By Jae-Ha Kim
Media Life Magazine
May 3, 2006
“One Tree Hill” has never been as compelling or interesting as fellow WB shows “Dawson’s Creek” or “Gilmore Girls.” So upon hearing that tonight’s season finale also may be the three-year old drama’s finale, even fans may be muttering a tepid, “Eh.”
Developed as a showcase for series star Chad Michael Murray–who proved quite popular on those other WB programs–“One Tree Hill” is meant to deal with the tribulations of a group of teenagers transitioning into adulthood.
Unfortunately, the antics of series stars Murray and his ex-wife Sophia Bush, as well as his new engagement to one of the show’s teenage extras, have long overshadowed any of the plotlines on the soapy drama.
Ratings for tonight’s episode, which airs at 8 p.m., could very well help determine whether the show gets picked up on the fall schedule of the CW, as it morphs from the WB and UPN.
The show, once a hot program among teen viewers, actually finished third in its timeslot last week in that demo, behind UPN’s “America’s Next Top Model” and Fox’s “Bones,” not a promising sign. It was a mere 0.2 rating points ahead of Univision’s “La Bella Mas Fea” during its first half hour with just a 1.8.
For tonight’s finale, here’s hoping the show’s writers resolve once and for all whether Lucas (Murray) ends up with Brooke (Bush) or Peyton (Hilarie Burton).
And if the show does move to the CW, it might be a good time to close this love triangle and start with a fresh idea.
