Yes, it's been a very long minute since my last visit here. Six-ish years of pandemics and democracy-destroying hell and emptying of the nest and returning to college. Busy times, to be sure.
Somewhere, in all of this, I first watched the twenty-aughts WB/CW hit teen TV series One Tree Hill. And having enjoyed it very much, I recently embarked on a re-watch. This time, however, the feels are desperate to burst out of my brain, so here I am, at the one place where I can put it all out there to be read or ignored. Either way, it's outta my head and into my car*.
For those who have never seen One Tree Hill - hereafter known as OTH - either because 1) you were way too old for twenty-aughts WB/CW hit teen TV series (as I was) when it first aired back in 2003, or 2) you have been busy doing other more soul-enriching things with your time than watching twenty-aughts WB/CW hit teen TV series (as I have not), I will give you the elevator pitch.
It goes without saying that everything written about this topic will contain SPOILERS from this point on.
OTH is a show that follows five main character teens in the small, fictional town of Tree Hill, NC as they navigate first high school and then their early adult years. Half-brothers Nathan and Lucas Scott begin as enemies and become the closest of friends and true family. Lonely Indie girl Peyton Sawyer learns to trust and finds lasting love. Fabulous Brooke Davis discovers she is, in fact, fabulous. And all around perfect girl Haley James just barely keeps from being a Mary Sue of the first order. Secondary characters show up to be supportive and/or cause mayhem from week to week, some with growth and stories all their own.
As all mainstream network teen shows do, OTH contains its fair share of love triangles, parental/teen angst, jocks, cheerleaders, brainiac nerds, and unrealistic portrayals of teen sex, booze, and party-culture. It also contains some serious topical issues, such as school shootings, drug addiction, pregnancy scares, death of a parent, and genetic heart conditions. And then there is the crazy. Teen marriage. Fratricide. Stalker Prom Night. Heart-eating dogs. Loan sharks and psycho nanny seducer-slash-kidnappers.
Over the next few weeks, I'm planning to post discussions (aka: my internal monologues, shower thoughts, and the unheard groans of frustration uttered while viewing) about the people and goings-on in fictional Tree Hill, NC.
Specifically, some of my musings include:
- Early season Brooke Davis...true victim of best-friend betrayal or the worst BFF ever?
- Peyton Sawyer...guilty of heinous cheating crimes or no jury would convict if she burnt the whole place to the ground?
- Lucas Scott...hero, cad or too full of love for just one woman?
- Haley and Nathan's successful teen marriage...relationship goals or fantasy of the highest order?
- Marvin "Mouth" McFadden...original toxic Beta hero or genuine nice guy?
- Four year time jump...brilliant story telling technique or great idea, disappointing execution?
- Dan Scott...redeemable jerk or crossed the moral event horizon miles back?
- Peyton, Brooke or Lindsay...obvious choice for Lucas's end game or heart-wrenching dilemma?
- Jake Jagielski...Peyton's legitimate backup plan or just her Lucas wannabe?
- Haley's hair...dear God, what were they doing to that poor girl?
- Jamie Scott...the only truly cute kid on TV. No debate. For real.
I know I'll have other topics to ponder, but these are the ones that won't stop knocking.
See you soon.
*If you got this reference, then you were definitely too old to have watched OTH when it first aired! But just remember Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place and you might find the appeal.
