One Tree Hill ♥

Oooh, I like this serial very muuch!

One Tree Hill is an American teen, young adult television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003 on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and since September 27, 2006 the network is the official broadcaster for the show in the USA. The show is set in the fictional town of Tree Hill in North Carolina and originally follows the lives of two half-brothers, Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott (James Lafferty). Their relationship evolves from heartless enemies to caring brothers, and the basketball drama, as well as the brothers' on-again/off-again romances with female characters, are significant elements within the series.

The first four seasons of the show focus on the main characters' high school years. With the beginning of the fifth season, Schwahn decided to skip the timeline four years ahead, showing their lives after college. In the seventh season, he adjusted the timeline fourteen months into the future after the sixth season. The opening credits were originally intertwined with the song "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin DeGraw playing in the background. The theme was removed from the opening in the fifth season; Schwahn said the decision was made to lower production costs, add more time for the storyline, and because he felt that the song was more representative of the main characters' adolescent past, not their present maturity. The credits then only consisted of the title written on a black background. The theme was restored for Season 8, due to audience demand, and is sung by different artists each week.

The series' second season was the highest rated in the series, averaging 4.3 million viewers weekly and a 1.9 Adults 18-49 rating. It has also won Teen Choice Awards. On May 12, 2009, it was confirmed that Murray and Hilarie Burton declined to return for the seventh season, although stories on what transpired vary. Their characters (Lucas and Peyton) had been two of the five main protagonists, as well as one of the central love stories, throughout the show.

On May 17, 2011, One Tree Hill was renewed for a ninth season, with a 13-episode order. Original cast members Bethany Joy Galeotti and Sophia Bush are signed on for a final season, while James Lafferty is expected to return part-time. Season nine will be the final season, and will air mid-season.

Plot
The main storyline is originally the relationship between the two half-brothers Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott (James Lafferty), both of whom start out as enemies but bond as friends and as brothers as the show progresses. With the help of Keith (Craig Sheffer), who believes Lucas is a talented basketball player, Coach Brian "Whitey" Durham (Barry Corbin) recruits Lucas on the team. Nathan has the same love for basketball as Lucas. As Lucas falls in love with Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton), who happens to be Nathan's girlfriend and later ex, Nathan falls in love with Lucas' best friend, Haley James (Bethany Joy Galeotti). Lucas later dates and falls in love with Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush). Both brothers share the same father, Dan Scott (Paul Johansson), who is also Keith's brother. Backstory given is that after having a high school relationship with Karen Roe (Moira Kelly), Dan conceived Lucas but never claimed him as his son; he did claim Nathan. After leaving Karen, he meets and quickly marries Deb Scott (Barbara Alyn Woods), with whom he conceives Nathan. Although having been married for seventeen years, they divorce and choose different paths. Deb starts having alcoholic problems on and off, until she finally recovers. She also begins a strong friendship, and later partnership, with Karen against Dan's will. However, in the later seasons, the show focuses less on them and the three of them leave the show. Karen marries her college professor, Andy Hargrove (Kieren Hutchison), Dan realizes his sins and temporarily leaves the town, and Deb returns to Tree Hill after an absence but eventually leaves again.

The first season deals with the first half of the main teenage characters' junior years (up to the playoffs). Major storylines include the rivalry between Lucas and Nathan, the blossoming of Nathan and Haley's relationship, the setup of the Peyton-Lucas-Brooke love triangle, along with the parents' own love quadrangle, and the basketball state championship.

The second season puts aside basketball and explores new romances. These romances consist of Lucas and Anna Taggaro (Daniella Alonso), Jake Jagielski (Bryan Greenberg) and Peyton, and Felix Taggaro (Michael Copon) and Brooke. Also featured is the unrequited love of Mouth McFadden (Lee Norris) for Brooke, the disintegration of Nathan and Haley's marriage, largely due to character Chris Keller, Peyton's temporary drug problem and related issues, and the repercussions of Dan's genetic disease hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – especially on Lucas. Karen goes back to school, beginning a relationship with her teacher, Andy Hargrove, in addition to starting the Tric club. Also in this season, a troubled Deb struggles with an addiction.

