"Anyone Who Had a Heart" is the twelfth episode of Season 9 of One Tree Hill and originally aired March 28th, 2012. The episode was written by Brian L Ridings and directed by cast member Sophia Bush.
Haley prepares to MC Tree Hill’s annual Burning Boat Festival, whilst Brooke processes her father's latest betrayal. Struck by inspiration, Julian tries to breathe new life into a forgotten idea, whilst Mouth and Millie make a change to their morning show. Clay and Quinn make a decision that will change their lives forever.
Contains examples of the following tropes:
- Call-Back:
- Several are made to "Are You True?" from Season One, Haley prepares to MC the Burning Boat Festival.
- Haley name drops Red Legner and Coach Whitey Durham as notable Tree Hill residents to host the ceremony - "Are You True?" features Whitey doing so, and name dropping Red Legner as someone who had done so previously.
- Haley talks with Brooke about watching the ceremony from the River Court with Lucas, and mentions that it was around the time she started tutoring Nathan.
- Haley finds Peyton’s poster for TRIC’s opening night, previously seen in "Let the Reigns Go Loose" in Season 2.
- It's been nearly three full seasons, but Skills is still struggling to get rid of his old CD collection.
- Several are made to "Are You True?" from Season One, Haley prepares to MC the Burning Boat Festival.
- Curse Cut Short: Haley briefly sings part of "The Roof is on Fire" before cutting herself off before swearing in front of Lydia
- Deconstructed Trope: Chase’s position as the resident everyman receives this treatment, as he points out the painful mediocrity of having a regular job whilst all of his friends are writers, athletes, fashion designers and musicians.
- Internal Retcon: Invoked with Julian’s adaptation of "An Unkindness of Ravens" as he rewrites the story to include himself, and proceeds to hijack several key moments of Lucas’ life for the Julian character.
- Shout-Out:
- When Brooke and Julian are rehearsing his pitch for adapting "An Unkindness of Ravens" to TV, Brooke poses a question about the similarities to Dawson's Creek.
- Julian paraphrases the iconic “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” line from Dirty Dancing, before outright name dropping the film.
- Logan has a Green Lantern ring, which he gives to Clay to use as an engagement ring once he’s conquered his fear of the ocean - a key element of the Green Lantern mythology is overcoming your fears. Additionally, the Green Lantern ring is the same design as featured in the 2011 film.
- Take That!: When Haley tells Skills that the Burning Boat is for burning things you regret and not a garbage dump for his old CDs, Skills protests that he has a Lindsay Lohan album in there.
- Titled After the Song: The episode title is taken from the song "Anyone Who Had a Heart" by Dionne Warwick.
- Written-In Absence: Haley notes that Nathan has taken Jamie camping, the father and son needing some time alone following Nathan’s abduction and Dan’s death.
