OK, I do solemnly swear that I will not routinely start One Tree Hill topics here, but I know there are a few fellow fans on this board and I've gotta discuss last night's 80s-tastic episode with someone!
First of all, I haven't seen all of the John Hughes films referenced, so I could use some help matching things up.
Obviously, "Sixteen Candles" --- Everyone forgot Haley's birthday (or was stranded far from home without a cell phone) and all her hints did nothing. LOVED when she flashed her ID to Grubbs at the bar, only for him to proclaim, "Wow! I had no idea! You're 5'4"!" I let out a SQUEAL (and I swear I am not a squealer) when that blonde-haired guy ducked into his car outside the dance to reveal Nathan standing there by the red sports car. I. looooove. him. And obviously the on-the-table, over-the-birthday-cake kiss at the end was perfection. Between the perfect "Sixteen Candles" story and my love for all things "Naley," it is a wonder I did not have a heart attack.
"Pretty in Pink" was Brooke tearing apart the dress to make another one. Any other references to that one? It's been a long time since I saw it. Oh, and Julian was rockin' the whole "Duckie" thing -- and the kiss in the car which was straight out of the film as well.
"Weird Science" --- Junk and Fergie building Mouth's "perfect woman" online. And Quinn dumping the milkshake on Kylie at the beginning. (Which reminds me, Kylie getting her hair stuck in the locker was from "Sixteen Candles" as well)
"Home Alone" & "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" --- I think it was primarily "Home Alone" since Jamie was, in fact, left home alone, and Junk and Fergie came and tried to "break in" to babysit him, but it kind of had the feeling of "Ferris Bueller" as well, especially since Jamie is the one who concocted the scheme to get left alone in the first place.
The scene where Jamie was making the huge pancake....what was that from? I know I recognized it but can't think for the life of me which film it was in.
I've never seen it, but Nathan and Clay trying to get home had to be "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles." And I was ROLLING when Nathan said, "I know you're planning on falling insanely in love with that pig, but can we talk about something else?" Hilarious.
Oh, and the opening sequence set to "Don't You Forget About Me" (also the episode title) was a shout-out to "The Breakfast Club."
Is that everything? I know there are things I missed. Ah, but how about Cheap Trick? They were great and I was singing along. So glad they were there to do the episode, as they've gotten a few OTH shout-outs over the years. Too bad they didn't sing "The Flame!"
There was not much plot advancement in this episode, but that was fine by me because it was such a fun show. I enjoyed this storyline break a bit more than the 40s episode in season 6, although I have come to appreciate that episode more on DVD.
The one HUGE thing that happened in this episode was Clay finally telling Nathan about Sara. I wondered if that's what was going to happen when Nathan was trying to explain how important it was for him to get home to his wife and not disappoint her, and said that Clay would understand if he had ever been married. Then Clay just dropped it on him. I can't blame Nathan for thinking he was joking, but MAN - you know he felt horrible. Anyway, the moment was over so quickly, which is good in that it wouldn't have fit with the light-hearted, fun theme of the episode for them to have some huge emotional discussion on the side of the road, but I do hope that they discuss it more in future episodes. They are best friends, after all, and now Nathan knows the real reason behind Clay's actions (aka playa-ways) all this time. And certainly, no man has ever loved his wife more than Nathan loves Haley, so you know he understands the gravity of what Clay has lost.
Bonus: Any scenes with Nathan and Clay take up screen time that cannot be spent on Clay and Quinn. They do nothing for me. Her pimped ("I hope you mean 'crimped'") hair was pretty awesome, though. And speaking of couples wasting precious Naley screen time, Brooke and Julian just need to give it up already. Loved them last season, want to throw them (OK, just him) off a cliff this season. He can have Alex. And she can have...anybody else. (Paging Dr. Ethan Copeland!!!)
