The BEST episodes of One Tree Hill season 2

Every episode of One Tree Hill season 2, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of One Tree Hill season 2!

Half-brothers Lucas and Nathan Scott trade between kinship and rivalry both on the basketball court and in the hearts of their friends in the small, but not so quiet town of Tree Hill, North Carolina.

Last Updated: 12/10/2024Network: The CWStatus: Ended
The Leavers Dance
star
8.12
202 votes

#1 - The Leavers Dance

Season 2 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/24/2005

In the second part of the this seamless 2-hour Season Finale of "One Tree Hill," things heat up between Lucas and Brooke since he finally tells her what he feels about her. Nathan and Deb conspire to desert Dan for good, leading to an explosive conclusion when he discovers their plan. Peyton has a shock. Meanwhile, Karen decides to spend the summer holiday in New Zealand. And at the climax of Dan's numerous deceptions someone sets the dealership on fire with him in it.

Directors: Greg Prange
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Truth Doesn't Make a Noise
star
7.81
551 votes

#2 - The Truth Doesn't Make a Noise

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/28/2004

With the assistance of Peyton and Brooke, Lucas throws Nathan and Haley a wedding reception. Although Haley's parents support the marriage, Deb has a difficult time accepting it. Meanwhile, Dan's recent heart attack causes him to try and mend his relationships with Deb and Lucas.

Directors: Bill Dickson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
I Will Dare
star
7.81
517 votes

#3 - I Will Dare

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/19/2004

Felix organizes a "dare night" to test the limits of his new classmates. While out playing the game, Lucas meets a mysterious new girl, Anna, and the two of them seem to hit it off. Peyton tearfully confesses to the church that she recently tried cocaine and Keith is caught off guard when a beautiful woman comes to the shop and begins flirting with him. Meanwhile, Karen goes on a date with Andy, her younger professor.

Directors: Thomas J. Wright
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Let the Reigns Go Loose
star
7.78
438 votes

#4 - Let the Reigns Go Loose

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/2/2004

The opening of Karen's club "Tric" brings together the people of Tree Hill. Lucas and Felix come to blows over Anna. After Chris quits his gig the night of the club opening, Haley must face her fear of performing to save the night for Peyton. Although Mouth tends to Brooke while she is drunk, Felix sneaks in and attempts to take the credit. Keith and Jules realize their relationship has reached a new level, while Dan deliberately tells Karen that Deb slept with Keith.

Directors: David Paymer
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Don't Take Me for Granted
star
7.74
462 votes

#5 - Don't Take Me for Granted

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/30/2004

Nathan is concerned about Lucas' health, so he tells Karen that Lucas didn't take the heart test. Dan offers Keith to continue working at the dealership-as vice president. At school, Peyton must confront the rumors going around that she is a lesbian. This affects her friendship with Anna. As for Nathan and Haley, they begin to grow apart...

Directors: Lev L. Spiro
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Lonesome Road
star
7.68
446 votes

#6 - The Lonesome Road

Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/26/2005

On his way home from seeing Haley, Nathan stops to visit Taylor hoping for some fun and maybe more. Meanwhile, Anna gets a surprise visit from her ex-girlfriend and is inspired to tell her parents about her sexuality. Also, Lucas works with Andy to bring Dan down, Karen puts her foot down with Brooke. Peyton and Jake continue to hide baby Jenny from Nicki.

Directors: Thomas J. Wright
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
star
7.67
470 votes

#7 - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning

Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired 5/3/2005

Nathan's Uncle Cooper comes into town to take Nathan and Lucas on a racing trip. On the track, Nathan and Lucas are challenged to a race by the beautiful Daytona and her smart aleck brother Jarret, but things go horribly wrong when Nathan loses control of his car and crashes into a wall. Meanwhile, Deb's addiction to pain pills intensifies and Dan exposes Andy's relationship with Karen to his class.

Directors: Thomas J. Wright
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Tide That Left and Never Came Back
star
7.66
453 votes

#8 - The Tide That Left and Never Came Back

Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/24/2005

In the first part of the two hour second season finale, things heat up between Lucas and Brooke after they head to New York for an overnight stay with Haley. Peyton is elated when she gets the band Jimmy Eat World to perform at TRIC in time for Jake's release from jail. Meanwhile, Andy invites Karen to spend the summer in New Zealand.

Directors: Thomas J. Wright
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Somewhere a Clock is Ticking
star
7.66
450 votes

#9 - Somewhere a Clock is Ticking

Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/1/2005

Keith and Jules' wedding day, and the event has turned the town upside down. Brooke asks Lucas to take her to the wedding as his date, Nathan makes an important decision involving his marriage to Haley, and Jake and Peyton take a big step in their relationship. Meanwhile, Karen and Andy discover Jules' secret relationship with Dan.

Directors: Billy Dickson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
We Might as Well Be Strangers
star
7.65
487 votes

#10 - We Might as Well Be Strangers

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/26/2004

After Dare Night resulted in new arrangements, a midnight meteor shower finds Lucas sharing a romantic night with Anna. Andy surprises Karen with a dinner and Keith cooks for Jules on their first date. Brooke finds herself forming a mutually beneficial relationship with Felix, and Peyton sets out to find an opening act for her club.

Directors: Sandy Bookstaver
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
You Can't Always Get What You Want
star
7.64
541 votes

#11 - You Can't Always Get What You Want

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/12/2004

Brooke's new neighbor quickly makes his presence felt among the Tree Hill gang and even comes to Brooke's rescue when she is caught shoplifting. Nathan and Haley have their first post-wedding argument when he buys her a gift rather than a much-needed car. Lucas' attempt to help Dan with rehab ends in disaster when Dan reverts to his old ways. Peyton tries to organize an all-ages club and is tempted to try cocaine to seal the deal.

