Dawson's Creek - 516 - In a Lonely Place

 Original air date: February 20, 2002

After spending a while working on the last two Glee recaps, I am so happy to return to the world of Dawson's Creek. It's cheesy, it's over dramatic dialogue, it's endless drama is so welcome after the mess that was Glee because at least it spends its time developing its characters. When we last left the Creek we were subjected to a "Very Special Episode" that featured Joey getting mugged. An entire episode devoted only to Joey who is arguably the focus of the entire show from here on out. I didn't care about last episode at all, it felt like all the stories screeched to a grinding halt while we spent a night with a man who mugged a college girl at gunpoint, and we were expected to sympathize with HIM. Nah. Let's get back to our gang and see how everything got affected by Joey's ordeal. 

We open the episode with a classic, Joey and Dawson watching a movie together again but this time it's for a college class. Joey thinks the movie is boring but Dawson is a film school student now so he has to tell her she's wrong. He does invite her to go to another movie screening with him tomorrow and it's at this point that Joey asks him if they're all going to babysit her forever. Dawson says her friends just want to spend time with her but he does add that he's glad that she's ok. Joey is happy they're hanging out again too and they agree to the movie plans. So far, I'm actually pretty interested in how they're going to handle Joey's trauma from being mugged. The gang obviously feel guilty for letting her walk home alone and there's a lot of drama we could get from this. Maybe I'm wrong and there will be some payoff from last episode.

I do love how bored Joey looks

Jen goes into the attic which is Dawson's bedroom now to ask him to change into a cooler shirt. He's confused because he owns no cool shirts (true) and doesn't know where they're going. Jen says that she has to go to a concert and interview the band afterward. Dawson doesn't remember agreeing to this and has already made plans to go out with Joey and just...wow. Goddamnit, Dawson. I was starting to like you. Jen looks really disappointed and he has the gall to ask her if it bothers her. I don't know Dawson, first you ditched her to hang out with your film student friend and now you're ditching her for Joey, who you used to date and be obsessed with, do you think maybe your girlfriend might be bothered by constantly coming in second? Jen wishes they had a clean slate and Dawson introduces himself to her as if that fixes things. I mean, it does in the show but please don't try this maneuver in real life. This is an issue that really needs to be talked about and addressed. Jen says he can go to the movies with Joey because he would have hated her concert thing anyway and she'll go with someone who appreciates rock and roll. Jen is the most understanding girlfriend and Dawson is a tool.

We cut to Audrey rocking out to music in her dorm room, cluing us in that she will be the invite to Jen's concert. Pacey knocks on her door and she is not excited to see him which is in stark contrast to the last time we saw them together...and reality in general. If Pacey knocked on my door I'd be ecstatic, is what I'm saying. He's as confused as I am by her change in attitude especially when she says that they can't be a thing again. She's worried that their tryst lead to bad karma, essentially. So, because Joey got mugged the same night these two had sex in Pacey's car, she can't be with Pacey. Is this the fallout from Joey's mugging? Really? Well, Pacey offers to hang out with her without having sex but Audrey isn't in for a platonic torture fest because she enjoyed the sex with Pacey. Girl, I get it. It's hard to hang out platonically with someone you're attracted to but your reason for torturing yourself is bizarre. Like, you can just have Pacey but you're choosing not to because you feel bad that your friend got mugged? Is that what we're going with here? I don't get it.

Joey is waiting outside Wilder's office to talk to him. He's a pretentious dick about it as always and seems in a snit that Joey never came back after leaving his house Friday night. She tries to explain but he doesn't want her to. He goes on a tangent and accuses her of being a 19th century heroine who agrees to marry, sleeps on it, then thinks better of it and breaks the guy's heart the next morning. Wow, this guy. This fucking guy. Joey wants to explain what happened again but he denies her the chance because basically, he's saying it's over so it's over. Look, I hate this whole thing and am glad it's ending but holy hell is this ever a red flag. Joey, don't get hung up on this asshole because he clearly looks down on you. Your feelings would have never meant anything to him and this shows just how little he really cared outside of being flattered an 18 year old liked him. She's an object of fancy to him and nothing else and Joey, for all her faults, deserves better than that. He dismisses her, not letting her get her say and ends things on his terms while thanking her for saving his life and career by not showing up again that night. Ew, hate him.

