There's no comparison between the two, then, and most especially now.

Exactly.

I just looked to see what DC episode aired around the time the present episode Everwood episode aired. It was 6.6. Imagining how low in quality DC was at that point compared to Season 1 Everwood is startling.

By Season Six (and long before Season Six for that matter) Dawson's Creek was a total crapfest while Season One Everwood was sheer perfection.

Well said.

Berlanti’s career was taking off while Stupin’s was almost hitting a red stoplight.

As well it should have. Stupin was a talentless hack who ruined a good show while Berlanti was, and is, a genius.

I’ve never gotten a terrific feeling from Colin but this rewatch I really did find him borderline devious:

1. He played it stupid acting clueless why Amy was upset initially. Are you kidding me? He knew damn well why she was upset. Before he finally admitted it he’s flirting and calling her beautiful which is absolutely ridiculous because we know from Laynie he was breaking up with Amy. He played with her heart and feelings. He takes off with Bright in his father’s truck he stole knowing Amy would look for him too.

2. He subtly made fun of Harold’s dress.

3. He liquors up Bright at the Abbott’s then on the hill. Due to his arrogance he forced Bright to go with him to meet those other guys to show off his truck knowing they had been drinking.

4. He even makes fun of the one guy too. Funny how he made fun of him for throwing up when we know Colin was puking in the sink post-surgery as his brain was deteriorating.

5. If someone ever ripped a necklace off of me like Colin did with Amy I would punch the person in the face. I think the point was he was trying to get her to not be afraid but I still hated how he went about it.

I loved meeting Brian, Andy’s second in command, as he brought gifts from New York, and I loved the conversation between them as Andy expressed his fears about performing the upcoming surgery on Colin, and I loved it when Brian said “Before you took me under your wing, Andy, I never believed that there were people put on this earth to fix God’s mistakes. That’s the kind of gift that doesn’t go away. Sleep easy Dr. Brown. You’re going to be great.”

I’m not a huge fan of flashback episodes but this one was needed I think. We needed to know more about Colin. Unfortunately, he didn’t come off in a great light imo. They painted him to be pretty reckless, a bit of a bad influence, and also a bit inconsiderate of Amy’s feelings. It makes you wonder why she was so in love with him. But I do like that he wasn’t written to be this perfect guy and he had flaws too. OT but Emily’s body is so nice And that ending scene was sweet/sad.
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You know how I feel about Colin! The way you feel about Republicans. I have always felt that Colin would have been a jerk with or without his brain injury.

What amazes me is when I read past rewatches there’s some people that actually think he’s perfectly fine in the flashbacks. Obviously everyone has different opinions but I still don’t understand how it’s not pretty clear he’s an arrogant guy who treated Amy like garbage (romantically that is) and was not a good influence on Bright.

I’m not remotely excusing Bright’s bullying but along with the guilt he felt as the driver, it was almost like he was programmed to hate Ephram as Colin’s protective follower. When you see how Colin talked to the one brother in the truck, you could tell he had such an air of arrogance and loved competition. He had to always win and be on top. I think Bright just assumed Colin would see Ephram as the enemy and he should too.

I really don't get that either. To me, it was clear as day that Colin, while outwardly charming, wasn't a very good boyfriend to Amy at all.