Always and Forever | A One Tree Hill Podcast

3.11: Return of the Future

Keith finally returns to Tree Hill and we discuss all of his reunions with Lucas, Karen, and Dan in our episode on S3E11: Return of the Future! We also unpack the Deb and Keith flashbacks, Keith’s arrest orchestrated by Dan, Nathan and Haley’s pregnancy scare and argument about birth control, Lucas’ cruelty for mocking Brooke’s letters (and the nuances of roasting your loved ones), and Peyton and Ellie working together to get their very first band on the benefit album! Plus, learn how you can pull an Ellie and sneak into a concert yourself. 
Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! That’s the easiest way to support us and to help One Tree Hill fans, new and old, find us! We’re Kaitlyn Ilinitch (@MissIReads) and Jeremy Rodriguez (@RodriguezJeremy) and you can find Always and Forever on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @alwaysothpod or email us at alwaysothpod@gmail.com.
Check out our One Tree Hill season 3 Spotify playlist here: https://spoti.fi/3aRKgx2. 
Always and Forever is now on Patreon! Join our community to gain access to our private Discord server, early episode releases, and bonus content. Visit patreon.com/alwaysothpod for more information. 

3.12: I’ve Got Dreams To Remember

Tree Hill High students contemplate college and wonder if it’s right for them as your hosts contemplate the fact that college might be a scam. In our episode on S3E12: I’ve Got Dreams To Remember, we unpack the heck out of each of the college meetings, notice how mature Naley is in discussing their college plans, and realize that Lucas’s desire for a basketball scholarship makes the HCM storyline make A LOT more sense. Kaitlyn and Jeremy even talk about their college experiences and the societal pressure to make big decisions at a young age. We also chat about Keith and Karen’s date (?), the Friends with Benefit album name, Rachel’s scheme in getting Brooke to miss the Sparkle Classic, and Dan’s internal struggle.
 
Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! That’s the easiest way to support us and to help One Tree Hill fans, new and old, find us! We’re Kaitlyn Ilinitch (@MissIReads) and Jeremy Rodriguez (@RodriguezJeremy) and you can find Always and Forever on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @alwaysothpod or email us at alwaysothpod@gmail.com.
 
Check out our One Tree Hill season 3 Spotify playlist here: https://spoti.fi/3aRKgx2.
 
Always and Forever is now on Patreon! Join our community to gain access to our private Discord server, early episode releases, and bonus content, including our upcoming episode on Scream (2022). Visit patreon.com/alwaysothpod for more information.

3.13: The Wind That Blew My Heart Away

There’s a big storm in Tree Hill and we discuss all of the character pairings in our episode on S3E13: The Wind That Blew My Heart Away! We unpack Brooke’s continued anxiety about Lucas and Peyton, and Kaitlyn even shares a hot take about Lucas’s speech to Brooke. We also discuss Naley’s open communication and their epic kiss in the rain, Mouth and Rachel’s conversation about how to treat girls, Karen and Keith’s romantic night in, and Dan’s never-ending ledger saga. And of course we get into our feels as we break down Ellie’s death and her final moments with Peyton, including Ellie’s famous quote (“Every song has a CODA; a final movement. Whether it fades out or crashes away. Every song ends, but is that any reason not to enjoy the music?”), both of their happiest and saddest songs, and the amazing music (“Here Comes A Regular” by the Replacements will always gut us!) and directing. 
CW: This episode includes discussions about death and grief. Please take care while listening.
Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! That’s the easiest way to support us and to help One Tree Hill fans, new and old, find us! We’re Kaitlyn Ilinitch (@MissIReads) and Jeremy Rodriguez (@RodriguezJeremy) and you can find Always and Forever on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @alwaysothpod or email us at alwaysothpod@gmail.com.
Check out our One Tree Hill season 3 Spotify playlist here: https://spoti.fi/3aRKgx2. 
Always and Forever is now on Patreon! Join our community to gain access to our private Discord server, early episode releases, and bonus content. Visit patreon.com/alwaysothpod for more information. 

