The gang explores uncharted waters when Dawson and Pacey go on a father-son fishing trip with Mitch Leery and Pacey's grumpy, critical, alcoholic father, Sheriff John Witter, whom does not pass up any opportunity to browbeat and put Pacey down every chance he gets. But tensions really begin when Pacey invites Jack along whom tries to make amends to a reluctant Dawson.

Meanwhile, Jen, Joey, Andie and Abby spend a day with Gale doing a report on teenage behavior in the world today with Abby naturally not passing up her opportunity to insult and provoke conflicts and tension between Mrs. Leery and all girls involved.

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.

Joey decides to help throw a surprise birthday party for Pacey with his mother, not knowing about Pacey's 'birthday curse'. The party goes haywire as Pacey's family makes everyone feel uncomfortable, and Pacey a loser.

Dawson becomes upset when he feels that Gretchen doesn't want anyone to know about their relationship and postpones their first real date to go to the party.

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 and he starts to drool over Joey. Meanwhile, Dawson pays a visit to his past when he's asked to speak on Mr. Gold's class at Capeside High about how it is to be working in L.A. Dawson has a student, named George, show him his movie in which he 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 where Pacey has an argument with his brother, Doug, about the way Pacey's been treating the family by shutting them out.