This was one of the best episodes in the whole series for me.. The delivery of very powerful emotions was done perfectly by the (then) young cast. I rewatched it today and still felt the same feelings that I felt the first time I watched this episode, many many years ago..
6 Reviews
Déjà-vu
ttapola23 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Dawson's Creek does The Breakfast Club tribute! And it's brilliant! It's not forced - the series was practically begging for it. But Dawson's Creek doesn't just go for lots and lots of reverential or parodical references to the subject of tribute like too many "tributes" do, it takes the same scenario and makes it its own.
Much of the excellence of the episode rests upon the wild card that is Abby, who stirs up quite a drama. Sadly, this is the Freddy vs. Jason lead actress's second-most longest recurring/starring role in a TV series, which is a shame, since Monica Keena is one of those underrated actresses who got somehow stuck with almost only guest starring roles. We need a QT career revival! Well, at least she can probably claim the title of Most Adorable Goth Girl Character Ever for herself - unless Neil Gaiman's Death somehow makes it's way out of Development Hell and finds the perfect actress.
But Abby is only the catalyst. The true star turn in this episode comes from Katie Holmes, whose performance is unbelievably convincing. This episode cemented her status as the most talented of the Dawson's Creek "founding members". The only thing that robs this wonderful episode its 10th star is Dawson's unbelievable thick-headedness. It takes an impossible amount of suspension of disbelief to accept a plot where Dawson doesn't understand what Joey is talking about. No one is *that* thick. Sure, in order for the series to *run as long as possible* - which is what the makers naturally wanted at the time, things need to be kept "in reserve" for future episodes. These kind of commercial influences sadly come with almost every successful show that doesn't have a Five-Year Plan like Babylon 5. And even those that do, like Lost, may get stuck at the midpoint because the studio wants to milk the show. Still, this is a classic episode, just not perfect.
Much of the excellence of the episode rests upon the wild card that is Abby, who stirs up quite a drama. Sadly, this is the Freddy vs. Jason lead actress's second-most longest recurring/starring role in a TV series, which is a shame, since Monica Keena is one of those underrated actresses who got somehow stuck with almost only guest starring roles. We need a QT career revival! Well, at least she can probably claim the title of Most Adorable Goth Girl Character Ever for herself - unless Neil Gaiman's Death somehow makes it's way out of Development Hell and finds the perfect actress.
But Abby is only the catalyst. The true star turn in this episode comes from Katie Holmes, whose performance is unbelievably convincing. This episode cemented her status as the most talented of the Dawson's Creek "founding members". The only thing that robs this wonderful episode its 10th star is Dawson's unbelievable thick-headedness. It takes an impossible amount of suspension of disbelief to accept a plot where Dawson doesn't understand what Joey is talking about. No one is *that* thick. Sure, in order for the series to *run as long as possible* - which is what the makers naturally wanted at the time, things need to be kept "in reserve" for future episodes. These kind of commercial influences sadly come with almost every successful show that doesn't have a Five-Year Plan like Babylon 5. And even those that do, like Lost, may get stuck at the midpoint because the studio wants to milk the show. Still, this is a classic episode, just not perfect.
One of this series earliest and most memorable highlights......
andrelarios28 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Having just finished watching the entire series, I really believe this is one of the episodes that will come to mind whenever I think about Dawson's Creek. It works so well and it's just such a powerful piece of television.
The plot is very simple. On this episode, the gang gets stuck in detention for various reasons. The penitence serves as way for them to release all the anger and insecurity they've been keeping inside throughout this season. There is a lot of catharsis here, especially in the scenes involving Joey (Katie Holmes). Kudos to Abby (Monica Keena) as well for being the perfect instigator of all the truth and emotions that pours out of this episode.
What makes these 45 minutes works so well for me is because it's a great example of a bottle episode. Really, it does everything right. All of the characters are very relatable and there is a lot of development here. The best part is that we get to see an early glimpse of their dynamic together - which in my opinion was still yet to be explored in earlier episodes.
Also, there is a reference to Breakfast Club that really got me laughing. It's something that Kevin Williamson likes to do and it makes this show so self-aware.
The last scene has a very obvious (but still pungent) visual message. We see Dawson and Jen working through their relationship while Joey is crying at the middle of the frame in the background. It perfectly encapsulates the tension we feel between those three characters and the biggest obstacle in Dawson's current relationship: his best friend in the world.
Adolescence is a weird and complicated time of a person's life. This episode depicts it beautifully. I give it a 8, which in my ratings book for teen drama is: amazing.
The plot is very simple. On this episode, the gang gets stuck in detention for various reasons. The penitence serves as way for them to release all the anger and insecurity they've been keeping inside throughout this season. There is a lot of catharsis here, especially in the scenes involving Joey (Katie Holmes). Kudos to Abby (Monica Keena) as well for being the perfect instigator of all the truth and emotions that pours out of this episode.
What makes these 45 minutes works so well for me is because it's a great example of a bottle episode. Really, it does everything right. All of the characters are very relatable and there is a lot of development here. The best part is that we get to see an early glimpse of their dynamic together - which in my opinion was still yet to be explored in earlier episodes.
Also, there is a reference to Breakfast Club that really got me laughing. It's something that Kevin Williamson likes to do and it makes this show so self-aware.
The last scene has a very obvious (but still pungent) visual message. We see Dawson and Jen working through their relationship while Joey is crying at the middle of the frame in the background. It perfectly encapsulates the tension we feel between those three characters and the biggest obstacle in Dawson's current relationship: his best friend in the world.
Adolescence is a weird and complicated time of a person's life. This episode depicts it beautifully. I give it a 8, which in my ratings book for teen drama is: amazing.
