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The truth is, ever since Dawson and I broke up you have been scared to death
—Jen

Road Trip is the 9th episode of Season 1 of Dawson's Creek.

Synopsis[]

BOYS WILL BE BOYS -- Dawson (James Van Der Beek), heartbroken after his break-up with Jen (Michelle Williams), allows himself to be coerced into an impetuous road trip with Pacey (Josh Jackson) and Jen's ex-boyfriend, Billy (guest star Eion Bailey). Meanwhile, Jen and Joey (Katie Holmes) find common ground confronting an arrogant Jock (guest star Eric Balfour).[1]

Summary[]

Male bonding plays a major role in this episode as Dawson, Billy, and Pacey travel to Providence for a night out on the town. The road trip also provides a perfect opportunity for Jen and Joey to finally bond while the men are away. The episode opens with Joey and Dawson in his room. It is clear that Dawson is taking his breakup with Jen rather hard. Joey is there to give advice even if Dawson won't take it. To make matters even worse, Dawson is given constant reminders of his lost love. As luck would have it the tape in the VCR is of Jen exiting the taxi on her first day in Capeside.

Meanwhile Grams enters Jen's room to find Billy, who entered through the window, lying on her bed. Unlike the New York incident Jen was not in the room at the time. When Jen arrives she insists that Billy leave. After having his advances declined by Jen, Billy eventually leaves. After his departure, he runs into Dawson and they begin talking. During the course of the conversation, Billy convinces Dawson to join him on a road trip to Providence. When Pacey hears about the pending adventure he is of course enthusiastic about joining in. After a brief discussion the three set sail for their journey to the city.

Elsewhere, Joey is walking alone when a young man driving a Jeep approaches her. He begins to flirt with her and offers her a lift. She is reluctant at first, but eventually accepts the ride to school. He seems nice enough, and what's the worse that could happen? The next day in school Jen informs Joey that Warren Gary, the boy who gave her a ride, was telling people that he had sex with her. The rumor spreads quickly throughout the school. When Joey confronts Warren about the story he offers no explanation other than the fact that he thinks she should be happy since he considers himself "major league." To Joey this rumor is intolerable, so her and Jen conspire to get him back. The next day Joey tells Abby Morgan, the gossip queen, she is pregnant and that Warren doesn't even care. Abby then proceeds to spread that rumor throughout the school. The spotlight is then turned from Joey to Warren as the student body turns on him. The two eventually work the situation out after Abby finds out a little secret that might prevent Warren from impregnating Joey. Apparently, Warren has a soft spot for the ladies in the wrong place.

It isn't just Joey who wants to get back at someone. Dawson, Pacey, and Billy have revenge on their minds as well. During the ferry ride the three notice two hooligans who are harassing the other passengers. Dawson, Pacey, and Billy can't believe what they are seeing so they come up with a plan to get the troublemakers back. Secretly Dawson attaches a chain to the axle of the nuisances' truck. When the ferry reaches its destination, Pacey taunts the two by mooning them. In a rush to catch Pacey the truck takes off and the axle is ripped off. The three celebrate as they rush off to their destination of Providence.

When Dawson, Pacey, and Billy arrive in Providence they go straight to a bar. Immediately Dawson and Pacey identify their potential targets for the night. Dawson, with encouragement from the other two, approaches a young woman wearing a film shirt. After fumbling about for a while, the two hit it off. Nina, the film student, even asks Dawson if he would like to go home with her. Influenced by his lingering feelings for Jen, he declines and she settles for a kiss. Just before they are ready to leave, Dawson gets into an argument with Billy. He has figured out that Billy only wanted him to go so he would get together with another girl, thus increasing Billy's chances with Jen. The discussion ends when Billy leaves without Dawson and Pacey. They are forced to take the bus home, and don't arrive until the next morning. Dawson gets home to find Joey in his room. Much to Joey's dismay, Dawson's exhaustion gets the best of him, and he falls asleep after a brief conversation. They both have stories to tell, but it looks like they will have to wait.[2]

Starring[]

James Van Der Beek as Dawson Leery
Michelle Williams as Jen Lindley
Joshua Jackson as Pacey Witter
Katie Holmes as Joey Potter
Guest starring
Monica Keena as Abby Morgan
Eric Balfour as Warren Goering
Eion Bailey as Billy Konrad
Co-Starring
Helen Baldwin as Mrs. Tringle
Melissa McBride as Nina
Jessica Chappell as Blonde
J.R. Rodriguez as Jerk

Quotes[]

Billy – You used to be fun, you know that?
Jen – No. I used to be weak and vulnerable
Pacey – You're a regular Richie Cunningham. Billy... he's The Fonz
Dawson – Congratulations - that makes you Potsie[3]

Locations[]

Trivia[]

  • Jen tells Joey that Dawson's in love with Joey.

BROADCAST

  • The episode was watched by 7.05 million people upon its original airing on the WB.[4]

Films[]

WATCHED
Sid and Nancy (1986)
REFERENCED
Deliverance (1972)
American Graffiti (1973)
Rain Main (1988)
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

Music[]

truly, madly, deeply | SAVAGE GARDEN
joey and dawson beginning & end of episode
touch, peel & stand | DAYS OF THE NEW
billy climbs the ladder to jen's room; leaving jen's; dawson meeting up with billy
we are the supercool | SPACE MONKEYS
dawson and billy talk by his car; joey walking; billy talks to joey & jen in the hallway
requiem for a lightweight | THE SLUGS
joey gets a lift from warren
your pleasure's mine | SUPER DELUXE
dawson sabotages the asshats' car
carry me | BOOM HANK
at the club and the bar, pacey plays pool
i'm not sleeping | NOWHERE BLOSSOMS
warren finds the baby stuff in his locker
nashville | JUDGE NOTHING
at the club and the bar
the step inside | SOUNDER
dawson talks to nina
monkey mind | JUDGE NOTHING
billy interrupts them
right today | SWERVE
billy leaves
thinking out loud | RON SEXSMITH
pacey and dawson at the bus stop; jen and joey on her porch

Photos[]

screenshots

Notes and References[]

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