Lucas struggles to inspire the Ravens, while Haley investigates the disappearance of Dan. Brooke confronts an old demon from her past, and Nathan comes to terms with Deb's relationship with Skills. Plus, Peyton is surprised when a famous musician visits her studio.
Contains examples of the following tropes:
- Call-Back:
- Mick and Peyton talk about Ellie and her cancer, and Mick makes reference to the benefit CD Peyton made in Season 3.
- Whilst talking to the team, Lucas alludes to Keith’s death and recounts the advice given to him by Whitey in "I Slept With Someone in Fall Out Boy and All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me".
- Clothes Make the Legend: Tree Hill High retires the late Quentin Fields’ number #44, forever memorialising him.
- Due to the Dead: The Ravens retire Q’s jersey before their first game following his death, and also have "Q 44" stitched onto their jerseys above their hearts. Lucas also leaves a spot open for Q in their line-up, and after the game, the team tell Lucas they want to play as a 4-man team for the rest of the season.
- Exact Words: When the Ravens take to the court a man down, the referee advises Lucas that he can’t let the Ravens play with four unless the rest of the team is hurt. Lucas then argues that his entire team is hurting, a sentiment that the referee can’t argue with considering the circumstances.Referee: Coach, I can’t let you play with four, unless the rest of your team is hurt.
Lucas: All of my players are hurting, that’s why we’re playing with four. - Not Me This Time: In her confrontation with Victoria, Brooke accuses her mother of being involved with her attack. Victoria is stunned, and denies any involvement.
- Parental Substitute: Lucas teases Nathan about Deb and Skills relationship, pointing out that Skills would make a better dad than Dan ever was.
- Pet the Dog: Lucas is given a reprieve by the school board, as they lift his suspension to allow him to coach the Ravens and retire Q’s jersey. It’s not directly mentioned, but Lucas’ demeanour after the game implies that his suspension will now run to the end of the Ravens’ season instead of ending just before the end.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: The referee for the Ravens' game initially warns Lucas that he can't let the Ravens play with four unless the rest of the team is hurt and only nods in understanding when Lucas states that the entire team is hurt, rather argue about the interpretation of the rule.
- The Reveal: Mick Wolf is the person Mia phoned Peyton about in the previous season finale.
- Shout-Out: Sam mockingly calls Haley "Hannah Montana" in reference to her being a teenaged rock star.
- So Proud of You:
- When speaking to the team after their loss, Lucas expresses his pride in how the remaining Ravens played in Q’s memory.
- When the Ravens leave the locker room following the game, they do so to a standing ovation from everyone else in the gymnasium - including the referee and everyone from the opposing school.
- Titled After the Song: The title of the episode is taken from the song "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel.
- You Remind Me of X: When Mick sees Peyton put Ellie’s jacket on, he notes the resemblance to Ellie.
