Dawson's Creek Season Five

The 5th season of Dawson's Creek you could very well call "the college years." Similar to what Saved by the Bell did after the show's teens (which almost always happen to be in their 20s"¦) finally graduated high school "” rather then end the show there, they decide to drag things on and follow our group of Capesiders as they embark on the newest journey of their lives, i.e. college. Joey (Katie Holmes) is enrolled at Worthington, Dawson (James Van Der Beek)has left to pursue his filmmaking career with an internship in Los Angeles, Jack and Jen (Kerr Smith and Michelle Williams) are at Boston Bay College together, and Pacey (Joshua Jackson) is apparently somewhere out to sea (though we find out he's actually a lot closer than his old friends think).

What has been most enjoyable about season 5 is just how much more the writers have gotten their act together as far as dialogue, story-lines, and creating a much more believable and enjoyable Dawson's Creek, in general. Once sounding like a bunch of melo-dramatic English majors, Dawson, Joey, Jack, Jen, and Pacey have finally grown into their vocabulary. And this time around, you can rest assure that things don't begin or end all peachy for these five.

In the aftermath of the ill-fated relationship between Pacey and Joey, and a kiss between Joey and Dawson, which is reminiscent to their first kiss at the end of season 1, you can just imagine what the aforementioned combined with the angst of college life is gonna do to the former Creek-dwellers.

Early on in the season, Dawson has to come home from Los Angeles "” partly for Joey (of course), and partly for another reason you'll have to watch to find out. Back in Capeside, Dawson's entire world is thrown into upheaval as he loses someone very dear to him. As Dawson mourns, he is greatly comforted by none other than Ms. Jen Lindley, who has recently came off a relationship with a two-timing Charlie Todd (a pre-One Tree Hill Chad Michael Murray), who hilariously attempts a 3-some between Jen and his mistress, only to have the tables turned on him. These two factors in the lives of Dawson and Jen will cause them to re-visit some old feelings with an attempt at a second chance for their once fleeting relationship.

As far as the rest of the crew, nothing monumental has occurred in this part of the season, which is at about the end of disc 1/beginning of disc two. Jack has joined a fraternity who actually wants him because he's gay, rather than in-spite of that fact, Pacey is now working as a cook (a job hook-up courtesy of Deputy Doug), and Joey starts to get a crush on her English professor who pushes her pursue writing.

The most interesting event up to this point

has to do with Pacey. Quickly becoming the protégé of Danny, the head cook at his restaurant, Pacey gets close enough to discover that Danny has been having an affair with a woman who is a member of their very staff. Pacey, being the smooth and often sympathetic ear, especially for beautiful women, lands himself in the sack with her for a one-night stand. "So what," you may be thinking. What was so real about this seemingly unimportant fling was that it becomes revealed that it happened as a result of her wanting to feel better and get over the fact that things with Danny may not end happily ever-after. This, in my mind, was one of the most real events involving sex, in the entire Dawson's Creek saga.

Another Dawson's Creek lesson: just because a guy cheats on your friend, doesn't mean you two can't try things out. As the lead singer in Charlie's band quits, "Aggressive Mediocrity” (yeah, that's their name), is left with anyone to sing for an upcoming gig. So whose services does Charlie enlist? – Josephine "Joey" Potter (I guess in the imaginary Creek-world her voice sounds way different than the "nails on a chalkboard" sound that I'm hearing"¦) "” the fact that dive bar full of bikers actually seem to enjoy the rather whiny voice of Joey's, just goes to remind us that what we're watching is truly a fictional story.