I hate him and his smug stupid face
(I'm sorry, Ken Marino)

Pacey is outside Grams's house throwing rocks at Jen's window when Jack finds him. It's actually his window and Pacey apologizes but wants him to send Audrey down because he knows she and Jen are getting ready to go to the concert. Jack is confused until Pacey rants about how he should have called because girls like to be called, especially after sex. Jack is shocked they had sex and even more shocked when Pacey explains that they're fighting because she thinks them having sex caused Joey to get mugged. Pacey is happy someone agrees that this plot is ridiculous, and asks again for him to tell Audrey to come talk to him but oops, Jen and Audrey left a while ago. Pacey is dejected but doesn't want to let it spoil his night so he asks what Jack is up to. Jack is going to a bar that apparently doesn't card but tries to warn Pacey but Pacey won't listen. He just wants to go to the bar. I think we all have already guessed the crazy twist, right?

Audrey is stoked to be backstage at a rock concert. I was backstage at a concert once. It was for Default and I was so fucking terrified and felt like they thought I was the most loser-ish fan. The one guy was so nice though and saw I was nervous and that I was holding their CD. He offered to sign it and all the other guys did too. Nice people but I still felt like a nerdy letdown of a fan. My point is, these two are handling being backstage and going to meet a band wayyy cooler than I ever did. Audrey wants to have "the cute one" but Jen thought she said they were all cute and is confused. Audrey clarifies that she wants the lead singer but Jen is only here for professional reasons because she's with Dawson. Audrey unhelpfully points out that he's out with Joey which is a dick move on her part. A couple of bandmates come out of a room and the girls are a little more starstruck than they previously let on. The guys call the girls beautiful and Jen says she's here from the radio station so they go get their coats. Audrey has changed her mind and wants the one with the beard now, who I guess isn't the lead singer.

At the movies, Joey comments on how Dawson seems to like his new school and Dawson admits that he felt like he didn't fit in at first but is now really liking it. Joey thinks they're all pretentious but Dawson thinks that French film is good actually and comments about something in Goddard's work where he uses a famous cinematographer's name as a fake name for his character. Joey has no idea who it is and Dawson says she used to know this stuff but shocker, Joey is every gatekeeper's nightmare because she was only pretending to know about film stuff to get with Dawson. The horror! But also really funny to me that the supposed romantic soulmates have nothing in common other than the town they grew up in. Like, she almost seems annoyed to be hanging out with him. Anyway, Dawson spots Wilder at the cinema and already seems to be with a date. Joey is crushed and doesn't want to go and say hi.

Jack and Pacey are at the bar and Pacey is wondering if he should chase after Audrey. Jack points out that if he goes too hard, it could lead to a restraining order and Pacey acknowledges. This is not super important to the episode, I just think it's nice that the writers are pointing out the woman's comfort as a factor here. Pacey notices that the bar doesn't have a lot of women and finally realizes he's at a gay bar, he looks a bit uncomfortable but is generally cool with being there. We stan an open and willing to challenge himself Pacey. 

At the radio station, Jen is chatting with the lead singer, Steve, about music. He likes Donovan and she thinks he sucks. I like a few of his songs but I've heard the guy is a real tool. I hated Mellow Yellow. You can take a guess as to why by my name. Steve asks Jen if she has a boyfriend and she says it's none of his business but he tsks her and she gets a bit flustered when he points out that the song is over and her radio show is just dead air. 

On the couch, Audrey and the beard guy, Wynn are chatting about the tour and where they're going. He then mentions going home where his girlfriend lives which completely deflates Audrey. He notices and asks if she thinks it's boring and she says it isn't very rock and roll. He says that he gets urges to do crazy things but he doesn't because he loves his girlfriend. Audrey thinks that's too simple and that relationships should be complicated. Wynn agrees that they are, bad relationships, that is.

Jack returns to find Pacey chatting with a guy named Jeff. Pacey is excited because the guy is a food critic and he thinks he can get him to do a review of Civilization. Jack asks what the guy wants in return and Pacey clues in that he might be getting hit on. Jack wants to tell the guy that Pacey isn't gay because he thinks he'll feel used. Pacey really wants the big magazine food critic to review his restaurant though, well the restaurant he works at. Pacey keeps calling it his but like, he's a sous chef, he gets a wage, he doesn't own the business. Jack asks what he'd do if Jeff asked for Pacey's number and Pacey responds that he'd look him in the eye and give him Jack's number. Naturally, Jack shoots this down and says they're telling the truth.

I love how maniacal Pacey looks in this pic. 

