ONE TREE HILL S5 (DVD/S) [2008]

it was very entertaining to watch, although the nanny really is annoying

I agree with Potus. What makes OTH5 most interesting by far is the NAley story and Dan's second chance with Naley's son Jamie. That's why I kept watching tuning in weekly online, to see how the whole psycho nanny story would unwind. Don't want to give any soilers to anyone, so if you don't want to know anythign about season 6- pleade don't read on. But, the nany story continues, and we get the brilliant nanny debs back knocking out the psycho nanny, and then crazy/ forgiveable? Dan killing the psycho nanny in the end. But that episode had me on tentahooks! It was brilliant! A real Naley family dilemma. As for the rest of OTH- Skills is definietly not use enough- his storyline with debs is very interesting and funny- but could be developed more. I don't get why brook is in most episodes- especially since her character in season 5 is sooooo boring! Hence why she gets attacked in OTH6- to try and gain a bit of sympathy/empathy for her no doubt- but her doing the whole mother thing is really annying to watch- they should better leave the motehr story to Haley and Jamie- she does it so much better and the dilemmas feel a lot more real. As for Leyton- for all you Brucas fans- I mean come on- it just wasn't happening- as Schwan said- they were meant to be from the beginning- so I think what's interesting there is this new love guy of peytons in OTH- I mean come on- been there done that- just leave Leyton a lone. As for the whole I hate you saga in OTH5- pure comedy- it had me nearly in tears- that's how funny it was! OTH has been brill, but even I think it's time to rap it up- and I've been a fan since the beginning. I just don't want it to loose it's quality- in its aim for longevity, which we see happen to a lot of shows ( dear I mention Friends?). Anyhoo, the whole Quentin being shot wsa just for tv ratings- course it had me in tears, but I was really annoyed because it did not need to happen; which again reinforces the point that the writers are running out of fuel. It definitely did not have the excellent build up which the whole fake brother psycho stalker for Peyton in season 4- seriously those episodes were like Halloween- I thought that was excellent writting and TV! That's why I got the DVD. because E4 did not show the full extent of some of the thrilling episodes.Conclusion: It's a real shame that I won't be buying this season and probably OTH6 as well, but I feel it's lost a lot of the originality and brilliance that seasons one to four have; and I own everyone of them. Finally, it only has 18 episodes, I mean I think they would reduce the price?! Episode to definitely watch though- the 100th- The end when evil Dan looks at all the main characters ( bar Debs) is brill! Now, if they sold that seperately then I definitely would but it! Also, ending is a let down, but watch episode 1 of season 6- because either way, you will love or hate it. Now that should have been the ending, because that was a cliff hanger!

Four years on, all joined at a low ebb. In New York designer Brooke is successful but lonely. In Los Angeles record company dogsbody Peyton is unsuccessful and lonely. Lucas struggles with a second novel. Haley is concerned for husband Nathan - his basketball hopes wrecked and he in a wheelchair.The downbeat start is needed so we can more greatly appreciate what happens when all converge and fortunes revive. The time leap was a gamble but it pays off - gifted cast rising to the challenge. Their work is cut out not to be upstaged by newcomer Jackson Brundage as four year old Jamie, a scene stealer if ever there was. The relationship between brothers Lucas and Nathan has never been stronger, both deserving more support from the main women in their lives. Basketball fanatic Quentin, initially so obnoxious, has an unexpected and crucial part to play. It is good to see Brooke responding to stronger storylines (but the baby fostering does not convince).The writers' strike means only eighteen episodes. Cast and crew worked hard to ensure the show celebrated its hundredth before the strike began. Lucas' wedding day! But to whom? (Extra drama to be supplied by Tree Hill's latest visiting psychopath.) The bonus on this landmark episode is very moving - everybody justifiably elated for, so often, the show's future had been in grave doubt.Creator Mark Schwahn has a passion for music and is keen to publicise the groups he admires. This works well in live sequences (as at TRIC'S), less well with soundtracks when they do not complement but intrude - loud lyrics competing with words being spoken. This distracts and reduces enjoyment.Otherwise a fine season. Recommended.

With the fifth season of One Tree Hill, create Mark Schwahn took the bold and risky step of fast forwarding the show four years, post college, to the gang at the start of the series separated - Brooke in New York with her fashion empire, Peyton in Los Angeles lost in her failing music career, the Scotts having returned to Tree Hill; Lucas with his first book published and dating his editor, Haley and Nathan with a house and Jamie now four.It was a risk and for the most part it works very well. However, this series was also interrupted by the Writer's Guild strike which caused it to be cut short to only 18 episodes. The first 12 before the strike and the final 6 rushed out after it ended. This does lead to some of the storylines feeling a little jumpy and hurried in places. The writing is much tighter in this series though with the story very much focused on the now adult characters. Their parents are reduced to occasional appearances with only Dan making more than a fleeting visit.The box set contains all 18episodes of the fifth season, now reduced to five discs rather than the usual six. As with the previous seasons there are plenty of extras though including additional scenes on most episodes, commentaries on two episodes, documentaries on the show reaching 100 episode, a fast forward discussion on the four year jump and the Kate Voegle video for Only Fooling Myself.I didn't enjoy this season as much as the previous four but it is still excellent viewing and well worth watching.