Posts Tagged ‘Tyler Hilton’

May
11
2010

All That You Can’t Leave Behind

As I write this, there is only one episode remaining in Season 7 of One Tree Hill. However, as the credits rolled following last night’s show, it was quite clear that there are still more stories to tell than can possibly be finished in one solitary episode. And yet, we’re all in a holding pattern, wondering if we’ll see these stories come to fruition, or if, after being faithful to this great show for seven years, its completion will be left to our imaginations.

As I’ve already covered in my last two posts, there are a million reasons to love One Tree Hill, and I don’t think it’s presumptuous in the least to say that The CW Network owes us a season 8 and a proper conclusion befitting the legacy of our show. So far, they’ve avoided giving any clear answers, either afraid of the fallout if they deny our request, or they are enjoying the game a little too much. It disappoints me, but I don’t want to dwell on it here.

As promised, this third and final blog in my “We Are One” series, is to discuss the stories yet untold – the things I would like to see happen in Tree Hill before the show’s ultimate coda. I’d like to hear your ideas as well. So, let’s tell our stories.

“When archaeologists uncover lost civilizations and they unearth their worlds that have long been since been destroyed, you know what they find most often? They find stories, ancient languages, words, inscriptions from people who have been gone for thousands of years, because chances are, like you, they wanted to know, “What’s the point?” And they wanted us to know that they were here, you know? They told their stories, and they tried to make sense of their lives and their worlds and their tragedies. So that’s what we are gonna do.”

Mark Schwahn and the rest of the One Tree Hill writers have given us a lot of stories in seven years. We’ve certainly been dealt some twists and turns along the way – shocking moments we never saw coming, heartwarming scenes that got us a little choked up, and hilarious one-liners that we’ve done our best to work into everyday conversation as often as possible.

But even after seven years, the well hasn’t run dry. One Tree Hill is still telling great stories, and there are many more that haven’t even been touched yet. I have every confidence that, given an appropriate amount of time, the writers and producers of the show will not let us down. We just need a little more time to get to that “happily ever after” conclusion that we deserve. For me, that includes a number of things:

• Dan. I know some people have said that season 4 had a storybook ending. Others point to the finale of season 6 and say it offered the picturesque conclusion we needed. I disagree. Those two seasons didn’t have any splashy cliff-hangers, but that doesn’t mean they were sufficiently wrapped up, either. (Hence why the show has continued!) My reasoning all points back to Dan. While not generally named with the original “Core Five” of the cast, I tend to think that One Tree Hill began with at least SIX key players. Without Dan Scott, there would be no One Tree Hill. And further, without Dan Scott, there can’t be a proper ending. We have seen Dan do a lot of evil, unspeakable things. We have even seen him be kind and vulnerable in unexpected ways. Ultimately, we have seen him reach for redemption and forgiveness, but despite valiant efforts, he’s never grasped it. I do understand that some characters (and some viewers) will never excuse him, no matter what he does. For my part, I would like to see at least two things happen before the show ends. First, before One Tree Hill goes off the air, Dan should finally breathe his last. Bear in mind that I love Dan, so I envision this happening about one episode prior to the series finale. That is the only true closure Dan can have. We know he’s not going to turn into the model of perfection, and he can’t just go back to being evil at this point. But, he can still die in peace. I’d rather like to see him die a hero. And not alone. Nathan has said time and time again that he will never forgive his father, no matter what he does, and despite some pretty spectacular displays of love and support from Dan, Nathan has only barely tolerated him, and even then, it was only in service of Jamie. But as Jamie told Nathan at the beginning of season 7, “I think you’re good enough to forgive him.” I think Dan can accept being ostracized from everyone else’s life, but the rift between him and the son that he raised has tormented him for years. And Nathan, as the veritable hero of the show, has the capacity to heal that breach, even if only so his father can die in peace.

