Jerry D

Accepted early to USC, Dawson finds his last night in Capeside has arrived much sooner than everyone had originally anticipated. While Dawson looks forward to spending the evening with Joey, Jack and Jen, Mitch has other ideas. Meanwhile, Dawson's not the only goodbye Jen has in store for her, as she bids farewell to the house she's been sharing with Grams. Finally, Joey says goodbye to Dawson in her own way.

Jerry D

Hi everyone! Here's what I wrote about this episode at the time that it aired:

I really enjoyed this heartwarming episode, as Dawson Leery bid farewell to his family, his friends, and to Joey Potter, the young woman with whom he had shared every major event of both their lives with. Still though, I felt this episode was very reminiscent of Season One, as it focused on families and friends tested by imminent changes in their lives, and it recalled a simple time when two very special friends shared an exceptional bond that touched all of our hearts. Like the title of this episode, “Coda,” I feel that this episode signified an end and a beginning, as some of the characters that we’ve grown to love so much spent one last day and evening together, recalling their past, as they looked to their future. At the same time, however, I think this episode acknowledged that a lot had changed between all these characters, and that they’ve very different people from the teenagers we met three and a half years ago.

I enjoyed seeing this episode open up with a movie night in Dawson’s room, as every episode of Season One and part of Season Two did, and it seemed fitting that Dawson would film the movie that had started them all on a new phase of their lives, “Sea Creature From The Deep.” I thought Dawson and Joey’s roles seemed reversed in this scene, with Joey being the cheerfully optimistic person, while Dawson spoke glumly about his future, reflecting his fears about what lay before him, and I thought it spoke volumes about how much they had changed over the years, and how Dawson and Joey had “rubbed off” on each other in many ways. I was glad to see Dawson act as a concerned friend as he asked Joey if she had heard from Pacey, but I was saddened to see Joey denigrate her relationship with Pacey in a dismissive way in not only that scene, but in several other scenes as well, much like she had denigrated her relationship with Dawson to Pacey several times this year. Still though, I was happy to see Dawson and Joey just hanging out as friends and enjoying each other’s company, and more importantly, acknowledging that they enjoyed each other’s company.

I took pleasure in seeing Dawson and Joey and Jack and Jen hanging out at The Ruins, which I actually got to see when I was in Wilmington, and I loved it when Joey said “Bite me!” to Dawson! I loved seeing the easy rapport that all these friends had with one another, and I especially enjoyed seeing the honesty that Dawson and Jack and Joey and Jen expressed to one another as both Jack and Jen questioned Dawson and Joey about their feelings about Dawson’s imminent departure, and the possibility that Dawson might want to stay and spend the summer with Joey, and how they were able to make Dawson and Joey cut to the heart of their feelings for one another. I also thought it was fitting that they all went to watch “American Graffiti,” which was a movie about another group of friends enjoying one last night together before one of them had to leave.

I must say that I was a bit disappointed in Dawson and Jen’s farewell to one another, because although it was sweet and touching, I would have loved to have seen more heartfelt words between these two characters who had been through so much together, and I would have liked for them to have acknowledged their journey from Dawson being a boy who was hopelessly infatuated with a dream girl from New York who hid a deeply wounded soul beneath her beautiful but melancholy exterior, to supportive and loving friends who were there for each other in key times of their lives, but like in real life, sometimes we don’t get to say everything that we feel when we’re saying goodbye.

I could completely understand Mitch’s misguided but heartfelt attempt to somehow exert one last measure of control over a son he wasn’t ready to let go of, but I could also understand Dawson’s desire to live his own life, and I thought that Gale was very perceptive in seeing the willful pride that father and son both shared, and Dawson and Mitch’s final scene together was moving and sincere, as Mitch learned to let go, and Dawson expressed the love for the man who had not only given him life, but had affected his life in so many positive ways.

I was moved watching Grams recall the early years of her marriage, and her comment about Jen and her friends being “dour” was humorous and true. I especially enjoyed seeing Grams reminisce about the summer parties the owners of the beach houses used to have, especially when she talked about hearing the music of Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra drifting across the water, because they’re my two favorite singers of all time, and like Jen said, that really must have been magic.

