Season 4

Complete listed story — includes the ending

1. Coming Home

Pacey and Joey return from their vacation on "True Love" to find Dawson deeply hurt. Initially avoiding them, Dawson eventually agrees to talk to Joey with Jen's encouragement. Meanwhile, Pacey's sister Gretchen moves in with Doug, leaving Pacey homeless. Despite his reluctance, Pacey ends up living on his boat after exhausting all other options. Dawson confides in Jack about his childhood crush on Gretchen. Joey apologizes to Dawson, but he remains uncertain about rebuilding their friendship.

2. Failing Down

Joey is looking for a new job and gets one at the Yacht Club, a high-end restaurant, by lying to the proprietress, a wealthy and cynical Mrs. Valentine ( Carolyn Hennesy ), that she knows a very influential family. She then falls afoul of the spoiled and trouble-making teenage son of that family, who instantly sees through her lies... and is additionally revealed to be lying about his identity himself; he is actually Drue Valentine ( Mark Matkevich ), living here with his divorced mother. Mitch, now working as a guidance counselor at Capeside High, tells Pacey he will not graduate unless he makes up for his bad grades from the previous academic year. Pacey doesn't want Joey to know, but Mitch tells Dawson, who tells Joey, showing that he still cares about Pacey. Joey confronts him, and Pacey manages to admit that he needs help.

3. Two Gentlemen of Capeside

The Yacht Club becomes the focal point as characters gather for various reasons: Andie interviews with Mrs. Valentine, Joey collaborates with Dawson and Drue last-minute, and boats seek shelter from an approaching storm. Joey panics when Pacey and Jen are caught in the storm while sailing to celebrate Pacey's good grade. Andie takes charge of the situation after being snubbed by Mrs. Valentine due to her mental health history. Dawson and Joey borrow a motorboat to rescue Pacey and Jen, aided by Jack boarding up windows and Drue helping clean up. The rescue is successful, but Pacey loses his boat, "True Love." Pacey apologizes to Dawson for unintentionally hurting him with his romance with Joey, and they both express missing their friendship. Jen is surprised to encounter Drue, who knew her during her partying days in New York.

4. Future Tense

Everybody starts to think about their future, and their higher education options. Joey is concerned about Pacey not having grades good enough to get into college and gets drunk to forget her worries. Drue makes everybody think it is Jen's birthday so he can have a party to get to know more people; his gift to her, rejected, is two tablets of ecstasy. Andie takes over Jack's applications and drives him crazy with her obsessive behavior. Gretchen applies for a job as bartender at the Leery's restaurant and appears reluctant to admit her reason for not going back to college.

5. A Family Way

Gail surprises the family with news of her pregnancy. Joey, feeling unsure about her physical relationship with Pacey, seeks advice from Jen and decides to visit a doctor for contraceptives. Jack faces discrimination when a player's older sister attempts to proposition him, leading to some children quitting his soccer team due to homophobic parents. Dawson struggles to accept the idea of having a younger sibling, especially when Gail considers abortion. Seeking guidance, Dawson turns to Gretchen, who left college after facing a similar situation. A confrontation arises between Joey and Bessie over contraceptives, leading Joey to realize she's not ready for intimacy, a sentiment echoed by Pacey. Meanwhile, Dawson repaints Mr. Brooks' house as an apology for damaging his boat, receiving criticism for his photography hobby until Mr. Brooks acknowledges one photo capturing empathy towards Gretchen.

6. Great Xpectations

Andie has received an early admission to Harvard University, but accomplishing what should be the biggest thing in her life doesn't exactly make her happy. She decides to explore different paths by going to a rave, and ends up consuming one of the MDMA tablets Drue gave to Jen. The tablet reacts with her anti-depressants, a disastrous combination which almost leads her to death. Mitch and Gail decide to keep their baby, news that makes Dawson very happy.

7. You Had Me at Goodbye

While Andie is recovering from her near-fatal overdose at the party, Jack unfairly blames Jen for the whole incident and refuses to talk to her. Jen blames Drue for her life falling apart when he turns Grams and the whole town against her by telling everyone that he gave Jen the drugs, and they got from her to Andie. Drue goes even further by deliberately getting both himself and Jen arrested over the incident in a twisted ploy of his to further isolate Jen from her friends and bring her closer to him. After Andie comes home from the hospital, her father offers her the chance to spend the rest of the school year in Italy with a relative, telling her that she has more than enough credits to graduate. Andie decides to go and plans a goodbye dinner with the whole gang. She tells them how important life is and not to waste valuable time with useless bickering. Jack and Jen get things straight and Andie tricks Dawson and Pacey into playing nice with each other, resulting in the last photograph of the six main characters together as friends. The episode is dedicated to David Dukes, who had died of a sudden heart attack on October 9th of that year. It also marks the last appearance of Andie and Jack's father Mr. McPhee, whom Dukes played prior to his death.

