Courtesy of the WB Childhood pals Joey (Holmes) and Dawson (Van der Beek) fall in love on

Bad acting causes 'Creek' to sink

It's not everyday that within a group of four friends one loses a grandfather and finds God, one forms a bond with an imprisoned father, and one has an adolescent dream come to life.

And it's not in every town that each citizen is capable of comfortably using a billion-word vocabulary.

Welcome to Capeside, where overenunciation and melodrama aren't merely forms of expression; they are a way of life.

Mediocre acting and out-of-control plot elements form the basis of the "Dawson's Creek" season finale. These young actors try to represent confused and troubled teens, but the audience only receives a two-dimensional picture of one-dimensional characters.

Jen (Michelle Williams) is the city mouse who has taken a break and moved into the suburbs. Her character is no more than a whiny, little girl who needs a man. Joey (Katie Holmes) is filled with bitter cynicism that can shatter anyone's dreams, but she is merely portrayed as the girl-next-door who never has anything positive to say.

Pacey (Joshua Jackson) strives to be the all-together guy who holds secrets of a troubled family life, but his sarcasm doesn't make him seem any more genuine.

Finally, the v-neck garbed Dawson (James Van Der Beek), a twisted hybrid of Jason Priestley and Charlie Brown, attempts to portray the innocent teen who yearns to learn the ways of the world. His naivete, however, is more annoying than refreshing.

REVIEW
	"Dawson's Creek" season finale The WB Network Tuesday, 9 p.m. 3 stars

Although also not refreshing, this particular finale is slightly different than others. Throughout the show, almost every problem, conflict or hormonal imbalance is solved in some way.

Joey is able to initiate a resolution of sorts between herself and her inmate father. Jen, after her grandfather's death, decides to give her grandmother's religion a chance. Finally, Dawson and Joey act on the excruciatingly annoying sexual tension between them since the birth of "Dawson's Creek." In fact, the only plot element that has not been resolved is the tension between Pacey and his family.

These resolutions may seem great for the viewer - no cliffhangers, no time spent wondering, "What will happen next?"

But the downside is that now the show has nowhere to go.

The viewer has no reason to spend the summer in anticipation of next season. But maybe the plot will take a sharp turn in the show's season premiere. At the very least, hopefully the actors and actresses will gain a little more talent.

05-18-98