One Tree Hill – The Complete Sixth
Season (2008 – 2009/Warner DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: C Episodes: C+
It is
nothing new to see series go well beyond their time, but One Tree Hill is a series that I never imagined could stick around
this long. The stories are bland and
explode with teen angst and melodrama.
Like series before it such as Beverly Hills 90210 or Melrose Place, One Tree Hill
manages to suck audiences in (mostly young females) with promises of love
triangles, backstabbing and overwhelming drama.
In ever shape and form the series is a primetime Soap Opera for a
younger audience.
Outside
of reviewing the series on DVD the most I have seen of One Tree Hill is with my girlfriend and for whatever reason she
just can’t get enough. From what I am
told the First Season was a solid
show with deep story arcs and true emotion; but since that time has downgraded
to a guilty pleasure of sleaze and lust.
As I somewhat alluded to in a previous review of Season Five the series is entertaining, though completely
ridiculous. Season Five was a “reboot” of the series, trying to make up for Season Four’s mistakes and jumping four
years into the future. Season Six remains just as intense as Season Five (as if someone is standing
on my chest) and I am sad to say that by the end I was quite into the
characters. The series does a great job
of hooking you in and wanting you see what happens next. For all intents and purposes, I in no way
care about these characters or the series, but after watching 20 some episodes
you can’t help but become entranced by the ridiculous and at times plain stupid
nature of the series.
I don’t
wish to run the series for long time fans with any spoilers here, but I will
mention a few things. Lucas will
continue to struggle with his love choices as he must chose one of four
beautiful women (why am I not that lucky) and by the end he will pick one and
run off to Vegas to get married. Lucas’s
second book flops for (*cough*) very dramatic reasons and his first book is
being made into a film with very (*cough*) dramatic consequences. Brooke continues to focus on her clothing
company, but some deep thinking causes her to take a step in a very different
direction. And let’s stop there…
The season
is intriguingly captivating with the ongoing drama saga pulling viewers in like
a “teen magnet.” I would love to say it
was all awful, but the cast has a degree of chemistry and there is obviously a
good fan base that has allowed the series to thrive for this long.
The
technical features of this series continue to chug along as they always have;
not improved much over previous seasons, but passable. The picture is presented in a 1.78 X 1
Widescreen that has compression issues and some artifacting. The light/dark issues from the previous
season remain as well and the color palate remains ‘blah.’ Overall the image is adequate and gets the
job done, as nothing is so distracting to detract from the viewing experience. The sound is a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
that mostly comes from the front for this mainly dialogue based teen drama;
nothing more, nothing less.
Extras
include:
· Unaired
Scenes
· Audio
Commentaries
· One
Tree Hill Goes Back in Time – Looks at a “film noir” episode taking place in
the 1940’s
· Slammin’
with One Tree Hill – Takes a look at the odd sport of Slam Ball, which stupidly
combines basketball with hockey and football.
But I guess the “sport” has some relevance to Season Six.
· One
Tree Hill Celebrity Soundtrack – Discusses the important role music has for the
series
· One
Tree Hill: The Director’s Debut
· Gag
Reel
For long time fans this is a
no-brainer buy; as the series remains fun in its ridiculousness and drama based
storylines. For new comers Season Six is not the place to start; but
maybe Season One is.
-
Michael P. Dougherty II