The third season puts the focus back on basketball and features the arrival of trouble-maker Rachel Gatina (Danneel Harris), who stirs drama in the Brooke-Lucas romance, the resurfacing of Peyton's romantic feelings for Lucas, Jake and Peyton's relationship drawing to a close, while Nathan and Haley reconcile and plan a wedding. Chris Keller exits the season permanently. Dan has a major subplot trying to solve the murder attempt made on his life during the previous season's cliffhanger. A major episode involving most of the main cast in a hostage situation at Tree Hill High ("With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept") culminates with Peyton getting shot in the leg and almost dying due to significant blood loss, and Dan murdering Keith.

The fourth season features the second infamous Peyton-Lucas-Brooke love triangle. Haley's pregnancy is threatened by Nathan's risky forays into gambling and loan sharks. Peyton is stalked by an impostor (referred to as Psycho Derek by the group) posing as her half-brother Derek. Lucas and the real Derek come and save her. Lucas looks for the truth behind his uncle's death, as visions of Keith lead him to suspect Jimmy did not kill him, while Dan is rekindling his romance with Karen. It also sees Lucas and Peyton entering into an official romantic relationship, the Chase Adams (Stephen Colletti) and Brooke romance, and the growing friendship between Brooke and Rachel. Chris Keller makes an appearance, and the group enjoy a "real prom" after theirs is ruined by incidents such as further interactions with Psycho Derek. The season builds up to Lucas discovering Dan killed Keith, the group's graduation from high school and Haley and Karen having their babies.

The fifth season jumps forward in time four-plus years. The gap is sometimes shown in flashback as the characters struggle with adulthood and return to the town of Tree Hill for various reasons. Lucas, a published author, is in a committed relationship with his editor, Lindsey Strauss (Michaela McManus), which becomes a love triangle when Peyton returns from a failed music career in Los Angeles. The marriage of Nathan and Haley goes into crisis as Nathan faces major depression after being seriously injured. Brooke looks for life beyond success in her work life and helps Peyton launch a music label. Lucas and Skills return to the Tree Hill Ravens as coaches and later asks Nathan to help with hot shot player Quentin.

The sixth season features the progression of the romance between Lucas and Peyton, as they plan a wedding and deal with Peyton's dangerous pregnancy. Brooke takes in a foster child, Sam, and fights her mother for control of her company. A major storyline follows Lucas as his book is optioned for a film, and Julian Baker (Austin Nichols) is introduced. Mouth and Millicent Huxtable (Lisa Goldstein) work on their relationship as Nathan and Haley reach for their individual dreams.

The seventh season is set one year into the future after the sixth season, without former co-stars Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton. It introduces two new regular characters: Haley's free spirited sister Quinn; and Nathan's agent Clay. Also, Danneel Harris who portrayed Rachel, appears in a ten-episode arc this season, starting with the second episode. Austin Nichols, who portrays Julian Baker, and Jana Kramer, who portrays Alex Dupree, were promoted to full series regulars. The first half of the season focuses on Quinn and Clay's developing relationship after the death of Clay's wife, Sarah. Nathan's NBA career gets jeopardized due to a growing scandal that affects Haley. Dan becomes a motivational speaker with the support of his new wife, Rachel Gatina. Brooke releases her new clothing line, and faces conflicts with Julian and Alex. The second half of the season deals with Haley's depression due to her mother's death. Clay is faced with an obsessive Katie, eventually involving Quinn. At the end of the season, the Tree Hill gang travel to Utah for the premiere of Julian's completed film, and Katie attempts to murder both Quinn and Clay.

The eighth season centers around the progression of Quinn and Clay's relationship after surviving a life threatening attack, the awaited marriage between Brooke Davis and Julian Baker and the birth of Haley's second child. Another love triangle is formed between Chase, Mia and Alex, while Mouth and Millie rekindle their relationship together. As the season continues, Quinn attempts to capture Katie while Julian and Brooke explore adoption options and Nathan prepares to change his career path. A horrific storm reaches Tree Hill and leaves Brooke and Jamie's lives in danger. Katie returns to get revenge on Quinn. Julian's mother arrives and clashes with Brooke.

The ninth season (and final season) Will have Brooke and Haley balancing family life with running a busy Karen's Cafe, while Nathan travels more as an agent. A possible wedding may occur with Mouth and Millie, or Clay and Quinn.
 

