List of Dawson's Creek episodes

Dawson returns from spending the summer in Philadelphia with his mother, and on the journey home meets a beautiful blonde girl, Eve, who takes a liking to him. He hasn't spoken to Joey all summer. Jen gets an unexpected offer after she stands up to the school's popular crowd. Mitch becomes the new coach of the high school football team, and leaves for a coaching conference. In a moment of madness, Dawson crashes Mitch's boat and he and Pacey hatch a crazy plan to raise money to fix it. Joey offers herself to Dawson but he rejects her. Pacey awaits the return of Andie, who has spent the summer in the hospital.

Dawson struggles with whether or not to tell Jen the truth about Eve, who has by now left town. Later, his mother returns to Capeside, but it isn't initially clear why. Jen is reluctant to plan a big homecoming event, but is persuaded to get involved by Henry who is friends with the host of the event. She repays him by asking him to be her date to the party, but later disappoints him when she rejects his advances. Dawson also attends the event as an escort for his mother, a former homecoming queen, and accidentally discovers that she is having career difficulties. Andie accuses Joey of sabotaging her chances of a reunion with Pacey, but the two girls end up bonding when Andie realises Joey is not to blame.

In an effort to add excitement to a dull school project, Dawson decides to make a documentary, enlisting the help of Joey, Pacey and Jen. The group head to a small island near Capeside, rumoured to be haunted by the ghosts of some 18th-century girls, killed after being accused of witchcraft. Joey finds similarities between her own life and that of one of the dead girls which provokes some deep reflections on her strained relationship with Dawson. After some exploratory conversations, Jen and Pacey make the decision to become more than just good friends, albeit on a casual basis. Back at school, Andie gets a little too involved with her role as head of the school disciplinary committee. When Dawson screens his documentary for his class, Joey is forced to again question her opinions about love and happiness.

Dawson, Joey, Jack and Andie spend the weekend at a Boston university for an advance look at college life. Dawson enters his "Witch Island" documentary in a student film festival. He is later stunned when it doesn't get the reaction he was hoping for. Elsewhere on campus, due to a clerical error, Joey's weekend guide is not what she expected. Andie's pursuit for an advanced admissions interview leads her to some inspirational advice from an unlikely source, and Jack takes a risk and explores the local gay community. Dawson encounters another young filmmaker, Nikki Green, who coincidentally turns out to be his principal's daughter.

Joey is chosen as one of only a handful of students selected to paint an inspriational mural on a school wall. At the unveiling, it is revealed that Joey's mural has been vandalised, and when Pacey discovers the identity of the culprit, he takes vigilante action which lands him in trouble, and gets the vandal expelled. As part of his punishment, Principal Green enrolls him in the Capeside mentoring scheme, and Pacey seems excited at the chance to help local kids. Andie's PSAT scores come back and Principal Green reveals that she is one of the country's top scorers. Racked with guilt about her dishonesty over the test, Andie, against the advice of Jack, confesses the truth to Principal Green who is deeply disappointed. Pacey's home life becomes over-crowded when his sister Carrie and her children come to stay. He decides to move in with Doug, who is less than pleased with the idea. Pacey and Joey bond further when Dawson inadvertently pushes Joey to see how much Pacey genuinely cares for her.

Dawson, Joey, Andie, Pacey and Will (a childhood friend of the gang who has remained close with Pacey) head to Dawson's aunt's house to spend their school holiday away from Capeside. The trip is filled with tension as Joey and Pacey attempt to fight their feelings. Andie and Will appear to have a connection, and Dawson tries to bond again with Joey, who is preoccupied by her feelings for Pacey. Encouraged by Dawson's aunt, the friends have a karaoke contest. Pacey kisses Joey again and informs her that she must make the next move. They are interrupted by Dawson's aunt but later Joey initiates a kiss with Pacey. Back in Capeside, Jen and Henry go through a bumpy time when she is consumed with jealously over his friendship with a waitress at Gail's restaurant.

Principal Peskin's sailboat turns up in the school swimming pool with the words 'Class of 2001' emblazoned on the sail in white paint. On board the boat is his dog, Chester, who was kidnapped the previous day. Dawson, Pacey and Jack are all prime suspects in the prank. Pacey is the only senior with access to the boatyard from where Peskin's boat was stolen, Dawson has keyholder access to the school through his father's job (and therefore would have the ability to get the boat into the pool after hours), and a nervous Jack attracts attention from Chester, as well as admitting to buying white paint. After their interrogations reveal seemingly air-tight alibis, another culprit surfaces and some poetic justice is dished out.

