Dawson's Creek (1998–2003): Season 2, Episode 12 - Uncharted Waters - full transcript

Previously from Dawson's Creek

Audition tomorrow.

You change youre producer

Ya... we're busy

So... before the dawn of time,

I have been designated the black sheep of my family

I could bring home the Nobel Peace Prize

and it wouldn't make the slightest bit of difference.

Let me poze fot ya.

You want to pose for me... naked?

I should just give you this and go,

I was overwhelmed,by her talent.

So was I.

I can be your father, Dawson, and if you let me, you friend. Your call.

- Well, I think darts may be my destiny, Dawson.

Travel around the world as an international renowned master of the darts.

I found my calling.

- What're you doing over there?

- Well, I rewatched a bunch of movies and

I think I need to dub in some complicated relationships.

Trying to, you know, write some complexities of a character in the movie...

layer it a little bit.

- There's the Great Santini.

- Classic dysfunctional father-son relationship.

- It's a father who thinks his son's a screw-up, huh?

- Yeah, pretty much.

- Yeah, well, you can skip a Blockbuster moment, Dawson.

You're going to get plenty of insight into that

on our little fishing trip this weekend.

- Come on... okay, granted your father's a little tense

but you tend to exaggerate just a little bit.

The Great Santini bounces basketballs off his son's head to make a point.

At least your father respects you enough not to do that.

- Ah, yes, respect. Do you respect your father, Dawson?

- I'd hate to live in a world where I didn't.

- That's not the answer.

- Do you respect your father?

- Well, I mean, John Witter, the most well-know,

well-respected man in Capeside. Fights for safety, fights crime,

locks up bad guys, helps little ol' ladies across the street,

how could you possibly not have respect for a man like that?

- That's not an answer, either.

- Good ol' fashioned father-son fishing trip. Why do I sense disaster?

Tell you what. Why don't we let the darts do the talking, huh?

If I can hit a bullseye with this dart in my hand,

you and I are in for a weekend of good fun, big fish,

and good ol' father-son bonding.

- Best 2 out of 3?

~ UNCHARTED WATERS ~
season 2 ep. 12

- Dawson Leery. Capeside's own cinematic wonder kid.

- You aren't going to go forgetting us

when you become a big wig out in la-la land, are you?

- I wouldn't worry about that, Mr. Witter.

- I'm sure you'll come back and visit Pacey

at whatever fast-food joint he's flippin' burgers at.

- The Witter's all come from a long line of illustrious professions

requiring uniforms. Right, Pop?

Dawson, I spoke to your pop.

I expect you both on the dock at 0600 hours.

Now, come prepared, both physically and mentally,

because you are going to be fishing in the presence of greatness.

We are going to bring back the tournament trophy, Dawson.

Or we are going to end our lives at sea.

Pursuit of the big one that got away.

- Well, I don't want to disappoint you.

My dad and I are not exactly accomplished fishermen.

Dawson, I have no doubt with your brain and committment to excellence,

you'll make a first-rate first-mate. See you tomorrow.

In the meantime, keep Pacey out of trouble for me. Will ya?

- Okay.

- Aye-aye capitan.

- Your father's classic, Pacey.

- Oh yeah, he's a classic, alright.

The man thinks my IQ matches my age.

You hear that crack about flipping burgers?

- Pacey, he was obviously kidding.

- How's your movie coming?
- We're in hell right now.

We're in scout locations, cast,

affording roles, scrounging props and wardrobe,

realizing that budget really isn't as big as I first thought it was.

- Sounds like your typical pre-production chaos.

- Actually, it's really not even chaotic.

Jen has everything under control.

She's like the troubleshooting dynamo,

putting out fires before they even ignite.

- Hm, well, she's never worked on a film of this capacity...

how does she even know what to do?

- I don't know. She's got this inate talent for it

which is causing me to step up my game as a director, which is great.

Wow, that's great. Too bad she didn't work on your last movie,

I mean, think of how much better it would have turned out.

- Joey, I'm not comparing her to you...

.. working on that movie with you was one of the best periods of my life.

I'm just saying it's a surprise, that's all.

- Yeah, who would of thought?

- Jen, that's funny. We were just talking about you.

God, dare I ask?

