One Tree Hill backdrop
Drama

The Best Episodes of One Tree Hill Season 1

Every episode of One Tree Hill Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of One Tree Hill Season 1!

Binge this in 15h 35m•Peaking at 8.9/10

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

Airs on
The WBThe CW
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons9

All123456789

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.3/10(1232 votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    "Pilot" is the first episode of One Tree Hill's first season. It first aired on The WB television network in the United States on September 23, 2003. It was written by Mark Schwahn and directed by Bryan Gordon. It saw John Keenan and Melissa Claire Egan guest star as Officer Wayman and Melody, respectively. It introduces the character of Lucas Scott — a high school student — and his friends and relatives in the fictional Tree Hill, North Carolina.

    Director:Bryan Gordon
    Writer:Mark Schwahn

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 2 - The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most
    7.9/10(787 votes)

    #2 - The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most

    S1:E2

    Lucas blows his first Varsity game and decides to quit the team. The wedge between Nathan and Peyton continues to grow after Peyton tires of Nathan's jabs at Lucas. Meanwhile, Keith forces Karen to deal with her feelings for Dan after she refuses to step foot in the high school gym to support her son.

    Director:Bryan Gordon
    Writer:Mark Schwahn

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 3 - Are You True?
    7.9/10(720 votes)

    #3 - Are You True?

    S1:E3

    Frustrated by Lucas' growing popularity at school, Nathan searches for Lucas' weak spot, and finds it in Haley. Meanwhile, Peyton is furious with Lucas for submitting her drawings to the local newspaper without her knowledge.

    Director:Michael Grossman
    Writer:Jennifer Cecil

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 4 - Crash Into You
    8.2/10(688 votes)

    #4 - Crash Into You

    S1:E4

    Haley convinces Lucas to go with the team to an after-party at Nathan's beach house in the hopes that the guys will become closer. When Lucas sees the wealth that was denied him, he finally confronts his mother about why she let Dan ignore them. Meanwhile, when Nathan's mom returns home to find a very angry son, she turns to Karen for advice.

    Director:David Carson
    Writer:Mark B. Perry

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 5 - All That You Can't Leave Behind
    8.0/10(654 votes)

    #5 - All That You Can't Leave Behind

    S1:E5

    Lucas asks Keith to play with him in the annual "Father and Son" basketball game, and realizes he got the better father figure after Dan publicly humiliates Nathan on the court. Also, Peyton has a hard time dealing with the anniversary of her mother's death and finds a comforting ally in Whitey.

    Director:Duane Clark
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 6 - Every Night Is Another Story
    8.8/10(837 votes)

    #6 - Every Night Is Another Story

    S1:E6

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of One Tree Hill

    READ
  7. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 7 - Life in a Glass House
    8.1/10(653 votes)

    #7 - Life in a Glass House

    S1:E7

    On the night of Dan and Deb's annual basketball appreciation party stirs up old wounds and new feelings as Karen makes a new friend, Keith faces off with his younger brother once again and Lucas finally makes his move on Peyton. Also, Haley and Nathan grow closer until Brooke spreads a vicious rumor that leaves Haley devastated.

    Director:Robert Duncan McNeill
    Writer:Mike Kelley

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 8 - The Search for Something More
    8.4/10(684 votes)

    #8 - The Search for Something More

    S1:E8

    Looking for some fun, Brooke and Peyton crash a college party, but things turn ugly when one of the guys in the dorm, Gabe drugs Peyton. After Brooke calls Lucas for help, the two bond over caring for a sleeping Peyton, prompting Lucas to look at Brooke in a new light. Meanwhile, Haley gives Nathan another chance and the two go on their first date.

    Director:John T. Kretchmer
    Writer:Jennifer Cecil

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 9 - With Arms Outstretched
    8.2/10(634 votes)

    #9 - With Arms Outstretched

    S1:E9

    After fighting with his father and Haley, Nathan succumbs to the pressure he is feeling and takes amphetamines to help his game. However, he isn't prepared for the destruction the drugs do to both his body and his family. Meanwhile, Peyton goes to Lucas to rekindle their relationship, but when she arrives at his house, she catches him with Brooke.

    Director:Gregory Prange
    Writer:Mark Schwahn

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 10 - You Gotta Go There to Come Back
    8.1/10(607 votes)

    #10 - You Gotta Go There to Come Back

    S1:E10

    After Whitey cancels basketball practice, Brooke convinces Lucas to let loose and takes him out for a wild night out on the town. Meanwhile, Deb instructs Dan to take Nathan away for a father-son weekend to try and rebuild their relationship, but things don't go exactly as she had hoped.

    Director:Keith Samples
    Writer:Mike Kelley

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 11 - The Living Years
    7.8/10(580 votes)

    #11 - The Living Years

    S1:E11

    Unable to handle the pressure from Dan, Nathan decides to quit the basketball team and looks to Haley to help him fill his free time. Meanwhile, Brooke becomes increasingly jealous of Lucas and Peyton's growing friendship.

