Bessie Potter
| Bessie Potter | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | "Pilot" |
| Last appearance | "...Must Come to an End" |
| Created by | Kevin Williamson |
| Portrayed by | Nina Repeta |
| Information | |
| Nickname(s) | Bessie |
| Occupation | Bed & Breakfast proprietor |
| Spouse(s) | Bodie Wells |
| Children | Alexander Wells (son) |
| Relatives | Mike Potter (father) Lilian Potter (mother; deceased) Joey Potter (sister) |
Elizabeth "Bessie" Potter is a fictional character from the American television program Dawson's Creek, played by Nina Repeta. She appeared in all six seasons, but less frequently in seasons five and six.
Bessie Potter is the sister of main character Joey Potter. Ten years Joey's senior, Bessie was introduced in the pilot episode of the show. Bessie has taken care of her sister for the past few years, since their mother, Lilian, died of cancer in 1996, and their father, Mike, was imprisoned for trafficking marijuana. In the first two seasons, Bessie runs the family restaurant, 'The Ice House', and later the family bed and breakfast business that was a dream of their mother's. The family frequently struggles with money.
In the pilot episode of season one, Bessie is heavily pregnant with her first baby. She is living in the small family home with her boyfriend Bodie Wells, and her younger sister Joey. Bessie and Joey frequently argue, although the arguments are usually petty and forgiven quickly. Throughout the first half of the season, Bessie complains a lot about being in the final stages of pregnancy, and has repeated debates with Bodie about whether to circumcise the baby if it is a boy. During the hurricane that hits Capeside, Bessie and her family take refuge at the home of Joey's best friend Dawson Leery, and his parents, Gail and Mitch. While the family are at the house, Bessie clashes with Evelyn 'Grams' Ryan (the grandmother of main character Jen Lindley) over her life choices. Grams disapproves of the fact that Bessie unmarried and pregnant, and that her partner is black. Because of this, Bessie can barely tolerate Grams. Later in the season, Bessie goes into labor and her baby, a son named Alexander, is delivered by Grams (a retired nurse), and the only person close by with any medical knowledge. At the end of the season, Bessie encourages Joey to visit their jailed father in prison.
Bessie begins season two by teasing Joey about her feelings for Dawson. The sisters discuss the relationship, and whether it will impact Joey's potential study transfer to France. Eventually Joey decides not to go, staying in Capeside and helping Bessie with the family business. Bessie occasionally struggles with juggling her business commitments with caring for baby Alexander, frequently begging Joey for help. Bessie is later offended when Joey inadvertently insults her ability to handle everything, and temporarily fires her sister from the restaurant. Towards the end of the season, her father is parolled from prison and returns to the family home. With Mike's help, Bessie and Joey cater for a high class wedding reception, which is a success. During the final few episodes, The Ice House burns down, and through talking to Dawson (who had seen Mike acting suspiciously), Joey discovers that the fire was related to drug deals that Mike had done. Bessie stands by Mike, until he confesses and is arrested. She stands outside the Potter home with Alexander, and turns away when Mike walks over to her.
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