Tree Hill‘s Finale: Burning Questions Answered!
It’s been a little over a week since we said a sad so long to Nathan Scott & Co., and — since we’re still in the early stages of mourning (aka denial) — we decided a trip back to One Tree Hill was in order.
Here, creator Mark Schwahn and star James Lafferty relive the series finale and answer your lingering questions, which likely include “What about Peyton?” “Why Bevin?” And, of course, “How come no one in Tree Hill ages?!”
Were any scenes cut from the series finale? | Schwahn tells us that, thankfully, the network agreed to air the uncut OTH finale, so we’ve seen it all. Ready to be shocked? Had the edited version been broadcast, the “I Don’t Want to Be” singalong would have been scrapped! “[That edit] was really odd,” he muses. “We went right into the U2 song ‘One Tree Hill’… and then the jump ahead.” Also edited out originally was “all of the twintern stuff with Chase and Chris Kellar.”
What was it like shooting the entire cast singing along to “I Don’t Want to Be”? | “It was cool,” Lafferty recalls. “We were all just shouting out the lyrics at the top of our lungs.” But for all you eagle-eyed viewers, go back and take a closer look — you might notice a little continuity error. “There’s one shot where you can see us in our old spots in the background, and then it cuts to us actually in the crowd,” the actor shares. All that said, Lafferty just hopes “it looks like we were having fun, because we were absolutely having every bit as much fun as it appeared.”
Why was Bevin chosen to return to the series in such a major way? | Explains Schwahn, “I didn’t want to use a day player…. [This character at the courthouse] works in Tree Hill, so I thought, ‘Is there someone [from the past] that would fit that?'” The showrunner adds that he and his trusty team “were also trying to maximize our opportunities to see old faces, so I thought that [Bevin] would be perfect there.” Plus, “Then there was the Skills payoff at the very end, so it just flowed.”
Relive the One Tree Hill Series Finale’s Best Moments – Plus: Mark Schwahn Thanks the Fans
In retrospect, is there anyone else the show wanted to bring back, but wasn’t able to? | As if there was any question, Schwahn says he would have loved to see Peyton back in Tree Hill. “That character was so significant,” he shares. “I loved [her] so much, and I think a lot of fans loved that character. So, it was a little odd not to see Peyton.” But, says Schwahn, showbiz is exactly that, and had circumstances been different, he “would have [brought her back], creatively.”
Why did no one age in the series-ending flash forward? | “We all had been taking really good care of ourselves at the exact moment and using the same anti-aging face cream,” Lafferty explains, with a laugh. “Contrary to popular opinion, our kids growing up actually made us look younger. It’s kind of an anomaly.” (With reporting by Vlada Gelman)
I miss Peyton. But the finale was satisfying.
coogie ga gee.
i was not satisfied with the finale, i mean it was great but it ended as if there were going to be another season!! It has to be! the show must go on!!!! I love this show and its just not right to end it at season 9!!!
Plz don’t stop the show everybody loves it its the best show ever plz don’t stop :'( :'( :'( :'(
u r ryt… plz don’t stop this show…
this is the show which made me cry alot… love oth
Lets get one thing straight; Hilarie may play Peyton but she is not Peyton. So whatever reason Hilarie had to not come back, we can’t take those out on Peyton. Screw Hilarie if she thought she was too good for the show or screw the show for not asking her back- I don’t know the reason but the point is, Peyton and Lucas had vital roles in the show and it was stupidity to have them leave in the first place (if that was the case). But someone already said it, how are we to expect Leyton in the series finale when they don’t even show up to Brooke’s wedding? Or the birth of her twins? Or the birth of Haley’s second? Those were some of the episodes that I got really pissed off. It’s not about who’s fault it is anymore about them leaving. You fans out there that really got sucked into this show will understand with me that it just simply hurts to watch something be created and then have it be ripped away and feel like it never existed. I had an argument with my friend who is a Brucas fan and I am a sucker for Leyton. I explained to her that it wasn’t Lucas and Peyton’s relationship that I missed, it’s all the other ones! Maybe like the best friend relationship between Brooke and Peyton that we were so helplessly dragged through for six years of tears, cheers and sorrow. I’m sorry but I kind of got used to the fact that they were the unstoppable sisterly duo that could get through anything like messy love triangles and psychos and would always be there for one another- just like they promised each other, and then poof, Peyton’s gone. Or how about the first friendship that we saw on the show- Lucas and Haley, who have been loyal best friends through out years of growing up together, facing problems, hardship and heartache but getting through it by being there for one another and having late night talks at Karen’s cafe, or playing mini golf on the roof…you catch my drift.
