I was browsing through Netflix the other day and in the ‘suggested watching for Carly‘ section, Dawson’s Creek popped up. You nailed it Netflix. Well done. I’ve since had a constant loop of DC in the background as I go about my day. Here’s a list of things that I’ve noticed this time around that barely registered the first time I watched it.
12 Observations From Re-Watching Dawson’s Creek As An Adult
1. They use ‘puke’ as both a noun and an insult. Like ‘You’re being a total puke.’ It’s magical.
2. Dawson punches Pacey for calling him an ‘Oompa Loompa‘ and then explains himself by saying that those words are like ‘kryptonite’ to him. I just can’t even.
3. Joey has breasts Dawson has genitalia and this is an actual line in the show.
4. Jen dresses like this.
Typically wearing chunky slip-on shoes, little spaghetti strap dresses and vampy lipstick. She also sometimes wears little gem clips in her hair. All of this pleases me greatly.
5. Katie Holmes is totally weird about her own arms. She just doesn’t have any idea what to do with them. She also delivers 90% of her lines out of the side of her mouth while awkwardly not looking anywhere in particular. She’s like a new-born praying mantis.
6. They play truth or dare like they’re in court under oath. In real life, people just lie. In Dawson’s Creek, they cry and start monologing about all their ‘feelings’ and ‘hormones’.
7. They are all very aware of their ‘hormones’.
8. Pacey was responsible for a large percentage of teenage lady bonerism in the late 90s and it’s nice to note his appeal is transcendent. Pacey is timelessly shaggable.
9. Joey Potter singing On My Own in the episode ‘Beauty Pageant’ is one of my favourite things that’s ever happened. On a totally metaphorical level, I mean. The river is like the creek and Joey is like Dawson’s Eponine. Layers people. This show is deep.
10. There’s this amazing moment where Joey and Dawson tell each other how sad they would be if the other one died. It was probably the most pointless scene of the season because you’d obviously be very sad if your childhood friend died.
11. Joey’s older sister Bessie has an African-American boyfriend and it’s apparently the biggest deal in the world. Joey constantly refers to her ‘interacial and illegitimate‘ nephew and her sister’s ‘black boyfriend‘. It’s strangely backwards for 1999 and super cringey to hear in 2014.
12. Dawson is a legitimate arse pelican. He’s just a bit of a selfish jerk, most of the time.
Also this.
There’s so much awesome in this photo, I’m having trouble communicating it. James and Katie got the Venga Bus Dance Party brief for the photo shoot while Michelle and Josh got the Uncomfortable Yet Smouldering brief. Josh is wearing thongs. James looks like he just dropped a giant fart. You can see all of Michelle’s underwear through her dress and I don’t know what the hell Katie is doing but I think it’s the most stuff I’ve ever seen her doing ever.
Have you ever re-watched a must loved show as an adult? Was it weird? Also, were you a ‘Creekster’?
62 Comments
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Would you believe that I’ve never seen Dawsons Creek? I wasn’t allowed to watch it as a tween and I haven’t yet had the pleasure as an adult.
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Author
OH EM GEE. Watch it girlfriend. I think you’ll love it.
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I loved Dawson’s Creek and endeavour to watch it again with both my daughters. It will be interesting watching the show again and taking it all in with different eyes. As well as encountering the thoughts of both my daughters.
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Author
Yeah I wonder how it will translate. I started watching Buffy as an adult having not watched it as a teenager and I have to say, I’m struggling. I’ll keep trying!
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SO with you on number 5 – she’s super awkward turtle. Although I hadn’t noticed the arms, so clearly now I need to watch it all again 😉
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Author
She IS An awkward turtle. The arms are unbearable. I’ve ruined it for now I promise.
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This is one of the greatest articles I’ve ever read on Smaggle. I always was a Dawson fan… so much, my first email was dawsonschick and my password to everything (ie. ICQ, MSN) was always ‘capeside’. Well done Carly!
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Author
HA! Thank you… although now I’m freaked out. I feel like someone I went to school with at an email of dawsonschick…
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No, but I watched Sex and the City when I was married, then when I became single. Completely different meaning.
Times have changed for the female stars of that show – Michelle Williams is now super cool and talented, and Katie Holmes married Tom Cruise.
And very few teenagers talk like that.
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Author
Oh weird! I imagine that WOULD change the meaning of Sex and the City! Michelle Williams is certainly not as irritating as she was in the 90s but I can’t say Katie Holmes life choices have been that brilliant. When has marrying Tom Cruise ever worked out for anyone? 🙂
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I’ve also decided to re-watch Dawson’s – just because I can – and the first thing I noticed was how dated the fashion was/is
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Author
It’s amazing. All the open shirts over all the undershirts ALL THE TIME.
