The Sixth Season

One Tree Hill is a teen melodrama about the interactions of a large group of people who are interconnected in their daily lives. The series originally was about the drama that followed two competing step-brothers in sports and love. As the show progressed, the focus changed to melodrama from backstabbing, scheming, murder attempts, love affairs/triangles, and other sordid drama fit for a soap opera. For more information about this series please refer to DVD Talk's reviews of season one, season two, season three, season four, and season five.

The first season of One Tree Hill was pretty remarkable. There were a lot of great plotlines and nonstop drama at every corner. The second was also enjoyable, but not quite the same as the first. Nevertheless, I had fun with it. Since season three, the quality of the series has degraded and I did not care much for season four. Season five came back with a slight reboot (jumping four years into the future), but still was not nearly as intense as the first season. Season six continues the storylines from season five, but does it in a much better way. Some of the stories are ridiculous and just plain stupid, but the overall melodrama works and offers viewers an intense, gripping experience. In short, I enjoyed season six.

Season six picks up with Lucas's heart in a massive state of confusion. He struggles to decide if he should be with Lindsey, Peyton, or Brooke. He picks Peyton and they go off to Vegas to get married. Of course, after seeing the romantic wedding chapel, they go back to Tree Hill to plan a real wedding. As the couple reconnects and prepares to spend the rest of their lives together, life repeatedly gets in the way. Peyton meets someone who she thinks is her biological father, which she must deal with alone. At the same time, Lucas faces Lindsey in New York as he prepares for the launch of his second book. Unfortunately, the book launch does not go as planned and he quickly loses Lindsey's support when she finds out about his engagement to Peyton. After Lucas's new book flops, he is surprised when someone wants to turn his first book into a movie. The only catch is the young producer's name is Julian Baker (Austin Nichols). Julian has an interesting history that causes complications in Tree Hill, as he is very connected to someone close to Lucas.

Haley, Nathan, and Jamie suffer a major loss when Quentin is murdered. They were very close to him as his teacher, coach, and friend. Along with the rest of Tree Hill, they mourn him. Out of the situation, Nathan and Haley are inspired to go after their dreams and not be afraid. Nathan pushes himself to try to get back into basketball. His dreams come close when he is called by a general manager, which turns out to be for coaching and not playing. However, Nathan plays slamball, but quits after realizing he could get really hurt. Eventually, Nathan gets a real shot at getting back into the NBA. Haley goes back to music. Notably, she helps Mia on her next album and sells a song to Nick Lachey. Haley also runs into some unrelated drama at school when she defies the principal to do what is right.

Brooke has really grown as a character over the seasons. In the past, she has been portrayed as an easygoing party girl who spends a little too much time frolicking. Since season five, she has been very focused on her clothing company. Unfortunately, as Brooke fully invested into the company, she lost part of herself. In season six, she labors to understand her place in life. As the season starts, she gets into a major fight with her mother about the direction of her company. Later, she realizes that it is not worth the trouble and gives up the company to do what makes her happy. Along the way, Brooke becomes a foster mother to troubled teenager Sam (Ashley Rickards). She also embarks on a new relationship.

Mouth and Millie have a pretty significant storyline this season. While their relationship and roles have been beneath the main characters in past seasons, their issues are turned up a notch. The couple faces problems when Mouth is given his dream job in Omaha. Millie wants to go to Omaha with him, but stays in Tree Hill to help Brooke through her problems. The long distance thing does not work and Mouth returns to Tree Hill. When he comes back, he gets his old job back with better benefits, which include a young female intern. Unfortunately, the intern is his old high school flame Gigi. While she was shy and quiet in high school, she is now sexual, outgoing, and after Mouth. Her overzealous interest in him causes plenty of drama, which ultimately leads Millie into making a horrible decision.

As for the rest of the season, there is much more drama afoot. Dan is kidnapped by the crazy ex-nanny Carrie. This plotline is over-the-top to the point it is just plain stupid. Unfortunately, there are several moments like this one throughout the season that do not feel like they have any real value. Other highlights include Deb and her much younger boyfriend coming to light, Owen trying to win back Brooke and going back to his bad ways, and Chase returning to help out Owen and a side-romance with Mia.

