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The Best Episodes of Dawson's Creek

Every episode of Dawson's Creek ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Dawson's Creek!

Binge this in 3d 20h•Peaking at 9.1/10

Dawson's Creek is an American teen drama that portrays the fictional lives of a close-knit group of teenagers through high school and college.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Dawson's Creek Season 6 Episode 24 - ...Must Come to an End (2)
    9.1/10(711 votes)

    #1 - ...Must Come to an End (2)

    S6:E24

    (Part 2 of 2) 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' but has never forgotten the love of his life, Joey is 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.

    Directors:James Whitmore Jr., Gregory Prange
    Writers:Kevin Williamson, Maggie Friedman

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  2. Dawson's Creek Season 6 Episode 15 - Castaways
    8.8/10(589 votes)

    #2 - Castaways

    S6:E15

    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.

    Director:Gregory Prange
    Writer:Gina Fattore

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  3. Dawson's Creek Season 6 Episode 23 - All Good Things... (1)
    8.7/10(486 votes)

    #3 - All Good Things... (1)

    S6:E23

    (Part 1 of 2) 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' but has never forgotten the love of his life, Joey is 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.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writers:Kevin Williamson, Maggie Friedman

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  4. Dawson's Creek Season 2 Episode 15 - ...That is the Question
    8.5/10(415 votes)

    #4 - ...That is the Question

    S2:E15

    On Dawson's advice, Joey attempts to heal the wounds of her new romance with Jack left shattered by rumor and innuendo, but when Jack confronts his innermost secrets, their lives and everyone's close to them will never be the same again. Meanwhile, for the first time in his life, Pacey stands up for what he believes in when he takes on an abusive teacher, but the consequences of his convictions are more than he could have imagined.

    Director:Gregory Prange
    Writers:Kevin Williamson, Greg Berlanti

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  5. Dawson's Creek Season 5 Episode 4 - The Long Goodbye
    8.5/10(348 votes)

    #5 - The Long Goodbye

    S5:E4

    Lifelong friends Dawson, Joey and Pacey put past grudges behind them in the wake of the tragic death of one of their fathers. Along with Jack, Jen and Grams, each tries to find the words and actions to comfort their friend.

    Director:Robert Duncan McNeill
    Writer:Tom Kapinos

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  6. Dawson's Creek Season 1 Episode 13 - Decisions
    8.4/10(524 votes)

    #6 - Decisions

    S1:E13

    In the season finale, Dawson and Joey confront their true feelings. Joey, visits her father in prison, and debates leaving to go to France.

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Mike White

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Dawson's Creek

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  7. Dawson's Creek Season 1 Episode 7 - Detention
    8.3/10(616 votes)

    #7 - Detention

    S1:E7

    In what is said to be one of the best episodes, the gang, after committing various violations at school, gets stuck together for an 8 hour Saturday detention, where Dawson and Pacey turn against each another; and Joey offers a tearful partial explanation for her anger toward Jen.

    Director:Allan Arkush
    Writer:Mike White

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  8. Dawson's Creek Season 2 Episode 14 - To Be or Not to Be ...
    8.3/10(417 votes)

    #8 - To Be or Not to Be ...

    S2:E14

    In a compelling two-part episode, the Capeside High School gossip mill kicks into overdrive after Jack bears his soul in a English assignment and is forced to expose his innermost secrets while reading the poem aloud in class, leaving Dawson, Joey, and Andie shaken by the implications of what it all means. Meanwhile, Pacey tries to defend Jack in the face of an adversarial teacher, and Jen finds her latest suitor Ty is full of surprises.

    Director:Sandy Smolan
    Writer:Greg Berlanti

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  9. Dawson's Creek Season 1 Episode 11 - The Scare
    8.2/10(583 votes)

    #9 - The Scare

    S1:E11

    In honor of Friday the 13th, Dawson, plans a séance for the gang, they are all spooked by reports of a serial killer heading towards Capeside.

    Director:Rodman Flender
    Writer:Mike White

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  10. Dawson's Creek Season 4 Episode 3 - The Two Gentlemen of Capeside
    8.2/10(346 votes)

    #10 - The Two Gentlemen of Capeside

    S4:E3

    Pacey is happy for his good grades, and decides to sail for celebration. Dawson, Joey and Drue are assigned for a work and Joey can't go with him. Instead, Pacey takes Jen with him. What they didn't know is that a huge storm was coming, and suddenly they have to face it. Andie is having an interview with Drue's mom for college, but her medical records get in her way. Mrs. Valentine worries about Andie's mental stability and denies her the spot. When the storm get bigger, Andie takes control of the situation and guides everybody to rescue Jen and Pacey, who admit to each other their biggest regrets in life. Jen regrets never being in love, despite her feelings for Henry, and Pacey regrets the destruction of his friendship with Dawson. Dawson and Joey go on a small boat to rescue them, and Dawson saves Pacey's life. He apologizes to Dawson for all his attitude over the past months.