Jen is interviewing the band now and asks them about how much opening for a bigger band sucks. Jen is...not great at this. I love Jen but this is a rude question and also, most start up bands would kill to open for big ticket bands. Steve agrees with me and also says that winning the crowd over is an even bigger victory. I can fully attest to this for those starter bands. When I was 15 or so, I went to see Nickelback in concert (SHUT UP! you all totally liked them too before they became uncool. There's a reason How U Remind Me became a huge hit. Also, Worthy to Say still rocks), there were two bands that opened for them. One of them was Default, the band I went on to become a bigger fan of and eventually met backstage at their concert as I recounted earlier in this very recap. It's all come full-circle baby! Jen is moved by their optimism but like, that's how this works, Jen. 

Joey and Dawson enter the movie theatre and she sees Wilder enter at the same time. Dawson, actually being observant for once, notices and asks if she doesn't just want to go say hi. Joey is adamant that she doesn't because he might be on a date and then quickly changes the subject to ask what the movie is about. She supposes it's only a movie film geeks will enjoy and Dawson points out that friends of film geeks come too. Joey tells herself that Wilder and the woman could be friends and looks hopeful until she sees them making out. Dawson notices how crushed she looks and asks if she has a crush on her professor. Joey protests and says it's just weird seeing him kiss but Dawson says they're just people and that he's probably kissed lots of people. Oops.

Dawson is cluing into what happened.

Audrey and Wynn are talking after the interview and he asks about the guy she's clearly nuts about. Don't ask how he knows about Pacey, maybe she mentioned him off screen. I don't know. Anyway, she hems and haws about it and Wynn asks her to tell him what's really bothering her since he'll be an impartial judge. Man, Default were super nice to me but I doubt if any of them wanted to talk through personal dramas with me. Tv is weird. She tells him about her theory about God punishing her for having sex with her best friend's ex-boyfriend by way of making Joey get mugged. Audrey thinks it must be a sign because otherwise, her and Pacey are just too easy. Wynn points out that maybe the fact that their relationship is easy is a sign that it's good. Audrey finally starts to see sense.

Meanwhile, Jen and Steve are talking and he once again asks her if she has a boyfriend. Jen skirts around answering it and Steve says he's interested in her, moves in closer and Jen looks like she might be tempted but stops it. She admits she does have a boyfriend and that she'd never in a million years do anything to hurt him. Steve backs off and I get the feeling that they are already trying to set up a break up for Dawson and Jen and even though he's been a douche, I'm still kind of sad. Sad for Jen because this is the happiest I've seen her on this show and I'm disappointed that it will end.

Pacey is still chatting Jeff up when Jack interrupts to urge Pacey to tell the truth. Pacey starts to but Jeff cuts him off and says he gets that Jack and Pacey are an item. Pacey jumps onto this new lie, thinking it will still get him the review. Jeff gets up to leave but stops to say that if they ever break up, he should give him a call and then hands his card to Jack. 

I laughed but poor Pacey.

Yeah, that's a dick move to do to a couple. I mean, real couples. I know Jack and Pacey aren't dating but Jeff thought they were and I know people want to shoot their shots but that is completely rude. Jack points out that Pacey isn't gay but Pacey isn't having that because Jeff didn't know that and, as far as he knew, they were together. Justified anger, Pacey.

Joey and Dawson are watching the movie. Joey doesn't look all that impressed by it and is focused more on Wilder. I'm more focused on the dialogue I overhear because man, does it ever sound like Bogart is calling Dawson out.

Man: Are you in any position to be choosy? You haven't written a hit since before the war. And your last picture-- 

Bogart: So it stunk. Everybody makes flops except you. You haven't had one because you've made and re-made the same picture for the last 20 years. You know what you are? You're a popcorn salesman. 

Man: That's right. So are you. The only difference between us is that I don't fight it.

Tell me that's not talking about Dawson and his obsession with retelling his torrid relationship with Joey? You can't. You know it's true. Joey sees Wilder leave and follows him. Wilder is still toying with her emotions by admitting that he's jealous of her being out with Dawson. Joey tells him they're just friends so Wilder tells her that his date is not his friend. She's a fuckbuddy. That's essentially what he tells her. Joey is horrified and asks why he's telling her this and Wilder admits he's trying to get her to hate him. I hate you, Wilder but I hated you before this. This just cements it. Good riddance to your character. Still love you, Ken Marino but woof. Wilder sucks. He goes on to say that things that never happened can be engraved on your heart in a sweet sadness and nope, they are etched there in pain, heartache, and regret. Can speak from experience there. The greatest heartache is a love unexplored. But like, I'm glad this doofus is not going to get the chance to explore Joey and wow that sounded way dirtier than I intended it. I'm sorry. Joey thinks his reasoning is cowardly and then she kisses him and he thinks God is punishing him. Joey gets deflated and tells him that his view of her as a 19th century heroine is all wrong but that she'd rather he go on thinking of her like that. I wouldn't but that's just me. Joey says they're fine and Wilder goes to leave but tells her that in 5 years she will know everything he knows and more and he will seem like the biggest dork she ever met. Ok, I hate Wilder but that is one massive truth bomb he just dropped. That's the thing with older guys, older people even, that pursue younger people, it's because they know they can get away with more with a younger person because of their inexperience. Beware the elder that tells you you're mature for your age.

