Episode Report Card Sars: D+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Discovery
By Sars | Season 1 | Episode 4 | Aired on 02.09.1998
Dawson and Jen run into each other in the hall. Jen "missed" Dawson this morning, and from the feebleness of his excuse, we can tell he avoided her purposely; he continues dodging her attempts to make plans later with lame pretexts like "movie stuff" and "homework." Finally, he agrees to a study break and says he'll call her, and Jen scents something in the wind and brings up their conversation of the previous night, but Dawson says he has to go and books, and Jen makes a "whatever" face. Hmm. Apparently, Dawson prefers his women inexperienced, so that he can feel superior to them. How charming. Well, all but the "charming" part.
Pacey. TaMAHra. TaMAHra erasing the blackboard, Pacey looming in the doorway, Sars venturing into Alphabet City to buy a dime of much-needed crack. Pacey passive-aggressive, TaMAHra befuddled; Pacey implying that TaMAHra is carrying on with "multiple partners," TaMAHra confused. Pacey openly accusing TaMAHra of canoodling with Mr. Gold and demanding that she choose between them; TaMAHra calling Pacey immature and informing him that Mr. Gold prefers the company of men. Pacey reassured; TaMAHra conciliatory. TaMAHra admitting doubts and indecision; Pacey taking comfort from her confession. Sars freebasing.
At Dawson's locker, Jen calls him on his double-standard bullshit, but she does so gently, referring to her own "pathetic insecurity" and asking for "a quick postmortem on last night" to make sure Dawson is "okay with what we talked about." Dawson, resembling a deer in the headlights, says, "Yeah, I'm fine with it." Jen says, "Really?" and Dawson points out that it happened in the past, and even if he did have a problem with it -- which, it seems, he definitely does -- what could he say? Jen says that he could tell her if it weirded him out. Dawson says he feels like she wants him to say something, but he doesn't know what. Um, Dawson? I think she wants you to tell her the truth, you hypocritical little horndog. Jen lets him have it: "Well, let me help you out. You could tell me why you've been avoiding me all day, or what's behind that look in your eyes, whether it's repulsion or jealousy or complete disapproval, 'cause I know I've never seen it from you before. You could tell me that you suddenly feel strange about us, that maybe we need a little break because you don't seem to know me, and maybe you never really did." As Dawson slumps further and further down against his locker, Jen leans closer and hisses, "Or -- and now I'll make it really easy for you, Dawson -- you could just tell me if I've left anything out." Call a lawyer, Dawson, because YER BUSTED! When he finally meets her eye, she says, "I didn't think so," and dusts his sorry ass. Go, Jen.
Over at the video store, Pacey in his customary Kramer shirt and Dawson in costume as Sir Mousse-A-Lot discuss the relative merits of dating a non-virgin. Dawson can't believe it wouldn't bother Pacey. Pacey asks why it should bother him. Dawson sputters that she's had sex with other guys. Uh duh. Pacey explains at great length that Jen has given Dawson an "in" by telling him about her past, because she knows that he's a romantic, and she knows he puts women like her on a pedestal, so she puts him at ease by more or less saying that she wants "it" as badly as he does, or, as Pacey puts it, "Your carnal needs are reciprocal." I've never thought of it like that before, and I don't know if I buy it, but whatever works for Pacey. Dawson doesn't buy it either; he accuses Pacey of not understanding the difference between sex and romance or some such balderdash, and he tries to tell Pacey that his reaction has nothing to do with sex, or with getting Jen "in the sack," it has to do with one thing, and Pacey jumps in with, "Right -- the fact that you're scared." Dawson doesn't have a comeback to this, and as he fidgets with a tape case, Pacey says gently, "Dawson, the Jen Lindley that you have built up in your mind does not entirely exist, okay? In your movies, she can be whatever you want, but in real life, the scripts got thrown out." "So it seems," Dawson snaps, and Pacey tells him just to enjoy the ride, but Dawson "could do without the unexpected plot twists." They reflect on the so-called ironies of their situations -- Jen the alleged virgin, not a virgin; Pacey the "strike-out artist," now boinking his English teacher; the happily married Leerys, not so happy. Yes, I think we probably get the point, but just in case, send in the anvils! Pacey asks if Dawson talked to his mother yet. Dawson says, "Nope. Change of plan." Pacey chides him, "Dawson, I thought you said you were gonna tell her." Dawson says grimly, "I'm gonna tell my dad." Oh, great idea. Well, maybe more "awful" than "great," now that I think about it.