Directors: Joanna Kerns
Watch Now:Apple TV
Unopened Letter to the World
star
7.64
494 votes

#12 - Unopened Letter to the World

Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/22/2005

When Tree Hill High does a time capsule project, the gang confesses their most intimate secrets to an anonymous video camera. Nathan's anger over Haley's absence continues to grow, landing both Lucas and Nathan in jail. Peyton and Jake's feelings for each other heat up, while Felix throws Brooke a party to celebrate her new gig as student body president. Meanwhile, when brought to court, Lucas opts to live with Dan and Deb rather than Karen.

Directors: Greg Prange
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Trick is to Keep Breathing
star
7.64
466 votes

#13 - The Trick is to Keep Breathing

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/16/2004

Lucas takes Anna to the formal night but by the end of the night ends up with Brooke. After spending time with Chris, Haley arrives late to the formal which angers Nathan. Meanwhile, Peyton struggles with pressure to do drugs.

Watch Now:Apple TV
The Hero Dies in This One
star
7.62
491 votes

#14 - The Hero Dies in This One

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/8/2005

When Michelle Branch & Jessica Harp from the band "The Wreckers" perform at TRIC, Haley realizes her passion is to pursue her music career. Meanwhile, Lucas decides to move in with Dan, straining his relationships with both Karen and Nathan. Brooke runs for student council president, but quickly realizes she is taking on more than she bargained for. Peyton and Jake's friendship grows stronger. Brooke finds out that Mouth broke her car window. Lucas gets his HCM results and aren't what they turn out to be.

Directors: Kevin Dowling
Watch Now:Apple TV
Near Wild Heaven
star
7.62
571 votes

#15 - Near Wild Heaven

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/5/2004

Although Nathan and Haley are already married, Tim insists on throwing Nathan a post-wedding bachelor party, while Brooke throws Haley a bachelorette party. Meanwhile, Lucas tries to decide whether he should visit Dan in the hospital. Karen decides to go back to school. Nathan gets a job working for Keith at Dan's dealership.

Directors: Greg Prange
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Desperate Kingdom of Love
star
7.61
599 votes

#16 - The Desperate Kingdom of Love

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/21/2004

After Lucas and Keith learn that Dan had a heart attack and is still in the hospital, they decide it is best for them to return to Tree Hill. When Deb learns about Haley and Nathan's marriage, she grows hostile. Meanwhile, angry that Lucas left Tree Hill without saying goodbye, Peyton and Brooke try to mend their friendship.

Directors: Greg Prange
Writer: Mark Schwahn
Watch Now:Apple TV
What Could Have Been
star
7.61
419 votes

#17 - What Could Have Been

Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/17/2005

Nathan is released from the hospital and returns home to a pile of unpaid bills and an eviction notice. Lucas, Peyton and Brooke throw a fundraiser Tric to raise money, but Dan is the one that comes to Nathan's rescue. However, his gift comes with strings - he wants Nathan to ask Haley for an annulment.

Directors: Bethany Rooney
Watch Now:Apple TV
Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows
star
7.55
389 votes

#18 - Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows

Season 2 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/15/2005

As his marriage with Haley continues to go wrong, Nathan goes into a emotional crisis and becomes the "bad" Nathan of the past. Karen continues to struggle and try to figure out what would cause Lucas to move in with Dan. Peyton and Jake's relationship gets greater.

Directors: Babu Subramaniam
Watch Now:Apple TV
Something I Can Never Have
star
7.52
478 votes

#19 - Something I Can Never Have

Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/19/2005

Keith gets violent with Dan after learning that Dan paid Jules to fall in love with Keith. Anna turns Felix in to the school authorities after learning that he was the one who vandalized Peyton's locker. Lucas and Brooke discuss Brooke's possible move. Meanwhile, Nathan chances Haley in the hope of bringing her home. Brooke decides to move in with Karen.

Directors: Paul Johansson
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Heart Brings You Back
star
7.45
479 votes

#20 - The Heart Brings You Back

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/25/2005

Haley is surprised when her older sister Taylor comes to town, but not as shocked as Nathan, who recognizes Taylor from a past tryst. Brooke and Felix decide to become boyfriend and girlfriend. Jake makes a special visit to Peyton. Anna tells a secret to Lucas.

Directors: Matt Shakman
Watch Now:Apple TV
Between Order and Randomness
star
7.45
477 votes

#21 - Between Order and Randomness

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/1/2005

Nathan comes clean with Haley about his past relationship with Taylor, although Haley continues to email Chris without telling Nathan and Taylor finds out. Lucas and Karen remain at odds over his refusal to take the HCM test. Keith proposes to Jules. Meanwhile, Brooke fights for better working conditions at her new job. Lucas decides to take the HCM test.

Directors: Bethany Rooney
Watch Now:Apple TV
Truth, Bitter Truth
star
7.31
525 votes

#22 - Truth, Bitter Truth

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/9/2004

The girls of Tree Hill have a slumber party, at which time secrets are revealed and bonds are made. Meanwhile, Nathan and Lucas road trip to Charlotte for a basketball game, and unknowingly to Lucas, they embark upon free HCM tests, a genetic heart condition that Dan maintains. Karen and Andy have a row.

Directors: Billy Dickson
Watch Now:Apple TV
Lifetime Piling Up
star
7.16
506 votes

#23 - Lifetime Piling Up

Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/10/2005

Lying in a coma after his race car accident, Nathan dreams of what life would have been like if Dan had stayed with Karen and Lucas instead of marrying Deb. In this imaginary world, Lucas would have had the wealth and stature and Nathan would have been the one growing up on the wrong side of the tracks. After waking up, Nathan phones Haley and tells her he doesn't want her to come home.

Directors: Les Butler
Watch Now:Apple TV