Each of the main characters on One Tree Hill made many bad decisions throughout the show's nine-season run, whether that be Dan Scott's villainous ways or the adolescent mistakes committed by the core five in their high school days. However, there were thankfully many good decisions made along the way too.
While some characters tended to make better decisions than others, each main character of the show did at least one thing that was a stand out for their individual narratives and was a testament to their character growth. Characters as good-natured as Haley and Karen tended to make better decisions than most, yet some of the best decisions came from unsuspecting characters and had great effects.
Dan: Saving Nathan
Dan Scott was understandably the least likable character on One Tree Hill, but by the show's final season, his decisions went a long way to almost redeeming himself. With Nathan having been abducted, Dan worked with Chris, Julian, and Haley to try and figure out where his son was and bring him home.
In doing so, Dan managed to rescue Nathan from his captors but got shot in the process of protecting him. However much fans disliked Dan after his villainous ways throughout the show, there was no denying that his efforts to save Nathan were valiant, and it was the best decision he ever made by far.
Karen: Leaving Tree Hill
Karen was one of the kindest and most moral characters on the show, and thus, she tended to make better decisions than other characters. However, one of the stand-out things she decided to do was to leave Tree Hill in season 4 and begin a new life away from the town where she had experienced so much heartbreak.
Considering all she had been through, most notably the murder of Keith at Dan's hand, it made sense for Karen to leave the pain of her past behind. While fans definitely missed Karen in the later seasons, it was in her best interest to start afresh and give her and her daughter a chance to have a happy life away from the drama of Tree Hill.
Clay: Proposing To Quinn
Despite only being introduced in season 7 of One Tree Hill, Clay had a rather tumultuous time on the show and experienced his fair share of mistakes. However, by the show's end, his character had overcome a lot and was finally ready to settle down with Quinn.
With the revelation that Clay had a son, season 9 was quite disruptive for Clay and Quinn's relationship, but they thankfully got their much-needed happy ending with Clay's decision to propose to Quinn. The moment was great for both of their characters and was one of the best (and most romantic) things that Clay did.
Quinn: Adopting Logan
Quinn, like her sister, was quite a selfless and kind character, who ed those around her greatly. With this, most of her decisions were irable, but none as much as her choices throughout One Tree Hill's final season, where she stood by Clay as he struggled with the heartbreak of his past and found out he had a son.
Despite the pain she experienced, Quinn ed Clay as he got the help he needed, and eventually, she made the decision to adopt Logan. Not only was this choice completely heartwarming as Clay and Quinn formed their own family, but it was also the best thing Quinn ever chose to do and gave them all a happy ending.
Julian: Helping Brooke
Julian was by far Brooke's best love interest on One Tree Hill, even if their relationship did have a rocky start. Upon Julian's introduction to the show, he was not much liked by Brooke, but their relationship began to truly develop when Julian went out of his way in season 6 to help track down Brooke's foster child.
Even though Julian knew he was not really wanted in Tree Hill, he selflessly helped Brooke when she was desperate, and his decision was one that went a long way in showing Brooke who he really was. It was one of the first times that fans got to see Julian as a kind man with no other motives than to help, and the decision marked a turning point in his and Brooke's blossoming relationship.
Peyton: Starting Her Own Record Label
Unlike characters such as Brooke and Nathan, Peyton did not change all that much in the time jumps between seasons 4 and 5, as she still had feelings for Lucas and did not have many job opportunities. However, starting her own record label gave her character much-needed direction, and was great for fans to see Peyton pursue her ion.
With all the drama in her love life, Peyton's career was a shining point of her narrative arc as it portrayed her in a different and more mature light. Opening Red Bedroom Records showed Peyton what she was capable of and changed her life for the better, making it the best decision she ever made.
Lucas: Choosing Peyton
Lucas actually made his best decision twice, when he realized that Peyton was the one for him in both season 4 and season 6. However much Lucas tried to deny it, there was no doubting that he had a connection with Peyton from the beginning, one that never really went away.
Thus, his decision to give their relationship a go was his best one. While their romance in high school went awry after they graduated, fans were elated to learn that Lucas had not gotten back together with Lindsey in season 6, but had, in fact, called Peyton. Thankfully, their relationship as adults had a much happier ending and proved that Lucas was right in his decision to give him and Peyton a shot.
Brooke: Fostering Sam
Her tremendous character growth was one of the main reasons fans believe that Brooke was the main character of One Tree Hill, and by season 6 of the show, she had really come into her own. Since graduating high school, Brooke thankfully grew out of her dramatic teenage ways and made many good decisions.
Yet, perhaps the biggest choice she made was when she decided to foster Sam. Although she initially struggled, Brooke and Sam developed a heartwarming relationship, and Brooke went over and above to raise and protect her. Of all the things she did in her romantic and professional life, her decision to take in Sam was her best and was a critical point in her character development.
Haley: Pursuing Her Career
Throughout the whole show, Haley was consistently a kind and level-headed character who always tried to do the best for others. Therefore, when she chose to leave Tree Hill in season 2 to go on tour with Chris, everyone was shocked that she would do something that only benefited her.
Although her actions had many dire consequences, it was great for fans to see Haley put herself first and do something that she wanted, rather than try to please those around her. Her decision to focus on her career was repeated at various points throughout One Tree Hill, but none were quite as life-changing as this instance as it altered the trajectory of her life and showed her and her friends what she was capable of.
Nathan: Forgiving Haley
Nathan and Haley were undoubtedly one of the best couples on One Tree Hill, but in the show's third season, their relationship was in pieces. With Haley's decision to leave Tree Hill to pursue her music career, she returned to town to find that Nathan did not want anything to do with her or their marriage.
However, Nathan thankfully came to his senses and chose to forgive Haley for leaving him, and it was by far the best thing he ever did. Throughout the whole show, Haley proved time and time again to be the best thing that ever happened to Nathan, and thus, his decision to forgive her and to renew their vows was a turning point for his character that gave them both a great deal of happiness.