The Best Episodes of One Tree Hill
Every episode of One Tree Hill ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of One Tree Hill!
In Tree Hill, North Carolina two half brothers share a last name and nothing else. Brooding, blue-collar Lucas is a talented street-side basketball player, but his skills are appreciated only by his friends at the river court. Popular, affluent Nathan basks in the hero-worship of the town, as the star of his high school team. And both boys are the son of former college ball player Dan Scott whose long ago choice to abandon Lucas and his mother Karen, will haunt him long into his life with wife Deb and their son Nathan.
Top Episode Ratings Summary
The best episode of "One Tree Hill" is "With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept", rated 9.7/10 from 1886 user votes. It was directed by Gregory Prange and written by Mark Schwahn. "With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept" aired on 3/1/2006 and is rated 0.1 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Some You Give Away".
9.7/10 1,886 votes#1 - With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept
Season 3 Episode 16 - Aired 3/1/2006
Due to the aftermath of the release of the time capsule, chaos breaks out. Someone is holding students of Tree Hill hostage with a gun, shooting. While lives hang in the balance, Nathan and Lucas put themselves at risk to protect their friends and loved ones. Young lives are shattered and two lives will end.
Director: Gregory Prange
Writer: Mark Schwahn
9.6/10 934 votes#2 - Some You Give Away
Season 4 Episode 9 - Aired 11/29/2006
As the Ravens prepare for the championship, Lucas learns Nathan intends to throw the game and decides on a risky plan to even the odds. Karen insists Deb show up for her son's final game and tries to help her get there. Also Dan makes a last plea with Daunte.
Director: Gregory Prange
Writer: Mark Schwahn
9.4/10 602 votes#3 - Danny Boy
Season 9 Episode 11 - Aired 3/21/2012
The search for Nathan becomes increasingly dangerous, and Dan’s life hangs in the balance. Brooke is surprised when her father returns. And Clay and Quinn reconnect with Logan.
Director: Joe Davola
Writer: David Strauss, Mike Herro
9.3/10 691 votes#4 - The Show Must Go On
Season 3 Episode 22 - Aired 5/3/2006
Nathan worries about Haley as they prepare to renew their vows. Peyton and Brooke's friendship becomes strained and Deb confesses to Dan about the fire.
Director: Mark Schwahn
Writer: Mark Schwahn
9.3/10 763 votes#5 - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
Season 4 Episode 21 - Aired 6/13/2007
Dan must face the harsh consequences of his decision to murder Keith as Karen and Haley's pregnancies complicate the lives of Nathan and the graduating seniors of Tree Hill High. Lucas wrestles with his post-high school options, and Peyton and Brooke prepare to spend the summer in Los Angeles together.
Director: Mark Schwahn
Writer: Mark Schwahn
9.3/10 844 votes#6 - One Tree Hill
Season 9 Episode 13 - Aired 4/4/2012
In the final chapter of One Tree Hill, the tenth anniversary of Tric brings old faces and new possibilities for the Tree Hill family.
Director: Mark Schwahn
Writer: Mark Schwahn
9.2/10 738 votes#7 - Pictures of You
Season 4 Episode 13 - Aired 2/7/2007
A class assignment reveals the deepest secrets and desires of Lucas and the students at Tree Hill High. Worried about college prospects, Skills turns to Haley, while Nathan wrestles with Deb's suicide attempt. Chase learns that Brooke cheated on her calculus exam, while nudity and drugs run rampant in the halls of the school.
Director: Les Butler
Writer: Mark Schwahn
9.2/10 590 votes#8 - Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.
Season 6 Episode 3 - Aired 9/15/2008
When tragedy strikes in Tree Hill, Nathan and Haley experience difficulties breaking the news. Brooke still hurt over the robbery, questions her friendship with Peyton, and Lucas and Skills finally meet Quentin's mother.
