Tension fills the air backstage at Peyton's USO show, as Lucas deals with Peyton and Julian's romantic past. Haley battles stage fright and Nathan struggles with a decision that could change his career. Brooke gets a call that threatens her relationship with Sam. Millicent confronts Mouth on his relationship with Gigi.
Contains examples of the following tropes:
- Attack Hello: Julian opens his hotel room door just to be immediately punched in the face by Lucas, who then walks away.
- Bait-and-Switch: Millicent calling Mouth as Gigi sleeps in their bed, and acting as if she is completely unaware of the situation until the end of the phone call when she pointedly tells Mouth to get Gigi out of their bed.
- The Cameo: Angels & Airwaves perform at Peyton’s USO show.
- Dead Person Conversation: Nathan has one with Q throughout the episode.
- Dope Slap: Peyton gives one to Sam for accidentally ruining Peyton’s unfinished wedding dress.
- Honor Before Reason: After finding out that Julian used to date Peyton in LA, Lucas punches Julian in the face and tries to walk away from film project, noting that he doesn’t trust Julian anymore. Peyton eventually talks Lucas down, pointing out that Julian may own the movie rights, but Ravens is Lucas’ story to tell.
- Hypocrisy Nod: Brooke reminds Lucas that he doesn’t get to be jealous that Peyton dated Julian since he nearly married Lindsey and tried to kiss Brooke immediately after his break-up with Peyton.
- Love Triangle: Discussed by Brooke and Julian, the former outright telling the latter that it’s no fun being the third party in a triangle with Lucas and Peyton, and he should just walk away now.
- Performance Anxiety: Haley is nervous about her performance at the USO show due to how long it’s been since she was on stage.
- Read the Fine Print: Julian points out that Lucas already signed the rights to An Unkindness of Ravens over to him, so it doesn’t really matter if Lucas quits the project - Julian can (and will) still make the movie without him.
- Single Woman Seeks Good Man: Played for Laughs with Mia, who announces that she’s single before starting her performance.
- Titled After the Song: The episode title is taken from the song "Even Fairy Tale Characters Would Be Jealous" by PlayRadioPlay!.
- What the Hell, Hero?:
- Averted - whilst Lucas isn’t happy that Julian used to date Peyton in LA, at no point does Lucas show any anger or mistrust towards Peyton, instead directing it at Julian for not being honest about his history with Peyton when he first approached Lucas about the movie rights to An Unkindness of Ravens.
- Q calls Nathan out on giving up on basketball again after being driven though a safety barricade during his last Slamball game, pointing out that - unlike Nathan - he doesn’t get a choice in no longer pursuing his dream.
- Written-In Absence: Haley mentions that Jamie is staying the night at Andre’s house early in the episode.
