TPTB sacrificed everything for Katie as Joey Potter so the series was never going to turn out successful. Not when your main character in Dawson is sidelined and your very best actor on the show (and they knew it) in Michelle Williams was never able to showcase her talent and step over Katie/Joey as the main female.

Notice they had Josh essentially step over James. Yet Michelle didn’t naturally step over Katie? No, it wasn’t because of quality or improving the show. It was all for a trashy triangle and the IT girl shining ultimately destroying the series.