Nathan is on the bench during five losses, but has more maturity, team spirit and insight than the arrogant, selfish star scorer. He feels this is bound to pay off, as Dan predicts. After refusing six top directors, Lucas and Julian get an ultimatum from his father, Paul. He also tells Peyton that the infidelity she dumped Julian for was his publicity stunt. Julian is incredible patient with Brooke's insecurity. Chase is Mia's ideal playmate, inspiring a new single.

Nathan tries to calm Haley down after Taylor and David's shock announcement that they are a couple and then through the ensuing dinner that Taylor plans out until all three James sisters find themselves in the pool fighting it out. David and Quinn talk and he agrees with her that their marriage is at an end. Julian takes offense to the director hired for his new film and fires him after he punches him for insulting Alex. Finally after talking to Brooke rationally and asking her to be the movie's costume designer she makes him see that he should direct the movie himself which he brings up with his father who agrees. Mouth and Lauren fix up the disheveled apartment after Millicent's recent partying and then tells Millicent he is staying in Tree Hill. Millicent and Brooke agree to try and be friends again.