One Tree Hill Review: "The Space in Between"
Still?
That was my reaction when I started watching this week's episode of One Tree Hill, "The Space In Between." As in: you are still doing the out of body ghost thing? You are really gonna to put me through a third straight hour of this?
Seeing that Clay made it out of his coma by episode's end, I feel that I am free to hammer this mechanism for a second time before it is sent to pasture. As if last week's debacle wasn't bad enough, OTH decided to up the ante this week, having Clay run into random ghosts in the middle of the hospital.
It was without a doubt a terrible act of story telling, but if it was the only way they could introduce Edwin Hodge as Will then I am officially kind of sold on the premise.
This guest star was actually my favorite part of the episode. Will's advice was great and his singing of the Limbo was song was better. The only problem was that he died, while Clay lived.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Clay and Quinn are pretty useless. I don't have an emotional attachment to them, and that's not only because they haven't been around very long. I'm not taking anything away from Shantel VanSanten, whose character had a touching monologue in an attempt to wake up Clay, but it didn't hit home at all.
Before things get better, I'm afraid they get worse. Mouth has never been an interesting character. How he got in front of the camera in the sports broadcasting business is insane. Now he thinks people are going to want to listen to his ridiculously boring podcast? There's a reason you have less than 50 hits my friend. And the awkward moments between him and Millicent? Even worse.
On to the good news: Victoria is going to prison! It was very sweet that Mrs. Davis took the fall for this whole financial fraud business. Then again, since it was all her fault, I don't see why we should be at all impressed. Her not taking the blame for this would be worse than deserting your kid and expecting her to fend for herself when she's 16 years old. Oh, Victoria did that? Well then okay, we can commend her for this.
And the most enjoyable dynamic of the ep for the second straight week was... Jamie and Julian! This time with the nice added flavor of Brooke. Now that Clay and Quinn are going to be out of the hospital, I'm going to miss all of this Jamie/Julian bonding. Brooke was also great with the kid, and like Jamie said, they're "going to make great parents some day." I'd love to see something go right for these two, and have Brooke get pregnant (some how, some way).
So after Nathan struggled with whether or not to give Clay his kidney, he found out he wasn't a match. And then who would have guessed it, Clay suddenly gets better. Our good friend Will passes on and apparently we are to assume that his kidney went to Clay and that's why he woke up. That was a bit fast, no?
Now we move forward, and hopefully out of the hospital for a while. But what is in store for Nathan and his career now that we know he has major back problems. That doctor visit from before was as serious as we thought, but will he still be able to play for the Bobcats?
Other Thoughts:
- Third straight week of an episode beginning with Haley's "Dear Lucas." I hope this happens all the time.
- The opening theme song was performed by Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy this week. I wasn't a fan of this version.
- No Chase, Alex or Mia? I knew this was going on the back burner. Hopefully they're back in the fold next week.
- As always, we've updated our section of One Tree Hill quotes. Check it out now!
Dan Forcella is a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow him on Twitter.
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Nate: Oh wait, you've already been kidnapped. Jamie: So have you.
October 2nd, 2010 1:28 AM
this is totally random, but im liking how brooke and haley are looking gorgeous!! they look fantastic in this season ..not that they weren't in other seasons but seriously stunning !!
October 1st, 2010 12:10 PM
I have to admit that when I first finished watching the episode, I thought: "Finally something that could make me connect, really connect, after what, 1 whole season and 2 episodes?" Maybe it was the fact that I teared up a bit that made me feel that, or Victoria's act (which as you precisely said though, was what she deserved anyway!) or maybe it was just because I hadn't seem some random drama in a long while.
I did feel some emotional connect. For the first time, I thought James was excellent when he broke down in front of those horses. Essentially though, what matters is that that scene was ridiculous, despite brilliant acting, considering his history. He nearly lost both of his parents, Haley, Lucas, Peyton, unborn Jamie, has lost Keith and it's NOW that he feels Haley's pain? Seriously? Okay, we can perhaps discount Dan or Deb, but Keith, Haley or Lucas? Clay is over ALL of them?
Personally, I am not a fan of Austin, but Julian/Brooke/Jamie are sincerely the best part of
Rank: Staff Member
September 30th, 2010 8:14 PM
Jenn,
"Why would Clay have more of an effect on him?"
