Dawson's Creek (Syndicated, TBS, TeenNick)
common sense media says
Mature, talky teens ponder life's complexities.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this series is all about teens who have a mature/adult vocabulary and general worldview (and quite the knack for pop culture references). As it follows them through high school and into college, the show deals with "typical" teen issues like sex, first loves, drinking, sexual orientation, depression, cheating in school, and parents' divorce. Of those, sex is probably one of the biggest themes; it's a frequent topic of discussion -- as well as action. Teens will likely find the characters' vocabulary, critical analysis, and maturity either inspiring or alienating.
Positive role models:
Although teen characters make mistakes, overall, they're responsible and conscientious and strive to have good relationships. Rebellion and teen angst (ie., a teen has an affair with his teacher) is left to specific characters.
Violence:
The rare fist-fght or car crash is used to teach an overall lesson.
Sex:
Sex is an ongoing, central issue throughout the series, and in its original run, the show had a bit of a racy reputation. Jen has a promiscuous past, and sex is taken seriously by all of the characters. Some episodes deal with teens losing their virginity. Both heterosexual and homosexual relationships are dealt with.
Language:
Relatively mild on the swearing front: "damn," "hell," "bitch," "ass," etc. More significant is the constant dialogue among the characters to work out issues or express feelings in a mature, articulate manner.
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Occasional teen drinking, but consequences and/or discipline is usually the result.
More on Dawson's Creek
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
taylorswift2122
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
f
this show is ok for mature teens , not to much kissng
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mryellowplaid
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
Perfection.
My favourite show ever. Have it all on DVD, even before the box-set came out.
You laugh, you cry, you feel their pain. Best show ever.
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Dylan.wilson
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
Dawsons Creek
I think the show has very good messages and shows the life of close knit friends as they take the journey of adolecense to adulthood and I agree there are very sexual themes in the show but it shows issues that many teens deal with like finding there sexual identity when one of the characters becomes openly gay and drinking which it shows the bad effects it can have, but there is also alot of death in the show which can make some episodes upsetting. But it truley is a show that defined a generation and this is all coming from a 14 year old.
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Capeside Fan
parent of 12 year old
parent of 12 year old
Dawson's Creek is one of a kind
This is an amazing show for kids and adults who never fit in, for those of us whose like and concerns varied and perhaps set us apart from the stereotypes we wonder if we wouldn't have been more comfortable and well-accepted to emulate. The show can laugh at itself, often lampooning the idea of an angst driven, post-modern Bleak House, or Our Town set to top-40 pop. This is an important fact to remember when you consider the choices of the characters, which really represent the choices of the writers, and of creator Kevin Williamson, who really tried to fuse recognizable late-90s Americana with a pre-911/pre-speculative bubble hopefulness and progressive hope. I loved this show, for years. It's sad to say, but for the inner James Taylors in all of us, who find ourselves facing "lonely times, when we (sic) could not find a friend," the Capeside crew provides a slightly sad but satisfying fake friendship presence for those days when we pretend to stay home sick, just to look out of the window and wonder about life. I must recommend one not watch too many episodes in a row, as it can be like watching a magicians trick over and over, the worst could happen and the underlying formula could get revealed.
It is a superior teen show, but I prefer to think of it as a unique look at a family of people we all wish we knew, or perhaps wish we were...so, therefore, literature at its cultural best.
- A fan
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gilmored6
adult
adult
Great coming of age show!!!
To be completely honest i started watching this show when i was quite young like ten and i didn't really get all of the sex references however i really wouldn't say 14 and older. i would say 12 and older because it is not that bad and the show itself is really good
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