{"id":40630,"date":"2023-09-23T18:00:43","date_gmt":"2023-09-23T18:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/09\/23\/counting-down-one-tree-hills-most-iconic-moments\/"},"modified":"2023-09-23T18:00:43","modified_gmt":"2023-09-23T18:00:43","slug":"counting-down-one-tree-hills-most-iconic-moments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/09\/23\/counting-down-one-tree-hills-most-iconic-moments\/","title":{"rendered":"Counting Down One Tree Hill\u2019s Most Iconic Moments"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The cast of One Tree Hill<\/em><\/a> is who we want standing next to Us when all our dreams come true.<\/p>\n

The WB series, which moved to the CW after the WB was discontinued, has become a mainstay in the pop culture zeitgeist since its premiere in 2003. Set in the town of the fictional Tree Hill, North Carolina, the show follows two estranged half-brothers Lucas (Chad Michael Murray<\/strong><\/a>) and Nathan (James Lafferty<\/strong><\/a>) as they navigate sharing a town \u2014 and a basketball team \u2014 while dealing with their malicious father, Dan Scott (Paul Johansson<\/strong><\/a>).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hilarie Burton Morgan<\/a>, Bethany Joy Lenz<\/a>, Sophia Bush<\/a>, Moira Kelly<\/a>, \u00a0Lee Norris, Barbara Alyn Woods<\/strong> and Craig Sheffer<\/strong> rounded out the rest of the show\u2019s main cast, delivering an endless amount of high school drama<\/a> before jumping four years ahead for its final five seasons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While the series is beloved by fans, the show was often a tumultuous experience for its actors. The women of the series went public with harassment allegations against creator Mark Schwahn<\/strong><\/a> in 2017. While Schwahn never addressed the accusations, Morgan, Lenz and Bush created their OTH<\/em> rewatch podcast<\/a>, \u201cDrama Queens,\u201d in 2021 to reclaim their time on the series and reframe it in an empowering way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>\u2018One Tree Hill\u2019 Cast: Where Are They Now?<\/a>
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\n\t\t\tLooking back. It\u2019s hard to look back at teen dramas without remembering One Tree Hill. Between the relationships, the friendships and the shocking deaths and dramas, it has become one of the most memorable in history. The series, created by Mark Schwahn, aired for nine seasons from 2003 to 2012. It premiered on The WB [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cThe show itself is a thing that we have had all these mixed emotions about for so long,\u201d Bush told Variety<\/em> in July 2021. \u201cThis is an opportunity for us to lean into everything that was good and we\u2019re going to take back everything that should have been better. To be in that position of empathetic power feels really good. Because there was no one in power who showed us all that much empathy, and we want to do it differently.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s impossible to narrow One Tree Hill\u2019s<\/em> most iconic moments down to 10 \u2014 but keep scrolling to see Us<\/em> try.<\/p>\n

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\u2018First of All, You Don\u2019t Know Me\u2019<\/b><\/h3>\n

The line that changed it all. After Peyton\u2019s (Morgan) car breaks down in the series premiere, Lucas arrives to tow it back to his Uncle Keith\u2019s (Sheffer) auto shop. The interaction between the two characters is the foundation for their six-season love story, which begins with Lucas pining over Peyton \u2014 despite the fact she\u2019s dating his brother, Nathan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While Lucas and Peyton are twin flames from the start, Peyton initially tries to keep her distance. \u201cFirst of all, you don\u2019t know me. Second of all, you don\u2019t know me,\u201d she tells him. That doesn\u2019t stop him from trying to get her art published \u2014 sparking a romance for the ages<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The famous piece of dialogue would come back around in season 6 when the pair drive back to the spot and reminisce about their first conversation on the night before their wedding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Season 1 Finale That Subverted Expectations<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

While the game where Lucas\u00a0misses\u00a0<\/i>the winning shot may not initially seem like a contender for the most iconic OTH<\/em> moment, \u201cThe Games That Play Us\u201d was expertly crafty in subverting fan expectations. When else has the main character lost in the final few seconds?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to Lucas\u2019 letdown, the relationship shift between Nathan and Lucas comes to a head. After a season of being at odds, the brothers bond over their mutual hatred for their father \u2014 who is now coaching their team. Elsewhere in the episode, Haley and Nathan sleep together for the first time \u2014 and get married! \u2014 Brooke and Peyton make peace after feuding over Lucas, and Lucas decides to move to Charleston with Keith after the shame of losing the game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lucas does get one win. He gets to show off his new blank basketball jersey \u2014 sans the Scott moniker \u2014 to his father.<\/p>\n

