I read a few critics here and, as I don´t know how old the people who left their comments are, I feel like some objectivity would be welcome. I watched this show as teenager and loved it immediately as I felt very close to the characters. The actors are obviously good and have the carreer we now know but, objectively, from season 5, it is no longer the same series. Seasons 1 to 4 are a great effort of expressing how teenagers can feel and the vocabulary that seems unrealistic is actually the only way for real teenagers who often don´t know how to voice them to recognize themselves. However, as in other successful shows, it was pushed to a season 5 and then 6 that, even I who was hooked, found completely inconsistent and watched only to see how the series would end (by the way, the end is very disappointing). I don´t really know which teenage shows are tuned now so it may still be better than others.

I kind of like the concept of a teen series where the characters talk in an unrealistically sophisticated way. However, the story is too much like soap opera for me, and the characters kind of annoying, difficult to believe in. And speaking of that, the fact that the actors are supposed to play 15-year-olds when they look much older really takes away from the experience, particularly because the age is important for the plot. For example, we have one of them flirting with his teacher, which is quite creepy given the ages of the characters. However the actor looks like a college graduate, so it's difficult to feel like this is a 15 year old we are talking about.

This show is surprisingly good for what it is (a drama for teenage viewers).It is nothing special and it does go to the melodrama well a bit much but isn't as close to being a soap opera as other shows from the same time like 90210 or Melrose. The audience is less mature as it is about high school kids.The actors are all pretty good for their age. This is the show that made Katie Holmes a star although the other actors in it have not done much since, other than Michelle Williams who comes into the show later on.Joshua Jackson is a good actor who pops up in movies once in a while and is still decent. James Vanderbeek who I guess was the "star" of the show probably suffers the most as he is identified as Dawson, and has not done much since, and what he has done to be honest wasn't that great.Good adults in the cast as well. The early seasons of this show are great but it goes a bit down the tubes in later years. I also think they relied too much on the romantic triangles between the core cast members, it gets old after a few years.

I haven't seen the first season for about 10 years. It was refreshing to see it again and fall in love again. The show isn't a masterpiece and there are bright spots and dull ones – like any show there are great episodse and sucky ones too. But this show is enjoyable entertainment, and for me it's like a guilty pleasure except I know too many people who love it to feel guilty. The D/J romance is actually handled well in Season 1. I would have liked more Pacey, but it is also good to see the adults play a larger role earlier on. I find the Mitch/Gale relationship to be very real. Season 2 is an excellent season overall. I enjoyed watching Pacey's growth and change. He really shone (and Joshua Jackson is amazing). It was great to see the new characters, Jack and Andie. The only downside I would say is that the Dawson/Joey romance gets repedative. It was okay in the early episodes of the seasons, but boring when they had another go at it near the end.Season 3 is my favourite season of Dawson's Creek, and the best. Why? Quite simply, because of Pacey and Joey. It is absolutely wonderful, enjoyable and satisfying to see their journey from reluctant friends, to closer friends to lovers. Much credit needs to go to Joshua Jackson for his portrayal of Pacey, as we go with him on his roller-coaster ride of emotions. He made the audience not only sympathize with Pacey's turmoil and pain of falling in love with his best friend's girl, but in being able to see Joey through his eyes… what it was about her that made him fall so madly in love. Katie Holmes steps up too, and has great chemistry with JJ. Unfortunately James Van Der Beek doesn't fare as well… Dawson often comes across as a petulant child. Season 4 follows the kid's last year in high school. Gale and Mitch are now reunited, and Joey and Pacey continue their romance. There are bumps along the way, but P/J always light up the screen and Joshua Jackson once again brings his talent for all to see. Katie Holmes shines when she's with him, they have great chemistry. Season 5 and 6 take a noticeable dive in quality with some not-so-believable plot lines, such as Pacey becoming a stockbroker. I think the writers really struggled with the move from high school to college and it shows, unfortunately. The best episodes of the last two seasons are the final 2 from season 6 and the last episodes of the series. We jump 5 years ahead to see the DC kids more mature, and get a resolution to the D/J vs. P/J love triangle that has been so prominent since season 3. Once again though, the best parts are definitely the Pacey and Joey scenes. Michelle Williams acts her ass off and brings the heartbreak, but in the end it's a satisfying conclusion to one of my beloved shows.