We all know that the Duffers loved Dawson's creek and probably took some references, so here we are. I'm currently watching Dawson's creek and I didn't see someone pointing it out (If you did, show me to me please, send it to me Rachel).
At the end of the first season we see Dawson and Joey kiss. They're happy they finally did it, they are finally expressed their attraction to each other and at first it seems they'll be fine. Dawson couldn't be a normal person with Jen then maybe with his childhood best friend (That is one thing that combine Byler and Joey and Dawson, when we actually compare Joey and Dawson with Stancy/Mileven). But no, he's just a douchebag. Guess who was supposed to be a douchebag at the end of the day?? Steve Harrington, who escaped his bad guy fate all thanks to Joe Keery.
AND ALSO THIS. Scenes look so similar, even checkered curtains in both rooms!!!
At the same time in this episode Jen's grandfather died.
Nancy and Steve on the second episode of season 1 having a sex scenes while our dearest Barbara fighting for her life on the upside down. Both scenes are about an expression of love linked to death and guilt.
Next episode in the second season of Dawson's creek we have a little kiss scene at school with Dawson and Joey just like with Steve and Nancy in episode 3. But then there is a Jen with news about her grandfather's death and there is a Barb missing at school. Dawson and Joey feeling guilty because of their confession of love or whatever after Dawson rejecting Jen when she lost an important person in her life. Joey also feels like she can't be happy with Dawson because his ex or a girl who was nice to her all this time going through the death of a relative. And then there's Nancy, who worries about Barb and feels guilty for leaving her alone by choosing Steve.
Both of these ships aren't endgame. They're the examples of the first love that doesn't last long not only because of the external circumstances that they cannot overcome due to the fading relationship, but also because people have nothing in common in a couple. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Yes, milkven, I'm looking at you.
But it's worth always remembering that Jonathan or Pacey or Will may appear after the failure in the context of true romantic love in the life of everyone who wants it.
I can talk all day about parallels between stancy/milkven/Joey and Dawson and jancy/byler/jacey. And I will talk about them there more!!!