• Brooke. When all the original characters finished pairing up, Brooke got the shaft. Regardless of whether you’re pro-Brucas or pro-Leyton, I hope we can all agree that Brooke certainly deserves to find some happiness. She loved Lucas, but he chose her best friend – a scenario which Brooke (eventually) was able to handle with class and dignity. After that initial heartbreak, what followed was a litany of failed attempts: Felix, Chase, all the Nicks (not the Knicks) of New York City, Owen, to be capped off with a rather tumultuous, on-again, off-again relationship with Julian. I may be in the minority here, but I am not convinced that their love can (or should) stand the test of time. In addition to romantic turmoil, we’ve seen Brooke dream of motherhood since she returned to Tree Hill at the on-set of season five. She took care of Baby Angie long enough to get attached just before having to send her home to her parents. Then, she bravely stepped up and took in Sam – passing up an opportunity to adopt an infant – only for Sam to leave her as well. Now, her dreams have been utterly crushed by the news that she’s infertile, and after so many disappointments, the spark in her eyes has all but died. Now, we know Mark Schwahn to be a sucker for a happy ending, so I have to believe there is one in the cards for Brooke – as long as he has time to tell the story. Now, as I said, I’m not a big advocate of Brulian, and believe Brooke met her soulmate in season five. Remember the sweet and adorable Dr. Ethan Copeland? The one who operated on Baby Angie? Yep. Him. There were sparks flying between Brooke and the good doctor, but every time they had a nice moment together, along came Lucas to mess it up. So, if Brooke could run into him on the street somewhere, I have a feeling they would finally hit it off, and chances are, he either knows a few fertility specialists through his work, or he’d be more than happy to adopt a lot of Baby Angies with Brooke.

• Whitey. I love Whitey. He added so much heart to the first four seasons of One Tree Hill, being essentially the father that Lucas and Nathan never had, and offering his sage wisdom (and crotchety attitude) to any and everyone that needed a little bit of guidance. I squealed with joy when he appeared for the flashback episode in season five, and again at the end of season six, wherein I cried like a baby to see him offer encouragement and a loving embrace to perhaps his most bitter enemy. We have not seen anything of Whitey this season, but I would dearly like to see him again before the show ends. In my mind, he certainly must visit Nathan, Haley, and Jamie from time to time. I can’t imagine he made such a tremendous impact on Nathan’s life (and career) only to disappear into oblivion and not keep in touch. The scene at the end of season 6 supports my theory, and I would be over the moon to see Whitey show up for at least one family dinner at the Scott House. Can you imagine the epic cuteness of a scene between Whitey and Jamie? I must see that. And I would not be even remotely opposed to seeing more of Whitey and Dan. Perhaps Whitey could help with that Dan/Nathan reconciliation I mentioned earlier.

• Nathan and Haley. Aside from one or two *slightly* cheesy lines in the course of seven years, I have zero complaints regarding the way my favorite couple has been written. I was hooked on them from the very beginning, and their stories have never disappointed me. There is no other couple in TV, movies, or literature that I enjoy more. (Darcy and Elizabeth are a distant second.) All that being said, I obviously think they should stay together all the way to the end (and it would be preposterous if they didn’t, so I don’t really have any worries there). But the one thing my Naley-loving heart desires is another baby. They got their son, so taking what Nathan said to Haley in “The Desperate Kingdom of Love,” they’re still due “a little girl, just like you [Haley].” And I want to see it happen! They can even throw in some cheesy lines (“Now I know why they call it true love”) and I swear, I won’t even wince. Plus, given the present state of season 7, One Tree Hill simply cannot end with Haley in the midst of (or even beginning to recover from) a very dark and serious depression. It’s a great storyline, but it’s not the stuff of “happily ever after.”

• Lucas and Peyton. Now, I know what you’re going to say, because I’m usually the one saying it: they’re not coming back. And hey – you know what – I can accept that. But if One Tree Hill got (at least) one more season, I figure that only increases the odds that they might be willing to make a guest appearance in the eventual series finale, which would be a nice nod to the fans that have been around since day one. (And the Leyton fans would be ecstatic, obviously.)

• Chris Keller. I had a fierce hatred for Chris Keller for obvious reasons, but darn if he wasn’t just so funny that he grew on me after all. Plus, Tyler Hilton is fantastic. And – it just so happens that when last I saw him, he said he’d love to come back to One Tree Hill for a series finale. So, there must be a way to let this fellow drop by Tree Hill. He and Nathan were almost kinda sorta friends the last time we saw Chris in season 4, so I see no potential problems there. And wouldn’t it be hilarious and awesome if Chris Keller returned to town on the arm of the love of his life, and let’s say her name is Taylor James. Oh, that’s what you call a win-win, folks.