3.14: All Tomorrow’s Parties

We are living in the moment at the Sparkle Classic and we have so much to discuss in our episode on S3E14: All Tomorrow’s Parties, written by the amazing One Tree Hill writer Anna Lotto! We chat about Lucas and Nathan’s storyline with the Battle family and wonder if it’s necessary, Brooke’s decision to go to the Sparkle Classic instead of staying at Rogue Vogue, Rachel tricking a drunk and grieving Peyton into bed with Lucas and Brooke later finding out about it, Skills paying back Bevin for Notebooking him, Brooke's encounter with Brian George, and a surprising connection to...American Horror Story? We also unpack the heck out of the epic coda with everyone dancing on stage to The Go! Team’s “Huddle Formation” along with Lucas’s powerful voiceover and Karen’s proposal to Keith.
Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! That’s the easiest way to support us and to help One Tree Hill fans, new and old, find us! We’re Kaitlyn Ilinitch (@MissIReads) and Jeremy Rodriguez (@RodriguezJeremy) and you can find Always and Forever on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @alwaysothpod or email us at alwaysothpod@gmail.com.
Check out our One Tree Hill season 3 Spotify playlist here: https://spoti.fi/3aRKgx2. 
Always and Forever is now on Patreon! Join our community to gain access to our private Discord server, early episode releases, and bonus content. Visit patreon.com/alwaysothpod for more information. 

0.05: Scream (2022) — Patreon Clip

Welcome to Act 3! In this special Patreon-exclusive bonus episode, we’re talking about the amazing “requel,” Scream (2022) from Paramount Pictures, which was shot in Wilmington, NC and yes that is why these One Tree Hill podcasters are covering it and celebrating 25 years of the Scream franchise! Twenty-five years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox), and Dewey Riley (David Arquette) ended Billy Loomis’ (Skeet Ulrich, who returned in this movie! Ahhh!) and Stu Macher’s reign as Ghostface. But now a new killer dons the Ghostface mask and stalks both the legacy characters and a new young cast, featuring the talents of Sonia Ammar, Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette, Jenna Ortega, and Jack Quaid. During our discussion, we go over requel rules (Why not just call it Scream 5? Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are not fooling anyone.), Gale’s subtle and nuanced character development, Dewey’s death (and why we’re both mad about it for different reasons), the unfortunate plot holes (we all know time has no meaning in Tree Hill and it has no meaning in Woodsboro either), why Kyle Gallner deserves more work, our crush on Jack Quaid, the triumphant returns of lesser-known legacy characters Judy Hicks (Marley Shelton) and Martha Meeks (Heather Matarazzo), the tribute to Wes Craven (“For Wes”), the welcome return of “Red Right Hand” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and all of the Scream Easter eggs littered throughout. Also, who has a cameo in Scream (2022)? We point out the secret cameos from old friends Drew Barrymore, Jamie Kennedy, Matthew Lillard, Adam Brody, Kevin Williamson, Marco Beltrami, Patrick Lussier, Julie Plec and Wes Craven’s widow, Iya. Plus, are Tara and Amber together? The original casting call made it seem that way and we dive into what could have been. And in lieu of a favorite musical moment, you will hear us talk about our favorite death scenes. Plus, we talk about our relationships to horror movies (surprise! We both love horror!) and give shoutouts to The Ring, The Blair Witch Project, Hereditary, Midsommar, The Babadook, It Follows, Jordan Peele films, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Valentine, and Scream 4 (and its need for justice!).
You can listen to the full episode by subscribing at the $5 level over at patreon.com/alwaysothpod.
We’re Kaitlyn Ilinitch (@MissIReads) and Jeremy Rodriguez (@RodriguezJeremy) and you can find Always and Forever on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @alwaysothpod or email us at alwaysothpod@gmail.com.
Listen to our previous episodes of Baker Soundstage below:
The Notebook
A Cinderella Story
John Tucker Must Die

