This was a slow one for me, folks.  I know it was supposed to be somber and sad and full of tension but it just didn’t quite strike a chord with me.  Yes, some great moments, but overall, not a favorite.

• Podcasts are close to my heart. And so is Mouth. And Mouth doing a podcast is just perfection and all feels right in the Tree Hill universe when Mouth is in front of a microphone.
• Nathan wanting to save Clay was quite noble. “I love you.  I love the person you are.”  “Where’d you think I learned it?”  Ahh.  I love that.  Just think about where Nathan came from.  So good to see a character redeem themselves.   I enjoyed Clay’s “fly-on-the-wall” banter with him as he tried to decide what to do.  Also?  Jamie offering his kidney is so sweet.
• As much as I’m not a fan of Quinn and Clay, it was sad to watch Quinn with Clay.  Shantel did a great job with those scenes.  And Nathan crying?  Break my heart!
• I’m glad they sent Victoria to prison.  That sounds cruel but if she really was lying, then I’m glad she got a proper punishment.
• That was pretty cool about Clay…I’m assuming it was Will’s kidney?  Nice one!

Also, I must mention the music was perfection this episode.  Beautiful!

What’d you think?

Wow!  This definitely hearkened back to the old OTH.  I’ve been saying they needed a reason to all be together.  For that reason, part of me misses the old high school days.  But this did just fine.   So good to see some Baley moments.  Good to see Skills and Mouth together.  The Brooke, Julian, Jamie stuff was funny.  So let’s get to it.

Haley’s storyline wrapped up beautifully.  The scenes while she were in the pool were fantastic.  Loved to see those moments again.  Good to see she got some professional help.  Loved the owl at the end and Jamie saying he loved to see her smile.  All really great.  And HOLY COW, she’s preggers!!!  Naley’s getting another baby!!!  So happy for them!

Brooke and Julian were so sweet tonight.  I think we’ve all seen an engagement coming and I’m glad we have that settled.  It was sweet and the ring was gorgeous.  Wasn’t Brooke gorgeous in that premiere outfit.  Wow!  I really hope we get to see them get married.  Not sure how they’ll do that without Peyton and Lucas but somehow I’d really love to see Brooke in a wedding dress and call Julian HUSBAND and not BOYFRIEND.  Big round of applause for them tonight!

Alex and Josh were pretty funny together tonight.  I really like Alex and hope she sticks around.

Mia and Grubbs had a nice ending.  The song is gorgeous and I think it fit right in with what was going on with him.

Mia and Alex…I was really liking them together and kind of cringed when Chase got that text.  Really hope that doesn’t string Mia and Chase along.

Good to see Mouth and Skills back together.  Skills and that coat was hilarious.  Mouth DANCING in that coat was hilarious. I  LOVE to see Lee Norris dance!  I’m gonna need some outtakes from that!   Speaking of dancing, that line from Skills about Quinn dancing had Heather and I ROFL.

But how about we all talk about the huge cliffhanger?  Quinn and Clay!!!  First off, we all know that it’s been rough between Quinn and I.  She’s slowly grown on me as a person through Season 7 but I’ve still never been a fan of Quinn and Clay together.  So the whole first couple of scenes with them in bed and then her in basically nothing made me throw up in my mouth a little.  Don’t get me wrong.  Quinn is absolutely stunning.  Stunning!  I’d kill for a backside like that these days.  But I just don’t get the two of them together.  Now when Quinn went traipsing through the snow to the Pub?  That was pretty hilarious.  Especially Mouth and Skills reaction.   Now as for the ending, was that not a shocker??? (well, except I’d read rumors it was happening but shhh)  But I mean, they did not mess around with that!  But here’s the thing…I did not cry at the end.  If anyone else on OTH had been shot, I’d be devastated.  I mean, they don’t usually kill off characters and when they do, it haunts me.  Jimmy?  Keith?  Yep, traumatized!  But ya’ll?  I don’t want to be mean and insensitive but I’m not crying right now.  If I am upset, I’m upset for Nathan and Haley and Jamie.  I don’t want them going through any more drama.  For that, I am very sad.  But just in case anyone who’s anyone is listening, I’m ok if Quinn and Clay don’t come back.  Even if they live through it and then have this be life-changing and they decide to leave Tree Hill to get away from Katie or the memories.  Whatever.  For the record, it’s ok with me.  I’m very sorry to Quinn and Clay fans because I know you’re out there but I just can’t pretend that has me upset.  But back to tonight’s episode I was definitely like Wow!  What just happened?!  What a way to end a season!!

