Ep 1. 4:30AM (Apparently They Were Traveling Abroad)

It's the start of a new school year in Tree Hill and the gang is all grown up now. Lucas had to take a leave of absence from his job as a writer to take care of his girlfriend Peyton, who's in a coma after giving birth to their first child, Sawyer. Brooke is running her own fashion label, while struggling to maintain a long-distance relationship with Julian, who's off filming a movie in New Zealand. Meanwhile, Nathan is at the top of his game as a professional basketball player, but is having trouble keeping his family together while trying to handle the fame and fans. Haley, now a full-time teacher, is also dealing with the joys and struggles of motherhood as her son Jamie enters first grade.

The episode opens with a tense scene as Nathan gets into a car accident. The rest of the episode takes place in a series of flashbacks, recounting the events that led up to the crash. Throughout the episode, the characters deal with various challenges that threaten to tear them apart. Peyton's health takes a turn for the worse, putting a strain on Lucas and the entire town. Brooke tries to stay focused on her work, but can't help feeling lonely and disconnected from Julian. Haley tries to juggle her job, parenting, and supporting Nathan through his basketball game, all while dealing with unresolved feelings about her own career aspirations.

As the episode's title suggests, travel is a recurring theme throughout the episode. Julian is off in New Zealand, but Brooke keeps in touch through a series of video chats. Meanwhile, Haley and Nathan take a trip to Barcelona to celebrate their anniversary. While there, they reflect on the ups and downs of their relationship and try to find new ways to keep their passion alive. Even the flashbacks take us on a journey, hopping back and forth between different points in time and drawing connections between seemingly unrelated events.

Ultimately, though, the episode is about the power of love and friendship to overcome obstacles. As the gang grapples with their various challenges, they find strength in each other and in the bonds they've formed over the years. The episode ends on a hopeful note, with each character recognizing the importance of the people in their lives and the need to keep fighting for what they believe in.