One Tree Hill
Reviewed by Goeun, age 14, Virginia
My friends call it a soap opera. TV Guide calls it the show where "two half brothers find that one town is not big enough for both of them". But I call it my favorite show, One Tree Hill. You've probably heard of it - whether it's from friends, family, or commercials - and now with its new season, it's getting more attention than ever.
One Tree Hill is your typical teenage show, but a little more complicated. There's Dan (Lucas and Nathan's father and Jamie's grandfather), Karen (Lucas' mom), Deb (Nathan's mom), Haley (Nathan's wife), Jamie (Haley and Nathan's son), Skills (Lucas and Nathan's friend and Deb's boyfriend), Peyton (Lucas' fiancé), Brooke (Peyton's best friend and Lucas' ex-girlfriend) ... you get the picture. Most of these characters have divorced parents, no parents, or estranged parents coming back. If you don't already watch it, you can tell that they're a pretty messed up bunch, but that makes it all the more interesting.
The first season began with Nathan and Lucas as rivals. As TV Guide said, the town's not big enough for both of them. They both have athletic talent, but since Nathan has the connections, he ends up playing for the Ravens, while Lucas is stuck at the river court. Peyton and Brooke's friendship is torn apart by Lucas, who dates Brooke, but begins to have feelings for Peyton. Other story lines include: Nathan and Haley's marriage is tested by Chris Keller (a musician Haley toured with) and Taylor (Haley's older sister, who was also the first girl Nathan ever slept with). Dan believes that Keith (his older brother) tried to kill him in a fire, and shoots him, blaming Keith's death on Jimmy Edwards, a student at Tree Hill High. There are many guest musicians on the show - music is a huge influence in One Tree Hill. Pete Wentz plays one of Peyton's many love interests. Brooke starts a clothing line called Clothes Over Bros, but gives it up to her controlling mother, Victoria, after she is attacked in her store.
Now in its sixth season, the show has only gotten more dramatic. Quentin Fields, who has begun to bond with Jamie, is shot in a gas station. This brings grief to many of the characters, and forces them to grasp the reality that life is short. Nathan gets a chance to be an NBA coach, but declines and takes an offer to play slamball. Peyton and Lucas are engaged, but tensions run high as Peyton's birth father comes to her, and Lucas talks with his ex-fiance Lindsey. Millicent (Brooke's former assistant) comes back from Omaha to cheer Brooke up after everything she's been though. Brooke takes in Sam, one of Haley's students, as a foster child after Haley encourages her to help her.
One Tree Hill may seem confusing and overwhelming. But if you watch it, you'll see that confusion isn't the purpose, but rather to keep hope alive. Whether you interpret the hope as coming from the fact that your lives aren't as messy as the characters' or derive hope from the inspiring quotes at the end of every episode, the show is encouraging to many teens.
Rating: 4.5 stars (of a possible 5)
