"The Tide That Left and Never Came Back" is the twenty second episode of Season 2 of One Tree Hill and originally aired May 24th, 2005 as the first half of the double length season finale. The episode was written by Mark Schwahn and directed by Thomas J Wright.
Lucas and Brooke head to New York to visit Haley, whilst Peyton is elated when Jake is released from jail. Jimmy Eat World perform at TRIC to celebrate the end of the school year, and Andy invites Karen to spend the summer in New Zealand.
For tropes relating to the second half of the season finale, see that episode’s recap page.
Contains examples of the following tropes:
- Blatant Lies: When Nathan asks who he was visiting, Lucas lies and says it was no-one Nathan knew.
- Call-Back: Brooke notes that Peyton is reluctant to book Jimmy Eat World to perform at TRIC because the last time she booked someone to perform at the venue, Haley left Nathan.
- The Cameo: Jimmy Eat World appear as themselves, performing at TRIC.
- Characterisation Marches On: Lampshaded in the cold open, as Brooke puts her irresponsible past self into the back of the D.W.not I. car.
- Diegetic Soundtrack Usage: Jimmy Eat World’s performance at TRIC is used to provide the soundtrack during several flashback scenes in the episode.
- How We Got Here: Jimmy Eat World’s performance at Tric is intercut with several flashbacks, detailing the key events leading up to the concert.
- Idiot Ball: Haley refuses to come home when Lucas asks, claiming the tour is her life now. Apparently no-one has told Haley that tours end.
- Laser-Guided Karma: Nikki takes Jenny and leaves Tree Hill to get away from Jake, just as he had done in the previous season.
- Put on a Bus:
- Andy leaves Tree Hill due to his visa issues.
- Nikki takes Jenny, and leaves Tree Hill to spite Jake.
- Jake leaves Tree Hill to pursue Nikki and Jenny.
- Road Trip Plot: Lucas and Brooke head to New York to visit Haley as her tour heads to the city.
- Titled After the Song: The episode title is taken from the song "The Tide That Left And Never Came Back" by The Veils.
- Trash the Set: Karen smashes one of the windows to Dan’s office at Dan Scott Motors.
