Season 1: Episode 2: The Dance

"What makes a good kiss?" is the question being asked during this episode. It's an appropriate follow up in my 24 year-old cynical opinion to the question in the Pilot "Can guys and girls be friends without making things complicated?" It's the appropriate follow up, because we all know the answer is most often "no".

Dawson has created a fake head modled after Joey for a slasher scene in the movie he is creating. After asking his father about the mechanics of kissing, he is prompted to use the fake head of Joey to practice a good kiss. As a 12 year old, this would have made my heart melt, as a 24 year old I was pretty sure it was far too obvious of foreshadowing. It wasn't until they cut to Joey, who was upstairs watching the 'practice kiss' take place, that I was sucked back into the idea of the fairytale. Joey's eyes were closed, as if she was experiencing the practice kiss with Dawson. I'd like to tip my hat to the writers on this one... way to pull me right back into the ambiance of it all. 

This episode is filled with many cliches, like insecurity, jealousy, and puppy love - but it still holds a strong realistic feel to it. I caught myself throughout the episode totally forgetting this show was not current. I realized this the second Savage Garden's "I Want You" began to play. Immediately I was thrown back into my 8th grade dance. All those questions of the perfect kiss, and nervous feelings were all too accurate to that period of time in anyones life. 

It wasn't until Dawson asked Jen to kiss him, and she said "can we dance", that the episode came together. At that age, or at any age, it is not about the perfect kiss. The kiss is just the stuff that happens after, as Jen implies. It's the feelings, the emotions, and the over analyzed actions prior to that really define a good kiss. 

Favorite quote: 

"I'm afraid if I kiss you, my knees might buckle and I don't know if I can handle that right now. . . would you like to dance?"

The Pilot

I begin watching this pilot episode with the memories from my childhood. How I hung on every word Dawson said, his love for Joey, and the turmoil with Pacey. I know that most childhood shows are not exactly how you remember them when you go back -- but I have high hopes for this series.

Watching this at 24, verses watching it at 12 is a a big difference, and wonderfully the same all together. You view the interactions different, and you have a far more cynical perspective of their adolescent issues, but no matter what that show was exactly like me at one point or another.

The pilot opens with a scene of Dawson and Joey exchanging witty banter. Dawson asks Joey to stay the night. With insight far beyond her years, Joey acknowledges the inappropriateness of two 15 year-old "friends" of opposite gender sharing a bed in a platonic way. At 12 (which was how old I was when the first episode aired in 1998), I would have thought this entirely possible. Why couldn't guys and girls be friends during the peek of puberty years without letting feelings get in the way? With the insight that my 12 years post "peek of puberty" self now has - I just think "Really Dawson? Are you that dumb?" By 24 we are all aware that those types of friendly, supportive, and emotionless relationships don't exist, but I remember at 12 believing they did like I believed in the tooth fairy.

The pilot does a great job at introducing each of the characters and their personality traits. Pacey is the arrogant, insensitive, impulsive kid who charms his friends with quick wit and an underlying tone that reads "i'm really sweet below this tough exterior". Dawson of course is the responsible, sensitive, and driven kid who more closely relates to girls, but still maintains a strong relationship with Pacey despite the contrast. Joey's character is the troubled teen with an imperfect family who struggles with her identify and feelings.  Jen's character appears sweet, which most girls could read as a cover for a rebelious side we all felt was in her. This combination of characters makes for a perfect beginning to a teen drama in the late 90's, and i'm pretty sure even today.

The acting thankfully is not as bad as I had anticipated. It's not like when I went back trying to watch 'Clarissa Explains It All' and was horrified that it ever kept my attention for more than 2 minutes.

The episode also provides amazingly nostalgic music like 'Tubthumping', "I dont want to wait",  some Jann Arden and "I'll Stand By You." Immediately i'm hooked.

This episode is filled with wonderful controversy for 1998. The first episode contains interracial dating, pregnancy out of wedlock, teen promiscuity and a high school student/teacher relationship. This has TGIF written all over it (you know what that means if you're around my age as well).

I always thought the character I related to most was Joey growing up. At 24, I realize I'm totally a Jen. The line that made me realize this? When she tells her grandmother that she'll attend church when her grandma says able to say the word penis. Priceless. A young adolescents struggle with religion. One I shared at her same age.

The final minutes feature an argument between Joey and Dawson that goes back to the struggle and question: "Can a boy and girl remain best friends without complications?" Joey assures Dawson things have changed between them thanks to Puberty. How does she know this? Because he isn't able to confide in her how many times and when during the day he ... well... "takes care of business". I remember watching this episode at 12, (which I am now aware of how inappropriate that was - and how much MY daughter will not be doing that) and feeling as crushed as Joey was when Dawson remained silent. Joey, crying, removes herself (out the bedroom window of course) and into a boat where the viewer is left with the question answered... No. No, boys and girls cannot remain friends without complications. ... until Dawson yells out "In the morning to Katie Couric!". And suddenly, I'm swept back into my childhood fantasy... maybe.... maybe they can?

Favorite Quote: "We're growing up, that's all. I mean even Spielburg outgrew his Peter Pan Syndrome"