Dawson's Creek (1998–2003): Season 3, Episode 8 - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner - full transcript

Don't let me forget to get
the creamed onions.

Oh, no.

What's the matter?
You don't like creamed onions?

They creep me out.
l'm being dead serious here too.

Just the thought
of them makes me sick.

Okay, how about this? l promise
to keep all offending vegetables...

...out of your line of sight
at all times. Good?

When l suggested
that we hook up today...

...this is not exactly
what l had in mind.

Believe me, l know, but unfortunately,
Grams' Thanksgiving feast...

...takes precedence over
our burgeoning sex life.

Correct me if l'm wrong, but we don't
actually have a sex life yet, do we?

What, and you think that
that's my fault?

Yeah, l do actually think
that that's your fault.

l'm sorry, Pacey.
l just find it difficult...

...to watch you paw at me with....

Foreplay is no laughing matter.

How do you expect a guy
to do his best work...

...in the face of scorn and derision?

lt's just that we're friends, right?

And seeing as how we are friends,
but now we're friends that...

...do that...

...it's just gonna take time
getting used to.

Although maybe we could
find a moment later?

l can't. l think l have to go
to my parents' for Thanksgiving.

Okay.

l'm sorry. l have to.

l figure it's the right thing to do...

...seeing as they brought me
into the world and all.

You sound so excited.

Well, it's such a joyous occasion.

Just imagine the Witter women
slaving over a hot stove all afternoon...

...just to be told
the Butterball is too dry...

...by a guy sitting on his derri?re,
getting drunk and watching football.

Well, even despite
the creamed onions...

...gotta love Grams
for offering an alternative.

You do.

Speaking of, you know, you never
told me who else is coming.

Don't worry, Pacey.
Andie politely declined the invite.

-Hey, l wasn't going there.
-Please.

l think that she's making dinner
for Jack and her dad tonight.

Sounds nice.

lt's good for her to have family
at Thanksgiving.

Come here.

Good Lord, you smell good.

What was that?

Oh, come on!

l'm sorry.

l'm so sorry.

All right, come on.
Big play.

Go, go, go.
Give him a block, somebody.

So, what do you think?

Tell the truth. l want my contributions
to Mrs. Ryan's Thanksgiving dinner...

...to be straight out
of Gourmet magazine.

lt looks like the cover
of the November issue to me.

So while those cool, l can now
get started with this oyster stuffing.

So how goes the apartment search?

Oh, it's coming.

You don't mind, do you, me taking up
temporary residence in the guest room?

Go! Go! Touchdown! All right!

This is starting to feel
oddly familiar.

What, your father watching football
and me in my apron?

Hey, Dawson, you're missing
a great game in there.

Check out these pies.

Grab a knife. Let's see if they
taste as good as they look.

Don't even think about it.
Hands off.

l cannot show up at Mrs. Ryan's
with half-eaten baked goods.

That hardly seems fair,
does it, Dawson?

She invades our kitchen, fills the house
with the scent of pumpkin pie...

...then tells us we can't have any.

Fair or unfair, no one is gonna spoil
their Thanksgiving dinner on my watch.

Why do l suddenly feel like l'm stuck
in an episode of The Waltons?

Honey, why don't you go change.

Okay.

-Grams!
-There you are.

Hey, Sam says hi.

Who's Sam?

You know Sam. The deli guy.

The one with the bad dentures,
the liver spots and all that nostril hair.

-l think he likes you.
-Jennifer.

There's something
l need to tell you.

Grams, l know. l won't eat any
of the food before the meal is served...

...l'll clean out my closet
to hang up the guests' coats in...

...and l'll think of something to be
thankful for so l won't embarrass you.

Yes. Actually, no.

No, that's not what
l want to talk to you about.

Seriously, you've got to relax.
lt's only a meal.

lt's a meal with a long history.

l'm sure it is.

l gotta go get ready.

Jennifer, l just want you
to bear in mind...

...that Thanksgiving
is a holiday with a tradition.

A tradition of people with differences,
different ideas, different beliefs...

...coming together,
sitting down together...

...breaking bread together in harmony.

Despite the fact that
l learned all that in kindergarten...

