"Everybody thinks that movies are fantasy, but they don't have to be.
'From Here to Eternity', you could have that; that moment on the beach
could be yours; you could BE Deborah Karr."...."Hmm...sand in my crotch,
heaven." Dawson Leary & Joey Potter, "Prelude to a Kiss"
Episode 3: "Prelude to a
Kiss"
(aired January 27)
Dawson and Joey are watching a romantic old movie when Dawson interrupts
during a kissing scene, claiming his kiss with Jen will be like that moment
in the movie. Joey interrupts shocked that he still hasn't kissed Jen.
"Just kiss her..." she insists. But Dawson thinks that the moment for the
kiss has to be perfect and that he needs to create that moment. That romance
is essential to this kiss and that she could have it to, if she weren't so
cynical. She goes back into her lecture on how far from reality Dawson has
become and that he just needs to grow up, or his 'Peter Pan Syndrome' will
surely be his downfall.
In film class, we're introduced to Nelly, a popular and annoying girl who
happens to be the producer of Cliff's movie. Other students try to make
suggestions about what they think should happen in the movie, but she just
insults them for not thinking like she does. Dawson interrupts and tries to
give his pointers for how to make this movie better (breaking his promise
to the teacher that he would be quiet and stay out of the classes discussions
and such). Nelly laughs at him and tells the teacher to shut him up.
Meanwhile, Miss Jacobs is concerned about Pacey's grades and decides to give
him incentive to start studying. Pacey convinces her to privately 'tutor'
him and he leaves confident of his manhood once again.
Joey is a waitress at her sister's and her sister's boyfriends restaurant.
Her sister is currently pregnant (by her black boyfriend) and is obviously
one of the main scandals in town, being an unmarried pregnant woman,
not to mention by a black man. That afternoon, Pacey and Dawson are at the
restaurant talking about Dawson's opportunity in film class to impress
the teacher. If he can withstand being Nelly's lackey throughout the
production of "Helmets of Glory" (Cliff's movie), then he will allow him
in the film class. Joey walks up and sits down as Dawson starts
contemplating his creation for the perfect kiss with Jen that evening. Using
the excuse of filming the last scene of his movie, he plans on taking
Jen to the ruins (a garden on private property built by a man who loved
his wife so much, that when she got sick, and couldn't travel to her
favorite place -- Greece -- he decided to bring Greece to her...and built
this beautiful replication of a Greek garden). There he will film this
final shot for his film, but at the same time, take advantage of the
ambiance and surroundings to use them as the perfect backdrop for their
first kiss. Pacey informs them of his own possible romantic plans for
the evening, without mentioning with whom. As Joey says some snide remark
to Pacey, she turns to see a handsome young man walk into the restaurant.
Their eyes meet and he smiles. Intrigued, Pacey notices her reaction and
tries to get the young mans (who pacey assumes is just some rich snob)
attention by yelling to him some embarrassing statement
to annoy Joey. Joey shuts him up and he tells her that rich kids don't
go for waitresses. Joey of course comes back with a snyde remark full of
her patented venom and charm as she leaves to get their orders.
As Dawson is setting props for "Helmets of Glory", Jen walks up in a
cheerleading outfit. Dawson, obviously suprised asks her what she's doing
there and Jen imforms him that Cliff had given her a small part. He seems
a bit upset, but doesn't have time to object much since Cliff walks up and
escorts her away.
Back at the restaurant, Joey is throwing out some garbage when she hears
someone playing the violin. She follows the music only to find the young
rich handsome man. She gives him some of her classic attitude as he
introduces himself as Anderson Crawford. He tries to pry her name out of
her, but she just keeps giving him a hard time. When he asks her why she's
in capeside, she shrugs it off, and asks him why he's there. He explains
he's just here with his parents. When he asks her about her parents, Joey
lies, saying her parents had not wanted to take the boat, so they had taken
the chauffer instead. So he asks if she likes to sail, and if so, if she
would join him sailing the following day. He charms her into saying maybe
and even telling him her name...only she lies about that too, saying her
name is Deborah Karrson.
Later at the production of "Helmets of Glory", Dawson is mumbling disturbing
little comments to each of Cliff's lines as he winds up some cable, when
he's overheard by Nelly. She reminds him of his lowly status and how he
betther shape and start respecting her and groveling or else she would get
him kicked out of film class.
Pacey shows Tamara by reading the book she wanted him to and answering her
questions correctly. When he asks for his reward, Tamara responds
not knowing what to say, considering she didn't even think he would get that
far. He tries to make a move on her and she reminds him that they are in
school where students or teachers could see them. He of course protests
and starts making his argument when she calls his bluff, telling him to take
off his clothes and trying to decide where their first time should be.