OK, so here we are.  We have no idea (well, some) whether there will be a Season 8.  Brooke says you get the feeling it will all turn out happy but I don’t know, Quinn and Clay dying could shake things up pretty bad.  In good news, we leave Nathan and Haley with a little girl, Brooke and Julian married, Mouth living it up with girls and still with Skills as his best friend, Alex healthy, Josh off to make peace with himself and family, Grubbs off on tour.   I’d say they wrapped up most things with the exception of Quinn and Clay.  I want to take this to mean they know we’re getting a Season 8 because I’m pretty sure the writers wouldn’t end it with such a huge cliffhanger.  In that case, I’d like to see a time jump into Season 8 to Haley already having a little girl, possibly getting to see Brooke and Julian’s wedding.  Who knows what else!  I think it’s a great time to jump a little like OTH likes to do and give us a solid, short season with lots of drama.   Tonight was a great episode and definitely left me wanting more OTH.  I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to give up on OTH yet.  Can you imagine it never coming on again?? Whew, not me.  Bring on Season 8!

Tonight was a solid episode.  Bethany Joy Galeotti owned this one hands down.

• I have to start with Nathan and Haley because they were for sure the stars of this one.  All of Haley’s calls to her mother were just heartbreaking.  Nathan taking her on a ride and taking her to the riverwalk with the cracker jack box and the “it fixed me” line.  And then Haley jumping at the end.  I don’t know about you, but Haley was just heart-wrenching tonight.
• On the flip side was poor Jamie bearing the brunt of his mother’s depression.  And like a child, all he still wants is his mother to be happy.
• Quinn and Jamie were super cute. I  actually enjoyed trying to figure out the little treasure hunt. It’s good to see Quinn with something to do.  It’s good to see her smile.  All good, good, good.  Just thinking back to the first of Season 7, we have come leaps and bounds with her!
• Katie really went over the edge.  I’m not familiar with her mental illness so I can’t really say how believable it was she would take it so seriously.  It seemed a tad over the edge.  But I have to say Clay scared me for a second there at the end and I thought he was seeing ghosts again but he ended up saving Katie.  Go Clay.
• Miranda and Grubbs seemed a little like we were rehashing last week.  It’s been obvious they aren’t going to last and it was a little tiring see them break up again for another week.
• Mia and Chase came out of nowhere.  I was into the Alex and Chase thing until Mia came back.  I love Kate Voegele, but I don’t know, I think I would have been ok with the text-only break-up.  Speaking of, Julian’s crack about phones was funny.
• Brooke and Julian seem to be hanging in there with no issues, with just a few conversations to lead us into the film festival next week for the finale.

I can’t say enough how much I loved Naley in this ep.  Bravo!

I feel like maybe this week was simply setting up for our big finale.  Things were moving, but maybe a little slow this week.

• I was really on Team, uh, what do we call Mouth and Lauren?  Mauren? Oh gosh, Larvin?  No!  Ok, so I really like Mouth and Lauren together so I’m kind of sad to see them part ways tonight even if it was for the sake of Skills.  So good to see Millie again.  She seems all cleaned up and her sweet self again.  I hope we see more of her!
• Katie is still giving me really bad Carrie nightmares and ya’ll, I was done with Nanny Carrie about halfway through the corn field.  Pass!
• Miranda and Grubbs seemed a little forced tonight.  The dancing, the writing, the kissing.  You know I love me some Grubbs but I don’t know, I think it’s all moving too fast even if he is trying to keep her in the States.
• Brooke and Julian are really laying it on thick  with baths and bows tonight are they not?  I much prefer this than them mad at each other over a miscommunication so rock on, Brulian.  I dare say not much has looked so good in a red bow!  Although my only request is that they tie the knot before they untie the knot.  Sorry, had to.
• I found Alex to be quite interesting this week.  From offering to sell the sex tape to deciding her and Josh were coming out as a couple, Alex was quite the schemer.   But I think in the best way a schemer can be.  She ended up saving the movie in both cases and while that can be considered selfish, I think Alex was doing it all in the right intentions.  At least the twists and turns are interesting.  I just can’t wait to see what one-liners Alex comes up with while in public with Josh.  Watch out!
• Finally, Mrs. Haley.  Poor thing.  She’s really unraveling.  She’s gone to make soup instead of a music video and is lighting her piano on fire and yelling at Jamie.  She’s got serious issues and I think a professional is in order before she really hurts herself or someone.  Although from the looks of the previews, it doesn’t look like it happens fast enough!  Nathan was a sweetheart though and he was doing the best he knew how.  Just trying to stick with her before she let him in.  Awww…

Not a whole lot going on in this episode, just the chess pieces moving a bit.  I’d say a big Haley scene is coming, obviously a big Katie scene, possibly Brulian if they keep moving in the right direction and who knows what kind of drama will happen with Alex and Josh in public as a couple.  Two more episodes!!

