*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! 🙂

Do not read if you do not want to know about tonight’s episode of Dawson’s Creek.

So Love Bites tore me up. Seriously. I was teary for most of the episode. I can’t believe after all the crap it has put me through (see season 5), the darn show still has an effect on me. Damn it, I really am going to miss it when it’s gone. Only 5 more episodes.

I love Joey but can she get any more wishy-washy?!? The girl needs to learn to make a decision. I can’t for the life of me understand why she would lead Pacey on only to stomp all over his heart when Eddie comes back. Now, I don’t dislike Eddie (I actually thought they were cute during the Christmas episode) but the writers were the ones who dropped the ball. They could have left P/Jo dead and buried. I accepted that. But then 4 episodes ago, they brought up the possibility of P/Jo reuniting — and I really don’t want to let it go that easily.

But the storyline that had me bawling was Jen and Grams. It hit a little too close to home for me. And let me just say that Michelle Williams and Mary Beth Piel are amazing — their tight hug said it all.

Some quotes I liked:
Dawson: Pace, I think after all we’ve been through together that we don’t have to worry about it getting awkward.
Pacey: Well, yes, we’ve certainly been through awkward, but we’ve never been through “I’m broke and it’s all your fault.”

Patrick: Yeah, I don’t know why I should be taking advice from you. Like you’re some kind of Yoda when it comes to the chicks.
Pacey: Have you seen my date?
Patrick: Tell me more, Sensai.

Pacey: So what, you’re scared. Right? You’re scared. And so am I, believe me. And I’m scared because I don’t know where this thing is going, Jo. As in, I think it could go anywhere. This could be it.
Joey: It won’t be.
Pacey: How could you possibly know that? I mean, really. Last week, you’re onboard, and now you’re just psychically telling me that this could never be something great. You can’t possibly know that, because we don’t know that, Joey.

Pacey: Don’t tell me that you’re not scared, because I know that you are. I mean, I’ve known you too long and seen you push away too many good things to let you push me away right now. My whole life, Joey, my whole life you have been the most beautiful thing in my orbit. And my feelings for you were what proved to me that I could be great. And those feelings were stronger and were wiser and more persistent and more resilient than anything else about me.

Grams: Jennifer… I am not ready to die yet. Come here. (Waaahhhhhh!)

And did anyone see the preview for next week? They’re following up an emotionally heavy episode with THAT?!?