...when we made little lndian
construction-paper headdresses...

...l appreciate the refresher course.
But don't worry.

l plan to stay as far out of your way
as humanly possible.

Mom.

Hello, Jen.

-l'm so stupid.
-What?

Oh, my God, that reminds me.

l totally forgot--
l forgot that--

You know, l forgot that thing
that goes inside the bird.

-What's it called?
-The gizzard bag?

Yeah.

Oh, yuck.

l swear, if Mom were still alive, she
would have her own cooking show...

...on the Food Network by now,
and look at us.

l'm glad we're having
Thanksgiving at the Ryans'.

Me too.

l don't know,
maybe it's just the holidays...

...but l feel like any minute now, she's
gonna walk through that door and:

''Out of the kitchen, everybody.''

-Dawson?
-Come in.

Hey.

You're wearing your new sweater.

-Mom.
-Sorry.

You know, honey, l didn't want to say
anything earlier in front of your dad...

...but you're never gonna guess
who l ran into this morning.

Helen Lindley.

Jen's mom?

So, what do you
think that means?

-What do l think it means?
-What, you think it's not possible...

...at this moment the two of them could
be discussing a certain half sister?

l think that's unlikely, considering
Jen doesn't know she has a half sister.

-You didn't tell her?
-No.

Dawson, l'm impressed. l had no idea
that you had such self-control.

l'd like to say it was self-control, but
it was more gutlessness than anything.

Well, then it's just a coincidence.

-What's just a coincidence?
-Well, that one week...

...you discover a skeleton
in the Lindley closet...

...and the next,
the aforementioned family...

...just happens to get together
for the first time in over a year.

You've been down here
for nearly a half an hour now, Jennifer.

You have to come up
sooner or later.

How could you not tell me
she was coming?

l didn't know.

She just arrived.

lt seems your father was detained
unexpectedly in Europe on business.

Now, that l can believe.

Probably tossing back
a vodka martini about now...

...drowning his sorrows.

As if he actually felt any.

-Be generous, Jennifer.
-Why?

My mother isn't here because
she really wants to see me.

She has nowhere else to go.

You don't know that.

You know, you're right. l don't.

And how would l?

The only contact that l've had with her
in the past year was a phone call.

You know what l think?

What?

l think that underneath all this,
you're really pleased to see her.

Well, maybe '' pleased''
isn't exactly the right word.

Maybe it's more like '' prepared.''

You are prepared
to deal with the past.

You're prepared to start facing
the problems between you.

l can't even look at her...

...let alone talk to her.

Maybe you can't find the right words
because there's too much to say.

Jennifer, for the past 1 4 months,
l've been watching you.

l've watched you change.

You're more serious now.
You're more at peace with yourself.

lt's like you've crossed
some kind of a threshold.

Threshold.

lt feels more like a crossroads,
like l--

Like l could just go either way.

Well, l know that you
will choose the right way.

But in the meantime?

ln the meantime,
one foot in front of the other...

...starting in that direction.

Come on, Jennifer.

You can't stay down here all afternoon.
People are starting to arrive.

Besides, l'm willing to bet your mother
is just as nervous as you are.

-You think?
-Absolutely.

ln some ways, the two of you
are more alike than you know.

Hey, Pacey.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Yeah, you too, man.

Happy Thanksgiving, Andie.

You too, Pacey.

l....

l thought you guys were spending
the afternoon with your dad.

Well, that was plan A,
but he got stuck in Chicago.

You know, any other dad would
find a plane, train, automobile...

...anything to see his kids,
but not Joseph McPhee.

You know what, Jack? l'm sure he did
everything he could to get here.

-What'd you bring, Andie?
-Apple pie.

-Yeah, she made it herself.
-Yeah, it looks amazing.

-What'd you bring?
-lt's....

lt's cranberry sauce in a can.

Little lame, but it's about
the extent of my culinary expertise.

Don't knock cranberry sauce.

l mean, it's the backbone
of any good Thanksgiving dinner.

Yeah.

So how you been, Andie?

Me? Fine.
Why do you ask?

Well, it's been a while
since you and l touched base.

l just wanted to check in
and see how you're doing.

Okay, can somebody please tell me
why guys always do that?

