The 25 Best ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Episodes, Ranked (2024)

Jan 20, 2023 7:00am PT

• ‘Spiderwebs’

  

  (Season 6, Episode 8)
  An episode of TV with a No Doubt concert? Sign me up! This one made the list solely because of Joey and Eddie’s (Oliver Hudson) adorable date night. At this point, we knew Joey would end up with Pacey but the brief stopover at Eddie was a delight. This episode shows his softer side when he opens up about his family. Also notable is Michelle Williams, once again acting her butt off and proving how great of a friend Jen is to Audrey (Busy Philipps), even after she slept with the guy she was interested in (Jensen Ackles).

• ‘The All-Nighter’

  

  (Season 2, Episode 7)
  This one may not make many best episodes list, but it’s one of my all-time favorites — mostly because it features the whole group together for an all-night studying session at Chris Wolfe’s (Jason Behr) house and ultimately, a sleepover in the lawn of the very rarely-used outside campus. Plus, Joey maturely admits she’s been in love twice, but both with Dawson — pre-kiss and post. (Also, nice flip, Dawson.)

• ‘Double Date’

  

  (Season 1, Episode 10)
  In addition to Scott Foley’s Cliff and a look at a very, very jealous Dawson, this episode also features Joey and Pacey forced to work together at school and later taking their clothes off in the same vicinity of each other. This is peak Pacey-Joey banter days and he shows interest in her for the first time — and they kiss! Of course, we still pretend their first kiss is in “Cinderella Story.”

• ‘Sex, She Wrote’

  

  (Season 2, Episode 11)
  The group all must figure out who had sex after pot-stirrer Abby Morgan (Monica Keena) finds an unsigned letter about two people spending the night together. Is it Jen and Dawson, Joey and Jack or Andie (Meredith Monroe) and Pacey? This makes the list for two reasons — Joey and Dawson being relieved when they learn that the other are still virgins and Pacey telling Andie he’s falling in love with her.

• ‘Escape From Witch Island’

  

  (Season 3, Episode 7)
  A tribute to “The Blair Witch Project,” it’s always fun to see the gang stepping outside of Capeside, especially when they’re stranded on a haunted island. This one sees the brief pairing of Jen and Pacey, who are exploring a casual sexual relationship, and Joey and Dawson still trying to figure out where they stand. Joey is at her peak attitude phase.

• ‘The Long Goodbye’

  

  (Season 5, Episode 4)
  This episode kicks off confirming that Dawson’s father, Mitch Leery (John Wesley Shipp), died in a car accident. Exploring the different stages of grief, Dawson spends the episode being a rock for everyone else before finally allowing himself to break down in tears in the car after a store attendant tells him how proud his father was of him —the last thing he said before the crash.

• ‘Pilot’

  

  I won’t lie, the pilot is far from the best episode — but it’s very notable, as new girl Jen shakes everything up at Capeside, and she wasn’t the only one causing a ripple. Ms. Jacobs is introduced, first as a customer at the video store Dawson and Pacey work at, and later as a new teacher at school. Meanwhile, Joey and Dawson realize their relationship is changing and she catches his mom, Gail (Mary-Margaret Humes), cheating on Mitch.

• ‘Parental Discretion Advised’

  

  (Season 2 finale)
  Written by Greg Berlanti, the Season 2 finale came right after Dawson and Joey got back together and Andie left town to get help, becoming one of the more heartbreaking hours of the series. Dawson learns that Joey’s dad is dealing drugs again and after he burns down the restaurant with the whole group inside, he has to tell Joey. In turn, she’s forced to wear a wire, turn her dad in and tell Dawson she’ll never forgive him. The episode is also a great look at Joshua Jackson’s acting, as he punches his own dad after he mocks Andie’s mental health. Plus, Jen moves home —and brings Jack along— creating the epic family of Jen, Jack and Grams (Mary-Beth Peil).

• ‘The Longest Day’

  

  (Season 3, Episode 20)
  Flipping the format on its head, “The Longest Day” tells exactly how everyone learned of Joey and Pacey’s romance from four different points of view: Pacey’s, Joey’s, Dawson’s and Jen’s. In the end, Dawson tells Joey she either can be friends with him or be with Pacey. She ends things with Pacey.

