Nearing the end of his suspension, Pacey holes himself
up in Dawson's bedroom, watching Jerry Maguire over and over.
After Dawson delivers Pacey's latest homework assignments, he advises
Pacey to call and apologize to Andie, whom he hasn't spoken to since
that night on the docks.
At Capeside High, Jen invites Dawson to join her and
Ty for a night at the club. Dawson extends the same invitation to
Joey, but she turns it down. Dawson then suggests that Joey arrange
a romantic evening to spend with Jack. Back in class, Pacey gets
his graded poetry assignment back from Mr. Peterson. Unfortunately,
that grade is none other than an "F". At lunch, Pacey shows his grade
to Dawson while watching Andie, who is sitting at a table by herself.
Joey informs Jack that she'll be cooking a dinner just for the two of
them. After deliberating for a while, Pacey joins Andie at her table.
However, both Pacey and Andie expect apologies from each other.
With the argument going nowhere, Andie gets up and leaves the cafeteria.
Jack catches up with her outside, where they learn that they have both
been called down to Mr. Milo's office. Waiting in the office is Jack
and Andie's long-gone father. Andie embraces him immediately, but Jack
keeps his distance. Jack calls Joey to cancel their dinner plans, seeing
how his father has arranged for a dinner of their own. After hanging
up, Joey decides to make the best of her night and takes Dawson up on
his offer. At the club, Ty surprises Jen again by joining the blues band
on the piano for a set. While Jen, Dawson, and Joey watch and listen,
they share a few laughs over their less-than-ideal romantic situations.
Later, during a slow dance, Joey admits that she doesn't know Jack half as
much as she knows Dawson, including the ability to read the other's eyes.
As they continue their dance, Ty expresses his confusion over Joey's
relationship with Jack. Jen listens in shock as Ty rips the entire
homosexual way of life. After they leave the club, Ty hangs around
Jen's house for a bite to eat. Jen and Ty continue their debate over the
morality of homosexuality, which Grams overhears while washing the dishes.
Having heard enough, Grams aids her granddaughter in shutting Ty up and
teaching him what's best for Jack at this moment.
Meanwhile, Mr. McPhee treats his children to dinner at
an elegant restaurant. Andie rambles on and on about what's been going
on in her life since their father left, but Jack keeps quiet throughout
the dinner. Finally, Mr. McPhee asks Jack if there's any truth to the
rumor that he's gay. Instead of answering the question, Jack asks his
dad if his being gay would be a problem. Without hesitating, Mr. McPhee
tells Jack that the last thing their family needs is another problem.
After dinner, Andie talks to Jack in her bedroom about how she needs
their father to stay and make everything in their family right again.
Jack disagrees, knowing full well that their father has no intentions
of staying.
The next morning, Mr. McPhee packs up and starts to head
back to Providence. Andie tries to convince him to stay a little longer,
but Jack tells his dad to forget about coming back. Angered by his son's
insolence, Mr. McPhee opens to door to leave. However, Jack slams the
door shut, demanding his father to ask him again if he's gay. As Andie
and her dad listen, Jack confesses that he's been lying to himself about
his sexual orientation for years. Knowing that his father would count
on him to carry on the family name after Tim died, Jack tried to bury
the truth about himself. Unable to keep it locked inside any longer,
Jack breaks down into tears. As Andie cries and tries to comfort her
brother, Mr. McPhee orders his children to stop their crying. Furious,
Andie repeats her brother's request, telling their father to leave and
never come back. Afterwards, at school, Jack finds Joey and makes plans
to have their dinner later that night. Ty charms Jen into continuing
their relationship by admitting his own flaws. Pacey, meanwhile, finally
apologizes to Andie. After Andie accepts and delivers her own apology,
she happily kisses Pacey.
Joey has just finished lighting the candles when Jack
arrives. Before Joey starts to set up the food, Jack sits her down
and tells her the truth about the poem and himself. Not wanting to
lose her as a friend, Jack reaches out and holds Joey's hand while she
tries to process everything she's just been told. Later, Joey climbs
up the ladder and crawls into Dawson's bedroom. Without saying a word,
Joey collapses onto Dawson's chest and lets her tears flow. Dawson can
only lie there and keep his best friend company when she needs it the
most.
Written by Kevin Williamson & Greg Berlanti
Directed by Greg Prange
Originally Aired Wednesday, February 17, 1999 8pm/7pm C
The WB Television Network
Synopsis Written By Alan Hufana