Dance (27 Jan. 1998)

It's the night of the school dance. Dawson reveals his feelings for Jen. Joey confronts Dawson's mum with what she has seen. Pacey confronts his teacher over 'that kiss'.

Director:

Steve Miner

Writers:

Kevin Williamson (creator), Kevin Williamson

Stars:

James Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson

Cast

Episode cast overview:
James Van Der Beek	...	Dawson Leery
Michelle Williams	...	Jen Lindley
Joshua Jackson	...	Pacey Witter
Katie Holmes	...	Joey Potter
Mary-Margaret Humes	...	Gail Leery
John Wesley Shipp	...	Mitch Leery
Mary Beth Peil	...	Evelyn 'Grams' Ryan (credit only)
Nina Repeta	...	Bessie Potter (credit only)
Nicole Nieth	...	Nellie Oleson
Scott Foley	...	Cliff Elliot
Leann Hunley	...	Tamara Jacobs
Mitchell Laurance	...	Benjamin Gold

Storyline

Dawson casts Jen as the new leading lady in his horror film after deciding to kill off Joey's part. But Dawson later becomes jealous himself when Jen is perused by a football player which leads Dawson to create a messy off-camera scene during the school's informal Fall Dance. Meanwhile, Joey confronts Gail Leery, Dawson's mother, about her liaison with a co-worker from her TV news anchor job. Also, Pacey gets under Tamara's skin with his public flirting.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 January 1998 (USA)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

44 min

Did You Know?

Quotes

Mitch Leery: It's all about romance. And chapstick.

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Connections

References Psycho (1960)

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Soundtracks

"I Want You"
by Savage Garden

User Reviews

The confirmation that Dawson's Creek is a smart teen drama

There's a television in my television. This second episode wasn't as puzzling as a Droste effect but I like how it began and really hope it's one of the show trademarks. All we need to dive in its fictional world is Dawson's cam and his best friend Joey in his bedroom. It actually reminds me of how all Roswell installments begin, with Liz Parker telling what she's writing in her diary.

We all have a cult dance scene that has imprinted its steps in a musical corner of our memory. The one in Smallville's pilot is a genre model because it's both beautiful and surprising. However Dawson is no Clark Kent and in fact, it doesn't matter. As for Jen and Joey they're as adorable as Lana Lang. Otherwise these characters are only humans and learning from their mistakes is quite interesting. But of course it's also about congratulating them when they succeed. For example Dawson overreacted on the dance floor but was cunning enough to infiltrate the filmmaking class ! I also found the moment he shared with his father inspiring because such a bond is hard to forge in real life. I mean how many of you guys learned how to kiss from your parents ? Still it would have only been funny if Joey hadn't seen the whole drama from upstairs and I really like how the writers tease us with what's really going on in her heart. Is she in love with Dawson ? As for our Spielberg wannabe James Van Der Beek's performance was great and his character really seemed tormented and battling his inner demons. His monologue before Joey was both entertaining and enlightening because it allowed to dig deeper in his mind, revealing that his creativity can be used as weapon to torture himself. Jen dancing. Jen kissing. What's next ? How to let fear turning a dream into a nightmare.

As for Jen I wasn't expecting her to grow on me so quickly. I suppose she had her own "anti fan club" back then but Michelle Williams character has multiple layers, making it one of the show strongest asset. From her friendly chat with Joey, where topics like homosexuality and self-image were subtly covered, to the revelation about her city bad experience, that things were moving way too fast in New-York, we definitely can count on her to turn Dawson's head upside down. Katie Holmes also impressed me as Joey because of the way she dealt with what she knows about Dawson's mother affair with her co-worker. Hopefully seriousness was well balanced by refreshing and humorous elements, like Dawson the prom queen checking his hair. Last but not least Pacey is not ready to give up his cougar hunt. He wants Tamara, he shall have her. All fifteen years old students fantasize about their pretty and confident teachers. If I could travel back in time kissing one would definitely be on my checklist. But as mentioned by Leann Hunley's character their feelings aren't right, an adult isn't supposed to be sexually attracted by teenagers. At least it's what the law states but bodies, so emotions, have rules of their own ! Such a controversial topic is really welcome and a next step could be to read Nabokov's masterpiece, Lolita. The cinematographic adaptation starring Jeremy Irons is also excellent but far less shocking, something I don't regret considering it makes his character more empathic. What's broken in Tamara ? Why isn't Pacey into girls of his age ? That's why learning about his family and past should be informative !

To sum things up the Dance was in the same vein as the pilot and met all my expectations. The love triangle is intriguing, Joey is as cute as the button next door and Joshua Jackson makes one hell of an awkward hunter. Go Dawson ! Steven and the other judges are waiting for your short film at the festival.