Season 3 of One Tree Hill aired on October 5, 2005 with its first episode on the WB network and ended on May 3, 2006 with the season finale. This season consists of 22 episodes. It is also the last season to air on the WB network.
Summary[]

The first half of senior year is here for the main characters and it will be unforgettable as Tree Hill and their residents will go through big changes and challenges. Haley reappears in town for good after being gone for months to save her marriage, but Nathan's pride gets in the way. Peyton accepts her birth mother, Ellie, and tries to have a relationship with her, but doesn't know she has limited time. After a tumultuous junior year, Brooke tries to start fresh by opening her own clothing line and possibly reignite things with Lucas, but drama is always around the corner to tear down her new clean slate. Karen has an old friend who returns to town and has news that could change her life forever, while Lucas has to struggle with his heart condition as the basketball season heats up again. Elsewhere, Dan begins a intense search on who was responsible for his attempted murder, meanwhile also assuming a new political role in town. A new redhead girl moves to Tree Hill and she could beat Dan for being the worst resident in town.
However, a tragedy that causes the loss of one of their own will help all of them realize that drama and championships are not so important after all.
Cast[]
Principal Cast
- Chad Michael Murray as Lucas Scott
- James Lafferty as Nathan Scott
- Hilarie Burton as Peyton Sawyer
- Bethany Joy Lenz as Haley James
- Paul Johansson as Dan Scott
- Sophia Bush as Brooke Davis
- Barbara Alyn Woods as Deb Scott
- Lee Norris as Marvin 'Mouth' McFadden
- Barry Corbin as Whitey Durham
- with Craig Sheffer as Keith Scott*
- and Moira Kelly as Karen Roe
- *Credited through to With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept
Episodes[]
# | Image | Title | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
01 | ![]() |
Like You Like an Arsonist | ||
Lucas has spent the summer with Peyton, who investigates the mysterious woman who claims to be her mother while Brooke returns to Tree Hill for senior year. Nathan must deal with Haley's reappearance at the same time as the fire at Scott Motors. Dan's fate after the fire is revealed. | ||||
02 | ![]() |
From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea | ||
Brooke organizes an "End of Summer Beach Party," but soon finds she's the only one in a party mood. Nathan comes home from High Flyers to reconnect with Haley, but he and Lucas are at each other's throats. Meanwhile, Lucas struggles with Brooke's new rules for dating, Peyton tries to come to terms with the new truths about her family, and Dan remembers what happened the night of the fire at his dealership. | ||||
03 | ![]() |
First Day on a Brand New Planet | ||
It's the first day of senior year and estranged spouses Nathan and Haley have trouble adjusting as classmates. While Brooke continues to play hard-to-get, Lucas learns a troubling secret about Peyton's mom. Meanwhile, Dan closes in on the truth about the dealership fire. | ||||
04 | ![]() |
An Attempt to Tip the Scales | ||
It's party time in Tree Hill. A masquerade ball at Tric provides the perfect opportunity for Haley to win back Nathan's heart, and for Brooke to seduce Lucas. Punk-pop sensation "Fall Out Boy" performs amidst the costume madness, while Peyton tries to come to terms with the new mother in her life. Meanwhile, Dan gives Deb an ultimatum, but soon finds she's a much more worthy opponent than he thought. | ||||
05 | ![]() |
A Multitude of Casualties | ||
It's Midnight Madness in Tree Hill as the Ravens officially begin basketball practice - with explosive results. New hoops captain Nathan clashes with Lucas over Haley. Brooke fills a vacancy on the cheerleading squad, only to regret her decision when the new girl, Rachel, sets her sights on Lucas. Meanwhile, Dan's bid for mayor takes a surprising turn when an unlikely opponent steps forward. | ||||
06 | ![]() |
Locked Hearts and Hand Grenades | ||
In an effort to keep her cheerleaders from fighting over the same guys, Brooke devises a "Fantasy Boy Draft." Haley and Peyton butt heads over Nathan, while Lucas has trouble keeping up with the brutal pace of basketball practice. Meanwhile, as the election nears, mayoral candidate Dan clashes with his new opponent. | ||||
07 | ![]() |
Champagne for My Real Friends, Real Pain for My Sham Friends | ||
As the fantasy draft dates begin, Brooke finds herself on an unusual double date, while Lucas gets closer to Rachel. Mouth spends time with an old friend and Peyton regrets choices she makes with Ellie. Karen and Deb take their campaigning to new heights. | ||||
08 | ![]() |
The Worst Day Since Yesterday | ||
As the town readies for the Ravens' first basketball game, Lucas worries that his head and heart aren't in it. Nathan accuses Lucas of being the Ravens' weak link. Peyton and Haley mend fences to support Brooke in a time of need. When the mayoral race tightens, Dan resorts to a smear campaign. | ||||
09 | ![]() |
How a Resurrection Really Feels | ||
