What I thought when I started rewatching Dawson's Creek

To be very honest: Dawson's Creek had slipped a bit into oblivion for me. I used to watch all the seasons, but I never really thought about it anymore, and when Netflix announced that they would add the series, I thought: fine. Maybe I'll watch it again, maybe I won't.

Well, last night I started again, sort of out of lack of better options. And within five minutes I thought: OF COURSE I have to watch this again. This is pure enjoyment. So over the top, exaggerated, yet very innocent and also about bizarre subjects that aren't so innocent. Sometimes it feels like you're getting a sort of sex-for-beginners lesson in high school: it's mostly awkward. And teachers aren't happy to give these lessons either, so you might as well serve up a series like this.

Because so much happens in that first episode already. Hello, even in the first two minutes. If you're still in doubt: Go. Watch. If you need a bit more convincing (I get it), just read these points about the first episode.

1.  Oh yes, Dawson was such an exaggeratedly annoying movie geek. Constantly spouting facts. That was annoying. Still is.

2. We're in the SECOND minute of the entire series and the first awkward subject is already brought up. Joey and Dawson have been staying with each other their whole lives but just this evening it can't happen. No, they're fifteen. Joey has breasts. Dawson has genitals that are bigger than before. The man-woman stuff shouldn't come between them. Can they still be friends without all the theories about sex?

3. Just to be clear: these are literal quotes from the series. In the first two minutes, this kind of dialogue is really spewed out.

4. But they're friends, Dawson assures. Yes, really. And then Joey turns around with an uncertain look. YEAH, she's in love. Everyone knows that by now. Except Dawson; he'll probably find out in season 3. He's a bit of a dimwit.

5. I DON’T WANNA WAAAAI— oh shit, during the first season they had a different intro tune. Bummer.

6. Right, besides the fact that Dawson was annoying with his movie obsession, he was also making his own horror film. So professional.

7. Just about that whole Dawson: what a wet blanket he actually is. Really the most goody-goody Harry you find on TV. Sex in movies? Nooo, he finds it unnecessary. Joey, who is clearly in love with him? What are you talking about? And then that contrast with his parents who almost break the coffee table because they're half having sex on it (“Mooooom!”). It can't get better than that.

8. And that his best friend Pacey is such an overly sexual teenager who makes inappropriate comments and starts an affair with his teacher. That's really a no-go in 2021: Pretty Little Liars did this in 2010 and people were furious. But in Dawson's Creek, anything goes.

9. What also can't happen in 2021: Joey slut-shaming Jen and then doing the opposite (prudish-shaming?) when she finds out that Jen is still a virgin.

10. Anyway, Joey is really a difficult person, I must say. Hey Joey, do you want to go to the movies as my wingman since we're just friends? “I’d rather crash in a plane.” Oooookee.

11. But being the sporty person she is, she still goes, only to ask in a packed cinema if size matters. Because Joey lost her virginity to truck driver Bubba.

12. I had also forgotten this: Jen's terrible religious grandmother, with whom she has to go to church on Sundays. But atheist Jen obviously doesn't want that, unless her grandmother says the word ‘penis’, which she considers a swear word. I really want to meet the writers of Dawson's Creek. How do you come up with this?

13. Joey flips out in the cinema and thinks it's a good idea to hide in Dawson's closet. “I’m keeping the clothes company.” That's fine, girl.

14. It gets even better: Dawson and Joey really want to stay friends and not let anyone come between them. So what do you do? Then you tell how often you usually masturbate in a week as Dawson. Nothing says ‘purely platonic’ like being open about your masturbation habits. For those interested: usually in the morning, during the news. Joey cries tears of joy at this confession. Seriously.

15. But wait, then she sees at the last moment that Dawson's mother is having an affair with her colleague. Life isn't all roses in that Creek.

And this is just the first episode, huh. It gets so much better. What can we still expect? One of the parents goes overboard because he drops an ice cream cone. Chad Michael Murray plays Jen's and Joey's love interest. The first kiss between two gay men ever on American TV (this was in 2000). One of the main characters eventually dies (which the actors have even forgotten by now, that says something). Joey goes from slut-shaming in the first episode to dating the entire male cast. Pregnancies. Alcohol addictions. In short: DRAMA. I'm going to binge all six seasons at record speed and I'm super excited.