And then of course the wonderful relationships all 3 girls made- Brooke, Haley and Peyton. It was absolutely wonderful to see that develop over the years. Even Lucas and Brooke, unfortunately it never worked out for them romantically but come on, I loved their friendship. We all know he was destined to be with Peyton, but Lucas and Brooke definitely loved each other and had a meaningful connection. The fun and laughter between Nathan and Peyton and the two of them rehashing their past as boyfriend and girlfriend and how incredibly awful it was, which only reminded them of how lucky they were now to have true love in their lives. Last but not least, maybe the relationship between, hmm, I don’t know, the narrator of the show and the basis of what it evolved- his brother. Lucas and Nathan. I mean that’s what it was all about right. Everybody else was apart of them and apart of Tree Hill. It was the relationship between these two brothers that made it or broke it for others. From hating each other, to tolerating one another, to liking eachother and then finally to developing the true brotherly bond that they both secretly yearned for, it was sad to see that go.
This just gets me all reved up again so I’m just going to accept the fact that this show is over and that we have what we have and we can remember the parts we want to and forget the ones that we don’t.
Back to real life, it’s just tv right.
I completly agree with your analyzation! I thought about the same thigns after watching the finale. It was good but what about where the show started and the true meaning and heart of the show. Those two characters (lucas and Peyton) leaving really effected the flow of the storyline and to me made the show seem incomplete. We were never given a legitime reason as to why they left in the first place.
Hilarie married Ian Grange ( son of producer grange for one tree hill) and they then divorced…
Pretty obvious now why they couldn’t bring Peyton back..Really miss the cast and thumbs up for a Season 10!
You spoke the truth!!!!! I love one tree hill best tv show ever jst hsted the fact never got to see peyton or lucus or they never got mentioned nothing ! Got me mad bt the show was still good!
I think it relates to life in a way. I mean you’re long friendship sometimes just end. no explanation. And i think that’ why we got so connected with the story. I love the post you did and it really breaks my heart but sometimes life is like that.
It was good they left. If you think about it the end of Season 6 should have been the shows end. It showed everyone with a happy ending, even Dan. Even if Hilarie and Chad didn’t want to comeback full time or at all, the way Season 6 ended was perfect. However the showed went downhill from Season 7-9. It just wasn’t the same as Season’s 5-6.
In all the finale of Season 6 was the true ending of the show, the way it should have been. Not adding in a ton of new characters that made no sense or plots and stories that ran dry early on. No one really cared about Nathan playing in the NBA. They cared about the main character you saw from moment one, Lucas.
you just described how I’ve been feeling.
U tuk th wrds rry out of my mouths…..nd th thots from my mind!!! We could b twins u knw!?
I watched most of One Tree Hill when it aired but just re-watched almost all of it again, up to the first few minutes of season 7 episode 1. It’s nice to know that I’m not alone in my heart break and anger in the loss of Lucas and Peyton. Once I realized that they weren’t coming back, I stopped watching the show. I only skipped ahead to the shows with big moments, like Brooke’s wedding and the series finale, of course, because I thought they’d at least come back for that. I might be wrong, since I didn’t watch any of the stuff in between, but I don’t think they even said Peyton’s name. You’re completely right, the show was about the brothers and the friendships. And whatever the reason may have been for our beloved characters leaving, the show owed the fans an explanation. It should have ended with season 6. To replace Nathan’s brother with an agent and introduce Haley’s long lost sister who had never even been mentioned, was just a slap in the face to the devoted fans who felt as though those characters were their own friends. I’m happy that Lucas and Peyton got their family, that Nathan made it to the NBA, that Haley and Nathan were still in love, that Mouth got his dream job and a dream girl, and that Brooke finally found love and a family of her own. And that is what I’ll remember.
