The Triumphant Return of One Tree Hill
What we loved:
Dan!
Oh, Dan. You so rock. Even when you're in bleak, angsty existentialist mode -- or maybe especially when you're in bleak, angsty existentialist mode -- you're one of the most charismatic bad boys out there. We loved Dan's no-holds-barred speech to his (no doubt shocked) audience -- and the way he put Rachel in her place. (You thought you had the upper hand on Dan? HAH!) He confessed his sins and said he didn't expect forgiveness -- he just figured he'd do what he could to atone. And that, he discovered, it what it took -- Nathan didn't forgive him, but he did acknowledge all Dan had done for him. And Jamie? Jamie gave him the forgiveness he needed. Sob!
(Also, on a shallow note -- how freaking hot did Dan look this week? YOWZA!)
Rachel's comeuppance
We know that we've been crowing about how deliciously eeeeeeeevil Rachel is -- and we do love her for it. But still, seeing Dan skillfully disarm her, call her out, and take away all she had taken for granted was awesome to behold. Even in the end, Rachel still didn't quite get how completely Dan had outmaneuvered her. When the lawyer presents her with divorce papers, Rachel snaps that this will cost him. What do you plan to get? The lawyer asks. Dan gave it all away!
Clay's triumph
Last week, Clay was defeated. This week, he came back with a vengeance. We admit, we were slightly discombobulated by him swooping in to see Joe Turner at the hospital -- was he taking advantage of the guy in a crisis? But no -- Clay actually came up with a deal where absolutely everyone got what they wanted. Nathan got to stay in the NBA -- and even in Charlotte, after a bit of finagling -- Charlotte got the players it needed, Joe Turner got to stay close to his mom, and Clay got his mojo back. He even got the girl -- and how freaking adorable was he when he announced that he wanted to be Nathan's agent, but that he planned on falling insanely in love with Quinn? Swoon!
Naley's happy ending
We know, we know, we complained about Naley being all bummed about having to move to Spain and go on tour. But even our cold little hearts melted a little when we saw how happy they were to discover Nate could stay in Charlotte. At the same time, we're glad they didn't find out until the end of the ep -- otherwise we wouldn't have witnessed the fabulous tomato fight. Now we're wondering if Jamie won't be advocating for a move to Spain!
Miranda
We're still not sure what Miranda is doing hanging around Tree Hill, but we did love her contributions this week. First, she was all snarky to Jamie, which we appreciate. Then, she told him about La Tomatina, the aforementioned tomato fight. And finally, she totally wigged out Grubbs, the bartender, by dissing his drink selection. Hee!
Julian explained
We've talked about this before -- Julian seemed almost too saintly, too good to be true. This week, after Brooke gently confronted him about his White Knight complex, we finally got some explanation for why he behaves the way he does. It rounds him out more, makes him more flawed -- and more human. It's about time!
Brooke's reactions
Poor Brooke. So, so much has gone wrong for her, but even in the midst of all that, she's capable of showing us the tender, gooey heart we know is beneath her tough exterior. She's there to comfort Julian in the hospital, and even though she's pissed at Alex (we loved her "This is selfish" speech), she doesn't want Victoria to use her or ignore her pain. And When Millie admits to stealing the dress, she doesn't blow up. She fires Millie as a model -- but as a friend, she tells Millie to get he help she needs.
Our minor quibbles
Speaking of Millie...
Why exactly did Millie and mouth have to break up? And what's with her breaking out of rehab? It just seems so random!
Beleaguered Brooke
Will Brooke ever be allowed to be happy? We know she cries attractively, but it's getting to be a bit much. Give the girl a break!
Dancing Quinn
That cheerleader audition went on way, WAY too long, and went from hysterically awkward to cringingly painful to watch. They could have cut it off MUCH sooner.
Welcome to Tric, home of the musical bartender
Of COURSE Grubbs is a closet rock star. Why else would you work at Tric? (That said, we loved Wakey! Wakey!'s music.)
