DVD
Review | Dawson's Creek (Season 1)
Written by: Kage
Alan
I’ve recently started relating my life to
episodes of “Dawson’s Creek” when my friends are around, mostly
because it annoys them. I’m evil that way! On the other hand, the
show is written by Kevin Williamson, the man responsible for making a
delightfully intelligent and well-written film fondly known as
“Scream”. We’re talking dialogue that actually attempts to say
something here. Oddly enough, while some audience members felt that
teenagers wouldn’t really talk the way they do on the show, I think it
certainly opened up the idea to them that they should be exploring
their feelings and issues in dialogues much like what is on the show.
I wish I had been as articulate as a youth.
Fifteen-year-old teenager Dawson Leery (James Van
Der Beek, “The Rules Of Attraction”) has got it made in life. His
parents are deeply in love if not a little too exuberant in their
sexuality, his best female friend, Joey (Katie Holmes, “Phone Booth”) is
smart and adorable, best male friend Pacey (Joshua Jackson, “Cruel
Intentions”) is loyal to the last and he (Dawson) has the best job in
the world working at a video store. Life is pretty much one
Spielbergian experience after another, life imitating art where all the
answers to life’s important questions can be found on VHS. ALL of that
is about to change, however, with the onset of hormones.
All the usual problems arise when Joey starts
wanting to express her feelings for Dawson and he, meanwhile, falls head
over heals for the new girl, Jen (Michelle Williams, “Halloween H20”).
Dawson’s parents’ marriage begins to unravel due to infidelity, Pacey
falls for one of his teachers with disastrous results, Jen begins to
deal with her past and Dawson’s feelings for the women in his life
bounce around like a ping-pong ball. Life seemed so much simpler before
and it really was, but these kids are starting to become adults and
Season 1 beautifully explores this process.
What impresses me most about “Dawson’s Creek
(Season 1)” is that it takes itself seriously and doesn’t rely on
clichés to tell stories. We actually come to care about these
characters and want them to succeed, but understand all too well why
they don’t. I didn’t start watching the show until Season 3 I think, so
I’m glad I was able to start from the beginning and learn how these
relationships began and what the early history was. It explained quite
a bit.
Sony has released the first 13 episodes in their
original full screen format. Picture quality ranges from good to grainy
and I’m not sure why. Considering this was made in 1998, I would have
expected a more solid picture. As for audio, no complaints there. In
the way of extras, we’re treated to audio commentaries by
creator/writer/Producer Kevin Williamson and Executive Producer Paul
Stupin on the first and final episode of the season. These guys sound
like they are having a ball going back to the beginning and remembering
what it took to get the show on the air and make it a hit. I highly
recommend this for fans of the show. Aside from those, we’re given an 8
½ minute featurette called “Dawson’s Creek: Day One” featuring
interviews with cast and crew and a 7 minute “Time Capsule” with
additional interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. Not bad.
If there’s one thing I don’t understand, Sony has
announced the release of the final episode of “Dawson’s Creek” coming up
in a few months. I’m not sure why they aren’t waiting until other
seasons have been released to do this. It doesn’t do someone like me
much good to watch the final episode without knowing how things
progressed. It’s a mystery. I hope it doesn’t mean that they aren’t
going to release further seasons of the show on DVD. I’m hooked and
very much enjoying watching the show and characters progress. It
doesn’t hurt to know there is an end in sight either. Next box set
please?
Film Rating:
B+
DVD Special Features: A-
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