8. The Unusual Suspects

A sailboat owned by Principal Peskin is found one morning in the Capeside High school swimming pool with 'Class of 2001' painted on the sail as part of a school prank with his pet dog on board. Dawson, Pacey, and Jack are suspected and interrogated by Mr. Peskin and Mitch due to their connections over the incident (Dawson had access to the school, Pacey had access to the boat yard where Mr. Peskin's boat was stolen the previous day, and Jack had access to Mr. Peskin's pet dog.) However, all three of them give solid alibis for their whereabouts the previous day which check out; Jack was teaching little league soccer all day with Jen volunteering as part of her community service sentence; Dawson was cleaning Mr. Brooks' house for most of the day; and Pacey was riding along with his brother Doug. Peskin blames Drue for organizing the prank due to him being seen at a paint store by Jack, having access to Dawson's school keys which Dawson allegedly "lost" for over three hours the previous day, and Drue was seen by Pacey and Doug at the boat yard that evening after he was told by an "anonymous phone call" to meet someone there. Peskin suspends Drue for two weeks and puts him on probation for the duration of the school year. Mitch, however, is not so easily fooled, but he remains silent and he later and privately tells Joey to congratulate "the boys," prompting Dawson to privately admit to Joey how they "could have" orchestrated the prank and framed Drue. Dawson later works with Pacey to cover their tracks. Absent: Meredith Monroe

9. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Dawson seeks advice from Mr. Brooks, a former movie director, for his USC film school application essay. Meanwhile, Joey takes Pacey to a dinner at Worthington College, missing the Leery Christmas party. Gretchen convinces Gail and Mitch to host the party. Jack learns Jen hasn't applied to any colleges and, with Grams, submits applications for her. Joey is concerned about Pacey fitting in at the dinner but realizes he's helping her network. At the party, Mr. Brooks shares his past and encourages Dawson and Gretchen to kiss under mistletoe, witnessed by Joey and Pacey. Absent: Meredith Monroe

10. Self Reliance

Gretchen comes to Dawson's house and dismisses their kiss as merely the spirit of the season. Dawson is disappointed. Joey can't find a moment alone to study or deal with her feelings concerning Dawson kissing Gretchen. Dawson's collaboration with Brooks — a documentary of the director's life — begins, rejuvenating his filmmaking spirit. Meanwhile, Jen takes Jack to a "Gay-Straight Teen Coalition" meeting, but she seems to fit in with the crowd more than Jack does: Jack is uncomfortable being reduced merely to a stereotype. This results in conflict with the coalition's leader, Tobey ( David Monahan ), who seems intent on doing just that — though the stereotype of Jack's he's most wary of is " jock." Absent: Meredith Monroe

11. The Tao of Dawson

Dawson confesses his crush on Gretchen to Pacey, who disapproves. When Pacey and Gretchen go on a road trip to retrieve her car from her ex-boyfriend, Nick ( Christian Kane ), Pacey tries to reunite them but soon realizes Nick's true colors. Meanwhile, Joey gets locked in the Yacht Club's storage basement with Drue, who has done this to avoid seeing his father for child support. Dawson worries about Grams getting hurt when she learns Mr. Brooks is terminally ill, but Grams reveals she already knows. Influenced by Jack and Mr. Brooks, Dawson decides to pursue Gretchen. With Pacey's approval, Gretchen reciprocates Dawson's feelings, and they share a kiss upon her return. Absent: Michelle Williams and Meredith Monroe

12. The Te of Pacey

Joey helps organize a surprise 18th birthday party for Pacey, unaware of his "birthday curse." The party turns sour quickly when Pacey's immature and dysfunctional family; his alcoholic and abusive father, his weak and subservient mother, his self-loathing older sister Kerry, and even Doug, humiliates Pacey with stories about his childhood. It is there that Pacey has a mental breakdown and he admits to receiving no college acceptances. Dawson becomes upset when he feels Gretchen is hiding their relationship, but he convinces her to live in the moment. Meanwhile, Jen suspects Tobey's romantic feelings for Jack while she is paired with him for another community service assignment of being the designated driver to a group of drunken college kids. Later, Pacey's father apologizes to Pacey for his behavior, and recalls one good memory of Pacey's childhood of having a fireworks display for his 10th birthday and decides to throw him one for old times sake. Absent: Meredith Monroe

