The Shakespearean television show Dawson’s Creek taught us how to love and it did so from the very beginning when the opening theme song started to play. For those not familiar with Dawson’s Creek we’ll continue with a Shakespearean analogy.
Imagine if instead of Romeo & Juliet it was Romeo, Juliet and James Van Der Beek. So Juliet loves Romeo. Romeo loves Juliet. Or does he? You see, in this scenario Romeo grew up best friends with James Van Der Beek and what he thought was an unbreakable friendship was really the seedlings of a romance for the ages. At the end of Romeo & Juliet both teenagers succumb to their emo faze and die. However, in Dawson’s Creek, at the end of season 1, Romeo and James Van Der Beek get together.
Shakespeare did not take advantage of the fame generated by Romeo & Juliet and made no sequels (granted he did kill his main leads). However, over at Dawson’s Creek they knew how to capitalize on a good thing and continued for 6 seasons.
Around the world, philosophers to this day, still debate about what was the true essence of Dawson’s Creek that kept it going for so long at such a high quality. Some theorize it is the purity of love expressed through the tale. Such as James Van Der Beek’s parents becoming swingers, a side love story about a female teacher and a male student or even the love interest Jen from season 1 bragging about losing her virginity to a trucker named Bubba. The love shone through the tv brighter than any piece of cinema man has ever produced.
An opposing view behind Dawson’s Creek’s success lies in the quality of its opening theme song: I Don’t Want to Wait performed by Paula Cole. Some believe that Paula Cole cast a siren song upon the viewers entrancing them to watch the entire episode of Dawson’s Creek in a dazed hypnotized state. Paula was inspired to write the song as an ode to her grandparent’s lives which makes it fitting for a high school love triangle. Like the second stanza about World War 2 that high schoolers in the 90s can definitely relate to:
She had two babies
One was six months one was three
In the war of ‘44
Every telephone ring
Every heartbeat stinging
When she thought it was God calling her
Oh, would her son grow to know his father
To the heart of the matter, Paula Cole teaches a very powerful lesson. Life should be streamlined and there is no better way to do this than with ultimatums. Which brings us to the chorus:
I don’t want to wait
For our lives to be over
I want to know right now
What will it be
I don’t want to wait
For our lives to be over
Will it be yes or will it be sorry?
A key question is left ambiguous. Is Paula talking to her lover in this scenario or is she with a fortune teller who is currently peering into the future and she is growing impatient wondering if the guy she just met on a first date is truly the one? This will be another one of those questions philosophers will debate for ages but for now let’s assume it’s a direct conversation with her lover.
A common misconception is that over time, in a relationship you begin to grow together. Two lives fusing into one. Paula knew given 1 year or 100 years, relationships don’t evolve. So if time doesn’t matter you might as well ask someone “what will it be?” within the first five minutes of meeting them. The benefit of the ultimatum is you figure out one way or another and can quickly move on with minimal “time wasted. Similar to the efficiency of a drive thru at a fast food chain. One person to the next, “what will it be?” next “what will it be?” next….
Joey, the female lead in the Dawson’s Creek love triangle felt the tension of an ultimatum. Either to date James Van Der Beek or to date Not James Van Der Beek. For Joey, the pressure caused her to choose neither human male and instead pop like a champagne cork and end up in Paris at the close of the show in 2003.
In 2003 and 2004 there were a total of 45 terrorist attacks in France but 0 deaths. One can’t help but wonder if Joey had something to do with saving the lives of these Frenchmen. The benefits of ultimatums- in this case not falling for the ultimatum- is clearly shown in the Joey right time right place to save French lives scenario.
Back in Big D’s Creek, James Van Der Beek lives without his Romeo. At first, James didn’t take it too well until he watched Dawson’s Creek reruns and listened closely to the opening theme song.
So open up your morning light
And say a little prayer for I
You know that if we are to stay alive
And see the peace in every eye
At this point James knew he had reached an ultimatum. Either mourn Joey’s absence or find other fulfillment in life. No one remembers exactly what he accomplished but we all remember that James Van Der Beek is a friend to all of man. We assume he traveled the world feeding the starved, uniting the war torn and preaching the beauty of a life with ultimatums. To this day the most widely celebrated holiday is the 7-day festivities celebrating his achievements known as James Van Der Week.