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Dawson – What did he do that I didn't do???
Joey – (in disbelief) he asked her out?!

Dance is the 2nd episode of Season 1 of Dawson's Creek.

Synopsis[]

A FIRST FOR EVERYTHING -- Dawson (James Van Der Beek) experiences his first bout of jealousy when Jen (Michelle Williams) accepts a date with Cliff the superjock (guest star Scott Foley); after their first kiss, Tamara (Leann Hunley) does her best to elude Pacey (Joshua Jackson) but they once again find themselves in a compromising situation; and Joey (Katie Holmes) makes it clear to Dawson¹s mother (Mary-Margaret Humes) that she knows her secret.[1]

Summary[]

Dawson and Joey watch dailies from Dawson's horror film in his bedroom, and begin a discussion on kissing--Joey refuses to kiss Pacey in the film, and she teases Dawson about him having not yet kissed Jen. The next day at Capeside High, Dawson succeeds in convincing Mr. Gold to allow him to use the film class as his study hall period. Pacey attempts to discuss with Ms. Jacobs the passionate kiss they shared the other night, but she is uncomfortable and refuses to acknowledge it happened as her class takes their seats. During lunch, Dawson shares with his pals his latest idea for his film: Joey's character will die violently halfway through, and her beautiful cousin from New York (played by Jen) will arrive to investigate the death. In Mr. Gold's film class, Dawson is dismayed to learn that the class is in the midst of creating "Helmets of Glory," a film chronicling last year's football season conceived by Capeside High's star quarterback Cliff Elliott and produced by nemesis Nellie Olson. Dawson suffers further when he later spies Cliff hitting on Jen.

Back at home on Saturday, Dawson and Mitch share a nice father-son moment when Mitch relates the story of his first kiss with Gale (it involved a boat and Chapstick) and has Dawson practice his first kiss with Jen on the plaster head of Joey that had been designed for her death scene in Dawson's film. Joey observes this moment, unseen, then startles Gale who has just been on the phone making rendezvous plans for that night with co-anchor Bob. Joey cryptically tells Gale that she's aware of what's going on. Joey's death scene in Dawson's film is shot without a hitch, but Dawson immediately decides to cut out the kissing scene between Jen and Pacey's characters when his buddy over-enthusiastically performs it. With Dawson's film back on schedule, Pacey runs home to get ready for the Victory Dance (Ms. Jacobs will be there as a chaperone), and Jen does the same (she's going to the Dance with Cliff, though she hesitates labeling it a date). Thoughts of Jen and Cliff slow-dancing together driving him mad, so Dawson persuades a reluctant Joey to head over to the Dance with him. On her way out for the evening, Gale confronts Joey about the girl's earlier comment, and Joey relates the story of how her father's infidelities devastated her mother and the whole family. The conversation is halted when Dawson appears, ready to take off for the Dance.

Jen and Cliff banter playfully at the Dance (she finds him 'smooth in an unassuming way") before hitting the floor. Pacey turns on the charm with Ms. Jacobs, who gives him the brush off. Dawson and Joey share a slow dance, which grows almost intimate, until interrupted by Jen and Cliff. Dawson angers first Joey when he compares the feelings he has for Jen to those he has for his longtime friend; then angers Jen when he attempts to cut into her dance with Cliff and provokes the senior to a near fight. Jen flees the scene.

Dawson, Joey and Pacey all head home dejected. Gale arrives home earlier than planned and playfully goads Mitch into believing she doesn't remember their first kiss then pulls out the Chapstick and plants a warm, full, almost desperate, smooch on her husband. Now heading home solo, Pacey encounters a chagrined Tamara, and his ardent protestations on the heels of her confused apologies once again lead the two into a passionate kiss. On their way home, Joey and Dawson spy Jen alone at the marina, and Joey steps aside so her friend can make amends to the girl. Dawson admits to the still angry Jen that he wants to be her boyfriend and not just her friend. Jen tells Dawson that in New York she was moving very fast and she doesn't want to repeat those mistakes in Capeside. However, she is interested in a relationship with Dawson and they share a romantic dance in the moonlight, unaware they're being watched by a wistful Joey.[2]

Starring[]

James Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery
Michelle Williams as Jen Lindley
Joshua Jackson as Pacey Witter
Katie Holmes as Joey Potter
Mary-Margaret Humes as Gale Leery
John Wesley Shipp as Mitch Leery
Recurring cast
Mitchell Laurance as Benjamin Gold
Guest starring
Nicole Nieth as Nellie Oleson
Scott Foley as Cliff Elliot
and Leann Hunley as Tamara Jacobs

Quotes[]

Joey, I plan to make it really hard for you not to like me
—Jen
I'm an artist, torture is a prerequisite
—Dawson
She challenges me the way you do. She could be you; except, she's Jen
—Dawson to Joey
This is so unfair. I'm not good with girls... and I finally meet someone...
—Pacey to Tamara
What have we learned from tonight's 90210 evening?
—Dawson to Joey

Locations[]

Trivia[]

  • Pacey makes out with Jen (they share a kissing scene in The Sea Creature From The Deep, but Pacey 'elaborates' and Dawson cuts the scene altogether)
  • Jen tells Dawson she's interested

BROADCAST

  • The episode was watched by 8.04 million people in the United States upon its original airing and holds the record for the largest viewership in the series history, tied with episode 5, Hurricane.[3]

ADAPTATIONS

Films[]

WATCHED
REFERENCED
Psycho (1960)
Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Grease (1978)
Ordinary People (1980)
Staying Alive (1983)

Music[]

am i cool | NOWHERE BLOSSOMS
dawson talks to mr. gold
flames of truth | SARAH MASEN
jen helps joey clean up
i want you | SAVAGE GARDEN
the dance
happiness | ABRA MOORE
dawson and joey slow dance
ooh aah... just a little bit (cover) | ADAM FIELDS
dawson follows jen into the hall
pretty change | PAUL CHITEN
dawson tells joey that she reminds him of jen
apple | THE AUTUMNS
dawson tries to get rid of cliff
but you | PAUL CHITEN
gale and mitch
you don't know me (cover) | JANN ARDEN
joey watches as dawson and jen dance

Photos[]

screenshots

Notes and references[]

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