The One With Detention...
taylorkingston3 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I love this episode. It's one of my all-time favorite episodes from the entire series, not just Season 1. I love how it's so similar to the plot of The Breakfast Club, but that it's not trying to hide that fact.
In this episode, everyone get's detention. Pacey does something I'd rather not say, Joey punched a sexist, douchey jock in the face, good one Joey, Dawson throws a basketball at Pacey's face after they get into a fight, Jen stands up to a teacher who was talking about God, which she should have and I'm very proud of her, and then even Abby was in detention. She said it was for an orgy, but it turned out to be for constant lateness to class. Anyway, they're all in Saturday detention, eight hours of detention. Which I understand detention after school, but I feel like the school shouldn't be able to take up a students' weekend. Their tensions are running high so they play Truth Or Dare, which leads to Pacey and Jen making out and Joey and Dawson making out. Super awkward.
Fun Fact: This episode is the first time that Joey and Dawson kiss.
Overall, I give this episode a 10 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Freaking Ridonkulous.
In this episode, everyone get's detention. Pacey does something I'd rather not say, Joey punched a sexist, douchey jock in the face, good one Joey, Dawson throws a basketball at Pacey's face after they get into a fight, Jen stands up to a teacher who was talking about God, which she should have and I'm very proud of her, and then even Abby was in detention. She said it was for an orgy, but it turned out to be for constant lateness to class. Anyway, they're all in Saturday detention, eight hours of detention. Which I understand detention after school, but I feel like the school shouldn't be able to take up a students' weekend. Their tensions are running high so they play Truth Or Dare, which leads to Pacey and Jen making out and Joey and Dawson making out. Super awkward.
Fun Fact: This episode is the first time that Joey and Dawson kiss.
Overall, I give this episode a 10 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Freaking Ridonkulous.
Unlike The Breakfast Club, they leave far less friends than were before detention..
CassieNewton11 September 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Truth or Dare
"Detention" is my favorite episode of the first season because of its central focus on the teenagers, for one day, in detention. I always enjoyed the truth or dare game because of the nonsense it created, and the basketball-to-the-face never fails to amuse me. The episode stands out because its the first to really build the relationships and conflicts between the characters. The previous six episodes barely had any scenes with Pacey and the others, and the scenes with the two girls and Dawson were all about Dawson's pursuit of Jen. Now, the characters finally hung for an entire episode and the audience understands the dynamic and conflicts between characters. I also love Monica Keenas performance of Abby Morgan.
During the game of "Truth or Dare," Jen and Pacey kiss as do Joey and Dawson. Joey balks when she's asked which boy she's in love with. Pacey balks when asked how he got detention. The kiss between Jen and Pacey affects Dawson because Pacey's represents everything Dawson lacks in sexual experience. His fears are relieved when Pacey reveals his embarrassing story of masturbation and Jen swears that she does, in fact, want him sexually..
The kiss between Joey and Dawson alerts everyone (but Dawson) of Joey's feelings towards her best friend..
"Detention" is my favorite episode of the first season because of its central focus on the teenagers, for one day, in detention. I always enjoyed the truth or dare game because of the nonsense it created, and the basketball-to-the-face never fails to amuse me. The episode stands out because its the first to really build the relationships and conflicts between the characters. The previous six episodes barely had any scenes with Pacey and the others, and the scenes with the two girls and Dawson were all about Dawson's pursuit of Jen. Now, the characters finally hung for an entire episode and the audience understands the dynamic and conflicts between characters. I also love Monica Keenas performance of Abby Morgan.
During the game of "Truth or Dare," Jen and Pacey kiss as do Joey and Dawson. Joey balks when she's asked which boy she's in love with. Pacey balks when asked how he got detention. The kiss between Jen and Pacey affects Dawson because Pacey's represents everything Dawson lacks in sexual experience. His fears are relieved when Pacey reveals his embarrassing story of masturbation and Jen swears that she does, in fact, want him sexually..
The kiss between Joey and Dawson alerts everyone (but Dawson) of Joey's feelings towards her best friend..
The best episode..so far
savinainenpihla21 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Very heavy breakfast club vibes, and the writers didn't even try to hide it.
There is nothing to hate about this episode. The pace was okay and it was refreshing to see a new character (and yes, at the beginning Abby made me want to gouge my eyes out because she was so annoying, but she grew on me) I love how this didn't try to make Joey like the sexist jock and instead punched him in the face, I haven't seen that much in other teen dramas.
The strong writing shines brightly here and the drama gets deeper as the five play truth or dare. There is never enough kissing in a tv episode, there just isn't. This episode mostly focused on the crushes and love lives of the characters, so I can understand why someone might skip this but there is geniune drama. I love how the reason Pacey was in detention was kept a secret until the end, the reveal at the end was nice. The ending alone was absolutely great, and really good acting from Katie Holmes! I'm excited to see what else this series has to offer.
There is nothing to hate about this episode. The pace was okay and it was refreshing to see a new character (and yes, at the beginning Abby made me want to gouge my eyes out because she was so annoying, but she grew on me) I love how this didn't try to make Joey like the sexist jock and instead punched him in the face, I haven't seen that much in other teen dramas.
The strong writing shines brightly here and the drama gets deeper as the five play truth or dare. There is never enough kissing in a tv episode, there just isn't. This episode mostly focused on the crushes and love lives of the characters, so I can understand why someone might skip this but there is geniune drama. I love how the reason Pacey was in detention was kept a secret until the end, the reveal at the end was nice. The ending alone was absolutely great, and really good acting from Katie Holmes! I'm excited to see what else this series has to offer.
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