Top ten episodes of One Tree Hill

To begin the first look into this blog is a look at my personal favourite show: One Tree Hill. I have watched a crazy amount of TV and movies but the first thing that comes to mind when asked what I enjoyed the most is One Tree Hill. To commemorate this blog and One Tree Hill I will now include my personal favourite episodes during the 9 year run and attempt to narrow the list down to 10 which for me is an incredibly difficult task.

10
Season 1 Episode 1: Pilot
This episode is able to set the premise up nicely with two half brothers; one rich (Nathan), one poor (Lucas) who never knew each other coming head to head in a basketball match to determine if the two brothers will need to play on the same high school basketball team. Through this the episode is able to touch on the differences of the brothers, the difficulties of one sons abandonment, sport and gives the rest of the key players distinguished characters from the get go. My personal favourite Haley is identified as Lucas' best friend but is given more dimensions than just this having some great sarcastic one liners. Overall the episode is solid in creating a story and characters that gains viewers interests as well as giving viewers a taste of the great soundtrack that accompanies every episode including and following this. The only negative that is present is the lack of the Brooke Davis character who is introduced in the following episode.

 9
Season 2 Episode 8: Truth, Bitter Truth
This episode is quite light hearted and makes the list as it has many funny moments that are memorable as well as some great character interchanges and interactions and some important plot developments. The main three girls and Anna have many moments while at their slumber party with the hilarious exchange between Brooke Peyton and Haley will go down as one of the funniest moments from the show, but it is the growing relationships between Nathan and Lucas that perfectly balances the drama and comedy to create an enjoyable episode.


8
Season 3 Episode 4: An attempt to tip the scales

While season 3 is considered to be the strongest season by most this is not see by most to be one of the best episodes of the series but I will include it as it is an episode that has seen many a re watch and hasn't lost its initial spark after many re watches. The episode is again quite a fun one that mixes both dramatic and comedic moments whilst building tension. Brooke and Lucas are beginning to gain speed, Nathan and Haley are still unsure of the future and a newcomer who will continue to cause trouble is first introduced. The Nathan and Haley scenes in particular stand out with Nathan first literally swooping in to save Haley and then the misunderstanding that he has kissed Haley. Overall the episode is again another great look at the characters and their struggles for the moment.

7
Season 7 Episode 7: I and Love and You
This episode was one of the big ones of season 7 with Nathan's cheating scandal finally coming to a head and the mysterious back story of newcomer Clay Evans finally discovered. This episode makes the list for the awesomeness of Dan Scott exposing Nathans accuser as well as the emotion that was felt from all characters in this episode. The tension and relief from both Nathan and Haley were front and centre while the sadness of Clay's situation was revealed in a devastating way. Overall the episode was able to use these two in particular as well as the back story of Quinn and the struggles of Brooke and Julia to create an intense episode.

6
Season 9 Episode 8: A rush of blood to the head
I have one word for this episode: Intense. This episode had so much going on and gave the viewers many answers and questions all at the same time. The episode was able to have heartfelt scenes such as Haley's ice cream speech as well as truly shocking moments such as; chase attacking Chuck's father, Logan's reveal and Haley's partnership with Dan. All in all this episode had a bit of everything and really was one of the most memorable from the final season.


5
Season 6 Episode 3: Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.
 This is one of the saddest episodes of the series with the characters all dealing with the aftermath of Quinten's death and his funeral. This makes the list for me because I felt that every character was shown to be having different feelings as a result of a tragic event. Watching Nathan and Haley tell Jamie that he wont see Q again and seeing Q's mother talk to the characters about the changes and impact they had on Quinten have so much emotion. The final scenes where Brooke finally lets go and cries and Jamie throws the cape that was made for Q are filled with emotion and sadness and end a very sad and touching episode.

4
Season 2 Episode 22 and 23- The tide that left and never came back/ Leavers dance

This two parter sneaks in together to make the list at number 4. The first part of the episode shows Lucas and Brooke going to New York to try and get Haley to come back. The interactions between Haley and Lucas were still strong and their friendship could be felt in this episode. This is one aspect in particular that I loved as I feel like the friendship of these two was such a strong part of the show. Additionally the idea of the students writing their finals essay worked so well with the theme of the episode and was able to offer great insights into the characters and their situations. The second part held up and was able to give one of the best ending sequences of the show with Dan left in flames at the dealership and the identity of the arsonist unknown. Finally the episode saw the return of Haley, the departure of Brooke after Lucas finally reveals his feelings and the beginnings of a Lucas and Peyton friendship.

3
Season 5 Episode 12- Hundred
The commemorative 100th episode of the series had a wedding, dream sequences and a kidnapping all in the space of one episode. The first time I watched this I knew Lucas wouldn't marry Lindsay bu the way that this episode went was completely different from how I imagined. I loved the callbacks to earlier seasons, Skills tailgating, Peyton's dream confession and the return of Karen and Andy. The episode was able to use these aspects to recall its history as well as continue important plot lines such as; Brooke wanting a baby.
Not only was the build up and the wedding interesting but the kidnapping of Jamie resulting in Dan needing to save him and his triumphant return to a house full of people who hate him was a great way to celebrate 100 episodes.

2
Season 4 Episode 9- Some that give away

The state championship-nuff said. This is one of the moments that the characters have been waiting for since the before the first season and this was a great episode about this. The narration at the start really throws off the immediate thoughts of whats going to happen in the basketball game and the further use of narrations in the closing scenes to accompany the characters worked beautifully. Like many on the list this episode combined and balanced comedy and drama with some truly shocking moments leaving the viewer with major cliffhangers. The triumph of the ravens were felt as well as the sadness at the dire situation that the characters were left in at the conclusion of the episode.

1---Drum roll please.....
Season 3 Episode 22- The show must go on
This episode saw the renewal of vows of Nathan and Haley and the celebration of their marriage. This was the focus of the episode and included many great couple scenes between the two, great brotherly moments, Lucas and Haley moments as well as many other interactions. Not only was the set up looking beautiful but the vows shared between Nathan and Haley were heartfelt and reflected the characters perfectly. However, the happiness was short lived with Dan finding out Deb was the arsonist and the lives of Nathan, Cooper and Rachel all hanging in the balance while Haley looked on helplessly. What makes this episode so great is the plot lines that occurred, the performances from the whole cast and the musical selections. I will still say that one of the greatest placements of music in a TV show is the use of Led Zeppelin's Babe I'm gonna leave you as the limousine drives off the bridge and finally Nathan dives in and the bracelet that has held such significance from season 1 slowly floats up seemingly lost.