"Pilot" is the first episode of One Tree Hill's first season. It first aired on The WB television network in the United States on September 23, 2003. It was written by Mark Schwahn and directed by Bryan Gordon. It saw John Keenan and Melissa Claire Egan guest star as Officer Wayman and Melody, respectively. It introduces the character of Lucas Scott — a high school student — and his friends and relatives in the fictional Tree Hill, North Carolina.

Lucas blows his first Varsity game and decides to quit the team. The wedge between Nathan and Peyton continues to grow after Peyton tires of Nathan's jabs at Lucas. Meanwhile, Keith forces Karen to deal with her feelings for Dan after she refuses to step foot in the high school gym to support her son.

Frustrated by Lucas' growing popularity at school, Nathan searches for Lucas' weak spot, and finds it in Haley. Meanwhile, Peyton is furious with Lucas for submitting her drawings to the local newspaper without her knowledge.

Looking for some fun, Brooke and Peyton crash a college party, but things turn ugly when one of the guys in the dorm, Gabe drugs Peyton. After Brooke calls Lucas for help, the two bond over caring for a sleeping Peyton, prompting Lucas to look at Brooke in a new light. Meanwhile, Haley gives Nathan another chance and the two go on their first date.

After Whitey cancels basketball practice, Brooke convinces Lucas to let loose and takes him out for a wild night out on the town. Meanwhile, Deb instructs Dan to take Nathan away for a father-son weekend to try and rebuild their relationship, but things don't go exactly as she had hoped.

While holding a vigil at Lucas' bedside as he lays in a coma, Karen meets her son's new girlfriend and learns from Deb that she is divorcing Dan. Most shocking of all, Karen is horrified to discover that Keith was drinking while driving at the time of the accident. Meanwhile, Nathan tries to win Haley back after she dumps him.

Lucas and Nathan bear the brunt of Dan's abuse as he coaches them into the playoffs, pushing both of them to their breaking points. Haley is stunned after Dan threatens her, causing her to reconsider her relationship with Nathan. Meanwhile, Whitey learns that his medical condition may be more serious than he first expected, and Dan learns a shocking secret from Deb.

The opening of Karen's club "Tric" brings together the people of Tree Hill. Lucas and Felix come to blows over Anna. After Chris quits his gig the night of the club opening, Haley must face her fear of performing to save the night for Peyton. Although Mouth tends to Brooke while she is drunk, Felix sneaks in and attempts to take the credit. Keith and Jules realize their relationship has reached a new level, while Dan deliberately tells Karen that Deb slept with Keith.

Nathan is concerned about Lucas' health, so he tells Karen that Lucas didn't take the heart test. Dan offers Keith to continue working at the dealership-as vice president. At school, Peyton must confront the rumors going around that she is a lesbian. This affects her friendship with Anna. As for Nathan and Haley, they begin to grow apart...

When Michelle Branch & Jessica Harp from the band "The Wreckers" perform at TRIC, Haley realizes her passion is to pursue her music career. Meanwhile, Lucas decides to move in with Dan, straining his relationships with both Karen and Nathan. Brooke runs for student council president, but quickly realizes she is taking on more than she bargained for. Peyton and Jake's friendship grows stronger. Brooke finds out that Mouth broke her car window. Lucas gets his HCM results and aren't what they turn out to be.

Lying in a coma after his race car accident, Nathan dreams of what life would have been like if Dan had stayed with Karen and Lucas instead of marrying Deb. In this imaginary world, Lucas would have had the wealth and stature and Nathan would have been the one growing up on the wrong side of the tracks. After waking up, Nathan phones Haley and tells her he doesn't want her to come home.

Nathan is released from the hospital and returns home to a pile of unpaid bills and an eviction notice. Lucas, Peyton and Brooke throw a fundraiser Tric to raise money, but Dan is the one that comes to Nathan's rescue. However, his gift comes with strings - he wants Nathan to ask Haley for an annulment.

Nathan asks Haley for a possible divorce. Lucas tells Dan that he saved his life. Peyton finds out something deep about Ellie. Dan tries to drop accusations at several people about the fire. He also tries to get Whitey replaced as Ravens coach.

The fantasy draft dates begin, Lucas finds himself with Rachel and a very familiar setting. Brooke is on a double date with an unusual couple. Mouth and Peyton hang out again. And Peyton regrets the things she says to Ellie. Karen and Deb take the campaigning for mayor, to a new level, to bring down Dan. Nathan gets mad when Chris gets close to Haley.

Lucas and Peyton take a road trip together to find Ellie. While out of town, Lucas reconnects with a friend from his past. Brooke, Haley and Mouth successfully launch the Clothes Over Bro's website, only to find that demand far exceeds supply. Deb reveals to Nathan that she tried to kill Dan.

The aftermath of the school shooting and the death of Jimmy Edwards forces everyone in Tree Hill to examine their lives. Nathan reassesses his relationship with Haley, while Brooke and Rachel join forces to heal the student body. Dan must deal with the ramifications of shooting Keith, while Lucas and Peyton consider the implications of their kiss in the library.

Haley argues about her wedding dress with Brooke during the rehearsal dinner. Elsewhere Karen and Lucas arrive back in town.

And Peyton is surprised by what she finds...

Nathan worries about Haley as they prepare to renew their vows. Peyton and Brooke's friendship becomes strained and Deb confesses to Dan about the fire.

The residents of Tree Hill must deal with the aftermath of the shocking accident that left everyone without words. In the midst of all the chaos, Dan extends his help to Karen now that she is pregnant, Lucas and Peyton's friendship continues to grow stronger, and once rivals Brooke and Rachel move past their differences and manage to become good friends. Brooke has a difficult decision to make about her relationship with Lucas and Skills decides to try out for the Ravens.

