#110 - The Scare
This episode, from what many us feel was the season which represented Dawson’s Creek at its best, was actually the weakest episode in that season, and represented a rather comical departure from the normal angst ridden fare presented every week at that time. In this show, Kevin Williamson ventured into the realm of self parody by placing his characters in situations that reflected the atmosphere of the film that had brought him initial acclaim, Scream. Still, though, the basic elements which made the show such an endearing success were all in place in this episode, and for me, watching the show again represented a nostalgic look back at a time when the show, and the characters, had a refreshing innocence about them.
I really enjoyed seeing Dawson and Joey watching a movie together in Dawson’s bed, like they did in every show during the first season, good naturedly debating and teasing one another about the merits of the movie they were watching, and the affection that they had for each other then was simply a joy to watch. The friendship between Dawson and Joey was simply wonderful, and it’s sorely missed now.
This show showed Dawson still fully in the throes of his recent breakup with Jen, and he was trying to mask his hurt by carrying on his tradition of playing pranks on his friends, Pacey and Joey, in honor of Friday The 13th. I enjoyed how Dawson showed his affection towards his two dearest friends by staging elaborate pranks to scare them. I also found it touching, but a bit unfair, that Jen felt left out because Dawson was making no attempts to scare her as well. The phone calls and notes to Jen were an obvious send up of "Scream," but we did get to see the sadness at the core of Jen’s soul even then as she told her mysterious caller that her heart was "dented."
We also got to see the original Pacey at his comic best during this show, with his classic line "Can I hear you say, yeah? Can I hear you say oh yeah?" as he showed up with his "commandeered" family vehicle. I also liked the unforced banter that he had with Joey then, as she called him on his fixation with older women, and he called her on her then unrequited love for Dawson.
The character of Ursala was an over the top hoot, and Pacey’s attempts to act suave with her were comical. I thought that her "prediction" that the ever clueless Dawson was in love with the wrong girl and that he and Joey, and not Jen, would work out represented a good look towards what he hoped would be a bright future for everyone’s favorite "star crossed lovers." I think that Ursula could see what all of the rest of us fans could see then, and wished Dawson could see, that it was Joey, and not Jen, that Dawson loved.
I think that Scott Foley has improved quite a bit as an actor since his days on Dawson’s Creek, because I felt he was pretty unimpressive as Cliff Elliot. Still, though, his character was basically a nice guy who genuinely cared for Jen, further belying Jen’s later statement to Jack that every guy she knew besides him was just out to use her sexually.
I thought that Jen’s confrontation with Dawson was touching, and the heartache in his voice when he talked to her reflected the intense infatuation that he had for her then, and the obviously mixed feelings that Jen had towards him at that time.
I really liked the final scene between Dawson and Joey, and the wealth of affection they had towards each other was so heartwarming to behold. I especially enjoyed seeing the expression of joy on Joey’s face when Dawson said he’s be inconsolable if she died, and the natural and unforced way Dawson asked her if she wanted to sleep over that night. I honestly feel that nothing we saw in Seasons Two or Three can even come close to the sweet, touching friendship that Dawson and Joey had then, and the show really lost its emotional core when their friendship ended.
Overall, I really enjoyed this nostalgic look back at the wonderful show that Dawson’s Creek once was.
Best
viewed with 800 x 600 or higher
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