For reasons unknown, Louis Tomlinson has always been my favorite member of One Direction, and now I finally know why: He’s obsessed with One Tree Hill! During a recent sit-down interview with MTV, the boys were asked which movie(s) made them cry — and Louis’ answer was nothing short of phenomenal.

“Do any of you watch One Tree Hill?” Louis asked the group. “When Uncle Keith died, that was a tearful moment!”

And it turns out this is only the most recent in a string of One Tree Hill references Louis has made this year: During an Oct. 2012 interview with Celebuzz, Louis likened Liam Payne‘s buzzed head to Lucas’ haircut in season two, then revealed he and Chad Michael Murray became real-life friends via Twitter!

He also said he’s a Lucas-Peyton fan, though he admitted Brooke (Sophia Bush) is “really really hot.”

Watch Louis’ latest mention of One Tree Hill below, then drop a comment with your love for Louis:

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

MTV

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More One Direction news:

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3. One Direction Admits ‘We’re A Little Bit Mischievous’

Mark Schwahn told me he wanted to make the series finale feel like “a quintessential One Tree Hill episode,” and that’s exactly what he delivered April 4: introspective voiceovers, unforgettable performances, and a look into the future that wrapped up nine years of story into an hour-long love letter to the fans of “the little show that could.”

So, without further adieu, here are the 24 moments that reduced me to a ridiculous Andy Puddle during the final hour of One Tree Hill:

1. The opening shot of Tree Hill with the show title looming in the sky.

2. The characters, as grown ups, looking back at their 17-year-old selves.

3. Haley (Bethany Joy Lenz) going through the old box of predictions.

4. Brooke (Sophia Bush) running her fingers along the records in “Peyton’s bedroom”

5. Haley singing at Tric for the last time — and beautifully, I might add.

6. Clay (Robert Buckley) asking Logan if he could be his dad again: “You’re already my dad, Dad!”

7. Nathan (James Lafferty) giving Jamie (Jackson Brundage) advice on the river court: “Play sports for you, and not for anybody else.”

8. Logan calling Quinn (Shantel VanSanten) ”mom.”

9. Nathan giving Haley the bracelet in the Cracker Jack box.

10. Quinn telling Clay she wants to marry him: “I just want to be your wife… before we adopt our son.”

11. The very existence of Bevin. Love that bitch and miss her every day.

12. Mouth (Lee Norris) talking about the Dan Scott foundation: “What you do matters, and how you do it matters.”

13. Nathan and Haley kissing in the rain. They should always be in the rain.

14. Julian (Austin Nichols) walking Brooke through her old house: “Welcome home, Brooke Davis.”

15. Clay and Quinn tucking Logan into bed: “Goodnight, son. We love you!”

16. Jamie putting his own prediction in the box on the rooftop: “It’s a magical place, son. There’s only one Tree Hill, Jamie Scott, and it’s your home.”

17. Brooke crying by her high school locker with the NOFX sticker: “I wake up sometimes and I miss it.”

18. Gavin DeGraw performing “I Don’t Wanna Be” at Tric.

19. Haley reading Julius Caesar at Karen’s Café.

20. Millie (Lisa Goldstein) wearing a wedding ring — hello, time jump! — and being pregnant with Baby Mouth!

21. An excellent use of U2‘s “One Tree Hill.”

22. Nathan looking at 17-year-old Jamie’s “all-time lead scorer” jersey in the gym at Tree Hill High School.

23. The beautiful moment when you realize Skills (Antwon Tanner) and Bevin are dating, or at least banging.

24. The freeze frame of Jamie (from behind) in his Raven’s jersey.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Remember when Mark Schwahn talked about the One Tree Hill fans who started watching the show in high school? How they’re now out of college? Well, I’m one of those fans. When the pilot first aired in Sept. 2003 — when Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) first towed Peyton’s (Hilarie Burton) car and changed the course of so many people’s lives — I was a junior in high school. Now here I am, nine years later, and I’m writing about the series professionally. I’ve never found myself connecting with characters like I have with the residents of Tree Hill, and I may never again. For me, for the actors, for all of you, this is the end of an era. And it’s been an incredible one.

Good night, Tree Hill.

What did YOU think of the final trip to Tree Hill? Which moments had you reaching for the tissues, and which characters will you miss the most? Drop your thoughts in the comments section below — one last time.

— Andy Swift

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Well, kids, the day we’ve all been dreading has finally arrived: One Tree Hill‘s two-hour series finale airs at 8 p.m. tonight on The CW. I recently spoke with creator Mark Schwahn about the show’s epic nine-year run, and as is often the case, the conversation quickly turned to its most polarizing character, Dan Scott (Paul Johansson). You’ll be very happy to know that, like the fans, Mark still has very conflicted thoughts about the late villain’s redemption — or lack thereof.

“I always say that when fans used to argue about the story lines, and when our writers room had differing opinions, the show was at its best,” Mark explained. “And that was one of them. We had long-winded discussions in the writers room about whether or not Dan Scott should be redeemed.”

As he who created Dan Scott, I asked Mark if he felt the redemption was earned.

