In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the biggest problems facing teenagers in television shows were whether or not their crush liked them back, curfews, love triangles, and more. But on Dawson’s Creek, there were many occasions that reminded viewers that life is pretty dramatic in Capeside, Massachusetts.
Airing for six seasons, fans tuned in every week to watch the latest drama unfold between Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek), Joey Potter (Katie Holmes), Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson), Jen Lindley (Michelle Williams), and their group of friends. Many fans haven’t forgotten a single detail of the show, but others might need to be reminded of what happened. Take a look at 10 things that happened in the show’s first season.
The Perfect Pilot
Most TV shows have a hit-or-miss pilot episode. The pilot needs to introduce all of the characters, make the audience invest their time in the show’s plot, and give them a reason to keep watching the show. Luckily, the pilot episode of Dawson’s Creek accomplished all of these goals.
Audiences are introduced to childhood best friends Dawson, Pacey, and Joey. They’re interrupted by the arrival of Jen, the granddaughter of Dawson’s next-door neighbor. Will she be the “girl next door” love interest for Dawson? Let’s not forget that Pacey also meets Tamara Jacobs (Leann Hunley), who becomes an important character in the show’s first season.
Pacey’s Affair With A Teacher
Pacey met Tamara while working at a video rental store. She’s an older woman and he enjoyed flirting with her. They’re both surprised the following Monday at school when Tamara is his English teacher, but this doesn’t stop their attraction.
The two have a love affair during the first half of the season. The truth is finally revealed in “Baby,” in which rumors spread across town. Pacey and Tamara find themselves in legal trouble and Tamara submits her resignation.
Dawson’s Mother Had An Affair
One of the major dramatic moments of the show’s first season is that Dawson’s mother, Gail (Mary-Margaret Humes), is having an affair with one of her coworkers at the local Capeside news station. Joey learns about the affair before Dawson, but she keeps it a secret from her best friend.
In the episode “Discovery,” Dawson finally finds out about his mother’s infidelity. He’s immediately mad at Joey for not telling him about the affair. Then, he’s mad at his mother. Tensions rise in the family, and it only gets worse as the season progresses.
The Climactic Hurricane Episode
When someone lives in a coastal town, they are used to hurricanes. In the episode “Hurricane,” a major hurricane hits Capeside and the characters take refuge in the Leery home. Whenever people are forced to spend long periods of time together, drama ensues.
Dawson interrogates Jen about her past while his father, Mitch (John Wesley Shipp), finds out about Gail’s affair. He storms out of the house, risking his own life in the hurricane. It’s a climactic episode for many storylines.
Joey’s Sister Had A Baby
At the beginning of Dawson’s Creek, viewers learn that Joey lives with her 25-year-old sister, Bessie (Nina Repeta), after her mother died of cancer and her father is in prison for trafficking cocaine. Bessie is fairly independent and she’s pregnant with a child with her boyfriend, Bodie Wells (Obi Ndefo). Joey and Bessie argue a lot leading up to her due date.
In the episode “Baby,” Bessie gives birth to her son, Alexander, while Bodie is out of town for his business. She happens to give birth at Dawson’s house, assisted by Joey, Dawson, Jen, and Jen’s grandmother, Evelyn Ryan (Mary Beth Peil). Earlier, Evelyn opposed Bessie’s out-of-wedlock pregnancy and that Bodie is black. But she managed to put these differences aside to help Bessie have a safe delivery.
Joey Was Nearly Sexually Assaulted
In the episode “Boyfriend,” while Joey is at a beach party, she gets drunk and is almost sexually assaulted. Thankfully, she is saved by Pacey, who punches the boy who tried to make a move on her.
When Dawson finds out about what happened, he tells her that he will always be there for her, no matter if she keeps secrets from him or whatever happens. Still drunk, Joey responds by kissing him, thus beginning a complicated love story on the show.
The Séance Episode
Every show has a spooky, Friday the 13th-themed episode. In “The Scare,” it’s Friday the 13th in Capeside, and Dawson decides to host a séance for the group of friends. He also finds amusement in pranking his friends.
Meanwhile, the town is rattled by the news that young women are being murdered and Jen thinks she’s going to be the next victim. Throughout the episode, emotions and tensions are heightened. Can the séance help? Can they save each other? This is a spooky, scary episode.
The Beauty Pageant
The episode “Beauty Contest” is perhaps one of the more famous episodes from the show’s first season. Capeside hosts a beauty pageant and Jen persuades Joey to enter. She’s reluctant at first, but she decides to enter after finding out the winner receives a $5,000 scholarship for college tuition.
This episode has many memorable moments. For example, Joey sings a rendition of “Own My Own” from Les Misérables, in which Dawson begins to see Joey as more than just his childhood best friend. Pacey also enters as the only male contestant, even dressing up as William Wallace from Braveheart.
Complicated Love Stories
Dawson’s Creek wasn’t shy at tugging on viewers’ heartstrings with its complicated love stories and relationships. For example, Dawson and Jen have undeniable chemistry at the beginning of the show and the two even date. There are fans who love their relationship.
However, Dawson and Joey also have chemistry. In the episode “Double Date,” Pacey admits to Dawson that he might have feelings for Joey. Dawson persuades his friend not to act on these feelings, but why? Does Dawson have his own feelings for Joey? As the season ends, Dawson and Joey manage to talk about their feelings, and this was only the beginning of a long, complicated romantic history in the group of friends.
The ‘Breakfast Club’ Parody
John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club is the definitive 1980s movie. The movie has had many parodies over the years, including on Dawson’s Creek. In the episode “Detention,” Dawson, Pacey, Joey, and Jen end up spending a Saturday in detention.
The school’s troublemaker, Abby Morgan, invents a game of truth or dare, which reveals Joey’s secret crush on Dawson. Other secrets are revealed and it’s one of the best episodes of the entire show. If you haven’t watched it in a while, be sure to watch it soon. It’s an instant classic.