The Dawson Crying meme features a screenshot of character Dawson Leery, played by James Van Der Beek, from the Season 3 finale of the teen drama Dawson's Creek. The scene captures Dawson’s highly distorted and emotional facial expression following a painful breakup, a moment that aired in 2000 but found a second life as an internet sensation years later. It is widely considered one of the original 'ugly cry' memes, used to satirize exaggerated sadness, genuine heartbreak, or over-the-top reactions to trivial problems. The meme's longevity is so significant that even Van Der Beek has lightheartedly poked fun at the iconic expression in various media appearances.