One Tree Hill: The Complete Seventh Season – DVD Review

One Tree Hill has been around for eights years. It certainly has gone through a lot of changes in that time. The most notable change being the decision by the writers to fast-forward the storylines by five years between the fourth and fifth seasons. They essentially skipped over “the college years” of this teen drama, and it mostly worked. Now with its 7th season on DVD, One Tree Hill has to deal with its biggest change yet. Two of the main stars of the show, Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton, were written off, because basically they couldn’t afford them anymore. We know that losing stars of a television series is never a good thing, but One Tree Hill somehow survived for another upcoming season.

In the beginning, the series focused on the lives of high-school students living in the small fictional town of Tree Hill in North Carolina. The town is home to the famous high school basketball team, The Tree Hill Ravens, and two half-brothers Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott (James Lafferty). The two brothers grew up in the same town, but had had little or no contact with each other due to the influence of their mutual father, Dan Scott (Paul Johansson). Music and basketball were at the center of this teen drama at first. In addition, the series quickly became known for its numerous voiceovers featuring either literary quotes or characters reflecting on events of the episode. Most of them have been voiced by Chad Michael Murray’s character Lucas Scott.

Of course, all of that has mostly changed in the seventh season of the series. After the fifth season jumped ahead five years in time, One Tree Hill started to feature more adult-oriented storylines as all the teenagers from Tree Hill High have grown up and moved on to their professional lives. Now the seventh season once again jumps ahead in time, but this time only 14 months. Still not much as changed around Tree Hill with the big exception of Lucas and Peyton not being around. Most of the focus of this season is on Nathan’s professional basketball career and the scandals and issue that start to surface once you become rich and famous. But really every storyline this season is filled with the melodramatic stuff you have come to expect from One Tree Hill, and obviously love if you are still watching the show at this point.

When stars of any series leave, they have to be replaced in some way or another. So without missing a beat, the Lucas and Peyton relationship gets replaced by the relationship between Haley’s (Bethany Joy Galeotti’s) sister, Quinn James (Shantel VanSanten), and Nathan’s basketball agent, Clay Evans (Robert Buckley). They do a good job with their roles, but it would be hard to find any One Tree Hill fan that would say that they love Clay and Quinn as much as Lucas and Peyton. Even if you give them a few more years to develop, it still wouldn’t sound like a reasonable statement based on their seventh season performances. All of the newcomers, which also includes Jana Kramer who plays the young wanna-be actress Alex, equally hold their own. But James Lafferty, Bethany Joy Galeotti, and Sophia Bush are still the strongest on camera. Relative newcomer, Austin Nichols, also plays a larger role this season as the relationship between Julian and Brooke starts to heat up.

If you love adult melodrama television shows, the seventh season of One Tree Hill is still the show to watch. Arguably, the heart of the series has been ripped out since Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton are nowhere to be seen or hardly heard about during this season. The newcomers do a fine job, but it’s hard to replace the stars of any show. Despite how much you might care about the other characters in an ensemble drama, there will always be something missing. But credit must go to the entire cast, old and new, for keeping this series mostly watchable, though. That said, this season is strictly for hardcore OTH fans or complete newcomers who know nothing about Lucas and Peyton, but still love teen/adult dramas.

Episodes:

Disc One:

Episode 1 – 4:30 a.m. (Apparently They Were Traveling Abroad)
It’s one year later, and new faces are making their way into Tree Hill. Nathan’s sports agent, Clay, faces a scandalous accusation that threatens Nathan’s entire career just as Brooke and Julian’s professional prospects soar with a new fashion line and a big movie. Haley receives a surprise visit from her sister. Meanwhile, Jamie’s 7th birthday arrives.

Episode 2 – What Are You Willing to Lose
A growing scandal forces Clay to defend Nathan, while Haley and Mia have problems with protecting Red Bedroom Records from going down. Brooke is looking for the new face of her clothing line, and she decides to move in together with Julian. Meanwhile, Dan unveils his new bride.