- I was just singing your praises,

telling Joey what an incredible job you're doing producing.

- Thank you.

- Oh, yeah, I'll just leave you two professionals alone to collaborate.

- No, Joey! Actually it was you I was looking for.

- Great! I gotta go, anyway. See ya!

- See ya! Um, Joey, I need your help, okay?

See, I promised Gail I'd give her a hand in this newsreport that she's doing...

- Gail? Mrs. Leery?

- Yeah, um, yeah, she's doing a newsreport on teenage girls

as the new consumer phenomenon.

You know, what they think, what they like, what makes them tick, blah blah blah.

- Oh, so now in your spare time,

you're helping produce newsreports for Gail.

- Hardly, I wouldn't say that.

She's just letting me watch her in action and you know,

pick up a few tricks of the trade. Um, anyway,

we really need girls to come by Dawson's house tomorrow to...

- Spill their guts on local television?

- No, no just answer questions on what it's like being a teenager.

We really need girls who are thoughtful and articulate

and no one speaks their mind more eloquently and honestly than you do.

Look at this. All these people with profound connections to the sea.

I mean the idea of the ocean, boundless, mysterious.

Life at sea is just about as romantic as love.

Kind of makes you want to chuck it all and become a fisherman, you know?

- Fish is a viable corruption for you now?

- Ohhh, maybe.
- What's next, Dad? A fireman?

- Permission to come aboard, sir.

- Ahoy, mate! Permission granted.

- Hi ya, Mitch. - How ya doin'
John? - Dawson.

- Oh, God! Ya know!

- Dawson, I completely forgot to tell you something yesterday

and you are just going to kill me for it.

- Who's being melodramatic all of a sudden?

- Hey guys! I'm sorr...
- Sorry I'm late.

- Pacey, start the line.
- Yes, sir.

Alright, she's clear.

- Hey guys! Thanks for coming. I'm really glad you could make it.

- Couldn't resist seeing the hot new producer in action.

- Oh, wow, I like that camera guy's angle... if you know what I mean.

- Oh God, not you.

- Rude. Where's the love?

- We're going to get started in a minute.

This was a great idea, Jen.

This is going to be fun, don't you think?

- Guess my little secret's out.

- You wouldn't exactly call me Ishmal. Ishmal... Moby Dick...

- Yeah, I read it.

- Yeah, right. Well, this is going to be a fun weekend.

- So why'd you come, Jack?

- Look, Dawson, I didn't realize you were going to be here.

It's a little late for me to make an exit now

and survive so why don't you and I try to deal with our little problem here.

- There's no problem here, Jack.

I'm just... amazed at your confidence, you know?

That you'd leave your girlfriend alone, this whole weekend,

this early on in your relationship while things are still new and vulnerable,

still trying to figure things out.

'Cause it's right about now, some new guy, some bumbly, naive,

artsy type is going to come along and steal her away right from under your nose.

And, trust me, that sucks.

Okay, what do you think is the most important issue facing teenagers today?

Joey!

Anyone else?

Jen, can I talk to you for a second?

- Sure, Gail.

- We've been at this all afternoon and we've still got nothing.

Do you think the formality is making everyone uncomfortable?

- I think having everybody in one room is making everybody uncomfortable.

- That camera equipment looks really heavy. You must be built ram-tough.

- Naw, it's really not that heavy.

- Okay, everyone listen up. Jen has this great idea.

Instead of doing this interview right out of the gage,

why don't we spend a little time bonding?

You know, make it a Ladies' night.

- Ladies' Night? How long are we gonna be here?

- Yeah, Abby's got to make the rounds on her broom.

- And Andie's mom might start roaming the city, foaming at the mouth.

- Hey, hey, hey! Let's just get to know one another a little better.

Connect with one another, as women?

- Oh, God, I'm going to need a drink.

- No alcohol, but I do have enough junk food in that kitchen

to fulfill anyone's cravings. And it's all yours, if you bear with me.

Gentlemen, this is not a pleasure trip.

You are not on a Carnival cruise, we've got a job to do.

We need to work together like a well-oiled machine.

Somewhere out there is a fish.

A very big fish that's going to hitch a ride with us back to Capeside.

Mitch, you and Dawson work the fort riggs.

