#311 - Barefoot In Capefest
I really liked this episode, and I thought that it was quite well done on most levels, and the story lines seemed interesting and realistic, which is something that I haven’t been able to say too often since the mid point of Season Two. Perhaps the rumors that the actors had protested some of the unrealistic turns that the show was taking have paid off, because I saw a real improvement in the story line presentation in this episode.
I felt that this episode represented a watershed in the life of Dawson Leery, as the turmoil that he has had to endure in the last year has finally started to catch up with him, as his carefully constructed and sheltered world has completely fallen apart. This trauma has caused Dawson to question everything that he once held as basic and central to his self identity, even his love for film making. I was saddened to see him take down all his Steven Spielberg posters, for in so doing, he was closing a chapter in his life that had defined his existence for so long. I also was saddened because Dawson’s "shrine" to Steven Spielberg represented something treasured and special in the show itself, and it’s like the show itself lost one more vestige of innocence. But as always, at that crucial moment, Joey was there for him, and she once again reached back into their past and reminded him of the person he was before he embraced film making, and she once again instinctively knew what to do and say to comfort him. I thought that this proved once again what a special connection that Joey and Dawson have, a connection that truly does fall into the concept of soul mates. I felt that the jealousy and hurt that Joey felt when she found out that Dawson had confided in Nikki, rather than her, about his feelings about his parents divorce was completely natural and understandable in many ways, and Dawson’s overreaction to her jealousy was also natural. I think that what it comes down to is the fact that these two characters have the capability of bringing out the best, and the worst, in each other, because they do share a very intense connection that often transcends logic and reason, and falls into the realm of pure emotion. I thought the fact that Joey made the effort to go back and patch things up with Dawson after their big fight and give him that John Lennon poster shows that Joey truly cares about Dawson, and that their relationship has depth and meaning.
I was glad to see Dawson and Nikki start to become friends, although they initially both showed themselves to be very self centered and uncompromising in their argument over using the film camera. I thought it was understandable, to a degree, that Dawson confided in her, rather than Joey, about the pain he was feeling over his parents’ divorce, since she had gone through the same experience. I thought that James VanderBeek did an excellent job in conveying Dawson’s pain and anguish in that scene, and I was impressed by how much he has grown as an actor. I also thought that Nikki brought a unique, and correct, perspective towards her passion for film making, saying that this passion was basically only one facet of what she was interested in, and that it was wrong to only focus on one interest in life. I think her words really made Dawson think, and it prompted his rather drastic change. I was also glad that Dawson and Nikki related as friends at this point, and the writers didn’t throw some type of romantic involvement into the picture right away.
I really liked seeing Jack and Jen interacting as true friends in this episode, and I liked the warmth and humor between them, and I love the way they share confidences and subtly encourage one another. The friendship of Jack and Jen is undoubtedly the most positive development on Dawson’s Creek. I liked the way that Jack tentatively tried to pursue a relationship with Ethan, and I thought that Kerr Smith perfectly conveyed the nervousness and awkwardness of a person who doesn’t quite know how to pursue a relationship with someone else. I found Ethan to be rather smug and condescending, though, especially in his remark that meeting someone through the Internet didn’t count. Hey! ;) Overall, I didn’t care for his character, and his attitude of self satisfied superiority began to get on my nerves. I was glad to see that Jack was willing to at least attempt to go to the "next level" with Ethan, even if his efforts were rebuffed, as I thought that this represented a real breakthrough for his character.
I thought that Henry was overly harsh to Jen in this episode, because although I can understand, and definitely empathize with, his feelings of hurt from being on the wrong side of a one sided infatuation, I truly don’t believe that Jen led him on in any fashion. I also don’t think that Jen was callous towards his feelings at all, and I thought she had let Henry down in a very gentle and considerate way. In a real life situation, a worldly Junior girl like Jen would most likely be a lot crueler to an awestruck and tongue tied Freshman boy like Henry, so I really don’t think he treated her fairly at all. I also thought that his hurtful words could have provoked an equally harsh comeback from Jen, but she chose instead to react in an understanding and kind way, very much in line with the fact that Jen is, at heart, a very compassionate person. I thought it was very sweet and noble of Jen to concede that she was wrong for not considering his feelings, and in so doing leaving the door open for a possible friendship, or future relationship, with Henry. As a side note, I thought that Michelle Williams did a wonderful job in these scenes, and she also looked exceptionally beautiful in this episode.
I thought that Andie’s strident and neurotic mannerisms to be as annoying as ever, and I thought she was very selfish and unfair when she told Pacey to quit the play. Still though, I thought she proved herself to be a very good director, and I felt bad for her when Mr. Broderick treated her so shabbily and completely discounted her contribution to the play and her ability to elicit good performances from the actors, and acting as a virtual dictator. I was glad to see Pacey comfort Andie and encourage her to stick with the play using his usual inimitable humor. I think their mutual participation in this play will serve as the catalyst for them to rebuild their friendship, and possibly their romantic relationship, and although have very mixed feelings about them getting back together, I would at least like to see them be friends, because I think that they are good for one another.
Overall, I thought this was a very enjoyable episode, and I look forward to seeing more episodes like it in the future.
Best
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