Dawson's Creek Episode One

I know what you're thinking: "Dawson's Creek was on tonight and I missed it?! Curse my DVR!" But no, just me, sitting at home feeling nostalgic, decided to put in the first disc of the first season of Dawson's Creek and enjoy what I used to consider "classic television."

So I went back. Back to the days before Katie Holmes had Tom Cruise and a celebrity nickname, before Michelle Williams had Brokeback Mountain and a daughter named for my favorite Roald Dahl character, even before Joshua Jackson had Fringe, and James Van der Beek had oblivion and obsurity (poor James!). Dawson's Creek carried me through high school. It was around before the advent of reality tv. When The Real World was real and Fear Factor wasn't even a twinkle in some sadistic producer's eye. After watching the pilot episode of Dawson's Creek, I can't think of a single show that came after this in the same vein, none as good anyway. I mean, true, I am older now and not really in the habit of watching teen dramas (oh wait, i guess Gossip Girl counts...) but even still, to me, Dawson's Creek stands in a class of its own.

In the pilot our four main characters explore the beginnings of their sexual awakenings and what happens when boys and girls can't sleep in the same bed anymore because of their "breasts" and "genatalia." The writing on the show used to be criticized for being to far beyond how real teenagers talk. When I first started watching the show I didn't really see a problem. But now, after hearing the words transcendent and existential in the first five minutes, I wonder how any of us got through the episodes at all.

Another thing I noticed is that these kids are total nerds. Of course, this is probably why I related to deeply to the show as I myself was a big nerd in high school, but seriously! Dawson thinks that the mysteries of the universe are revealed in Spielberg movies and reveals to anyone who will listen about his lifes goals, dreams and fears. Even Jen, the fresh-and-new face from New York who he unloads on within a day of meeting her. This is where the show got a little bit too self aware for me and too expositional (did I just make up a word?)

And then there is Joey's constant need to connect everything that Dawson does back to his "perfect life." The two have a huge screaming match in the lobby of a movie theatre that is not about the fact that she is hopelessly in love with him, but that he has a perfect life? Way to lash out, Joey. You really showed him.

Though Joey does attempt the last word when, while explaining to Dawson why they can't be friends anymore asks him how often he "walks his dog," which is potentially the best euphemism for masterbation ever, but anyway. He can't answer causing Joey to run crying to her rowboat (which, incidentally was pulled by a rope because Katie Holmes was too weak to row herself down the creek) and fumble with the ropes to float off into the night. And then we hear Dawson, deliver the best line of the episode: "Joey! Usually in the mornings, with Katie Couric!" And the first time I heard it, I had the same moment of confusion as Joey, until I too broke into a tear filled smile. Tonight I just giggled a little bit at the memory.

As you can see, there was nothing on tv tonight, so I had to let my nostalgia get the best of me. Hope you enjoyed it.

Thanks for reading.

-lara