Overall, I enjoyed season six. The quality is no different than earlier ones. There are many outright, unbelievable situations that just come off as stupid. The acting and the writing have not improved either. The fact of the matter is that One Tree Hill is pretty much the same show. What I liked about it were the plotlines. They were over-the-top and unbelievable, but to a point that they are enjoyable. Season six is not necessarily better than earlier seasons, but it just works and will have more than enough soapy, melodrama for fans of the show to enjoy.

Episode Guide

1. Touch Me I'm Going to Scream, Part 1: Going places. Lucas flies off for a Vegas wedding. (Who's the bride?) Mouth takes a job in Omaha. (Will Millicent go too?) And Dan wakes up in a strange hospital. (The nurse is no Florence Nightingale.)
2. One Million Billionth of a Millisecond on a Sunday Morning: Someone wrecks Brooke's store, smashes her face and maybe destroys her future. Jamie catches Skills and Deb locking lips. Carrie feeds Dan an unusual mixture of oatmeal and well, just look out for antennae.
3. Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly: Death be not proud. The loss of someone young and promising brings all of Tree Hill together in sorrow -- including Jamie, whose parents struggle to help their little boy comprehend what happened.
4. Bridge Over Troubled Water: A dispirited Ravens team turns to Lucas for leadership; Nathan freaks over his mother's affair with Skills' Brooke and Victoria have a showdown; and Peyton is thrilled to meet legendary rocker Mick Wolf.
5. You've Dug Your Own Grave, Now Lie In It: The loving mother vs. the psycho: round two. Haley and Carrie square off with Jamie's safety -- and Dan's life -- at risk. Also: Nathan gets a call that raises his hopes and Lucas sees Lindsey in New York.
6. Choosing My Own Way of Life: Sleeping arrangements: Mick uses a pool table for a mattress, and Haley discovers Samantha bedded down in an auto shop car. Lucas's book signing is a success (Mouth shows up) and a flop (no one else does).
7. Messin' With the Kid: Lucas and Peyton let a magazine article control their lives. Brooke tries motherhood -- with a 15-year-old Brooke Jr. Nathan helps Jamie deal with a bully. (Haley's way: a catfight with the bully's mom).
8. Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe: Sports and entertainment. The Scott brothers reach for the big time when Nathan starts his career as a slamball player and Lucas lands a Hollywood movie deal.
9. Sympathy For the Devil: Everything old is new again: Nathan tangles with a former sports rival, Owen pursues Brooke, Gigi pursues Mouth, Lucas writes about Keith's murder and Peyton reveals her past relationship with Julian.
10. Even Fairy Tale Characters Would Be Jealous: Peyton and Derek's USO show is the setting for rockin' music onstage -- and drama offstage -- as Lucas, Peyton and Haley work out personal problems.
11. We Three (My Echo, My Shadow and Me): Out of the past: Lucas dreams himself and his friends back to a film noir '40s Tree Hill. Who's the mobster, the barkeep, the piano man, the songbird, the floozie, the cop, the ingénue, the newshound? Find out!
12. You Have to Be Joking (Autopsy of the Devil's Brain): Nathan gets his comeback chance, Jamie knocks 'em dead at the school talent show, Sam discovers the identity of Brooke's attacker, and Lucas's director loves the script -- as long as he can change it.