Dawson asks Mr. Brooks' advice on becoming a director. Mr. Brooks gives Dawson some insight on his past and why he is the way he is. Joey takes Pacey to a dinner hosted by an exclusive college. She is a nervous wreck but Pacey saves the day. The Leery's host a Christmas party which provokes well hidden feelings between Dawson and Gretchen to surface. Joey and Pacey arrive late at the party and witness a kiss between their friends. Jen hasn't filled out a single college application, and Jack is concerned. Grams, who hasn't spoken to Jen since the incident with Andie, has an idea to get Jen's college applications in on time and enlists Jack to help with her plan.

Joey can't find a moment alone to study or deal with her feelings. Dawson's collaboration with Brooks begins, rejuvenating his filmmaking spirit. Jen takes Jack to a "Gay-Straight Teen Coalition" meeting but she seems to fit in with the crowd more than Jack does. They meet one of the lead members, Toby, and he clashes with Jack, leading to him being exceptionally keen to putting Jack down.

Pacey and Dawson finally start hanging out together again when Dawson tells him that he has feelings for Gretchen. Pacey hates the idea, so when he and Gretchen go on a road trip to her ex-boyfriend's house to pick up her truck, Pacey tries to get them back together. However, after being there for a while, Pacey sees that the guy he's trying to get Gretchen back together with is not who he thought he was. Back in Capeside, Joey has her fair share of problems when she gets locked in a storage area at the Yacht Club with Drue Valentine, an event he set up to avoid going to visit his father. Meanwhile, Dawson observes the feelings growing between Brooks and Grams and fears that Grams will get hurt when she finds out that Brooks is terminally ill. Gretchen finally gives into her feelings for Dawson.

Joey decides to help Pacey's mother throw a surprise 18th birthday party for Pacey, not knowing about Pacey's self-professed 'birthday curse'. The party goes downhill fast as Pacey's family makes Pacey feel worthless and everyone else feel uncomfortable. Dawson becomes upset when he feels that Gretchen doesn't want anyone to know about their new relationship and postpones their first real date to go to the party. Pacey and Joey again walk in on Dawson and Gretchen kissing, this time more passionately. Jen correctly suspects that Toby might be harboring romantic feelings for Jack.

The senior trip is coming up and Joey needs to get the time off from work – not an easy task seeing that Drue's nasty mother is her boss. However, she decides to give Joey a few days off if she agrees to go on a double date with Pacey and a wealthy girl named Anna Evans. During their night out, Joey starts to get concerned about Drue's offensive behavior towards Anna. Dawson has his own problems when he and Gretchen go out with her friends and he is surprised at the problems their age gap cause. Jack gets some positive attention from Toby.

While the rest of the class is on the ski trip, Dawson stays behind to care for a near-death Brooks, but he is overwhelmed when he is asked to make a life or death decision. Meanwhile, there's a lot more than skiing going on when the senior trip doesn't go exactly as planned. The evening takes an unexpectedly romantic turn for best friends Jack and Jen, while Pacey and Joey find their own ways to keep warm on the cold night, finally taking their relationship to the next level.

The morning after, Joey and Pacey discover they have overslept and missed the bus back to Capeside. While they wait for the next one, the couple find themselves confronted with the tensions that accompany the latest development in their relationship. Meanwhile, as punishment for breaking into her hotel mini-bar during the class ski trip, Mr. Kasdan decides to send Jen to a psychologist where she can discuss her issues. Back in Capeside, Joey and Dawson's paths collide and they spend an evening catching up on the past weekend and its many happenings. Sensing a change in Joey, Dawson poses an intrusive question, once again asking Joey if she has slept with Pacey. She lies and tells him she hasn't, feeling bad when Dawson expresses relief. Dawson comes to terms with the death of Brooks and is surprised to discover he has been named in his will.

The results of the senior polls have ramifications for Dawson, Joey, and Pacey, as the three try to ignore the tauntings of Drue Valentine. While Pacey and Joey try to find some alone time, Dawson finds his night with Gretchen more awkward than he'd expected. Meanwhile, Jack is suspicious when Jen drags him on some mysterious errands, and his suspicions are confirmed when he learns that she is stalking her therapist.