Episode 3 – Hold My Hand As I’m Lowered
Haley struggles to come to terms with Renee’s accusations as Clay forces Nathan to consider paying her off. Brooke and Quinn work on a photo shoot with Alex, who decides to take advantage of Julian’s job as a producer. Meanwhile, Mouth’s dispute with Skills comes to a resolution.

Episode 4 – Believe Me, I’m Lying
Nathan’s fear comes true when the scandal becomes public. Haley talks with Quinn about her estranged husband David. A fashion show brings a responsibility for someone, in an unexpected way, while another makes a decision that could cost him his career.

Episode 5 – Your Cheatin’ Heart
Brooke questions Alex’s motives, but reluctantly decides to let her continue working with Julian. Haley becomes the focus of Nathan’s scandal as the situation worsens in the public eye, while Quinn grows closer to Clay. Also, Millicent gets a new job that causes trouble for Mouth.

Disc Two:

Episode 6 – Deep Ocean Vast Sea
Millie contemplates her career as a model, while Brooke and Chase re-start their friendship. Julian gives Alex another shot, and Nathan faces losing endorsement contracts because of the scandal.

Episode 7 – I and Love and You
Nathan and Haley deal with the fact that Dan has invited Renee onto his show, which promises to make their situation even worse. Quinn contemplates where her marriage with David went wrong, while Brooke reveals her true desires for the future. Clay is forced to confront his past when Sara comes to town.

Episode 8 – I Just Died in Your Arms Tonight
Quinn comes to Clay’s rescue as he reels from a tragedy while Dan and Rachel’s history comes back to bite them.

Episode 9 – Now You Lift Your Eyes to the Sun
Sophia Bush directs this episode. Brooke receives some surprising news that threatens her relationship with Julian. Nathan learns that Dan is back in Tree Hill just as he prepares to sign a new NBA contract. Haley returns to the stage.

Episode 10 – You Are A Runner and I Am My Father’s Son
Nathan’s dispute with Clay leads to a division between Haley and Quinn. Brooke tells Julian the truth about her fear of his connection to Alex, while Millie’s drug addiction intensifies. Skills begins a new career in LA.

Disc Three:

Episode 11 – You Know I Love You, Don’t You?
Nathan and Haley’s careers bring about a tough decision for the family, and Julian divulges a secret to Alex that leads to a confrontation with Brooke. Meanwhile, Clay tries to resuscitate his career as an agent, and Jamie learns the truth about Skills’ new job. And a fresh-from-jail Millie finds an unlikely supporter in Victoria.

Episode 12 – Some Roads Lead Nowhere
Quinn helps Clay form a plan to convince Nathan to rehire him, but they may be too late as Nathan and Haley prepare to leave Tree Hill behind in their move to Barcelona. Brooke struggles to accept Julian’s reaction when Alex undergoes another crisis. Meanwhile, Millie’s downward spiral threatens her relationship with Mouth, and Dan makes an announcement that shocks Rachel and his studio audience.

Episode 13 – Weeks Go By Like Days
Six weeks have passed. As Nathan and Jamie join Haley for the last stretch of her tour, Brooke and Julian are reunited after their break. Alex emerges from rehab and tries to make amends with the people she hurt and disappointed, while Clay and Quinn figure out where their relationship is meant to go next.

Episode 14 – Family Affair
When Taylor and David arrive at the Scotts’ house, Nathan tries to keep Haley calm while Clay helps Quinn through the awkward encounter. Brooke turns to Alexander for support when Julian defends Alex on the set of their movie.

Disc Four:

Episode 15 – Don’t You Forget About Me
Nathan and Clay get stranded on Haley’s birthday. Julian and Brooke attend an ’80’s movie-themed fundraiser separately.

Episode 16 – My Attendance is Bad But My Intentions Are Good
Brooke and Julian try to find a balance between their personal lives and work as the movie shoot begins. Nathan and Haley receive a surprise visit, and Clay supports Quinn as she faces some unexpected news. Alex sets her sights on Alexander, and Millicent finds herself struggling with temptation. Jackson Brundage also stars. Jessica Landaw directed the episode written by Nikki Schiefelbein.

