One Tree Hill

Many post entries ago, I proclaimed that I would attempt to watch the entire series of One Tree Hill after a couple of episodes on SoapNet sparked my interest in the series.  Well as of approximately 2am on Thursday, December 17, 2009, I am officially caught up.  And very much look forward to the return of the show in January 2010.

One Tree Hill debuted in the fall of 2003, when I was in my junior year of high school--and interestingly enough, the same age as the characters that I have since fallen in love with.  I never watched a single episode during this time.  Maybe it was because 7th Heaven fulfilled all my teenage drama cravings.  It's also probable that my anger over having missed the start of the OC during the summer (I was at my overnight camp for goodness sake!) which everyone was talking about carried over to the seemingly similar premise of One Tree Hill (both shows started in the same year).  I've since watched the first season of the OC (very good!) and it could not be more different than One Tree Hill.

For some reason, I'm always surprised when I find out these legendary shows have actual premises.  Like who knew Beverly Hills, 90210 had an actual premise? (it's about a pair of twins adjusting to life in LA after moving from Minnesota).  Well One Tree Hill also has a premise, and that is about two half brothers who share the same father, and the conflict that ensues over their relationship--did I mention the dad only recognizes one of the brothers as his son?  Yep, completely ignores the other one. sad day.

There is definitely something to be said about watching a series in its entirety in virtually one sitting.  It's an emotional roller coaster.   I'm not going to admit how many times I sat crying on my couch at 1:30 in the morning because I felt bad for Dan and his need for forgiveness...or when Peyton and Lucas finally get together or break up or get together or just share a beautiful moment.  I know the writers intended for the audience to feel this way, but I wonder if it actually happens unless your investment in the characters is developed in such an intense viewing experience as the one I set up for myself.

With that said, I challenge everyone to make OTH your next project.  Go out and rent the series.  Start watching it on SoapNet (they're going to start from season 1 again very soon! FYI).  There is something about this show that is just refreshing and different from all the other ones...it makes me wish i started watching it in high school.  It's the complexity of the character types, the even greater complexity of the relationships between the characters.  There's something very real about it--Brooke and Peyton's friendship (it reminds me of many of my own friendships), the volatile relationship Lucas and Nathan have with their parents, and how we deal with loss and death in our everyday lives.  There's also something very unreal and soapy about it--(we love you Nathan and  Haley--but nobody's parents let them get married in their junior year of high school)--that makes it so addictingly good.  Above all, as I've mentioned in previous posts, the show's great because of it's comparatively seamless incorporation of music--from the long musical montages at the end, to Peyton and Haley's connection with the music world, to the use of TRIC (think peach pit after dark) as a way to showcase new (and not so new) artists.  The show reflects the culture of the 2000s, while making it at the same time. It's wonderful in so many ways, and now I finally understand why it's been on the air for 7 years.