• ‘The Scare’

  

  (Season 1, Episode 11)
  Creator Kevin Williamson had debuted “Scream” two years before the teen soap began, so it’s no surprise that he crafted an excellent, creepy episode about a serial killer in Capeside that paid tribute to his horror roots. Plus, Scott Foley —who played one of the killers in “Scream 3” — is there!

• ‘The Two Gentlemen of Capeside’

  

  (Season 4, Episode 3)
  Putting this on the list may come as a surprise to some, but it’s for good reason. Dawson and Joey are forced to work on a school project together while Jen accompanies Pacey on a sailboat ride. When they hit an awful storm, they plan to take shelter at a small island that only Dawson will know about, knowing his former best friend will come rescue him. That’s exactly what happens, with Joey in tow, because when Dawson tries to go alone to rescue Pacey and Jen, she yells at him, “I can’t worry about the two of you.” After Jen jumps to safety onto Dawson’s boat, Pacey refuses to leave “True Love” at first, so Dawson jumps over to his and forces him, ultimately saving his life. There are a few key conversations that take place after: Joey telling Pacey he now needs to always think for two; Mitch telling Dawson he knows it’s not fair that he saved the day but didn’t get the girl but maybe got “something more;” Grams being extremely upset thinking she lost Jen and Jen comforting her; and lastly, Pacey thanking Dawson for saving him and apologizing for the first time for ruining their friendship.

  “However far off that may be, I do look forward to the day you and I might be friends again. So until then,” he says. Dawson replies, “Until then.”

• ‘Cinderella Story’

  

  (Season 3, Episode 17)
  It’s impossible to write a best episodes list without this one on it, since it’s the first time that Pacey makes his feelings for Joey known and she’s (somehow) shocked. After a failed romantic weekend away with her random college boyfriend, she calls Pacey in the middle of the night to pick her up and thinks she did so simply because he’s a great friend. Then he pulls over and he grabs her face and kisses her — and she kisses him back!

• 'A Winter’s Tale'

  

  (Season 4, Episode 14)
  It’s the sex episode! During a high school ski trip, Joey and Pacey stay together and realize everyone is talking about sex. Pacey constantly reminds Joey that he’s not pressuring her and never will, something that ultimately, makes her feel ready. Plus, she counts to 10 before kissing him, just like he did the previous seasons. We love a callback.

• ‘Beauty Contest’

  

  (Season 1, Episode 12)
  In order to win money for college, Joey enters a beauty pageant and performs “On My Own.” Somehow, that leads to Dawson realizing he thinks of her as more than a friend. She has an excellent response, telling him, “It’s just lipstick. And it’s just hairspray. Tomorrow, I’m gonna wake up, and I’m gonna be Joey. Just Joey.” Pacey also enters to make a point and has an excellent “Braveheart” monologue.

• ‘The Anti-Prom’

  

  (Season 3, Episode 22)
  “The Anti-Prom” is epic, first because of what the actual event is — a dance thrown on prom night, since Jack wasn’t allowed to bring a man to the actual high school prom. During the dance, both Dawson and Pacey are hoping to win Joey’s heart and ultimately, it’s Pacey who notices her mom’s bracelet and wins the heart of every single person watching by whispering, “I remember everything.”

• ‘To Be or Not to Be’ / ‘That Is the Question’

  

  (Season 2, Episodes 14-15)
  This two-part episode, written by Williamson and Berlanti, features Jack being forced to come out when a teacher makes him read a vulnerable poem he wrote in class. It’s heartbreaking and groundbreaking.

• ‘Coda’

  

  (Season 4, Episode 23)
  Even as the captain of Team Pacey, I can appreciate a beautiful Joey-Dawson episode. This time, Dawson’s about to leave for California. In a very sweet moment, he receives a call from Pacey before he leaves and the pair seemingly make up, with Dawson letting him know that he’s proud of him. Dawson also says goodbye to the group, receives the perfect going away gift from Jack and Jen — a cell phone with only five prepaid minutes on it! — and then must say goodbye to Joey. They look back at high school, talk about regrets and she asks him to stay, just like Pacey asked her to do in Season 3. Ultimately, it ends with a tribute to the Season 1 finale with a kiss in front of his bedroom window.

