The 14 Most Memorable Moments from ‘One Tree Hill’

One Tree Hill went off the air in 2012, but for avid fans some moments will never be forgotten. The show was similar to a lot of the other dramatic teen stories out there, except with that hometown vibe that really helped to drive home the relatability – of course, with a few twists and turns that most of us wouldn’t relate to. Here are some of the most memorable moments and quotes from the CW show.

1. When Coach Whitey Durham Was Being Wise

Coach Whitey Durham was quite the wise sage full of good advice, especially when he was reminding us that we always have the option of using fear to our advantage. “There’s no shame in being afraid. Hell, we’re all afraid. What you gotta do is figure out what you’re afraid of because when you put a face on it, you can beat it. Better yet, you can use it.”

2. When Peyton and Lucas Got Engaged

The engagement between Peyton and Lucas was a long time coming so it was a big deal when it finally occurred. Eventually, they stopped resisting each other and decided it was worth a go.

3. When Derek Stalked Peyton

At one point Peyton found out that she was adopted and that she actually had a half brother named Derek. But, naturally Derek is hiding a secret and not being totally honest, and ends up stalking Peyton in obsession.

4. When Deb and Skills Had an Affair

Skills started chatting with a woman on the internet who turned out to be Nathan’s mom, and that didn’t stop them from continuing with an affair. Ultimately Deb broke it off since Skills wanted a family.

5. When Haley Suggested We Always Have Choices to be Making

“You can choose to blame your circumstances on fate or bad luck or bad choices. Or you can fight back. Things aren’t always going to be fair in the real world. That’s just the way it is. But for the most part, you get what you give. Rest of your life is being shaped right now. With the dreams you chase, the choices you make, and the person you decide to be. The rest of your life is a long time. And the rest of your life starts right now…” Preach!

6. When Lucas Came Back

Lucas left town and then comes back at the end of season six. Haley asked him to return to watch over her children while she went searching for the kidnapped Nathan.

7. When Dan Shot Keith

Things got complicated when a depressed Jimmy decided to bring a gun to school with the intention of opening fire. Keith tried to step in to help but Jimmy ended up shooting himself, and then Dan killed Keith. Dramatic plot twist!

8. When Dan Died

Dan was a pretty bad guy throughout the entire show, and in the very last season he ended up dying, which was hard to forget. He ended up getting a lot of closure before getting shot with a bullet that was intended for his son.

9. When Lucas Got Deep

“You ever look a picture of yourself, and see a stranger in the background?. It makes you wonder how many strangers have pictures of you. How many moments of other peoples life have we been in. Were we a part of someone’s life when their dream came true or were we there when their dream died. Did we keep trying to get in? As if we were somehow destined to be there or did the shot take us by surprise. Just think, you could be a big part of someone else’s life, and not even know it.”

10. When Sheryl Crow Guest Starred

In the first season Sheryl Crow made a guest appearance as herself and sang “First Cut is the Deepest” for no clear reason.

11. When Nathan Reminded Us that Love is the Answer

“You ever heard the expression ‘The best things in life are free.’ Well that expression is true.’ Every once in a while, people step up they rise above themselves sometimes they surprise you and sometimes they fall short. Life is funny sometimes. It can push pretty hard but if you look close enough, you can find hope in the words of children, in the bars of the song and in the eyes of someone you love. And if you’re lucky, if you’re the luckiest person on this entire planet, the person you love decides to love you back.”

12. When Quentin Got Killed

At one point a robber breaks into Brooke’s store and roughs her up. Later the same guy ultimately ends up killing Quentin the basketball player who had such a promising future. It was a shocking moment.

13. When Carrie the Nanny Went Crazy

Nathan and Haley hired a nanny named Carrie to look after their son Jamie. But then Carrie goes crazy and decides she’d like abduct Jamie, take Nathan for herself, and also torture Dan. Just one of the many soap opera turns in this small town drama!

14. When a Dog Ate Dan’s Heart

In one strange turn of events, Dan is patiently awaiting his donor heart when it gets dropped on the floor and a dog literally eats it. Odds? Unlikely. And yet for the show, not entirely surprising.