13. Things a Mama Don't Know: Oh, baby: Lucas and Peyton learn they're going to be parents. Foster parenthood takes its toll on Brooke as she searches frantically for Sam, unaware that she's been taken hostage by the slimeball who killed Q.
14. A Hand to Take Hold of the Scene: Peyton and Lucas are glowing, Nathan's elated to be back on the basketball court, and Brooke and Sam are becoming a family. If only Mouth and Millicent could catch a little of all the happiness going around.
15. We Change, We Wait: The search for a director ends. Badly. Brooke doesn't know what to make of her relationship with Julian. And Lucas picked the right girl, but the wrong ring.
16. Screenwriter's Blues: Brooke, this is Brooke: Miss Davis meets the actress who will portray her in the film -- and recalls the teenager she used to be. Peyton battles a some-assembly-required crib. Dan gives Jamie boy-girl advice.
17.You and Me and the Bottle Makes Three Tonight: Woulda, coulda, shoulda. Two used-to-be couples -- Mouth and Millicent, Dan and Deb -- have it out. Also: Peyton and Lucas receive stunning news about the pregnancy.
18. Searching for a Former Clarity: Tough times in Tree Hill: Lucas's film folds, Mia's songwriting skills seem to be on sabbatical, Sam is nabbed for shoplifting, and Dan loses his heart. Literally.
19. Letting Go: When a guy needs a pal: Mouth and Skills hit the road for some getting-over-Millie-and-Deb time. Also, Haley's students want her back, Julian has a question for Brooke, and Nathan brings Lucas and Jamie to a special place.
20. I Would for You: You know what scares Sam? Victoria. And she's back in Tree Hill. Plus: Peyton has a pregnancy scare, Jamie is invited to attend a prestigious school, and Jack finds a foster home in Charlotte.
21. A Kiss to Build a Dream On: Look who's bonding: Victoria and Sam during a shopathon, Skills and Jamie at a dance for five year olds. Also, Nathan gets an unexpected offer to play in the pros.
22. Show Me How to Live: Mother love. Brooke, Haley and Mia throw a baby shower for a radiant Peyton. And Brooke makes plans to adopt Samantha, despite her foster daughter's growing attachment to her birth mother. 23. Forever and Almost Always: Dearly beloved. Lucas and Peyton's wedding day finally arrives: a beautiful ceremony, a glowing bride, memories, laughter, tears of joy, good friends, surprise guests and a stunning ending. 24. Remember Me as a Time of Day: Mothers and daughters and fathers and sons! The arrival of Lucas and Peyton's baby girl has everyone in Tree Hill in a jovial mood. Nathan has big news for Jamie (and Haley), as Brooke and Victoria have a final reconciliation.

The DVD

Video:
The video is given in widescreen color with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The quality is good and offers a fairly sharp and clean picture. There is a grain and minor compression artifacts. There are also some hints of edge enhancement, but there is nothing that should interfere with your viewing experience.

Audio:
The audio in this release is given in English 5.1 Dolby digital stereo sound. The audio track sounds very good. Dialogue comes off flat and music is rich and vibrant. There is also very little distinction between the left and right channels. The release has subtitles in English, French, and Spanish.

Extras:

• Audio Commentaries: are included for episodes "You Have to Be Joking (Autopsy of the Devil's Brain)" and "Searching for a Former Clarity".
• Unaired Scenes: are included for episodes "Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly", "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "You've Dug Your Own Grave, Now Lie In It", "Choosing My Own Way of Life", "Messin' with the Kid", "Sympathy for the Devil", "Things a Mama Don't Know", "We Change, We Wait", and "I Would for You".
• OTH Goes Back in Time (17:26): is a making of featurette for the episode "We Three (My Echo, My Shadow and Me)". In this episode, the entire cast is put into a film noir '40s Tree Hill. It is unrelated to the series storyline. This featurette stars cast and crew discussing aspects related to making it.
• Slammin' with OTH (11:35): is a featurette about the unconventional sport of slamball, which is an extreme version of basketball combined with hockey and football. They talk about the sport and its relevance to season six.
• OTH Celebrity Soundtrack (21:39): is a featurette with cast and crew about the music of One Tree Hill. It opens with discussion about the importance of music and integrating it into the show. They also address the United Service Organizations (USO) Tour that was part of season six.
• OTH: The Directors' Debut (13:06): is an interview featurette with Chad Michael Murray, Bethany Joy Galeotti, James Lafferty, and some others. All three made their directorial debut this season. They talk about their experiences and challenges.
• Gag Reel (4:04): is a standard montage of goofs and mess-ups captured during filming.

Final Thoughts:
One Tree Hill is television melodrama that you either like or not. Since season one, the series has continued to use the same type of over-the-top, soapy melodrama to entice viewers. For the most part, it gives an intense and gripping experience to viewers. However, there are exceptions as the series has included some pretty ridiculous plotlines and outright dumb characters. Season six is no different than past seasons. It is not high quality writing or acting, but it is not bad either. There are a lot of wild and crazy things going on for the cast and the majority of it unfolds in a manner that leaves you wanting to know what will happen next. In the end, it is recommended One Tree Hill fans.