By Ragdoll
Whoopee! Instead of being able to avoid the theme song, we'll now be tortured by the awkward appearance of Gavin DeGraw, magically showing up in Tree Hill out of the blue. Welcome to the world of contrived-quasi talented non-actors making strange promotional drop-bys as set out in their contracts with the record companies. It's product placement to the nth degree. Anyway. Previously on One Tree Hill: Nathan enhanced his game via the Jim Carroll method, only his drug of choice was speed and not heroin. Good call on that one, Nathan. Brooke and Luke went out on a date, but "date" was just Brooke-speak for what she actually did, which was to drag him into a corner and make out all night long. Haley expressed concern about her budding relationship. Nathan collapsed on the court. Deb kicked Dan out of the house, but only after she threatened to "stab him in [her] sleep." Nathan crashed at Haley's house because he just couldn't handle the pressure anymore. Oh, and Peyton showed up at Luke's house with her heart on her sleeve. But wait! Brooke was already there -- who will Luke choose?
We're in the moment -- that very nanosecond, if you will -- when Peyton stops babbling about wanting the same things as Luke and wanting them with him. That very moment when Brooke comes bounding out asking if the "superstar" is ready to "score." The precious few seconds where Luke looks from one girl to the other, thinking to himself, "Do I like blondes better than brunettes? Hum, um, huh, well who shall I choose?" He looks from Peyton to Brooke. Brooke looks at him; she sort of half-stares at both of them like she doesn't know what's going on. Peyton looks like she might burst into tears. Which is hard, you know, because she's made of wood. Luke pouts, and then Peyton disappears into thin air. But wait! It's the morning, and Luke's still asleep, in his clothes, of course. His belt is undone, and his pants are loose. Let's hope that's indicative of something. Luke drags himself out of bed.
Keith puts away dishes in the kitchen. When Luke gets there, he's changed for school. Keith turns around and says "good morning" in tough-uncle-speak: "You look like hell!" Luke laughs, "I didn't get much sleep." Why? What's up? "You ever have a tough decision to make and wonder if you made the right choice?" Luke asks. Good grief. He's a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old kid choosing between two beautiful girls, both of whom are interested in him. Plus, it's high school, and relationships last for, like, a week when you're that age. Oh. He's. So. Tortured. So he spent six months chasing Peyton, running after her car, saving her from a date-rapist only to decide now that maybe he doesn't want to be with her? This show is yanking my chain. Keith asks, "What kind of choice are you talking about?" There's a cute knock on the door. Brooke comes in with coffee and says, "Morning, boyfriend!" She hands Luke a cup of coffee and says, "Again." Keith stands there drying his hands on a towel. Man, these kids are forward -- it's like they bring their real ages into the action when we're not looking. Luke and Brooke smooch. It's gross. They make a smacking sound that's completely unnecessary first thing in the morning. Keith jokes, "I think you're good." Brooke grins. Luke introduces the two of them. Brooke greets Uncle Keith by handing him the second cup of coffee. At least she's polite when she's making out with his nephew in the kitchen before it's even 8 AM. Brooke and Luke start to make their way out the door when Keith says, "Oh, don't forget, you're mom's calling from Italy at 6 PM sharp, don't forget to be here." Luke smiles and says, "Okay, I promise!" Which is teenager-speak for "of course I'm going to forget, screw up, make Keith mad and miss my mom's call."