• Levi Weaver. Now, I suppose none of you remember that character. Which makes sense, since there never was any such character in Tree Hill. Rather, Levi Weaver is a musician – a darn good one, whose songs would go so nicely with the always-fantastic One Tree Hill soundtrack, and come to think of it, the man himself would probably look pretty well at home on the set of Red Bedroom Records. One Tree Hill has done some great things for independent artists and acts that deserve a second look. The integration of Mike Grubbs in season 7 to launch the extremely noteworthy music of Wakey!Wakey! is only one example. One Tree Hill has changed the lives of a lot of musicians by giving them an avenue to get their music out there to the public. Radio simply doesn’t do that anymore – it’s TV’s arena, and One Tree Hill does it best. And for an independent musician like Levi Weaver, a song placement in a TV show with two million plus viewers can make a huge difference in a career – and in whether he can afford to keep making brilliant music. I am constantly awed by the song placements on One Tree Hill (Lindsay Wolfington is a genius, by the way), so I don’t suggest this lightly. I hear Levi Weaver’s “We’re Tornadoes When We Dance,” and I think of Nathan and Haley. “Drink, Drink, Drink” is reminiscent of Dan Scott – did I mention I love Dan Scott? And “You Are Home” – well, that kind of fits the show as a whole, doesn’t it? “Oh, you are home. And no matter where I go, you’re in my bones. And no matter where I sleep, I never rest outside the place I keep my soul.” So, yes. This is my wish list, and it absolutely includes hearing a song by my all-time favorite artist playing through the coda of my all-time favorite show.

I could go on and name a million different storylines, but then this blog would never end. And I’ll leave the writing to Mark Schwahn, since the last 7 years of stories have come from him, and I haven’t been disappointed yet. Still, I’d like to hear your ideas in the comments. What stories are important to you? And what do you need to see before you’ll feel like One Tree Hill is complete? Here’s hoping that we get to see all those stories play out on our TV screens, and we get all the things we wished for.

To The CW, I’d like to reiterate another relevant One Tree Hill quote:

“Regret comes in all shapes and sizes. Some are small, like when we do a bad thing for a good reason. Some are bigger, like when we let down a friend. Some of us escape the pains of regret by making the right choice. Some of us have little time for regret, because we’re looking forward to the future. Sometimes we have to fight to come to terms with the past. And sometimes we bury our regret, by promising to change our ways. But our biggest regrets are not for the things we did… but the things we didn’t do.”

Don’t let canceling One Tree Hill be your biggest regret. And don’t let it be ours, either.

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Nov
11
2009

Tonight We Sorta Kinda Tore the Lines Up

I fell in love with Tyler Hilton about the same time I wanted to crawl inside my TV screen and kick the crap out of Chris Keller.  I am referring, of course, to Tyler’s guest stint on One Tree Hill, playing the egomaniacal, sarcastic, playboy jerk of a musician who talked about himself in the third person.  He caused destruction in his wake all over town and then strolled off down the beach in the moonlight.  I enjoyed that character most when somebody was giving him a much-deserved punch in the face, but I was still sad to see him go.

After getting formally introduced to Tyler via One Tree Hill, I realized that I had seen him before – he also played Elvis in the mega-blockbuster Walk the Line.  (You may also recognize him from Charlie Bartlett.)  Hopefully, whether or not you’ve seen his face on the big or small screen, you’ve at least heard his voice, which is svelte (like buttah) with enough gravel to be dead sexy.

Tyler is a hot topic in our office (really hot. heh.) since Kelli and I like to crank up his tunes and swoon.  Kelli has always been particularly smitten with him.  I mean – she even loved Chris Keller, and as our friend Melissa put it, “Nobody loves Chris Keller.  Except Chris Keller.”

You may recall that Kelli and I attempted to go see Tyler in concert back in the summer, when he was set to tour with Better Than Ezra.  We were on the ball with getting tickets and booking a hotel down in Norfolk for the weekend, only to learn that Tyler had to drop off the tour.  Since then, we’ve been biding our time, knowing that eventually a new tour would come.