Whoo Hoo!!  Tonight felt so great.  It’s been too long since I live-blogged an episode of One Tree Hill but it’s back!

Here’s my take:

• While I like feisty Brooke, I also liked the Brooke we saw tonight.  Commanding yet compassionate.  I’m glad she’s happy and her and Julian seem like they’re on a good path.  Hopefully there’s nothing around the corner!
• The sex tape.  So at the end and at the previews we find out Josh IS behind the whole deal but apparently it’s spiraled out of control.  And apparently Josh is gay??  What the heck is going on?  Did he want it leaked so everyone wouldn’t know he was gay?
• TMI with Victoria and Alexander.  I think I’m over that.  If they try to make their relationship serious, I may seriously throw up.  Little gag reflex with the big reveal.  Didn’t you love Brooke’s reaction when the curtain came down?
• Nathan is always super cute as a doting father but I wasn’t a big fan of the Kiss moment.  But I don’t want to dwell on that because the shaving and reading moments were really cute.  Speaking of Nathan as a father, it simply melted my little heart when Nathan told Haley he wanted another baby!!  Super squeeee!!!!  A Naley baby!
• Let’s talk about Haley.  My heart broke for her when she went into the ugly cry at the pool.  While it was the “ugly cry” it wasn’t ugly.  It was a beautiful ugly cry.  Does that make sense?  In other words, Haley acted her butt off. I simply can not imagine losing my mother and whatever dark period she goes through, I don’t hold it against her for one second.  Bless her heart.
• While I feel bad for Skills, I’m all Team Mouth and I just hope Skills and Mouth can make up eventually.
• Katie.  Psycho Nanny 2.0 or is it Psycho Derek 3.0?  She’s lost her mind.  I’d really just like her arrested already somehow and kicked out of Tree Hill but it looks like we’re going to have to ride another psycho out.  I hope we survive!
• Finally I fully enjoyed Quinn.  She looked smoking hot tonight and I loved that she had to do.  I like happy Quinn!

Overall I felt like this was a solid episode, probably one of my favorites of Season 7.

I’m going to be honest, that wasn’t my favorite episode ever.  If it wasn’t for the last 10 minutes, I’d be even more harsh on my reaction but I like how it ended.  So here are a few points:

• I have to say Haley was amazing this episode.  Completely real and believable and when she tied that apron on and took her place in the family, well, it was my undoing.  That was a beautiful moment.  And Nathan’s support of her was just so sweet and him telling her she’d face it courageously and graciously was just fantastic.  I <3 Nathan.
• Quinn and Taylor…the acting was just fine but to be honest, I’m still having a hard time connecting with them.  I felt a brief tug on my heart when Taylor revealed she was losing the one person that loved her because she couldn’t even love herself.  As nasty as she’s been, I think most of us can relate to having a mother than loves you no matter what.
• I was having a hard time with Brooke and the punching and the I-want-to-die-ness of it all but I guess you gotta come down to come up…I liked that she finally got it and apologized to Alex and Julian.  I have to say I’m surprised Julian took her back so quickly but his “You think too much, Brooke Davis” warmed my heart and I couldn’t help but to cheer a little inside for them.  Hey, I can be easy to please.
• Mouth and Lauren?  I am ALL OVER THAT.  They were so cute together.  I was not liking when Mouth apologized but then was so happy when Lauren said screw that and kissed him! But when Skills walked through the door though I was like OH NO!  I do feel bad for him but according to Lauren, they weren’t really talking so…I’m all for it.
• I’m not a fan of Victoria and Alexander.  At all.  I really wanted it to be Dan.  Even Paul would have been better.
• Alex, Josh?  Really?  That’s just gross.  He gives me the heebie jeebies.  I don’t mean to be mean, but you deserve a sex tape after that.  What else do you expect from him?  Girl, get yourself together and quit using sex to deal with your issues!
• Clay and not-quite-Sarah!!  It’s like her evil twin!  I think I’m liking this triangle with Clay-Quinn-Katie a lot more than Quinn-David-Clay.  This could get good!

