Quality-wise, certain seasons were more popular than others, but the show never devolved into a truly bad piece of television. And this was surprising considering how much the series changed over those years from its cast to its overall focus. In fact, by the final season, the show barely resembled what it used to be.
The distinct differences between the first and last season are why it's so fascinating to compare them. Most fans would claim that season 1 is superior, but is that really the case? Or is nostalgia driving that opinion?
First Season: Basketball
One Tree Hill's heavy focus on basketball makes the show feel different from most other teen dramas. Yet the sport is virtually forgotten in the later seasons.
It's a shame because plenty of the series' most exciting and memorable moments happen on a basketball court. Even fans who know little about the sport can get into the tension-filled games. Season 9 does incorporate some basketball into the show, but not nearly as much as season 1.
Final Season: Brooke
For plenty of the first season, Brooke isn't as significant a character as some of the others. Instead, she is mainly there to provide comic relief until she begins a relationship with Lucas.
Season 9 Brooke is just as entertaining as her first season counterpart with the added bonus of being a much bigger part of the show. Plus, she's a more well-rounded character who equally excels at being a mother as she does running a business.
First Season: Antagonists
One Tree Hill always has antagonists in some form, from high school rivals to creepy stalkers. In season 1, the main villain is Dan, who constantly causes problems for Lucas, Karen, and Keith while bullying Nathan. That being said, Nathan is also an antagonist for much of the early episodes as he and his cronies try to intimidate Lucas.
The evil father-and-son duo are compelling and complex bad guys that add a lot to the show. They're certainly much better than the stereotypical Eastern Europeans that kidnap Nathan in season 9.
Final Season: Dan
While Dan is a strong antagonist in the first season, he's a better overall character in the ninth. The man is no longer a pompous and cruel individual; he's just a guilt-ridden man who's desperate to find his son.
That's not to say it's easy to forgive him as many fans don't, but there's no doubt that his change in personality makes him an even more captivating character. What's more, he's still witty and shares many hilarious interactions with those around him.
First Season: Tone
Season 9 is incredibly dark; there are storylines involving kidnapping, assault, child abuse, and more. It's all a bit too much and doesn't feel like One Tree Hill.
Yes, the series has heartbreaking scenes almost every season, but they're usually complemented by many moments of joy and humor. Season 1 sees Nathan ing out on the court, and later in the same episode, dancing shirtless for the "Boy Toy" charity auction.
Final Season: Tension
Despite season 9 being the show's shortest, it excels at slowly building tension throughout. It opens with a short montage of exciting out-of-context scenes that give viewers a glimpse of what's going to transpire over the next 13 episodes.
After that, the show does well to maintain that tension as it builds to those moments. Season 1, unfortunately, doesn't do anything like that.
First Season: Nathan's Arc
Nathan has one of the best character arcs in the entire series, and most of it occurs during the first season. In the pilot, he's a true scumbag who mistreats both Lucas and Peyton. By the finale, he's a relatively honorable man who's in a loving relationship with Haley.
Season 9 isn't as good for Nathan fans. The character is only in half of the episodes, and almost all of them revolve around the uneven kidnapping arc.
Final Season: Payoffs
Naturally, a final season of any TV show is going to have more payoffs than the first. With One Tree Hill's last season, though, it isn't just about quantity; there's also plenty of quality. Moments like Brooke putting an end to Xavier, Nathan being rescued, and Dan finally achieving redemption are all very well-executed.
Not every arc ends as well, but in general, the season is good at delivering satisfying conclusions. Even the somewhat weak finale does a decent job of wrapping things up.
First Season: The Original Cast
One of the most divisive moments in the show's history came when Chad Michael Murray (Lucas) and Hilarie Burton (Peyton) left the series at the end of season 6. They were immediately replaced by Robert Buckley (Clay) and Shantel VanSanten (Quinn), who stuck around for the rest of the show's run.
The latter actors are both solid additions to the show, but they don't quite have the same chemistry as the original group. In season 1, the show could pair up any of the main five cast , and it would work. Clay and Quinn, on the other hand, don't always mix well with those outside of the Scott family.
Final Season: More Varied Drama
It's fair to say that in season 1, almost all of the drama comes from romantic or familial relationships. The ninth season, however, is a bit more creative. There is still relationship drama, but there's also plenty of other things going on, from café rivalries to unexplained weight gain.
While not all of the crazy plotlines work well, it's a treat to see the variety between them. It's proof that One Tree Hill doesn't solely need to rely on cheating or major breakups to be a compelling show.