 Cast and characters
Original cast 

Chad Michael Murray portrays Lucas Scott. Lucas and Nathan start out as enemies but bond as friends and as brothers as the show progresses. Lucas's best friend is Haley James, and he is a romantic interest for Peyton Sawyer and Brooke Davis at the same time. Lucas becomes interested in Peyton, but when Peyton is not yet ready for a serious relationship, he moves on to Brooke. Peyton later reconsiders what Lucas means to her, telling him that she does want to be with him, and Lucas soon realizes that he never got over Peyton. Reunited, the two secretly date while Lucas is still dating Brooke. Once Brooke finds out about Lucas and Peyton's affair, Peyton ends the romance out of respect for Brooke. Lucas has a one-night stand with Nicki, but his relationships with Peyton and Brooke are later mended, and his love for the two continue to be an issue throughout most of the series. Aside from basketball, his greatest passion is literature; quotes from the books he reads are used on the show. Lucas tries to find a balance between basketball, his genetic heart disease hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and his love life. Season 6 was Murray's last season as Lucas. 

 James Lafferty portrays Nathan Scott, the son that Dan did claim, although his relationships with both his parents are strained even at the best of times. In Season 1, he and Lucas start out as enemies, but bond as friends and brothers as the show progresses. He initially uses Haley as revenge against Lucas, but not long after emancipating himself, and with permission from her parents, he marries her because of love. Haley is initially threatened by Nathan's sexual experience, but they soon overcome this. Like his father and Lucas, Nathan has a love for basketball and a dream to play in college. However, his dream is complicated as his career on the court becomes tangled with supporting his family.

 Hilarie Burton portrays Peyton Sawyer, whose two greatest passions in life are music and art; she uses her art to express the issues that play out in her life. Brooke Davis is her best friend, and she is also close friends with Haley. In Season 1, Peyton is a cheerleader and dates Nathan, the most popular basketball star in Tree Hill High. She becomes attracted to Lucas after meeting him, and soon falls in love with him. In Season 2, she and Lucas become distant and she turns to drugs. Seeing that she is in turmoil, Lucas calls Jake for her, someone she had began having romantic feelings for near the end of Season 1; the two begin dating and fall in love. Throughout the series, Peyton is met with one tragedy after another and faces the depths of her love for Lucas. Whether things are good or bad, Lucas is always there for Peyton. Season 6 was Burton's last season as Peyton.

 Bethany Joy Galeotti (formerly Bethany Joy Lenz) portrays Haley James Scott, the quintessential girl-next-door who is best friends with Lucas Scott. Haley grew up with a large family but often spent her time by Lucas and Karen because she felt they needed her more in their lives. Working as a waitress at Karen's Café, and, more importantly as a tutor at Tree Hill High, has presented Haley with great opportunities, as well as obstacles. Her life is thrown for a loop when Lucas's half-brother Nathan asks her to tutor him. Risking her relationship with Lucas, Haley agrees but on the condition that her best friend is no longer tormented by Nathan and his friends. This moment changes the Scott family dynamic forever and allows a romance between Nathan and her to flourish. Like any relationship, Nathan and Haley experience many ups and downs together throughout the seasons and must deal with the consequences of each others' actions.

 Sophia Bush portrays Brooke Davis. In high school, Brooke is the beautiful captain of the cheerleading squad and is Peyton's best friend but is also very close with Haley. She is girlfriend to Lucas twice. Though her life seems perfect, she is in pain dealing with her distant parents, her friends' inability to originally take her seriously, and the betrayal of Lucas and Peyton when they "date" behind her back. She eventually overcomes the betrayal, and is determined to live a full, happy life.

 Paul Johansson portrays Dan Scott, a once great basketball player, who is father to both Lucas and Nathan, although he originally shuns Lucas. After his marriage to Deb crumbles and she and Nathan try to rid themselves of him, Dan's evil comes to the forefront. After Dan finds Deb sleeping with his brother, Keith, a war begins between the two brothers. Dan tries to make amends for all of his wrong-doings, but constantly battles his inner demons.

