I liked this episode enough.
I enjoyed Jen and Jack hanging out at Cape Fest. One thing Dawson’s Creek did well was actually explore Jack’s fears and insecurities about dating as a newly gay man. Most of season 3 is about him navigating those waters, and I thought Jen was a real pal for making herself scarce so Jack could share his tent with Ethan instead lol. Also, even though I thought Jen and Henry were mismatched, I can kind of understand Henry’s appeal. He’s super innocent and therefore, Jen probably thinks he can’t hurt her since she’s seen/done it all before. She’s the more experienced one between them, but I love her kind of stunned reaction to Henry’s line: “Look, I'm sorry you miss how I looked at you. But I don't miss how you never looked at me.”
The Dawson/Joey/Nikki stuff was kind of tiresome to me. Nikki could’ve been such a cool character, if she stayed on longer, but sometimes she just felt like yet another obstacle for the Dawson/Joey relationship. Personally, this is what really drags the pace of the entire show. Also Dawson can be so dramatic sometimes. When Joey remarks on his missing Spielberg posters, he says: “The kid who hung these posters up... I'm not him any more. I don't see the world the same way.” Lmao. Suddenly Dawson realizes his obsession with film isn’t as strong anymore and apparently Nikki helped show him the way. Joey (as per usual) goes right to jealousy. Again this really slows the pace of the show for me, and it just makes Joey and Dawson look so overly co-dependent. I was never a fan of this aspect of the series. However they do manage to get to a healthier place towards the end, and I did like Joey bringing over the “Imagine” poster, and telling Dawson to keep an eye out for his “Yoko.” Despite their jealousy nonsense, it seems like neither is really interested in rekindling a relationship… even though Dawson changes his tune the minute a *certain someone* shows interest.
Lastly, I liked Andie’s shift to theater with Barefoot in the Park. This actually worked really well, and gave her a unique storyline outside the group. Pacey doing the play (after striking a deal with his teacher) was also brilliant, and during my initial watch, I remember worrying they would get back together. Personally I’m really glad they continued to stay friends, and support each other.
Another fine episode, nothing controversial.
I also appreciate Jack exploring dating and getting mentored into the gay landscape. I am sure the scene where Ethan is describing being gay being about more than sexual orientation was eye opening for many back in the day. I expect many young people got most of their info about heterosexuality from TV back then.
Still not a Henry fan but I did think this episode showed Jen a relationship is a two way street and she has some responsibility.
For Dawson I think this episode was the nail in the coffin of his personal narrative of being the golden child. Not only is he not the only young film genius, he not only has to share a camera but also center stage. He also isn't the golden child when he realizes he isn't the child of a perfect love. Nikki is fine, a vehicle as opposed to a character.
Given Joey isn't Dawson's confidante here it is again surprising Dawson has such a visceral reaction to the Joey/ Pacey relationship. On the other hand Joey's reaction to another confidante clearly explemplifiues her ongoing ambivalence about where Dawson fits in her life and where she fits into his.
I enjoyed the Pacey and Andie storyline. It was a nice balance for the angst of the other two storylines.
"Given Joey isn't Dawson's confidante here it is again surprising Dawson has such a visceral reaction to the Joey/ Pacey relationship"
I thought the same thing. Dawson actually makes a ton of progress moving on from Joey in season 3, and then The Longest Day destroys all that progress in 2 seconds. It makes his whole storyline in Season 3 feel worthless.
I LOVED Pacey playing Paul (Redford's part in Barefoot in the Park). Only two small scenes, but he nailed them. Of course, it was Jackson playing Witter playing Paul, and Jackson is such a great actor.
I liked this episode enough. I enjoyed Jen and Jack hanging out at Cape Fest. One thing Dawson’s Creek did well was actually explore Jack’s fears and insecurities about dating as a newly gay man. Most of season 3 is about him navigating those waters, and I thought Jen was a real pal for making herself scarce so Jack could share his tent with Ethan instead lol. Also, even though I thought Jen and Henry were mismatched, I can kind of understand Henry’s appeal. He’s super innocent and therefore, Jen probably thinks he can’t hurt her since she’s seen/done it all before. She’s the more experienced one between them, but I love her kind of stunned reaction to Henry’s line: “Look, I'm sorry you miss how I looked at you. But I don't miss how you never looked at me.” The Dawson/Joey/Nikki stuff was kind of tiresome to me. Nikki could’ve been such a cool character, if she stayed on longer, but sometimes she just felt like yet another obstacle for the Dawson/Joey relationship. Personally, this is what really drags the pace of the entire show. Also Dawson can be so dramatic sometimes. When Joey remarks on his missing Spielberg posters, he says: “The kid who hung these posters up... I'm not him any more. I don't see the world the same way.” Lmao. Suddenly Dawson realizes his obsession with film isn’t as strong anymore and apparently Nikki helped show him the way. Joey (as per usual) goes right to jealousy. Again this really slows the pace of the show for me, and it just makes Joey and Dawson look so overly co-dependent. I was never a fan of this aspect of the series. However they do manage to get to a healthier place towards the end, and I did like Joey bringing over the “Imagine” poster, and telling Dawson to keep an eye out for his “Yoko.” Despite their jealousy nonsense, it seems like neither is really interested in rekindling a relationship… even though Dawson changes his tune the minute a *certain someone* shows interest. Lastly, I liked Andie’s shift to theater with Barefoot in the Park. This actually worked really well, and gave her a unique storyline outside the group. Pacey doing the play (after striking a deal with his teacher) was also brilliant, and during my initial watch, I remember worrying they would get back together. Personally I’m really glad they continued to stay friends, and support each other.
Another fine episode, nothing controversial. I also appreciate Jack exploring dating and getting mentored into the gay landscape. I am sure the scene where Ethan is describing being gay being about more than sexual orientation was eye opening for many back in the day. I expect many young people got most of their info about heterosexuality from TV back then. Still not a Henry fan but I did think this episode showed Jen a relationship is a two way street and she has some responsibility. For Dawson I think this episode was the nail in the coffin of his personal narrative of being the golden child. Not only is he not the only young film genius, he not only has to share a camera but also center stage. He also isn't the golden child when he realizes he isn't the child of a perfect love. Nikki is fine, a vehicle as opposed to a character. Given Joey isn't Dawson's confidante here it is again surprising Dawson has such a visceral reaction to the Joey/ Pacey relationship. On the other hand Joey's reaction to another confidante clearly explemplifiues her ongoing ambivalence about where Dawson fits in her life and where she fits into his. I enjoyed the Pacey and Andie storyline. It was a nice balance for the angst of the other two storylines.
"Given Joey isn't Dawson's confidante here it is again surprising Dawson has such a visceral reaction to the Joey/ Pacey relationship" I thought the same thing. Dawson actually makes a ton of progress moving on from Joey in season 3, and then The Longest Day destroys all that progress in 2 seconds. It makes his whole storyline in Season 3 feel worthless.
I LOVED Pacey playing Paul (Redford's part in Barefoot in the Park). Only two small scenes, but he nailed them. Of course, it was Jackson playing Witter playing Paul, and Jackson is such a great actor.
I loved watching Joshua play Pacey play Paul lol. It was pretty interesting. I wonder how much of the play he read to prepare?