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When Jake Shows Up Right As Peyton Tires to Buy Cocaine<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

After leaving Tree Hill to protect his daughter, Jenny, from her estranged mother, Nikki (Emmanuelle Vaugier<\/strong>), Jake (Bryan Greenberg<\/strong><\/a>) returns to town in season 2 just as a lost and lonely Peyton \u2014 who has been missing Jake since his departure \u2014 is about to buy cocaine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Peyton approaches her dealer, the scene cuts to a pair of feet walking down the street. While viewers initially assume they\u2019ll see Lucas coming toward her \u2014 thinking the two might be reigniting their season 1 romance \u2014 the camera pans up to reveal Jake. He later reveals Luke was the one to call him after being worried about Peyton\u2019s well-being.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At home, Jake realizes he wants to bring his daughter back to Tree Hill for good. They move in with Peyton, sparking the beginning of the pair\u2019s romantic arc together. \u201cI think it stopped raining,\u201d Jake says in Peyton\u2019s bedroom as a thunderstorm clears. \u201cYeah, I think maybe it did,\u201d Peyton replies, smiling.<\/p>\n

Jake and Peyton weren\u2019t endgame, but he brought Peyton back to life<\/a> \u2014 and was essential to her journey.<\/p>\n

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Haley and Nathan\u2019s 1st Rain Kiss \u2014 and Every 1 After That, Too<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

We dare you to move after this iconic moment. To fully understand the momentous rain motif that existed<\/a> throughout Nathan and Haley\u2019s romance, one has to rewind back to their first kiss outside of Haley\u2019s house in season 1.<\/p>\n

\u00a0After a disastrous first date \u2014 where Nathan reveals he started flirting with Haley to get back at Lucas \u2014 Nathan shows up to apologize. As Haley goes off on him for his mistakes, he cuts her off by kissing her mid-sentence as Swichfoot\u2019s \u201cDare You to Move\u201d roars in the background.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Later in the season, Nathan shows back up after the two have another fight over Nathan keeping pictures of his ex Peyton on his computer. He confesses his love to her in the rain and the pair share another passionate kiss. Over the next nine seasons, Haley and Nathan would continue to have rainfall during their most romantic moments \u2014 including the first time they sleep together, when they reunite after breaking up and during the series finale.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dan Shoots Keith<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Not every moment on this list can be a joyous one, but Dan shooting Keith during the season 3 episode \u201cWith Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept\u201d undoubtedly changed the course of the series forever. While the majority of the hour was spent with the Tree Kill kids on lockdown after Jimmy Edwards (Colin Fickes<\/strong>) brings a gun to school \u2014 and shoots Peyton in the leg \u2014 the final moments shocked fans forever.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keith enters the school trying to save Jimmy \u2014 and ensure Lucas can bring an injured Peyton to safety \u2014 but can\u2019t stop him before he shoots himself. When Dan joins them in the hallway,\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Keith thinks his estranged brother is there to help him. However, with his jealousy and anger toward his brother bubbling over the edge, Dan takes the gun and shoots Keith<\/a>, wrongly blaming his death on Jimmy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Lucas and Brooke\u2019s Big Fight \u2014 and Brooke\u2019s Fist on Rachel\u2019s Face<\/b><\/h3>\n

In the third episode of season 3, Brooke (Bush) finds Lucas \u2014 who she\u2019s dating non-exclusively \u2014 in the car with a naked Rachel (Danneel Ackles<\/strong><\/a>) in the backseat. After punching Rachel in the face, Brooke tries to storm off but Lucas stops her, confused on why she\u2019s angry if this is what she \u201cwanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I wanted? I wanted you to fight for me. I wanted you to say that there is no one that you could ever be with and you\u2019d rather be alone than be without me,\u201d Brooke, still hurt from him cheating on her<\/a> in season 1, says to Lucas. \u201cI wanted the Lucas Scott from the beach that night, telling the world that he\u2019s the one for me.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow was I supposed to know that?\u201d he asks, to which she replies, \u201cYou just are.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The scene is later paralleled season 3 episode 13, \u201cThe Wind That Blew Me Away,\u201d when the pair fight in a thunderstorm after Lucas calls her the same affectionate name he used to call Peyton.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Following Brooke out into the rain, Lucas goes on to list all the things he adores about her. \u201cI can\u2019t say anything bad about Peyton, she\u2019s my friend. She\u2019s your best friend. The truth is I care about Peyton. The difference is I love you, Brooke. I want to be with you, not Peyton,\u201d he tells her. \u201cBecause you kink your eyebrow when you\u2019re trying to be cute. Because you quote [Albert] Camus even though I\u2019ve never actually seen you read. And because you miss your parents but you\u2019ll never ever admit that. And because I\u2019ve given exactly two of these embarrassing speeches in my life, and they\u2019ve both been to you.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While they may not have gone the distance as a couple, the moment remains one of the most romantic \u2014 and well-earned \u2014 in OTH<\/em> history.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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When Nathan Gets to Narrate<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Season 3 continued to bring epic episodes with \u201cEveryday Is a Sunday Evening,\u201d which marked the first time another character besides Lucas narrated an episode.<\/p>\n

