The main storyline is originally the relationship between the two half-brothers Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott (James Lafferty), both of whom start out as enemies but bond as friends and as brothers as the show progresses. With the help of Keith (Craig Sheffer), Coach Brian "Whitey" Durham (Barry Corbin) recruits Lucas on the team. Nathan has the same love for basketball as Lucas. As Lucas falls in love with Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton), who happens to be Nathan's girlfriend and later ex, Nathan falls in love with Lucas's best friend, Haley James (Bethany Joy Galeotti). Lucas later dates and falls in love with Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush). Both brothers share the same father Dan Scott (Paul Johansson), who is also Keith's brother. After having a high school relationship with Karen Roe (Moira Kelly), Dan conceived Lucas but never claimed him as his son; he did claim Nathan. After leaving Karen, he meets and quickly marries Deb Scott (Barbara Alyn Woods), with whom he conceives Nathan. Although having been married for seventeen years, they divorce and choose different paths. Deb starts having alcoholic problems on and off, until she finally recovers. She also begins a strong friendship, and later partnership, with Karen against Dan's will. However, in the later seasons, the show focuses less on them and the three of them leave the show. Karen marries her college professor, Andy Hargrove (Kieren Hutchison), Dan realizes his sins and temporarily leaves the town, and Deb returns to Tree Hill after an absence but eventually leaves after realizing that her life, as she knows it, is over.

Leading Role: Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty, Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Galeotti, Sophia Bush, Paul Johansson, Barbara Alyn Woods, Lee Norris, Moira Kelly, Barry Corbin, Antwon Tanner, Craig Sheffer

Director: Mark Schwahn