I loved seeing the scene involving Dawson and Pacey’s telephone conversation, and I was moved when Pacey told Dawson that he regretted not saying goodbye to him, and I was glad to see Pacey acknowledge that for a long time being Dawson’s best friend was all that he really cared about, and that he wanted Dawson to hear it from him that despite everything that had happened between them, and the miles they had between them right now, he still thought about the way things were, and I was so happy that Dawson told Pacey that he was proud of him. I really hope that next season will see the renewal of a friendship that had been so badly torn apart, but which Dawson and Pacey, and people like myself who loved Pacey and Dawson’s friendship, all miss so badly.

I thought that Dawson and Joey’s initial goodbye to each other was awkward and bittersweet, as Joey tried to put on a mask of false bravado, and neither one of them could find the words to say what they felt in their hearts, and they both tried to turn back to each other, but couldn’t. I was later glad to see that both Dawson and Joey realized that they hadn’t said goodbye to each other in the way that they should, and express what was in their hearts, and it was moving that their final scene together involved them watching ET, just like they did in “Emotions In Motion” when we first met them, and it recalled the close bond that they once shared. Somehow, though, although the setting was the same, much had changed between these two once inseparable friends, as Joey acknowledged the soap opera like events which had forever altered their special friendship. Still though, after everything that had happened to them, Dawson and Joey had the ability to reach each other on an emotional level like no one else ever could, and it recalled for many of us why we called these two young people soulmates.

I was glad that Joey acknowledged how “incredible” Dawson was, as she sweetly recounted the life he was bound to have in California without her, and this scene was filled with all of the special magic of Dawson and Joey’s relationship, the banter and the sweetness, the friendship and the love, that made these characters so unique to so many of us. I loved it when Joey recalled when Dawson kissed her, calling it one of the life altering events of her life, and I especially loved it when she told Dawson that it was a pretty powerful thing when you get your biggest wish in one moment.

I was happy when Joey asked Dawson to stay, but I was also happy when Dawson said that he had to move on, as this chapter of his life was over, because he was completely correct. I loved seeing the honesty and the pure emotion displayed between Dawson and Joey in this scene, as she asked him, “Do you believe in magic?” because Joey was right, because there truly was pure magic in Dawson and Joey’s beautiful friendship, and I thought it was fitting that these two very special friends would bid each other a tender and emotional goodbye as they shared a few sweet, wistful kisses, so different from the passionate kiss which had changed their lives forever three years before, but ending with their two silhouettes embracing in Dawson’s window, like at the end of “Breaking Away.”

Overall, I thought this episode was a fitting ending to this chapter in the lives of the young people we’ve grown to love and care about, and I think it leaves us all with a fresh slate for next season, as these characters enter a new phase of their lives, far away from the security and comfort of their beloved Capeside.

Maria Kr.

Wow...:'( I've never actually seen this episode, but just by the way people talk about it, makes me want to see it so bad. The recap you wrote made me tear up. I'm looking forward to reading what people have to say about this episode, and please post alot of caps, i want to absorb as much of that episode as i can..

~AnastasiaGrey~

This episode for the most part, I really enjoy because it gave me the season 1 back and it felt like it was tying things up with everyone before they went off the college and it was really a great episode.

Dawson/Joey : Their moments together was great, I loved teh antipation of saying goodbye to them was having a impact on them individually. Neither one wanted to let gp, but they knew they had to anywa. I was glad that they relived the E/T movie it just showed how much they both grew and mature over they years but it also was making a point on hard it was for them to be apart from each other. I actually cried because I thought hey lets let something happen and of course it did but it was just magical I felt really good watching it.


Pacey/Dawson: I was so happy to hear pacey called dawson and they both wished them luck and I am glad they were able to get to understanding and though they were far apart, their friendshiip still meant the world to them.

COOLCAT200

This is one of the most special episodes and it holds a very special place in my heart because It shows the incredible bond Dawson and Joey have.To me this episode is truly what Dawson's Creek is all about. I don't need broken hearts,Best friends hating one another and shattered relationships for an episode to have drama for me. Even an episode of just talking can have drama and for me this is a great example of it.

I just loved the opening scene and that they watched sea creature of the deep. I loved how Dawson said despite the mutual misery he's had a fun time hanging out with Joey and he didn't want it to end and she agreed.

