User Reviews

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 We still have far to go until Dawson's Creek starts to feel out-of-date.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.

There's a television in my television. This second episode wasn't as puzzling as a Droste effect but I like how it began and really hope it's one of the show trademarks. All we need to dive in its fictional world is Dawson's cam and his best friend Joey in his bedroom. It actually reminds me of how all Roswell installments begin, with Liz Parker telling what she's writing in her diary.

We all have a cult dance scene that has imprinted its steps in a musical corner of our memory. The one in Smallville's pilot is a genre model because it's both beautiful and surprising. However Dawson is no Clark Kent and in fact, it doesn't matter. As for Jen and Joey they're as adorable as Lana Lang. Otherwise these characters are only humans and learning from their mistakes is quite interesting. But of course it's also about congratulating them when they succeed. For example Dawson overreacted on the dance floor but was cunning enough to infiltrate the filmmaking class ! I also found the moment he shared with his father inspiring because such a bond is hard to forge in real life. I mean how many of you guys learned how to kiss from your parents ? Still it would have only been funny if Joey hadn't seen the whole drama from upstairs and I really like how the writers tease us with what's really going on in her heart. Is she in love with Dawson ? As for our Spielberg wannabe James Van Der Beek's performance was great and his character really seemed tormented and battling his inner demons. His monologue before Joey was both entertaining and enlightening because it allowed to dig deeper in his mind, revealing that his creativity can be used as weapon to torture himself. Jen dancing. Jen kissing. What's next ? How to let fear turning a dream into a nightmare.

As for Jen I wasn't expecting her to grow on me so quickly. I suppose she had her own "anti fan club" back then but Michelle Williams character has multiple layers, making it one of the show strongest asset. From her friendly chat with Joey, where topics like homosexuality and self-image were subtly covered, to the revelation about her city bad experience, that things were moving way too fast in New-York, we definitely can count on her to turn Dawson's head upside down. Katie Holmes also impressed me as Joey because of the way she dealt with what she knows about Dawson's mother affair with her co-worker. Hopefully seriousness was well balanced by refreshing and humorous elements, like Dawson the prom queen checking his hair. Last but not least Pacey is not ready to give up his cougar hunt. He wants Tamara, he shall have her. All fifteen years old students fantasize about their pretty and confident teachers. If I could travel back in time kissing one would definitely be on my checklist. But as mentioned by Leann Hunley's character their feelings aren't right, an adult isn't supposed to be sexually attracted by teenagers. At least it's what the law states but bodies, so emotions, have rules of their own ! Such a controversial topic is really welcome and a next step could be to read Nabokov's masterpiece, Lolita. The cinematographic adaptation starring Jeremy Irons is also excellent but far less shocking, something I don't regret considering it makes his character more empathic. What's broken in Tamara ? Why isn't Pacey into girls of his age ? That's why learning about his family and past should be informative !

To sum things up the Dance was in the same vein as the pilot and met all my expectations. The love triangle is intriguing, Joey is as cute as the button next door and Joshua Jackson makes one hell of an awkward hunter. Go Dawson ! Steven and the other judges are waiting for your short film at the festival.

When I saw the name of the episode, I thought I could predict the entire plot from all the other teen series I've seen, but darn, it was nothing that I had expected. I love how this show can be real at times and didn't show 'the dance' as something very magical and beautiful, it can be..uh, what would be a good word..cringe? I mean the part where Dawson tries to ask Jen for a dance while she was with her date, and I was not expecting that they would actually make Pacey try to hit on the teahcer..interesting but made me pretty uncomfortable. Overall shows that Dawson's Creek is 'not like other teen shows'