"The Leaving Song" is the twenty first episode One Tree Hill and originally aired May 4th, 2004. The episode was written by Jennifer Cecil and Mark Perry, and directed by David Carson.
Lucas is stunned when he finds out that Dan once asked for joint custody when he was a baby, whilst an insecure Haley confronts Nathan after finding porn on his computer. Meanwhile, Nikki taking Jenny whilst Peyton babysits leads Jake deiciding to take drastic actions to keep his daughter safe.
Contains examples of the following tropes:
- Alternate Character Interpretation: Invoked by Lucas, who suggests that the reason Dan is so unpleasent is ultimately because Karen denied him custody of him when he was a baby. He drops this idea after experiencing Dan's borderline abusive methods as Ravens coach, and accepts that Karen was right to keep Dan away from them.
- Easily Forgiven: Peyton is forgiven by Brooke for the affair with Lucas, with Brooke seemingly blaming Lucas for everything.
- Locked Out of the Loop: Keith was unaware that Dan had asked for joint custody of Lucas when he was a baby.
- Put on a Bus: Jake and Jenny leave Tree Hill to get away from Nikki.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Lucas tells Karen and Keith that he wants to leave Tree Hill with his uncle.
- Ship Sinking: Peyton hasn't forgiven Lucas for sleeping with Nikki, and instead opts to repair her relationship with Brooke.
- Ship Tease:
- Larry asks Peyton if she would be okay if she started dating Karen.
- Peyton finally reciprocates Jake's previously one-sided flirting by kissing him as he leaves Tree Hill.
- Shipper on Deck: Peyton gives Larry her blessing to start dating Karen when he asks.
- Titled After the Song: The episode title is taken from the song "The Leaving Song" by AFI.
- Tyrant Takes the Helm: Dan is made the temporary Ravens coach whilst Whitey recovers from surgery. He stops accomodating Jake's schedule with Jenny, and pushes Lucas to the point he's physically ill.