- Aye-aye, Skipper.

- Jackie Onassis there can handle the starboard poles with me.

- That makes me the odd man out.

- Yea.

- You know, Dad, I may not be a charter member of the National Brain Trumps

but I think I know how to handle a fishing rod.

- Pacey, I need you to do everything else. Rig the begs,

raise and lower the anchor, back up the anguish.

Your job is most important. Who do you think raised the flag in Hiroshima?

General McCarther? No, it was the grunts.

- Dad, we're fishing. Not storming the beaches of Normandy.

This sucks.

- A lot of things in this life suck, Son.

It's my job to prepare you for that inevitability.

- I'm bored. I think it's time for a field trip... upstairs.

Cruise the contents of Dawson's room...

don't even try and pretend you're not interested.

- It's up to Abby to come up with the most obnoxious pasttime imaginable.

- Fine! I don't mind flying solo.

- No thanks.

- Look, Dawson, it's not imperative that you and I become friends.

- Good.

- I just thought it might be nice that's all.

- You don't know this, alright? I didn't steal Joey away from you.

I mean, you of all people should know that

she's got a strong will and the intelligence of a road scholar...

she's not the kind of girl who lets herself get stolen.

- You don't know anything about her.

And, secondly, if you think everything's over between Joey and me,

and done with, you're massively dillusional.

- Maybe. Fact of the matter is,

Joey and I have something and you aren't going to like it.

But if you have any respect for Joey, you better respect me.

I think I'm on the verge of uncovering scandalous comfort wear...

Yep, I think I've hit pay day!

Guys! Hey!

- Hey, guys. Guess what I found tucked behind Jaws? "Good Will Humping"!

- Wo! Wo! Guys, I got one!

- Where's the new pole?

- On the other side. What? It doesn't matter what side the pole's on.

- This is what I mean, Pacey.

It's the same thing with you over and over again.

The simplest instructions in the world

and you find any excuse not to follow them.

How do you expect me to give you more responsibility

if you can't even adhere to the most rudimentary directions.

When I speak, you listen. Don't think, just do!

Please! I'm not asking that much!

- I've finally shaken Jack for two seconds.

Can you tell me what the hell you were thinking when you invited him?

- I'm sorry, man.

Andie's just been nagging me excessively about including the guy.

He doesn't know any guys in town.

His mother just keeps on getting worse and worse.

I guess I took pity on him, yeah?

- Alright, that's fine. But how could you forget to tell me?

Pacey? Come on!

I could of had some preparation time before facing my adversary.

- You know what? Screw you, Dawson.

Not all of us can be the fair-haired embodiment of perfection, alright?

Not everyone gets wonder king and genious attached to their name.

Some of us are just simple-minded folk

trying to make it through the day without breaking anything.

- You are aware that where this tape begins, Dawson finished.

- Finished what?

- Shaking hands with the other boy.

- Waxing the bald-headed bishop.

- Test-firing the missile.

- Okay, I got your point guys.

- How does she do that?

- I'm not that limber.

- Where do these women come from?

- What sort of career is this?!

- Hey! Getting paid for something, you're good at...

something they love. Hey Jen, in a couple of years, that could be you!

- You know what, that's really not funny.

- I didn't say anything.

- Hey ladies!

- Whatcha watchin'?

- Um, nothing. Um, we're watching an educational video for school,

it's, um, we're studying human anatomy!

- No, it's a porno we borrowed from Dawson's video collection!

- Mrs. Leery, you have to face the music.

Your son is a pervert! What! I'm not going to lie.

Unlike some people, I do have morals.

- I think we should leave poor Dawson's room, don't you?

- Joey, um, I've played armchair psychologists for so many hours,

trying to analyze why you're so consistently hostile to me

in your actions and your attitudes.

And the only theory that I've been able to come up with is you

somehow felt threatened by my relationship with Dawson,

but that theory just doesn't stand up anymore.

I mean, you won in that rivalry, Joey.
Hands down.

I just want to know why you're still treating me

like I'm this vixen that came into town and stole away your one true love.

- You are so disingenuous.
- What?

- Look, you want our relationship to change, Jen?

Then stop encroaching on what's mine.

