, it was sort of a bad end and story.

ReachOut

The final scene was truly shocking and heartbreaking. And although it proved to be extremely emotional and somewhat life-changing, i've always questioned if Mitch dying was really the correct decision by the writers.

Deb D

^ I agree Devon. I have my doubts about that plot but the following episode was one of the best of the season I thought.

ReachOut

Oh yeah, i'm looking forward to posting my thoughts for the next Episode, and what i believed to be of the most emotional Episodes from the entire Series.

-Kelly-

^ Oh yeah "The long goodbye" eppy

Alexa

Seeing Dawson back in Capeside was really sweet! I loved the scenes with him and his parents. It made it feel like old school DC. I didn't like that they just told him he couldn't drop out though. I understand where they were coming from but Dawson was being honest with them and they should have been supportive of his decision.

I liked when Joey saw Pacey again. I felt bad for her that he didn't tell her he was in town. But their later scene was really sweet and fun! I did enjoy Pacey's humor this episode though. The storyline with his boss was kinda random. What happened to the old chick he was dating? But, he did have better chemistry with the boss.

I felt bad for Jen. Charlie is clearly just using her for sex. And he cant read? LOL! Chad looks like such a damn good kisser!

I loved Jack's storyline. I love that his frat bro's knew he was gay but it was obvious they only wanted him there to fill the quota. The reason I like the storyline is because I, like Jack himself, want him to belong somewhere and I want to see him with some more friends.

THE DJ SCENE AT THE END, MY HEART. I just love them together. I love that Dawson felt Joey was worth taking the risk for.

I agree with Jerry about the comment from Audrey about Joey being miss perfect. That totally didnt need to be said.

The ending just felt super tacky and dramatic. I wasn't a fan at all. . I think it was just too depressing for the show to go this route with Mitch.

In general this episode was pretty blah. Again characters are separated and most of the storylines seem pretty pointless. There isn't a lot of substance going on right now.

It's crazy how much older everyone seems this season!