    Director:Sandy Smolan
    Writer:Jeffrey Stepakoff

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  11. Dawson's Creek Season 4 Episode 14 - A Winter's Tale
    8.2/10(388 votes)

    #11 - A Winter's Tale

    S4:E14

    While the rest of the class is on the ski trip, Dawson stays behind to care for a near-death Mr. Brooks, but he's overwhelmed when he's asked to make an impossibly hard decision. Dawson is given the responsibility to decide whether to cut off Brooks' life support. 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... After spraining her ankle Jen gets drunk and nearly sleeps with Jack. while Pacey and Joey find their own ways to keep warm on the cold, snowy night, taking their relationship to the next level.

    Director:Gregory Prange
    Writers:Chris Levinson, Zack Estrin

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  12. Dawson's Creek Season 1 Episode 12 - Beauty Contest
    8.1/10(512 votes)

    #12 - Beauty Contest

    S1:E12

    Joey and Pacey enter a beauty competition; Jen regrets her breakup with Dawson.

    Director:Arvin Brown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Dawson's Creek Season 2 Episode 22 - Parental Discretion Advised
    8.1/10(357 votes)

    #13 - Parental Discretion Advised

    S2:E22

    As the WB commercial says... "Children must pay for the sins of their fathers." Dawson sees Mr. Potter dealing drugs and he is unsure whether or not to tell Joey or leave things looking good. Mr. Witter has to stake out the Ice House because the Capeside police department believes that Mr. Potter is back to his usual tricks. When the gang is studying in the Ice House, one of Mr. Potter's customers lights it on fire, making Mr. Witter more suspicious and Dawson's conflict greater. Gail tells Mitch about her new job offer in Chicago and her discussion to go for it. Pacey becomes depressed and his achievement level decreases, now that Andie is gone, which his father teases him for. Finally Mr. Witter does realize her importance and that he has been a bad father. Jack becomes worried that Jen is suicidal when she doesn't immediately leave the burning Ice House. But later, Grams and Jen reconcile, causing Jen to move back in taking Jack also.

    Director:Gregory Prange
    Writer:Greg Berlanti

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  14. Dawson's Creek Season 4 Episode 7 - You Had Me at Goodbye
    8.1/10(331 votes)

    #14 - You Had Me at Goodbye

    S4:E7

    While Andie is recovering from her near-fatal drug overdose at the party, Jack blames Jen for the whole incident and is not talking to her. Jen blames the deranged Drue for her life falling apart when he turns Grams and the whole town against Jen by telling everyone that they intentionally gave Andie the drugs. After Andie comes home from the hospital, her dad tells her it would be better if she went to spend the rest of the year in Italy with her aunt, since she already has the credits required to an early graduation. Andie decides to go and plans a goodbye dinner with the whole gang. She tells them how important life is, and the valuable time they might be wasting with useless fights between natural best friends. Jack and Jen get things straight, and Andie plays a little trick to bring Dawson and Pacey together.

    Director:John Behring
    Writers:Chris Levinson, Zack Estrin

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  15. Dawson's Creek Season 4 Episode 23 - Coda
    8.1/10(302 votes)

    #15 - Coda

    S4:E23

    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's not the only goodbye Jen has in store for her, as she bids farewell to the house she's been sharing with Grams. Finally, Joey says goodbye to Dawson in her own way.

    Director:Gregory Prange
    Writers:Gina Fattore, Tom Kapinos

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  16. Dawson's Creek Season 2 Episode 7 - The All-Nighter
    8.0/10(423 votes)

    #16 - The All-Nighter

    S2:E7

    Facing the scariest English test of their lives the gang has an all night study session at wealthy, horny Chris Wolfe's house. At this all-nighter secrets are revealed and friendships are altered.

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Greg Berlanti

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  17. Dawson's Creek Season 3 Episode 1 - Like a Virgin
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #17 - Like a Virgin

    S3:E1

    Dawson returns from spending the summer in Philadelphia with his mother, and on his way home meets a beautiful young woman who brings trouble to his otherwise ho-hum life. Meanwhile, Joey, who has frozen Dawson out all summer, realizes she is still reeling from their unexpected break-up when she sees him again, but may have found an unexpected new friend for their junior year; Jen gets more than she bargained for when she takes on the fascist head cheerleader; Mitch accepts a new position as Capeside High's varsity football coach; and although Pacey tries to be brave, he has had a lonely summer without Andie.

    Director:Gregory Prange
    Writers:Tammy Ader, Tamy Ader

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  18. Dawson's Creek Season 3 Episode 13 - Northern Lights
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #18 - Northern Lights

    S3:E13

    Dawson makes the radical move of dropping out of film class to spend some time re-evaluating his teenage years. Back at Potter's, Joey is torn between attending Pacey's opening night and her date with A.J., who has come to Capeside for the evening. At the play, Andie must take over as director when the faculty director takes ill; and Jen agrees to meet Henry, but she throws him another block by bringing Grams as her date.

