If that spoiler alert is not there, someone who is not up to the most recent episode of the series could make the horrendous mistake of clicking the link, only to have their entire world shattered. Although possibly lighter in nature than the other types of content warnings, it can feel the most like an attack when this particular type of alert is not used. But what about everything that has been written about television before spoiler alerts were the standard? What about the shows that premiered before the Internet was as booming and full of endless information as it is today? How can one combat the possibility of a spoiler when watching a show that everyone else saw 15 years ago? This is an issue I’ve encountered over and over again while watching Dawson’s Creek over the past few months. Anytime I look up articles about the show, or try to find certain clips on YouTube or Google image search, I find out more information that I didn’t want to know. Before finishing the first season, I already knew every major character that, eventually, dies. I also knew which main characters would end up together. You might be saying to yourself, “well why didn’t you just be more careful? Why didn't you just avoid looking up anything about the show?” The problem is, as an artist who often turns to television and pop culture as source material for my art practice, it is nearly impossible to not set myself up to stumble upon this kind of information.

Even if I didn't generate work about television, I would still be inclined to learn as much as possible about the television show that i am currently binge watching. I will admit that at first, each unsolicited spoiler felt like a jab in the gut; unexpected and painful. But as I continued to realize these instances could not be avoided, I learned to accept the things I could not change. What I’ve concluded is this: if a show is good, a spoiler will not make a difference in how it is experienced. As I am nearing the final seasons of Dawson’s Creek, some of the spoilers are now in my past, and some are still in the future.