3.15: Just Watch the Fireworks

CW: The spoiler segment features discussions on gun violence and mental health.
This mix could burn a hole in anyone! Turn up the volume because we’re discussing Name Brand Orange Soda: The Musical aka One Tree Hill S3E15: Just Watch the Fireworks. We have so much to discuss with A Simple Alias’ Bree Leach, who is joining us once again to discuss this full-circle moment! The time capsule is mysteriously released and the video recordings stream throughout Tree Hill High. While Whitey (Barry Corbin) and Principal Turner (Shawn Shepard) race to turn off the videos, students get a glimpse of a few recordings: Nathan (James Lafferty) said that marrying Haley (Bethany Joy Lenz) was the worst decision he ever made; Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) shared that he wanted to get close to Dan (Paul Johansson) in order to finally beat him; Brooke (Sophia Bush) flashed the camera and also said that she will one day probably be married to someone like Mouth (Lee Norris), or Senator McFadden; and Lucas and Mouth’s old friend Jimmy Edwards (Colin Fickes) shared how he hates this school and that everyone in it is a loser. But it’s not all doom and gloom because Peyton (Hilarie Burton Morgan) also organizes a Friends with Benefit concert at Tric to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation, featuring performances by Jack’s Mannequin, Fall Out Boy, and Haley James Scott! Plus, Naley discusses their insecurities and Keith (Craig Sheffer) asks Lucas if he can adopt him. We also have some mysteries such as: Why does Dan have a ledger (seriously, what is even happening in this storyline)? And who opened the time capsule on One Tree Hill? 
In this episode, we also discuss:
The episode’s namesake, “Just Watch the Fireworks,” by Jimmy Eat World.
The story’s weird relationship with boobs
Hilarie Burton Morgan’s MTV days and several tangents about TRL
Naley’s growth and maturity
Friendship dynamics being complicated
Keith’s desire to adopt Lucas and whether it’s an unnecessary plot point or a grand symbolic gesture
Peyton’s flirtation with Pete Wentz that you can apparently see from across the room
Whitey’s ending voiceover and its…connections to Miley Cyrus’ The Climb?
You can follow Bree Leach on Twitter and Instagram @bleach226 and follow her podcast A Simple Alias on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @SimpleAliasCast and check it out wherever you get your podcasts!
Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! That’s the easiest way to support us and to help One Tree Hill fans, new and old, find us! We’re Kaitlyn Ilinitch (@MissIReads) and Jeremy Rodriguez (@RodriguezJeremy) and you can find Always and Forever on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @alwaysothpod or email us at alwaysothpod@gmail.com.
Check out our One Tree Hill season 3 Spotify playlist here: https://spoti.fi/3aRKgx2. 
Always and Forever is now on Patreon! Join our community to gain access to our private Discord server, early episode releases, and bonus content. Visit patreon.com/alwaysothpod for more information.

3.16: With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept (Part 1)

CW: This podcast episode on One Tree Hill S3E16: With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept, includes frank discussions on gun violence, bullying and suicide. Please take care while listening. And a reminder that if you need to speak with someone, you can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Help is available 24/7.
We’re finally here for one of the most important episodes of One Tree Hill. This is the one where Jimmy Edwards (Colin Fickes) brings a gun to school and holds various students hostage in the tutor center, including Nathan (James Lafferty), Haley (Bethany Joy Lenz), Rachel (Danneel Ackles), Skills (Antwon Tanner), and Mouth (Lee Norris). Meanwhile, Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) comforts Peyton (Hilarie Burton Morgan), who is injured from a gunshot wound, in the library. Plus, Brooke (Sophia Bush) is all alone in the gym as she worries about whether her friends are safe. And the episode tragically ends, both with Jimmy’s death and Dan (Paul Johansson) shooting Keith (Craig Sheffer). *Sigh* We have A LOT of tears to shed.
During our discussion, we talk about:
The music, including Michelle Featherstone’s “God Bless the Child,” John Nordstrom’s amazing score, and the episode’s namesake, “With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept,” by Explosions in the Sky.
The various behind-the-scenes tidbits revealed during the audio commentary featuring the show’s creator, producer Joe Davola, music supervisor Lindsay Wolfington, and stars Colin Fickes, Sophia Bush, and Lee Norris.
The numerous new characters, including Marcus (Marcus Coloma), Abby (Allison Scagliotti), and Glenda (Amber Wallace).
Sophia Bush’s deleted scene where she confronts the journalist and says how she is a buzzard circling the carnage around them. Plus, we pose the question, is this the media’s fault for reporting on these tragic stories or are we the problem for being consumers of these tragic stories?
The frightening parallels between the police in this episode and the police during recent school shootings.
We debate the kiss scene in the library between Lucas and Peyton (and you may be shocked to learn how each host reacts differently!).
The positioning of each character. Why is Brooke left alone? How did the writers determine who was in the tutor center?
Also, is this episode about gun violence or is it about suicide?
Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! That’s the easiest way to support us and to help One Tree Hill fans, new and old, find us! We’re Kaitlyn Ilinitch (@MissIReads) and Jeremy Rodriguez (@RodriguezJeremy) and you can find Always and Forever on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @alwaysothpod or email us at alwaysothpod@gmail.com.
Check out our One Tree Hill season 3 Spotify playlist here: https://spoti.fi/3aRKgx2. 
Always and Forever is now on Patreon! Join our community to gain access to our private Discord server, early episode releases, and bonus content. Visit patreon.com/alwaysothpod for more information. 