Loved the finale. Great end to a really great series.
Spin-off in 10 years please? Rivercourt can be rebuilt!!
I feel like the finale kind of dispelled that. In the end, the entire cast was still in Tree Hill (including Chris/Chase) during their kid’s high school years so they couldn’t really do that without bringing the entire cast back, which I doubt they’d agree to.
I agree I thought season 9 was great. Sad to see it finishing.
I thought the finale was pretty good too, but I definitely wish they would have brought Peyton back. I’m not sure what the whole situation there was, but I wish they could have worked it out.
The situation was pretty simple. Hilarie Burton was bitter about being let go and refused to return. They tried to get her back several times, including for Brooke’s wedding last season and she said no. It’s really a shame that she’d let her pride get in the way of pleasing her fans.
really? I thought Hilarie said that they never asked her to come back, and if they had she definitely would have. the whole situation is very “he said / she said” and it’s hard to believe anybody.
She’s got a stable job on White Collar getting to kiss Matt Bomer everyday. I highly doubt she cares.
The actress who plays Peyton (Hilarie Burton) who started as a VJ on MTV…… left OTH under never fully disclosed circumstances. She now has a recurring role on White Collar on the USA network. They probably couldn’t agree on the monetary price for her coming back and she probably didn’t want to come back looking forward in her career as it is still developing. Her career seems to be the only one of the cast that has a glimmer of hope of carrying on.
I’m sick of hearing about Hilarie Burton’s character. She was an ungrateful actress who couldn’t even take a simple week or two out of the year to film an episode or so. This show took a chance on her and built her career and she had nothing to show for it when it was coming to an end. If I knew this was the case 3 years ago, I’d have preferred that Peyton died during the birth of Sawyer and that Lucas had gone back to Brooke and they lived happily ever after. At least Chad Murray gave fans one last look at Lucas towards the end. That’s what I can respect for the fans.
I completely agree! At least he made time for his fans. The fact that she didn’t just hows how ungrateful she is.
Hilarie was not asked back. Period. End of story. It was not about the money. It was not about her being bitter. She was seen in Wilmington many times during the filming of season 9. If the producers had wanted her back all they had to do was send the crew van to pick her up. She said she wanted to come back. Mark said he wanted her back. She was in Wilmington. So simple Sherlock Holmes detective work says someone else in a position of power on the show kept her character from returning.
Do some simple research into it and you will find the rest of the story.
If this is true, give links to reputable sources. I doubt any exist, though.
Lie- Mark confirmed they asked her back but she declined “to be with her family during off shooting of WC.”
we knew peyton wasnt coming back so who cares…would have rather seen Whitey,Jake,Mia and Sam
UGH, friggin’ Hilarie Burton. Peyton was my favourite.
I wanted Whitey too!! I loved it.. the non ageing thong haha made me lol. So glad, we did not see Jamie’s face
I loved the final episode. I thought it was perfectly written. I too would have liked to have seen Samantha, Jake and Karen. I don’t see how Peyton fit into the current story line. If she didn’t come for Brooke’s wedding or the birth of the twins than why at the end?
none of us know what was really going on with hilarie burton. if the people from the show don’t have a problem with her, why do yall? get over it because the show is over now and she probably doesn’t care what any of yall think. i still love the character of peyton and like hilarie burton and i’m sure she still has a bunch of fans who fill the same also especially if they stopped watching after she left.
I would have loved to see Rachel return and kind of redeem herself but all-in-all it was a near-perfect way to go. Best final season I’ve seen of any series.
Ummm are you all stupid or something Hillary’s schedule had conflicts and wasn’t able to be there. It’s called show business and it happens. Was I disappointed? Yea I would have liked to have seen the character come back. But don’t hate on ms burton bc she had scheduling conflicts. Ignorant people. Gosh!