Joey receives some good college news, but while she glows, Dawson is forced to face a crushing rejection. Joey's elated mood, however, is tempered by a sobering revelation that her family's lack of savings may prevent her from achieving her dreams. Dawson offers her a financial solution but she feels she must confess to sleeping with Pacey before she can really consider Dawson's offer. Jen and Jack want to attend college together but hit a stumbling block when Jack decides that New York is the place to go and Jen isn't so sure she's ready to return to the Big Apple. A therapy session forces her to confront her past with the help of Drue.

As senior ditch day arrives, Joey is excited to find herself accompanying Jen on an excursion to New York under the guise of attending a college meeting. It isn't long before Joey sees that they are there for an entirely different reason. Jen finally talks to her father, for the first time since she left for Capeside. She witnessed her father in bed with another woman before she moved to Capeside, and that her attitude towards men and herself has been harmed by what she saw. Meanwhile, Gretchen and Dawson take off on a road trip. Back in Capeside, Pacey and Drue find themselves the only seniors in school. Out of frustration, they head for a bar. The night ends in disaster, however, when Pacey is arrested for public drunkenness.

As Gail's delivery date approaches, the women in her life throw a baby shower for her, but it's an experience that throws Joey through a loop when she discovers she might be pregnant. Pacey is nowhere to be found. While Dawson awaits the arrival of his new sibling, he and Gretchen wonder what their future holds. Meanwhile, Jack faces an unexpected situation when he learns that Toby has fallen victim to a violent crime.

As everyone gets ready for the year's senior prom, some bad news causes Gretchen to reflect on her life. Joey worries about Pacey and they confront once unspoken issues. The festivities cause conflict for Gretchen, as she questions her relationship with Dawson, while an unhappy Jen is rescued by unlikely hero Drue after she and Jack meddle in each other's lives and arrange dates for each other. Joey and Pacey have a screaming row at the prom and break up.

The school year draws to a close, and changes are abound for the class of 2001. While Joey and Dawson deal with their respective break ups, Jen makes a startling decision about her future. Meanwhile, Dawson has his own decision to make with regards to Gretchen when an unusual opportunity comes their way. A professor from Worthington asks Joey to bring Pacey with her to a party for incoming freshman, which fills the pair with hope that they might be able to have a future together after all but eventually, Joey and Pacey have to come to terms with the end of their romance.

Accepted early to USC, Dawson finds his last night in Capeside has arrived much sooner than everyone had originally anticipated. While Dawson looks forward to spending the evening with Joey, Jack and Jen, Mitch has other ideas. Meanwhile, Dawson is not the only goodbye Jen has to deal with, as she bids farewell to the house she's been sharing with Grams. Finally, Joey attempts to say goodbye to Dawson, but in the process ends up telling him that she wants him to stay. The two of them kiss.

Jen helps Dawson go to the grief counsellor (played by Pauley Perrette) he ran away from the week before. Dawson finds the idea of sharing his thoughts with a complete stranger uncomfortable, but he is surprised with how much he learns from it. Back in Capeside, Dawson and Gail run into problems handling Mitch's will, the main problem being that Lily is not included in it. Meanwhile, Joey is working on a project about old letters authored many years ago by a recently deceased writer, and with the help of Audrey's audition tape for "The Real World: Ibiza", she manages to catch something no one of the fellow students did. Pacey confronts Karen about the risks she is taking by having an affair with Danny. Later, Karen is hurt when Danny's wife shows up at a party they are both attending.

After watching scary movies, Joey, Pacey and Jack talk about their creepiest experiences and urban legends. Joey shares her story of how she was almost attacked by the librarian on Halloween and saved by the creepy man she was running from. Jack tells the story of when he was helping clean the frat house basement and found a guy strapped, who later he found out to be a ghost. Pacey reveals that he was chased by a black car while giving Karen a ride home, but there was nobody driving the car. Grams arrives and says she has the scariest story: the time when Jen got locked out of the radio booth.

Joey and Audrey go to a nightclub to celebrate Joey's excellent grades. There, Audrey tries to convince Joey to have some real fun. Charlie is also there and he hits on Joey, who turns him down because of what he did to Jen. But Charlie doesn't give up so easily and dares Joey to do something wild. She accepts the dare and goes on the stage to sing with the band. Excited about it, she impulsively kisses Charlie. Meanwhile, Pacey joins the girls at the club to celebrate his new promotion. Dawson and Jen go back to Capeside, where they have their first fight over what Dawson will do with his life. He ultimately decides to move to Boston and live with Jen and Grams.