Director: Liz Friedlander
Writer: Mark Schwahn
9.2/10 581 votes#9 - Remember Me as a Time of Day
Season 6 Episode 24 - Aired 5/18/2009
Tree Hill bids goodbye to the past while anticipating the future: Lucas and Peyton prepare for the birth of their child with the help of a surprise visitor, Dan nears his end, and Brooke works with Victoria to relaunch Clothes Over Bro's. Meanwhile, Nathan returns to Tree Hill to face Haley and Jamie after being released from the Chiefs.
Director: Mark Schwahn
Writer: Mark Schwahn
9.2/10 489 votes#10 - Darkness on the Edge of Town
Season 8 Episode 11 - Aired 12/7/2010
A storm strikes Tree Hill, putting everyone's life in danger.
Director: Mark Schwahn
Writer: Mark Schwahn
9.1/10 552 votes#11 - The Wind That Blew My Heart Away
Season 3 Episode 13 - Aired 2/1/2006
A violent rainstorm knocks out the power in Tree Hill, leading Haley to Nathan's doorstep and Brooke out into the downpour for a dramatic confrontation with Lucas. Peyton finally confronts the truth about Ellie's illness, while Mouth is tempted by his new friend, Rachel. Before morning, secrets are revealed, relationships are tested, and new love gets hotter than ever.
Director: David Jackson
Writer: Stacy Rukeyser
9.1/10 514 votes#12 - Hundred
Season 5 Episode 12 - Aired 3/18/2008
On Lucas and Lindsey's wedding day, Peyton must choose between intervening and losing Lucas forever. Nathan uses the event to try to mend his marriage to Haley. All are shocked when Dan, who is out of prison on parole, shows up at the event.
Director: Les Butler
Writer: Mark Schwahn
9.1/10 393 votes#13 - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
Season 9 Episode 10 - Aired 3/14/2012
Dan, Julian and Chris Keller attempt to rescue Nathan. Brooke’s conflict with Xavier escalates. Quinn and Clay revisit the past.
Director: Mark Schwahn
Writer: Mark Schwahn
9.0/10 514 votes#14 - Who Will Survive, and What Will Be Left of Them
Season 3 Episode 17 - Aired 3/29/2006
The aftermath of the school shooting and the death of Jimmy Edwards forces everyone in Tree Hill to examine their lives. Nathan reassesses his relationship with Haley, while Brooke and Rachel join forces to heal the student body. Dan must deal with the ramifications of shooting Keith, while Lucas and Peyton consider the implications of their kiss in the library.
Director: John Asher
Writer: Mark Schwahn
8.9/10 569 votes#15 - The Games That Play Us
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 5/11/2004
Lucas and Nathan bear the brunt of Dan's abuse as he coaches them into the playoffs, pushing both of them to their breaking points. Haley is stunned after Dan threatens her, causing her to reconsider her relationship with Nathan. Meanwhile, Whitey learns that his medical condition may be more serious than he first expected, and Dan learns a shocking secret from Deb.
Director: Gregory Prange
Writer: Mark Schwahn
8.9/10 532 votes#16 - Songs to Love and Die By
Season 4 Episode 10 - Aired 12/6/2006
After a cardiac incident, Lucas has a dream in which the spirit of Keith visits and shows him how much one life can affect the lives of others, with a nod to “It's a Wonderful Life.” Elsewhere, Hayley is the victim of an accident and Dan helps out Nathan.
Director: John Asher
Writer: Mark Schwahn
8.9/10 518 votes#17 - You Call It Madness, But I Call It Love
Season 4 Episode 16 - Aired 5/2/2007
It's Prom night, but things start to go awry as Lucas discovers who was the person in the hallway when Keith was killed, and psycho Derek holds Peyton hostage at her own house. Meanwhile, Haley and Nathan vow to be romantic with each other throughout the night, and Dan continues to win over Karen's affections.
