"Decisions"
(Formerly titled "Breaking Away")#112
As the
first season comes to a close, each of our four main characters are forced
to deal with the issues that have been lingering in their personal lives.
Things are changing and it is time to make decisions. Joey enters Dawson's
room through the window for their regular movie night. Dawson, who did
not expect her to show up, tells her he did not rent any movies. Hearing
this, Joey gets moody and announces she no longer wants to participate
in this childhood ritual. It is becoming obvious their relationship is
growing increasingly complicated. Joey even comments that she is sick of
TV and its contrived storylines and predictable cliffhangers. Joey may
not like it, but the biggest cliffhanger is still to come. The next day
Joey informs Dawson and Jen that she has been selected as a scholarship
recipient, allowing her to study in France. And while they are both openly
supportive of the idea, Dawson isn't so sure if he likes the idea of Joey
moving away. Joey is now faced with the biggest decision of her life, and
she only has two weeks to make it. As if this was not enough, her life
is further complicated when her sister, Bessie, informs her that it is
her turn to visit her father in prison on his birthday. Joey and Dawson
take a four-hour bus ride to the prison only to find out that they have
arrived five minutes after visiting hours. To avoid making the long journey
home again that night, they agree to rent a motel room. The next day they
go to visit Mr. Potter. The meeting is filled with tension. Joey's Dad
is desperate for any type of interaction with his daughter, but Joey is
hardly able to utter a word or even look him in the face. Her eyes seethe
with hatred until she finally ends up storming out of the room leaving
Dawson alone with her father. Mr. Potter asks Dawson to tell him something,
anything, about his daughter. Dawson proceeds to give him more than just
surface level information, he actually reveals how much Joey truly means
to him. When Joey asks Dawson what her father told him, he tells her she
needs to talk to him and deal with the issues that are eating away at her.
Completely rejecting Dawson's suggestion, Joey reiterates her hatred toward
her father and basically makes up her mind to go to France. Family problems
aren't limited to Joey. Pacey is having serious trouble dealing with his
father who has learned that Pacey is in danger of failing several classes.
In a moment rarely scene between the two characters, Pacey and Joey find
out that they have more in common then they once thought. Pacey reveals
that he once overheard his father tell his brother Doug, that at least
he had one son that wasn't a failure. In a moment of self-pity Pacey says
he is a disgrace to his family. Joey adds that at least his family is not
a disgrace to the whole town. Joey comes to the realization that she needs
to talk to her father and she needs to do it now. Pacey agrees to"borrow"
his Dad's car and give her a ride. While the drama is building in Joey's
life, the condition of Jen's Grandfather has been taking a toll on both
her and Grams. When he comes out of his coma momentarily to utter the words"goodbye
Jen," it boosts her spirits temporarily. However, things take a turn for
the worse when he suffers a second stroke just when his condition seems
to be getting better. Grams turns to prayer and her deep faith in God.
Jen, who rejects such faith, sinks deeper into sadness and despair. When
Jen finds out that her grandfather has died she meets Grams at church where
she is sitting alone. Jen finally acknowledges Grams faith by joining her
in prayer and the two share a good cry. Needing comfort, Jen runs to Dawson's
house and climbs in through his window. She asks if she can share his bed
tonight as friends like he and Joey do. Dawson agrees and Jen proceeds
to cry herself to sleep. Back at the prison, Joey approaches the fence
separating her from her father. In one of the most touching moments of
the entire season, she explains that as a 15-year-old she thinks nobody
loves her and then sheepishly asks if he does. Coming to tears her father
answers that he loves her more than she could ever know. He asks for her
forgiveness and even tells her that Dawson Leery loves her too. He knows
because Dawson looks at her like he once looked at her mother. Invigorated
and joyful, Joey returns to Capeside early the next morning and climbs
through the window in Dawson's room. To her horror, she sees Jen and Dawson
laying next to each other in a seemingly passionate way. Despite Dawson's
attempts to explain, Joey manages to run away. Dawson feels horrible and
looks all over town for her. He finally finds her in his closet. The two
enter a passionate discussion about honesty and when it seems like Dawson
is about to let Joey leave once again without expressing his true feelings,
we can hardly stand to watch. Dawson does not let us down. In a split second
he acts and takes Joey by the arm pulling her toward him. The two embrace
and the kiss we have been waiting for all season finally happens.