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The Best Episodes of One Tree Hill Season 3

Every episode of One Tree Hill Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of One Tree Hill Season 3!

Binge this in 15h 37m•Peaking at 9.6/10

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 1 - Like You Like an Arsonist
    8.5/10(498 votes)

    #1 - Like You Like an Arsonist

    S3:E1

    In the third season premiere, we finally discover Dan's fate after the fire. Besides the situation with his father, Nathan also has to deal with Haley's reappearance in Tree Hill and the future of their relationship. Meanwhile, Peyton tries to find the truth about the mysterious woman who pretends to be her mother. Also, Lucas looks forward to Brooke's return after a summer apart.

    Director:Gregory Prange
    Writer:Mark Schwahn

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  2. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 2 - From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea
    8.0/10(453 votes)

    #2 - From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea

    S3:E2

    Brooke has an end of the summer party on the beach. As Nathan comes home from basketball camp, Haley tries to tell him how she feels. Elsewhere Lucas deals with Brooke's rules for dating and Peyton deals with family issues.

    Director:Kevin Dowling
    Writer:Mark Schwahn

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  3. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 3 - First Day on a Brand New Planet
    8.0/10(436 votes)

    #3 - First Day on a Brand New Planet

    S3:E3

    Nathan asks Haley for a possible divorce. Lucas tells Dan that he saved his life. Peyton finds out something deep about Ellie. Dan tries to drop accusations at several people about the fire. He also tries to get Whitey replaced as Ravens coach.

    Director:Billy Dickson
    Writer:Terrence Coli

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  4. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 4 - An Attempt to Tip the Scales
    8.3/10(478 votes)

    #4 - An Attempt to Tip the Scales

    S3:E4

    It's Halloween in Tree Hill and everybody is celebrating at Tric, with special guest band Fall Out Boy. The masquerade ball gives the opportunity to Haley to win back Nathan while Brooke is trying to seduce Lucas. Also, Peyton decides to face her new mother and get to know her; Dan uses blackmail to become mayor but things don't turn out as easy as he thought they would when Deb gets in his way.

    Director:Janice Cooke
    Writer:Stacy Rukeyser

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  5. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 5 - A Multitude of Casualties
    8.1/10(446 votes)

    #5 - A Multitude of Casualties

    S3:E5

    The Ravens begin basketball practice. New team captain Nathan clashes with Lucas over Haley, and a new cheerleader sets her sights on Lucas. Elsewhere, Dan's mayoral bid takes a surprising turn when an unlikely opponent emerges, Karen.

    Director:Thomas J. Wright
    Writer:R. Lee Fleming Jr.

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  6. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 6 - Locked Hearts and Hand Grenades
    7.8/10(442 votes)

    #6 - Locked Hearts and Hand Grenades

    S3:E6

    Brooke makes a "Fantasy Boy Draft," after all of the cheerleaders are fighting over the same guys. Haley and Peyton continue to argue over Nathan. Dan butts heads with Karen because the election is drawing nearer. Lucas is trying to keep up with the fast pace of basketball.

    Director:Marita Grabiak
    Writers:Chad Fiveash, James Patrick Stoteraux

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  7. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 7 - Champagne for My Real Friends, Real Pain for My Sham Friends
    8.2/10(457 votes)

    #7 - Champagne for My Real Friends, Real Pain for My Sham Friends

    S3:E7

    The fantasy draft dates begin, Lucas finds himself with Rachel and a very familiar setting. Brooke is on a double date with an unusual couple. Mouth and Peyton hang out again. And Peyton regrets the things she says to Ellie. Karen and Deb take the campaigning for mayor, to a new level, to bring down Dan. Nathan gets mad when Chris gets close to Haley.

    Director:Paul Johansson
    Writer:Mark Schwahn

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  8. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 8 - The Worst Day Since Yesterday
    8.0/10(438 votes)

    #8 - The Worst Day Since Yesterday

    S3:E8

    As the town readies for the Ravens' first basketball game, Lucas worries that his head and heart aren't in it. Nathan accuses Lucas of being the Ravens' weak link. Peyton and Haley mend fences to support Brooke in a time of need. When the mayoral race tightens, Dan resorts to a smear campaign.

    Director:John Asher
    Writers:Mike Herro, David Stauss

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  9. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 9 - How a Resurrection Really Feels
    8.8/10(527 votes)

    #9 - How a Resurrection Really Feels

    S3:E9

    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

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  10. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 10 - Brave New World
    8.0/10(434 votes)

    #10 - Brave New World

    S3:E10

    Lucas and Peyton take a road trip together to find Ellie. While out of town, Lucas reconnects with a friend from his past. Brooke, Haley and Mouth successfully launch the Clothes Over Bro's website, only to find that demand far exceeds supply. Deb reveals to Nathan that she tried to kill Dan.