Pacey gets uncomfortable and she notices. It's then when she realizes that
it's his first time. When she questions him, he replies "You know that it
is". She tells him to go home and find some girl of his own age. She tries
to end the relationship again, but Pacey won't let up. Fianlly, he leaves
but only after he lets her know how sometimes he feels it's right to do the
wrong thing.
Back at "Helmets" the filming crew is having a problem filming one of the
shots. WHen Dawson speaks up to lend a hand, Nelly shuts him up and sends
him on an errand. On his way to get what Nelly wanted, he runs into Jen.
They talk about the lacking qualities in the movie and Dawson asks why
Jen is even here (in Cliff's movie). She replies that it's because she
knew he would be there. Dawson, pleased, asks her if she would like to
film the last scene that evening and she agrees .Still trying to film the moving handhelf shot, Nelly gets frustrated and
wants to botch the whole shot, and do it with a tripod. Just then, Pacey
rolls up, goofing off in a wheelchair. Dawson gets an idea and borrows
the chair. He goes up to Nelly and Cliff and asks one more time for
a chance to do the shot. Nelly yells at him, but Cliff interrupts her
and allowns him to do the shot. Dawson sits in the chair while Pacey
pulls him and they get a perfect shot. Nelly is obviously perturbed.
Back in the school, Pacey walks in on Miss Jacobs and Mr. Gold discussing
movies and acting friendly towards each other. Pacey, jealous, confronts
Tamara and when she tries to object, he won't let her. She asks him what
it is he wants from her...and so he tells her that he just wants her.
At the ruins, Dawson is explaining to Jen the story behind the garden and
is happy to hear her say that she finds the story romantic. He sets up the
scene for the last shot as Jen comments on the beauty of the place. He
films the last shot, impressed by how great she expresses the emotion he
wanted for this scene. He leaaves the camera recording and walks up to Jen
flattering her. He decides to make this the time and the perfect moment
for the kiss so he makes his move.
As he reaches down to kiss her, she notices that he's
recording her. She gets very upset that he would even try to record such a
private moment. In the middle of their argument, they hear someone drive
up. Since they are tresspassing, they immediately try to hide
themselves. Little do they know that the people who have just showed
up are Tamara nad Pacey...nor that Dawson has left his camera running.
While Jen and Dawson are hiding, they try to brush the cobwebs off of
Jen's hair, when suddenly they kiss, ending the waiting for Dawson. Tamara
and Pacey make love for the first time, and it's all being recorded
by Dawson.
The next morning, Joey shows up at Anderson's sailboat. He comments on how
great she looks. When he starts asking about her personal life, she makes
one lie after another as she helps him get the boat prepared for sailing.
They head out and end up on a deserted beach. They talk while they toss
a frisbee back and forth. Anderson asks Joey if she has a boyfriend. Joey
wonders why he wants to know and he replies that he just got a vibe that she
was off limits, like she belonged to someone. He comments how that's the
kind of vibe he would like his girlfriend to give off to other men. So Joey
asks what he would think of his girlfriend running off to some deserted
beach with a mystery guy. That's when he replies that as long as she didn't
lie to him, he wouldn't mind. "Truth can't hurt you, it's the lies that kill
you". Of course this makes Joey feel a bit guilty for all the lies she
had already told him. Later, Joey and Anderson, seemingly enjoying each
others company and having a good time, start goofing around.
As Joey tries to reach for the frisbee and destroy Anderson's
sand Dallas (he was trying to explain to her his theory of JFK's murder), he
pins her to the sand in order to stop her. As she's about to have her
moment on the beach, a romantic kiss with Anderson(just like Dawson had said
she could have) she interrupts him and tells him she has to go home
Later back at Bessy and Bodie's (Joey's sister and boyfriend) restaurant,
Jen and Dawson notice how cheerful Joey seems. As she's getting their
orders, she sees Anderson in the distance. She quickly takes off her apron
and sits with Jen and Dawson. Anderson walks up and says hi (to Deborah)
and Dawson, not knowing what's going on, almost blows her cover, but
Jen saves her by covering for her. Just then, Bessy calls Joey to
pick up Dawson's order and Joey ignores her. Bodie now comes to her
rescue by bringing the order himself and playing it off for her. Anderson
a little frustrated at Joeys dismissal to have dinner with him and his
parents, not to mention her strange behavior, says goodbye and gets his
order.
Later that evening, at the pier, Joey finds Anderson again playing his
violin. He tells her that he's leaving the next day but that he'd like
to see her in New York (where she said she was really from) when he comes
out there. She tries to talk her way out of it but without knowing it,
is caught in a lie. Anderson decides to let it go, but Joey can sense
somehting is wrong. He still gives her his number and asks that she call
him. She says she will and he cradles her face and leans down and they kiss.
She smiles as he asks if he can walk her somewhere, but she says no. That
he needs to stay there...in the moonlight...she smiles and walks away.
As she gets into Bodie's truch to go home, she realizes that he knew she
was lying and throws his number away as they drive off...
