5 Things that Dawson’s Creek Did Wrong
Welcome to part 2 of our Dawson’s Creek series. Originally, we were going to make a list of our favorite episodes and say why we loved them. But as we started discussing the show more, we realized: “Hey! There was a lot we didn’t like either!” It’s healthy to be critical about something you love. So here we are, very very healthy. Nit-picking our little hearts out. But stay tuned for Friday, Creekers… when we talk about the 5 Things Dawson’s Creek Did Right!
5 Things that Dawson’s Creek Did Wrong:
1. Dawson & Joey, Period. We’re going to get some flack for this one. Hey, we liked Dawson and Joey at one time. Way way in the beginning. But let’s get real - nearly every season finale cliffhanger revolved around these two. They kiss for the first time. They break up. Dawson sets Joey free. They kiss again (gee she got over Pacey fast)! Joey dramatically tells Dawson how she feels about him. They come to the full realization that what they have goes beyond friendship or lovers (blech!). The truth is - these two were the absolute worst thing about the series. They didn’t provide a suitable example of friendship or love.
In the beginning, a real friendship was definitely established. They needed each other. Joey’s family situation was less than stable. Dawson needed someone to support him in all his wild dreams (and later when the drama in his family blew up.). Sure, they had some adolescent issues to work out but their friendship shone through. Then they kissed for the first time and it was downhill from there.
Dawson didn’t take Joey’s interest in art seriously. She realized that pretty much her entire life revolved around him and his passions. He treated her like property (“You’re free” - how condescending is that nonsense?!) and she allowed it. She felt like she owed him answers regarding her love (and even sex) life and let him influence all her decisions surrounding such matters.
It was an unhealthy co-dependency from start to finish and they held each other back from growing up in so many ways.
2. De-evolution of Joey Potter. When we were introduced to Joey Potter in Season 1, she was more than just “the girl down the creek” pining away for her best friend (though that’s probably one of the main reasons we all related to her). She was an intelligent, sassy character that didn’t take crap from anyone (i.e. her beating up Grant Bodie in Detention) but at the same time she had a certain vulnerability. Who didn’t fear change and growing up? Who didn’t wonder if the right person would ever come along? Who didn’t fail to see their own potential? We all saw a little bit of of ourselves in her and rooted for her to get the guy. But then she did get the guy… and thus began her downward spiral. Our girl turned into this over-idealized (we get that she’s very pretty) and spineless (see: every moment with Dawson from Season 2 and on) female.
She gave up Paris. She let every decision about her life be dictated in some way by Dawson Leery. She allowed him to “own” her instead of fighting for what she wanted. We watched how every male she came across in college (and on) fell hopelessly for her. (Didn’t people date casually at Worthington?)
We never got Season 1 Joey back but by the end of the series she was headed in the right direction. She removed herself from the Dawson-Pacey drama, finally went to Paris. She left Capeside and jump started her career. And in the end, her heart made a decision. Without apologies to anyone.
3. Stupid deaths. Abby Morgan’s death wasn’t really that bothersome. She was evil. It just happened. Frankly, it did have a point. It was the catalyst for Andie’s condition to go south. But when you add in the death of Brooks, Mr. Leery, and Jen… it’s like c’mon already! Haven’t we had enough of these? Joey’s mom was dead, Jen’s grandfather died, Andie’s brother had died. There has to be some sort of limit. A realistic one. We know, we know it’s a TV show. But Mr. Leery? If he wanted off the show, couldn’t he have opened a restaurant in the Florida Keys or something? And Jen, hadn’t the poor girl been through enough? Kicked out of her house, drunk and slutty in high school, pregnant by a guy who leaves her? Kevin Williamson had his reason - he thought it was the last life lesson for the characters to face together. But we would have really liked Jen, raising her daughter in New York and throwing rooftop parties.
Death in a TV series that is supposed to be this down-to-earth only works when viewers can relate. Jen’s grandfather, Mr. Brooks, and even Abby fit in that category. If only the writers could have been a little more creative.
4. The college years. Where to begin?! Neither of us can even come up with a favorite episode from Season 5. Probably because we have yet to see the whole season. We were wondering the other day if they should have skipped college all together and went straight to adulthood. But if they did follow through with that idea (One Tree Hill style), would a lot of the main characters have left before we wanted them to?
Looking back, even the departure of a few characters might have been an improvement over suffering through Season 5 and most of Season 6 (mildly redeemed by the P/J centric episodes). New writers could have helped too.
You have to admit - it was cute how they all tried to get together for dinner and everything. How Audrey dated Pacey. But… in most realities, people do fall out of touch every now and then. It would have been nice to see the characters REALLY grow on their own.
5. The season finale. Of course, we loved it. And we cried too (a lot). But we’re also hard to please… and there are a few elements of the last episode we would have done differently.
While a small detail, this drives us crazy. Nice roots, Joey. It seems she has been growing out her dye job since college… so that’s a total of about 5 plus years? Couldn’t the hair and makeup people get on that? She’s an actress! They are supposed to change their hair all the time!
Now, Jack and Doug. Yay, Doug finally came out of the closet. But are they the only two gay men in Massachusetts? It seems highly unlikely that these two would end up together, after Jack went off to school, did whatever after he graduated. Sure, he ended up in Capeside, but REALLY?! This was too picture perfect. (Not to mention, their personalities were so different. We just don’t see it working.)
Jen dying. We’ll say it again. It could have ended another way. Give Jen a chance! Instead, it seemed doomed from the beginning. Ah, not to forget, in our perfect world, Mitch would not be dead. Mrs. Leery would not be getting remarried. Need a big celebration? Birthday party for Jen’s daughter or Grams? Give Grams a party! Or, this might be the best idea of them all - put Andie in a REAL scene at one of these pretend parties.
Basically, the higher powers of TV land should have let these Cupcakes assist (read: take over) Kevin Williamson’s final vision.
