The drama series ran for 9 seasons, ending in 2012. And thanks to Netflix, it continues to gain new fans. These are the best and worst rated episodes, according to the ratings on Dawson's Creek had ended. It was well received and maintained enough popularity to stay on the CW for 9 seasons.
Much like The O.C, the series core cast was a group of high school students with the secondary cast being the parents. From its fifth season, the series jumped ahead four years and began to focus on the core cast navigating young adulthood. One Tree Hill introduced audiences to new music, inspirational quotes and provided a semi-realistic depiction of the ups and downs in relationships. For fans, this was a truly special show that gave them hope and a place to call home. Of course, there were times, particularly in the later seasons where the show would go off the deep end into more unrealistic territory.
Best: All of A Sudden, I Miss Everyone – 9.5/10
The season four finale saw many events come to a head and the birth of Nathan's and Haley's son Jamie was one of them. Karen also gives birth to her and Keith’s child, Lily Scott. Meanwhile, Dan finally its to killing Keith by turning himself in to the police and is taken into custody.
The episode was the end of an era with the teens having finished high school and preparing to leave for college. The show was never the same after as the following episode would jump straight into adulthood and skip college storylines.
Worst: 4:30 AM (Apparently They Were Travelling Abroad) – 7.8/10
The first episode without Lucas and Peyton was always going to struggle ratings-wise. At this point, the show was softly rebooting with the addition of Clay and Quinn to fill the hole left by the couple. As Nathan finishes up his first season in the NBA, Brooke and Julian, who have been dating for over a year at this point, decide to return to Tree Hill permanently.
Meanwhile, Haley has taken over Red Bedroom Records for Peyton, having completely left behind her aspirations as a schoolteacher. It's never mentioned what happened to Lucas or Peyton or why they left Tree Hill but the episode title hint's that they could be traveling with Lucas' mom, Karen.
Best: The Show Must Go On – 9.5/10
With their second wedding quickly approaching, Nathan panics his dream of Haley drowning will come into fruition. The episode has some reveals for characters as Dan finds out it was Deb who tried to kill him in the dealership fire, not Keith. Brooke also finds out about the kiss Lucas and Peyton shared.
The episode ends on a cliffhanger as Haley and Nathan, driving Keith’s mustang, almost collide with their stolen limo, driven by Cooper and an unhinged Rachel. After the limo crashes off a bridge and into the water below, Nathan decides to jump in and save his uncle. Audiences are left waiting to see who, if anyone, survives.
Worst: What Are You Willing To Lose – 7.8/10
The second episode of season seven introduces its third new character, Alex Dupree. This is where the first half of the season begins to take shape, with Nathan getting accused of fathering a child on the road and Brooke hiring a new face to represent Clothes Over Bros.
Haley begins to have her own drama at Red Bedroom Records when the parent record company attempts to shut them down. Rachel Gatina makes a surprise return, having been absent since season five. Her appearance comes with the shocking relation that she has since married Dan Scott.
Best: Danny Boy – 9.5/10
After literally taking a bullet to save Nathan’s life, Dan Scott's finally run out of time. Most of the episode takes place in the hospital as characters come to make peace with Dan and say their goodbyes.
The episode is emotional from the get-go from Haley and Nathan's reunion to Dan apologizing to Haley for killing Keith. Even Nathan’s mom Deb shows up to say goodbye and thank Dan for saving their son. The only absentee is Dan’s other son, Lucas who Haley explains, refused to come. The episode ends with Dan finally making peace with his brother Keith and moving on to the afterlife together.
Worst: Your Cheatin’ Heart – 7.9/10
Another season seven episode to make the worst of list which can be attributed to the fact that this season feels far removed from the earlier ones. At this point, the show had become about the personal lives of the rich and famous. In the previous episode, Haley had punched Renee, the woman claiming to have slept with Nathan, and now they must deal with the fallout which includes Haley getting arrested.
Meanwhile, Julian begins working with Alex Dupree on his new movie, whilst Brooke worries due to Alex’s reckless behavior. In California, Rachel informs Dan about Nathan’s scandal which leads to him approaching Renee to appear on his show Scott Free Redemption.
Best: Some You Give Away – 9.6/10
This eventful episode in the middle of the fourth season sees the Tree Hill Ravens finally win the state championship. Leading up the game, Lucas decides not to take his heart medication so he can continue to play longer, and Nathan ignores the loan sharks’ threat to throw the game.
The episode culminates in Lucas realizing Peyton is who he is meant to be with, and they decide to be together. Outside of Karen’s café, Daunte, angered at losing money because of Nathan, attempts to hit him with his car but Haley pushes him out of the way, getting hit herself. Lucas runs out to help and suffers a cardiac arrest. The episode ends with both characters in hospital, their fates unknown.
Worst: Holding Out For A Hero – 8.0/10
Quinn, Brooke, and a pregnant Haley dress up as superheroes to help a teenager being bullied by girls from school. Meanwhile, Chase, who has been managing the bar Tric, decides to a big brother program to give his life more meaning.
Season eight was still a far cry from the show One Tree Hill used to be and this episode represents that well. Whilst it is a strange and silly episode in some parts, the key messages the episode displays are that young people need and someone to depend on too.
Best: With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept – 9.7/10
Arguably one of the most emotional episodes in the entire series, it's no surprise that it’s the top-rated. The character of Jimmy Edwards was reintroduced, having been absent since season one. Feeling isolated and depressed, he decides to take a group of students hostage after pulling a gun out at a bully in the school.
The hostages come to realize how their actions affect those around them and it’s a poignant message about bullying and suicide. The saddest part of the episode comes just after Keith, having entered the school to save Lucas, fails at convincing Jimmy everything is okay. Jimmy shoots himself and as Keith holds Jimmy’s lifeless body, Dan arrives, picking up the gun and shooting his brother in cold blood.
Worst: We Three (My Echo, My Shadow and Me) – 7.0/10
This was a conceptual episode written by the show’s star, Chad Michael Murray. As Lucas attempts to review the screenplay for his novel with Casablanca playing in the background, he begins to dream of a 1940s era Tree Hill.
The rest of the episode takes place in the dreamscape with Lucas running a jazz club called Karen’s café. Most of the characters appear, as noir versions of themselves. Towards the end, Peyton is shot dead in the street and a cell phone begins to ring, waking Lucas up. In the real world, Lucas answers the phone to Peyton and after they finish their call, she collapses in pain.