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well, now I feel a pressing need to re watch Dawson’s creek.
my husband and I are re-watching Coupling at the moment (British show from maybe 2001-ish?) for the first time since watching it when we first got together. we can appreciate it now for being a hilarious show, but it’s reminding me of how awkward it was to watch at first as a couple in a new relationship – considering the whole show is basically about the embarrassing things people do in new relationships. top stuff.-
Author
Feel the pressing need and then succumb. It will be totally worth it. Coupling is AMAZING!
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I am doing the same thing right now with the original Beauty and the Beast. I loved this show as a child, and I think it’s why I’m drawn to all things starring Ron Perlman. Hello, Hellboy! It’s so campy and overdone in a funny way as an adult but also still so endearing and sappy in love at the same time. I can’t wait til he starts hunting for his love child. Aah, revisiting childhood.
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Author
Beauty and the Beast? Is that a show? Like based on the movie? I don’t think I’ve heard of it!
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Yes, from the early 80s. Here’s the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_and_the_Beast_(1987_TV_series) Best costumes ever.
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Oh you my friend are pure gold. And those chunky heels and strappy tops – got to love the late ’90s – so often overlooked in favour of the ’80s.
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Author
I know! Even though sometimes I look at chics like Buffy and think their hair is weird I generally think that lacey, goth look is quite beautiful… but then I was raised on Charmed so I don’t think I’ll ever get it out of my system!
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I watched it again, episode one til the bitter end, about 5 years ago. On my couch, eating noodles. it was fucking fantastic. Everything was amazing, no complaints from me. On My Own is still one of the best things to happen on TV. Second only to this: http://replygif.net/i/347.gif
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Author
I can’t wait to see that in real life! Do you remember specifically what was happening when this miracle face occured?
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Sure do! Don’t want a spoiler though, do ya?
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Is it a death of some kind? Like an older character? (If my memory serves me correctly.)— Sent from Mailbox for iPhone
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your memory serves, and that death is pretty brutal. But this face isn’t from that!
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Oh! Just tell me!!! Most big events happen 4 or 5 times in Cape Side so I’m sure it won’t spoil much! — Sent from Mailbox for iPhone
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it does… it changes everything. but that should be enough of a clue!
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ba ha ha ha… I am cackling outloud like a crazy person. “Legitimate arse pelican” consider yourself mine!! Best insult ever. x
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Author
Take it honey! I think I first read it on Helen Razar but I really want it to become part of the every day vernacular.
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If they can make ” totes amazeballs” a thing surely this will happen 🙂
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I re-watched most of the first season when I was sick last year and could barely stand Joey’s eye rolling,awkward body language and general stinky ‘tude the second time around! Also the Halloween episode almost made me crap my pants.
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Author
Oh my god totally! It was freaky! Joey is just a little ball of negatively.
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Loving the Les Mis friend zone ref, poor Eponine! That last photo perfectly showcases the awkwardness of “new born preying mantis” Holmes. Might just have to re-watch this now!
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You really should. It’s a total game changer.
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I remember seeing some of 7th Heaven on tv and getting totally creeped out by it! I was only a casual watcher of Dawson’s Creek, but enough to remember it for ALL THE ANGST haha.
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Author
Oh it is ALL THE ANGST. It’s also all the INCREDIBLY WEAK PLOT LINE! I swear none of the characters have any substance and they keep breaking up with each other for no real reason.
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Jen’s Gran was the most awesome character on that show. Pretty much every line she had was offering people food! Well, when she wasn’t trying to pull Jen into line.
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Author
Totally! Jen was actually just really super rude to her! I rememeber watching it and thinking that my mother would kill me if I spoke to my grandmother like that!
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I cannot overstate how much I enjoyed this post. So much awesome, it would have taken the entirety of Dawson’s Creek to fit it in.
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Author
I have a lot of thoughts about bad 90s drama shows. 🙂
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That group photo and your description of it had me in tears. THE LAUGHS, THE LAUGHS.
I never watched Dawson’s Creek when I was younger. Last year my brother was on a kick, watching teen dramas of all kinds and sizes. He started innocently enough with Friday Night Lights, then moved to One Tree Hill “because they play basketball, it’s a sports show”, and gradually moved to Dawson’s Creek. I attempted to watch it with him for Pacey, but I just couldn’t. Nope.
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There’s no point in even trying to watch it as an adult. There will be no magic. Also I’m pretty sure I actually HAD that poster and didn’t realise how bad it was.
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Lol @ joey talking out the side of her mouth! That annoys me to no end but it’s still one of my fav shows! Also where did Bessie’s “black boyfriend” get too?? He just seems to disappear :/
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I DIED OF LAUGHTER. THANK YOU. I’ve been re-watching dawson’s creek and been having all those exact thoughts you expressed (except the one regarding the photo which was unknown to me but I find extremely hilarious). I needed this, thank you
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Just not rewatching… can we talk about how scary it was when Andie was talking to her dead brother…like seriously gave me major creeps watching this time around ?