This hour belonged to Nathan, who leads his basketball team to victory in the Coastal Classic. With Lucas sidelined because of his heart condition, Nathan steps up as solo team captain. Facing his biggest rival in the finals, he finds himself shooting a free throw \u2014 something he and Dan practiced hundreds of times when he was a kid.<\/p>\n

As \u201cUnsatisfied\u201d by The Replacements plays as his soundtrack, Nathan takes the final shot, turning away from the basket and shooting while smiling and staring directly into the eyes of the opposite team<\/p>\n

\u201cStepping up. It\u2019s a simple concept. It basically means to rise above yourself; to do a little more, to show you something special. Something like this. Lucas is gone, but that doesn\u2019t mean the season is over. As a matter of fact, I say it\u2019s just beginning. You might want to stay out of my way for a while,\u201d Nathan\u2019s voice over says during the game. \u201cLife\u2019s funny sometimes; can push pretty hard like when you fall in love with someone but they forget to love you back, like when your best friend and your boyfriend leave you alone, like when you pull the trigger or light the flame and you can\u2019t take it back. Like I said, in sports they call this \u2018stepping up\u2019. In life, I call it \u2018pushing back.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brooke Slaps Peyton Over Lucas \u2014 Because He\u2019s on the Door<\/b><\/h3>\n

The season 3 finale brings major revelations. After Peyton realizes while visiting Jake in Savannah, Georgia that she\u2019s still in love with Lucas<\/a> \u2014 who is once again dating her best friend. Not wanting to repeat the same mistakes she made in season 1, she confesses to Brooke that she still has feelings for Lucas causing a huge fight between the BFFs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When Brooke \u2014 who has been living at Peyton\u2019s house \u2014 returns to gather her things, she questions why Peyton couldn\u2019t just stay quiet about her feelings. \u201cHe\u2019s on the door Peyton, he\u2019s on the damn door next to me,\u201d she yells, referring to the list they wrote in season 2 to avoid wanting to date the same guy twice.<\/p>\n

When Peyton questions if Brooke even loves Lucas, Brooke slaps her before declaring their friendship over.\u00a0It\u2019s harsh \u2013 but Breyton find their way back together in the end.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Naley\u2019s 2nd Wedding<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Fake pregnancy announcements, murder attempt confessions, people drowning, breakups and friend fights \u2014 Haley and Nathan\u2019s second wedding is filled with drama.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rachel lies and tells Uncle Cooper (Michael Trucco<\/strong>) that she\u2019s pregnant with his baby and the pair go flying off a bridge in a limo. Nathan and Haley witness the accident and Nathan jumps in after them, only to see the ghost of Keith while underwater. Deb (Woods) also reveals to Dan that she was the one who tried to murder him, while Brooke and Lucas finally called it quits for good.<\/p>\n

Despite their relationship being fractured for awhile, the breakup is heartbreaking and results in one of the best performances of the show by Bush.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s also romance, however, and fans get to witness Haley and Nathan\u2019s nuptials,<\/a> which were done off-screen in season 1. It\u2019s a fulfilling moment after the couple\u2019s endless trials and tribulations of seasons 2 and 3.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Iconic TV Shows Based in High School<\/a>
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\n\t\t\tThe teenage era! Over the years, shows like Riverdale and Heartstopper have found their fanbases by telling stories set in high school. In 2017, viewers were introduced to the iconic characters from Archie Comics as they investigated their small town amid a mysterious murder. Even though the main group of friends were established students at [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

When Lucas Realizes It\u2019s Always Been Peyton<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

After four seasons \u2014 and one very complicated love triangle<\/a> \u2014 Lucas finally realizes that Peyton is the girl for him.<\/p>\n

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