Basic Teen TV: Dawson's Creek Rewatch

Today's episode is one we truly, deeply hoped we'd never have to record. But… here we are. James Van Der Beek passed away on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, after a two‑year battle with colon cancer. And listen… even after spending nearly a decade watching Dawson's Creek, we still weren't prepared for the gut punch of this news. Yes — we really have been doing this podcast that long, and no, we don't want to talk about it. As the hosts of Basic Teen TV, we never expected this actor — someone who first entered our lives through a '90s teen drama — to become such a constant presence that he essentially set up camp in our lives. So we wanted to record a short episode to honor him. Something small, something honest. A way to process what his loss means — not just for us, but for the generation that grew up watching him navigate heartbreaks far bigger than the creek he stood beside. James wasn't just a familiar face from TV; he shaped a generation's emotional vocabulary. He was a cultural touchstone for millennials — a man whose single tear could launch a thousand memes and still somehow make us feel something real. His passing hit us harder than expected. But here's the thing: while James may be gone, what he gave us isn't. The warmth, the vulnerability, the sincerity he brought to every role — it stays. His legacy, especially his unforgettable portrayal of Dawson Leery, will stay with us forever. Because if there's anything James taught us, it's that you can cry dramatically and still keep going. Support for James Van Der Beek's Family Colorectal Cancer Alliance American Cancer Society Susan G. Komen The V Foundation for Cancer Research  

We have FINALLY made it to the final episode of Season 5, "Swan Song." Five years of our lives down the drain watching Dawson's Creek. So, we had to take this episode in chronological order because of all the madness. Everyone in Capeside is at the airport and everyone has a storyline. Some people make some very wrong decisions and some maybe make some surprising decisions. The majority of this episode takes place in the airport as we see the gang heading off (or not) for their summer adventures. A lot of shit goes down so we had to take this episode piece by piece. I do have to note that we sing A LOT in this episode…like more than usual so enjoy that...Lol!

We are yet again baffled by the title of episode 22, "The Abby" but whatever. We give up. Moving on! Quite a few of our favorite cast members deal with some family dramas in this episode. Joey visits her father in jail but he's been paroled and didn't tell her. Dawson has a very interesting conversation with his dad at his grave and struggles to tell Joey that he's gotten an exciting opportunity in LA for the summer. Jen is confronted with an invitation from her estranged parents so will she go on an epic summer adventure with Jack or not. But the real juice of this episode surrounds Pacey and his inappropriate relationship with his boss, Alex. It is a crazy, wild, insane compilation of scenes that almost takes Pacey's life!

Ooooh, this Alex Pearl and her triangle eyebrows is an evil woman! So today we are discussing episode 21 called "After Hours." Before we get to all of the drama that is Alex Pearl, it seems like everyone else is preparing for their finals and by everyone we mean Joey. Jack is giving a valiant effort and y'all get to hear my really awesome bro expression. Audrey is pretending to study but she's only concerned about Pacey and what may or may not be going on with Alex. And let's not forget about Dawson who also foregoes any studying to have a slutty night with the movie critic from the previous episode. Didn't think we'd see this chick again. Finally, we hold the juiciest part of this episode until the end - Alex and Pacey. Alex is turning out to be a bit cray and sends Pacey insane mixed messages.

Yet again, Dawson's Creek pushes the boundaries with adults and children. We're introduced to the next DC villain, Alex Pearl, and her possible illegal maneuvers toward Pacey. Meanwhile, Joey thoroughly enjoys that Charlie doesn't know all of the ins and outs of her life. Dawson trie s to break out on his own and distance himself from Oliver who went insane during their meeting with a NYC movie agent.

They are not "100 Light Years From Home." So stupid...these episode titles! Anyway, it's spring break y'all!! And things do not get wild, but the gang is treated to free passes to the MTV Spring Break Beach House where all the drama ensues. Meanwhile, Dawson and Oliver are supposed to go to New York to meet with a producer, agent, or someone important in New York about their movie but no, they make a detour so Dawson can tell Joey that he's in love with her…AGAIN! And in case you were wondering, Cyndi figured out after that watching a whole season of Dawson's Creek is equal to watching Oppenheimer 7 times! Dang! That is a lot, y'all! 

We also like to speak in metaphors and going strong are mozzarella sticks and marinara sauce. Take a guess as to what those are referring to...no wrong answers. LOL! So in this week's episode we see Dawson and Oliver premiere their unfinished movie to their friends which turns into one hot big mess and throughout this episode we're just taken through small vignettes between the gang. There is a "are they, aren't they" dance with Joey and Charlie. Jen is taken off guard by Grams's new man friend. Audrey takes Pacey on a very stupid emotional rollercoaster involving her "number." Dawson inadvertenly insults the movie critic there to review his film but she tricks him into kissing her to make up for it, and in the process throwing her journalistic ethics out the window.

So the "Highway to Hell" that was this episode features an insane road trip that Pacey, Audrey, Joey, and Charlie took so that we could all be treated with another scene of Joey singing a whole song! But this ridiculous road trip storyline was only to facilitate the burgeoning mutual crush between Joey and Charlie. And Victoria was having a hell of a time keeping the characters' names straight because of the incestuous nature of Dawson's Creek.

So we ARE back to regularly scheduled programming and three distinct storylines are happening in this episode. But the major takeaway is that some relationships are heating up while others may be cooling off. Guesses on who's getting hot and who's feeling a chill!!

The DC writers were on some shit while writing this crazy, insane, batt-shit crazy episode. Joey gets robbed for 30-45 minutes, the robber gets run down by a hit-and-run driver and his whole family seems to be a reflection of Joey's life. Like what was this episode?