<em>Dawson's Creek</em> is recognized as one of the most influential teen dramas of all time, featuring iconic episodes with James Van Der Beek. Created by Kevin Williamson, Dawson’s Creek premiered on The WB in 1998 and successfully ran for six seasons until 2003. Today, Dawson’s Creek is celebrated as one of the best television shows ever.
Dawson’s Creek transports viewers to the small New England town of Capeside, Massachusetts, where 15-year-old Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek) and his best friends Joey Potter (Katie Holmes) and Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson) navigate the complexities of school, relationships, family, and friendships as teenagers.
Dawson’s Creek was immensely successful, becoming one of the standout TV shows of the 1990s and 2000s while launching the careers of its young cast. Tragically, James Van Der Beek passed away on February 11, 2026, but his legacy endures through the memorable episodes of Dawson’s Creek.
“Escape From Witch Island”
Season 3, Episode 7
Dawson’s Creek capitalized on the success of The Blair Witch Project with “Escape From Witch Island.” In this episode, Dawson, Joey, Pacey, and Jen (Michelle Williams) venture into Witch Island to film a documentary. While haunted by legends of witches, Jen and Pacey explore a different type of friendship while Dawson and Joey attempt to understand their relationship.
“Detention”
Season 1, Episode 7
Another notable episode is “Detention,” inspired by The Breakfast Club. In this episode, Dawson and his friends find themselves in detention where they play “Truth or Dare.” This game leads to unexpected kisses and forces them to confront their feelings for one another, including a kiss between Joey and Dawson that sparks jealousy from Jen and vice versa.
“True Love”
Season 3, Episode 23
The “True Love” episode is pivotal for Dawson’s relationship with Joey. In this episode, Joey ultimately decides she wants to be with Pacey but first informs Dawson about her decision before leaving with him.
While this is difficult for Dawson initially, he eventually understands that holding onto Joey prevents her happiness, leading him to let her go. This moment marks one of Dawson’s most mature decisions throughout Dawson’s Creek, contributing to the meme culture surrounding the show.
“The Anti-Prom”
Season 3 Episode 22
In “The Anti-Prom,” the group organizes a prom as a protest after Jack (Kerr Smith) is denied a ticket because his date is male. This event allows Dawson to ask Joey to be his date with hopes of rekindling their romance while Andie (Meredith Monroe) seeks reconciliation with Pacey.
However, Pacey and Joey’s feelings for each other become undeniable when Pacey recognizes a bracelet belonging to Joey’s mother—something even Dawson overlooked. Pacey delivers the memorable line “I remember everything,” which significantly impacts their relationships with each other as well as with Dawson.
“Parental Discretion Advised”
Season 2 Episode 22
The season finale of season two is particularly heartbreaking. Although Joey and Dawson have reunited, their happiness is short-lived when Dawson discovers that Joey’s father has returned to drug dealing. He faces a difficult decision about whether or not to inform Joey about this situation as it could alter their relationship forever.
The situation escalates when rivals of Joey’s father set fire to her family restaurant. Ultimately, this forces Dawson to confront the truth—a rare moment showcasing his maturity and commitment to protecting his loved ones.
“Beauty Contest”
Season 1 Episode 12
With an eye towards her future, Joey enters a local beauty contest to raise funds for her education. Meanwhile, Jen expresses regret over breaking up with Dawson just as Joey performs “On My Own,” igniting feelings within Dawson that reveal she means much more than just a friend.
“Sex, She Wrote”
Season 1 Episode 12
