"The Games That Play Us" is the twenty second episode and first season finale of One Tree Hill and originally aired May 11th, 2004. The episode was written by Mark Schwahn and directed by Greg Prange.
With the playoffs approaching, Dan takes over as the Ravens coach in Whitey’s absence, but his coaching methods push Lucas and Nathan to their emotional breaking points. Haley is forced to reconsider her relationship with Nathan, whilst Brooke and Peyton reconnect. Lucas and Keith’s loved ones prepare for their impending departure to a new life in Charleston.
Contains examples of the following tropes:
- Bait-and-Switch: The episode plays as if Brooke still holds a grudge towards Peyton over the mess with Lucas, and she’s trying to find out Jake fled to with Jenny so she can tell Nikki. It’s ultimately revealed that the girls are working together and send Nikki to Seattle on a wild goose chase.
- The Big Damn Kiss: Nathan and Haley kiss in the rain for the first time.
- Calling the Old Man Out: After Dan starts blaming Lucas for the Ravens loss, Nathan fires back at his father.Lucas: I should have hit the shot. It’s my fault.
Dan: You’re damn right it’s your fault. You let your teammates down. Teammates you shouldn’t have had in the first place, by the way.
Nathan: At least he took a shot. Unlike you.
Dan: What did you say to me?
Nathan: You heard what I said. I said at least he took a shot. That’s more than you did, right dad?
Dan: I wouldn’t go there if I were you, Nathan.
Nathan: Why not? You’re talking about letting down our teammates. Lucas was there all game. He played in pain with an injury you knew about. But he wasn’t a coward like you were.
Dan: Tim, go get security. Tell them my son has been beaten to death.
Nathan: We played hard. And we lost. We have nothing to be ashamed of. [Nathan rips the name off his jersey and throws it at Dan’s feet.] Except maybe our coach. - Game-Breaking Injury: Lucas reinjures his shoulder, with the doctor telling him that his season would have been over even if the Ravens had won.
- Hollywood Heart Attack: Dan winds up suffering one as he’s in the midst of signing his divorce papers.
- Internal Reveal: Nathan tells Lucas the truth about Dan refusing to play in the State Championship game.
- Meaningful Echo: Nathan removes the 'Scott' name from his jersey after the game, as a gesture of defiance towards Dan. Lucas previously did the same thing in the second episode of the season.
- Put on a Bus: Nikki leaves Tree Hill in pursuit of Jake and Jenny, believing they’re in Seattle.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Keith leaves Tree Hill, having been offered a teaching job in Charleston and wanting a fresh start. Lucas goes with him, wanting a fresh start of his own.
- Shed the Family Name: Nathan removes the 'Scott' name from his jersey after the game, showing that Dan no longer has any power over him.
- Shout-Out: The episode title is taken from the song "The Games That Play Us" by The Blackouts.
- Their First Time: Nathan and Haley make love for the first time after getting married.
- Title Drop: “There’s only one Tree Hill, and it’s your home.”
- Wham Line: Nathan and Haley telling Lucas that they got married the previous night.