Episode 17 – At The Bottom of Everything
Haley and Jamie struggle to accept Lydia’s seemingly hopeless situation, leading Nathan to try and help them come to terms with it. Brooke and Julian’s volatile relationship faces the pressures of a hectic movie set, while Clay and Quinn spend some time apart. Meanwhile, Miranda attempts to persuade Grubbs to let her produce his album.

Episode 18 – The Last Day of Our Acquaintance
When Lydia’s condition worsens, Haley and Quinn decide to try and reconnect with Taylor. Brooke lashes out at Julian as she reacts to his tryst with Alex, while Clay doesn’t know how to deal with Katie’s romanticn advances. Meanwhile, Nathan continues to help Jamie come to terms with Lydia’s impending death.

Episode 19 – Every Picture Tells a Story
On the eve of Quinn’s big gallery opening an uninvited guest ambushes Clay. Nathan spends the day with Jamie, while Haley struggles with life after her mother’s passing. Brooke and Julian each receive a shocking surprise. Meanwhile, Skills learns the truth about Lauren and Mouth.

Episode 20 – Learning to Fall
Nathan and Haley struggle with the aftermath of her mother’s death, while Brooke deals with the fallout of Alexander’s tryst with Victoria. Alex discovers a secret about her leading man, Josh, that could derail Julian’s film, and Clay is confronted by an unhinged Katie.

Disc Five:

Episode 21 – What’s In The Ground Belongs To You
Nathan struggles to reach an increasingly despondent Haley, while Quinn leads Jamie on a Tree Hill treasure hunt. Julian shows his finished film to Brooke, and Clay is forced to deal with a deranged Katie

Episode 22 – Almost Everything I Wish I’d Said the Last Time I Saw You
Haley tries to overcome her depression by joining Nathan, Jamie and the rest of the Tree Hill gang on a trip to Utah for the premiere of Julian’s film.

The video is given in widescreen color with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The transfer is good, but not the best looking recent TV show to hit DVD these days. Still no major problems, and pretty much on par with previous seasons.

The audio included is in English 5.1 Surround sound. There are subtitles available in English, Spanish, and French as well. The dialogue and music come out loud and clear. No major problems here either, and the same good quality as previous seasons.

Audio Commentaries – There are two full-length audio commentaries for 2 separate episodes from this season. James Lafferty (actor/director), Robert Buckley (actor), Mark Schwahn (creator), and Joe Davola (executive producer) all comment on the “I and Love and You” episode. The same group also come back to comment on the “Almost Everything I Wish I’d Said the Last Time I Saw You” season finale episode. These were both more informational than entertaining, even though there was a good mix of cast and crew. Still fans will enjoy these for sure.

Deleted Scenes – There are 6 scenes that didn’t make the final cut of the season and they total around 15 minutes. There are some interesting scenes that fans will want to watch, but for the most part these scenes just took up too much time and were not needed.

“Return to Camp One Tree Hill” Featurette – This runs 17 minutes and it tells us the experiences of newcomers Robert Buckley, India DeBeaufort, Jana Kramer and Shantel VanSanten as they filmed this season.

“Spring Break With One Tree Hill” Featurette – This runs 15 minutes and it follows two contest winners as they “win” a trip to go on Spring Break to work on One Tree Hill as production assistants.

“One Tree Hill: The Directorís Debut” Featurette – This runs 13 minutes. Sophia Bush directed her first episode of the show during this season. We get to hear from the other actors about her direction skills, as well as her experience straight from Sophia.

Gag Reel – This is 2 1/2 minutes of the usual gags and mistakes from filming this season. Not that funny, though.

Hardcore fans of the series won’t care about any reviews, and simply buy this DVD set without a second thought. If the main reason you watched One Tree Hill was because of Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton, you might want to pass on this season. The cast, including the newcomers, still make this season watchable. But it’s nowhere near as good as previous seasons. Give it a rental, though, if you love melodrama.