3.16.02: With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept (Part 2)

CW: This podcast episode includes frank discussions on gun violence, bullying, mental health and suicide. Please take care while listening. And a reminder that if you need to speak with someone, you can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Help is available 24/7.
In this extension of our previous episode, we are joined by Gavi Kovacs, a forensic psychologist and fellow One Tree Hill fan, who helps us unpack the deeper themes of S3E16: With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept. We should also note that this episode is fully spoiled and we discuss storylines from the entire series. 
Our discussion with Gavi includes: 
Jimmy’s relationship (or lack thereof) with incel culture
Whether this episode is a responsible depiction of school shootings and mental health
Various connections to another hit teen show, Degrassi
A surprising parallel between Rachel and Jimmy
Possible alternate versions of this storyline with Keith and Jimmy
How Dan killing Keith is a completely separate storyline that undoes the overall lessons of this episode
How much the characters need therapy (especially Peyton)
Peyton’s possible hero worship syndrome in relation to her kissing Lucas in the library
Whether it is wrong to feel sympathy for Jimmy, given the circumstances behind his character
We also chat about fun stuff, such as whether Gavi ships Brucas or Leyton (you know we had to slip that in somehow!) and we get a visit from Gavi’s dog, Chad Michael Murray (who has an Instagram @chadthepoodle!)
Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! That’s the easiest way to support us and to help One Tree Hill fans, new and old, find us! We’re Kaitlyn Ilinitch (@MissIReads) and Jeremy Rodriguez (@RodriguezJeremy) and you can find Always and Forever on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @alwaysothpod or email us at alwaysothpod@gmail.com.
Check out our One Tree Hill season 3 Spotify playlist here: https://spoti.fi/3aRKgx2. 
Always and Forever is now on Patreon! Join our community to gain access to our private Discord server, early episode releases, and bonus content. Visit patreon.com/alwaysothpod for more information. 

3.17: Who Will Survive, and What Will Be Left of Them

CW: This discussion on One Tree Hill S3E17, Who Will Survive, and What Will Be Left of Them, features themes of gun violence and grief. Please take care while listening.
In the aftermath of the school shooting, the students of Tree Hill High grapple with the stages of grief (Or do they? This episode’s structure is v. messy!). Brooke (Sophia Bush) is feeling insecure about Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Peyton (Hilarie Burton Morgan), while not having a clue about the Leyton kiss in the library. Meanwhile, Rachel (Danneel Ackles) confesses to Mouth (Lee Norris) that she was the one who opened the time capsule. And Lucas and Karen (Moira Kelly) grieve over Keith’s (Craig Sheffer) death and Lucas grapples with the decision to go to Jimmy’s (Colin Fickes) funeral. Not all is grim though because Nathan (James Lafferty) and Haley (Bethany Joy Lenz) decide to move back in together and Brooke moves in with Peyton! 
Our chat on this episode includes:
The episode’s namesake, the Murder By Death album, Who Will Survive and What Will Be Left of Them
Connections to Brittany Ashley’s podcast Don’t Tell The Babysitter Mom’s Dead and the stages of grief, courtesy of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’ On Death and Dying
The weird framing of this episode around the stages of grief. Is this supposed to be about Keith’s death, Jimmy’s death, or both? And would this episode be better if it dealt with the statement of how everyone grieves in their own way and there is no invalid way to grieve?
Peyton and Lucas’ conversation in the library. Is it a little mean? Why would you make a joke about a kiss when you have a history like Leyton’s!?
Whether Naley is too sappy or too adorable
Mouth’s weird portrayal of being considered as at the bottom of the totem pole…when he has SO MANY friends from various social circles. Plus, Lee Norris is not an unattractive guy.
The downsides of toxic positivity
A lot of talk about beds for some reason (Gen Z listeners, send us the proper emoji in response to our question we ask about flat sheets)
How this episode aired 10 days (!) after the episode of Grey’s Anatomy, featuring The Fray’s How To Save A Life. What a pop culture moment!
Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! That’s the easiest way to support us and to help One Tree Hill fans, new and old, find us! We’re Kaitlyn Ilinitch (@MissIReads) and Jeremy Rodriguez (@RodriguezJeremy) and you can find Always and Forever on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @alwaysothpod or email us at alwaysothpod@gmail.com.
Check out our One Tree Hill season 3 Spotify playlist here: https://spoti.fi/3aRKgx2. 
Always and Forever is now on Patreon! Join our community to gain access to our private Discord server, early episode releases, and bonus content. Visit patreon.com/alwaysothpod for more information.

