One Tree Hill

When we last left the world of One Tree Hill, Lindsey decided not to marry Lucas after figuring out that he's still deeply in love with Peyton.  In addition to the wedding disaster, Brooke randomly declared that she wants to have a baby, and Dan made his presence known by rescuing Jamie from the evil clutches of nanny Carrie.  It's been a long time since the show's 100th episode, but tonight it's finally back with the first of six brand new installments.

In "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace," Lucas and Nathan welcome their dad home with hugs, teary eyes, and a giant party thrown in his honor.  Nah, just kidding.  Their reaction to Dan's return is a lot more violent than that.

One Tree Hill returns with Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) showing his love for Dan by punching him in the face.  Nathan runs out and joins in on the beating, but he stops when Jamie shows up.  Though little Jamie was dreaming of Vampire Dan just a few episodes ago, he now loves his grandpa for rescuing him from the evil grip of the psycho skank.

It's four weeks later, and Haley and Nathan are in couples counseling.  They're trying to get over the fear of losing Jamie again, while Brooke is busy meeting with an adoption agent.  The adoption agent is not amused by the fact that Brooke occasionally drinks, enjoys sex, and hangs out with Peyton.  Brooke throws Peyton under the bus and says she can kick her out of the house if she has to.

Andy thinks that Lucas needs to stop moping over Lindsey.  Is it just me, or is Andy about three feet tall?  He's like a little pocket Australian.  Meanwhile, Peyton (Hilarie Burton) claims that she wants Lucas, but Lucas says that he wants Lindsey.  He just can't seem to get over her.  Doesn't he realize that she's a guest star?

Nathan tells the counselor that he occasionally wishes he could have become a big time NBA star.  He also tells her that it's not easy for him to be vulnerable, though he recalls his vulnerability when Haley forgave him for his steroid usage.  Back on Pocket Aussie's boat, he's telling Lucas that he needs to convince Lindsey that he's still in love with her.  He wants Lucas to hop on a plane to New York and go get his girl.

Here's the deal with Nathan: he used to get praise and attention from basketball, but when that dried up, he found the attention from crazy Carrie gratifying instead.  The therapist tells him and Haley (Bethany Joy Galeotti) to go act their ages, which would certainly be a change of pace on this show.  These two have the problems of 45-year-olds.

What the hell?  Why is creator Mark Schwahn making a cameo?  Apparently he's been on the show before, but I guess I missed it.  Anyway, Schwahny visits Peyton while Dan (Paul Johansson) meets up with his parole officer.  He's not to leave the state and he has to get a job.  However, Dan doesn't really care about any of that.  He just wants to talk to the guy about Jamie, who he's been visiting at school unbeknownst to anyone else.  While at the school, he tells Jamie that he has to leave before things start to look "pervy."  Ha!  I love Dan.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea for Nathan's therapist to encourage him to play basketball.  Who cares what the real doctors say?  Miss Psych Degree says that Nathan Scott can do whatever he wants.  Back in the land of Schwahny's self-indulgent cameo, he's telling Peyton about the closing of his music store and his desire to buy her car.

I have to say that I side with the adoption agent when it comes to Brooke (Sophia Bush) getting a baby.  With all of the crazy stuff she's been involved in on this show, I wouldn't give her a kid either.  Brooke finally figures out that the agent has been talking to Victoria, and as usual her mom has not been making a good impression.

The couples counselor wants to remind Haley and Nathan of the fun they used to have when they followed their own passions.  Nathan (James Lafferty) used to have basketball, Haley used to have music, and now they have Jamie and marriage problems.  Life is more fun when you remember to follow your own dreams.

Insanely adorable Jamie takes Chester, his bunny, to show and tell.  Chester is one of his best friends, along with Dan and Skills.  He says that nanny Carrie used to be one of his best friends, but then she put stuff in his hair and tried to take him away.  Meanwhile, the adoption agent decides not to give Brooke a child. The fact that Victoria said she'd be a horrible mother certainly didn't help.

The entire One Tree Hill gang is attempting to work through their issues in this episode, and it's not the most thrilling thing to watch.  Peyton unloads her Lucas problems on Schwahny, Lucas debates what to do about Lindsey, and Nathan and Haley wrap things up with the counselor.  At least Lucas finally makes a decision. He shows up at Lindsey's office in New York, much to her surprise.

Lucas gives Lindsey the shpiel about how he's totally in love with her, but she has no desire to get back together with him.  Though she definitely doesn't want to marry him, she does agree to work with him to edit his new book.  I really can't wait to find out what the title of his second masterwork is.

In the Scott household, Nathan and Haley finally reconnect in a sexy naked way.  I guess that counselor knew what she was doing after all.  While those two finally manage to get what they want, the rest of the gang isn't so lucky.  Peyton is still pining over Lucas, Lucas is still moping over Lindsey, and Brooke still doesn't have a baby.  It's a good thing they have five more episodes to get their lives back on track.


- Don Williams, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
(Image courtesy of the CW)