In between my sobbing about the looming end of One Tree Hill tonight, I've managed to compile what we think are the best ten episodes of the series. It was tough. The show has given us some of the most memorable moments on television over the past nine years. Between the deaths, the weddings, the babies and the triangle drama, there was just so much to choose from.
We know not every fan will agree with every pick (we did have to leave a lot off the list), but hopefully die-hard OTH lovers will appreciate the effort and take a look back with us. It's the end, you guys. For real, this time.
Here's everything we've ever written about One Tree Hill ever.
[Additional reporting by Stephanie Webber and Jaymie Bailey.]
Season 4, Episode 21
"All of A Sudden I Miss Everyone"
(06/13/2007)
As everyone graduates from Tree Hill High, we say goodbye to the high school characters we all came to love. Haley and Karen both give birth, Chase loses his virginity to Brooke, and everyone parties on their last night as seniors. Other than the epic Spice Girls dance the girls perform, the real kicker is the end scene at the River Court. The whole group gathers for one last hurrah as Nathan and Lucas play a game of one-on-one and they all promise to be friends forever.
Season 1, Episode 1
"Pilot"
(09/23/2003)
This is what introduced us into the crazy world that is Tree Hill. Lucas and Nathan struggle with the fact that they're brothers who come from two completely different worlds. Each of them has life luxaries the other doesn't and we get a little glimpse into the insecurities of both. The basketball game at the end sets up the entire series as Nathan loses the game (and really, his girlfriend too) to the brother he never wanted.
Season 5, Episode 12
"Hundred"
(03/18/2008)
I'm pretty sure NO ONE wanted Lucas to marry Lindsay. That's a given, but this marked the 100th episode of One Tree Hill and you can bet they weren't going to leave us fans unhappy. Nanny Carrie kidnaps Jamie just as Lindsay is realizing that Lucas still loves Peyton. She runs from the alter (literally), leaving Lucas heartbroken. And in a shocking turn of events (and probably one of my favorite scenes ever), Dan Scott, the murderous grandfather, swoops in and saves Jamie while everyone stares on in horror.
Season 2, Episodes 22/23
"The Tide That Left and Never Came Back/The Leaver's Dance"
(05/24/2005)
This two-part finale was a freakin' doozy. Peyton is forced to say goodbye to Jake, Haley comes home to a heartbroken Nathan, Lucas finally admits his feelings to Brooke, and someone lights Dan's dealership on fire (with him in it). Not only was this episode amazing, the soundtrack was simply epic.
Season 4, Episode 9
"Some You Give Away"
(11/29/2006)
After years of torture, Leyton fans get their happy ending as Lucas finally picks Peyton as the one he wants next to him "when all his dreams come true." Oh, and he makes the game-winning shot and saves Nathan's ass in the state championship. Sadly, Haley later gets hits by a car, Nathan kills the guy, Dan takes the rap and Lucas has a heart attack. A happy-to-holy-sh*t story if I ever saw one.
Season 7, Episode 22
"Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said the Last Time I Saw You"
(05/17/2010)
Everyone heads to Utah for Julian's big movie premiere and he proposes to Brooke admist a snowy paradise. It was a triumphant moment for us Brooke fans because we watched this strong woman deal with some really sh*tty relationships over the years. It seemed like everyone was getting a happy ending but her. But alas, she finally gets everything she ever wanted. Oh, and Clay and Quinn get shot in probably the most shocking ending ever.
Season 3, Episode 22
"The Show Must Go On"
(05/03/2006)
This was essentially the end of Brucas. Sophia Bush gave an earth-shattering performance during Brooke and Lucas' fight over Peyton. She realizes he's not the guy she thought he was and we all realize that Brooke deserves better. Haley and Nathan tie the knot for the second time, but don't make it to their honeymoon as they crash into the bridge, sending Cooper and Rachel into the water. We're left with Haley screaming in a wedding dress as Nathan attempts to be the hero.
Season 9, Episode 11
"Danny Boy"
(03/21/2012)
I don't think any of us thought we would be this emotional over Dan Scott's death, but it was such a standout hour of television. Nathan tries to comes to terms with the fact that this man he spent years hating is now knocking at death's door because of him. And despite all the horrible things he's done, Dan's still his father. Lucas, on the other hand, doesn't come back to see him, which really just made the series come full circle. Amazing performances by James Lafferty and Paul Johansson.
Season 8, Episode 11
"Darkness on the Edge of Town"
(12/07/2010)
Everyone's favorite character nearly dies! Brooke tries to help Jamie and his friends escape an overturned car only to find herself in danger. The car gets hit again, flips over the bridge and the rest is one, big sobfest. As Julian attempts to free Brooke, she selflessly tells him to save Jamie because "he's just a boy." He does, but not before Brooke drowns. He tries to resuscitate his dead bride-to-be in a scene that had us all reaching for the tissues. Hats off to Austin Nichols and Sophia Bush on this one.
Season 3, Episode 16
"With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept"
(03/01/2006)
When you ask most fans about the most memorable episode of OTH, the school shooting shoots to the top of the list. And let's face it, this episode was a ballsy move on Mark Schwahn's part. It could have gone terribly wrong and pissed off a lot of people. But in the end, it was a fantastic hour of television that Mark says would have won an Emmy "if it didn't have the One Tree Hill name on it." We couldn't agree more. Of all the little wrongs this show has done, this was one really HUGE right.
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What do you think of our top 10? Which episodes would you have picked? Comment and let us know!
Follow Sharon Tharp on Twitter: @sharontharp
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