“It’s not for me to decide, and I wanted it to be that way,” he admitted. “I’m not trying to get political about it. It was designed for the fans to decide. There are many that just won’t forgive him.”

Ultimately, Mark said, it was more important for Keith to make up his mind than anyone else.

“You could make a case for family and for anyone who was wounded by the choices [Dan] was making, but for Keith to forgive him was more compelling for me,” Mark said. “A lot of times, [the show] presented a version of us, the audience, that was the best version we could be. And in that moment, I don’t know if any of us could find the capacity to forgive the man who took our life. [Keith] was such a heroic character, and he chose to be heroic in that moment. I felt a lightness for Dan, for his heart and soul.”

Of course, the fans weren’t the only voices in Mark’s head.

“My mom really wanted redemption for Dan,” Mark says. “She’s been so upset with me that he died. She just wanted him to be forgiven, and she felt that he had paid his dues. And she believed he was being heartfelt in his choices.”

Mark then explained his philosophy behind the characters he’s crafted during the series’ nine-year run, perfectly illustrating why fans have remained so passionate about them after nearly a decade.

“We tried to write human beings,” Mark said. “We wrote them flawed and we wrote them heroic and we wrote them everywhere in between, which is certainly what Dan was. I liked that complexity. There weren’t any easy answers for him, and that made for really good drama and really good television.”

What do you think, devoted OTH-ers? After nine years of bad parenting, brother murdering and Rachel marrying, did season nine finally provide Dan Scott with the redemption he so desperately craved? Drop me a comment with your thoughts! This is an emotional time for us all.

— Andy Swift

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One Tree Hill airs its final episode April 4, drawing nine years of small-town drama to a close; but how do you properly wrap up a show with such a complicated — not to mention fan-frenzied — history? If you’re creator Mark Schwahn, you don’t. You simply give the viewers exactly what’s kept them coming back every week for nearly a decade.

“I wanted it to feel like a quintessential One Tree Hill episode,” Mark tells HollywoodLife.com of the two-hour finale. “It can be very heartfelt, but funny and romantic and sweet and have great music. Everybody needed to have signature moments.”

And could one of those “moments” be the wedding of Clay (Robert Buckley) and Quinn (Shantel VanSanten), who became engaged last week in one of the most impossibly adorable scenes of the season?

“That story line is front and center for those characters in the finale,” he reveals. ”I think it would have been a shame not to comment on that story line since we set it up.” As for the actual wedding, Mark tells me “there’s a hint of it.”

OK, so we probably shouldn’t expect to see Quinn parading down the aisle in a big white dress. But will the final episode give viewers a glimpse into the future, much like last season’s finale fast-forwarded through Brooke’s (Sophia Bush) pregnancy, Chase’s (Stephen Colletti) tour in the Air Force, and the re-opening of Karen’s Café?

“Yes and no,” Mark says, laughing at my desperation. “I’m a fan of shows that leave, but give you the sense that ‘We’re still here. We just won’t see you every week.’ I like that tone, and I like that feel. So I kind of wanted to leave the fans with that, like Tree Hill will always be here. And I think that’s a nice place to be.”

Though Mark admits there is “one” returning character, and there are a few “events” and “surprises” in store, the finale is more about celebrating what we’ve all been through — both the characters and the fans — rather than what’s ahead.

“It wasn’t as much about surprises as it was about spending one last night with the people you’ve known and loved over the years,” he explains. “There’s actually a voiceover in the beginning that speaks to that. When I sat down to write it, I wrote the opening voiceovers, and my eyes teared up. I got chills. The voiceover essentially says, ‘If you had one last chance to say something to somebody you loved, or to spend time with them, what would you say? What would you do? I felt like that was the challenge for the last hour of the show.”

And it’s not like Mark doesn’t have plenty of practice writing finales. He notes that, during One Tree Hill‘s nine-year run, “probably seven” of the season finales were designed to double as potential series finales, had the network decided to cancel the series.

“Jamie [Jackson Brundage] dribbling over the bridge last year — had that been the ending, that would have been great,” Mark admits. “Had Lucas [Chad Michael Murray] and Peyton [Hilarie Burton] driven out of town with the baby, that would have been fine. And when they all went to Utah, the year we shot Quinn and Clay, we would have ended with them all walking up the hill when they were sledding together as a group. Jamie said, “It’s a long way up,” and Haley [Bethany Joy Lenz] said, “It’s just a hill; we’ll climb it together.’”

The series finale of One Tree Hill airs April 4 at 8 p.m. on The CW.

OK, fans, let’s talk: What do YOU hope to see on the series finale? What will you miss most about the show? We’ve got less than 48 hours until it’s all over, so let’s hug it out in the comments section below.

— Andy Swift

Follow Andy on Twitter for more One Tree Hill scoop

The whole gang is coming together for the One Tree Hill series finale — including Nathan (James Lafferty), who’s been recurring throughout this final season — and now The CW has gifted us with the first photos from the last episode. Photos reveal Brooke (Sophia Bush) and Julian (Austin Nichols) making eyes at each other in the newly re-built halls of Tree Hill High, as well as everyone celebrating at Karen’s Café.