    Director:Thomas J. Wright
    Writer:Mark B. Perry

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 12 - Crash Course In Polite Conversations
    8.4/10(597 votes)

    #12 - Crash Course In Polite Conversations

    S1:E12

    After Peyton receives the devastating news that her father is lost at sea, she and Lucas take an overnight trip to Hilton Head to identify a body that has washed ashore. Overcome with emotion, Peyton kisses Lucas. Meanwhile, an unexpected visit from Dan's parents leaves the Scott family in turmoil as numerous family secrets are revealed at Dan's birthday dinner.

    Director:Sandy Smolan
    Writer:Jessica Queller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 13 - Hanging by a Moment
    8.6/10(597 votes)

    #13 - Hanging by a Moment

    S1:E13

    Aside from a love for hoops, it would seem that Lucas and Nathan are two young men with little in common, but they are bound by the dark secret that they share the same father. Nathan is the star of the high school basketball team and local town hero, while Lucas is the only child of a single working mom. Now the two boys' lives collide when a twist of fate puts Lucas on Nathan's team and the half-brothers compete, not only for control of the court, but also for the heart of Nathan's beautiful girlfriend Peyton.

    Director:John Behring
    Writer:Mark Schwahn

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 14 - I Shall Believe
    8.5/10(587 votes)

    #14 - I Shall Believe

    S1:E14

    While holding a vigil at Lucas' bedside as he lays in a coma, Karen meets her son's new girlfriend and learns from Deb that she is divorcing Dan. Most shocking of all, Karen is horrified to discover that Keith was drinking while driving at the time of the accident. Meanwhile, Nathan tries to win Haley back after she dumps him.

    Director:Gregory Prange
    Writer:Jennifer Cecil

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 15 - Suddenly Everything Has Changed
    8.1/10(556 votes)

    #15 - Suddenly Everything Has Changed

    S1:E15

    After his near-death experience, Lucas decides he made the wrong choice between Brooke and Peyton so he breaks things off with Brooke and secretly rekindles his romance with Peyton. However, the truth becomes obvious after he is rushed to the emergency room again and the girls come face to face in the hospital. Meanwhile, unable to pay his mortgage after paying Lucas' hospital bill, Keith puts his garage up for sale.

    Director:David Carson
    Writer:Mark B. Perry

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 16 - The First Cut is the Deepest
    7.9/10(553 votes)

    #16 - The First Cut is the Deepest

    S1:E16

    Nathan must decide which parent to live with after the divorce, but Dan decides to force his hand by threatening to reveal Deb's darkest secrets in court unless Nathan chooses him. Meanwhile, Lucas meets a beautiful stranger who starts his head spinning.

    Director:Robert Duncan McNeill
    Writer:Mike Kelley

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 17 - Spirit In the Night
    8.4/10(584 votes)

    #17 - Spirit In the Night

    S1:E17

    The gang hits the road to Charlotte where Brooke is determined to win first place at the annual cheerleading competition, but when one of her squad falls ill, Peyton begs Haley to step into the cheerleader's shoes for a day. Meanwhile, after Whitey assigns Lucas and Nathan to the same room, tempers flare and Haley is caught in the middle.

    Director:Duane Clark
    Writer:Terrence Coli

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 18 - To Wish Impossible Things
    8.5/10(589 votes)

    #18 - To Wish Impossible Things

    S1:E18

    Lucas, Nathan and Jake are auctioned off to the highest bidder in the annual "Boy Toy" charity auction and the night leads to surprising developments with old flames. Meanwhile, having missed out on the auction, Brooke ends up with Mouth and gives him the night of his life.

    Director:Billy Dickson
    Writer:Mark Schwahn

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 19 - How Can You Be Sure?
    8.1/10(537 votes)

    #19 - How Can You Be Sure?

    S1:E19

    Lucas must make a difficult decision regarding Brooke. Haley considers having sex with Nathan.

    Director:Thomas J. Wright
    Writer:Karyn Usher

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 20 - What Is and What Should Never Be
    8.1/10(523 votes)

    #20 - What Is and What Should Never Be

    S1:E20

    While Nathan looks for an after-school job to pay his rent, Haley decides to throw a party at his apartment but panics when things get out of control. After a jilted Brooke realizes she was not invited to the festivities, she decides to crash the party with her new friend Nicki.

    Director:Perry Lang
    Writers:Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 21 - The Leaving Song
    8.1/10(521 votes)

    #21 - The Leaving Song

    S1:E21

    Lucas is shocked to learn that Dan once asked Karen for joint custody of Lucas when he was a baby. Meanwhile, Peyton panics after Nicki kidnaps Jake’s baby while she is babysitting.

    Director:David Carson
    Writers:Jennifer Cecil, Mark B. Perry

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 22 - The Games That Play Us
    8.9/10(629 votes)

    #22 - The Games That Play Us

    S1:E22

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "One Tree Hill" season 1. It scored 8.3/10 based on 1232 votes. Directed by Bryan Gordon and written by Mark Schwahn, it aired on 9/23/2003. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most".