One Tree Hill Pilot Recap

Nathan Scott representing the Tree Hill Ravens.

In this episode, Nathan is seen as the star of the Ravens team as you watch him destroy the opposing team in a varsity game. He is clearly suffering from the same egotistical syndrome that many celebrities suffer from, and the team coach is in a struggle to maintain control of the team that Nathan clearly runs. During the game, Peyton shares some sexual talk with Nathan and we are left to wonder whether she is his girlfriend or just a fling.

Are Peyton and Nathan sexually active? I think they answer that here.

After the game, while Nathan and the others are stealing a bus it becomes clear to us that Peyton is Nathan's girlfriend because other girls ask about her before they mingle this Nathan. The fact that Peyton is Nathan's girlfriend doesn't stop him from making out with a girl and almost killing a whole bus full of intoxicated and horny teenagers when a nearby train passes. This scene questions both Nathan's intelligence and his faithfulness. It would seem that Nathan is just the traditional jock. We also witness a talk between Nathan's father Dan and the school coach. They apparently do not have a good history and his dad seems to play the role of a manipulator when he saves Nathan from getting into trouble for the bus incident.

Lucas Scott, your average high schooler.

While Nathan is off shooting hoops at a basketball game, Lucas is seen dribbling his ball around town and has an encounter with Peyton showing some tension between them. How fortunate that this should randomly happen in a town like Tree Hill? The next morning Lucas talks to his friends about her at the basketball court and it seems intrigued to hear that she is often naked on her web-camera. I would be too! Haha just kidding. I found this part very humorous. Afterwards, Lucas is seen having dinner with his Mom and best friend Haley. Haley seems like more of a family member than just a friend. Her speed of talking kind of reminds me of the Gilmore Girls, though thankfully not as extreme.

The coach and a man named Keith discuss Lucas' ability to play basketball, and pleads for the coach to check Lucas out. Lucas proceeds to play a basketball game with his friends that he plays flawlessly, and the coach is watching him play from inside Keith's car. They discuss Karen's pregnancy and it does not seem like a happy tale. Peyton is seen listening to music and has a fight with Nathan were he proceeds to call her a bitch and basically tells her he does not need her at all. He jumps to apologize to her and even receives a kiss before leaving her alone.

The next morning Lucas is shown in what looks like study hall and exchanges looks with Peyton for a second. The coach calls Lucas out and asks him to try out for the team. Lucas declines his offer, but when he talks about the matter with his friends they don't support him in his excuse for not playing varsity. Lucas finds a jersey in an envelope when he gets home and his mom clearly disapproves of it. They discuss it outside and she then tells him to go for it.

Dan and Nathan are shown by the weight machines and they discuss Lucas. Dan supports him opposing Lucas and starts to tell Nathan that is not for the best, this is the second time we witness Dan discussing Nathan's future showing that he is really controlling with it. Nathan and a friend head to the court where Lucas plays and challenge him.

The next morning Lucas and Haley are walking and they talk about murder of crows being illegal. They proceed to discuss Dan and also what ravens mean. Lucas says they are an unkindness. Peyton is then seen stuck with a broke down car. Keith and Lucas are shown talking about why Lucas will not play. Keith tells a story of how he fell in love with basketball. He tells Lucas not to hide his gift. It would seem right here that Keith is trying to also manipulate things, just for the better.

Lucas meets Peyton.

Lucas happens to be towing Peyton's car. She is very hostile towards Lucas and he questions why she is a cheerleader. Girls commonly are hostile to guys they like, but it is not clear with Peyton whether or not she likes Lucas from here. Lucas just laughs off her remarks. They talk about Dan and how Lucas first found out about him, which leads to some joking from Peyton. Dan is at Keith's workshop and Lucas is disgusted by Dan's presence. Lucas accepts Nathan's challenge the next day for the River Court.

Is Lucas willing to stand up to Nathan?

The big decision.

Could this be this seasons infamous love triangle?

Karen visits Dan at the dealership the next day and tells him how things will be working. Dan and Nathan are shown talking about Nathan quitting the team and he shows that they have very opposing views to thing. Nathan is shown with a nipple piercing which I found to be quite odd. Nathan tells his father he is going to do it for himself for once. A random girl leaves the bathroom after that and it is unclear whether this is Peyton or not, though unlikely.

At Karen's Cafe, Keith and Karen discuss Lucas playing basketball. Karen talks about how they got to that point and Haley is busted eavesdropping. Haley has rotten luck! They share that maybe life is going by fast, but Karen says that it actually has gone slow except for her son's aging. This is probably due to the fact that she see's him the most out of everybody. Nathan and Haley's golf course on the ceiling is shown as Lucas thinks he is selfish, while Haley reassures him that he worries too much as any good friend would say..

Mouth and Jimmy narrate the challenge game. I have never seen anyone do this at any school before, but that may just be because of where I live. It's obvious that Jimmy is fond with food, and Nathan and Peyton are shown discussing that Peyton was bet for the game. She is speechless, but should have had more to say when he said this than she did. (You disappoint me Peyton) Nathan arrives to the challenge with a huge crowd cheering him on.

One of the most important moments of the One Tree Hill series.

Nathan's first basket was amazing, and it would seem that Lucas is about to be blown away. For some reason Skills doesn't look happy when Lucas makes his first shot. (Maybe he is on the other side?) The game takes off with both guys making a ton of shots. Yet again the music choice is perfect for the moment. Nathan hits Lucas with his shoulder into Lucas' mouth, but Lucas lets the shot count anyway. Lucas steals the ball from Nathan and ties with him. Slow motion is shown as Lucas wins the big game and the crowd runs to him and praise him.

Nathan's supporters don't look too happy and then Peyton and Lucas share a moment together. The way they look at each other seems very passionate. Then the show goes to it's final scenes. Lucas shows up at the gym and the immediate awkwardness shown is an even clearer distinction of how brave Lucas is to do this.