13. Hopeless

As the senior trip approaches, Joey and Pacey agree to double-date with Drue and his girlfriend Anna (guest star Sabine Singh ) so Joey can get time off work. They help Drue navigate his feelings for Anna, despite his self-centeredness. Meanwhile, Dawson grapples with the age gap between him and Gretchen's college friends, particularly when they attend a club that stamps his hand 'under 21'. Jack receives attention from Tobey, who has romantic intentions, but Jack declines. Pacey and Joey confront their own relationship, with Joey admitting fear is holding her back from sex. Lastly, Dawson discovers Mr. Brooks refusing his cancer medications, opting to go out on his own terms. Absent: Michelle Williams and Meredith Monroe

14. A Winter's Tale

As Mr. Brooks's condition worsens, Dawson remains in Capeside, skipping the senior ski trip. Joey and Pacey argue about sex after Drue and Anna challenge them and Joey realises Pacey carries a condom in his wallet. Jen sprains her ankle and breaks into the minibar. She and Jack get drunk and make out, but Jen stops it because she knows Jack is simply lonely. Dawson grapples with the decision of whether to honor Mr. Brooks's wishes to let him go. Meanwhile, Pacey opens up to Anna but rejects her advances, and Joey and Pacey reconcile and finally consummate their relationship when Joey takes the initiative. Absent: Meredith Monroe

15. Four Stories

The episode consists of four different vignettes. "About Last Night": Pacey and Joey discuss their feelings the morning after they had sex. Joey is defensive and Pacey pushes her for a verdict. They argue as per usual. Joey eventually convinces Pacey that, though she hasn't described the sex as great (it was 'nice' she says), she is worried about him comparing her to other women. She also says there was one lovely moment she will always remember and it is good to have her first time with a man she loves. "The Big Picture": Dawson struggles with the death of Mr. Brooks, particularly the realization that only five people came to his funeral — and that, had Dawson not "borrowed" his boat the previous fall, none of those five would have been present. He is surprised to discover he has been named in Mr. Brooks' will, becoming the beneficiary of a sum of money sufficient to pay for college tuition. "Excess Baggage": As punishment for breaking into the mini-bar, Mr. Kasdan decides to send Jen to a psychologist, Dr. Tom Frost ( Rob Nagle ). Despite her initial frostiness and sarcasm she decides to take advantage of the opportunity and begins to discuss her feelings of parental abandonment, unhealthy relationship with drugs and alcohol, and the fact that she made out and almost slept with a gay man who can never fully return her affections — all part, Dr. Frost claims, of her coping mechanisms. "Seems Like Old Times": Joey and Dawson run into each other, and they spend an evening catching up on the past weekend. Joey feels bad that she wasn't able to support Dawson while Mr Brooks was dying. At the end of the night Dawson asks Joey if she slept with Pacey, and Joey — who had told Pacey she would never lie to Dawson about this — says no. Absent: Meredith Monroe

16. Mind Games

Secrets spiral out of control as Pacey begs Gretchen to find somewhere to overnight, so that he and Joey can have the place to themselves. As it turns out, the Leerys will be out of town, and Gretchen makes herself comfortable with Dawson; but, as they chat she learns that Joey lied to him about her virginity. She confronts Joey and advises her to come clean. Meanwhile, Jen enlists Jack to help her stalk Dr. Frost, whom she knows nothing about. Absent: Meredith Monroe

17. Admissions

Joey and Dawson receive college news: Dawson is rejected by NYU, while Joey is accepted to Worthington. Despite Bessie's celebration, Joey receives a second letter offering financial aid provided her family contribute $15,000. Meanwhile, Jen tries to persuade Jack that college in New York no longer appeals to her. He says as long as they go to college together, where doesn't matter. Jen begins exploring the root of her estrangement from her father with Dr. Frost's help. Dawson offers Joey financial assistance from Mr. Brooks's inheritance, leading to Joey confessing she lied about Pacey. Dawson reaffirms their friendship and supports her financially. He also gets news USC accepted him. Pacey worries about Joey's future and his place in it. Absent: Meredith Monroe

18. Eastern Standard Time

As Senior Ditch Day arrives, Joey is excited to find herself on an excursion to her hometown of New York City with Jen. Jen is here to confront her father Theodore (guest star Don McManus ). He takes the girls to lunch at a local restaurant but then leaves them. Later, Jen confronts Theodore at his office and it is here that she reveals the source of her trauma: when she was 12 she saw him in bed with a neighbour - a girl about age 17. Having confronted him with this event, Jen meets up with Joey and returns to Capeside. Meanwhile, Gretchen and Dawson take off on a road trip, but get a flat tire and cannot pay the mechanic (guest star Pat Hingle ) for its repair because of Dawson unwisely leaving his wallet behind. They spend the night on the beach, and tell each other they love each other, but hold back from consummating their relationship as Gretchen sees Dawson is trying to prove something. Back in Capeside, Drue tries to bond with Pacey. Drue sneaks them into a bar with fake IDs, but they are arrested for public drunkenness. Doug comes to fish them out, and Pacey lashes out saying that if he can't enjoy this time -- specifically, public drunkenness -- he will have nothing. Absent: Kerr Smith and Meredith Monroe

