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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!

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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 1 Episode 3 - Kiss
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - Kiss

    S1:E3

    While working on the film class's movies, team player Dawson has a hard time being stuck in the background. Meanwhile as he plots to give Jen the "perfect kiss", Joey is swept away by a handsome stranger and Pacey tries to graduate to manhood.

    Director:Michael Toshiyuki Uno
    Writer:Rob Thomas

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  2. Dawson's Creek Season 4 Episode 23 - Coda
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. Dawson's Creek Season 5 Episode 4 - The Long Goodbye
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. Dawson's Creek Season 5 Episode 8 - Hotel New Hampshire
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - Hotel New Hampshire

    S5:E8

    Dawson takes Jen on a road trip to a small film festival in New Hampshire where his documentary is being honored. The spotlight is intoxicating for both of them as they share one of the single most momentous events in a boy's life. Meanwhile, Jack brings Joey and Audrey to a frat party under false pretenses; and Pacey takes Karen on a non-romantic date.

    Director:Lev L. Spiro
    Writer:Diego Gutierrez

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  5. Dawson's Creek Season 6 Episode 21 - Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road

    S6:E21

    Joey returns to Capeside to find Dawson's script on her doorstep and is overwhelmed that he has written a story about three friends, but Dawson's movie-making dreams are shattered when Pacey comes clean about losing Dawson's money. The ensuing fight opens old wounds and leaves the three friends believing their friendship will never be the same. Also, with classes at Worthington over, Joey says goodbye to Audrey who has to stay behind to attend summer classes. And Jen invites her mother, Helen, over to Grams' house where she wants her to tell Helen about her cancer.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Anna Fricke

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  6. Dawson's Creek Season 6 Episode 23 - All Good Things... (1)
    10.0/10(1 votes)

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

    S6:E23

    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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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Dawson's Creek

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  7. Dawson's Creek Season 1 Episode 13 - Decisions
    9.5/10(2 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. Dawson's Creek Season 1 Episode 12 - Beauty Contest
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. Dawson's Creek Season 2 Episode 1 - The Kiss
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #9 - The Kiss

    S2:E1

    After their kiss, Dawson and Joey have doubts about the future of their relationship as Joey plans to go to France. Meanwhile, Pacey plays a trick on a new girl. But finds himself in the same situation.

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Jon Harmon Feldman

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  10. Dawson's Creek Season 2 Episode 6 - The Dance
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - The Dance

    S2:E6

    Two tragedies rock Dawson's world. First he learns the awful truth about his parents marriage. Than at the Homecoming dance, he witnesses a heated moment between Joey and Jack, setting of a chain of events that shatter a lifelong friendship and a new found romance. The big night also gives Jen a chance to use Joey's mistakes to get with Dawson. Pacey tries to open his heart to Andie, but breaks hers.

    Director:Lou Antonio
    Writer:Jon Harmon Feldman

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  11. Dawson's Creek Season 2 Episode 9 - The Election
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - The Election

    S2:E9

    Andie's run for student council lands her on a campaign trail of tears when Abby and Monica began advertising her family situation. Jen helps Dawson take steps to deal with his powerlessness over his parents divorce. Jack shuts out Joey after a family crisis.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writer:Darin Goldberg

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  12. Dawson's Creek Season 2 Episode 16 - Be Careful What You Wish For
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - 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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  13. Dawson's Creek Season 2 Episode 22 - Parental Discretion Advised
    9.0/10(1 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 5 Episode 10 - Appetite for Destruction
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - Appetite for Destruction

    S5:E10

    Pacey offers to cook for the gang on their weekly dinner (an event they always plan on doing but always fail to). Jen and Dawson return early and decide to keep what happened between them, but they are caught by everyone making out at the door. The dinner goes on in a very awkward way for everyone as Audrey and Dawson worry about Joey. But surprisingly she seems to be fine with it. Charlie also drops by, causing some tension for Dawson. At the end, they all decide that keeping their long lasting friendships is more important than having a weekly dinner, and Joey confesses to Pacey how she really feels about the whole Dawson-Jen thing.

