*sniff*

I still can’t believe that Dawson’s Creek is over. I know it sounds completely corny and schmaltzy but this show has meant so much to me during the past 6 years — it carried me through the craziness of my college years and has been my escape in the years following. And even though there were some bad times (see: pretty much all of season 5), I’d say that tonight’s finale was a fitting and, for me, satisfying way to end the series.

I think much of what touched me about the episode was the dialogue, the music and the callback to the earlier seasons — I really do think that having Kevin Williamson back to pen the finale was a great move. I can’t quite put my finger on it but there was a little more heart behind the words. You can really truly tell that KW loves these characters and wanted to give them a proper good-bye. And many kudos to the actors as well — Michelle, Katie, Josh, James, and Kerr were amazing — they turned in great performances, probably in large part to the good material they were actually given to work with.

I enjoyed all the little behind the scenes clips that the WB showed during the breaks — very cool. I laughed out loud at the show being dubbed in Spanish. I giggled as they made fun of their hair through the years. And I smiled as Katie said in an interview “I was pretty thrilled by the ending. It’s the way it should be, I would say.” 😉

As for the down and dirty details…
Beware: this is totally random — I wrote most of this as I was watching (and re-watching!) the episode —

The teaser was a great opening — it was a completely self-aware moment of the show. Christopher making fun of Joey for watching the show was totally a shoutout to the fans —
Christopher: You are “possess[ed]… every Wednesday at 8 o’clock” by a “supernatural portal of teen angst.”
Joey: “I have an emotional connection to it you wouldn’t understand.” (That’s me!)
Christopher: “Will Sam choose Petey? Will Sam choose Colby? Find out next week as we continue to beat a dead dog all the way to syndication!” BWAH!

I was spoiled so the Doug and Jack’s relationship (and kisses!) didn’t take me by surprise. What *did* surprise me was that I actually liked them and their banter — calling each other “honey” and “dude”, the handcuffs. I’m really glad these two crazy kids will be raising Jen’s daughter — lucky girl. 😉

Aww, Pacey named his restaurant the IceHouse. He *so* loves Joey. 🙂 I didn’t really like the way the writers showed us that Pacey is in a relationship that can’t go anywhere — because the woman is married! And I especially couldn’t stand when he was being beat up by the woman’s husband and his friends. My poor Pacey!

Jen was positively glowing and beautiful throughout the entire episode! *sigh* And her baby Amy is so adorable. She was so cute in the group scene at the IceHouse — “You guys are the best friends I’ve ever had in my life. I love you so much. That is all. Good night.” Why did she have to die?!?

I loved all the Jack and Jen scenes, even though they had me all choked up and crying. 🙁
Jen: “I feel like I never really did.”
Jack: “Jen, you belong. You belong to me.” <– This had me in tears!

I fell in love with Pacey and Joey all over again when they see each other for the first time. They shared a huge bear hug and genuinely happy smiles. Awww. Then their dance at Gale’s wedding was just… wonderful. The little dip and the kiss — yowzers! The sparks are still there. 🙂 I loved the scene at the wake when they were trying to be honest with themselves and with each other — Pacey trying to let Joey “off the hook” — “The simple act of being in love with you is enough for me.” Yet Joey won’t have it — “Pacey, I love you. You know that. It’s very real – so real it’s kept me running. Never ready for it.” But now they are — and it made me so happy to see them together at the end sitting in Joey’s apartment together watching “The Creek.”

I’m glad the resolution to the triangle wasn’t the focus of the episode — and that it was a natural progression. They made it clear that Dawson and Joey had an unbreakable bond of friendship (I really loved their last scene together as they promised each other “You and me, always.”) while Pacey and Joey had the romance and fireworks.

Random observations:
I loved seeing the erase board with the character/story arc chart in the writers’ room for “The Creek.” So cool! I love that. Hee! to Dawson’s assistant saying “You have to talk to Ben today. He has no idea that his character’s coming out of the closet. He’s going to lose it.” Kerr, I’m looking at you!

I also liked that Dawson’s room in Capeside had a bunch of pictures and articles of him and his show — they even recreated Katie’s Rollingstone cover!

What was with all the wine in this episode? It seemed like Joey had a glass in her hand at all times or something. Weird.

Memorable quotes:
Jen (to Jack): “If you think that anything of any value in this world comes at an easier price, you?d be wrong.”

Joey: “Dreams aren’t perfect Dawson. They come true, not free.”

Jen (to Jack): “At first the odds were good. But you know me and odds.”

Pacey (to the gang in response to his going to see Jen first): “Send in the clown, huh?”

Pacey (to Joey): “It’s like I was walking around seeing my life through a smudged window. When I saw you, the smudges were gone. The window was clean.”

Joey (to Jen): “I know who I’m supposed to be with. I’ve always known.”

Grams (to Jen, just after she passes away): “I’ll see you soon, child. Soon.”

Sorry for the rambling — I couldn’t help it, I loved the finale! 🙂