I mean, you systematically continue to recast yourself in my role.

I mean, everytime I turn around I'm being replaced by you in some form,

and then, you're fain, shocked, and surprised when I resent you for it.

- How have I replaced you, Joey?

- Oh, well, first you were Dawson's girlfriend, and now your his producer,

his collaborator, his best friend.

I mean, you've adopted his interest in his dreams and now his mother.

I mean, what's next?

Are you going to get a job at the Icehouse and take up watercolors?

- I love how you demonize me, Joey,

instead of recognizing your own, rampant insecurities.

- Fine, maybe I am slightly insecure,

but maybe you just won't own up to your own motives.

See, when Dawson chose me, I think your ego was bruised.

And deep down, you still want to win. You still want him back.

- Alright, now, although today's display of angling ineptitude

reached a new low, we'll put it behind us. Oh, hear that!

- What?
- It's a dartboard calling my name.

Who's man enough to go toe-to-toe with the master?

C'mon, Mitch, you and me, buddy.

- I'll give it a try.

- Drop anchors there, boys.

- I hope my dad doesn't have too much fun

otherwise by tomorrow he'll be drawing up plans to open a seedy, dockside tavern.

- How could you possible find justification

to criticize a man like your father?

- I'm afraid his mid-life crisis isn't going to end.

He's going to wind up a homeless street mime.

What the hell is your problem?

- You don't see what's going on, Dawson?

- Come on, nobody's that oblivious. Not even you.

- Alright, then why don't you tell me

whatever it is you have up your ass 'cause you're about to rip the felt.

If you're mad at your dad, tell him. If you're mad at me, let me have it.

- It's just that simple for you, is it, Dawson?

You can just go up to your dad and say 'Gee whiz, pop, I have a problem.

Let's talk about this. Heart-to-heart, man-to-man. '

That's your wonderful life, not mine.

You've gotten a glimpse into the hell that is my life.

- So then why is my mere presence suddenly a detriment to your happiness?

- So that Mr. Witter has put you up on such a towering pedestal that you're what?

A mere presence, Dawson? C'mon, it's an icon Pacey couldn't possibly live up to!

- It's your shot.

- Adults idealize their childhood, and that leads to censorship.

- Thank you, Abby. So Andie,

why do you think girls are such trendsetters?

- Well...
- Well, it's not because they're so cutting edge.

It's because they're insecure. And popular culture capitalizes on that.

Girls think, "If I go out and buy this lipstick...,

" or, "If I watch that TV show.. "

or listen to this music, I'll be popular.

I mean, look around this room.

Every one of these girls is incredibly insecure.

I mean, I can't even speak my mind anymore without stomping on somebody's feelings.

I make a cancer joke, and Joey gets upset.

Or I make a crazy joke and Andie gets upset.

Or you make a crack about ho bags and Jen starts humping the couch.

- Oh, screw you, Abby!

- See what I mean?

- Okay, stop rolling, Perry.

Abby, I think we've heard enough of your opinions so...

thank you for coming.

- You're asking me to leave?

Uh, you can't be kicking me out

because what about sisterhood and all that junk about female-bonding.

- Goodnight, Abby.

- What kind of journalist, are you? Oh, yeah I know.

A trashy one who sleeps around.

- Hey.

- Hey Dad? What are you going to do?

- Well, I just thought I'd sleep right out here under the stars.

- No, not that. I mean...

with the retaurant... Mom... your life?

- I wish I knew.

- Are you okay for money?

- Yeah, for now.

- Dad, I gotta be honest.

I mean, as glad as I am that we can have this father-son bonding moment...

I think a weekend fishing trip would be the least of your priorities...

I mean, shouldn't you be out trying to procure

some kind of employment or at least establish a game plan?

- I'm sorry you're disappointed in me.

I want to be the kind of man that you can respect.

But, I don't know, there must be something out there, musn't there?

Something for me. Something that I can put my heart and my passion behind.

Now, I can't stop lookin' for that... until I find it.

- Good game, Pete. Where'd everybody go?

- They went back to the boat.

- Pacey, c'mon, you and me. Good ol' father and son. One on one.

- You're drunk, Dad.

- Look, Pacey, I know you think

I'm being hard on you but it's my job to protect you. C'mon.

