Season 1 may be the most « accomplished » one. But as far as personal feelings go, season 2 has some of my favorite episodes and a thoughtful writing. Full Moon Rising nailed the chaotic state this particular night can bring amongst people. Scenes get really intense, and some parts are real tear jerker. Mitch crying in front of his son, is both pathetic and heartbreaking. Too bad James Van Der Beek's acting couldn't reciprocate this level of intensity... New dynamics for the season give something that was missing previously. Diversity, in a sense that Jen wasn't the only « new kid » anymore. Tamara had her moment to shine, in Tamara's Return. But it's nice to still have her around, even for storylines that sound weird. Her dating Mitch, really? I don't mind her, and never saw her romance with Pacey as something as revolting as today's audience may see it. It was forbidden, but it happened, and I'm glad writers handled this issue in a smart and neutral way. But going after Mitch now, was clearly lazy writing. Jen flirting with disaster, is probably one of the best arc of the season. And I love that scene when Grams comes to her rescue, and threatens her « date ». Abby is an obnoxious character, but she's fun and a cute bundle of clichés. Joey and Jack's blooming relationship is fine, but we know it won't go too far... If it wasn't for Van Der Beek's aggravated look, trying to cry on command, the closing scene would be perfect. With that shot of each characters, and « Hands » to accompany each last minute's realizations.
3 Reviews
Restless and Wild
ttapola9 January 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Holy frak this episode is steamy! Too bad it is somewhat lacking in other areas, but hey - there's nothing wrong with that! We can have "restless" episodes like this every once in a while. The standout sequence is between Michelle Williams and Joe Flanigan, even if it does not lead to Pacey-like illegal results - although, at 16, Jen would be *legal* in Finland and some other countries. Rather disturbingly, there was once this article on a UK "lad magazine" that included a map of about almost all countries in the world and the age of consent in said countries. But I digress. Nothing *really* special happens here and the tone shifts almost from scene to scene, which, while arguably realistic, also makes the episode an uneven (in both senses of the word) 7/10 one. Although there is one really good *major* reveal, which is better left unspoiled.
*Technically* Meredith Monroe, Kerr Smith, Monica Keena and Leann Hunley are *all* "Special Guest Stars", though it has become obvious that the first two are going to stay. How did the show-runners justify *four* "Special" guest stars? How special *can* they be if there are four of them? Again, Monica Keena is served with the least to chew, which, in hindsight, is a shame. Meredith Monroe, on the other hand, is given a scene to shine in and she excels, no doubt making an impression on both the show-runners and the viewers. One wonders, had they been cast the other way around, how would it have affected the show and their careers? Yes, Abby's role was cast way earlier, but if the Many Worlds Hypothesis holds true, maybe there is a parallel Earth where the roles *were* cast the other way around. Now if I only had that cool window that allows to see to the parallel Earth in that show where Joshua Jackson plays the son of said window's inventor...
*Technically* Meredith Monroe, Kerr Smith, Monica Keena and Leann Hunley are *all* "Special Guest Stars", though it has become obvious that the first two are going to stay. How did the show-runners justify *four* "Special" guest stars? How special *can* they be if there are four of them? Again, Monica Keena is served with the least to chew, which, in hindsight, is a shame. Meredith Monroe, on the other hand, is given a scene to shine in and she excels, no doubt making an impression on both the show-runners and the viewers. One wonders, had they been cast the other way around, how would it have affected the show and their careers? Yes, Abby's role was cast way earlier, but if the Many Worlds Hypothesis holds true, maybe there is a parallel Earth where the roles *were* cast the other way around. Now if I only had that cool window that allows to see to the parallel Earth in that show where Joshua Jackson plays the son of said window's inventor...
Easily one of the best
savinainenpihla6 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The episode where everyone cries and blame their behaiviour on the full moon, but I love it. While I feel like the drama between Dawson's parents seems a bit forced, I did feel sad hearing them argue and after many episodes, understood Dawson's feelings. Jen almost gets laid with a man much older than her, and the scene where she is stopped is so well done I can't even explain it. Great work from both actors and the song...I can't remember it's name but just..aagh! Also I see another plotline arising from Joey kissing Jack..nice.
I haven't even talked about Andie and Pacey. I love everything about them, and I was pretty excited when they were finally going on a date. I always suspected that Andie had a rough past and this episode confirmed it. My heart melted at the end, boys can cry too you know. I'm not sure if I can say this is prime Dawson's Creek just yet but I hope so, this is so great.
I haven't even talked about Andie and Pacey. I love everything about them, and I was pretty excited when they were finally going on a date. I always suspected that Andie had a rough past and this episode confirmed it. My heart melted at the end, boys can cry too you know. I'm not sure if I can say this is prime Dawson's Creek just yet but I hope so, this is so great.
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