Jerry D

As everyone gets ready for this year's senior prom, some bad news causes Gretchen to reflect on her life, and Joey worries about Pacey's odd behavior. Meanwhile, Jen and Jack meddle in each others' lives... resulting in some interesting prom dates. At the prom Joey and Pacey confront once unspoken issues, and the festivities cause conflict for Gretchen, as she questions her relationship with Dawson, while an unhappy Jen is rescued by an unlikely individual.

Jerry D

Hi everyone! Here's what I wrote about this episode when it aired:

I found this particular episode of Dawson’s Creek to be one of the most disappointing episodes of the show that I’ve ever watched, as the two couples who much of this season was devoted to showcasing were broken up in an incredibly contrived fashion, with feelings surfacing that were only hinted at in previous episodes. I was also very disheartened to see one of my favorite characters on the show behave in a truly reprehensible way simply to fit the truly horrible plot line that the “wonderful” writers, in their “wisdom,” decided to foist upon us to create truly over the top melodrama, echoing the moves they made at the end of last season, only this time, instead of destroying the character of Dawson Leery to fit their current story line, they destroyed the character of Pacey Witter.

I thought that the writers and producers went to ridiculous lengths to make Pacey look pathetic, so they could illustrate his “downward spiral,” from his tearing Joey’s dress in the opening scene of the episode, to his ruining the corsages for Joey and Gretchen, through to his arranging for a limousine that seemed to be borrowed from the set of the “Beverly Hillbillies.” As always, the writer’s lack of subtlety was laughable, as they illustrated to a farcical degree the depths to which Pacey has sunk, and setting the stage for his later melodramatic tirade towards Joey, precipitating their ensuing breakup. What angers me the most is that they would have Pacey Witter, the consummate gentleman who always treated any woman he cared about with the ultimate of consideration and respect, publicly humiliate Joey in a truly reprehensible way, acting in a manner that was totally out of character, and have him publicly air their “dirty laundry” in front of the entire school, even revealing the most intimate details of their personal life to further humiliate Joey, who did nothing to merit such harsh treatment. Joey may have her faults, but she didn’t deserve to be treated in such a manner, and she had tried her best to communicate honestly and openly with Pacey about whatever problems they might be having before they got to that point, where Pacey, consumed, as always, by his intense feelings of jealousy towards the special connection that Dawson and Joey had, spewed forth his vindictive words towards the supposed “love of his life,” accusing her of making him feel like he was stupid and worthless, and never right. I truly feel that Joey, despite her conflicted feelings towards Dawson, never made Pacey feel like that, and as she later tearfully told Dawson, what he was saying about her truly wasn’t her. I do feel, however, that Pacey was right when he later told Joey that they were two different people on very different paths, but no matter what, Joey didn’t deserve to be treated like she was.

As always, I enjoyed the rapport between Jack and Jen, and Jack and Dawson, as they teased each other about their prom night, and Kerr Smith and Michelle Williams proved once again that they have a great flair for comedy, as they surreptitiously arranged for prom dates for each other with Tobey and Drue in a hilarious way, and Jack teased Dawson about “consummating” his prom night with Gretchen.

I was very disappointed to see Jen slide back, once again, to drinking to excess, as it was obvious that Dr. Frost was right that her confronting her father was only the beginning of her being able to conquer the demons that had clouded her young life and caused such behavior to begin with, but I was glad to see her and Drue start to truly connect as friends, and Drue, once again, showed a sweet side to his character that was truly endearing to see.

I was very happy to see Jack and Tobey connect romantically, as Jack admitted his fears to Tobey, and also admitted to him that what he felt for him was more than platonic, and he took an important step in truly accepting himself and allowing romance to enter his life by finding the courage to express how he felt by kissing Tobey.

I thought that Gretchen was extremely unfair to Dawson by breaking up with him because she “suddenly” realized that she was too old for him, and that she needed to move on with her life, and move beyond Capeside and him, and although she was completely correct when she told Dawson that him and Joey still had unresolved feelings towards one another, Dawson had always been completely honest with her about his feelings for her, and his feelings for Joey, and to me, Gretchen hurt Dawson unnecessarily, all to fit the theme of this episode.

