Episode Report Card Jessica: B- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Highway To Hell
By Jessica | Season 5 | Episode 17 | Aired on 04.02.2002
Finally, Audrey and Pacey stumble out of the woods. Pacey looks sated. "I don't want any details," Joey hisses to Audrey, "but thank you." Um, ew.
Capeside. Dawson and Jen are out on the dock, which seems to be doubling as Jen's office this weekend. He's concerned about this whole Nathan development, and Jen tells him that he needs to prepare himself for the possibility that Gale will probably get laid again. Dawson knows that, he says, but he just wants to talk to her about how the idea totally wigs him out, even if it's not a completely rational reaction. Jen's all dismissive and basically tells him to take it up with Gale. Dawson looks incredulous that his One And Only is so uninterested in his pain. She makes a face, then mutters that "it's time to move on." Dawson looks at her, concerned, and she finally worries out that "people just need to breathe sometimes and act on their impulses." Dawson furrows his giant brow. "I know that," he says. "I'm not her keeper. I'm just saying I have a right to a reaction, don't I?" And much as it pains me to say it: word. Everyone has a right to their reaction. It's how they express that reaction that gets them in trouble sometimes.
Jen makes a nasty face. "Maybe not," Dawson corrects himself, after getting a good look at the expression on her face. "I didn't say that," Jen mealy-mouths. Dawson finally clues into the fact that they're not having the same conversation. "I am painting myself into a corner here," Jen sighs. "I didn't mean to attack you," Dawson says. "I just don't want to say something I'll end up regretting," Jen finally tells him, and tries to leave the dock. Jeez. New Jen couldn't suck more if she were the new Hoover attachment. Dawson is all, what is wrong with you? She tells him that she wants to "take a breather and go somewhere with Jack." Dawson just looks at her. "Okay," he says. And she walks away.
The Drunk and The Dead turns out to be hardcore biker bar, complete with tequila shots and leather chaps. Recognizing her people, Audrey takes off to explore. Joey makes an exaggerated "oh, shit" face, one that gets more pronounced when Charlie breaks the news that they've got no time to rehearse before curtain. "This kind of crowd isn't going to care much about your singing, if you know what I mean," he adds. "Oh, that's just great. Maybe you could make a little money off her after the show, if you know what I mean," Pacey snaps at him. Cue more macho posturing from the boys and eye-rolling from Joey. At long last, Charlie goes to meet up with the rest of the band, calling Joey "a great performer" as he goes. I'm too tired to even attack that, and I think you all know what I'd say anyway. Audrey comes skipping back to Pacey and Joey, gleefully squealing that a woman is giving "jailhouse tattoos" in the back for ten bucks a pop! "Sounds divine," Joey says as Audrey drags her off.