Dawson comes out of the theatre to find Joey and asks her what happened. They leave the movie and talk about Joey and her professor. Dawson can't believe it and is dumbfounded that Joey kissed the person who gave her grades. Yeah, that's why it was wrong on Wilder's part to pursue Joey and he did pursue her. There was no way he didn't when he was always popping up where she was, inviting her to be in academic projects above her grade level, ridiculing boys her age who liked her, it was all very calculated and gross. Joey thinks there's a sweet sadness to her not knowing what would have happened that night, had she not been called away and then mugged and right there is the biggest reason. He planted that seed in her head and now she's using it to romanticize their encounters. I know that as writers, they wanted to do a call back to make this a nice resolution but it's actually something that happens a lot in relationships like this. The one with all the power, feeding thoughts into their partners head until suddenly their partner is just their puppet. It's terrifying, really. Very glad to be rid of Wilder.

Jack and Pacey are still at the bar and Pacey is impressed that Jack is at a place like this, since he's usually a NotLikeOtherGays type who hates explicitly gay stuff. Jack says that Audrey brought him here the night Pacey cooked them dinner and he liked it. He likes how Audrey brings people out of their shells and wonders who does that for her. Pacey takes the hint and decides to go after her. He asks if Jack wants to come but Jack stays behind, he gives Jeff's card a look over but I can't remember if anything comes of that or if it's a one off joke.

Audrey and Wynn part ways nicely. Jen and Steve have a bit more conversation about her relationship with Dawson. Steve thinks they lack passion because she said she doesn't trust passion before. Jen is insulted, as she should be. Steve apologizes because he was being a tool for trying to talk a girl out of being in her committed relationship so he could get his dick wet and then go travelling around the country again. He gives her some band shirts for her to remember him by and they leave. Audrey and Jen talk but then Pacey shows up in his car. Jen urges Audrey to go to Pacey and they say goodnight to each other.

Pacey, ever the gentleman, asks if Jen needs a ride too but Audrey says she has a car. Audrey apologizes for overreacting and admits she's terrified of happiness. They kiss and make up and look, I don't hate Pacey and Audrey together. I like both of them as characters and I think they're cute but I do not feel for them what I felt for Pandie or my precious Pacephine. Those are the ships I die for. I'm even more into Dawson and Jen at this point. Audrey and Pacey are just kind of there for me and it's weird because I love Pacey and I really like Audrey. I don't know, their relationship just doesn't give me the butterflies but I'm happy for them, I guess.

Jen brings Dawson a band shirt and they talk about his night. He tells her about Joey and her professor and Jen is floored by it. Dawson thinks it was like he was meeting an entirely new person and that it really showed how much time has passed. This makes the insecurities that Steve placed in Jen's head surface. She asks him if two people can be together if they're not passionate about the same things. Dawson and I agree that yes you can. You can love the same things and love different things and still love each other. It's part of what makes a relationship interesting. You're not dating a clone of yourself. Jen asks if they're passionate and Dawson asks if she's having doubts about them. Jen insists she isn't and they curl up together.

These guys look so cute together

Sigh. I am weirded out that the most we get out of the aftermath of Joey's mugging is that Audrey had doubt about her and Pacey and Wilder didn't want to date Joey. We didn't really explore Joey's feelings about the mugging because they were too wrapped up in breaking her and Wilder up. Don't get me wrong, I am glad he's gone. But it just makes the last episode feel really pointless. It feels like they just used it to break up Wilder and Joey but only because Ken Marino landed a better gig and they had to write him out but it makes his character seem really callous. Not only did he pursue a student but he dumped her the second things didn't go his way and refused to let her have any input on the matter. It makes Joey seem very weak. I'm also sad that there's already hints of a break up for Jen and Dawson on the horizon. I liked them. I think they're cute together and Jen deserves some happiness. And I fear that I'm only going to get more upset for her in the next episode, Highway to Hell.