This is a great episode. However, in its greatness lies the reason why it is not truly tremendous. The episode is one of the most memorable in the *entire* run of Dawson's Creek, but as a whole, the episode is less than the sum of its parts.
First, Dawson's movie, which started *filming* in the previous episode, vanishes from the plot like Abby did in the same episode. Second, the character of Ty exists solely to get Jen some screen time. Third, while this episode is built around the big character moment for Kerr Smith's Jack McPhee, finally giving justification for the character's addition to the cast (Andie McPhee already has had plenty), ultimately this episode belongs to Pacey the character and Joshua Jackson the actor, who once again steals the show.
Anyway, best episode since #2.4, Tamara's Return, so one cannot really complain that this is "only" 8/10 - it still beats most episodes of most shows made even in the Golden Age of the Television Entertainment of the 2000s.
First, Dawson's movie, which started *filming* in the previous episode, vanishes from the plot like Abby did in the same episode. Second, the character of Ty exists solely to get Jen some screen time. Third, while this episode is built around the big character moment for Kerr Smith's Jack McPhee, finally giving justification for the character's addition to the cast (Andie McPhee already has had plenty), ultimately this episode belongs to Pacey the character and Joshua Jackson the actor, who once again steals the show.
Anyway, best episode since #2.4, Tamara's Return, so one cannot really complain that this is "only" 8/10 - it still beats most episodes of most shows made even in the Golden Age of the Television Entertainment of the 2000s.