One Tree Hill (season 8)
| One Tree Hill Season 8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Country of origin | United States | ||
| No. of episodes | 22 | ||
| Broadcast | |||
| Original channel | The CW | ||
| Original run | September 14, 2010 – May 17, 2011 | ||
| Season chronology | |||
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The CW officially renewed One Tree Hill for an eighth season on May 18, 2010, with a 13-episode order. The season premiered on September 14, 2010 and airs in its new timeslot, Tuesdays at 8/7c. After successful ratings for the early episodes of the season, the network ordered a back-order of nine episodes, bringing the total episode count to 22.
Season 8 features the return of the original opening credits and the original opening theme song "I Don't Want to Be" covered by various artists each week, while the original version is featured sporadically. Mark Schwahn recently admitted that the future of the series is still unclear, and while anything could happen, he is treating this season to be the last of the series. Schwahn wrote 13 out of the 22 episodes, including the final 6 episodes of the season.
The season opened to a 1.1 Adults 18-49 rating and 2.14 million viewers. The thirteenth episode of the season, "The Other Half of Me" which saw Brooke get married achieved season highs in all categories with a 1.2 Adults 18-49 rating, a 2.4 in Women 18-34 and 2.42 million viewers making it the most watched episode since December, 2009.
The series stars James Lafferty, Bethany Joy Galeotti, Sophia Bush, Austin Nichols, Robert Buckley, Shantel VanSanten, Jackson Brundage, Lee Norris, Jana Kramer, Lisa Goldstein. Antwon Tanner returns in a recurring capacity while Paul Johansson reprised his role as Dan Scott for two episodes. Stephen Colletti was upgraded to series regular status from the fourteenth episode, after appearing in a recurring role since season four. After months of speculation, Schwahn revealed that Murray and Burton would definitely not be back, as a deal could not be reached.
Episodes
Production
I could never say no given what this has been. Every year it’s, ‘Do we think it can get picked up again? Do we think it can go?’ And every year… we pick it up. You never count Mark out. Every year he comes back, and he’s made the show better.
The show has been moved to Tuesday nights at 8/7c as a lead in for Life Unexpected, and premiered on September 14, 2010. Entertainment Weekly reported that One Tree Hill will crossover with Life Unexpected. In the crossover event with Life Unexpected, Haley and Mia will travel to Portland (where Life Unexpected is set) to sing in a music festival hosted by Cate's radio station. Haley and Cate will meet in the crossover and will be "surprised to learn that they share a similar back story [as] mothers." The CW is hoping that the crossover event will make One Tree Hill's viewers want to check out Life Unexpected. The episode aired October 12.
The original theme song of the show, I Don't Wanna Be by Gavin DeGraw and original credit format will return for this season. Mark Schwahn has decided to introduce a new style of the theme song every week by selecting different artists to perform it such as Kate Voegele and members of Fall Out Boy. This will be the first season in 3 years to feature the opening credits.
On September 23, The CW ordered an additional 6 scripts for One Tree Hill, with its production order still at 13. On October 22, 2010, the show was picked up for a full-season, which will total at 22 episodes.
This is the last season all the original cast members are contracted for. However, Mark Schwahn is hoping the series can go on for more seasons as The CW did not announce this as the last season of the show, which they did for Smallville. On January 15, 2011, Dawn Ostroff revealed that another year of the series "a possibility".
Cast
Everybody had the best intentions. But at the end of the day, it just didn’t work out.
At the beginning of the season Mark Schwahn said "there are a lot of people we'd like to bring back," specifically Paul Johansson and Danneel Harris back. Sophia Bush also revealed that she would like to see Harris return.
Sharon Lawrence signed on for a multi-episode arc to play Julian's mother who comes to Tree Hill to help plan Brooke and Julian's wedding. She has been described as a "monster-in-law".
Laura Izibor also joined the cast as a musician in the same capacity as Kate Voegele. Kid Cudi will guest star in one episode for a concert Haley hosts at TRIC. Dave Navarro will also guest star as himself.
E! Online confirmed that there are plans for Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton to return to the series in Season 8. Schwahn has said that the actors busy schedules may prevent a return in time for Brooke's wedding, but hopes they can return later in the season. On December 7, 2010, Kristin Dos Santos reported that Murray and Burton would definitely not be back for Brooke's wedding, but they are still expected to return. However, in a January 2011 interview, Hilarie Burton stated that she will not be returning to the show due to her busy schedule.
Despite rumors to the contrary, Bethany Joy Galeotti has said she will be with the series until the end.
Paul Johansson reprised his role as Dan Scott for one episode. Stephen Colletti was upgraded to series regular status from episode 14, after appearing in a recurring capacity since season four.
Movieline has reported that The Blind Side actor Quinton Aaron will appear in the 14th episode of the season. He will play Tommy, a student in Nathan's business class, whom he forms a bond with. Leven Rambin of Grey's Anatomy will begin a recurring role in episode 16. She’ll play a young woman that Brooke crosses paths with as she explores adoption options.
Mark Schwahn has confirmed that Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton will definitely not be in the remainder of season 8. He said on the matter, “Quite frankly, we just couldn’t make a deal.”
Story
I think that's what the fans want. They want to see Lucas and Peyton come back one more time and they want to see everybody together again. I think that's a healthy reward for the fans, after watching for so long. At this point, eight seasons in, what I want is to see the fans get what they want.
Mark Schwahn has said there will be fewer crazy storylines and the show will return to its roots focusing on the core group of regulars and some guest stars rather than the 30 or so from season 7. He is also hoping for a Lucas and Peyton return for Brooke's wedding and the birth of Haley's baby. He has also mentioned the new love triangle developing, "Alex (Jana Kramer) has moved on to a new guy and a new triangle. She took a liking to Chase (Stephen Colletti) after he and Mia (Kate Voegele) broke up, but in the final episode, Mia made it clear via text that she regretted the decision to end it with him. This season, viewers will see who Chase really wants to be with. The Chase-Alex-Mia situation is front and center at the beginning of the season."
Brooke Davis is happier than ever; preparing to marry Julian Baker. Nathan prepares for his second season in the NBA; The Scott family are expecting their second child and Haley feels the baby will be a girl. Also, Quinn and Clay's lives hang in the balance. Robert Buckley has said Clay will be suffering from a chest wound. Both Clay and Quinn were later released and struggle with life back at the beach house. Entertainment Weekly reported that Victoria and Millicent will jeopardize the future of Brooke's company. They began lying to investors about Clothes Over Bro's finances to fund the men's line, causing Brooke to be arrested. She later made the decision to give up the company and her personal fortune in order to pay back investors in full, causing a new rift between her and Victoria as Victoria only went to prison so Brooke could keep her company.
Nathan abandoned basketball after finding out his back was getting worse. Quinn goes after Katie Ryan when she returns to Tree Hill from a photography trip to Africa, where she had detoured to track Katie down.
A major hurricane struck Tree Hill, leaving Brooke and Jamie's life in danger.
Reception
The season opened to a 1.1 Adults 18-49 rating and 2.14 million viewers. The thirteenth episode of the season, "The Other Half of Me" which saw Brooke get married achieved season highs in all categories with a 1.2 Adults 18-49 rating, a 2.4 in Women 18-34 and 2.42 million viewers making it the most watched episode since December, 2009. The twentieth episode of the season hit series lows in viewers (1.24m) and in Adults 18-49 (0.6).
References
Retrieved from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Tree_Hill_(season_8)#Episodes
