Episode Report Card Jessica: D+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Everything Put Together Falls Apart
By Jessica | Season 6 | Episode 9 | Aired on 11.19.2002
Emma's place. She sits on the sofa in a very attractive kimono and watches TV. Enter Pacey. And I don't have the energy for this. But I will slog through it. For you. I do it all for you, people. Pacey sits next to her on the sofa and announces that Bobby Briggs is a moron. "So, did I win then?" she asks. Pacey makes his confused face. "I said, did I win then? Probably not," she says. "Somebody told you about the contest," Pacey says. "Pretty sharp there, Pacey," Emma snarks. Pacey sighs. "All I can say is that I'm sorry. There's no noble speech I can give you." Instead, he apologizes for taking "the spineless corporate route" and tells her that he "forgot [he] had a choice." Emma sighs. "You always have a choice, Pacey," she platitudes. "True enough," Pacey admits, "although in that office it doesn't always feel like it." Oh, wah wah wah. Grow a pair, Pacey, and take some responsibility for your actions. Or why don't you quit in a dramatic coup -- the way you quit every job you've ever had -- and then decide to become, oh, let's see...how about a nuclear physicist? Your boss in that scenario will by played by Piper Laurie. And she's going to kick your ass. Emma asks again if she won. Pacey shakes his head, and she sighs and says that she doesn't get why he was taking her there. "Were you trying to humiliate me?" Pacey, stunned, sputters that he took her because he thought she would win. She was the hottest chick there, he says. Or something to that effect. "And I'm not taking a piss, or whatever you crazy English people say," he insists.
Cue The Piano Of Roommates Who Are About to Hook Up, Surprising No One. Pacey says that being at that party with Emma was "ten times the prize he'd ever get from those soulless corporate freaks." Since when is he all in love with Emma? Oh, I don't even care. Naturally, they start to make out, but are interrupted by Jack coming in with a burger. Where's Jen, by the way? Or Audrey? (Not that I give a shit about Audrey anymore.) Emma and Pacey fly apart and stare at the walls. "Hey, guys!" Jack says, sitting between them and taking out his food. He turns on the TV and smiles at them cheerfully. They both try to look as blank as possible. Aw, Jack. That one second was refreshing. Although I know that Kerr Smith directed this episode, so he was busy behind the camera. And he did a decent job, too. The close-up on Oliver's furious fists, pre-punch, was a little much, but other than that? Not bad at all.
So, Oliver has taken Joey to the ice-skating rink to get their minds off the fact that one of them is unemployed and the other is suffering an academic setback of apparently monstrous proportions. It's so clearly the Carolina Hurricanes rink, by the way. I can see their logo in center ice. Nice continuity, folks. I thought I left that kind of blatant fuck-up behind me when The X-Files ended. Anyway, they skate. It's very Cutting Edge, except not nearly as entertaining. Joey can't believe Pa Oliver got them into the rink! Oliver says they "have connections." Joey smiles. "The Irish Mafia! I knew it!" If only. That might be interesting. Oliver smiles. They skate around some more, and she tells him that he does possess "a certain masculine grace." Oliver grins. "I told you," he says. Joey smiles. Yes, again. And thanks him. "For this, for everything." He stops her and gazes down moonily. "It's my pleasure, Joey Potter," he says. They kiss. Oliver Hudson is so cute that that almost melted my cold, dead heart. Except for the part where my festering bitterness and deep-seated hatred has made me impervious to anything but the most negative emotions.