On Dawson's 16th birthday, he, Pacey and Andie follow her therapist's advice and throw themselves into an unabashed night of recklessness where both Dawson and Andie get drunk at the jazz club and end up on stage singing the blues. Meanwhile 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. Abby and two of her girlfriends crash the party and taunt Jack over his recent 'coming-out.' Jen and Ty finally face up to their potentially irreconcilable differences in which they break up for good. Also, Gayle and Mitch come to decisions about how to raise their son in light of their divorce.

With Dawson and Joey back together, he decides to take her out to a romantic dinner for old time's sake. But also eating out are Mitch and Nicole. On top of that, the restaurant, not realizing that there are two Leery parties, has only has one table available, forcing all four of them to sit together which immediately lights up tension. Also at the restaurant are Jen and Gail where Dawson, Joey and Jen attempt to reunite Gail and Mitch after Nicole walks out from the constant arguing. But the ploy only works temporarily. Meanwhile, Andie begins to fall into insanity when she begins changing her hair color from blond to brown, and begins having ghostly encounters with her deceased brother, Tim, while Pacey and Jack catch on and try to confront her with her mental state.