    Director:Harry Winer
    Writer:Anna Fricke

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  15. Dawson's Creek Season 5 Episode 11 - Something Wild
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #15 - Something Wild

    S5:E11

    Joey and Audrey go to a nightclub to celebrate both Joey's grades and fall break. There, Audrey tries to convince Joey to have some real fun. Charlie is also there and he hits on Joey, who turns him down for 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 kisses Charlie. Meanwhile, Pacey sees himself hanging out with Audrey after he joins the ladies at the club to celebrate his new promotion. And Dawson and Jen go back to Capeside, where they have their first fight over what Dawson will do with his life. At the end he decides to move in to Grams's attic in Boston and move on with his life.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:Jeffrey Stepakoff

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  16. Dawson's Creek Season 5 Episode 12 - Sleeping Arrangements
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - Sleeping Arrangements

    S5:E12

    Dawson and Jen realize that living together is not as much fun as they hoped to be. Between ruined toothbrushes and bathroom overcrowding, they're getting on each other's nerves. Jen faces a new challenge at work after she turns her regular show into an advice show. She mainly gives advice to other girls with problems, and makes statements on men that hurt Dawson's feelings. She comes home expecting a fight, but Dawson surprises her saying he won't fight or lie or cheat on her. Meanwhile, Melanie (Pacey's summer flame) shows up offering Pacey a job working with her uncle's new boat around the Greek Islands. After a lot of thinking, Pacey decides not to go, since he has developed a successful life in Boston working at the Civilization. Jack moves into the fraternity house and gets his own room, but has some problems staying there after he discovers he was supposed to be rooming with another guy who felt uncomfortable living with a gay guy. And Joey decides to give Elliott Sawyer another

    Director:Mel Damski
    Writer:Jed Seidel

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  17. Dawson's Creek Season 6 Episode 22 - Joey Potter and the Capeside Redemption
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #17 - 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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  18. Dawson's Creek Season 1 Episode 11 - The Scare
    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #18 - 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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  19. Dawson's Creek Season 1 Episode 10 - Double Date
    8.0/10(4 votes)

    #19 - Double Date

    S1:E10

    A double date finds Jen and Cliff joined by Dawson and a savvy sidekick who calls him on a plot to make Jen jealous. But it's Dawson turn to turn green when Pacey grows close to Joey working on a project.

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Jon Harmon Feldman

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  20. Dawson's Creek Season 2 Episode 2 - Crossroads
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #20 - Crossroads

    S2:E2

    Jack, Andie's brother scores a job at the Ice House, an entry in Joey's diary lands her in hot water with Dawson, who forgets Pacey's 16th Birthday. Meanwhile Abby begins to become a negative influence over lonely Jen.

    Director:Dennie Gordon
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Dawson's Creek Season 2 Episode 5 - Full Moon Rising
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #21 - Full Moon Rising

    S2:E5

    Parental problems cast a pall over Dawson and Joey's new romance. Pacey is troubled when he sees the McPhee's homelife.

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Dawson's Creek Season 2 Episode 11 - Sex, She Wrote
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #22 - 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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  23. Dawson's Creek Season 3 Episode 1 - Like a Virgin
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #23 - 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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  24. Dawson's Creek Season 3 Episode 2 - Homecoming
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #24 - Homecoming

    S3:E2

    Dawson is recruited by his dad and Principal Green to produce a film for the football pep rally, but the stars of the film end up being Dawson and his lady friend Eve, not the Capeside Minutemen. Meanwhile, Pacey has enlisted Joey for assistance in bringing Andie back to Capeside, but their long-awaited reunion doesn't go exactly as Pacey had intended; and Jack comes to an unexpected understanding with his father who has returned to Capeside to be with Jack and Andie.

    Director:Melanie Mayron
    Writer:Greg Berlanti

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  25. Dawson's Creek Season 3 Episode 4 - Home Movies
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #25 - Home Movies

    S3:E4

    Father and son are at odds when Dawson moves forward with a news piece for his mom's Philadelphia station using Mitch's star player, Jack, as his subject matter even though Mitch is vehemently opposed. Meanwhile, Joey and Pacey find themselves in cahoots when they must pay the price for ditching class; Andie jumps to conclusions and panics about the reasons Principal Green wants to meet with her; and Jen goes to great lengths to remove herself as head cheerleader but is shocked at the end results.

    Director:Nick Marck
    Writer:Jeffrey Stepakoff

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Best Episodes Summary

"Kiss" is the best rated episode of "Dawson's Creek". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Michael Toshiyuki Uno and written by Rob Thomas, it aired on 2/3/1998. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Coda".