What we never imagined was that Tyler Hilton would book one solitary show in the midst of finishing his next album, and that said show would take place – not in New York City, not in L.A., not even in Wilmington – but in Lynchburg, VA.

It seemed too good to be true, so we spent a good deal of time flipping between the Facebook event and Tyler’s website, trying to determine if it was just a cruel practical joke.  Even with tickets in hand, it seemed unreal.  Finally, that great beacon of hope and purveyor of truth, Twitter, confirmed it all when Tyler tweeted:  “Let’s get ready to fly to Virginia!  Lynchburg…I’m coming for you.”

Kelli and I had talked about making t-shirts for the occasion since the first Tyler-show-that-wasn’t, so I worked on a few designs.  Kelli suggested doing “Team Nathan” and “Team Chris” shirts (you can guess who would wear which one), so I designed this:

With a great Chris-pertinent Nathan Scott quote on the back:

Ultimately, Kelli decided against the t-shirt idea, so it didn’t really make sense for me to do the “Team” thing alone.  Hence, I opted for this design (and I put the “Tyler Hilton” on the back with the infamous Chris Keller quote, “Chris Keller’s work here is done.”)

Kelli and I followed Tyler’s tweets with great interest once he got into town.  We could gather that he was staying downtown (and it’s not like there are a lot of options to choose from, but we’re not stalkers or anything).  It did just so happen that we were spending the day downtown at one of our favorite places, The Parlor Spa, getting facials, pedicures, and massages in celebration of Kelli’s birthday (which was a few weeks ago).  We did send Tyler a Twitter invitation to come down to the spa, but alas, he was a no-show.

After we left the spa, we each went home to wash all the oils off, and then we met back up and went to pick up the third member of our merry party – another OTH-watcher and Chris Keller-hater, Melissa.

We arrived at Lynchburg College quite early, to make sure that we were the first ones in line.  Arriving at the same time was a college student from Roanoke named Ali, so we were happy to welcome her into our group:

We waited and waited…and waited.  The doors opened promptly at 6:30 (small miracles, people) and we trucked right on over to the front of the stage.  Front.  And.  Center.

The opening act was a local(ish) musician named Dane Ferguson, who was entertaining and personable.  This seems like a good place to interject that I hate it (HAAAATE IT) when people yammer through the opening act (or any act, for that matter).  I get annoyed when people talk through movies, too, but at least then, the actors can’t hear you being rude and disrespectful.  Not so for musicians.  But ANYWAY.  Dane played a good set and got the audience to (shut up long enough to) sing along with a few covers along the way.  I could see the set list from where I was standing, and had jokingly said, “Hey, you skipped a few!” when he played the songs out of order.  Shortly thereafter, a young girl tapped me on the shoulder to ask if “She Knows” was on the playlist.  It wasn’t, and she looked heart-broken about it.  It turns out she was his sister, and so we all threw our lot in with her to request it.  He did not seem keen on the idea (you know every musician has at least one song they hate to play), but he acquiesced for his “baby sister.”  (Awwww.)

During the break after Dane left the stage, we realized that Tyler’s set list was also on stage, and if I leaned over juuuust far enough and snapped a photo at just the right angle, I could zoom in on my viewfinder to look at it.  Hypothetically speaking, of course.

Kelli’s favorite, “Missing You” – check!

My favorite, “When It Comes” – check!

And lots of other great songs, too.  He came out full throttle with “Tore the Line,” a song I’ve never been able to help singing and dancing along to whenever I hear it.  We were so close.  Like spit-range close.  A little too close for picture-taking, but great for viewing!  I did manage to snag some pretty decent pictures, anyway.

Tyler was very personable, joking with the crowd between songs and telling stories.  At one point, mid-story, he stopped suddenly and his eyes lit up with a big smile.  I realized from his gaze that he had spotted my shirt.  He laughed and said, “I like that!” and told the crowd that it said “Keller for President – nah, I’m just kidding, it doesn’t say that.”  I was beyond thrilled that he liked it – because, obviously, I made it in support of him, but also, I’m glad he still appreciates Chris Keller.  Probably 90% of the audience there knew about Chris Keller before they knew about Tyler Hilton, and he has managed to hang on to all those fans when he hasn’t been a Tree Hill regular for over four years, save a one-episode appearance in season 4 (which was still three years ago).  Then again, we OTH fans have always been intense about our music.

