I should hate this; whiny American "kids" (18 to 21 year olds pretending to be 15 year old virgins), spouting incredibly unrealistic and self aware dialogue that most people in their mid 20's would consider too pretentious.
Dawson is annoying, Jen is there to act as a catalyst and after she's performed that role I'm convinced the writers coudln't figure out what to do with her, Joey's Katie Holmes (and yes, she is tremendous, periodically even looking fifteen, and then in the next scene seeming like a pensioner), and Pursey - well, he's the heart of the show, I think, more recognisably a teenager and actually sympathetic without being in any way perfect.
The stories are largely predictable, the performances are variable, and really, why would you watch this?
But oddly, I do. And series 2. And I have 3 and 4 to watch.
It has something. I don't know what it is. But it's largely well done, in the way that much American drama is, and you care about at least some of the characters, and, hey, it's kind of fun to see someone else suffer, even if their problems don't belong in the real world.
Do I recommend this? Umm, I have a guilty pimp-like feeling from my rating. I don't know that my conscience would let me actually say go buy it. But I did. And my wife and kids all kind of got into it. So, maybe you should. Perhaps you shouldn't.
Hey, I'm not here to solve all of your problems. Make your own mind up, damnit it. But if you want a hint...well, I've said enough. Millions like it - can they all be wrong?
I don't think I can answer that - self-incrimination and all that stuff.