You want to be the nice,
polite friend after the breakup.

You know what, Pacey?
You made a decision.

At least have the strength
to believe in your convictions.

You're right.
You're absolutely right.

Listen, Jack,
l think l'm just gonna mosey.

l think l'm just gonna
get off to my second stop...

-...on my tour of Thanksgiving.
-No, you know what?

We were the ones who came at the last
minute, so l should be the one to--

-l wouldn't think of it.
-Be the one to leave.

You're not going anywhere, and neither
are you, okay? lt's Thanksgiving.

l think it's pretty cool of Grams
to play host to this group of misfits.

lf you two can't get over your history
for just a couple of hours...

...and enjoy the company
of your friends...

...you should be home
eating a TV dinner, okay?

So get over yourselves already.

God.

lt's weird to see
your parents together.

-They seem to be getting along.
-So it would appear.

Oh, hi, everyone.
Happy Thanksgiving. Come on in.

All right, everybody. Coats.
Hand them over.

Sorry. l didn't realise
you were still here.

Oh, please, we can share.
lt is your room now, after all.

No, l was just gonna drop
these coats on the bed. Sorry.

Jen.

Would you mind?

Thanks.

My God, you're getting so beautiful.

l'm sorry.
Did l say something wrong?

No. No, l was....

Tell me.

l was just remembering...

...how l used to watch you
in the mirror when l was little.

Watching you put on your lipstick
and brushing your hair.

l just studied your every move.

Like l was the most important
person in the world.

Something like that.

Here, l have something for you.

Mom gave these to me
when l was about your age...

...and l figure that it's about time
to pass them on.

They're beautiful, Mom.

You know l've always thought so.

-But l can't.
-Why not?

Because where would l wear them?

l mean, at home maybe, but....

l mean, in New York maybe,
but here?

And this is where l live now.

Save them for a special occasion.

Mom, you're the one that taught me.

Pearls lose their lustre
if you don't wear them.

They're like people in that regard.
Keep them close to your skin.

-Jen, please.
-l need to go help Grams in the kitchen.

ls there anything we can
help you with, Mrs. Ryan?

Pray.

-About anything in particular?
-General prayer would be fine.

Rumour has it your mom's in town.

Yeah, are we gonna
get a chance to meet her?

l would love for you guys
to meet her.

lt's just that we seem to be having
a failure to communicate right now.

She's currently primping in the mirror.
l'm sure that she'll be down shortly.

-Did you know she was coming?
-No.

Big surprise.

Guerrilla style.

lt seems my mom is a graduate
of the Ho Chi Minh school of parenting.

ls she here for some reason
other than Thanksgiving?

Any news on the home front?

What, you mean, is she begging me
to return home to the familial fold?

l don't think so.

Well, did you talk to her?

l mean, it's been a long time.
She must have a lot to tell you.

-Like what?
-Like...

...maybe she misses you.

Maybe she's sorry she sent you away.
You know, l mean....

l know she hasn't always
been there for you--

Dawson,
ever since l was 1 3 years old...

...that woman's done nothing but stare
at me with a look of mild disregard...

...like l was some stranger
who spilled a cocktail on her carpet.

Jen.

We're all strangers to our parents.

l mean, they love us,
but they don't really know us.

And sometimes, before we get
the chance to know them...

...they're gone.

And so we can't ask them
all the things we want to know...

...about turnips or turkey gizzards...

...or what they were like
when they were young.

-Joey, l'm sorry.
-Oh, it's okay.

-No, l am. l totally--
-No, look.

What l'm trying to say is...

...why don't you give her a chance.

She's your mom...

...and the reality is that, you know,
she came here today to talk to you...

...and to be with you.

And l think you owe her that much.

Mrs. Lindley.

Hi, l'm Dawson. Dawson Leery.

Oh, Gale's son. Of course.
Hello. Pleased to meet you.

Pleased to meet you.

Don't think l could have
imagined a more beautiful day.

Sometimes l forget
how magical this place can be.

You should know that Jen and l
actually dated for a little while.

We're still very good friends.
l care very deeply about her.

Well, that's nice to hear, Dawson.
l'm glad that Jen has a friend in you.

There is also something else
that you should know.

Yes?

lt's not gonna be easy, so l'm just gonna
say it. You can tell me if l'm out of line.

l'm listening.

A few-- Not too long ago...

...l met a girl who was just
passing through Capeside...

...and l got to know her a little bit.

And it came out that she had been
given up for adoption.

She recently discovered this and was
determined to find her birth mother.

What does this have to do
with me, Dawson?

Mrs. Lindley, this girl
was carrying a picture of you.

And where is she?
ls she still here in town?

No, she's not.

By the time l realised
who she was, she had left.

So it's true.

-Does Jen know anything about this?
-No.

l wrestled with telling her...

...but l ultimately decided
it wasn't my place...

...which is why l'm really glad
you're here.

This is a very difficult
and a very personal issue.

-l'm sure it is.
-And as you said, the girl is gone.

So l don't see any reason
for Jen to know anything about this.

That's not entirely true.
There's nothing to prevent Eve...

-...from coming back into town--
-Eve?

That's her name.

Eve Whitman.

And, for all l know,
she could approach Jen herself.

Something tells me that this
information would be much better...

...coming from you than from her.

Remember when you asked me
to tell you if you were out of line?

Look, l'm not an authority
on functional families...

...but l've seen what happens when
families keep secrets from each other.

l just don't want to see Jen get hurt.

Neither do l.

lt gets easier, you know.

What does?

Being in the same room with him.

-She ever ask about me?
-What do you think?

l'm thinking she'd probably
hate me right about now.

Only every other day.

Andie...

...as a veteran of multiple
breakups with the same boy...

...l know what you're going through.

And l just wanted to let you know
that the dark nights will pass.

Eventually, you will find peace.

l wish l could believe you, Joey...

...because sometimes
it's just so unbearable...

...and it's like this feeling of being
uncomfortable in my own skin.

And l have to keep busy, because
if l stop, even just for one minute...

...all l can think about...

...is how badly l hurt him
and how badly l got hurt.

Well, it's not a judgment,
it's a fact.

l mean, you broke my sister's heart.

She broke mine.

Okay, so imagine
how much pain she's in.

So you guys have gotten to be
pretty good friends lately.

Yeah. l mean, Pacey's a doofus,
but, you know, he has his moments.

So does he talk about me?

Not really, Andie.

You know Pacey. lf he can't come up
with a clever quip about something...

...then he goes stoic.

The way he feels about you...

...he keeps that close to his heart.

lt's really precious to him, Andie.

And now my favourite part of the meal.
Shall we all stand and join hands?

-Here you go, dear.
-Thank you.

-Dawson Leery, would you begin?
-Sure.

l would like to give thanks
for the wonderful food...

-...that was just on our table.
-lndeed.

-Hear, hear.
-Great cranberries.

l'd also like to give thanks...

...for the opportunity to gather
with friends and family...

...who, in the best of all worlds,
are one and the same.

Well, l'd just like
to pass my thanks along...

...to the ladies of the Ryan brood...

...for an outstanding meal
and an afternoon of peace.

Both of which
will be sorely lacking...

...from the noisy, dysfunctional family
feast l'll be having in 45 minutes.

First of all, l'd like to thank
Mrs. Ryan for her kindness...

...and for welcoming me into
her home at the last minute.

Of course, dear.

But l guess what l'm most
thankful for is my friends.

All of you around this table...

...have helped me in so many ways
that you'll never know...

...and without you, l'd be lost.

l'd like to give thanks...

...for the kind of people
that take strays into their life...

...and the kind of person
to whom it doesn't matter...

...whether or not you're family.

Just that you have a home.

lt's my turn, l guess.

l guess l would just like to give
thanks to all the people we love...

...who aren't necessarily with us today,
for whatever reason.

Just because they're not here
doesn't mean we love them any less.

lt's your turn, Jennifer.

Let me think.

Well, in keeping with the theme...

...l guess l'd like to give thanks
for second chances...

...for the opportunity to try
and rebuild bridges...

...that were once thought
beyond repair...

...and for the promise of many
more Thanksgivings to come.

That was lovely, dear.

Excuse me.

Grams, l'll go.

