"Dance"
Dawson and Joey watch dailies from Dawson's horror film
in his bedroom, and begin a discussion on kissing--Joey refuses to kiss
Pacey in the film, and she teases Dawson about him having not yet kissed
Jen. The next day at Capeside High, Dawson succeeds in convincing Mr. Gold
to allow him to use the film class as his study hall period. Pacey
attempts to discuss with Ms. Jacobs the passionate kiss they shared
the other night, but she is uncomfortable and refuses to acknowledge it
happened as her class takes their seats. During lunch, Dawson shares with
his pals his latest idea for his film: Joey's character will die violently
halfway through, and her beautiful cousin from New York (played by Jen)
will arrive to investigate the death. In Mr. Gold's film class, Dawson
is dismayed to learn that the class is in the midst of creating "Helmets
of Glory," a film chronicling last year's football season conceived by
Capeside High's star quarterback Cliff Elliott and produced by nemesis
Nellie Olson. Dawson suffers further when he later spies Cliff hitting
on Jen.
Back at home on Saturday, Dawson and Mitch share a nice
father-son moment when Mitch relates the story of his first kiss with Gale
(it involved a boat and Chapstick) and has Dawson practice his first
kiss with Jen on the plaster head of Joey that had been designed for
her death scene in Dawson's film. Joey observes this moment, unseen,
then startles Gale who has just been on the phone making rendezvous
plans for that night with co-anchor Bob. Joey cryptically tells Gale
that she's aware of what's going on. Joey's death scene in Dawson's
film is shot without a hitch, but Dawson immediately decides to cut
out the kissing scene between Jen and Pacey's characters when his buddy
over-enthusiastically performs it. With Dawson's film back on schedule,
Pacey runs home to get ready for the Victory Dance (Ms. Jacobs will be
there as a chaperone), and Jen does the same (she's going to the Dance
with Cliff, though she hesitates labeling it a date). Thoughts of Jen
and Cliff slow-dancing together driving him mad, so Dawson persuades
a reluctant Joey to head over to the Dance with him. On her way out
for the evening, Gale confronts Joey about the girl's earlier comment,
and Joey relates the story of how her father's infidelities devastated
her mother and the whole family. The conversation is halted when Dawson
appears, ready to take off for the Dance.
Jen and Cliff banter playfully at the Dance (she finds him
'smooth in an unassuming way") before hitting the floor. Pacey turns on
the charm with Ms. Jacobs, who gives him the brush off. Dawson and Joey
share a slow dance, which grows almost intimate, until interrupted by
Jen and Cliff. Dawson angers first Joey when he compares the feelings
he has for Jen to those he has for his longtime friend; then angers Jen
when he attempts to cut into her dance with Cliff and provokes the senior
to a near fight. Jen flees the scene.
Dawson, Joey and Pacey all head home dejected. Gale arrives
home earlier than planned and playfully goads Mitch into believing
she doesn't remember their first kiss then pulls out the Chapstick
and plants a warm, full, almost desperate, smooch on her husband. Now
heading home solo, Pacey encounters a chagrined Tamara, and his ardent
protestations on the heels of her confused apologies once again lead
the two into a passionate kiss. On their way home, Joey and Dawson spy
Jen alone at the marina, and Joey steps aside so her friend can make
amends to the girl. Dawson admits to the still angry Jen that he wants
to be her boyfriend and not just her friend. Jen tells Dawson that in
New York she was moving very fast and she doesn't want to repeat those
mistakes in Capeside. However, she is interested in a relationship with
Dawson and they share a romantic dance in the moonlight, unaware they're
being watched by a wistful Joey.
Written by Kevin Williamson
Directed by Steve Miner
Originally Aired Tuesday, January 27, 1998 9pm/8pm C
The WB Television Network