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Yes, we noticed that 'One Tree Hill' is back
Many a moon ago, back in February, The CW aired the "Prom Night at Hater High" episode, a showcase for the best that One Tree Hill offers, if you happen to really like watching attractive young women engaged in cat-fights (and who doesn't?). The episode ended with a doozie of a cliffhanger, as Peyton arrived at her front door expecting prom date Lucas and was instead greeted by Psycho Fake Brother Derek.
Well that's a heck of a thing to throw at an audience if you're about to vanish for three months. While my anxiety had certainly waned before February reached its close, I have to believe that even the most dedicated of OTH devotees had a hard time generating concern for Hilarie Burton over all of those weeks of Pussycat Dolls repeats. But the show finally returned on Wednesday (May 2), picking up right were we left off.
One Tree Hill certainly isn't the first narrative to intermingle prom night and deranged lunatic terrorizing young women and it also certainly isn't the best. But there's something to be said for any show that features Burton slugging Sophia Bush in the face thrice (once an open-handed slap and twice with a closed fist) and then has them wander into a high school dance bloodied, but unbowed just minutes later.
Large parts of Peyton's inevitable showdown with Psycho Fake Brother Derek played out as virtual repeat of October's "I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness" episode, only with the audience's constant awareness that Less-Psycho Real Brother Derek had given Peyton a little mixed martial arts training that was bound to pay off eventually. Actually, Peyton's Million Dollar Baby pugilism had wasn't much of an asset. Left to her own devices, Peyton probably would have fallen victim to Derek once again. Fortunately, she had Brooke and memories of 8th grade cheer camp to fall back (literally) on. And how sweet was it of the police (and medical personnel) to just let Brooke and Peyton leave the crime scene to go to prom?
Oh well. Hopefully the Psycho Fake Brother Derek subplot is done now. I don't know if the OTH production staff can handle much more running up and down stairs screaming.
Fans were treated to another key revelation on Wednesday night. After spending the entire season wondering who had been stalking Dan with threatening messages, we discovered that the person who knew about Dan killing Keith was none other than... SOME GIRL WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN 20 EPISODES! That there's some fine writing, gang. It turns out that some girl named Abby, who hadn't been seen before or since the school shooting episode, was hiding in some office peeking through the blinds to witness Dan's fratricide. It took me a while to even remember who Abby was -- she was going into diabetic shock, so Jimmy let her leave the tutoring center. Now I'm left wondering two bigger questions: After having been freed by the school shooter, why did Abby just linger in the school hiding rather than taking some insulin and going outside to the police and media? And why did this marginal character without any connection to any of the main plotlines decide that the best thing to do with her knowledge was to send Dan snarky notes and defile his home and office? Just curious.
Other quick thoughts from Wednesday's episode:
Anyway, does anybody out there have any thoughts or feelings about the return of One Tree Hill?
At least this episode was funny. Not intentionally funny, but funny nonetheless.
I don't know if any of you are Supernatural fans, but Peyton's "scream" when Derek took off her gag sounded an awful lot like the purposely bad fake scream the actress on Supernatural was chided for during the "Hollywood Babylon" episode. Supernatural is parodying it's fellow CW shows without even trying!
Carrie | May 3, 2007 11:29:28 AM | #hilarie's fake scream sounded fake because she isn't a very strong actress. beating someone up doesn't take that much talent or acting. sophia bush far outshined any of the cast members last night
olivia | May 3, 2007 12:30:29 PM | #Some of that was too far fetched. For instance, Derek being stabbed where he was stabbed and losing that much blood--he wouldn't have been coherent and able to chase her for so long.
I personally took joy in the fact that Lucas wasn't around, but Brooke was. Though, Peyton STILL didn't quite save herself.
Natalie | May 3, 2007 12:33:33 PM | #Good Lord this show is going down hill! The best season was three. Mark is writing with his head up his ass these days.
Teresa | May 3, 2007 12:46:34 PM | #daniel-
i'm sure the empisode must have been painful for you to watch but i sure love reading your commentary on it. makes watching the episode worth it.
That whole fight scene with Derek and Peyton I was like..
omg.. really? Okay then. =|
But it was an okay episode..
I'm a pretty hardcore OTH fan but after such a long hiatus, I expected something pretty kick ass. But it was just a standard OTH episode..
it was good, but I wish it were better.
the worst part was when brooke was at the top of the stairs and made that comment about 8th grade cheer camp. that was so corny. but how about afew minutes later when brooke said they always lunge.
momof2 | May 4, 2007 1:22:20 PM | #When Brooke and Peyton pulled that stunt at the top of the stairs, it reminded me of an early scene in the Family Guy movie, where Peter and Meg attempt the same thing with Brian (except that Brian walks away just in time, leaving Peter to run smack into Meg). So I was laughing pretty much there-on out.
The episode was okay, but not amazing (it's all relative, even awesome OTH pales compared to other CW shows). I'm glad Lucas didn't have much to do, but it looks like he will have in the next few weeks seeing as he's figured out Abby saw what happened. Glenda... eh, she doesn't bother me too much, but I'd rather have Stephen Chase back.
I'm a bit concerned that Mouth and Rachel have scarpered off to New Orleans... how long for? They're two of the most entertaining characters on the show. Although, maybe now the parents can get some actual screentime...
| May 4, 2007 6:42:21 PM | #i liked it, but it was a shame 2 c peytons fake bro lookin so fugly, when he was in it last season... the tattoo the body woohoo but not now. :(
fron | Mar 20, 2008 1:12:28 PM | #
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