One Tree Hill 7X17: At the Bottom of Everything
Added 2024-10-21 22:25:13 +0000 UTCUgh. I knew she was gonna walk into Alex being there and it still upset me. I was prepped and everything! I do wonder though, if it's actually Julian in the show and not Alexander. I wonder if he and Alex switched rooms for the night so she could get some sleep. I mean either way, I'm 100% sure it's innocent, but it's a lot easier to explain if Julian says he wasn't even there.
Anyway, Haley is still trying to deal with the fact that there is nothing for her mom to do. She convinces her mother to let a doctor that Nathan has found look at her records. Her mom agrees, but only if she promises to let it go after yet another doctor says nothing can be done. Haley says okay, and then waits anxiously. And not long after, Nathan tells her he heard from the doctor and there is nothing that can be done.
While this is happening, her mom tells Jamie that she's not going to see him at Christmas because she'll be dead. I mean, it was way sweeter than that, but you get the idea. This has them recreated Christmas now, so that mom can be a part of it. It seems like everything except mom and Haley were in on it. And it's absolutely heartbreakingly sweet. Haley is the last one to come down. I don't know if it was intentional, but it feels like she was the last one to figure out how to accept this, and her joining the group last feels appropriate.
Julian and Brooke are still dancing around each other. It's still super clear they both still love each other, but they just aren't making a move. After getting the news about her mom's second opinion, she tells both Brooke and Mouth (who has been complaining about Millie) to go after what they want and deal with the messiness of it later on. Because there might not be a later on. Both take her advice. Brooke cons the front desk person to give her a key to Julian's room, but when she walks in, she finds Alex sprawled out in bed naked and asleep. Someone is in the shower. I think we're supposed to assume it's Julian, but I feel like it might be Alexander. Mouth, ends up going to Lauren and asking her on a date. I hate this. It's stupid. I don't want him and Millie together, but I don't want her with Skills' barely ex. It's just weird.
And what's with this tennis girl? There's definitely way more to this story. I spend way to much time trying to speculate that it might be Clay and Sara's daughter, but she just died. And this girl is, like, at least 15; meaning Clay would have had to have her at like 10. So, I don't think it's that. But it's something, right?
Comments
Love this episode for all the Lydia and Naley family orbit stuff. Joy directed this episode, and it was such a massive undertaking for her because of the weight of the storyline that Naley and the James family are going through, and she passed it with flying colors. She did such a fabulous job with it all, and you can clearly see all her special "Joy" touches sprinkled in throughout the episode. From Nathan and Lydia drinking tea together and their amazing conversation, to Nathan reading one of his great American novels, hehe (a nod to James). To Haley and Jamie looking at old photos of Haley from her childhood that were actual young Joy pictures, to the Joy ornament hanging on the tree, and the Lydia angel on top. All of those moments were personal touches by Joy that really elevated the script and the material. The acting was amazing by all, and so touching. And I love how we get to see the beginning of how supportive Nathan is with Haley here, and how he so easily lets her take the reins with this difficult situation and then follows her lead. From the way he was with her in the morning trying to get her to see where Lydia is coming from, but then deciding to just sit with her at the computer and do research with her as a supportive husband because that's what she needed in that moment. And it's not lost on me how both James and Joy had Naley's S1 looks going on in that scene, and I think it was also by design to tap into that youthful look for them during that heartbreaking moment. Such a poignant choice for sure. And then seeing Nathan telling Haley that his teams doctor knows the best oncologist who can take a look at Lydia's case to see if he can help, knowing the odds are stacked against her but giving that hope to Haley because she needs it. Then being there for her as they discussed Jamie and what to do about telling him and him finding out that his grandma's sick, to being there for Haley at the end in that amazing bathroom scene when he has to tell her that he heard back from the doctor and there is nothing else they can do for her, and he has to hold a broken Haley as she collapses in his arms in grief and he tells her how sorry he is and how much he wishes he could change things for her. Heartbreaking for sure......but damn, the JL's play it all so well. It all feels so real, the emotion is that palpable. And then let's talk about little Jackson's amazing acting as Jamie here, when Lydia tells him that she won't be here for Christmas this year as he's trying to process it all, and then crying to Haley that he's sad for her because she's going to lose her mom and the one thing he doesn't ever want to lose is his mommy and daddy. Just slay me now.... Jackson so nailed that scene. And then when he was in his room, and Nathan went to talk with him, but it was obvious that he just wanted to be left alone and Nathan automatically knew to give him his space, but not before letting him know that he's here for him when he's ready. Gosh that family......they are perfect indeed. So yes...I so enjoy this role reversal of getting to see Nathan step up in every way for his family and be the strong family man and leader that he is. And that amazing Nathan/Lydia scene was the icing on the cake. So glad that we got to see it, and that Nathan got the chance to thank Lydia in person for saying "yes" and that he'll never forget it...ever. So poignant indeed!!! And the Christmas scene at the end.... sighs uncontrollably, hehe. Let the waterworks begin. When Haley walks down the stairs to join her family...I lost it. Then when she passes Nathan and they all hug as a family, and then Jamie beings passing out presents...man alive the emotions. Especially as they pan over the tree to the Joy ornament hanging on the branch and the Lydia angel at the top. Such a fitting way to cap off this amazing episode. Well done indeed!!!
Melissa
2024-10-24 01:48:04 +0000 UTCThat Nathan/Lydia scene is everything and knowing that Joy was right there to direct it all.... makes it all that much more poignant and sweeter. It was such a great full circle moment for these characters, and who would have ever guessed way back in the beginning of S2 when we first got introduced to Jimmy and Lydia James and we saw the flashbacks of Naley going to Haley's parents to ask their permission to get married, and then we saw the scene of Nathan asking Jimmy for his daughters hand in marriage, to now have that all come back around for Nathan to personally thank Lydia for saying "yes" and telling her that he'll never forget it....is everything. Such an unbelievable emotional and heartfelt scene that carries so much weight. Such a superb joy all the way around :)
Melissa
2024-10-24 01:07:54 +0000 UTCHonestly, it's crazy that she did. But, gods, life would be so much sadder if she didn't. But to be fair, Haley has probably been 40 since she was 12. Lol.
Dana Licciardello
2024-10-21 23:12:51 +0000 UTCI loved the Nathan and Lydia scene. "Thank you for saying yes." 😭😭💔
Heather
2024-10-21 22:59:15 +0000 UTC
