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Old 12-05-2004, 06:46 PM
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Episode Discussion 308 "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner"



Every year Grams holds a potluck Thanksgiving Feast, opening her home to those who don't want to spend the holiday alone. This year everyone shows up including a surprise guest, Jen's estranged mother, Helen. Tensions run high as Jen deals with her rage toward her mother for sending her away to Capeside. Dawson confronts Helen with the secret about Eve. Andie and Pacey are in the same room for the first time since their last fight. Then when Dawson thinks his mother is home for good and they are a family again, his parents tell him that their divorce is final. By the end of the evening, all six kids gravitate to each other amidst their turmoil.
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Old 12-05-2004, 10:11 PM
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Once again, here's my commentary back from when the episode aired. Yeah, it's dated, but I have no desire to re-watch any Dawson's Creek episode or write a “looking back” commentary.

I really enjoyed this episode, simply for the fact that it focused on character interaction, and it was good to see many of the characters relate to one another as true friends. In some ways, except for the arrival of Jen’s mother, and the revelation that she was, in fact, the mother of Eve, this episode was rather uneventful, but considering the rather sensationalistic turn the show often takes, an uneventful episode is rather refreshing.

I really enjoyed the banter between Jen and Pacey in the beginning of the show, and I especially liked the way that Jen kept laughing at Pacey’s attempts to be amorous! I really enjoyed the way Jen and Pacey provided each other some real support at certain key moments in this episode, and I especially thought that Pacey’s advice to Jen about what had happened with her mother was touching and true.

I thought that the arrival of Jen’s mother was very “convenient” to close out the Eve story line, and it relieved Dawson of the burden of having to tell Jen about Eve’s allegations, which turned out to be true. I was very disappointed by the remoteness that Jen’s mother exhibited during this entire episode, as she seemed completely incapable of expressing any real emotion at all, even when revealing, and being forced to acknowledge, the potentially devastating news that she had a child out of wedlock. I thought that Jen had a prefect take on her mother that she was “numb inside” and that she couldn’t face the truth about herself. I also thought it was a rather sad commentary on what was important to Jen’s mother when she said that she couldn’t divorce Jen’s father because she would be “cut out of the social registry.” I find it difficult to believe that anyone could possibly be that shallow. In many ways, Mrs. Lindley reminded me of Mr. McPhee, emotionally stunted, and incapable of providing any real love or empathy towards her daughter. I thought that Michelle Williams once again proved what a wonderful actress she is by conveying the hurt that she felt over her mother’s treatment of her. I was really touched by the close relationship that Grams and Jen have begun to develop, and it was good that they are finally connecting with one another. I had the impression that Grams and Helen have an estranged relationship, and Grams seemed much closer to Jen than she did to her own daughter.

I thought that Joey showed real growth as a character on this episode, as she told Jen just how fragile and fleeting your relationship with your parents can be, and how you might never get the chance to heal your differences with them. I thought that Joey and Bessie reminiscing about their mother was very poignant and wistful, and I think it’s especially true that you think about your departed loves ones the most during holidays. I know I do, at least, anyway. I also liked how she reached out to Andie with advice about her situation with Pacey, and I like the new maturity that Joey seems to possess. I was saddened that Dawson had to learn that his parent’s divorce was final, but I was glad to see him confide in Joey about it, and talk to her as a close friend once again.

I thought that Pacey and Andie’s discomfort with seeing one another was very realistic, and Jack was right to intervene and call for a truce between the “warring factions.” I wish we had seen more of Jack this episode, but I suppose the purpose of this episode was mainly to focus on the relationship between Jen and her mother, and it was more of an ensemble effort given the Thanksgiving setting, so each major character had rather limited screen time.

Overall, I feel this episode was enjoyable, and served somewhat as a “filler” episode and a precursor to other things to come.
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Old 12-05-2004, 11:27 PM
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The Creeks first and only Thanksgiving episode. I liked it. The Eve thing being brought up I did not like but that's pretty much the only thing I did not care for. I liked The Jen/Mother stuff and Jen having to deal with it and I love the end when she say's good-bye to her mom. I loved the Jen/Pacey scenes in the teaser and in the EP. I liked Dawson and Joey's talk and I can understand Dawson being confused with his parents. I felt bad for both Pacey and Andie saying they broke one another's hearts but Jack made a good point to Pacey. My favorite part of the episode though was the end I loved seeing the gang all together and Dawson was right it was far too long without a moment like that. I loved ''I Would Be Good Playing at the end.
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Old 12-06-2004, 01:00 AM
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cute episode. I kind of like it because a lot of character interaction. I like the realisticness with Pacey and Andie after the breakup and how Jack says they both got hurt. I felt bad for Jen. I like her scenes with Pacey and that he did the right thing because he knew she was just upset with her mom. I think Joey made a good point to Jen about her mother. The resemblance between Jen's mother and Grams was amazing. They actually looked like mother and daughter. I wouldn't be a PJer if I didn't mention when Andie tells Joey that her and Pacey have gotten closer and I like that Joey says he doesn't really say much, but keeps her close to his heart. It was sweet to say. I noticed her blush when she says Pacey's a doofus, but he has his moments. I remember when this episode first aired, I was on my home from college and there was a huge traffic jam, so I missed this episode
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Old 12-06-2004, 04:05 PM
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I really enjoyed this episode because you get to see the entire cast interact and you see the main characters in a situation that they haven't been in in a while...that situation being in the same place at the same time.

You really get to see and feel the sting that Jen has with her mom. And you can truly understand why Jen's attitude was the way it was during the beginning. You see a softness in Jen during this episode, especially when she's saying goodbye to her mom.

And I have to agree with Pacey...creamed onions are just....ick! ( )

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Old 12-06-2004, 04:16 PM
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totally agree finally about this episode showing about why Jen feels the way she does about her mom
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is it true you went out with Joshua Jackson last year?
Katie Holmes: I fell in love for the first time and it was something so incredible and indescribable that I will always treasure it.

KH asked about kissing her ex (JJ) in front of the cameras all day:

"Maybe there's a hint of realism?"
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Old 12-06-2004, 06:49 PM
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This episode was quite good. For me, I am always satisfied anytime Michelle Williams is able to get more than just a "C story" as Jen. I only wish they would have taken more advantage of Michelle's acting ability and given her more material to work with.
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Old 12-07-2004, 11:40 AM
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I watched this last night - as a bit of a refresher - and it only served to remind me how talented Michelle is - she was fantastic in this episode. From the funny beginning with Pacey where she can't stop laughing to the absolute heartbreak with her mum, she was fab.............Oh and I loved the comment Joey made right at the end - it really felt like a flash back to Season 1 sarcastic Joey that I'd missed.......

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Old 12-07-2004, 01:15 PM
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I'm not really a fan of this episode, I just found it a bit boring. Liked the interaction of the whole group at th end though
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Old 12-07-2004, 03:24 PM
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I agree with Faye. I didn't really like this episode that much either, but I did like the group scene at the end.
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Old 12-08-2004, 05:15 AM
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Jen's mom bugged me alot. I didn't like this eppy that much, but I love the group fire night
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Old 12-08-2004, 12:32 PM
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Yeah Jen's mom bugged me as well
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