So we’ve got four episodes left and not a one for 8 weeks or so.  How do you feel about where they left us?

Wow, tonight was a tear jerker for me.  I’m not a crier but I teared up several times.

First off I have to say it was so great to see Joe Mango back!  Owen!  I hate it never worked out for him to stick around.  Although I have to say that definitely wasn’t the same Owen.  This one seemed much less cheeky and much more mature.  He was good for Millie tonight.

I am SO happy for Mouth asking Lauren out.  Like, so happy.  Millie was treating him poorly and yes, she has issues but like we were reminded tonight, life is short and if she’s not putting the effort into it, I say go for it, Mouth.  On the flip side, it does look like Millie WAS finally going for it.  She’s going to her meetings and seemed to make a decision to let Mouth knows how she feels.  Bad timing is just life!

Wow, kudos to Miranda for putting it out there…quite literally.  She looked amazing!  Glad Grubbs is finally signing although all the antics were cute.

The Josh/Alex thing was a bit awkward for me.  Just ew.

Julian, Julian, Julian.  Please tell me that didn’t just happen.  And for the love, Brooke, don’t take him back no matter what he says.  Don’t string this out.  Don’t listen to him.  Just no.  It’s over.

Quinn…I love your new studio.  Get that up and running soon!

Clay…how about that?  It’s a brunette Sarah?!  So good to see Amanda Schull back on the screen and I am just dying to see how this plays out!

The James’ storyline tonight was of course the tear jerker for me.  I mean, just put myself in Haley’s shoes for two seconds and I can barely contain myself.  I understand where she’s coming from…I mean, they have a chance to fight this so I don’t blame her for wanting a second and third opinion.  And sadly they got it and it was not good news.  Just sad, sad, sad.  But Bess Armstrong is rocking her time on OTH again and all those scenes are just perfection.  The Nathan/Lydia scene was by far my favorite and will be a memorable one.

I thought tonight was a strong episode, what’d you think?

It’s been a while since I had tears while watching One Tree Hill but tonight I had eyes full of them.  All in one episode we find out that Haley’s dad has passed and Lydia is not far behind.  Too much!

• Having Lydia back was fabulous.  I have missed the adults/parents of the show so, so much.  It was GREAT to see Haley turning to an adult for advice/help.  It was great to see someone older and wiser giving advice.  Just because our character are adults now doesn’t mean we can’t have people like this on the show.  As much as I love Dan and Victoria they just weren’t filling that void for me.  And tonight made me miss Keith and Karen SO MUCH.
• So here we have Lydia back only to find out she’s leaving soon.  The final scene where it morphs into a photo years ago about tore my heart out.  Beautifully done but so sad.
• I don’t think them telling us in a side conversation between Lydia and Clay about Haley’s dad was much fair.  I know he never showed up much but ouch!  That was hard to digest like that.
• Taylor’s reaction was ridiculous.  But what else should we expect from Taylor.
• I don’t think it was fair of Lydia to expect so much from Haley.  Haley needs a chance to process it too and I felt like that was too much.
• Nathan was sorely underutilized tonight.  I felt like he was just carting Jamie around.  Then again, that’s what we parents do in real life   The final scene with Haley was great though.  It was beautiful to see Haley leaning on Nathan like that.
• Miranda and Grubbs…love it.  Go for it, both of you!
• Alex, my dear, please for the love respect yourself a little more.  You barely even know the guy.  Gross.
• Julian was sweet to Brooke.  Again, it still irritates me that Brooke won’t be with him and yet is following him around.  In the words of Stephanie Meyer, she’s such a masochist!
• And in the most random storyline tonight, glad Millie is getting some help.
• *UPDATED* Totally forgot to add that I love that Lydia got Quinn the studio and looking forward to storylines surrounding that@

All in all, a good episode.  What did you think?

Ahhhh…I loved this episode!  Maybe it’s because I grew up in the 80′s and I’m a little biased but I thought it was a fantastic episode!

