"Danny Boy" is the eleventh episode of Season 9 of One Tree Hill and originally aired March 21st, 2012. The episode was written by Mike Herro & David Strauss, and directed by Joe Davola.
Dan's life hangs in the balance as Nathan reunites with his loved ones. Brooke is surprised when her father returns, whilst inspiration strikes for Julian. Clay and Quinn reconnect with Logan.
Contains examples of the following tropes:
- Bottle Episode: With the exception of the opening - which picks up immediately after the previous episode - and closing scenes, the episode takes place entirely at the hospital.
- The Bus Came Back: Jamie and Lydia return to Tree Hill after spending the last three episodes staying with Lucas and Peyton.
- The Cameo:
- Craig Sheffer returns as Keith Scott for the first time since the Season 4 finale.
- Chad Michael Murray and Moira Kelly appear as Lucas Scott and Karen Roe through the use of archive footage in flashbacks.
- Character Death: Dan Scott dies, as the result of his bullet wound and weak heart.
- Dead Person Conversation: Keith returns to escort Dan to the afterlife as he passes.
- Drives Like Crazy: Julian, as he attempts to get Dan and Nathan to the hospital. It isn’t helped by the fact that he doesn’t have the siren on as he drives a stolen cop car, and Dan has to tell him how to turn it on.
- The Ghost: Lucas brings Jamie and Lydia back to Tree Hill, handing them over to Deb to take to the hospital rather than doing so himself; the implication is that he refuses to see Dan and instead immediately leaves on the next flight.
- Imagine Spot: As Dan passes, he begins to hallucinate that he’s at the River Court with Nathan, and they proceed to play one last game of basketball, not keeping score this time.
- Lampshade Hanging: Nathan comments that even after being abducted and held hostage, Clay still has the more shocking news thanks to his learning that he and Sara had a child together.
- Made of Iron: Discussed - Jamie initially shrugs off Haley telling him that Dan’s not doing so well, primarily because of how many times this trope has come into play for Dan.
- Never Got to Say Goodbye: Lucas is absent when Dan dies, having refused to see him one last time due to being unable to forgive him for his past actions. Dan doesn't hold it against him, understanding that Keith was more of a father to Lucas than he was.
- Redemption Equals Death: Dan Scott dies from a combination of his wounds and his weak heart, having brought Nathan home and finally atoned for murdering Keith.
- Titled After the Song: The title of the episode is taken from the song "Danny Boy" by Andy Williams.
