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STUDIO: Sony Pictures
MSRP: $119.95
RATED: Not Rated
RUNNING TIME: 986 minutes
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Nothing
The Pitch
The Creek gang goes their own ways.
The Humans
James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson and Kerr Smith
The Nutshell
The gang has gone in five directions after High School ended. Pacey is a sailor or something. Dawson has gone to USC Film School to become another Valley douchebag. Jen and Jack are at Boston Bay College doing whatever you do there. Meanwhile, Joey is at Worthington College trying to impress tired college professors with her freshman wit. Cue the Paula Cole music, as the gang learns weekly lessons about life.
The Lowdown
Joey is are introduction into the new year and the new status quo. She’s having a harder time in college. Her new roommate Audrey isn’t helping things. So, what does our favorite brunette want more than anything else in the world? She wants the handsome English professor to fall deeply in love with her. Pacey seems to be long out of the picture.
Dawson’s Creek stumbles into its college years with a thud. The first couple of episodes are so split in their focus that it would scare off any new viewers. There’s a push to make Joey softer than she’s been since the first season, but it comes at a cost. Her roommate Audrey is made into every drunk college girl stereotype under the sun. Plus, you have to deal with Pacey secretly in Boston harbor. Everyone comes back together when Dawson’s dad dies, but it’s a little too late.
Dawson actually gets a moment to shine and reclaim his importance as the titular character. His anger and pain over his father’s death allows him to reconcile with his mom and her infidelity. The therapist subplot is shoe-horned, but it paves a path for Dawson to reunite with Jen. This eventually collapses, but Dawson gets to stay with Jen’s grandmother for free. So does the gay guy Jack, but his main role the season is to cram a fraternity angle into the season.
There’s some silly shit with Joey helping out a mugger that robbed her. If that wasn’t enough, you have to deal with new writers not knowing what to do with Pacey. He stumbles in and out of the restaurant business while taking the time to mack on Audrey. Hell, I haven’t even mentioned Busy Phillips. It’s fucking sad that she had to ride out on this show after Freaks and Geeks collapsed at NBC. That was such a better show. I should’ve been reviewing that.
When the fifth season ends, you know that the end is near. Everyone has been painted into a corner and they’ve got nowhere left to go. Dawson is going to reconcile with Pacey and Joey. Joey has to choose which dude she wants to bone for the rest of her life. Jen has to decide to grow up, while Jack has to keep filling the gay quota.
The Package
The Season 5 package doesn’t come with any special features. Hell, SONY gave up on giving a damn with this crapfest. The later special features on the bonus discs should make up for it, but I’ll throw that into the Season 6 coverage. How are you liking this so far? I bet you’re wondering why I’m not covering a better show. I’m wondering the same thing myself. I’ve got some cool BBC and Adult Swim stuff on deck. Give it a few days, it’ll get better.