Its on Disc 4 that things both really seem to come together come apart, all at the same time. Dawson decides to give up an interview with a prospective agent after he inevitably decides to follow Joey to Florida, where she and the rest of the crew are spending spring break in Florida, only to find out that Joey and Charlie's relationship has moved passed the professional level, and Audrey (Busy Phillips and Pacey's seemingly blossoming new-found relationship is brought to a screeching halt as Pacey's "soft spot" for older women "” in the form of his new boss "” rears its ugly head. As far as Dawson is concerned, you're probably asking yourself the very same question Pacey asks him, "How many times are you going to keep coming back?" "Until there's nothing to come back for," Dawons responds. A poetic and true moment, but sometimes you just wish this guy would get the hint.

So we're near the end of a truly interesting season. Audrey has decided to visit the Creek to finally see where the love between her roommate and life-long friend blossomed. Jack, nearly a full-blown alcoholic is struggling to cram for finals (and just might with the help of an unlikely tutor), Joey decides to go visit her father in prison, who she discovers was paroled without ever contacting her. Audrey winds up spending an entire day with Dawson whose dream comes true as he

and filmmaking partner, Oliver, are invited to fly to Hollywood to work with a big-time producer who wants to help them remake their film. With the biggest opportunity of his life just within reach, you can't help but wonder what is next in store for him and Joey.

In the last episode of the season, the gang "” post-finals, is struggling to plan their respective summer plans. Jen and Jack are planning a trip to Costa Rica, Pacey has a new job as a dock security guard for the summer, and while Dawson seems set on Hollywood, Joey is once again at odds with herself about what to do next. Does she ask Dawson to stay with her at Capeside, agree to go with him, or decide that this is a journey Dawson has to make without her. Well"¦you'll just have to rent or buy this great 5th season collection of Dawson's Creek to find out!

In closing, I just want to say that I have always loved this show; I practically grew up with it. When Dawson, Joey, and the rest of the gang were first entering high school in the first season, I was also starting my freshman year. What I always liked about Dawson's Creek was that it was a show that had strong male characters that were not afraid to express their emotions. Though some moments were extremely cliché for your average teen drama, this show was anything but average, with many moments of true originality.

I truly enjoyed this season for many reasons. For one thing, even if you've never seen seasons 1-4, you can start with season 5 and not be totally lost. There are many moments throughout several episodes which revisit past vital scenes of the former seasons "” not to mention that it's talked about by the fabulous five any chance they get.

I also admire how the writers approached the topic of sex on the show. Rather than having every single mention of the word seem like a monumental topic, the gang deals with it with stride. Another one of our main characters loses their virginity this season "” and even has sexual relations with another character down the line in later episodes. In the past, this definitely would have never occurred. Also, the introduction of another possible closeted gay character within the show was something that was not at all expected. Guess they like to keep us guessing.

Like anything else, the season has its shortcomings as well. The introduction of Joey's roommate as anything more than just a "once-in-a-while" character, was totally uncalled for. I' can only assume the idea was to replace one former sex-crazed character (i.e. Jen), with another to spice things up and also create a new love interest within the seemingly incestuous group of friends. She simply doesn't mesh with our other characters "” I

guess that is the point though "” since she is supposed to be a former actress from Los Angeles.

And on a final note "” Dawson and Joey. The last episode of the season also gives a slight look into the future as Dawson's dreams about meeting Joey five years from now. Ironically, what Joey says in this dream about her past relationship with Dawson, which turns out to be Dawson's nightmare, is probably as close as we're ever going to get to seeing a character on the Creek say what all the fans have been thinking all along. This season will end probably just as you imagined"¦or not. Remember next time you get annoyed that this show is simply about relationships and love and the angst that goes with it. Love is sometimes just as annoying as this show can be and the main lesson season five tries to instill on its viewers is that, like the old saying goes, if you truly love someone, set them free, and if they come back, it was meant to be. Maybe that's something that only heartbreaks and college can teach you.

Rob's Recommendation: If you are a fan of the show, how can you not own it? Sad to say, no DVD extras at all. Maybe even Williamson is tired of talking about Dawson, Joey and the endless goodbye kisses.

Movie Grade: B+

DVD Grade: B-

Overall Grade: B