Dawson + Joey's Breakup
Those of you who participate regularly on the Dawson's Creek FanForum message board have undoubtedly seen the series of message topics facetiously referred to as "The Joey Wars". These message postings involved often heated debate generated by the loyal fans of Dawson's Creek concerning the central theme of the second season of our favorite show, namely the breakup of the two central characters on the show, Joey and Dawson. For me, the breakup of these two "star crossed lovers" has been the single most disappointing development in a season full of disappointments, and I would like to share my opinion of why I found this development to be so disappointing.
The first season of Dawson's Creek established the central theme that was, for me, the core of the appeal of the show, Joey Potter's secret, and initially unrequited, love for her "best friend" Dawson Leery. We suffered with Joey as Dawson pursued, and then lost, his first girlfriend, Jen Lindley, and we collectively wondered how such a seemingly self aware and intelligent young man could be so utterly clueless to the affections and charms of his misunderstood, but wonderfully appealing, best friend. Just about every single fan cheered for Joey, and vilified Jen, to the point where entire websites were created dedicated to hating her character. Therefore, almost everyone was delighted when Dawson finally "took off the blinders" and realized his true feelings for Joey, and everyone literally jumped for joy when these characters at last met in a passionate embrace at the end of the last show.
Therefore, everyone tuned into the second season of the show happily anticipating seeing Dawson and Joey interact as a couple, and face the changes and challenges that lay before them together. I, for one, hoped that Joey, finally secure in a loving relationship, could let down her guard, and overcome the bitterness and resentment she felt due to her tragic family history. I also hoped that Dawson, realizing that he was in a real relationship with someone else, would start acting less self absorbed and realize that the world doesn't always revolve around him and his interests, and that Dawson would have to consider Joey's feelings and interests as well. Instead, the writers chose to break Joey and Dawson up in an incredibly contrived and poorly handled way. This caused many of the fans of the show, including myself, to resent the Joey character and view her actions as selfish, insensitive, and incredibly hypocritical. Ever since the breakup of Dawson and Joey, I have felt a seething resentment any time I see her and Jack McPhee, who Joey started dating after she told Dawson she needed time alone to "find herself", interacting on the screen together. I deeply resent the fact that Joey hooked up with Jack, and that she was kinder and more understanding towards Jack than she ever was to Dawson. She really seemed to disregard Dawson's feelings, even though he had always been there for her, through good times and bad, first as a dear friend, and then as a loving and loyal boyfriend. I also resented the fact that Joey broke up with Dawson just when he needed her the most, when his parents' marriage was breaking up, and when his carefully constructed world was falling apart.
What I think the writers have done, in the interest of creating conflict, is destroy the wonderful relationship dynamic between these two characters, and although they will inevitably reunite these two characters, virtually an entire season has been wasted with our favorite characters in situations that no one wants to see them in, with Dawson wallowing in self pity, and Joey involved with someone who couldn't hold a candle to the person that Dawson is. My main disappointment stems from the fact that I felt that both Joey and Dawson deserved happiness after all the drama in their lives, with Joey having to suffer through and unrequited love for her best friend, and with Dawson suffering the pain and anguish of his breakup with Jen. Instead, the writers have brought both Dawson and Joey nothing but misery, as Joey discovers that Jack is gay, and Dawson discovers that he simply can not let his feeling for Joey go. To me, the writers have done nothing but make almost everyone unhappy on the show, including many of us fans who devotedly watch the show every week.
I sincerely hope that all these problems will work themselves out before this season is over, but the damage has been done, and even if Joey and Dawson do get back together, it just won't be the same for me. I would appreciate any comments anyone may have on this topic, and thanks for your time!
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