Mom, wait up.

l didn't mean to upset you by what
l said. l was just being honest.

You didn't upset me.
l was just thinking.

About what?

Oh, maybe l did something
right for a change.

What do you mean?

Sending you to live with Grams.

''Sending'' isn't the way l'd put it.

Fair enough, Jen.

But l don't think you realise
how lucky you are.

l've been searching in vain
for friends like that all my life.

Well, l'm glad that
it makes you feel better...

...but as good of friends as they are,
they're not family.

No, you're right, Jen.

This past year has been
anything but easy for me.

l've stumbled
and picked myself up...

...and stumbled
and picked myself up...

...over and over and over,
with no safety net.

l know l should've been there for you.
l should've written or called.

-So why didn't you?
-l wish l could tell you that...

...for a thousand different reasons.
l kept wanting to.

You have no idea
how much that hurts.

l know.

What did l do that was so bad?
What was so wrong?

-Nothing, Jen, nothing was so wrong.
-Then what?

Let me try and explain this.

You guys mind if l join you?

Well, of course not.

Sweetheart, l was very proud
of what you said at the table today.

Dawson, check out your mom's pie.
lt's well worth the wait.

All right, guys, that's enough.

What's wrong?

You two acting like
Rob and Laura Petrie.

One more moment of false,
sitcom-y good cheer...

...l'm gonna throw up
your oyster stuffing.

We're just trying to become
friends again, Dawson.

Friends or more than friends?

You move back into town, and you
take up residence in our guest room.

What is that supposed to mean?

Are you part of the family,
or are you a tenant or what?

lt's not that simple, Dawson.

lt never is with you two.

All right, look.
l'm obviously out of the loop here.

But maybe that's for the best, okay?

The last thing that l want to do is get
caught in the middle of your drama.

But....

Guys, if there's something
going on that affects me...

...then l need to know about it.

Okay, you guys
have to be honest with me.

Okay, let me see if l understand.

Mother finds daughter
in compromising position...

...and instead of sharing
her own experiences as a teenager...

...when she actually got pregnant...

...and had a child,
mother turns into a hypocrite...

...and sends her daughter into exile?

lt wasn't only me. There was
also your father to consider.

Right, l forgot about him.

Just for a minute,
try to put yourself in my place.

Why didn't you tell me this earlier?

Didn't you think it would help me
with what l was going through?

That you would make
something easier on me?

lnstead of pushing me away
and turning your back?

lt was a shameful secret. A secret
l've had to carry for over 20 years.

So the answer was to make me feel
dirty and ashamed?

That was never my intention.

Know what l think?

l think that you were just
afraid of Dad finding out...

...about your indiscretion.

The story of my life,
waiting for the day...

...you decide to take
my story for once over his.

You can think
what you want, Jen.

But l was not and am not
prepared to wind up alone.

That's the difference
between you and me.

Because l would rather be alone
than in a pathetic, loveless marriage.

Don't go.

Mom, you are the most intensely
selfish person that l have ever known.

God, l mean, look at you,
you can't even cry.

Something's taken that away from you.
You're numb, and you're grateful for it.

Know why you're so afraid
of being alone?

The day you are,
you're gonna look inside of yourself...

...and you're gonna see
what l've known for a long time.

There's nothing there.

Well, he's had it.
lt's definitely time for us to go.

Yeah.

-Let me just say goodbye to them.
-Oh, just us, not you.

You stay.
Be with your friends.

-Hey, Bessie, are you leaving?
-Hi. Oh, yeah.

l'll see you later.

Hey.

So l saw you huddled up
with your parents over there.

-What's going on with them?
-Well....

See the final chapter
of the Mitch/Gale saga.

What do you mean?

The divorce is final.

The Leerys of Capeside
are officially finished as a family.

You know how sorry l am.

l know.

So, what did you say to them
when they told you?

l really let them have it this time.

l looked them both in the eye...

...and l said:

'' Congratulations.''

Good for you, Dawson.

Yeah, but l figure after a year
of if-ing and but-ing...

...any decision is a good decision.

Right?

l mean, besides,
the only homes we ever have...

...are the ones we make
for ourselves.

l know what you mean.

So, what do you say
we really cut loose tonight?