Joey is forced at gunpoint to clear out her bank account by a mugger, who is accidentally run over by a car just after robbing Joey. Joey stays with her attacker, checking up on him and trying to get an ambulance to get him to the hospital. Bizarrely, they find common ground, after Joey sees the similarities between him and her father. When the police and paramedics arrive, Joey faints and is also taken to the hospital. After recovering, she accidentally meets the mugger's estranged wife and daughter and soon finds out that the man died from his injuries. Joey decides not to tell the truth about the man to his daughter and tells her instead that her father pushed her out of the way when she walked out in front of a car and died a hero.

Charlie's band lands a deal for a tour and he asks Joey to go with him, but she doesn't want to leave college in the middle of the semester. Charlie then decides to quit the band and stay with her, which freaks Joey, who thinks they're jumping too many steps. She breaks up with him so he can go with his band on tour. Meanwhile, Oliver and Dawson finally get to NY to meet with an agent, but Oliver ruins the meeting. Dawson threatens to end their partnership but Oliver begs for another chance. Pacey meets the nasty new manager of the restaurant, Alex Pearl. She promotes Pacey to head chef but fires Audrey. Pacey tries to get Audrey her job back, but all he gets is a kiss from Alex.

Pacey's new boss proposes more professionalism in the workplace and promises to leave behind her attraction towards him, even offering Audrey her job back. Audrey suspects something is going on between them and refuses to return. Later, Alex drops by at Pacey's and Audrey walks in on them talking about their kiss. She storms out in anger, leaving the future of their relationship unknown while Pacey struggles with the growing attraction he feels for Alex. Dawson runs into Amy Lloyd, the movie critic, and they end up in bed together. Afterward, they talk about movies and she gives him a copy of the Woody Allen film, What's Up, Tiger Lily?. Joey and Jack focus on studies, and while she has problems concentrating, he has to catch up an entire semester and even goes back to the fraternity house asking for help. Luckily, Eric (the same guy who caused Jack his expulsion) shows up with the needed notes.

Joey's worst nightmare comes true when she accidentally sends a very personal e-mail she wrote for Dawson to the entire student body. The next morning, Joey's e-mail is the topic of virtually all campus discussions when Professor Hetson decides to debate it with his students. Meanwhile, Jack makes an attempt to get to know a little better his cultural professor, Mark Freeman, who pays no attention to Jack. Pacey, while struggling to survive the first days on his new job, closes a very important deal for the firm, which his wheeling-dealing mentor Rich Rinaldi takes full credit for. Eddie, a student in Joey‘s reading class, who also works as the bartender at Hell‘s Kitchen, persuades Joey to confront any challenge that Hetson throws and not show any weakness since Hetson thrives on it.

Audrey gets drunk before her band performs and worries her friends, especially C.J. who suspects a deeper problem. Meanwhile, Eddie and Joey agree to go on a real date. Pacey hits it off with a beautiful woman while on a business trip to New Orleans, and is shocked to discover that she's a call girl. When Professor Freeman announces that he's leaving he and Jack have a heart-to-heart talk about their future.

Natasha is drawn to a handsome new actor who arrives on the set. Meanwhile, Joey spends the night at Eddie's apartment but misses Professor Heston's final exam. Pacey invites Emma to his office party and sparks between the two turn to passion.

Dawson and Gail invite everyone back to Capeside for Christmas, but Dawson confronts Natasha about her one-night stand. Joey's happiness with Eddie turns sour when her father expresses his disapproval. Audrey gets loaded during the dinner at Dawson's. At the Christmas dinner, a drunk Todd delivers a hysterical prayer and ends up airing some dirty laundry. When he is finished Audrey airs the rest of the gang's dirty laundry then storms off.

Joey follows Eddie to his family home where they face up to their true emotions and the obstacles they must overcome to be together. Back in Boston, Pacey is invited to an exclusive party where he receives a promotion and is recruited to be part of a special project but is tipped off that the project maybe not be ethical. Audrey returns from Los Angeles and is welcomed back into the band, but blows her chances by getting drunk just before taking the stage.