You could see Mitch was struggling with Dawson leaving as I am sure any father would and I can understand him wanting to spend as much time as possible with his son but I can also understand Dawson wanting to spend some of his time with his friends. I loved Dawsons talk with Jack because it would not take a rocket scientist to figure out Dawson had to be thinking of spending the summer with Joey as Jack said. Jen and Joeys talk was nice Jen has always been very wise of course she knew Joey was going miss Dawson. When Dawson drooped Joey off you could tell you they both had more things to say to 1 another and just the emotion on Joey's face when she hugged Dawson good-bye you could see she had more to say to him. This was a tough time in Joey's life first her breakup with Pacey now her bestfriend in the world was leaving.

I liked Dawson/Jacks goodbye and it's so great when you think about how far they came as friends and I loved Dawson and Jens goodbye it was really sweet and funny how Grams interrupted them like in the first episode. I was touched during the Mitch/Dawson scene when he told Dawson son or not he is one of his favorite people I just love father/son bonds like that. Being as I was a fan of Dawson/Pacey's friendship I really adored Paceys phone call to him to wish him luck and that he's the one person he regretted not saying goodbye to because he never forgot all the years of friendship they had and I really liked Dawson telling Pacey he was proud of him. Great scene.

Such an emotional goodbye between these 2 soulmates. I knew Dawson and Joey could not say what had to say so it was no surprise to me she was going to his house as he was going to hers. The chemistry between the 2 was really great in these scenes. I loved they watched E.T one final time it was fitting.ª I loved the talk at the start some funny stuff how Dawsons girlfriend wont have sex with him. I loved when Joey told him how incredible he is because no matter what she always felt that way. I just smile when they start talking about how Dawson kissed Joey because it makes me think of the season one finale.

Dawson was right when he told Joey this chapter was over in their lives. It was time for him to get out of that room. KH's acting is incredible during this scene. Loved so much her magic speech because its so true what she says. With Dawson it never ran out no matter what happened and it never will. Brings a tear to my eye every time. The kiss at the end I never really viewed as strictly a romantic kiss but when it happened I was happy about it. This was an incredible good-bye episode and a great season finale.
Long live CODA

ReachOut

From what was a rather disappointing Season, i was rather impressed by the time the credits rolled for this Season Finale. There were many emotional and moving goodbyes, however, for me, the most moving was the final conversation between Mitch & Dawson. Their screen time together had been lacking, and yet in their final scene together, they felt so close and connected. And understanding how hard it was to let go of Dawson was just as hard for us to watch.

From the last two Seasons, something that had been lacking incredibly was the strong frienship between Dawson & Pacey. There's no denying that it would have been a difficult task to of kept their friendship so strong during the last two Seasons, with both of them only truly interested in one woman. But their conversation over the phone was a nice reminder of the bond between the two of them had been missing for some time. However, for me, no matter how much they tried to re-connect their relationship, sadly, they would never be as close as they were back in the early years. And although Joey should be in no way blamed for this, it seemed that the writers sacrificed one relationship for another, and is a decision that i will never be able to come to terms with.

-Kelly-

I love this eppy, it's my fave of season 4.
Pacey and Dawson talking on the phone, was such wonderful to see them talking finally after all the dramas, I hated how they grow apart since season 3

dcfriends

I like this episode a lot. I really enjoy a lot of the scenes and I think it's a very good episode all around. I really like the DJ scenes, Dawson's goodbye to Jack and Jen, the scenes with Grams, Jack, and Jen, the scene with Mitch and Gale when they're looking at the pictures of Dawson and Lily, etc. I also really like all the throwbacks to season 1.

I really like this scene too and I also like the music of Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra, so it was nice to see them mentioned in the episode Another part I really liked was when Grams talked about how her and husband lived with his parents for a while and she told Jack and Jen that she wouldn't recommend that

mariakr- There are a lot of Coda caps here:
http://www.creekdaze.com/caps/galler....php?album=108 and I don't know if you've read the transcript to Coda, but here is a link to it if you're interested: http://devoted2dc.homedns.org/d2dc/t...ason4/423.html

TrueLovePJer

Worst episode. Ever.

COOLCAT200

Logan really said it best in his Coda review when he said.........