 Barry Corbin portrays coach Brian "Whitey" Durham, the Ravens coach for over 35 years, retiring in Season 4. He and Dan never saw eye-to-eye and often bickered over their differing opinions on the team. Whitey often laments the death of his wife, Camilla, and the fact that he did not spend more time with her while she was alive. He retires after the Ravens finally win him the much-coveted NC State Championship title but later takes a coaching position in a college three hours away from Tree Hill, so that Nathan has the chance to play college basketball. Whitey makes an appearance in the Season 6 finale.

 Craig Sheffer portrays Keith Scott, Dan's older, kinder, under-achieving brother. After Dan chose Deb over Karen, Keith helped Karen to raise Lucas (acting as a surrogate father to him) and fell in love with her; but they only get together in Season 3. He has a recurring drinking problem and an ongoing rivalry with his brother. When Dan mistakes him for the one who tried to kill him in the dealership fire, he shoots him after the siege at Tree Hill High, killing him instantly. After his death, Karen gives birth to their daughter, Lily Roe-Scott. Keith haunts Dan as a teen and as an adult ghost, but later forgives him for what he has done. He guides his nephews (Lucas and Nathan) as a sort of guardian angel throughout Season 4.

 Moira Kelly portrays Karen Roe, Lucas's mother. Dan abandoned her after she became pregnant in high school, and with a lot of help from Dan's brother Keith (who, in later years is her lover and father of her second child), Karen raises Lucas to strive for his best potential. She is devastated by Keith's death in Season 3. In Season 4, she gets close to Dan again before learning that he was the one who killed Keith. She gives birth to Keith's daughter, whom she names Lily Roe Scott. In Season 5, Karen is traveling the world with Lily. When she returns for Lucas's wedding, she is accompanied by Andy Hargrove. She also makes an appearance at the end of Season 6.

  Barbara Alyn Woods portrays Deb Scott, Dan's wife and Nathan's mother. Originally benefiting from a normal psyche, she later turns neurotic. Married to Dan for seventeen years has made her bitter and sad, and she eventually divorces him in Season 3, her hatred of him driving her to attempt to kill him at one point. Deb battles a pill addiction in Season 2 and again in Season 4, but overcomes it for good the second time. She also makes a return during Season 6, as Nathan and Hayley have some problems with nannies for their child. They decided that Deb would be the most suitable candidate.









 Additional cast 

 Lee Norris portrays Marvin "Mouth" McFadden, one of Lucas's oldest friends, originating from the Rivercourt. His father is named Joey, and his grandad is named Mel. Mel has alzheimers and so cannot remember portions of his life, such as the 50 years he was married. Mouth is somewhat unlucky in love, being the victim of Brooke's unrequited love in Season 2, being dumped by Erica when she becomes popular and falling for Rachel, only to get sidelined for the older Cooper. GiGi, his co-sports announcer, has also broken up with him after only seeing him for a few weeks and Shelly Simon runs out on him after he loses his virginity to her. In Season 5, he has a fling with his boss, Alice, before finally settling down with Millicent.

 Antwon Tanner portrays Antwon "Skills" Taylor, one of Lucas' oldest friends, originating from the Rivercourt. He takes on a more prominent role in Season 4 when he fills Lucas's vacancy on the Ravens. In Season 5, he becomes the assistant Head Coach of The Ravens basketball team and lives with Mouth, Junk and Fergie.

 Danneel Harris portrays Rachel Gatina, who moves to Tree Hill in Season 3. After joining the cheerleading squad, she instantly clashes with Brooke as she pursues Lucas, although Brooke and Rachel later become friends. In Season 5, Rachel is a former employee of Brooke's and a heroin addict who takes an overdose after being fired by her friend. Brooke brings Rachel back to Tree Hill to help get her life back on track but Rachel leaves again, taking a load of Brooke's cash with her, after an encounter with Victoria. In the seventh season, Rachel returns to the screens as Dan Scott's new wife.

  Jackson Brundage portrays Jamie Scott, Nathan and Haley's highly intelligent son. Jamie sees Nathan as a role-model. He is first introduced in the fifth season, and continues to act as a comic relief or a psych to other characters when they reveal their problems to him throughout the fifth, sixth and seventh seasons, where he is now age seven.