    Director:John Asher
    Writer:John A. Norris

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  11. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 11 - Return of the Future
    8.0/10(416 votes)

    #11 - Return of the Future

    S3:E11

    The Ravens lose their second game in a row, so Whitey teaches them a tough lesson. Peyton and Ellie look for support for their album and hope to attract Nada Surf to the project. Meanwhile, both Dan and Haley upset Nathan, while Brooke plans a romantic thank-you for Lucas.

    Director:Bethany Rooney
    Writer:Terrence Coli

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  12. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 12 - I've Got Dreams to Remember
    8.2/10(443 votes)

    #12 - I've Got Dreams to Remember

    S3:E12

    As the students meet with the school counselor to plan for the future, Nathan and Haley realize they want to attend different colleges across the country from one another and Brooke discovers Rachel's reasons for submitting her designs to Rogue Vogue. Meanwhile, Ellie and Peyton bond as they finish the benefit album.

    Director:Stuart Gillard
    Writers:David Strauss, Mike Herro

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  13. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 13 - The Wind That Blew My Heart Away
    9.0/10(618 votes)

    #13 - The Wind That Blew My Heart Away

    S3:E13

    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

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  14. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 14 - All Tomorrow's Parties
    8.7/10(523 votes)

    #14 - All Tomorrow's Parties

    S3:E14

    Brooke is forced to grow up in a hurry when her trip to a New York City fashion show prevents her from attending an annual cheerleading tournament. Nathan and Lucas are influenced by the father of an old friend. Struggling with her mother's cancer, Peyton joins Rachel for a night of blowing off steam, and Haley and Nathan use their hotel room as the honeymoon suite they never had.

    Director:David Paymer
    Writer:Anna Loto

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  15. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 15 - Just Watch the Fireworks
    8.8/10(497 votes)

    #15 - Just Watch the Fireworks

    S3:E15

    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
    Writers:Chad Fiveash, James Patrick Stoteraux

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  16. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 16 - With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept
    9.6/10(2468 votes)

    #16 - With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept

    S3:E16

    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

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  17. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 17 - Who Will Survive, and What Will Be Left of Them
    9.0/10(576 votes)

    #17 - Who Will Survive, and What Will Be Left of Them

    S3:E17

    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

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  18. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 18 - When It Isn't Like It Should Be
    8.5/10(520 votes)

    #18 - When It Isn't Like It Should Be

    S3:E18

    Rachel invites the gang for a weekend getaway at her family's cabin. Craziness will ensue, including a game of "I Never" which will cause characters to do things they normally wouldn't, and a nasty little issue Mouth has been harboring toward Rachel will surface. Meanwhile, Karen will confront Dan about Keith's death. Could she suspect the truth?

    Director:Paul Johansson
    Writer:R. Lee Fleming Jr.

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  19. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 19 - I Slept with Someone in Fall Out Boy and All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me
    8.2/10(458 votes)

    #19 - I Slept with Someone in Fall Out Boy and All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me

    S3:E19

    Lucas attempts to play in the first game after Keith's death, but cannot bring himself to do it; Nathan and Haley prepare to renew their vows, while Mouth tries to get closer to Rachel; Peyton receives a surprising offer; and Brooke finds a way to get revenge on Rachel.

    Director:Moira Kelly
    Writer:William H. Brown

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  20. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 20 - Everyday Is a Sunday Evening
    8.4/10(511 votes)

    #20 - Everyday Is a Sunday Evening

    S3:E20

    Nathan deals with a player who is a rival both on and off the court. Meanwhile, Brooke and Mouth look to get even with Rachel. Dan has a run-in with Cooper; and Peyton comes to a major decision.

    Director:Billy Dickson
    Writer:Mark Schwahn

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  21. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 21 - Over the Hills and Far Away
    8.4/10(488 votes)

    #21 - Over the Hills and Far Away

    S3:E21

    Haley argues about her wedding dress with Brooke during the rehearsal dinner. Elsewhere Karen and Lucas arrive back in town. And Peyton is surprised by what she finds...

    Director:Thomas J. Wright
    Writer:Mark Schwahn

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  22. One Tree Hill Season 3 Episode 22 - The Show Must Go On
    9.3/10(766 votes)

    #22 - The Show Must Go On

    S3:E22

    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

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Season 3 Ratings Summary

"Like You Like an Arsonist" is the best rated episode of "One Tree Hill" season 3. It scored 8.5/10 based on 498 votes. Directed by Gregory Prange and written by Mark Schwahn, it aired on 10/5/2005. This episode is rated 0.5 points higher than the second-best, "From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea".