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Staying True: Why One Tree Hill Keeps Generating Steam
by Nadya Vlassoff
 It
is hard to pinpoint exactly what makes for a successful
television series. Success can be measured by
different things like longevity, a strong cast,
good storylines, and many other things. Shows
like One Tree Hill do not have anything spectacular
or flashy about them. Following in the footsteps
of its predecessors like Party of Five and Dawson’s
Creek, One Tree Hill stays true to its fundamentals
of a good show based on good characters. There
is no scandalous eruptions at society parties
or jet-setting adventures to another city for
a 5 star meal on a first date. The show revolves
around Nathan, Haley, Lucas, Brooke and Peyton,
all of who represent real life and its problems.
The show is located in Tree Hill. It is a small town in South Carolina with quaint homes and local shops. It seems almost untainted with its tranquil atmosphere. Shot in location in South Carolina, the actors embody their roles and continue their stories as only they can. Nathan, like always, struggles with his temper and his fans are right there ready to urge him on to be a better man the one Haley has helped him become. The love story of Peyton and Lucas continues, with hurdles and hugs like always, as fans of the union rejoice with every makeup after every breakup. The evolution of Brooke’s character is only highlighted by the acting of Sophia Bush who has managed to create a character that we can both relate to but also feel sympathetic towards.
 So what is it then that
makes this show so intriguing and its characters
so likeable? Chances are that we know a Brooke
or a Lucas or we even see a bit of ourselves
in them. They are relatable because they deal
with everyday issues. The storylines are not
farfetched and we can thank the brilliance of
Mark Schwahn for creating a show where intelligent
writing still exists. New characters come and
go but the core cast remains as we continue
to fall in love with the rise and fall of the
series. There are no heroes although there may
be a villain or two but at the end of the day
we learn a little more about each character.
The show is not perfect and really where would the fun be if it were but for the fans and for those curious enough to watch an episode, One Tree Hill gives us a show where life lessons can still be learnt and characters that can continue to grow as the series itself evolves.
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