Director: Thomas J. Wright
Writer: Terrence Coli
8.9/10 434 votes#18 - Forever and Almost Always
Season 6 Episode 23 - Aired 5/11/2009
Lucas and Peyton's wedding day finally arrives, bringing some surprise guests along with it. Haley finds herself playing an unexpected role in the ceremony, as Skills and Brooke try to control Jamie and Nick. Meanwhile, Nathan continues to hope to be drafted into the NBA.
Director: Gregory Prange
Writer: Mark Schwahn
8.9/10 405 votes#19 - I and Love and You
Season 7 Episode 7 - Aired 10/26/2009
Dan brings Renee onto his television show, leaving Nathan and Haley powerless to stop him from revealing the truth of her pregnancy to the world. Quinn examines what went wrong with David, and Sara and Clay discuss their past. Meanwhile, Brooke comes clean with Julian about her true desires.
Director: James Lafferty
Writer: Mark Schwahn
8.8/10 747 votes#20 - Every Night Is Another Story
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 10/28/2003
When Whitey throws Lucas and Nathan off the bus due to their misconduct on the basketball court, not only does it leave the two brothers stranded 30 miles from home, but they encounter a carload of punks who threaten them with a gun. Injured during the game, Brooke needs Peyton to drive her home and in, an unlikely turn of events, Peyton asks Haley for help. Meanwhile, Karen and Keith attend a business function and tempers flare when Dan and Deb are seated at their table.
Director: Jason Moore
Writer: Mike Kelley
8.8/10 475 votes#21 - The Leavers Dance (2)
Season 2 Episode 23 - Aired 5/24/2005
In the second part of the this seamless 2-hour Season Finale of "One Tree Hill," things heat up between Lucas and Brooke since he finally tells her what he feels about her. Nathan and Deb conspire to desert Dan for good, leading to an explosive conclusion when he discovers their plan. Peyton has a shock. Meanwhile, Karen decides to spend the summer holiday in New Zealand. And at the climax of Dan's numerous deceptions someone sets the dealership on fire with him in it.
Director: Gregory Prange
Writer: Mark Schwahn
8.8/10 480 votes#22 - How a Resurrection Really Feels
Season 3 Episode 9 - Aired 12/7/2005
It is revealed that Lucas knows who tried to kill Dan and he confronts the guilty party. Brooke, Peyton and Haley find themselves behind bars. Peyton finds her guilty conscience on the surface. Chris Keller convinces Nathan to be his wingman at a high-stakes poker game. The residents of Tree Hill finally choose a mayor.
Director: Gregory Prange
Writer: Mark Schwahn
8.8/10 450 votes#23 - Just Watch the Fireworks
Season 3 Episode 15 - Aired 2/15/2006
When someone unleashes the students' time capsule upon Tree Hill High, Lucas and Mouth must confront a person from their past. Brooke has to deal with the revelation that secrets aren't the only things she exposed in the time capsule. Dan learns to forgive Keith. Haley is forced to reconcile the man Nathan was before with the man he has become, and Peyton's Breast Cancer Benefit Concert at Tric features performances by Haley, Jack's Mannequin and the return of Fall Out Boy.
Director: Billy Dickson
Writer: Chad Fiveash, James Patrick Stoteraux
8.8/10 466 votes#24 - Prom Night at Hater High
Season 4 Episode 15 - Aired 2/21/2007
It's Prom day, and emotions are flying high at Tree Hill. An emotional Haley confronts Nathan about the sex tape and asks for a list of all his past sexual encounters. Meanwhile, an angry Peyton asks Lucas to skip the dance altogether, but he refuses to take no for an answer. Finally, Brooke and Peyton let out all their tension in a confrontation that can tear them apart forever.
Director: Paul Johansson
Writer: David Strauss, Mike Herro
8.8/10 456 votes#25 - The Birth and Death of the Day
Season 4 Episode 20 - Aired 6/6/2007
As graduation approaches, Haley prepares for the recital of her valedictorian speech and motherhood. Nathan must adjust to life without basketball, while Brooke makes a confession that may have great consequences. Lucas confronts Dan after Karen's life is threatened.
Director: Gregory Prange
Writer: Mark Schwahn