But overall, this was a knockout ep for us. What about you? Share your thoughts int he comments, and then help us wile away the time until the show returns in mid January!
Comments
Quinn's cheerleader audition was the best. It was so funny. Pure One Tree Hill. Road trip supposed to be reminiscent of Leyton, but fell short. They're a great couple, but no Leyton. Millie ducking out of rehab was stupid. Alex's debacle added drama but Brooke and Julian weren't interesting anymore. Everything worked out for Naley as usual--constant of the show. Thank God Rachel and Dan split up--the relationship didn't make any sense. In the past,I said that Owen would be good with Rachel. End the show, Mark, and bring back Leyton for the series finale.
Posted by: nk8950 | January 13, 2010 12:16 AM
I loved this episode, and Quinn actually grew on me a little.
Miranda the record label lady, she TOTALLY had the drink Grubbs gave her before! And she knew his talent. She's messing with him! Remember that one episode a few weeks ago where she told Haley that she thought the bartender was hot? She's playing him!
Posted by: Soccer7SG | December 9, 2009 9:07 PM
Welcome back One Tree Hill! The best episode ever! I loved it! Can't wait for more! Amazing! :)
Posted by: Rachel | December 9, 2009 10:52 AM
I am glad shes done with jullian. After seeing brooke look for love for 7 years i am quite protective of her :P and jullian was just not right AT ALL i mean if she cant be with Lucas brooke needs someone who will sweep her of her feet but be interesting too and not boring old jullian
Posted by: lee | December 9, 2009 8:46 AM
Well I think this episode was a shitty one.
Posted by: Lae | December 9, 2009 3:51 AM
ok so i actually thought this was the worst episode ever. the writing?! "why are you scared of the ocean, because its immense, so is life yet we step into it every day..." and then quinn steps into life by stepping in the ocean??! really? and that new guy for brooke is already ew. he looks so annoying...and then julian just moving on and his whole "do you know what happens when you die! you're dead. thats what happens." um give me a break. and nathan and haley were cute but thats all they ever are. i feel like they never have real problems anymore. and millie breaking out of rehab? again! im so done with that. every single week its her finally realizing that she is going too far and going to change, but then she ends up going back. i miss the old millie. lauren and skills were weird and lauren always wears the same one dress. and is mouth going with skills? im still confused. i loved mike from wakey wakey but what is with that random miranda girl? this episode just really bothered me.
Posted by: Meagan | December 8, 2009 9:44 PM
it seems like Millie is becoming the new Deb (the Deb in seasons 2-3) and Brooke is responding to Millie the same way Karen did to Deb also. Karen fired Deb, but got her into rehab and just like Millie, Deb broke out. It all seems kinda strange...
and at the end of the episode where that dude(I'm not sure if he was a model or a designer, i was too busy doing a victory dance over Dan and the Naley thing by that point, but anyhoo) walked into c over b, I mean cummon, you know he's either going to become the new, perfect love intrest for Brooke, or Brooke will just use him to make Julian jealous.
and i was super happy about the whole Naley thing although I felt no pitty for them before
Posted by: a | December 8, 2009 4:25 PM
I can't wait !!
It's so long !!
Love One Tree Hill For Ever <3 !!
Posted by: Ines | December 8, 2009 3:52 PM
Okay, it is no Bray, but im glad that they seem to be introducing a new love interest for Brooke. Not that i have anything against Brulian, but it's pretty boring right now. Maybe this possible triangle with shake things up. And i would appreciate that.
That said, it still won't bring the all the characters together again. When was the last time Brooke hung out with Nathan and Haley? I still think that Brooke and Clay should get together. It would be interesting to see everyone reacting to that.
Posted by: Omari | December 8, 2009 3:52 PM
Honestly, I care so little for the Clay/Quinn dynamic that when he made his profession of love, I found it cheesy. Get a divorce first. I liked all other elements except Brooke though, although I agree that her selfish speech was worth watching. The Tree Hill hospital gets a workout on this show.
Posted by: Colleen | December 8, 2009 3:24 PM