Dawson's Creek: Season 05 (2001)

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Season five of Dawson's Creek finds 18-year-old Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek) fulfilling a lifelong dream by entering the USC film school. Even better, he lands a directorial internship in Hollywood -- but alas, the job lasts only as long as it takes egotistical movie director Todd Carr (Hal Ozsan) to fire Dawson. Meanwhile, Dawson's off-and-on girlfriend Joey (Katie Holmes) is enrolled at Worthington University, pining away for her high-school sweetheart. Joey's uninhibited Beverly Hills-bred roommate, Audrey Lidell (Busy Philipps), advises Joey to forget Dawson and sow a few wild oats -- which she does, with handsome Professor David Wilder (Ken Marino). Back in Massachusetts, Jen Lindley (Michelle Williams) and Jack McPhee (Kerr Smith) are attending Boston Bay College, when Jen enters into an affair with musician Charlie Todd (Chad Michael Murphy). And Dawson's pal Pacey, who has no intention of entering college (as if he would qualify!) is working at a restaurant and squiring a waitress named Karen Torres (Lourdes Benedicto) -- who, in turn, is sleeping with her married boss, Danny (Ian Kahn). Dropping out of USC, a disillusioned Dawson returns to Capeside, just before his dad, Mitch (John Wesley Shipp), is killed in a car accident. Now Dawson has all the more reason to remain home: he is undergoing psychiatric care to deal with his dad's death, and must stick around to comfort his mom, Gail (Mary-Margaret Humes). As the season progresses, Dawson finally loses his virginity -- to Jen. They move in together, but find they have less in common than they thought. Meanwhile, Charlie pressures Joey to accompany him on his band tour, Pacey spends a passionate night with Joey's roomie Audrey, and Jack attempts suicide after flunking out of school and losing his latest boyfriend in one fell swoop. Season five concludes as Joey prepares to take her long-delayed Paris vacation, Pacey goes to work as a security guard, Jack accompanies Jen to Costa Rica, and Dawson revs up for a wild time in L.A....but with whom? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi