"In Da Club" is the seventh episode of Season 5 of One Tree Hill and originally aired February 12th, 2008. The episode was written by David Strauss and Mike Herro, and directed by Greg Prange.
As everyone gathers at Tric to see The Honorary Title perform, Lucas finds himself stuck between a feuding Lindsey and Peyton. For the rest of the gang, it’s a night of opportunities - for Brooke to flirt with Owen the hot bartender, for Haley and Peyton to get Mia in front of an audience, and for Carrie to get closer to Nathan. Meanwhile, Brooke plays matchmaker for Mouth and Millicent, unaware of Mouth’s relationship with Alice.
Contains examples of the following tropes:
- Big Damn Kiss: Lucas and Peyton share one for the first time in three years after she's told him she's still in love with him.
- Bottle Episode: The vast majority of the episode takes place at TRIC - be it the bar or the Red Bedroom Records office.
- The Cameo: The Honorary Title appear, performing at TRIC.
- Everyone Can See It:
- Q chastises Nathan for flirting with Carrie.
- Brooke mentions to Lucas that they both know that Peyton returned to Tree Hill for him.
- Everyone Has Standards: Q might be disrespectful to Haley in class, but he still punches Jason out for his behaviour towards her.
- Failed a Spot Check: Q turns up at TRIC and tries to order an alcoholic drink, not realising that Nathan and Haley are literally stood next to him at the bar.
- History Repeats:
- Brooke lampshades that she’s been the third person in a love triangle with Lucas and Peyton, comparing herself to Lindsey, stating that, as herself in the past, she doesn't stand a chance.
- Haley once again walks in on Lucas and Peyton kissing whilst Lucas is in another relationship.
- Lethal Chef: Brooke gets Owen to mix TRIC’s sweetest liquor with the most popular, and calls it the "Brooke Davis" - everyone is repulsed by the mixture of tequila and grenadine.
- The Missus and the Ex: Lucas finds himself struggling to play peacemaker between Peyton and Lindsey.
- Shipper on Deck: Brooke is officially one for Leyton now that her own relationship with Lucas is long dead, as she encourages Peyton not give up on Lucas, pointing out that he wrote an entire book about how much he loved Peyton.
- Small Name, Big Ego: Played for Laughs as Brooke tries to impress Owen with her fame by pointing out how many people are wearing her clothes; he responds by sarcastically claiming he must be famous too since everyone is drinking one of his drinks.
- Stage Fright: Mia is nervous about performing by herself for the first time; it gets worse when she sees Jason in the crowd.
- Titled After the Song: The episode title is taken from the song "In Da Club" by 50 Cent.
- Wham Shot: Peyton heading to Lucas’ home to get him back on Brooke’s instruction, only to find he’s just proposed to Lindsey.
- What the Hell, Hero?:
- Haley is upset that Nathan’s temper once again flared up on a night out. Whilst Nathan tries to argue that he didn’t actually get in a fight this time, Haley points out that it’s only because Q punched Jason out for him.
- Lindsey is fed up with Lucas trying to maintain a relationship with ex-girlfriend Peyton.
- Brooke is disappointed with Mouth when she finds out that he’s sleeping with his boss; especially since she’s trying to pair him up with Millicent.
- Lucas winds up storming into Peyton’s office, accusing her of only wanting him when he’s with someone else.
- Written-In Absence: Skills’ absence from the night out is explained by Haley mentioning that he’s watching Jamie for the night.