I loved seeing all of Dawson and Joey’s scenes together, from the joy they had in each other’s presence as they posed for pictures for Gale and Mitch, to the way they smiled at one another as the danced together, and especially in their heartfelt conversations with one another as they each admitted that they would never love anyone else the way they had loved each other, their “first loves.” I enjoyed seeing the ease with which they communicate with one another, even when they talked about the possibility of Dawson sharing his “first time” with Gretchen, and I thought that Dawson was wonderful to provide Joey a shoulder to cry on after Pacey humiliated her, being, as always, a true friend to the girl who would always have a special place in his heart, and that he would always have a very extraordinary connection with. To me, the friendship of Dawson and Joey has a special kind of magic to it, and this episode illustrated the magic between these two characters to a wonderful degree. I also thought it was wonderful that despite his angry outburst the year before, Dawson was there for Joey to pick up the pieces as her romantic relationship with Pacey crashed and burned.

Overall, although this episode had some very touching moments, I still feel that the way that Pacey and Joey and Dawson and Gretchen were broken up was done in a very contrived and unnecessary way, so I can’t help but feel disappointed in an episode whose entire purpose seemed to be to destroy the two key romantic relationships that had dominated this entire season.

COOLCAT200

I was not a P/J season 4 fan so it was fine by me to see them breakup and although I was enjoying Dawson/Grethan a big part of me was still holding out for D/J.

Now with that said it really was out of character of Pacey to do what he did the way he did it. I mean my jaw just dropped during the scene with Joey. What rage. You couldn't help but feel awful for Joey because it was just a cruel thing to do. It did not surprise me though that seeing D/J just dancing would be the thing to set him off.
I loved the Dawson/Joey talk at the prom and how Joey told him she would never love anyone the way she loved him. Very special.�* I can't say Gretchen was all together wrong when she told Dawson he is still chasing Joey because when she arrived at his house you could just see it on his face the love was still there. But I did feel bad for Dawson when Gretchen broke up with him.

Poor Jen having to get drunk was sad to see but Drue was nice in this episode and I was glad Jack and Tobey worked things out.

Sugz

Not my favorite episode but definitely not my least favorite either. This episode was just a culmination of a really horribly done season 4 ending to Pacey and Joey, pretty much magnifying to the extreme all of the little things that were wrong with their young relationship. Sure, he had Dawson issues but him blowing up at seeing them having one dance at prom? Doubt it. Yes, he had school problems but making the intellectual difference between he and Joey something that makes him "feel like nothing"? A little much. Not to mention making him the screwup of the millenium in this episode by messing up the limo and the corsage's. Way to be subtle. That said, Pacey was a straight jackass, even after he began and Joey wanted to have the conversation privately he insisted on finishing it, in a very loud and hurtful way, in front of the entire senior class. Bad, bad Pacey!

I really cared less about Dawson and Gretchen, I dont thin kthat he deserved her at this stage in his life, he was too young for her, not capable of the type of adult relationship she could carry on. In fact I thought that most of the late season Dawson and Gretchen on and off stuff was a big huge bore because we all knew it wasnt going to work.

Jen and Drue were cute, a nice C storyline.

~AnastasiaGrey~

This episode... is one fo the few episodes. That I dont see myself watching ever so often... thats how depressed i get from watching this episode.....


I think the writers went to far when it came to breaking up Joey and pacey. Because even though we kidna knew what it led up to, it shouldnt have led uo tp humilation in front of the whole school..... I would of just simply acceepted a simple break up after the prom thats all. not something you would reember as the worst exposive thing your bf could ever do to you.

Corrsfanre

Feel the same way..

And to let you know what I feel about this episode

writers, they ruined an entire season with that episode

JackersandJen

Another horrible episode of a horrible season!

so...not much to say!

Corrsfanre

Star Dreamer

As a D/J fan, I liked this episode purely for the selfish reason that I was glad to see Pacey and Joey break up. To me, it confirmed my reasons for not liking this pairing and even though Pacey was going through tough times, what he said to Joey was completely out of line, I felt.

Loved Drue and Jen in this. It was really nice to see a different side of Drue and I really liked how over the next episode or two, Jen and Drue hung out.

