"Emotions in Motion"

"You're just looking for conflict. Everything's a potential script to you. Accept your perfect life Dawson, it's reality." Joey Potter, "Emotions in Motion"

Episode 1: "Emotions in Motion"

(aired January 20)


Dawson and Joey have been best friends all their life. Now, at the onset of puberty, Joey feels that their relationship is bound to change. With mounting sexual tension, she feels that their lifelong practices of sleeping over at Dawson's house (in the same bed) as well as other "adolescent practices" they generally shared would have to be evaluated and even eliminated. Dawson continually insists continually that would never happen to them, because they are such good friends. The other member of the bunch, is Pacey, Dawson's male bud who works with him at the local video store. Pacey is a misunderstood young man, struggling with the changes of adolescence into adulthood and trying to overcome (or maybe live up to) the label of loser that people in town seem to always give him.

In this episode, we're introduced to Dawson's perfect life including his seemingly happily married - and still very "hot" for each other - parents who Dawson constantly walks in on during their make-out sessions. We're also introduced to Dawson's complete obsession with Steven Spielberg and his aspirations of becoming a filmmaker. Not only does he love films, but having such an ideal life he's always desires conflict and drama like in the movies. One day while they are filming his latest movie adventure, the three are interrupted by a new girl in Capeside. Jen, the granddaughter of Dawson's next door neighbor, shows up and captures the boys attention. She's just come from New York to live with her grandmother and help out since her grandfather is sick. (They don't tell us much about her in this episode but we do find out that she is an atheist, which is a never ending conflict with her religious grandmother.) Leaving Joey back at the film site, Pacey and Dawson rush over to introduce themselves. Dawson sees in Jen this seemingly perfect mysterious creature that he immediately is infatuated with and he becomes determined to make her his first romantic drama. Joey is obviously perturbed and a bit jealous of this new blonde beauty and the obvious attention Dawson is giving her.

One day at the video store, Dawson and Pacey are interrupted by a stunning older woman who has just strolled in. Immediately Pacey stakes a claim and starts flirting with this woman. She introduces herself as Tamara and seems to be flirting back with him. The next day, Pacey finds out that Tamara is his english teacher, Miss Jacobs. He tries his charms again and is encouraged by what seems her mutual attraction. Tamara hints (or so he thinks) that she is seeing a movie at the local theater that evening (the only entertainment venue in Capeside). Later that day, Pacey convinces Dawson to come with him to the movies to "stalk" Miss Jacobs. Dawson takes this opportunity to ask Jen to join him at the movies that evening. Dawson also invites Joey in order to even out the group and so Jen won't be uncomfortable aboout being the only girl. This turns out to be a bad idea because Joey is determined to destroy any chance for Dawson and Jen to get close. Meanwhile, Pacey, oblivious to the tension between Joey and Jen, spots Miss Jacobs and sneaks up beside her. As he attempts to get cozy with her, Tamara's date shows up and asks Pacey to leave. Pacey objects and her date ends up punching Pacey.

While this is happening, Dawson pulls Joey out of the theater and demands to know what's going on with her and why is she acting so mean to Jen. Joey lets him know again of the obvious changes in their relationship and how Jen is just evidence of this. Joey reminds Dawson of how he doesn't appreciate the perfect life he has and what he has in his life (right in front of him in particular). She ends the conversation with her trademark statement of "Grow up" as she walks away.

As Pacey is walking home, licking his wounds, he runs into Tamara at the Pier. She's alone and he seems upset to find her there. She apologizes for what happened at the theater and explains that she never intended to flirt with him, claiming she was only renting a movie that night they first met (she had asked for a copy of "The Graduate", a film about a young man seduced by an older woman). Pacey responds by accusing her of lying to herself. He tells her what he thinks is really going on, that she's a woman getting older, afraid of her fading beauty. He then responds to her with something to the effect of, I know I'm young, but "I'm the best sex you'll never have". Tamara stops him and reassures him that it has nothing with him being young, and that she thinks he is a man...she then leans over and they kiss passionately.

Back at home, Dawson finds Joey hiding in his closet, reminiscing of the past. He apologizes for being insensitive and tells her that their friendship means everything to him. Joey tells Dawson how she just for some reason didn't like seeing him with Jen. She then points out the fact that they're growing up and they should just face it..."Even Spieldberg outgrew his Peter Pan syndrome." But she still feels like things are changing, and that they can't talk like they used to. She asks him a really personal question ("How often do you walk your dog?") They both fall silent... and Dawson just says goodnight, proving Joeys point. She leaves and runs to the rowboat she uses to get across the creek to her home. She's about to leave when Dawson sticks his head out the window and shouts, "Joey, usually in the morning, with Katie Couric!" Joey smiles and laughs then starts to row away. As she's rowing, she turns to see Dawson's mother kiss her co-anchor goodnight. Dawson's seemingly perfect life isn't as perfect as she thought...

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