Dawson’s Creek: Relived, Remembered, Revered

The original foursome of Dawson's Creek: Michelle Williams, James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson. They weren't rich, didn't live in L.A. or NYC, and I believe they still remain the standard of which teenage TV show characters must measure up to.

I don’t think that everyone knows that James Van Der Beek and Kevin Williamson have twitter accounts, which is a shame. But I like to think that’s why I’m here – to draw attention to TV content worthy of exploration or comment. (And to make fun of reality TV stars.) Anydoodle, James Van Der Beek tweeted this: One of the best-written compliments we’ve ever gotten, don’t u think @kevwilliamson? http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/02/08/james-van-der-beek/, to which in response Kevin Williamson then tweeted @vanderjames That made my day. I teared up.

I zoomed over to the article on MTV, not sure what to expect. What I found was a piece written by Kyle Anderson (and I hate to admit: initially thought it was written by a female since most guys seem they won’t admit their love for anything that involves feelings) about his admiration for Dawson’s Creek and growing up alongside it. Naturally, I can relate. My teenage timeline was pretty lined up with the Creek’s. It was the go-to show, and just like Kyle I’ve gone back to rewatch it. Which isn’t that unusual – I have a posse of Twitter friends who are amazing people that love TV like I do (they aren’t really my posse, I’m just trying to sound cool) and they often speak of Dawson’s Creek, and several have tweeted about rewatching it.

One step farther than THAT, is when I was on the phone with a teenage-era friend (who had totally changed in every way possible, sans getting plastic surgery) and even SHE spoke of seeing Dawson’s Creek on TV and pausing to watch some episodes. I think this behavior happens because it was really a part of us growing up. And I’m so glad we had a show like that.

Just like Williamson, I teared up reading Anderson’s piece. I encourage you to read it. Here is a short excerpt:

But despite the relationship dramas and soapy plots, the best thing about “Dawson’s Creek” was that, generally, nothing ever happened. And that’s what made it realistic. For most people, high school is just a series of short distractions amidst interminable stretches of boredom until graduation and the liberation of college or adult life. Most people don’t have the intriguing, operatic teen lives of the kids on “The O.C.” or any other teen show of the past decade. Most people just drive around waiting for something to happen while the music is cranked up too loud, and hopefully you get to make out a little bit in between.

Dawson’s Creek was one of the first shows I ever really invested myself into. It was one of the first shows that made me realize that TV could be more than just a small blip in your day. This was the first time I started to really respect television writing, and I remember being so excited to catch the creator, Kevin Williamson, doing some silly beach interview on (ironically) MTV. I think you know that you LOVE a show when you aren’t just into the actors – but you get weak in your knobby knees (not that mine are!) at the thought of the geniuses behind the show, too. That’s respect. That’s taking time to care about something that a lot of people never even think about.

I still remember the first time I saw a TV Guide magazine cover of just three of the leads (no Michelle Williams), and starring at it in a weird kind of holy reverence. I was intrigued by the brunette girl that had left her small  Ohio town to audition, faintly familiar with the boy from The Mighty Ducks, and curious about the lead who would provide commentary on the most crucial of my teenage years… I was a daydream believer right from the start.