One Tree Hill seems to be coasting right now, biding its time until the big Lucas and Peyton wedding/birth.  The only problem with that scenario is the likely but still officially unconfirmed report that Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton will be MIA from next season.

If they're really leaving, then now is when One Tree Hill needs to start setting the stage for what the show will look like next season.  In theory, Nathan and Haley are the next logical choices to put front and center, elevating James Lafferty and Bethany Joy Galeotti from supporting players to leading stars.


For the past several episodes, however, Nathan's role has actually shrunk.  Moving him to Charleston to pursue his basketball dreams might be what he needs, but it takes him away from Tree Hill and isolates the character.  Last week he made a quick, rare appearance with his son Jamie visiting a fancy private school, but other than that, Nathan's been spending more time with Devon than his own son.

Basketball has always been an important part of the show, but it was always just a plot device used to explore the emotional drama between Lucas and Nathan.  They could just as easily been rival water polo players or debate team members.

One Tree Hill is about relationships, and putting Nathan in Charleston away from his family and friends for an extended period of time is not a good use of the character.  It's OK for characters like Mouth and Millie to be isolated in their own storyline, but it seems like this season Skills has spent more time with Jamie than Nathan has.

In season 7, if Lucas and Peyton exit, One Tree Hill needs a new leading couple.  Given Antwon Tanner's recent legal troubles, it's doubtful that Skills and Miss Lauren will take that role, Jamie and Madison are too young, Mouth and Millie are too boring, and Brooke isn't able to form long-term relationships (though she's apparently slept with nearly every man who passes through Tree Hill, Nick Lachey included)..

So unless One Tree Hill becomes the Chase and Mia show, the writers need to find a way to bring Nathan back to Tree Hill.  Maybe if he's lucky some incredibly rich person will show up and start an NBA franchise in Tree Hill.  Crazier things have happened on this show.

Which couple should be the stars next season?

Nathan and Haley
Skills and Miss Lauren
Mouth and Millie
Chase and Mia
Jamie and Madison
Brooke and All the Men in Tree Hill

-John Kubicek, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image courtesy of the CW)