It’s like it’s 1998 all over again (and I mean that as a good thing): The Beek, Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek, is headed back to a weekly TV series.

EW.com reports that Van Der Beek will join NBC’s freshman medical drama Mercy in the recurring role of Dr. Liam West, the hospital’s new chief of the ICU. West, described as “cocky, womanizing, and manipulative,” is determined to make the hospital money and is hiding a “deep, dark” secret.

EW.com‘s Michael Ausiello says the show may make Dr. West/Van Der Beek a regular part of the show if the character clicks with audiences, though the more pressing concern would seem to be getting the show to click with audiences.

Seeing the former Dawson Leery in action as a doc is enough to make me TiVo the show a few times, at least … how ’bout you? Any love for the former WB teen dream? Does his appearance on the show make you more likely to watch Mercy? Less Likely? Or are you asking yourself, “What’s Mercy?”