Dawson's Creek - The Series Finale (2003)

An Unexpected, Satisfying Ending that re-validates the show

I watched Dawson's Creek sporadically during its original run (I've now got it all on DVD), but the main thing that always drew me in was the romance between Pacey and Joey. I stopped watching at all after the fourth season, because I could see that the writers were contriving to throw Dawson and Joey back together despite of the fact that the Pacey/Joey relationship was pure magic in Seasons 3/4. I tuned into the Finale just out of curiousity and didn't expect the writers to reverse their course and have Joey choose Pacey. It was an awesome ending to me, especially viewing the Finale on DVD with the extended scenes and commentary.

I just never saw anything remotely romantic between Dawson and Joey, just a friendship stuck back in childhood and becoming more and more unhealthy for both of them. Conversely, with Pacey, Joey had a real, adult romantic relationship. She could be herself as a woman, not as the girl down the creek as Dawson always saw her. To me that is the difference and why it could never work out between Dawson and Joey. They kept confusing their friendship with romantic love because it was the safe route to go. But Pacey made Joey "feel alive" in her own words. People say that Dawson and Joey had some type of epic relationship, but I saw the buds of Pacey and Joey's romance all the way back in Season 1 and from Season 3 on, whether they were together or not, everytime they were in each other's presence, the air sizzled. Katie Holmes and Josh Jackson always did their best work with each other.

My opinion of Kevin Williamson rose in that, even after not having seen the show for four years and originally planning a Dawson-Joey ending, he was able to step back and really look at the dynamics between the two pairings and realize the difference between friendship love and romantic love.

As for the fate of our Capeside characters overall, Jen's death was of course sad, but I think Michelle Williams hit it out of the ballpark and it was a catalyst for the others to re-evaluate their lives. On the DVD, I loved seeing Andie (Meredith Monroe) come back and have a chat with Pacey, that was a lovely scene! It was great for Jack and Doug to have a happy ending and take care of little Amy. And I don't think Dawson is short changed, he got what he really always wanted: to tell the story he wanted to tell as a successful filmmaker. All in all, the Series Finale rectified, for me, a lot of wrong turns made in the series (see Coda from Season 4 and everything until Season 6's Clean and Sober) and so I could say goodbye to this group of friends and feel good about it. March 3, 2008

EXCELLENT!

I'VE BOUGHT THE COMPLETE SERIES: 6 SEASONS AND SERIES FINALE, RECOMMENDED 4 DAWNSON'S CREEKS FANS May 13, 2007

DAWSON'S CREEK LEFT ME FLAT

I was hooked on Dawson's Creek through Seasons 1 & 2, but after this, the storylines started getting weaker and weaker. Pair that with the fact the relationships between the 'friends' verges almost on incestuous - almost reminded me of watching an episode of wifeswap - Jen's with Dawson, Dawson's with Joey, Joey's with Pacey.

The fact that Joey fawned over Dawson for the whole first season and then dumps him for no reason whatsoever, the same with Jen dumping Dawson for no reason, and it makes me wonder whether Jackanory could have done a better job of writing these scripts. These 'teenagers' talk like their 50, bringing a cynical and unlikeable context to the programme.

If that isn't enough - Dawson is ALWAYS the underdog, whilst Joey seems to constantly fall on her feet. Perhaps this should have been named JOEY'S CREEK!!!

Personally, I feel this series should have ended after the second - the characters get flatter and flatter, the storylines more and more ridiculous - I honestly don't know how it lasted this long.

As for this release - season 6 was released on TV, and this is exactly the same with a few extras.

My advice - save your hard earned money for something more worthwile and made for adults. April 15, 2007

Dawson's Creek - The Series Finale (Extended Cut)

I enjoyed this finale. It stirred my emotions--I laughed and cried. I just wish that I'd known it was the same as the last show in the Sixth Season. I probably wouldn't have bought it. January 10, 2007

Nice, but...

Largely unnecessary with the release of season six on disc. I purchased mainly because of the rumors of low sales of season five and the possibility that there might not be a season six disc. There's nothing wrong with this disc -- it's a nice transfer, of course -- it's just that for a few bucks more you can get the whole season. January 9, 2007

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