In this episode (and also in its continuation 2x15 :..That is the Question) only Pacey and Jack are in Mr. Peterson's English class. However, in episode 2x07 The All-Nighter that takes place during the same school term in which Jack's sexual identity is revealed, Dawson, Joey, Andie, Chris, and Jen also attend that class.
It was Dawson who told Jack to look into his heart when writing his poem, which caused Jack to confront his feelings about being gay
Pacey: This isn't fair. Mr. Peterson: Fairness is overrated.
Pacey: I want to say that I am more ashamed of what I did in that classroom yesterday than I have ever done in my life. It was flat wrong and I have no case here. And I'm sorry, for the event. But not now, not ever, will I ever be apologetic for it's intention. Every day, we, the students of Capeside, come to a place where you guys are in charge. You tell us when to arrive, when to leave, when to move rooms, when to eat. You tell us when we're doing well, when we need to be doing better and we never ever question it because we're afraid to. To question it is to go against the belief that the entire system is built upon, the belief that you guys know what's right, and I'm not afraid to tell you that what happended in that classroom yesterday was not right. To make a student cry, to embarrass him, to strip him off his dignity in front of the entire class is not right. While I do respect the system I do not respect men like you, Mr. Peterson. I don't, I can't, and I never will.
Pacey: (To Mr. Peterson) What is it about you that gets off on tormenting your students? Because let me tell you, they may all live in fear of you, but I don't. I see you and your miserable scare tactics for what they really are; the misguided lashings of a bitter, lonely old man who only feels good when someone else in the room feels worse.
Jack: (Reading his own poem) Today. Today was a day. The world got smaller, darker. I grew more afraid. Not of what I am but of what... I grew more afraid. Not of what I am but of what I could be. I loosen my collar to take a breath. My eyes fade. And I see... Him. The image of perfection. His frame strong. His lips smooth. And I keep thinking. What am I so scared of... I wish I could escape the pain, but these thoughts invade my head. Bound to my memory, they're like shackles of guilt. Oh God, please set me free...
Despite being featured in the opening credits, Mary-Margaret Humes (Gale), John Wesley Shipp (Mitch) and Mary Beth Peil (Grams) do not appear in this episode.
Music featured in the episode included: Slide by Goo Goo Dolls Know What You Mean by Sister 7 I Do by Lisa Loeb Come Rain Or Come Shine by Jenifer Kruskamp Walk Slow by Chris Isaak In My Life by Trina Hamlin Smoke by Natalie Imbruglia Only Lonely by Hootie And The Blowfish
The title of this episode To Be Or Not to Be... is the first line of a very famous speech from Shakespeare's Hamlet.
S 6 : Ep 24
Aired 5/14/03
S 6 : Ep 23
Aired 5/14/03
S 6 : Ep 22
Aired 5/7/03
S 6 : Ep 22
(43:26)
User Score: 5218
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