Act out our teenage ennui...

...in wanton, destructive ways.

What do you have in mind?

Sex...

...drugs, rock 'n' roll.

Or we...

...could just sit right here and have a
mind-blowing, three-hour conversation.

Come here.

-Where are we going?
-To the gardening shed...

...to play in the enriched
potting soil.

Did l miss something here?

No, we agreed to be available
at a moment's notice.

-Besides, don't you like getting dirty?
-l do...

...but l don't want to sound
like a prude here...

...but actually,
l really can't do this right now.

Come on, l can say
with absolute certainty...

-...there will be no giggling right now.
-You just need to give me a second...

...to catch up here.

Our arrangement precludes
any emotional foreplay.

Yes, it does,
which, by extension...

...also precludes the idea of angry sex.

-Tell me what happened with your mom.
-Nothing.

Okay, long story short.
Like mother, like daughter.

Seems that l'm not the only girl
in the Lindley family who can't say no.

Well, wake up and smell
the sanctimony, Mom.

My sentiments exactly.

l plan to file it under
''wish l never knew.''

l wouldn't be so hasty.

What, Pacey?

All right.

For what it's worth...

...as a guy who's gone
through this himself...

...what just happened to you
is a defining moment.

When you come to see
your parents as human beings...

...with their own problems...

...it is, oddly,
kind of liberating.

When you realise...

...they're way more messed up
than you and l are...

...it's not worth your time or energy
to go on despising them for it.

Leaving so soon?

l think l've wreaked enough havoc
for one holiday, don't you?

lf you're worried that l'm gonna spill
your little secret to Dad, don't.

l won't get in the middle.

-lt's your marriage and your life.
-Jennifer--

But l don't regret saying the things
that l did. l won't take them back.

l deserved them.

l deserve everything
that happens to me.

What do you mean?

Don't marry a cold man, Jen.

Don't wake up at 40
and realise that one false move...

...and everything
you've built your life around...

...could be pulled out from under you.

Why don't you just divorce him?

-l can't.
-Why not?

Do you realise what happens to women
like me when their marriages fail?

The charity events stop.

The social register inexplicably loses
your address, and you disappear.

You just disappear.

Ever since you put me on that plane,
l always thought that you hated me.

But you never did, did you?

No.

lf anyone, you just hated yourself.

lf l had realised that earlier...

...this past year would have been
so much easier for me.

l'm sorry, Jen.

l know.

l guess now l have to stop
worrying you'll turn out like me...

...because you're already
so much stronger than l ever was.

l guess l should be going.

Goodbye, Helen.

Bye, Mom.

Bye, Mom.

Call me sometime.

l will.

You all right?

Yeah.

l'll be fine.

Pacey, what are you doing here?

Oh, l just couldn't do it.

You know, l got right up
to my front door...

...and l thought to myself:

''What the hell am l doing here?''

Who would l rather
spend my time with?

My family who thinks l'm an idiot
or my friends who think l'm an idiot?

Well, l'm glad
that you're here.

Yeah?

No hard feelings for this afternoon?

Except for ones of
utter embarrassment.

-No, l'm sorry about what happened.
-Sorry?

There's no need for you
to apologise to me.

This may be hard to believe,
but it's actually not every day...

...that a beautiful woman
throws herself at me.

And--
And thank you.

For what?

Conduct above and beyond.

lt was nothing.

You're a 1 6-year-old boy. That must
have taken superhuman restraint.

Oh, Jen, you have no idea.

ls this seat taken?

lt is now.

You know what l'm thinking?

lt's been kind of a while, you know...

...since we've all ended up
in the same spot together.

l must say, it's nice.

You know, Dawson, you're right.

l feel like l'm in
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special.

l love that one. That's where
they eat on the Ping-Pong table.

But it keeps collapsing.
They end up making popcorn.

Yeah, l think the group hug
is a little premature, however.

l'm sure we'll find a way
to be estranged again in no time.

Well, before we do...

...l'd like to say that in a world
where the people who raise you...

...end up letting you down...

...it's an honour and a privilege
to have you guys to turn to.

l can't wait for the Oscar speech.

There's not gonna
be a dry eye in the house.