He just left. No, seriously—he just packed up and disappeared. Twice.
If you were watching television in the early 2000s, specifically during the sunset years of the WB’s flagship teen drama, you probably have a very strong opinion about oliver hudson dawson's creek era. Playing the brooding, intellectual, and frankly flighty Eddie Doling, Hudson wasn't just another guest star. He was the guy who arguably threw a wrench into the most legendary love triangle in TV history.
When Oliver Hudson joined the cast in Season 6, the show was in a weird spot. The kids weren't kids anymore. They were in Boston, dealing with "adult" problems like hellish professors and waitressing shifts at Hell's Kitchen. Enter Eddie. He was the "literary" guy. He was the guy who didn't go to school but was somehow smarter than the people who did.
The Arrival of Eddie Doling
Eddie Doling wasn't a Capeside local. He was a Boston guy, a writer, and a bit of a snob if we’re being honest. When Joey Potter first met him at Hell's Kitchen, the chemistry was immediate. It was that classic "we hate each other so we must be soulmates" trope that teen dramas lived for.
Honestly, the show needed a spark. By Season 6, the Dawson-Joey-Pacey loop was starting to feel like a revolving door that everyone wanted to get off of. Hudson brought a different energy. He was older, more rugged, and he challenged Joey in a way that didn't involve pining over her for fifteen years.
Why Joey Chose Him (At First)
You’ve gotta remember where Joey was mentally. She was trying to reinvent herself. In her head, Eddie represented the "new" Joey—the sophisticated college girl who dates writers and talks about prose.
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- He was a challenge. Unlike Pacey, who worshipped the ground she walked on, Eddie was kinda prickly.
- Common ground. They were both "working class" kids in an elitist academic environment.
- The Mystery. He had that elusive "troubled artist" vibe that is catnip to twenty-somethings.
But man, the writers really leaned into the "avoidant attachment" thing. Oliver Hudson played Eddie with a lot of charm, which is probably why Joey (and a segment of the audience) kept forgiving him. But looking back? The guy was a red flag parade.
The Pacey Problem and the Famous "Love Bites" Incident
This is where the oliver hudson dawson's creek legacy gets controversial. For many fans, Eddie wasn't just a boyfriend; he was an obstacle. Specifically, he was the guy Joey chose over Pacey Witter during one of the most emotional stretches of the final season.
Remember the high school dance in the episode "Love Bites"? Pacey pulls out all the stops. He’s trying to give Joey the prom night they never had. It’s peak Pacey. It’s romantic, it’s vulnerable, and it’s exactly what the "Pacey and Joey" (PJo) shippers had been waiting for since the start of the season.
And what does Joey do? She goes back to Eddie.
It felt like a betrayal. Not just to Pacey, but to the growth Joey had made. Many fans argue that Eddie was used as a plot device to keep Pacey and Joey apart until the very last second of the series finale. He was the "filler" relationship that stayed too long at the party.
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Oliver Hudson: The Performance vs. The Character
It's actually a testament to Hudson’s acting that people hated Eddie so much. If he hadn't been charming, the character would have been purely annoying. Instead, he was the guy you wanted to like, which made it hurt more when he inevitably bailed on Joey via a letter.
Hudson appeared in 16 episodes. That’s a massive chunk of the final season. During that time, we saw Eddie struggle with his own insecurities about not being a "real" student, his complicated relationship with his father, and his dream of being a writer in California.
Basically, Eddie was the Pacey of the Boston years—the underdog with a chip on his shoulder—but without the years of loyalty to back it up.
The Sudden Exit (Again)
The biggest gripe fans have is the way Eddie ended. After Joey literally chased him down and chose him over Pacey, he just... leaves again.
No big showdown. No final growth moment. Just a letter. It felt cheap. It made Joey look like she’d wasted her time and made the audience feel like they’d invested months into a storyline that didn't have a payoff.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Eddie Era
Some people think the Eddie storyline was a mistake. I’d argue it was actually necessary, even if it was frustrating.
Joey needed to date someone who wasn't from her childhood. She needed to see what it was like to be with someone who didn't know her history. Eddie was the catalyst for Joey realizing that "new" isn't always "better." Without the Eddie Doling detour, her final choice in the series finale wouldn't have felt as earned. She had to try the "intellectual match" to realize that what she really wanted was the guy who bought her a wall and taught her how to drive.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Rewatch
If you’re planning a Season 6 rewatch, keep these things in mind to make the Eddie arc more tolerable:
- Watch the body language. Oliver Hudson and Katie Holmes actually had great physical chemistry. It explains why Joey was so stuck on him despite his flakey behavior.
- Look for the parallels. Notice how Eddie’s insecurities about his intelligence mirror Pacey’s insecurities from the earlier seasons. It’s a recurring theme in Joey’s dating life.
- Pay attention to the writing. Eddie’s dialogue is significantly more "wordy" than other characters. It was the show’s way of signaling that he was Joey's "intellectual" equal.
Whether you love him or hate him, oliver hudson dawson's creek performance remains one of the most talked-about guest stints in the show's history. He was the ultimate "what if" that reminded Joey—and us—that sometimes the person you think you want isn't the person you actually need.
For your next deep dive into 2000s nostalgia, try looking at the Season 6 soundtrack. Much of the music during the Eddie and Joey scenes was curated to heighten that "indie film" feel they were going for in the Boston episodes. It’s a vibe that still holds up, even if Eddie’s commitment skills don’t.