• ‘The Graduate’

  

  (Season 4, Episode 22)
  Andie comes back to town for graduation and is the perfect person for Pacey to share the news with that he graduated and landed his dream job. As Joey preps for her graduation speech, she’s given a heartbreaking letter from her mom. Bessie (Nina Repeta) later tells Joey it’s not fair that she didn’t have a mother and Joey responds, “I got two.” Plus, who doesn’t love a graduation episode?

• ‘You Had Me at Goodbye’

  

  (Season 4, Episode 7)
  Meredith Monroe left the show after this episode (later returning for “The Graduate”) and it was the birth of one of the best group photos. During Andie’s goodbye speech, she reminds Pacey, Joey and Dawson how lucky they are to have all been there at the beginning. Plus, Joey lets Pacey know that while Dawson knows her past the best, she views her future with him.

• ‘Detention’

  

  (Season 1, Episode 7)
  The first TV episode written by “White Lotus” creator Mike White, this was an ode to “The Breakfast Club,” as the group all land in Saturday detention in the library. They play truth or dare and the episode featured lengthy kisses between Jen and Pacey (leading to Dawson’s jealous rage) and Joey and Dawson (fueling Jen’s jealousy). Most memorable, however, is Jackson’s line about Emilio Estevez being in “those duck movies.”

• ‘Castaways’

  

  (Season 6, Episode 15)
  This episode didn’t have Dawson, Jen or Jack, but instead only follows Pacey and Joey. After she accompanies him to a company party and he meets a gorgeous woman, he makes a pitstop at K-Mart to buy condoms and the two get locked in. Not only is it funny and charming, it forces Pacey to confront the fact that he still loves Joey and probably has never stopped. Somehow, they make her shaving off his goatee while wearing silly pajamas an intimate, sexy experience.

• ‘A Weekend in the Country’

  

  (Season 3, Episode 12)
  Once again, the show proves how strong it is when the entire group is under one roof. This time, Pacey, Dawson, Jen, Jack, Andie, Grams, Mitch and Gail all pretend to be guests at the Potter B&B when Pacey invites a critic to visit before it’s actually ready. It’s this night that Pacey’s feelings for Joey are revealed; after Grams reveals that true love is watching someone sleep, he settles into a chair and watches Joey rest in front of the fire.

  Plus, Dawson proves he’s still a kid — which is actually a relief to see since he spends so much of the series acting like an adult — when he tells his parents that it’s confusing for them to play happily married in front of him.

• ‘True Love’

  

  (Season 3, Episode 23)
  Yes, this episode birthed the Dawson crying meme — but honestly, it may be the least interesting part of the episode. After Mitch and Gail get married again (!), Joey finally makes the choice to be with Pacey and they sail out of town together on his boat without any luggage.

  Elsewhere, Jen chases down Henry (Michael Pitt) to tell him how she feels, while Jack finally kisses Ethan — network TV’s first passionate same-sex kiss! The end of the episode is pretty sweet too, as Dawson returns to his room after his breakdown to find his friends (sans Joey and Pacey) waiting there for him.

• ‘All Good Things’ / ‘Must Come to an End’

  

  (Season 6 finale)
  The finale, jumping five years in the future, features the group returning to Capeside for Gail’s wedding and having to extend their stay when Jen is hospitalized. It’s excellent to see Joey finally make her choice (Pacey!!!) but even more beautiful are the scenes between Jack and Jen, the soulmates from the start. He even lets her know that she’s his soulmate. Plus, Williams is absolutely incredible as Jen copes with dying and the fact that she’s leaving her daughter behind. Jack, as her daughter’s godfather, adopts Amy after Jen dies with Grams by her side. Jack then decides to raise Amy with his boyfriend, Doug Witter, who is finally OK coming out.

• ‘Stolen Kisses’

  

  (Season 3, Episode 19)
  While they may have been the introduction of Will (Rodney Scott) for the short-lived “Young Americans” spinoff, this episode gets the No. 1 spot for multiple reasons — including karaoke. When the group goes away to Aunt Gwen’s (Julie Bowen) house, Joey attempts to to keep her distance from Pacey after their kiss — and her denying tries to deny her feelings for him.When they are forced to sleep in the same bed, she can no longer do that and the episode ends with Joey finally making the move on him and initiating a kiss. (Also, it features one of Pacey’s excellent speeches to Joey and his famous counting to 10 before kissing her moment. Swoon.)

  A bonus: Pacey singing “Wild Things” and Dawson and Joey performing “Daydream Believer.”