Episode Report Card Sars: D | 1 USERS: A+ YOU GRADE IT Detention
By Sars | Season 1 | Episode 7 | Aired on 03.02.1998
Then, out of nowhere, Joey shouts, "You know, when did everyone become so obsessed with sex? And now you too, Dawson! If you're worried that everyone's more experienced than you, you can just rest easy -- you still have one friend who'll probably go to her grave a virgin." Dawson says, in his most maddeningly condescending tone, "Joey, it's just a matter of time," and Joey snarls, "Before what? Before my brain short-circuits and I start bedding down with every guy with a fast car and big biceps?" Dawson: "Before you find the right person." Oh, nice, Dawson. Joey glares at him and shuts her eyes before saying, "I have," and smoothing her hair. Jen shakes her head ruefully as Dawson asks, "Joey?" and Joey croaks, "I'm sorry, Dawson -- I don't, I don't know what's going on." Dawson goes over to sit beside her as she forces the words out: "I have all these feelings, these weird feelings -- I don't know how to say it, and I can't say it." Dawson looks sincerely concerned. Joey starts to cry in earnest: "We've known each other for so long, and you know everything about me, everything -- and I can't even say this, I can't. I just feel -- really lonely."
Dawson interrupts to say that he's "here for" her, and she shakes her head vehemently, but he insists, "Nothing you can say is gonna change that. Nothing. Maybe if you'd just say these things then, you know, they'll be out in the open. Your feelings won't be as strong anymore, you know? You'd, you'd be free." Joey says again that she just can't: "If I say these things, I can't ever take them back. It'll change everything, and I can't do that." Jen looks sad. Pacey looks sad. Even Abby looks sad. Great acting by Katie Holmes in this scene -- she might not have great range, but she does a lot with what she does have.
Merciful heavens above, enter Mrs. Shingle, or whatever, to tell them they can go home now, but they all just sit there in shock. Pacey covers his hands. As we fade to black, Dawson runs his hands through his hair. Final score of this episode: Dawson's Creek 1, my digestive system 0.