20. The Longest Day

Complete story — includes the ending

The day Pacey and Joey's relationship goes public is played out four times, each time revealing a little more of what happened, a structure inspired by the film Go: As Pacey christens True Love, he promises Joey that he will tell Dawson about their relationship. He encounters Andie and Will at the library, where Will asks advice on asking Andie out on a date. As Pacey goes up the steps to Dawson's house, Joey intercepts him to stop him, and the two get into an argument until Dawson hears them and emerges with questions. Joey admits how she feels to Jen. She thinks twice when Andie admits Will has asked her out, but Andie cannot agree due to her feelings for Pacey. Dawson asks Joey to join her for a movie night; she finds him watching The Last Picture Show, the film he and Joey watched on their first date, concerning a love triangle. Unnerved by Dawson's commentary, she leaves and intercepts Pacey outside Dawson's house. They get into an argument until Dawson emerges to ask why they are arguing. Dawson reveals that he already knows what they're about to tell him. Dawson hands Pacey a bottle of champagne with which to christen his boat. At the library, Will asks for advice on staging first dates. Dawson goes to talk to Jen, and she offers sympathy, thinking Joey has told him the truth, which leads Dawson to guess Joey and Pacey are together. He returns home and Joey drops in as he watches The Last Picture Show. When Joey and Pacey get into an argument, Dawson emerges, asks the question, then castigates them for their betrayal. As Jen hangs out with Henry, Dawson interrupts and she accidentally reveals the situation. Henry seems oblivious to her being upset, and the two fight. Meanwhile, Will and Andie have their first date, but it ends when they stumble upon the argument outside Dawson's house. Andie upbraids Pacey for falling for Joey, whose first love is Dawson. As the looping perspectives end, Dawson gives Joey an ultimatum: if she continues her relationship with Pacey, she will be ending their friendship. Joey is brokenhearted at losing one of them, but reluctantly ends things with Pacey.