In Los Angeles, while directing re-shoots on "Wicked Dead", Dawson finds his authority questioned by Heather Tracey and the other producers when Natasha refuses to do a nude scene. As a result, Dawson adopts an aggressive take-no-prisoners attitude, similar to the one that Todd has, to take control of the situation. In Boston, Joey is unable to say good-bye to Eddie who is moving to California to register at a college when she convinces him to help her take Audrey to a rehab clinic in Los Angeles, and the three of them, plus a guy Audrey picks up, drive cross country where the four constantly quarrel with each other. Jen spends her time consoling a dumped Grams, and Jen and C.J. set a lonely Grams up with C.J.'s Uncle Bill, who turns out to be quite randy.

After agreeing to pose as Pacey's sister at a business party, Joey demands to be taken home. When Pacey makes a quick stop at a local K-Mart they are accidentally locked inside the store. They're forced to spend the night there and talk about their friendship and relationship, both past and future. After the night is over they are both left to ponder what the future has in store for them.

Professor Heston orders Joey to baby-sit for Harley to make sure she does her homework. But Joey ends up serving as relationship counselor when she finds Harley's boyfriend, Patrick, hiding in the house. Patrick starts to drool over Joey which makes Harley jealous. Meanwhile, Dawson pays a visit to his past when he's asked to speak to Mr. Gold's class at Capeside High about how it is to be working in L.A. One of the students asks Dawson to watch his film. While watching the film Dawson realizes that he's moved on from the teenager he once was. Pacey also returns to Capeside when his father is admitted to the hospital after suffering a heart attack. Pacey has an argument with his brother, Doug, about the way Pacey's been treating the family by shutting them out.

Joey agrees to be Pacey's temporary assistant but their mutual jealousy leads to disaster in the office. Dawson sells his idea for a coming-of-age movie, but when the studio wants to change it to a teen sex film, he must decide whether to stick with his original concept.

Jen's seemingly happy world comes crashing down when she learns that Grams has breast cancer. Meanwhile, Joey's tumultuous love life continues when Eddie reveals his true reasons for returning to Boston, and Pacey agrees to join Joey as she chaperones for Harley's school dance, but what should be a magical night doesn't feel right for Joey. Although he is at first reluctant, Pacey agrees to invest Dawson's life savings to finance his new film project.

Joey's and Eddie's emotional and sexual relationship is played out on stage during a counseling center benefit with hosts Dr. Drew and Adam Carolla (playing themselves). At the same event, Jack and David deal with the insecurities in their relationship; Jen opens up to C.J. about Grams' cancer; and a sober Audrey returns to Boston and surprises everyone at the benefit.

Five years have passed and everyone is reunited in Capeside for a special wedding. Dawson has been living in Los Angeles producing his autobiographical television series The Creek and has never forgotten the love of his life, Joey. She is now a successful book editor living in New York with her boyfriend but comes home to realize she still loves her childhood sweethearts. Pacey is the owner of the new Ice House and still carries a torch for Joey, Jen is a single mom living with Grams and managing an art gallery in SoHo, and Jack is a teacher at Capeside High and has fallen in love with Deputy Doug. Together all the secrets come out as tragedy and love becomes clear. With Jen in the hospital, the gang tries not to be too sad about it. Dawson helps Jen make a video for her daughter, asking her to never stop loving and dreaming. Jen also asks Joey as her last wish to end the chasing and running and to finally pick between Pacey and Dawson. Joey tells Jen that she has always known who she is supposed to be with. Jack tells Jen that she's his soul mate and asks to raise baby Amy for her. Jen finally passes away and while mourning the death of their close friend, the gang has to move on. Doug tells Jack he's willing to spend his life with him and wants to help raise Amy. Joey breaks up with Chris over the phone while she tries to decide whom she will choose: Dawson or Pacey. After Jen's funeral, Pacey tells Joey that despite his endless love for her, he can't hold her back any more. As much as Joey wanted, all her life, to leave Capeside and see the world, Pacey seems destined to be stuck there. Before returning to New York, Joey sits with Dawson and confesses that even though they may never be together, he and she are soul mates and nothing should ever change that, but, in the end, she decides it is Pacey she wants to be with. In the final moments of the series, Dawson answers a phone call from Pacey and Joey who have just watched an episode of The Creek. Dawson tells them that he's meeting someone tomorrow and Pacey and Joey figure out it's Steven Spielberg, Dawson's idol. The episode ends when the camera lingers on a picture on Dawson's desk of him and his friends before cutting to a scene of them all walking down the beach from season one.