Exactly! To be fair, there was a good chunk of time between six and seven where Nathan met Clay and they became close. But still it comes back to my argument that they haven't done a good job getting the audience attached to Clay and Quinn. Nathan has had tough situations in the past, and for this to be as big of a deal as others is ridiculous.
I agree that Nathan, in general, has become less interesting. Personally, I enjoyed season one Nathan and season five Nathan the most. He has been best as an all out jerk, like he started, or like he became once forced to sit in a wheel chair.
September 30th, 2010 5:16 AM
skills- well apparently in real life he had some issues, prison sentence or something not sure i was reading it somewhere
defs need to focus on naley and brulian more..
dude nathan was really emotional when he almost lost haley and jamie after state championship..but yeh didnt seem that upset bout lucas only because i think he was too focused on haley...
well peyton was his ex from ages ago..and we didnt even see haley get all the emotional about peyton and they were a "team". i think they were just tryin to focus more on lucas and brooke because they were close to her more than any1..
this is what i think, but i reckon he was saying that he wasn't strong enough because alot has happened in his life, with dan and whole basketball career, and this probably tipped him over the edge... and it seems clay has become a real close friend of nathan so im not suprised that he is all torn up about it, i mean he is his agent and has done so much for him
but anyway
September 29th, 2010 9:28 PM
The show has definitely gone downhill since CMM and HB left the show. The plot lines are flat, boring and some are just unrealistic. One Tree Hill used to be my favorite show of all time.
I would love to see Brooke get pregnant soon. She deserves some happiness on the show. Her and Julian would make amazing parents (Nathan and Haley always hand Jamie over to Brooke, Skills or someone else). It is kinda sad how they spend more time on Clay and Quinn than they do on Brooke and Julian.
Now what is up with Nathan? (TV Fanatic Critic, I would like to hear your thoughts on this) The scene where Nathan drives out to the stables to cry was painful to watch. He has turned into the ultimate (excuse my language) pussy. I miss the old Nathan; he needs to man up and be selfish at times. Nathan also mentioned how he cannot handle the Clay situation and how he isn't strong enough. Then he went on about how he finally realized how Haley felt when her mother passed away. Well didn't he feel the
September 29th, 2010 9:08 PM
jeff, im from australia too!
defs understand what u are saying, totally agree with you on everything
September 29th, 2010 2:23 PM
umm that song just killed the opening song for me! KEEP IT AS GAVIN EVERY WEEEK!!!!!!
Rank: Staff Member
September 29th, 2010 1:27 PM
Jeff,
I've been bashed worse. Thanks for the opinions. Everyone has their own, and it's interesting to me that you've grown attached to Clay and Quinn, when I clearly have not.
I agree that the fantasy aspects of these past three episodes can appeal to some (obviously they did to you), but I think they just didn't gel correctly.
What do you mean by how well the show is made? Honestly, OTH used to be my favorite of the CW soaps, but both last season and the start of this one, I have preferred both 90210 and Gossip to One Tree Hill. Personal preference is what it is, but I'm curious as to what you mean by "well made".
September 29th, 2010 12:41 PM
Oh Woops, i re read what i wrote, and this is no way bashing Quiet Pool. Who am I? lol a nobody, I appreciate reading reviews, because i see a different point of view of something i myself have watched, and i appreciate that!
September 29th, 2010 12:40 PM
Whoa this is insane , me and Quiet Pool have almost polar opposite likes and dislikes.
1. I really liked this episodes intro version, and hated Kate's one in the other ep.
2. Ive developed an emotional attachment for clay and quinn, and am genuinely saddened by this whole situation. Infact they are my favourites in this season ATM.
3. Liked this ghost "debacle". If i wanted something pure fiction, i'd stalkerishly watch my neighbours live their lives.. but i want fantasy aswell, i live in australia and i want to escape when i watch tv shows; yes they are supposed to replicate real life as thats how they get their genuinity (if thats a word), but i also do not mind such ways of telling a story.
Side note, i think we should give credit on how WELL these episodes are made atm, in terms of comparing it to the other CW shows available, especially gossip girl, i feel i enjoy one tree hill a lot more.
You may not like this ghost mechanic, the characters, lucas and peyton gone,