Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
At senior year’s start, Nathan and Haley are married but estranged after her tour, and they try to reconnect as classmates. Lucas and Brooke date again; Peyton learns Ellie is her birth mother and works with her on a benefit record. Dan survives the dealership fire and suspects Keith, while Lucas discovers Deb set it. Coach Whitey makes Lucas and Nathan co-captains, adding basketball responsibilities to their family rivalry.
Jimmy Edwards brings a gun to Tree Hill High and holds students in the tutoring centre. Nathan, Haley, Mouth, Skills and Rachel are trapped there; Lucas searches for Peyton, who has been shot, and carries her outside. Keith persuades Dan to let him enter and speak with Jimmy. Jimmy releases Lucas and Peyton, then dies by suicide. Dan takes Jimmy’s gun and kills Keith in the hallway. The community believes Jimmy killed Keith, while the shooting leaves the students and families grieving and Lucas and Peyton facing the kiss they shared during the crisis.
After Keith’s death, Lucas admits that his heart condition makes basketball too dangerous and quits the team. Nathan and Haley rebuild their relationship. Brooke and Peyton’s friendship fractures over Peyton’s feelings for Lucas, while Brooke and Lucas try to work through the strain. Nathan and Haley renew their vows. At the reception, Deb tells Dan she set the fire, and Karen says she is pregnant. Rachel takes the wedding limousine after Cooper rejects her; they argue as they reach the bridge where Nathan and Haley are driving. The limo plunges into the river. Nathan jumps in to reach them, and the season ends with Haley calling after him as he is submerged; the rescue remains unresolved.