Jack and Tobey were cute

jediwands

Wow, I haven't been around this board in such a long time, but I saw this episode was up for discussion and I wanted to quickly comment on it.

There is absolutely nothing I liked about this episode. Pacey was so out of character, it was sickening. Having Jen in a drunken state was just pathetic and completely unnecessary. I absolutely hated how they found cheap reasons to break up both PJ and DG, that made very little sense and was all out insulting to the fans if you ask me.

For me, this episode was not about a shipper preference in the least. If you were a true fan of this show, this episode should disappoint you because it was almost an insult to the fans to think that they actually thought this episode was good enough to even show on the small screen. This episode had one purpose, and that was to break up the two main couples of season 4, no matter how out of line and off the wall they went about doing so. If they wanted to break up both of these couples, fine, but they should have done it in a more realistic and sensical way instead of the nonsense they threw at the screen.

~AnastasiaGrey~

Could agree more michele

~Unfaithful~

I enjoyed this episode for the purely selfish reason that I didnt have to watch another moment of the sickening barfy kissy face that was P/J. On the other hand, it completely ruined the character of Pacey for me, I could never view him the same way again. Dawson and Gretchen, whatever...........I didn't care either way.

wbjunkie

I Hated This Episode!!!!! The Only Good Thing About It Was Jack And Tobey. Pacey's Behavior Was Totally Out Of Character And I Was P/o On How They Degraded That Relationship. It Was Like We Had Ghost Writers.... What Was Up With That???????

Alexa

It was totally cringey watching Joey be all over Pacey and then him wanting a sandwich LOL. I cant understand why he was being so weird the whole episode and pushing her away. It was really irritating and came out of the blue. Before his trip he was totally in love with Joey and then this?

Totally agree. Pacey is my favorite character and this behavior totally came out of nowhere. I am not a PJ fan at all and I am glad it ended this episode but the way they did it was just awful. I was just so confused on where all of his anger came from. I realize he’s always been insecure and I think that Joey has been a great girlfriend and a great support system to him, so for him to be so upset with her and blame her for everything was horrible. Saying he felt like nothing and all that stuff he spewed about not wanting to touch her was just horrible. Absolutely terrible. I am pissed at Pacey and I am pissed at the writers for doing this to him…. With all of that said, I do think he had a point. I do think she made him feel insecure and it was tearing him up the entire year. But it didnt really have anything to do with them as a couple, more so just Pacey and were he was at in his life. if you can't love yourself how can you love someone else? I just wish it was executed in a better way. (Btw, I always love reading your thoughts Jerry, you express yourself very well!

Dawson watching Joey show up was really cute and I loved when they took Prom photos together, it was really sweet. And their conversation at the Prom about never loving someone the way they loved each other was so adorable! I just loved when Dawson went after Joey and gave her his coat and they hugged. Aww they are so sweet.

Jen’s back and forth drinking issue annoys me so much but I have to say that I did enjoy her scenes with Dru.

The Toby/Jack kiss was really cute but for some reason I just dont connect to those two and their story.

Gretchen breaking up with Dawson was expected to me and while I found them sort of sweet, I was getting bored of their relationship. I am glad that she ended it and I agree that they were in two different places.

JJH85

Aside from the big blow out, there was so much about this episode that I didn't like.

Pacey is also my favourite character in the show and this episode was just awful for him. I didn't like the fact that Dawson and Jack were trying on their tuxes without Pacey, that seemed a bit off and I really thought it was unfair that Pacey had to get the corsages and the limo, both of which he screwed up. I know he's been blamed for being a screw up, but he's never been that much of a screw up, so it all seemed stupid to me. And Pacey just looked so unhappy the entire episode and it broke my heart.

I agree with you regarding Jen's drinking, that should have stopped after S2 IMO, but I did like how Drue took care of her.

Toby got on my nerves from the moment he was introduced to the show right up until his last scene, so I hated that Jack got stuck going to prom with him. It all seemed so forced.

Gretchen looked ridiculous at prom, she was far too old to be there and it was so obvious when seeing her there.

I think the only good parts of that episode were the Dawson and Joey moments. I was glad they were able to put aside their feelings and just be Dawson and Joey again.