3.18: When It Isn’t Like It Should Be

CW: Brief mention of suicide at the 17:20 mark.
It’s a weekend full of riding ATMs, hot tubs, Brooking ourselves, marriage proposals, and making out with Pete from Fall Out Boy in One Tree Hill S3E18, When It Isn't Like It Should Be. Rachel (Danneel Ackles) brings the gang to her parents’ cabin in the woods and we finally get some fun moments with these characters after several episodes of trauma. Haley (Bethany Joy Lenz) repeatedly loses her wedding ring but little does she know that Nathan (James Lafferty) has a surprise up his sleeve. Peyton (Hilarie Burton Morgan) receives validation when her Snuffleupagus (Pete Wentz) finally shows up to the cabin. Brooke (Sophia Bush) and Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) have their share of tender moments, and some moments are so “tender” that Brooke gets caught by Rachel in a compromising position. Skills (Antwon Tanner) and Bevin (Bevin Prince) also have sweet moments of their own…even when they get lost in the woods. Meanwhile, Mouth (Lee Norris) is still upset with Rachel for unleashing the time capsule and Karen (Moira Kelly) takes out her frustrations on Dan (Paul Johannson).
We chat about the highs and lows of this episode, including:
The episode’s namesake, “When It Isn't Like It Should Be,” by Saves the Day.
Was the quote from Lucas’ voiceover (“Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.”) from Henry James or William James? 
Nathan and Karen’s respective grief and how the characters are addressing it
The joys of riding ATMs with the boys
Original leaks from this episode claiming that Mouth and Rachel would have sex and that Rachel would reveal she was a virgin during the game of “I Never.”
Rachel getting some moments of humanity
The brilliant talent of OTH writer Anna Lotto for coming up with the term, “Brooking yourself.”
Tender Brucas moments and Jeremy’s shocking hot take
The awkwardness of Pete Wentz, his acting, and the overall cringe of his relationship with Peyton.
Was Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters originally supposed to date Peyton?
Double-sided parasocial relationships (Dan Levy, Jack Quaid, and Tom Holland, go give Jeremy a call if you just happen to be an Always and Forever listener)
The epic Naley proposal and the upcoming Tree Hill wedding! 
John Steinbeck’s quote: “Change comes like a little wind that ruffles the curtains at dawn, and it comes like the stealthy perfume of wildflowers hidden in the grass.”
Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! That’s the easiest way to support us and to help One Tree Hill fans, new and old, find us! We’re Kaitlyn Ilinitch (@MissIReads) and Jeremy Rodriguez (@RodriguezJeremy) and you can find Always and Forever on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @alwaysothpod or email us at alwaysothpod@gmail.com.
Check out our One Tree Hill season 3 Spotify playlist here: https://spoti.fi/3aRKgx2. 
Always and Forever is now on Patreon! Join our community to gain access to our private Discord server, early episode releases, and bonus content. Visit patreon.com/alwaysothpod for more information.