Double Date
"Dawson takes out Mary Beth on the rebound"
Episode Guide - Quotes - Notes

Episode Guide
Dawson talks to Joey about Jen not spending time with him. Joey gives him some advice on coping with the future. Dawson asks her how he can be friends with someone when every time he looks at them all he can think about is how much more he wants. Joey says she thinks it can be done (subtext here is she is referring to herself - see analysis).

Roll opening sequence. Bob calls and after the phone conversation ends Mitch is angry about him calling here. At school Dawson bumps into Jen but tries to get away. Jen stops him and asks the 'can we be friends?' Question. Later Dawson tells Pacey he told Jen he needed time to think about it. Pacey tells him to pretend it is over to get her back.

Mary Beth comes over and appears to be hitting on Dawson but Dawson doesn't realise. Pacey continues with his clever strategy. The teacher comes in and tells them they are getting their mid terms back but he wants to see some people after class - well, actually just Pacey. After class the teacher tells him that he is bright but isn't working hard enough. He tells him if he does an extra credit project with someone else he will pass him. In walks his partner - Joey.

Dawson goes to Jen and tells him he would love to be friends. Jen tells him she has a date with Cliff this weekend after Dawson tells her he can take it. He tries to take it well although inside he seems uncomfortable. Dawson says he also has a date and they are also going to the carnival on Saturday. Dawson suggests a double date and Jen agrees.

In the canteen Pacey tells Dawson it is time for part II - dating other women. Dawson points out he doesn't have a date but Pacey suggests he asks Mary Beth. She is hesitant at first but Dawson tells her he is totally over Jen. Joey and Pacey begin their project however Pacey isn't taking it seriously.

Later Mitch goes to talk to Dawson about if Bob had called before. Next day Joey and Pacey finds the snails dead which is Pacey's fault. Pacey tells Joey that he did come in to check on them but decided to introduce a snail from another tank - but what he actually put in the tank was a carnivorous snail.

Dawson talks to Joey about him dating Mary Beth. Pacey turns up to pick up Joey so they can go find replacement snails. At the carnival Dawson and Mary Beth meet up. Cliff and Jen turn up and Dawson introduces themselves but Mary Beth isn't happy about the double date she wasn't told apart. They go to have a talk and Dawson tells her the truth.

Pacey and Joey row out and Pacey questions her on her grades but she passes it. Dawson tells Mary Beth that he is doing this for Dawson. On the creek the water is rising and Joey suggests they head back. If only Pacey had tied the boat up and the one floating down stream wasn't theirs.

At the Carnival Mary Beth suggest they hit the Ferris Wheel but Dawson's jealousy is getting the better of him and he challenges Cliff to another game. They come down to one skittle each and Cliff misses. Dawson takes his final shots and knocks it down. He gets the prize and looks around deciding on whom to give it to. He asks to talk with Mary Beth.

At the creek Joey and Pacey wade across the creek to head towards shore. When they get to shore Pacey tells Joey to change into a blanket. They continue to bitch at each other. Pacey gets in to start the car but notices he can see Joey in the mirror as she takes her clothes off.

At the carnival Dawson finds Mary Beth in the car park and tells her the truth. Mary Beth tells him that she went out with him due to pity and boredom rather than liking him and reveals that she has a crush on Cliff. She tells Dawson that Cliff and Jen are hung up on each other. Mary Beth suggests they can still help each other out.

They head back to the carnival and prepare to get on the Ferris Wheel. Mary Beth drags Cliff away saying they haven't spoke all night leaving Dawson and Jen together. At Joey's house Pacey thanks her for the clothes and asks her what mid term grade she got and she says she got 98. She tells Pacey she wants to improve as her only way out of Capside is a college scholarship.

Dawson and Jen ride the Ferris Wheel but it stops at the top. Mary Beth and Cliff have little to talk about together. Jen tells Dawson that she doesn't want to be friends with him anymore. Dawson reminds her that she broke up with him because she needed to be alone and asks her why she didn't tell her the truth - that she was hired of him. Jen tries to deny it and Dawson tells her that he is here because he is still hung up on her.

He suggests she let him come because she still loves him. The Ferris Wheel starts going again and there are several more shots of the carnival. Pacey and Joey turn up and Dawson goes over to see them. Pacey asks to talk to Dawson alone and they head off. Pacey asks Dawson's permission to date Joey.

Dawson says ok but soon retracts the statement and then says he is fine with it. Pacey takes Joey home and kisses her but Joey says she isn't interested. Pacey suggests if they did kiss she would have been thinking of someone else. Dawson comes downstairs to find his parents hugging while the phone rings. Dawson arrives at the video store to tell Pacey he isn't fine about him and Joey.

Pacey tells him he is a little late and tells Dawson he has to decide between Joey and Jen. Fade to credits.

Quotes
Teacher: "Those people are - Pacey Witter. Oh, I guess that's it."

Dawson: "So let's have a friendly conversation. So, how was your day?"

Pacey: "Only morons go to summer school"
Joey: "Yeah well last time I checked your pulling a stellar F minus"

Joey: "Your taking romantic advice from a guy that spent his evening trying to get three snails to sleep with each other?"

Mary Beth: "Dawson, I like you. Do I like you like you? No, you're a little too neurotic for that"

Pacey: "How's life going for you?"
Dawson: "Put it this way - terribly"

Notes
Joey saying it can be done (referring to being friends with someone you are madly in love with) is obviously referring to herself being friends with Dawson when what she really wants to do is get it on with him.

And WTF with Dawson - give it to Mary Beth. You know, she is your date and all.

Pacey's midterm score was 32 which gave him an F.

I noticed a slight amount of grain in this episode. Nothing that noticeable though.