Nathan struggles with money problems and reluctantly asks Dan for help. Elsewhere Brooke learns the new man in her life is also her new English teacher. Peyton gets help from an unexpected source, and Lucas returns to the Ravens just in time to help the team advance in the playoffs for the state championship.

It's Prom day, and emotions are flying high at Tree Hill. An emotional Haley confronts Nathan about the sex tape and asks for a list of all his past sexual encounters. Meanwhile, an angry Peyton asks Lucas to skip the dance altogether, but he refuses to take no for an answer. Finally, Brooke and Peyton let out all their tension in a confrontation that can tear them apart forever.

As the end of the school year approaches, Peyton considers participating in a music internship in Los Angeles, while Brooke tries to reconnect with Chase through yearbook signatures, and Haley struggles to write her valedictorian speech. Meanwhile, Dan suggests that Lucas get professional help when Karen worries about his obsession with theories about Keith's murder.

As graduation approaches, Haley prepares for the recital of her valedictorian speech and motherhood. Nathan must adjust to life without basketball, while Brooke makes a confession that may have great consequences. Lucas confronts Dan after Karen's life is threatened.

Dan must face the harsh consequences of his decision to murder Keith as Karen and Haley's pregnancies complicate the lives of Nathan and the graduating seniors of Tree Hill High. Lucas wrestles with his post-high school options, and Peyton and Brooke prepare to spend the summer in Los Angeles together.

It's four years into the future and the Tree Hill gang has finished college. Now, their lives have taken completely different directions. Lucas has written and published a book, Brooke has made it big in the fashion industry with her brand "Clothes Over Bro's", Peyton is pursuing a career in the music business, and Nathan and Haley continue to raise a now older James.

Haley tries to make Nathan understand what is going to happen if he doesn't change his ways. Lucas and Skills prepare James to compete in a race-car competition. Meanwhile, Brooke faces problems at her company and Peyton meets Lucas' new girlfriend. Mouth gets a job but it doesn't turn out well.

On the eve of Lucas and Lindsey's wedding, they conspire to save Nathan and Haley's marriage. Brooke pairs Peyton with an old boyfriend, while Rachel and Dan return to Tree Hill.

On Lucas and Lindsey's wedding day, Peyton must choose between intervening and losing Lucas forever. Nathan uses the event to try to mend his marriage to Haley. All are shocked when Dan, who is out of prison on parole, shows up at the event.

Nathan and Haley throw a birthday party for Jamie. Deb hired a clown, and Haley is not happy with it since it's a creepy one. Lindsey returns to Tree Hill for Jamie's birthday, which gives Lucas hope that the relationship will be rekindled. When Dan arrives, Deb's mood swings fast and in the meantime Brooke and Peyton attend the party with baby Angie.

When tragedy strikes in Tree Hill, Nathan and Haley experience difficulties breaking the news. Brooke still hurt over the robbery, questions her friendship with Peyton, and Lucas and Skills finally meet Quentin's mother.

Nathan and Haley must team up to help Jamie deal with a school bully. Meanwhile, Lucas and Peyton continue to adjust to life as a live-in couple. Elsewhere, Mouth tries to get his old job back.

Lucas falls asleep and dreams of a 1940s Tree Hill were he owns Karen's Cafe. Here, Dan is a dangerous mobster and everyone is entangled in his web: Brooke owes him money, Mouth is searching for proof that would link him to Keith's murder, Haley is his former lounge singer, and Lucas is in love with his step-daughter Peyton.

News of Peyton's condition spreads like wildfire through Tree Hill. Brooke tries to suss out Julian's intentions. Mouth and Millicent strive to keep their relationship going. Meanwhile, Brooke and Lucas babysit Jamie and his friend when Nathan and Haley spend a night out together.

The families of Tree Hill draw closer as Lucas bonds with Jamie while working on Peyton's car, Sam develops a connection with Victoria, and Brooke and Haley throw Peyton a baby shower. Meanwhile, Nathan's ambitions seem closer than ever when he learns that an NBA scout will be watching his next game.

Lucas and Peyton's wedding day finally arrives, bringing some surprise guests along with it. Haley finds herself playing an unexpected role in the ceremony, as Skills and Brooke try to control Jamie and Nick. Meanwhile, Nathan continues to hope to be drafted into the NBA.

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.

In the chaos surrounding an 80's alumni dance at the high school, Haley's birthday is forgotten, Jamie is left home alone, and Nathan and Clay are stranded 200 miles from Tree Hill. Meanwhile, Brooke's appearance at the dance with Alexander forces Julian to relive his dorky adolescence in an episode dedicated to the memory of John Hughes.

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.

Brooke deals with the mounting financial problems at Clothes Over Bro's; Julian starts a new film project; Alex and Chase spend an afternoon together.

As Halloween approaches in Tree Hill, Brooke and Julian get an unexpected visitor, and Nathan begins a new career. Meanwhile, Clay and Quinn struggle with life back at the beach house, and Haley and Mia host an open mic night at Tric.

As the wedding approaches, Brooke tries to connect with Sylvia, while Julian looks for his best man at a guys' poker night. Meanwhile, Nathan struggles in his new job, while Haley's counseling abilities are challenged, and Skills returns to town with a new friend.

As Haley prepares to emcee the annual Tree Hill Burning Boat Festival, Brooke uses the opportunity to process her father’s betrayal, while Julian tries to breathe new life into a past idea. Mouth and Millie make a change to their morning show, and Clay and Quinn get ready for Logan’s first night at the beach house.