Since a channel decided to start a full re-run of Dawson's Creek, I was curious about how kind (or not) 12 years had been to the series. I missed the pilot, but this one may actually be better than it, both as an example and in general.
The episode contains a plethora of moments viewers of the original run pretty surely still remember vividly. Joey accidentally spying Dawson, whose practicing kissing with a dummy head of her, prompting Joey to close her eyes and imagine their kiss to be real. Jen cleaning bloodied Joey and complementing on her breasts (a compliment the validity of which the viewers got proof of 3 years later in The Gift). The revelation that Dawson's mom is cheating on his husband. Dawson imagining his date with Jen. Dawson and Joey's captivating dance. Joey in turn watching from distance Dawson and Jen dance. And let's not forget the 15-year old Pacey getting to first (possibly even second) base with his hot teacher Mrs. Jacobs. Talk about controversial!
The thing is, it all still *feels* as real as it did 12 years ago. And it will probably feel real a long time until humans evolve into more logical species. Young people make mistakes. Adults make mistakes. Boys have fantasies. Girls are too insecure to reveal their interest in a boy. Even in 2010, the girls still try to give signs we men are supposed to interpret as an invitation to approach, when the logical course of action would be to approach the boy and take the initiative. Where is that equality between men and women there? Hmm? We still have far to go until Dawson's Creek starts to feel out-of-date. Even then, this will be an 8/10 example of human beings around the turn of the millennium.
The episode contains a plethora of moments viewers of the original run pretty surely still remember vividly. Joey accidentally spying Dawson, whose practicing kissing with a dummy head of her, prompting Joey to close her eyes and imagine their kiss to be real. Jen cleaning bloodied Joey and complementing on her breasts (a compliment the validity of which the viewers got proof of 3 years later in The Gift). The revelation that Dawson's mom is cheating on his husband. Dawson imagining his date with Jen. Dawson and Joey's captivating dance. Joey in turn watching from distance Dawson and Jen dance. And let's not forget the 15-year old Pacey getting to first (possibly even second) base with his hot teacher Mrs. Jacobs. Talk about controversial!
The thing is, it all still *feels* as real as it did 12 years ago. And it will probably feel real a long time until humans evolve into more logical species. Young people make mistakes. Adults make mistakes. Boys have fantasies. Girls are too insecure to reveal their interest in a boy. Even in 2010, the girls still try to give signs we men are supposed to interpret as an invitation to approach, when the logical course of action would be to approach the boy and take the initiative. Where is that equality between men and women there? Hmm? We still have far to go until Dawson's Creek starts to feel out-of-date. Even then, this will be an 8/10 example of human beings around the turn of the millennium.