    Director:Jay Tobias
    Writer:Gina Fattore

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  19. Dawson's Creek Season 4 Episode 1 - Coming Home
    8.0/10(358 votes)

    #19 - Coming Home

    S4:E1

    Pacey and Joey return from their summer vacation on "True Love". Now they have to deal with Dawson's feelings, who has been deeply hurt for the past months. At first, he doesn't want to talk with neither one of them, but Jen convinces him to talk to Joey. Meanwhile, Pacey's older sister, Gretchen, arrives in Capeside and moves in with Doug, making Pacey homeless. But he won't live with his parents anymore, and so he asks Joey to let him crash at her house for a while. Dawson tells Jack about Gretchen, for whom he had a secret crush a few years ago. Andie meets 2 foreign guys, and she is attracted to them. Dawson and Joey talk, and he says he'll be ok, but it takes one day at a time. Everybody is wondering if Pacey and Joey did it while on the trip, and they don't confirm or deny. But Joey secretly tells Dawson nothing really happened.

    Director:Gregory Prange
    Writer:Greg Berlanti

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  20. Dawson's Creek Season 4 Episode 8 - The Unusual Suspects
    8.0/10(332 votes)

    #20 - The Unusual Suspects

    S4:E8

    Dawson, Pacey and Jack are all prime suspects in the masterful senior prank against Principal Peskin, but after their interrogations reveal seemingly air-tight alibis, another culprit surfaces.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Jon Kasdan

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  21. Dawson's Creek Season 4 Episode 22 - The Graduate
    8.0/10(285 votes)

    #21 - The Graduate

    S4:E22

    As graduation approaches, Joey has a tough time preparing her speech, and Dawson helps her find some bittersweet inspiration. Joey gets an unexpected surprise gift from her late mother. Pacey wonders if he's going to graduate at all, and he worries that his last final will be the toughest one. He walks out of it after the teacher makes a comment on him, costing him his diploma. Meanwhile, Andie McPhee returns home for the cap and gown ceremony, and is surprised to meet Jack's new boyfriend, Tobey, and a devious Drue, who has just moved to Jen's after being kicked out of his home by his mother after a fight, convinces Jen to help him pull a hilarious senior prank. Pacey tells Andie he has decided to take the job offer on a boat for the summer.

    Director:Harry Winer
    Writer:Alan Cross

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  22. Dawson's Creek Season 6 Episode 22 - Joey Potter and the Capeside Redemption
    8.0/10(307 votes)

    #22 - Joey Potter and the Capeside Redemption

    S6:E22

    When Dawson gives up his dream of making his film, a strong-minded Joey rallies the old group back to Capeside to help Dawson begin production before pursuing her dream of traveling to Paris. Jen, Jack and Grams must say their goodbyes and leave for New York.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writers:Gina Fattore, Tom Kapinos

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  23. Dawson's Creek Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.9/10(853 votes)

    #23 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Film-buff Dawson finds his best friend, Joey, growing jealous of his attraction to a neighbor's granddaughter. Meanwhile, pal Pacey falls in love with a mystery woman, who is really a teacher at Capeside.

    Director:Steve Miner
    Writer:Kevin Williamson

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  24. Dawson's Creek Season 2 Episode 11 - Sex, She Wrote
    7.9/10(386 votes)

    #24 - Sex, She Wrote

    S2:E11

    Abby and Chris find an anonymous note at school. Abby realizes the author and intended recipient had sex the night before and in true Abby fashion, she sets to expose the affair. Working from clues about Joey's night of nude sketching with Jack, Dawson's steamy stop over at Jen's and Pacey's bed and breakfast trip with Andie. Abby calls together her list of suspects and reveals the dirty secrets of Capeside.

    Director:Nick Marck
    Writers:Greg Berlanti, Mike White

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  25. Dawson's Creek Season 2 Episode 16 - Be Careful What You Wish For
    7.9/10(385 votes)

    #25 - Be Careful What You Wish For

    S2:E16

    On the eve of Dawson's sixteenth birthday, Pacey and Andie follow her therapist's advice and throw themselves into an unabashed night of recklessness and the blues. Meanwhile, back at the Leery house, Joey is organizing a surprise party for Dawson, but the longer the guest of honor is a no show, the more she is subject to surprises of her own; Jen and Ty face up to the their potentially irreconcilable differences; and Gale and Mitch come to decisions about how to raise their son in light of their separation.

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Heidi Ferrer

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Best Episodes Summary

"...Must Come to an End (2)" is the best rated episode of "Dawson's Creek". It scored 9.1/10 based on 711 votes. Directed by James Whitmore Jr., Gregory Prange and written by Kevin Williamson, Maggie Friedman, it aired on 5/14/2003. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "Castaways".