Out all the finales I love 4 the most. I would have put some of my favorite stuff from 4, 6, and this one together then I would have gotten a greatest show finale. I realy could have careless about Quinn and Clay. The little boy was cute though and could have careless about Chris K and Chase stuff to on that show. Love seeing Bevin back with Skills but would have loved to see or hear about past characters to. I wish Peyton and Lucas both came back for the finale. They were my favorite couple then it was Naley. As mush as I love Peyton and wished her back I do not think she owed the fans anything. She give us 6 great years. She not ungrateful she has a LIFE….. another show, a fiancé now, a son, and she does the Southern Gothic Productions Stuff. I do not think she left by choice and from Mark’s other interview a while back I think more went down then everyone knows because he took a little dig at Hilarie and at Chad.
You really could have cared less?? Guess what, that means you cared about it. Learn to speak,
Well the ones defending hilarie is stupid. It was a conflict with her scheduling. Her is Chad wanted more money cause they thought they were the stars of the show. Which got proven wrong. Clearly we know that since they weren’t on ANY more episodes. I did give props to Chad for proving to his fans he still love us. OTH produces should had killed her(Hilarie) off and Brook belongs with Julian. Its all about the cast and crew who stayed loyal to us…..their fans all these years. There will only be a One Tree Hill.
True Fan out
Your grammar is atrocious. Maybe spend less time with the TV, and a bit more with a book or two.
I meant it WAS NOT!!!!! I REPEAT WAS NOT A CONFLICT. She wanted more money and now her fans really should look at her differently and with little respect
All I see is absurd speculations, hateful opinions and remarks about Hilarie not returning to OTH. It’s done and your opinion about her not coming back no matter what version it is, is completely stuck up. The producers and actors have said it, she couldn’t return period. What are y’all still carelessly blabbing about. Move on.
HILARIE IS STUPID AND SUCKS AS A PERSON.SHE SHOULD NOT CALL HERSELF A CELEBRITY.YET ALONE A CAST MEMBER FROM OTH. Know what you talking about before you say it…
I will take your word if you know her personally. Otherwise you are an overly emotional and delusional fan who is stuck with this show. Get a life
Who are you to call someone delusional. Kick rocks…you are not God. Leave those with opinions alone. DA
No one will ever know the truth about what went down. It is funny though that Hilarie went and made a video telling people to still watch and has never said anything about the show but in an interview a few months ago Mark was acting like the baby when it came to Hilarie and Chad. As for when they left the show it was never the same IMO and the fans who left with them or after them show that.
Preach! That is all
They should have brought back Tim!
Haha yes!
Lol at people that think they understand showbiz politics
People have the right to say whatever and be emotional and stuck in anything they want. Who are you to say differently. This is America freedom of speech.so if you have something to say than say it. I apologize for calling people stupid or was wrong. People remember you can feel what you want. No one has the right to say otherwise. Stay stuck on OTH and everything it meant to you. Shows like this help people throughout life.
Fans stay true….as all actors say WE besides God are the reason they made it so far. We love what they do and that’s why they do it.
Here’s the thing, though. You have the right to say what you want, but I also have the right to disagree with you. You call someone stupid, they can absolutely say you’re stuck in OTH. And it turns out that people DO have the right to say that you can’t feel what you want, they, like you, can say whatever they want. They just can’t force you from feeling or stop you from saying something. A little civics lesson with your morning coffee (if you’re even old enough to drink coffee!)…..
BTW – Peyton’s ridiculous drama annoyed me. I’m glad she didn’t come back.
I thought it was a great finale! I believed that Hilarie Burton did not come back because of her schedule till she did a condescending interview when asked where she thought Peyton would be. It was something like, “I don’t know pregnant with like six kids I guess” thats when I realized she thought she got too big for the show. I loved the current cast and clay and Quinn were the perfect replacements!
then the jump ahead.” Also edited out originally was “all of the twintern stuff with Chase and Chris Kellar.”
The Lucas thing wasn’t very satisfying. I wanted more closure between him & Dan. Also it would have been awesome to find out what happened in Jake’s life. Overall though, I liked the series finale.
This Finale was just… Perfect…
I would have loved to see Peyton back… But the finale was perfect even without her…
It’s sad that Hilarie can’t find time for a comeback to the show that made her popular! :(
I would have loved to see Peyton in the finale .I loved the I don’t want to be sing along and then played ONE TREE HILL for the flash forward .The finale was a great ending to a perfect show .One tree hill will be missed .