Dawson
and Joey are watching a "Discovery Channel" program about the mating habits
of insects in his room one night. Dawson thinks, like the ladybugs on the
screen, that love is instinctive, while Joey argues it is influenced by
the dictates of the society around us. After asking Joey what kind of guy
she is attracted to, Joey's exasperated expression leads us to believe
that Dawson will be forever clueless to Joey's true feelings for him. Little
do we know, that is about to change.
The group meets at the Icehouse for lunch and discusses the upcoming Windjammer
Days and the annual beauty contest associated with the festival. Jokes
are traded back and forth and Dawson manages to insult Jen. But, with the
winner receiving a $5,000 cash prize and a trip to New York, by the end
of the discussion at least Joey and Pacey actually consider entering the
contest. Pacey needs the money to move out on his own away from a home
situation that continues to deteriorate and Joey needs the money for an
education beyond the local community college.
With encouragement from Jen who is trying hard to become a friend, Joey is persuaded
to show up at the first meeting of the Miss Windjammer contestants. Upon
their arrival they are surprised to see Pacey, with Dawson, arguing his
way into the contest based on the technicality that the rules do not specifically
disallow male contestants. Dawson continues to put his foot in his mouth
and accidentally upsets Joey by mocking the idea of her entering a beauty
contest.
In preparation for the contest Pacey practices with Dawson while Jen coaches Joey on the
finer points of walking with heels. The conversation on both sides focuses
on the relationship, or lack there of, between Dawson and Joey. Joey tells
Jen that Dawson will forever see her as "the gawky little girl down the
creek" and Dawson tells Pacey that he sees Joey as more of a sister than
anything else. The tension reaches a climax when Dawson, who has volunteered
to help in the contest, asks Joey preliminary questions. While the questions
and answers on the surface seem meaningless, the subtext tells the real
story. The interaction turns very personal and when Joey tells Dawson that
everything changes, he seems truly affected by his now emerging realization
of Joey's feelings.
On the night of the Miss Windjammer contest Pacey, who was actually entertaining
the thought of winning the event, finally realizes there is no way the
blue-bloods in the club will award him a prize. A lot of spite and a little
bit of class clown combine when he decides to change his magic act to a
"dramatic interpretation" of a scene from the movie "Braveheart." In a
surprise to everyone, especially Dawson, Joey sings a heart felt rendition
of the song "On My Own". The lyrics of the song speak directly to her feelings
for Dawson and his lack of recognition toward her. The look in Dawson's
eyes tells us that he is seeing Joey as a beautiful woman for the first
time in his life.
After her performance Joey overhears snotty comments from some of the richer
and bitchier contestants. She almost drops out of the contest on the spot,
but Dawson intervenes to tell her how incredibly proud he is of her. Infused
with confidence, Joey gives a pointed response to her question about what
she would tell today's youth.
Although we are disappointed that Joey takes second in the contest, the turn of
events that follows are the highlight of the episode. Dawson and Joey find
themselves alone near the pier. Dawson, dealing with emotions he has never
felt before toward Joey, admits he is "seeing her for the first time tonight".
In his own awkward way, Dawson seems to want to kiss Joey. To everyone's
surprise Joey rebuffs his advances. She tells Dawson that what he sees
tonight, the hairspray and the lipstick, is not really her. She wants him
to love her for what she is really like everyday.
In the final scene of the episode Jen approaches a confused Dawson. It seems she
is ready to get back together with him. And while he would have jumped
at the opportunity just days earlier, the events of the last few hours
have truly changed everything. He tells Jen he has to think about it, but
we all know where his heart is really turning. As Dawson sits by himself
thinking of Joey and Joey combs her hair in the mirror thinking of Dawson
we a relieved to see a smile appear on her face. Dawson is falling in love
with Joey and Joey could not be more pleased.
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