Lucas reveals that he knows who tried to kill Dan in the dealership fire. Brooke, Peyton and Haley find themselves behind bars. Chris Keller convinces Nathan to be his wingman at a high-stakes poker game. The residents of Tree Hill finally choose a mayor. | ||||
10 | ![]() |
Brave New World | ||
Lucas and Peyton take a road trip together to find Ellie. While out of town, Lucas reconnects with a friend from his past. Brooke, Haley and Mouth successfully launch the Clothes Over Bro's website, only to find that demand far exceeds supply. Deb reveals to Nathan that she tried to kill Dan. | ||||
11 | ![]() |
Return of the Future | ||
After losing their second game of the season, the Ravens receive tough love from Whitey. Peyton and Ellie try to recruit rock band Nada Surf for their benefit album. Haley reveals a disturbing fact to Nathan, and Brooke plans a romantic night for Lucas thinking he submitted her fashion designs to a prestigious competition in New York and a familiar face returns to Tree Hill. | ||||
12 | ![]() |
I've Got Dreams to Remember | ||
When a guidance counselor challenges the students of Tree Hill to consider their futures, Nathan and Lucas feel pressured to impress an important basketball scout. Mouth gets caught between Brooke and Rachel, Peyton and Ellie grow closer while finalizing their CD, and Dan tells Haley that Nathan paid Chris Keller to come back into her life. | ||||
13 | ![]() |
The Wind That Blew My Heart Away | ||
A violent rainstorm knocks out the power in Tree Hill, leading Haley to Nathan's doorstep and Brooke out into the downpour for a dramatic confrontation with Lucas. Peyton finally confronts the truth about Ellie's illness, while Mouth is tempted by his new friend, Rachel. Before morning, secrets are revealed, relationships are tested, and new love gets hotter than ever. | ||||
14 | ![]() |
All Tomorrow's Parties | ||
Brooke is forced to grow up in a hurry when her trip to a New York City fashion show prevents her from attending an annual cheerleading tournament. Nathan and Lucas are influenced by the father of an old friend. Struggling with her birth mother's death, Peyton joins Rachel for a night of blowing off steam, and Haley and Nathan use their hotel room as the honeymoon suite they never had. | ||||
15 | ![]() |
Just Watch the Fireworks | ||
When someone unleashes the students' time capsule upon Tree Hill High, Lucas and Mouth must confront a person from their past. Brooke has to deal with the revelation that secrets aren't the only things she exposed in the time capsule. Dan learns to forgive Keith and Haley is forced to reconcile the man Nathan was before with the man he has become, and Peyton's Breast Cancer Benefit Concert at Tric features performances by Haley, Jack's Mannequin and the return of Fall Out Boy. | ||||
16 | ![]() |
With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept | ||
A normal day becomes deadly when a despondent student brings a gun to Tree Hill High. While lives hang in the balance, Nathan and Lucas put themselves at risk to protect their most loved ones. | ||||
17 | ![]() |
Who Will Survive, and What Will Be Left of Them | ||
The aftermath of the school shooting and the death of Jimmy and Keith forces everyone in Tree Hill to examine their lives. Nathan reassesses his relationship with Haley, while Brooke and Rachel join forces to heal the student body. Dan must deal with the ramifications of shooting Keith, while Lucas and Peyton consider the implications of their kiss in the library. | ||||
18 | ![]() |
When It Isn't Like It Should Be | ||
Rachel invites the gang to her family's cabin for a weekend getaway. Lucas, Brooke and Nathan conspire to surprise Haley while Peyton receives an unexpected visitor at the cabin. Mouth harbors resentment towards Rachel, and a game of "I Never" reveals a secret. Meanwhile, Karen confronts Dan about Keith's death. | ||||
19 | ![]() |
I Slept with Someone in Fall Out Boy and All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me | ||
Lucas struggles with the decision of whether he should play basketball in the wake of Keith's death while Brooke forces Rachel to deal with a dark secret. Nathan and Haley's wedding reprise is put to the test and Peyton decides to visit Pete in Chicago. | ||||
20 | ![]() |
Everyday Is a Sunday Evening | ||
It's the weekend of the Coastal Classic, and with Lucas sidelined, Nathan has to step up on the court against an old rival who shows an interest in Haley. Brooke and Mouth plot revenge against Rachel while Dan goes head to head with Nathan's Uncle Cooper. Also, Peyton makes a life-altering decision. | ||||
21 | ![]() |
Over the Hills and Far Away | ||
On the night of the rehearsal dinner, Brooke tangles with Haley over Haley's wedding dress. Lucas and Karen return to Tree Hill and Peyton finally stops running away and comes to terms to who she really loves. | ||||
22 | ![]() |
The Show Must Go On | ||
On the eve of their wedding, Nathan worries for Haley's safety while Peyton and Brooke's friendship is tested by a shock confession. Deb tells Dan the truth about the dealership fire when she learns who he thinks was responsible, and Karen finds herself needing Keith more than ever when she makes a startling discovery. |