Episode 2.01 The Desperate Kingdom of Love

Overview:

In the second season premiere, after Lucas and Keith learn that Dan had a heart attack and is still in the hospital, they decide it is best for them to return to Tree Hill. When Deb learns about Haley and Nathan’s marriage, she grows hostile. Meanwhile, angry that Lucas left Tree Hill without saying goodbye, Peyton and Brooke try to mend their friendship.

Recap:

While Dan is lying unconscious in a hospital bed, Deb is having guilty nightmares (basically, Dan’s fake funeral). It turns out that, Deb did show up, when Dan had the heart attack. Dan couldn’t help but claim “You had better hope I die,” clearly hinting about the whole Keith affair. Deb couldn’t believe her sweet hubby was totally threatening her even during a heart attack, so she actually waited precious moments before calling the ambulance. Bad girl, Deb.

Peyton and Brooke are planning on spending a day together. Brooke comes up with an idea: a trip on her father’s boat. While Peyton starts getting worried about it, Brooke waves it off. “It’s like driving a car, just on water and without a speed limit.” Unfortunately, as soon as Peyton tells her about about Lucas’ letter, which was taped to her door, the – friendly – spark is kind of ruined. Peyton assures Brooke that she just didn’t want this letter to come between their friendship. Brooke seems to get her point and the “Hoes over Bros” era can get started.

Haley and Nathan got married but Deb doesn’t exactly share their enthusiasm. Karen is puzzled too, since they’re not even seniors.

Lucas and Keith are in Charleston. Ready to start over. Of course, the fresh news about Dan make them understand it’s time to go home and face what they left behind.

Flashback time. Nathan and Haley want to get married, so they show up at the James’ mansion. Since Haley’s father doesn’t want this marriage, his wife pictures what is going to happen if they don’t let Haley go. “She hates us. She keeps seeing him, maybe she gets pregnant, she drops out of school, she turns to a life of prostitution. Oh! There she is, smoking crack and sleeping in the gutter.” Well, we can assume from where Haley got her wit.

It turns out Dan had the heart attack because of a genetic mutation named HCM. Someone else is at the hospital, though. Whitey. Bad news: he has a tumour pressing on his brain. Luckily, surgery will fix the problem the next day.

Haley is involved in a complex operation – alphabetising CDs – , when Nathan comes over. Nathan doesn’t see any problem. “You like crummy music. I can live with that.” Actually, the real problem is that Haley is afraid this marriage will be the biggest mistake ever. Nathan assures he’ll always love her.

Another flashback: we see the moment in which Haley and Nathan say the vows. While Haley’s voice is still playing in the background, there are the last scenes.

Keith and Lucas decide to face their past; as soon as Peyton and Brooke burn Lucas’ letter, the letter-writer himself shows up. Keith catches up with Deb, who is still sitting next to Dan’s bed. The guilty brothers-in-law share a friendly hug and, in that moment, Dan finally wakes up. Yep, Evil Dan is back in town.

Originally aired: Tuesday September 21, 2004 on The CW Writer: Mark Schwahn
Director: Greg Prange
Show Stars: Moira Kelly (Karen Roe), Chad Michael Murray (Lucas Eugene Scott), Barry Corbin (Coach Whitey Durham), Paul Johansson (Dan Scott), Craig Sheffer (Keith Scott), James Lafferty (Nathan Scott), Barbara Alyn Woods (Deb Scott (Season 2+; Recurring Previously)), Hilarie Burton (Peyton Sawyer), Sophia Bush (Brooke Davis), Bethany Joy Galeotti (Haley James-Scott)
Guest Stars: Bess Armstrong (Lydia James) , Huey Lewis (Jimmy James) , Matthew Laurance (Doctor) , Avis-Marie Barnes (Marion) , Heather Shore (Nurse) , Keith Harris (Surgeon) , Joe Gallison (Minister) , Lessa Halstead (Nurse #2)

Home