Show me what you got. Let's go!

Let's see what you can do. This youth against the master. You ready?

- The master, huh?

Watch this... you ready? There!

This will warm you up a little bit. Go ahead.

- Warm me up?
- Watch this guys!

- Strike out that arm you know?

- Hey, come on.

- I'm sorry.

Don't try or nothing here, Pacey.

Watch how it's done. Beat that!

It's done very simply.

YES! Beat that! BEAT THAT!

- Listen, there's nothing wrong with losing,

Pacey, as long as you do it gracefully.

GREGORY GET ME A DRINK! I won!

- I think that Abby was right.

About the fact that, I mean, the reason teenage girls

are such consumers is from the fact,

I mean, from insecurity.

- I, um, have this need to look and be perfect.

My home life is in total chaos and I feel like if I get straight

'A's or if I'm involved in every activity, then...

you know, people won't know that I'm this fraud and that

I have no idea what I'm doing or where I'm going.

- I mean, when I first came here from New York, I felt relief.

Trying to compete in that hyper-accelerated world,

I mean, I was in the fast lane to self-annihilation.

And then, when I got here, I figured maybe I didn't have anything to prove

and that I could finally slow down.

But having all that experience just came back to haunt me.

I mean, in New York I was the precocious ingenue and in Capeside,

all I'll ever be known as is the New York wild child,

town slut, bad girl...

- So when somebody comes along who has seen things that

I've never seen or experience things
that I've only dreamed about,

my defenses go up because I...

I can't compete with that. I don't know. I think...

I think I'm just Joey Potter, you know?

You know the small town girl who will live and die on the creek.

You know, and as much as I completely disdain that identity,

you know, it's all I've got. And I dunno, so if I ever feel like,

you know, somebody is going to steal that

measly bit of self that I have or that or...

that small amount of love

that I've somehow managed to accumulate,

I feel threatened and I go for the jugular. I admit it...

I admit it...

- Hey Dawson!

- Jack, whatever it is, I'm tired and I've had enough drama for one day.

- Oh, I think I'm going to be nautious.

- You're sick?

- Yeah. The boat's just still rocking...

I've been trying to play it cool but...

ever since I set foot on this boat...

I've felt like I'm going to barf.

- I know the feeling.

This isn't exactly how I envisioned this whole father-son outing.

- I haven't had a father-son weekend in a long time.

- Where is your dad, Jack?

- I tell you where he's not. He's not here. Of course,

if you ask my mother or my sister, they'll tell you he's up in Providence

taking care of the business.

Truth is, he's up in Providence 'cause he left us.

- I know how that feels.

- Dawson, your father moved up the street.

My father's gone. Try and put that in perspective.

- We're on the ground.

So I guess this is as good of time as any to have that father-son talk.

So, how ya doin' in school, Pacey?

Actually, Dad, I'm doing alright.

I'm really turning things around. Turns out I'm pretty smart.

Good man, Pacey. Always knew you'd turn out to be something.

How the ladies treating you? Well, I met this woman.

Is she cute? Aw, cute, man. Andie's beautiful.

She's smart. She's funny.

I tell ya, this girl is something special.

For whatever reason, she seems to think I'm pretty special, too.

Why can't you see that? Why can't you see me, huh?

When did you give up on me? When I was 5? 10? 12?

I'm 16 years old, Dad!

And I'm here and I'm not provin'

that but I'm tryin' so hard for you. It's your job.

It's your job to love me no matter who I am or

what I become because you're my father!

You're supposed to love me you son of a bitch.

I can't do this by myself.

- Wo! Hey!

- That's it. Whew!

- On 3. 1... 2... 3.

- Don't panic! Keep your back straight in that chair.

- Wait a second. Slow it down and pull it up at the tip. Ready? Go.

- Okay, when you go down reel.

- Reel! Reel, reel, reel!

Hey, nice fish you got on there, Jack. Reel, reel, reel it!

- You do it!

- Come on!

- Here!

- Get in there, Pacey.

- Alright, give him some line.

We got a big one out there the size of Texas.

Keep him coming. Keep him coming... yes...

come on... come on...

- Joey, I just want to thank you for everything.

I just, I can't tell you how much it meant to me.