19. Late

As Gail's due date approaches, the women in her life throw her a baby shower where they suggest names for the baby. Pacey is away camping with his brother. Meantime Joey is worried because her period is late and wants to speak to him. With support from Gretchen and Bessie, she takes a pregnancy test, which turns out negative. Meanwhile, Dawson grapples with the possibility of his relationship with Gretchen ending due to their upcoming long-distance moves. Jack supports Tobey after he is gay-bashed, encouraging him to report the crime despite his shame. Finally, Gail gives birth after a long and difficult labor, naming the baby Lillian. Absent: Meredith Monroe

20. Promicide

Senior Prom for Capeside High arrives which is held this year onboard a yacht, which causes every relationship to implode. Pacey has returned, but Joey is concerned about his lack of interest in anything remotely sexual (she did not tell him about the pregnancy scare). Jen lies to Tobey that Jack wants to ask him to prom but is too shy, leading Tobey to call Jack with a spontaneous Yes. Drue arrives to make the same speech to Jen. Pacey sets out to make Joey's prom special, but does poorly with arrangements. The four couples (Dawson and Gretchen, Joey and Pacey, Jen and Drue, Jack and Tobey) depart from the Leery home, Drue learns that Jen has numerous nips in her purse; it becomes clear that she is having trouble with the idea of returning to New York. Jack admits that his claims of platonic feelings towards Tobey were a lie, and the two kiss. Gretchen, who can legally buy alcohol, feels utterly out of place at a high-school prom, and breaks up with Dawson. Pacey confronts Joey about his failures; he admits that he needs her to be critical, needs her to expect more of him, and that he cannot continue to feel like a charity project. Jen becomes so drunk that she nearly falls off the yacht, but Drue, in a rare moment of compassion and heroism, saves her. The night ends with the four couples heading home. Absent: Meredith Monroe

21. Separation Anxiety

The school year draws to a close, and Joey and Dawson deal with their respective break-ups. Jen learns that Grams is selling her house to put Jen through college and plans to move to a retirement community. Dawson learns that Gretchen plans to return to college after a summer road trip. He offers to go with her and she agrees. Mr. Kubelik, the alumni rep from Worthington, asks Joey to bring Pacey with her to a party as he and the dean of admissions have an offer for Pacey. However, Kubelik merely wants to offer Pacey a job as a deckhand on his yacht. Jen asks Grams to move to Boston with her and Jack, and Grams agrees. Dawson realizes that he is going to miss a great deal of Lilly's babyhood as he goes off to college, and arrives at Pacey and Gretchen's house to find that she has already gone, leaving only his yearbook, in which she exhorts him to live the life already before him, and says that she loves him. Absent: Meredith Monroe

22. The Graduate

As graduation approaches, Joey has a tough time preparing her salutatorian speech, but is inspired by a surprise gift from her late mother. Pacey wonders if he's going to graduate at all, and studies hard for his last final. When his pencil breaks, the teacher makes a snide comment about his lack of preparedness, and Pacey talks back saying the teacher and school always focus on the honors students instead of the struggling under-achiever types like him. He then walks out. The teacher later goes to his home and invites him to take the final there. Meanwhile, Andie McPhee returns home for the cap and gown ceremony, and is surprised but happy to meet Jack's new boyfriend, Tobey. Drue, who is staying at Jen's after a fight with his mother, convinces Jen to help him pull one last senior prank by setting off the school lawn sprinklers during the commencement, but they get caught by Principal Peskin, who gives them detention for two hours by forcing them to hear his terrible cello playing skills. Pacey tells Andie he has decided to take Kubelik's job offer on the boat, and is last seen boarding a plane as he graduates in absentia.

23. Coda

Accepted early to USC, Dawson finds his last night in Capeside has arrived much sooner than anticipated. While he looks forward to spending the evening with Joey, Jack and Jen, Mitch wants to spend the evening with his son. He plans to buy Dawson a Pentium III laptop, despite Dawson's preference for Macs. Meanwhile, Dawson is not the only goodbye Jen has to deal with, as she and Grams bid farewell to the house they've lived in for the past three years. Pacey, somewhere in the Caribbean, borrows a crewmate's feature phone to make one phone call home: to Dawson, the only person he wishes he'd given a proper goodbye. Dawson tells Pacey how proud he is of his best friend. Finally, Joey attempts to say goodbye to Dawson, but ends up telling him that she wants him to stay. The two of them share a goodbye kiss. Absent: Meredith Monroe