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“Now” rewatching
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Currently reading watching and been dying for a moment that has stuck with me since being a 14 year old girl and still havent seen it three seasons in! Also all three relationships seem silly when you know who they’ll end up with its like being the psychic
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Lol… If I remember correctly, Dawson hit Pacey in the face with a basketball.. not so much beat the shit out of him. The only way Dawson beats Pacey in a fight would be by starting it with a cheap shot. In a straight up throw down, Pacey would fuck Dawson up, FUBAR style.
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Btw… In that picture of them all dressed I white, I’m fairly certain that’s a classic Elaine from Seinfeld dance move that Katie Holmes is doing there.
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Watching it on dvdbox. Dawson is a miserable tight ass egocentrical jerk. He keep dumping Joey but gets mad if she falls in love with someone else. I love all the characters except him.
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OMG! So funny, thanks for your article.
I had never watched Dawson’s Creek when I was younger but I was running out of love triangle drama’s to binge watch so I thought I would give it a shot. I actually found your article by googling “joey potter side mouth” cus knew their had to be some great comments out there about it.
I am on end of season 4 and I am glad Joey is with Pacey. He was the other reason I wanted to watch this cus Joshua Jackson is so HOT on The Affair and younger Joshua is so charming and as you say, shaggable. I found their to be no chemistry between Joey and Dawson.
Joey is annoying. Always negative and Dawson is a do-gooder to the maxxxx, ugh! But I find this show very charming and love Jack and Jen too.
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After watching it as an adult….I developed an even bigger crush on Joey Potter wishing I could time travel back to the late 90’s and sweep her off her feet….even if it were just to have her break my heart like she did every single guy she dated throughout the emtire show. Lets face it…Katy Holmes nailed the part of Joey. One of Teen televisions most classic beauties of all time.
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I enjoyed dawson creek as a teen although I didn’t understand the words used then. I mean what teen u know uses such vocab?? Anywho, ive recently begun watching Dawson creek again as an adult and I must say I enjoy it better now. But I must say my least fave character is Joey. I can’t stand her!! She’s all the way around confused. She acts like this innocent girl. And demands all this respect from her suitors but is juat a heartless bitch
She leads these guys on, makes them like n fall for her just to let them down in the end. She over analyzes everything, expects these men to be ar her beck n fall,demanding ,says onr thing dies the opposite
Don’t really want these men, but if they so as much look at someone else she freaks out. She wants all the men ro herself, very self centered and selfish -
pacey’s sister that hooks up with Dawson looks more like she could be their mom
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Why is Grams the only person in Capeside with a New England accent?
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I’m watching Dawson’s creek for the very first time now. I had just turned 18 when the show first came out. I’m 39 now. I’m enjoying it but yeah there’s weird things about it like the “black boyfriend” being said all the time
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I was obsessed as a teen and in college. I would not miss an episode. As an adult I bought the whole series and watched it. I loved Joey and Jen got on my nerves the first time around because was always saying “you’re a 16 year old this and that” like she wasn’t herself. But as an adult Joey got on my nerves with her indecisiveness & when she took back Eddie I was like whhhhhy girl why. He was too inconsistent and inconsiderate to deserve a second chance. I grew to love Jen she’s funnier to me as an adult. I still love Joey and Pacey together.
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I just got done rewatching it. I forgot how much I hated them talking in circles while using a thesaurus of vocabulary words to act older than they were. Joey and Dawson are the 2 most selfish
and self involved characters in the world. And what is the deal with talking everything to death??? It’s like, shut up and just enjoy the moment! I was irritated a lot about stuff I didn’t think twice about when I was younger. But all in all, Pacey Witter was always my choice the first go around. And I must say I still found him to be adorably hot! -
Introducing my teenager to Dawson’s Creek has been amazing for me. It was my favourite. I wanted her to see a simpler time. How I got to be a teenager. She loves it. Great story!!!
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I saved this little article as reading it makes me happy about a show I loved and still love, and I read this every so often for a warm feeling inside me belly, thank you ? ?
Pingbacks
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[…] I’ve officially hit the rock bottom on Netflix. I’m over Dawson’s Creek now. Once everyone has dated everyone at least once all the magic disappears from the show. I’ve now moved on to Ghost Whisperer. It has the most shallow plot of any television show […]
[…] gods for surely I have been blessed. Earlier this year I wrote an article about what it was like to re-watch Dawson’s Creek as an adult so I thought it was only fitting to throw together 9 Observations from Re-Watching Gilmore Girls as […]
[…] please and make mine a double! I do enjoy re-watching stuff as a grown up (I’ve written about Dawson’s Creek, Gilmore Girls and Ghost Whisperer should you be interested) and then dissecting it on this here […]