Nathan approaches Dan for help with his and Haley's finances. Despite his heart condition, Lucas rejoins the Ravens, teaming with Skills. Feeling isolated and alone, Peyton receives comfort from an unlikely source. Brooke begins dating again but discovers that her new boyfriend is not all that he seems to be. Mouth gets an unexpected proposal.
Contains examples of the following tropes:
- Continuity Porn: When Peyton is punching the heavy bag with Derek, she has flashbacks of Psycho Derek’s attack, before she begins having flashbacks of most of the trauma that she’s suffered to this point in the series.
- Due to the Dead: When Lucas rejoins the Ravens, Whitey gives him the number #22 - the number Keith wore when he was on the team.
- He's Back!: Lucas rejoins the Ravens, albeit with a minutes restriction due to his HCM.
- History Repeats: Actively defied by Whitey, as he refuses to influence Nathan’s decision on attending Duke to avoid making the same mistakes he did with Dan.
- Idiot Ball: Brooke and Mr Chavez decide to continue their relationship despite learning that he’s actually her English teacher.
- Internal Reveal: Brooke finds out her date from the previous episode is her new English teacher, and likewise he finds out that she’s not a model named Peyton.
- It Was a Gift: Skills offers to return the #3 jersey to Lucas now that he’s back on the team, but Lucas refuses and invokes this trope.
- Jailbait Wait: Nick promises Brooke that they can begin a proper relationship in 3 months, once she’s graduated.
- Loan Shark: Nathan is targeted by a loan shark named Daunte. Whilst Nathan is initially reluctant to accept anything from Daunte, he eventually goes to him for help with his bills.
- Never My Fault: Brooke blames Rachel for the mess she’s in with Mr Chavez, ignoring that Brooke ultimately went along with Rachel’s plan.
- Secret Test of Character: Derek leaves Peyton alone in her home, and tells her that she needs to learn how to be on her own again. Outside, he tells Lucas that he’s just letting Peyton think that he’s leaving, when in reality he’ll just be sat in his car as if it was just a late night guard shift.
- Ship Tease: Lucas is once again worried about Peyton and tells Derek that she needs someone special in her life, at which Derek points that Peyton’s already got someone special in her life, making Lucas notice it’s him and leaving him positively impressed.
- Shout-Out: Peyton makes a reference to WWE SmackDown when she sees the boxing ring Derek has taken her to; SmackDown aired on The CW at the time of production.
- Time-Passes Montage: One takes place covering the bulk of the Ravens’ play-off run, showing the Ravens cutting through their opponents, Nick and Brooke getting closer, and Peyton struggling with her PTSD.
- Titled After the Song: The episode title is taken from the song "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" by Nirvana.
- Took a Level in Badass: The Ravens being able to play Lucas, Nathan and Skills together is shown to greatly improve the team, with Mouth noting that this could be the best Ravens team in history.
- Unwitting Instigator of Doom: Dan refuses to loan Nathan money to cover utility bills, unwittingly pushing him to accept money from Daunte.
- What the Hell, Hero?:
- Lucas clearly isn’t impressed when Derek tells him that Peyton’s not his problem, pointing out that Derek’s willing to fight a stranger’s wars but not for his own flesh and blood.
- When Brooke starts complaining about Peyton’s absence and makes a snide comment about her attack, Haley quickly points out - unlike Brooke - some people have real problems and Brooke’s behaviour is out of line.
- You Are Better Than You Think: Discussed when Lucas asks why Derek didn’t just tell Peyton he’d be outside keeping watch; Derek points out that she needs to know that she can handle being alone.
