"Road Trip"
Male bonding plays a major role in this episode as Dawson, Billy, and
Pacey travel to Providence for a night out on the town. The road trip
also provides a perfect opportunity for Jen and Joey to finally bond while
the men are away. The episode opens with Joey and Dawson in his room.
It is clear that Dawson is taking his breakup with Jen rather hard.
Joey is there to give advice even if Dawson won't take it. To make
matters even worse, Dawson is given constant reminders of his lost love.
As luck would have it the tape in the VCR is of Jen exiting the taxi on
her first day in Capeside.
Meanwhile Grams enters Jen's room to find Billy, who entered through the
window, lying on her bed. Unlike the New York incident Jen was not in
the room at the time. When Jen arrives she insists that Billy leave.
After having his advances declined by Jen, Billy eventually leaves.
After his departure, he runs into Dawson and they begin talking.
During the course of the conversation, Billy convinces Dawson to join
him on a road trip to Providence. When Pacey hears about the pending
adventure he is of course enthusiastic about joining in. After a brief
discussion the three set sail for their journey to the city.
Elsewhere, Joey is walking alone when a young man driving a Jeep
approaches her. He begins to flirt with her and offers her a lift.
She is reluctant at first, but eventually accepts the ride to school.
He seems nice enough, and what's the worse that could happen? The next
day in school Jen informs Joey that Warren Gary, the boy who gave her a
ride, was telling people that he had sex with her. The rumor spreads
quickly throughout the school. When Joey confronts Warren about the
story he offers no explanation other than the fact that he thinks she
should be happy since he considers himself "major league." To Joey
this rumor is intolerable, so her and Jen conspire to get him back.
The next day Joey tells Abby Morgan, the gossip queen, she is pregnant
and that Warren doesn't even care. Abby then proceeds to spread that
rumor throughout the school. The spotlight is then turned from Joey to
Warren as the student body turns on him. The two eventually work the
situation out after Abby finds out a little secret that might prevent
Warren from impregnating Joey. Apparently, Warren has a soft spot for
the ladies in the wrong place.
It isn't just Joey who wants to get back at someone.
Dawson, Pacey, and Billy have revenge on their minds as well. During the
ferry ride the three notice two hooligans who are harassing the other
passengers. Dawson, Pacey, and Billy can't believe what they are seeing
so they come up with a plan to get the troublemakers back. Secretly
Dawson attaches a chain to the axle of the nuisances' truck. When the
ferry reaches its destination, Pacey taunts the two by mooning them.
In a rush to catch Pacey the truck takes off and the axle is ripped off.
The three celebrate as they rush off to their destination of Providence.
When Dawson, Pacey, and Billy arrive in Providence they go straight to
a bar. Immediately Dawson and Pacey identify their potential targets for
the night. Dawson, with encouragement from the other two, approaches
a young woman wearing a film shirt. After fumbling about for a while,
the two hit it off. Nina, the film student, even asks Dawson if he would
like to go home with her. Influenced by his lingering feelings for Jen,
he declines and she settles for a kiss. Just before they are ready to
leave, Dawson gets into an argument with Billy. He has figured out that
Billy only wanted him to go so he would get together with another girl,
thus increasing Billy's chances with Jen. The discussion ends when Billy
leaves without Dawson and Pacey. They are forced to take the bus home,
and don't arrive until the next morning. Dawson gets home to find Joey
in his room. Much to Joey's dismay, Dawson's exhaustion gets the best
of him, and he falls asleep after a brief conversation. They both have
stories to tell, but it looks like they will have to wait.
Written by Rob Thomas
Directed by Steve Robman
Originally Aired Tuesday, March 17, 1998 9pm/8pm C
The WB Television Network