I got an opportunity to chat with creator Mark Schwahn about the finale, and about wrapping up nine years of Tree Hill history, so look for that interview in a little bit.

For now, click here to check out eight beautiful images from the two-hour finale — and try to compose yourself.

— Andy Swift

Follow Andy on Twitter for more One Tree Hill updates

As One Tree Hill‘s series finale inches closer and closer — it’s literally seven days away now — the residents of Tree Hill burned their failures and burdens at the town’s Burning Boat Festival.

Clay (Robert Buckley) got the “aww”s rolling by giving Logan (Pierce Gagnon) the perfect room, complete with airplanes, comic books and even a view of the ocean for his first sleepover. But Logan hadn’t quite conquered his fear of the body of water filled with sharks, jellyfish and sea monsters. (I think he was really scared of the ocean because his dad had basically been drowned by Dan Scott twice in the same ocean). Clay hoped out to experience a milestone with his son by getting him into the water for the first time, but it was Quinn (Shantel VanSanten) who had the breakthrough with Logan.

After a long day’s work, Clay, Quinn and Logan retired to their tent — yes, a tent in the middle of the living room — where Clay finally proposed! He didn’t have a ring just yet, but don’t worry: Logan was there to save the day with his power ring! Be still, my beating heart.

Meanwhile, Mouth (Lee Norris) continued to make a complete turn around — seriously, he’s skinny and has abs now — Millie (Lisa Goldstein) looked for a new co-anchor so her boyfriend could focus on his true love: sports. After one total failure, Skills (Antwon Tanner) stepped up to the plate and hit a home run! Meanwhile, Haley (Bethany Joy Galeotti) broke the exciting news to Chase (Stephen Colletti) that Karen was willing to sell him the bar, the only place he ever truly called home.

Julian (Austin Nichols) was busy preparing for a meeting to get his television series approved, and after reading Brooke’s (Sophia Bush) diary for inspiration, his script was accepted! Brooke still struggled with her past, and it even came back to haunt her when she walked in on her mother with “doing someone in the middle of the day” hair — and that “someone” turned out to be Brooke’s dad! After having a few words with Julian, Ted (Richard Burgi) and Victoria (Daphne Zuniga) decided to join their daughter as co-owners of Baker Man. Needless to say, Brooke didn’t even recognize these people as her parents. And this is a good thing.

This episode was beautifully directed by Sophia Bush, who provided us with a little bit of comedy to ease our pain for the next week.

The end is near. Are you prepared?

– Jaymie Bailey

Jamie’s (Jackson Brundage) words “He’ll be alright, he’s Grandpa Dan,” echoed throughout the hospital on the March 21 episode of One Tree Hill, as everyone came together after Dan (Paul Johansson) took a a bullet for Nathan (James Lafferty).

The doctors informed the newly reunited Scott family that after being shot, and combined with his heart problems, it was likely that Dan wouldn’t survive. Throughout the episode, Dan had flashbacks of the many paths he’d chosen in life. Some were good moments, like the 0ne time he and Nathan actually played basketball without keeping score, but others were more tragic events Dan sincerely regrets, like shooting his brother. But just when you thought he’d pull through, Dan flatlined and was visited by none-other-than his brother, Keith (Craig Sheffer). At this point, I thought it was appropriate to cry along with Haley (Bethany Joy Galeotti), since she was the only person in tears the entire time.

Meanwhile, Brooke’s (Sophia Bush) father appeared at her front door, claiming he was concerned about his daughter after she’d been attacked by Xavier (Devin McGee), but Brooke didn’t believe it. And her suspicions proved to be right when he revealed he was only there for business, eager to sell Baker Man even though it doesn’t even exist yet. Because Ted (Richard Burgi) totally shut his daughter out of his life, Brooke proved she can close things too, by closing the door — right in his face! And despite all of the problems in her own life, Brooke still remained elated that Julian (Austin Nichols) finally had an idea for his sound stage.

Elsewhere, Clay (Robert Buckley) tried his best to prove he can be a good father by showing up at Sarah’s parents house to see Logan (Pierce Gagnon). He pleaded for them to let him be a part of his son’s life, and finally they caved — because if they didn’t, Clay, Quinn (Shantel VanSanten) and Logan couldn’t be the perfect blond family. (Duh!) Now that he’d finally found Logan, what he’d been looking for all along, Clay told his son that he was willing to be a part of his life. Finally, the moment I’d been waiting for since it was revealed that Clay had a son: Logan met Quinn and all was right in Tree Hill.

Even Dan Scott had himself a happy ending. After a heartbreaking conversation-slash-hallucination with Nathan, in which his son finally said he loved him, Dan was also forgiven by Keith’s ghost. Keith told Dan he could be his “plus one” in heaven, and the Scott brothers vanished down the hallway of Tree Hill High School.

So, apparently it really is possible to kill Dan Scott — but I don’t think he can be denied forgiveness. If his own brother can forgive him, then so can I.

What did you think of tonight’s incredible episode? Do you think Dan received a proper send-off? And have you, like Keith and Nathan, finally forgiven Dan for what he did? Leave us a comment with your thoughts on the man, the myth, the legend — Dan Scott.

— Jaymie Bailey