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Season guide

Dawson's Creek: Season 1

13 episodes Premiered Jan 20, 1998 Updated Jul 20, 2026

Dawson's Creek is an American teen drama television series that premiered in 1998. The program focuses on the lives of a close-knit group of friends living in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts. The narrative follows these characters as they navigate the challenges of their formative years, beginning in high school and continuing into college. The series explores various aspects of the teenage experience,

Season overview

Dawson's Creek is an American teen drama television series that premiered in 1998. The program focuses on the lives of a close-knit group of friends living in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts. The narrative follows these characters as they navigate the challenges of their formative years, beginning in high school and continuing into college. The series explores various aspects of the teenage experience, including family dramas, peer pressure, and self-esteem issues. The central character, an idealist named Dawson Leery, is depicted alongside his friends as they transition through these life stages. As an American teen drama, the show is categorized within the drama and soap genres. The series ran from 1998 until 2003, documenting the progression of its characters through their academic and personal developments. The show is characterized by the tagline that it marks the end of something simple and the beginning of everything else. The production features a full cast and crew responsible for portraying the fictional lives of the group as they face the complexities of growing up.

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Episodes

S1·E1

Pilot

Jan 20, 1998 · 44 min

Film-buff Dawson finds his best friend, Joey, growing jealous of his attraction to a neighbor's granddaughter. Meanwhile, pal Pacey falls in love with a mystery woman, who is reall

S1·E2

Dance

Jan 27, 1998 · 45 min

Dawson casts Jen as the new leading lady in his film, but creates a messy off-camera scene during her date at the school dance. Meanwhile, Joey confronts Mrs. Leery about her liais

S1·E3

Kiss

Feb 3, 1998 · 44 min

While working on the film class's movies, team player Dawson has a hard time being stuck in the background. Meanwhile as he plots to give Jen the "perfect kiss", Joey is swept away

S1·E4

Discovery

Feb 10, 1998 · 44 min

Dawson turns to Jen after learning of his mom's affair, and Joey's knowledge of it. But he regrets doing so when she tells him some of her problems; meanwhile Pacey and Tamara cont

S1·E5

Hurricane

Feb 17, 1998 · 44 min

When a major hurricane moves inland, all take refuge in the Leery home, where Dawson rages at Jen about her past, and Mitch storms out after learning of Gale's affair. That leaves

S1·E6

Baby

Feb 24, 1998 · 43 min

Capeside is abuzz with rumors of a teacher's indiscretion, rumors that prove fateful for Pacey and Tamera. Meanwhile, Joey and Jen get a life lesson when Bessie is aided by an unli

S1·E7

Detention

Mar 3, 1998 · 45 min

In what is said to be one of the best episodes, the gang, after committing various violations at school, gets stuck together for an 8 hour Saturday detention, where Dawson and Pace

S1·E8

Boyfriend

Mar 10, 1998 · 44 min

Dawson feels the heat when Jen is visited by an old boyfriend; Joey lets off a bit too much steam at a beach party and ends up in a sticky situation; and tensions between Mitch and

S1·E9

Roadtrip

Mar 17, 1998 · 44 min

Hoping to get over Jen, Dawson agrees to join Pacey and Billy in a boys night out and finds what he is looking for in another woman. Meanwhile Jen handles damage control after Joey

S1·E10

Double Date

Apr 28, 1998 · 44 min

A double date finds Jen and Cliff joined by Dawson and a savvy sidekick who calls him on a plot to make Jen jealous. But it's Dawson turn to turn green when Pacey grows close to Jo

S1·E11

The Scare

May 5, 1998 · 43 min

In honor of Friday the 13th, Dawson, plans a séance for the gang, they are all spooked by reports of a serial killer heading towards Capeside.

S1·E12

Beauty Contest

May 12, 1998 · 44 min

Joey and Pacey enter a beauty competition; Jen regrets her breakup with Dawson.

S1·E13

Decisions

May 19, 1998 · 45 min

In the season finale, Dawson and Joey confront their true feelings. Joey, visits her father in prison, and debates leaving to go to France.