Welcome to Capeside
Watching Dawson's Creek for the first time - all the way through
I was a bit too young when Dawson’s Creek premiered in 1998, so I wasn’t exactly in the demographic.
But, I was in the know and heard bits and bits as an entertainment connoisseur, even at that age. I read the magazines with photo shoots of the Hollywood sensations. I’d get the behind-the-scenes scoop on what audiences can expect in the season ahead, and I knew who they all were generally speaking.
All of this to say, I didn’t watch Dawson’s Creek in real time, only saw the clips and headlines. I’ve tried a few times over the years, especially as I went through One Tree Hill and visited Wilmington, North Carolina back in 2012. I just couldn’t manage to get past the first few episodes. Or if I did, I wasn’t paying much attention and just zoned out.
As I’ve been housesitting, I just decided to click on it again and see how far I get. This time, I was surprised to find that I’m really getting into these storylines and characters in a way I hadn’t before. Maybe because I feel like I’d gotten to know James Van Der Beek via Instagram before his passing, and just seeing the impact he had on Hollywood and so many areas of the industry, it drew me back into it to see what he and the show were all about.
So, while I’d initially planned to go through Beverly Hills, 90210, I got a bit sidetracked and I’m going this route instead.
A quick rundown, in case you aren’t familiar with the series:
In the small coastal town of Capeside, Massachusetts, an introspective 15-year-old aspiring filmmaker, Dawson Leery, and his fiercely loyal childhood best friend, Joey Potter, navigate the turbulent, emotionally complex waters of adolescence, first love and evolving relationships when a worldly new girl moves next door.
A few more quick facts:
Kevin Williamson is not only the creator of Dawson’s Creek, but the Scream film franchise and The Vampire Diaries. The range! Ha.
Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson dated while filming the show and in turn is part of the chemistry that leaps off the screen.
The series was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina where One Tree Hill later set up their camp as well.
Selma Blair was almost Joey, which later went to Katie Holmes. I can definitely see Selma in this role too.
It took a long time to get the rights back to Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Want to Wait” and had a filler song by Jann Arden, which honestly just kind of killed the vibe.
So, welcome to Capeside, a small town just outside of Boston. A small seaport town with plenty of angsty teens, love triangles, family drama and trauma, and seaside scapes.
Get ready to relive your youth or see what all the hype was about in the 90s.
Join me for this fun little adventure!
We’ll start with season one in just a bit!
