One Tree Hill: We Three (My Echo, My Shadow and Me) (Episode 117)

After what I would say has been a pretty amazing last season and a half, One Tree Hill seems to be falling off the tracks again. Last week we had Nathan seeing and talking to dead Quentin and then this week the show travels back to the 1940's (not the roaring 20's as I suggested last week). The star of the show, Chad Michael Murray, is the one to blame for this episode. He was the writer behind the episode, which was supposed to be a homage to the films of the 1940's but instead I think is more of a disgrace. I say he should stick to acting and not try writing anymore. No offense! Enough complaining though... I'll do my best to make this a fun recap of a rather horrible episode.

We begin with the sights and sounds of a thunderstorm in Tree Hill. It is not often that they get storms there. The last time we saw it rain there, I believe, was when Nathan and Haley had their "moment" kissing in the rain and that was seasons and seasons ago. Luke is watching Casablanca on TV while he works on the script for his movie. Peyton calls to let him know that she'll be working late and she'll call again when she's on her way home. After they hang up Luke slips into a dream where apparently time has changed to the 1940's, or at least Chad Michael Murray's version of the 40's. Luke is the owner of a swinging bar appropriately enough named, Karen's Cafe. Haley is the beautiful singer on stage, Mouth is the frustrated gossip columnist, Brooke is still filling the usual role as the temptress and looking sexy in a red dress, and Nathan is a bartender.

Nathan tells Luke he likes Haley James, but doesn't figure such a beautiful, talented lady will give him the time of day. Meanwhile, Peyton and her posse which includes Dan rocking a 40's stache and Julian playing the cool cat role stroll into the bar/Cafe. Dan is clearly her manager but what Julian does exactly besides just looking smooth is beyond me. After getting Peyton seated, Dan grabs Brooke and tells her that she better get the money she owes him. Dan then confronts Luke that he wants Haley back at his club. Haley used to be one of Dan's 'girls' but then after he tried forcing himself on her she left him to come to Karen's Cafe. This all leads to a big argument between Dan, Julian and Luke. When Julian threatens Luke with a broken beer bottle the local cop kicks Dan and Julian out, Peyton leaves with them but gives Luke a loving look. On the car ride back to Peyton's place, Dan is mad at her because he saw the look she gave Luke. As she's getting out of the car Julian slaps her ass. Apparently it's a Dan/Peyton/Julian sandwich. It's sort of a disturbing image, just saying.

Later, Nathan gets his chance to hit on Haley and she likes him. Go figure! They end up talking and dancing but Luke gives Nathan a letter from the military that he has to report for service tomorrow night, so therefore this will be his last night there. Mouth goes to leave but is so drunk he falls in the alleyway. Just a few minutes later, Brooke goes to leave Karen's Cafe but realizes she doesn't have enough money to grab a taxi (there are taxi's in Tree Hill in the 40's?). She instead gives what change she has to a homeless person and then starts her walk home. Dan comes back and confronts her, he tells her that she better have the money she owes him by tomorrow night. She says she'll get it. I wonder what prostitution paid back in the 40's? Hmm...

Peyton comes back to the club/Cafe to talk to Luke. They end up going for a walk which leads to the infamous Tree Hill bridge. The bridge is lit up beautifully making this probably the best looking scene of the episode, Peyton spins around and tells Luke she just wants to be free. He walks her home and they kiss, Brooke just happens to be nearby and watches them kiss. It may be the 40's but we're still talking about Brooke... I think we all know what she's going to do with this juicy little secret.

The next day, Nathan and Haley are seemingly in love at this point. It must've been love at first sight because it's not long before they're sleeping with each other and talking about naming their first child, Jamie.

Brooke goes to Dan with the tidbit about Luke and Peyton in hopes that he'll forgive her debt. He tells her that he's not done with her just yet. Julian later confronts Skills (fyi, even though it's set in the 40's and he plays piano now instead of basketball they still call him Skills) for basically no reason at all. I think Chad Michael Murray just wanted Julian to look bad ass and Skills to get beat down.

Dan has Julian bring the town cop, Owen, to him to beat. During the torture and beating of Owen, Dan admits to killing Keith, which seems really out of context but go with it, and Mouth just so happens to be there to witness the whole thing. Unfortunately for Mouth Julian sees him watching and lays a beat down on him as well.

If you're lost in the storyline at all blame it on Chad Michael Murray for the poorly written script; I'm really trying my best to piece together what this episode was actually about but ultimately it's about a dream so it doesn't have to make sense, I guess.

Anyway, when Mouth comes out of being knocked out by Julian he is tied up and Dan and Julian are leading him to the Tree Hill bridge. Peyton finds them there as they're getting ready to throw Mouth off the side. Mouth yells to Peyton that Dan killed Keith. She tries to stop them from hurting Mouth but Dan calls her a whore and then hits her, dropping her to the ground. They end up dropping Mouth off the side of the bridge. He's tied to a wooden post so it's doubtful he's going to escape unless he can pull some David Blaine magic trick out of his ass.

Skills and Peyton both go to Luke to tell him what's going on. They try to rush over to help Mouth but as they leave the Cafe Dan and Julian corner Luke and Peyton in the street with their cars. Julian is first to pull a gun on Luke but Luke is quick and able to pull out a gun and shoot Julian. Dan and Brooke get out of the other car and get Luke to put his gun on the ground, Dan pulls a gun on Luke though. Gee... didn't see that one coming! Dan gives the gun to Brooke to shoot Luke, but instead she aims the gun at Dan and shoots... BUT there are no bullets. Dan thought she might pull a stunt like that so he didn't load it. Dan pulls another gun out and goes to shoot Luke but just then Skills comes hauling butt toward him and tackles Dan. Dan still gets a shot off but instead of shooting Luke he hits Peyton in the stomach. Luke holds her as she's dying and tells her she's free now.

As Luke is holding Peyton we hear a cell phone ringing. Of course, 1940's Luke has no idea what the sound is but reaches in his pocket to find out what it is. Luke wakes up to discover the whole thing was just a dream. It's Peyton calling to let him know she'll be heading home soon. Before they hang up he tells her to never leave him. After they hang up Peyton grabs at her stomach and falls to the floor, I guess she's feeling where she was shot in Luke's dream? Unbelieveable, I know.

That's all for this 1940's disaster of an episode. Did anyone else watch it and like it? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this crazy episode!

Next week, Sam causes more problems for Brooke, Peyton calls Mia ungrateful, and Luke confronts Julian for being such a dick. Maybe, just maybe, it'll be a decent episode. Please stop back next week!