The final season of One Tree Hill has brought us a variety of series-spanning, long-time-coming, end-tying moments. Brooke’s absent father returning to seize his thousandth chance from his daughter, Brooke being a mother at long last, and, of course, the redemption of Dan Scott. It was the only way Dan Scott, in all his darkness and all his wrongdoing could actually die: a hero.

This show delivered an entire other level to the commercial teen drama playing field. OTH always played decent, mature, often indie music. Making a nod at both Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers and Augustana, our favorite show proved to have more of a voice than Gavin De Graw. With possibly the biggest character, Tric, they directly spotlighted the music of Kate Voegele, Bethany Joy Galeotti and Tyler Hilton. OTH knew they had gained some influence and were ready to use it. The last night was no exception, featuring The Horrible Crowes, a band who sported one of the most quality debuts of 2011.

Some of the snappiest lines from this season were exchanged between Brooke and her Karen’s cafe competitor, but none trumped Julian’s explosive last words to Brooke’s father: “It rhymes with thick….Dick, Ted. You’re a dick.” And yet this line of Julian’s paled next to when he told Brooke, “A character who doesn’t love Brooke Davis…I wouldn’t even begin to know how to write that.”

There was a hostage situation, a fire, a feud, a proposal, an adoption, a stalker, multiple arrests, shootouts, and a monumental death. But these final moments will never amount to all that this show has done and the ways it has helped its viewers, its friends, for nearly a decade.

Mimi