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The extended cut of the finale runs 104 minutes, about 16 longer than when it was broadcast in May 2003. Unlike deleted scenes on movie DVDs, each addition seems like a useful part of the story, and the DVD borrows a helpful feature from the Lord of the Rings extended editions by designating on the chapter menu which scenes are new or extended. Some differences are minor, but there are significant new scenes with Joey at work, Joey and her boyfriend (Jeremy Sisto of Six Feet Under), Joey and Dawson's reunion in Capeside, and Pacey's conversation with old flame Andie (Meredith Monroe).
As they did for two episodes of Dawson's Creek: The Complete First Season, creator Kevin Williamson (who co-wrote the finale) and executive producer Paul Stubin provide a commentary track in which they discuss the new scenes and which characters were originally intended to end up together. There are also four scenes that were filmed for the original pilot presentation (not the finished pilot shown in season one) then reshot. There's a small but important difference in the last scene, Pacey meets Tamara Jacobs in a different video store, and Dawson's dad is played by a different actor before the role was recast with John Wesley Shipp. --David Horiuchi
Part Two: As the gang faces a future more uncertain than ever before, Joey struggles to come to terms with her true feelings for Dawson, Pacey and her current boyfriend. When she finally does, she surprises everyone with her decision.
It certainly makes up in quality for the disappointing last two seasons of the show, and puts the characters all back in that place we found them, the fictional seaside town of Capeside, MA.
Although I personally could have done without the tragic melodrama, I thought this was a perfect series ender because of one important reason: they finally got it right.
I don't think anyone who has watched these characters over the years and has become invested in their stories can help but feel cheated in how they were treated in the show's final two seasons. But all wrongs seem to be righted here and we are treated to wonderful moments between the core group of Jack, Jen, Dawson, Pacey and Joey.
The issue of the Dawson-Pacey-Joey triangle is also wrapped up perfectly, as the Dawson and Joey saga had been played out to a tired, gasping death over the years. All that we really ever saw of these two was how wrong they were for each other and how miserable they made each other. All in the name of soap operatic drama, I know...but they definitely crossed the line into relationship purgatory with this story and it actually would have been depressing should they have chosen to go with that ending.
Pacey and Joey, on the other hand, had an actual romantic love story that we got to see unfold on screen over the span of a couple of seasons, a nice slow burn from from the first spark of secret feelings tentatively explored to falling head-over-heels in love and literally sailing off into the sunset (another reason why the Dawson and Joey ending would have fell flat in comparison). These two characters were simply a delight to watch when they were together and their undeniable chemistry is also highlighted here (and even discussed at length by the show's creator in the commentary, which, by the way, is worth the price of the DVD alone for any fan of the show from the beginning).
There are deleted scenes included that don't really do a lot to add to the plot, but are fun to watch: a nice scene between Pacey and his brother Doug and the return of Andie for a decent good-bye her fans never got. There is also a great montage at the end that didn't air on television that is a wonderful added bonus.
This is a must-buy DVD for any true fan of the show. If you can get past that notion that Joey for some sad and inexplicable reason was supposed to end up romantically with her best friend Dawson, then you will be able to sit back and appreciate it for what it is: a truly, wonderful good-bye present to its fans.
Again, the commentary by Kevin Williamson and Paul Stupin is just terrific and so fun to listen to.