Dawson's Creek (TV Series) Hurricane (1998) User Reviews

Hurricane Bob

[CassieNewton · 9/10 · 11 September 2011]

The episode's in my top 3 of season one episodes because it establishes characters in a way the previous four episodes hadn't--it's more effective than the pilot in world building. The characters are confined in one house with secrets and prejudices concealed within the hearts and minds of those characters. The hurricane storm isn't the only hurricane in Capeside, and the storm won't be as destructive as the metaphorical hurricane descending upon Leery manor.

Dawson bitches about his life and his mother. Joey uses the "mother card" and reminds Dawson that he's blessed to have his mother, and for one of the seven times in the entire series, Dawson's speechless. Joey doesn't have much of a story in the episode --she just drifts from storyline to storyline.

Pacey, Doug and Tamara spend the day in Tamara's luxurious house on the coast (a high school English teacher makes THAT much?). Obviously, this is the first episode with Doug Witter.

"Hurricane" moves Mitch & Gail's storyline forward and even Bessie's with Bodie and Grams.

At the end, Joey wishes that she could return to her childhood for one night to remove herself from the drama of everyday life..

The first episode of Dawson's that got me hooked!

Great!

[savinainenpihla · 9/10 · 21 June 2021]

The hurricane stuff seemed to come out of nowhere but since the (almost) all the characters are now together in one house, it's a great opportunity for drama. Due to the slow pace, I have to say the same things as from the previous episodes. Pacey and Tamara still give me the big yikes and the stuff about his brother was a bit weird, the gun was unexpected and made me think this would turn into a soap opera. Dawson's mother finally confesses what she has done and we see some prime acting from her, Dawson's father and Dawson himself. Overall pretty great, let's see where this series is headed next.

Discovery is better, but the writing and acting is perfect in this one.

[m-47826 · 7/10 · 6 July 2022]

I noticed a lot of bad editing and continuity errors, from upcoming seasons, in both episodes. But season 1 is still the most effective, and as good as I remember. Hurricane is a slow burn, in the best of way. Gail's affair is out on the open, Doug has suspicions about Tamara and Pacey. And both Jen and Joey suffer Dawson's moodiness, and grow more closer. I forgot it was the episode where grams finally communicates, and shows a glimpse of her wisdom and empathy. The episode takes some time to take off, and some of the characters behaviors annoyed me. I'm not a big fan of Bessie and Bodie there. They have no real purpose, besides showcasing redundant issues into the show's script. I also forgot how crazy self aware the early episodes were, and I love it. You really sense Williamson's touch. And let's give a big thumbs up to the actors who played Dawson's parents. They really shine in those difficult scenes.

The One With The Hurricane...

[taylorkingston · 10/10 · 28 April 2015]

I love this episode. It's one of the first really good episodes from Season 1, as well as the entire series. It's also one of my all-time favorites. I love that Dawson's Mum's affair finally gets out there in the open, even though it hurts Dawson's Dad.

In this episode, a hurricane strikes Capeside and everyone has to prepare. Almost everyone has taken refuge in the Leery home, except for Pacey. Pacey is over at Tamara's house, with her and his brother. Pacey tells Tamara that his brother is gay, but he really just wants her all to himself. Almost everyone is at the Leery home, including Dawson, his parents, Jen, her grandmother, Joey, her sister and future brother-in-law. Dawson demands that his mother tell his Dad about her affair and when she does, his Dad gets so upset, understandably. Meanwhile, Jen's grandmother is being very judgemental to Joey's very pregnant, un-wed sister.

Overall, I give this episode a 10 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Freaking Ridonkulous.

Brilliant mix of wicked weather and oscillating emotions

[igoatabase · 26 September 2011]

Yes Dawson's tiny dusty TV is sponsored by some big corporation but I don't really mind the advertisement considering it's not viciously hidden in a dialog like these days. This time a new character was introduced, Pacey's brother. Such a playboy cop would have been boring if our favorite lake monster hadn't made fun of him all along. The gay running gag was hilarious and even pointing his gun at him wasn't over the top. Moreover he magnified what Tamara said about their relationship, that it can't last forever. It also revealed that Pacey is conscious of his weakness compared to older boys, men. That's why I had found their affair superficial so far because it hadn't been properly covered. So the hurricane served as an hourglass to slow down time and finally allow the characters to talk in great depth about what happened in the previous episodes. Of course it was also the case on Dawson's side and in fact it was by far the most interesting and moving. In general I think using the weather as a metaphora for emotions was brilliant. Moreover the story was served by an immersive production. From the storm to the wind it really felt like the first day of an upcoming apocalypse.

I knew the truth about Dawson's parents would be unveiled but I hadn't expected it would happen so soon. It was also the occasion to finally let the mother and father have a major role. Dawson didn't go easy on his mum but there're moments when you can't help hurting the people you love. It also applies to his dad considering his hateful speech in the car while the rain was pouring. As for the mother telling him the truth and disrupting the light was a bold move but it paid off in the end because it made the scene almost horrific, mirroring what was happening in the father's mind. But hopefully these intense and dramatic sequences were balanced by the last one, once the hurricane was over and that the mother was able to explain herself. It was quite enlightening because it proves that having a perfect life can become unbearable and also opened a debate about monogamy, an issue raised by Dawson himself. She wanted something new, something different. In my opinion it's not a reason to cheat on your partner and I wish she had mentioned that she should have talked to him first. What's the point of living as a couple if you don't share your feelings and communicate ? As usual it's easier to write than to do but thinking about it is with no doubt a first step in the right direction. So Joey, would you marry me ?

More seriously for once our favorite girl next door was shadowed by the other characters but her supportive spirit can only inspire. After all don't they say that the long time friendships give birth to the most enduring love stories ? The more you overcome obstacles together the more it fluidifies your connection, making it almost unbreakable. It leads us to Jen because I didn't know her story was so chaotic. Too much ? I don't know but having drunken sex at twelve with an older person, becoming pregnant and having unsafe sex with multiple partners is a lot to chew. It was specially true considering Dawson already had to deal with his family crisis. But maybe it was the right time to do it as his heart was already shattered so more opened to accept who she really is. In fact their arc mirrored what her grandmother said to him about forgiving. So even if she's clearly a racist and can be annoying at times as she keeps referring to her religion she still has her moments. Last but not least as always the references to movies and specially Steven Spielberg's productions are welcome. From the photo to the shark it's one of the elements, with the recurrent movie night session, that gives the show a unique identity.