• Nathan and Clay. I agree with Clay…Nathan never gives Clay the benefit of the doubt.  I was just forgiving him for firing him and then he runs off at the mouth about him not understanding him.  I’m glad Clay walked away from him!  Finally Clay told Nathan about Sarah thought and Nathan apologized.  Hopefully they can move forward.  Clay was sweet to let Nathan get home.  (PS. where do I recognize the lady in that car from?) Nathan was awesome to buy the car and come back and get Clay!
• Brooke and Julian.  I think when Brooke said tonight I’m not going to be the girl who’s with someone who loves someone else I understood a little more where she was coming from.  But again, I don’t think Julian loves Alex that way.  But in the real world, isn’t that the way it is?  You make assumptions and sometimes are stubborn about them? And maybe Brooke is right.  Maybe Julian is more in love/like with Alex than even he cares to admit.  Alex is clear about the fact she still loves him.  I don’t know.  That whole thing is still a mess to me.  Part of me wants to say they love each other why can’t they just date?  Another part of me likes to see them just as friends and still liking each other.  I don’t know.  But more to the point about this episode, I liked their scenes together.
• I loved Julian’s speech about John Hughes. I thought it tied nicely into the theme of the episode without being cheesy.  And I have to say, I liked Julian and Alex together.  I liked that she insisted they were friends, I liked them trading geek stories and I liked that she left him a note at the end.  I like Brulian, but I have to say, I liked them together tonight.
• Mouth and Kylie and the weird science deal?  Yes please and thank you!  That was AWESOME!
• Jamie and Home Alone?  That rocked.  So perfect for Jamie.  I loved when Chester was hopping around the house!  Him paintballing Junk and Fergie?  Fab!
• Loved Haley and her Sixteen Candles birthday debacle.  I love, love, love, love, loved the end with Nathan standing there at the car (HOT!) and then the kiss over the cake.  My 80′s, Naley lovin’ heart could barely take it!
• I can’t believe I’m going to say this for another week but I liked Quinn in this episode.  The smoothie moment was great and the locker moment with Kylie was great too.
• I loved seeing Brooke and Haley by the lockers again!  Oh my!  That felt like old school (HA) OTH there.
• Cheap Trick was awesome!

We didn’t move too many storylines forward and I thought I’d be disappointed in that but really, I had so much fun trying to connect the dots to the movies that I didn’t even care.  Such a fun episode that I thought had a nice story in its own.  Good timing between all the characters, great flow in general.  Great job, OTH!

It was funny.  I’ll give this episode that.  There is no denying the funny.

• Haley was amazing this episode.  That laugh when she took the pots and pans was hilarious.  Her Scott-free line was hilarious at the end too.  All around great acting by Joy tonight and thankfully someone was telling Taylor how insane it is that she is with David.
• Nathan was fabulous this episode.  He actually seemed like the voice of reason. “You do know this is messed up right?”  He had some funny lines as well and that look after he told Clay he should have included sex in the contract was priceless!  And James playing Nathan playing Nathan in a video game was just cool.
• I want everyone to brace themselves for this one….I think I liked Quinn and Clay.  I know!  It’s shocking news here.  But Quinn actually had something to deal with and frankly, I liked her opinion.    Yeah, she was wrong for lying to David but at least she fessed up and at least we actually had something to work through instead of just whining about how she’s changed.  I also enjoyed the little bit of flirting with Clay. ALTHOUGH the pool scene was a little forced and over the top.  But Clay changing the locks at the end was pretty cute.
• Taylor is downright dirty.  I don’t believe for a second she really cares about David and the kissing at the table was over the top.  She’s just low.  Really low.  That is NOT how you treat your sisters.
• Mouth is the best.  Period.  The end.
• Millie might FINALLY have had a breakthrough. I like her in this episode and I think we finally saw the old Millie.
• I’ve had a really hard time grasping what has been going on with Julian and Brooke the last couple episodes but tonight really confused me.  How come Brooke went from down in the dumps and giving him his stuff back to happy, go-lucky flirting with him about being the costume designer?  He gives her one compliment and she does a 180??  I mean, did I miss something? I know I do the live-blogging and I’m seriously wondering if I missed something because I did not understand her complete change of attitude.  HOWEVER, I really liked that scene. I like THAT Brooke and I like THAT Brulian.
• On a side note, what is the purpose of Alexander in Tree Hill?  It’s like this guy that just shows up and says witty things to Brooke and calls her boss.  There’s obviously no romantic interest.  I can’t believe they’d bring him in just for Julian to assume they were together OR to carry boxes around.  I don’t get it.

Overall, I wasn’t too impressed with this episode.  While it WAS funny, it just felt odd as a whole.

What’d you think?