''But what is it. It's undefinable and yet it's unmistakable: the thickening of the air when Joey and Dawson share a scene.
Is it chemistry? Joey and Pacey have chemistry, but it's not like what she has with Dawson.
it's something different. It's something more. ''

So true. You can read his whole wonderful review in the opening post of the D/J thread.

hshapir2

can you say bitter ex girlfriend. Joey can never win. If she acted happy about him leaving her, she is in the wrong. If she was mad at him, she is wrong. He left her, he hasn't contacted her, he yelled at her and make her feel like crap in front of everyone. She has a reason to say what she says. I would say what she said too after the things he said and way he left. When she denigrates her relationship with Dawson, it's true. He couldn't inspire her to run a way with him either. He does make her feel fifteen. She's said it even when she's not with Pacey.

cgherr

"Coda" has to be the episode that made me not hate completely season 4. After the P/J agony that almost kill the season (How many times a couple can fight?) I was happy to see the show coming back to his beggining. I hate when the writers has to put jealousy, drama, hidden feelings, hidden relationships just to create rating.

I also hate that Joey has to bash her boyfriends after break up. Thats so inmature. Even when I agree about Pacey being a mess (I`m not a big fan of this character), she should try to understand Pacey´s POV and his reasons for leaving.

Maybe I am the only one, but I didn´t like the D/P scene. I found it so weird. It was obvious that they need more that a few cheesy lines to come back to their friendship. But after seeing that scene, I had the impression that Dawson made peace with Pacey and not because Joey was free and he has the chance to be with her. He forgave Pacey some time before that.

The last act involving only D/J was like a retarded gift. I waited almost a year to see them talking, laughing and trying to be sincere with each other after all they got throught. With no Pacey in the picture, they realized that their bond has survived and they always will have each other, even when Dawson knew they had to move on with their lives. Fantastic.

Sugz

Haha, COOLCAT, I cant believe you quoted Logan. Logan was arguably the most bitter and bias DJer there ever was. Sooo not credible. So funny.

Anyway, we've already talked about Coda a bit on this thread. Ive never seen it past the first viewing so perhaps Im a bit rusty and I doubt that I would hate it as much as I originally did/still kind of do if I watched it again now. There was a connection between Dawson and Joey, there were many special moments for them, but I do not agree that they were necessarily all that good or healthy. On the level of two best friends saying goodbye and spending the episode reminiscing and ending in a spontaneous kiss, I suppose it is a great, albeit extremely boring premise for a finale. But add in all of the little details and that seemingly sweet premise ends up a joke that only hardcore fans of Dawson and Joey couldve possibly genuinely and fully enjoyed.

I dont really feel like going in detail into them all but everything from the timing in relation to Joeys breakup, the hypocrisy of Dawson in regards to Pacey and Joeys relationship, the usage of Jen and Jack as Dawson and DJ pawns, the absolutely lunatic conversations about "your favorite moment" being these crazy adolescent memories, and the general feel of desperation on Joeys part especially after being abandoned by everything she knew that year highly tainted this episode for me. I didn't feel these were two friends with a healthy relationship saying goodbye, they were two very codependent people being...codependent (which continues in season 5 when Dawson DROPS OUT OF COLLEGE). And given the external issues such as the fact that during this time in the show season 4 couldve been the last season because of an impending writers strike, I felt like this episode was a horribly thrown together DJ ending on a show that Tom Kapinos thought was going down. Glad by the real end of the season the "vision" changed.

COOLCAT200

Oh I know Logan was the D/J version of Sars but I liked what he said and thought he put it nicely.

Jerry D

I think that Coda was one of those episodes, like Season Three’s True Love, that you either loved or hated, depending on your couple preference. Looking back on this episode objectively now, I do feel that it was out of sync with the rest of the season, and one thing that really annoyed me, as always, was the fact that Joey only seemed to appreciate Dawson and go back to him when one of her “tortured teen romances” didn’t work out, like when she went crying to him after Jack revealed he was gay, and only after Pacey left her without saying goodbye to her did she tell Dawson how “incredible” he was. I often felt that Joey used Dawson as her security blanket, and even then, when I was a die-hard D/Jer, I didn’t like it, and I grew to like it even less in the subsequent seasons, until I finally gave up on Dawson and Joey.

Still though, Coda did have its sweet moments, and I agree with you Kim that with an impending writers strike looming, that it seemed to be written with the thought in mind that it might end up being a series finale, so I feel that the writers ended it as they ended Season One, with the silhouettes of Dawson and Joey embracing in his window, but what I felt at the end of Coda was light years away from what I felt at the end of Breaking Away.