About midway through Tyler’s set, his band took a break and he pulled over a stool to play a few songs acoustically.  A girl yelled out “When the Stars Go Blue,” and he said he’d sing it if she came onstage to sing Joy’s part.  After a few moments of what I’m assuming was shock and disbelief, she pulled herself up onstage to sing the song.  She was in full freak-out mode – really excited – not that I blame her.  She was, however, the level of excited where she will probably be embarrassed to see any videos that her friends may have captured of the moment.  She first started looking out at the crowd, pleading, “What’s the first line?  What are the words?”  Kelli pointed at me and said, “You should direct all your Ryan Adams-related inquiries right over there.”  So, I slowly told her every line to the first verse, and she seemed grateful.  When the song was over, she wanted a picture, so Tyler handed her his other guitar and suggested they strike a pose:

Then, he sat back down on his stool and played a few more ballads, including Ali’s request, “I Believe in You.”  I was glad she asked for that one, because I do really love that song, and it wasn’t on his list.  It took him a few minutes of fidgeting and singing to the side of the mic before he found the right key.  I’m sure moments like that are terribly awkward for musicians, but I love them.  There’s a lot of value in a set list – those are the songs the band has actually practiced!  Especially in this instance, Tyler isn’t actually on tour, it was an isolated show, and he’s been in the studio for months on end recording new songs and certainly not singing the old ones.  Still, when an artist is willing to reveal the imperfections to play a special request, I admire them for it.  Once he found the right key, the song was perfect, anyway.

Melissa shared a few of her pictures with me, too, so you can see a different angle of Tyler!

When he finished up, he announced that he was going over to the merch table, so to come and say hello!  This was great news, since it meant we got to actually meet him – and I had something to give him, too.  While we were waiting in line, I saw Dane over to the side so I went to talk to him, to let him know I enjoyed his performance and that he should listen to his sister more often, because that song was great!

It didn’t take long to make it up to Tyler, and naturally he remembered me by my shirt, which he insisted on signing.  I obliged him, of course!

The event coordinators had put the kibosh on picture-taking.  We could take pictures as he was signing whatever, but no posed pictures (in order to keep the line moving).  Kelli told Tyler about the Norfolk show debacle, and he asked us to hang around for a bit until he got through the line.

We did, and I spent the time chatting with my old friend Amanda (who graduated high school with me and recently reconnected with me at Levi Weaver’s Lynchburg show).  She is also a big One Tree Hill and Tyler Hilton fan, and she had some friends along with her that were all very nice and funny.  Her hubby regaled me with tales of meeting Paul Johansson when they went down to Wilmington, and made me super jealous.  (I looooooove Evil Dan Scott.)

Before long, Tyler did come over, ready to chit chat and take photos.  Someone asked if he’d go back on OTH (because I’m pretty sure he’s got a standing invitation), and he said he’d definitely like to return for the finale, whenever that may be.  He said he loves going down and filming episodes, but when he goes, he gets so wrapped up in it that he doesn’t want to leave, and therefore he doesn’t do anything else (i.e. his primary career as a musician).  Hence why the last time Mark Schwahn invited him back on the show, he famously replied, “Chris Keller needs to focus on his music.”

We talked about Glee and “Bob’s Green Hut” (which was hilarious beyond what I can convey in a blog) and I told him he missed out on his massage.  He replied, “Oh!  Was that you?!” and lamented that he didn’t have time.  Putting two and two together, he asked, “So, which one of you tweeted that you were going to wash all the oils off to come to my show?”  Unfortunately *blush*, that was me.  (Of course it was me.)

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised with Mr. Hilton.  Not because I expected little from him, but because he delivered beyond my expectations.  He was funny and personable and his performance was off the charts.  The fact that he went above and beyond to hang around and talk to us and take pictures just sealed the deal.

I cannot wait for his new album to come out (because “So Young” has been in my head all week and I can’t actually LISTEN to it), and I hope to see him on tour again very soon.

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