- No problem. I'm going to go home now.

- Um, honey... I, um, have a confession.

As I was listening to you girls talk so beautifully

about your fears and your dreams...

I started to feel a little bit sorry for myself.

- Why?

- I don't know. I think, you know, because I've always wanted a daughter.

I mean, I love Dawson more than life but men are men...

and women are women.

- Right. The great divide.

- But then I realized... I have you. You're my surrogate daughter, Joey.

I have always felt that way and, honey,

I am so proud of the woman you've become.

Come here.

- Thanks.

- Abby? What are you still doing here?

- I'm waiting for my mom. She thought I was spending the night.

- Have you been out here all night?

- What do you care?

- I don't care.

- I bet you don't.

- Well, Abby, what do you expect?

Your favorite pasttime is making my life a living hell.

- That's not what I do.

I play such a crucial role in this little circle

and you all are too unimaginative to even notice.

I'm the girl everyone loves to hate. I'm the scapegoat.

I'm the one you can take all of your anger

and aggression out on and never lose a moment's slept over.

- Um, excuse me. You have it mixed up, Abby.

You trash us. You're mean.

- Well being sweet is boring!

I don't have family lives like you guys.

My mom isn't a lunatic. My dad isn't in prison.

I'm not the prodical daughter from New York.

My parents' divorce is boring.

My house is boring. There's no entry. No drama.

So you know what? I create drama.

And I think it's a valid extra-curricular activity.

- Abby, you don't even realize how lucky you are.

What you have, I've always wanted. I've always dreamed of.

A normal life with regular parents and regular problems.

- Well, the grass is always greener right?

- Interesting.

- Yeah, whatever. My mom's here so I guess I'll see you in school.

- Do you need a ride or something?

- Sure. Thanks, Abby.

- Hey.

- Hey, um, listen...

- You know, Joey...

- No, let me talk. I've been thinking...

- I know, I've been thinking, too.

- No, I've been thinking more, okay?!

- I've been thinking that it kind of sucks that, uh,

the people who I respect the most are the people who

I've become the most competitive with.

I wish there was some way to, uh...

- You know for all your thinking, you're not being very articulate.

I'm trying to apoligize here.

- I know, I know, and I'm kidding.

Joey, I'm sorry. I mean, I totally understand

what you're trying to say and, um, I think that you're right.

That we have been locked at a stalemate for way too long.

And I think that there's room in Dawson's life for me...

without replacing you.

- No, listen Jen. We can sit here and rehash all of our old problems

and disect and deconstruct all of our petty rivalries but

I guess what I'm trying to say is that...

I respect you. I respect who you are.

- Thanks, Joey.

- Sure.

- You, too.

- See you, Jack.

- Yeah, see you, Dawson.

- I will never in my life for as long as I live

forget the feeling of adrenaline that I got when I felt

that one strong tug on the line and I knew that

the fish had surrendered to the greater power.

Here, you take this, Pacey.

- Thanks.

- Be proud of yourself. Enjoy this moment.

You probably won't have many more like it.

- Do you have any idea how many times I set myself up for that one?

I mean, over and over and over again,

I just can't seem to stop myself from trying to get one unqualified,

"Good job, son. " from that bastard. I really must be a Simpleton.

- I know it sounds the same,

but there are people in your life whom recognize

and respect your talent and intelligence.

One of them is standing in front of you,

and the other one is probably sitting in her bedroom right now,

having a perky coronary in anticipation of your return home from the sea.

- Yeah... yeah... thanks, Dawson.

- Listen, Dawson, father-son relationships are excruciatingly complicated.

I mean, I spent my entire life trying to figure out

the dynamic I had with my own father.

But, uh, I'll keep trying. Until the day I die.

I'll do the best I can to be the best father to you that I know how.

- Dad, I know. And thank you.

- For what?

- For allowing me to make a multitude of mistakes,

ever making me feel inadequate.

I know that my ability to dream without boundaries comes from you

and you've never disappointed me, okay?

I mean, I worry about you, but

I respect you more than anybody I've ever known.

And I know, especially after today, how lucky I am to have you as a father.

- Come here.

- Don't get all sappy on me now.

- Thank you, Dawson.

- Goodnight, Son.

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