 Lisa Goldstein portrays Millicent Huxtable, Brooke's assistant for Clothes over Bros. She is involved in a romantic relationship with Marvin "Mouth" McFadden. In the Season 6 premiere, she moves to Omaha with him. She returns to Tree Hill during the fifth episode to work for Brooke in her new store. She reunites with Mouth only to enter a series of mishaps.

  Austin Nichols portrays Julian Baker, Peyton's ex-boyfriend from L.A.. He initially comes to Tree Hill to win Peyton back. He offers to produce a film, based on Lucas's first book. At first, Peyton does not reveal to Lucas that Julian is her ex-boyfriend, but she is forced to do when the plans of the movie takes form. Lucas beats up Julian, and hates him, but when the episodes of season six progresses, he and Lucas bond while talking plans over the film. Brooke rebuffs his advances until Peyton gives her blessing because she sees that Brooke has serious interest in Julian. Brooke, However, is still unable to open her heart to anyone until Victoria convinces her to not go in the same way as her mother. Brooke and Victoria reconcile and Brooke flies to L.A. to say "I love you, too" back to Julian. Brooke's confession is successful, as Julian and Brooke's relationship is blossoming at the start of the seventh season. He has since made a break out film, and has proposed to Brooke who has accepted.

  Robert Buckley portrays Clay Evans, Nathan's sports agent. He is pretty reckless when it comes to love; however, it is revealed in "I and Love and You" that his true love was his late wife Sarah whom he met in college. As a young, married couple, Sarah was Clay's emotional rock, particularly as his career blossomed. Sarah collapsed and died suddenly, leaving Clay a widower. When Nathan's season ends, he has problems finding another team that will pick up Nathan to play for the team. In the seventh season, engages in a healthy relationship with Quinn, Haley's sister. The two must overcome a death in the family and a psycho stalker.

 Shantel VanSanten portrays Quinn James, the older free spirited sister of Haley. She returns to Tree Hill for Jamie's seventh birthday. At first, it looks like she is staying for a few days. She reveals to Haley that she left David, her husband, commenting that she feels like she is sleeping next to a stranger. She begins a relationship with Nathan's agent, Clay. They keep it a secret for a while, as Nathan tried to sway Clay from dating Quinn due to Clay's many women and one-night stands, but she falls in love with him and their relationship is a success even after Taylor comes to dinner claiming to date Quinn's ex-husband, the death of her mother and Katie, who is obsessed with Clay. Both Clay and Quinn are shot by Katie and left for dead at the end of the season 7 finale.

 Jana Kramer portrays Alex Dupre (Alice Whitehead), an actress turned model who moved to Tree Hill to become the new face of Brooke's fashion line, Clothes Over Bros. After standing naked in front of Julian, Brooke fires her for being 'the high school Brooke'. She also befriends Millicent, despite a bitter start. Alex at first begins to have feelings for Julian, as he is the only one to see her true potential and never ask for anything in return, but she realizes that he is in love with Brooke and nothing will ever happen between the two. In the season 7 finale, Alex is shown having feelings for Chase, who decides to go on a date with her, just in time for him to receive a text message from Mia apologizing and wanting to get back together.

 Stephen Colletti portrays Chase Adams, TRIC's bar manager and Brooke's ex-boyfriend. He was originally introduced in senior year of high school as a clean-teen member who caught the eye of Brooke, whom he lost his virginity to. He took over from TRIC after Owen's drinking problem returned. Chase began a relationship with Mia, but she ended things after realizing it won't work as she's always on tour. A new love triangle has developed as he is torn between Mia and Alex. Chase later decides to give both of the girls a break. The girls form a truce in which neither of them will pursue Chase, but Alex breaks the truce when she kisses him, Mia is not aware of the kiss.

 Tyler Hilton portrays Chris Keller, first appeared in season two, Chris Keller was seen an arrogant, selfish guy, who constantly referred to himself in the third person. He connects with Haley in the second season through her music, and ultimately succeeds in breaking up Nathan and Haley. Chris makes a return in season three, on the request of Nathan, to help Haley find herself again. Chris also finds himself interacting with Brooke more this time round, and also having a one night stand with her, causing problems for her and Lucas. Chris also made a short appearance in a special episode of season four, returning while on tour, helps the gang find Mouth in a town called Honeygrove. Chris now makes a surprise return in the season nine premier. Details of his return are believed to be in order to help Haley run Red Bedroom records.