Following the events of last year, Dawson finds himself resisting letting Pacey and Joey back into his life. Andie focuses her energy on getting into Harvard, Jen revisits the past and Jack meets someone who has an unexpected impact on his life.
Joey and Pacey return home to face a barrage of questions about whether they had sex; Pacey's sister abruptly arrives from college without a diploma; and Andie scopes out two potential summer flings
Pacey learns his prospects for graduation are dim unless he retakes three courses he failed the previous year -- a fact he can't bring himself to mention to Joey. Meanwhile, Henry wants to take a break from Jen and tries to get Jack to help tell her; Joey gets a waitressing job at the yacht club after pretending to be on friendly terms with a board member; and Gretchen (Sasha Alexander) goes house-hunting.
Pacey gets his first "A" of the semester, but an assignment with Dawson keeps Joey from celebrating with him on the boat. So Pacey takes Jen for a fun platonic sail --- until a storm hits. Meanwhile, Joey asks Dawson why he can't forgive Pacey and Andie prepares for a college interview.
College concerns weigh heavily on Joey's mind as she gets good and bad news about her prospects, then realizes Pacey doesn't have the grades to attend college. Meanwhile, Andie drives Jack crazy over filling out his college applications; Gretchen gets vague about college plans when Gale interviews her for a bartending job; and Drue throws a fake birthday party for Jen.
A pregnancy test reveals there may be another Leery on the way. As Dawson sorts through his emotions, he confides in Gretchen who has a secret of her own. Joey decides to visit a free clinic to become more sexually responsible. Andie convinces Jack to become a pee-wee soccer coach but the advances of a player's older sister complicates the situation.
Andie gets a letter from Harvard and the news sends her off to a rave with Jack and an uneasy Jen, who had been resisting pleas from Drue (Mark Matkevich) to attend. After his parents deliver equally important news, Dawson joins the party with Gretchen -- and Pacey and Joey, who wonder why Dawson's been hanging out with Gretchen, his pre-adolescent crush.
Andie's father (David Dukes) suggests the teen take a six-month trip to Italy as a reward for her academic excellence and to relax before she starts college. Meanwhile, Joey needs a peer recommendation for a college application from the person who knows her best, and she's torn between asking Dawson or Pacey to author it.
Principal Peskin (Harry Shearer) and Mitch question Dawson, Pacey and Jack after someone puts the senior administrator's boat into the school's swimming pool with the man's dog on board. Meanwhile, Jen agrees to help coach Jack's soccer team as part of her community service.
Dawson views some of Mr. Brooks' old movies and lavishes the former filmmaker with praise, only to be rudely dismissed. Gretchen plans a party at the Leery's home. Elsewhere, Jack suspects that Jen has lost interest in filing her college applications.
Baby-sitting responsibilities and unexpected guests at the bed-and-breakfast cause stress for Joey the night before a big test at school. Jen and Jack attend a gay teens seminar, and Mr. Brooks agrees to participate in Dawson's documentary about the former filmmaker.
Dawson decides that the best way to pursue Gretchen is to do nothing at all and let the situation play itself out. Gretchen takes Pacey on a road trip to her former college to retrieve her car, which she loaned to an ex-boyfriend. Meanwhile, Joey is trapped in a storage room with Drue, who was supposed to spend the weekend with his father in New York.
Joey plans a surprise birthday party for Pacey, who's reluctant to celebrate because of various mishaps that occurred during previous shindigs commemorating his birth. Elsewhere, Gretchen asks Dawson if they can postpone their scheduled first date since they will both be expected to attend Pacey's party.
To get time off from work for a school trip, Joey agrees to her employer's request that she and Pacey accompany Drue on a date with the daughter of an influential yacht-club member. Meanwhile, Dawson and Gretchen go to a dance club with some of her college friends.
Joey and Pacey embark on a ski trip with their classmates, but a winter storm strands the travelers near a small-town lodge --- and Drue sets up the sleeping arrangements. Meanwhile, Dawson faces a difficult decision regarding the health care of Mr. Brooks, for which Dawson has the legal responsibility to decide.
Pacey's obvious attempts to get Gretchen out of the house for the night lead his sister to deduce that he and Joey have slept together and they want to spend another night alone. Gretchen then discovers that Dawson's parents have gone away for the weekend, so she suggests they share some cozy quality time.
Dawson and Joey find out what fate has in store as they learn whether they were accepted to the colleges of their choice. Also, Jen and Jack try to find a school they can both attend as they sift through college brochures.
Pacey feels left out when he's the only one at school during Ditch Day at Capeside High. Jen and Joey decide to travel to New York City, where they meet up with Jen's father, while Dawson and Gretchen take a spontaneous trip.
A very pregnant Gale anxiously awaits her baby's arrival, while Joey wonders what the stork may have in store for her when she too realizes that she is late. Dawson finds out that Gretchen has an interview with Boston Magazine, and Jack worries about Tobey after he misses his volunteer tutoring session.
The gang faces problems as they prepare for the prom. Jen and Jack fret over dates, only to end up with escorts neither of them want; Joey and Pacey struggle with relationship issues; and Gretchen stresses over attending the high-school event with Dawson.
Jen finds out that Grams is planning to sell the house to put her through college; Dawson tries to reconnect with Gretchen; Joey and Pacey attend a Worthington freshman party that has Pacey thinking there might be hope for them after all.
Dawson and the gang anticipate their graduation day, but Pacey's temper runs high and his antics might cost him his diploma. Also, Andie comes back from Italy to watch her brother and friends graduate.
The fourth-season finale depicts Dawson's last night in Capeside before leaving for the summer session of film school. His plans include a trip to the movies with Joey, Jen and Jack. Saying goodbye isn't easy, especially for Joey, who struggles with not wanting to let go of one of her best friends.
Notes and references
↑Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson's Creek: How Seven Teen Shows Transformed Television by Thea Glassman. June 2023.
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