The Birth and Death of the Day

Season 4, Episode 20, Aired
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Episode Summary

As graduation approaches, Haley prepares for the recital of her valedictorian speech and motherhood, Nathan must adjust to life without basketball, Brooke makes a confession that may have great consequences, and Lucas confronts Dan after Karen's life is threatened.
9.5
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EPISODE RATING: Superb
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Fan Episode Reviews (37)

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  • Season 4, Episode 20.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Wanted23, Jan 30, 2009 Report Abuse
    As graduation approaches, Haley prepares for the recital of her valedictorian speech and motherhood, Nathan must adjust to life without basketball, Brooke makes a confession that may have great consequences, and Lucas confronts Dan after Karen's life is threatened. Wow. That's all I can say about this episode. The beginning was excellent, especially when Deb slapped Lucas. Haha, I loved when Nathan said that Lucas stinks while his mother was in the hospital. I like that Brooke wanted to admit what happened about the calculus test thing. Aw, Chase said he loves Brooke! :) LMAO, Bevin's parents don't know that Skillz is black! :) Great episode!moreless

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    2 0

  • I love this episode!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By VGFreak8, May 24, 2008 Report Abuse
    Graduation nears. Lucas misses the shot he fired at Dan. Karen is unconscious in the hospital, so the doctors must perform a C-section. It's a girl! Lucas doesn't want to go to graduation. Deb finds out that Lucas stole her gun and used it. She stands by Karen and also believes that Dan did kill Keith. She tells Nathan, but he doesn't want to believe it. No colleges will accept, but Haley talks to Whitey and he gets a job as a college basketball coach and offers Nathan a spot on the team. Skills and Bevin's parents meet. Brooke tells Principal Turner that she stole the exam. He lets her graduate. Chase and Brooke express their love for each other. Dan feels guilty. Haley goes into labor during her speech. Principal Turner lets Rachel graduate, even though she's not there. Karen had published Lucas' book as a present. Karen starts to die.

    This episode was great! Graduation went well there! Haley was so funny when she started having the baby. I really hope Karen lives. I don't like Dan at all, but now I like Deb. I'm glad Brooke and Rachel graduated. Bevin is funny! This episode gets a 10!moreless

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    3 0

  • The Birth And Death Of A Day.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By laura-OTH, Sep 01, 2007 Report Abuse
    What an Abseloutly Brilliant Episode.

    Lucas tells Deb that Dan killed Keith. Deb actually believes him and promises Dan will pay for it.
    As Nathan didn't get A basketball scholarship he Gets a job working with Skills Dad, he finds It really tough and doesn't want to this for the rest of his life.
    Brooke tells Principal Turner she is the one who stole the calculus exam. She also tells Turner about how much she has changed In 2 years, Turner asks if shes going to need calculus in her future job, and because she doesn't, he let's her go on and graduate. Chase shows up but brooke stops him before Turner changes his mind, they both say that they love each other.Karen Is still In really bad form, so the doctors have to deliver the baby anyway..Its a Girl! and It went great! Outside the hospital Haley hands Lucas a present from Karen, It was the book in the pilot episode, Karen had a note inside saying she loved him. Lucas tells Haley he wants Karen to wake up, and "Be his mother again"
    Deb tells Nathan that Dan Killed Keith, he gets angry and doesn't believe her, he goes to Dan to make sure its not true, and Dan tells him the truth. Nathan tells Dan that he'll never see his son, and that hes dead to him. We find out that Whitey was offered to coach into a college near Tree Hill and he asks Nathan to play for him. Bevins Parents Meet skills and It turns out they get on really well! Everyone graduates, and Its a really touching scene, knowing that this is the end of an era. Principal Turner calls out Rachel's name, who graduates in absentia. Brooke was sooo happy.When Haley gives her valedictorian speech we can tell somethings up with the way shes Talking, and gasping for air. She has to stop and says "I'm sorry, Iv got more, its just, I think I'm having my baby!" Nathen stands up and looks at her, Haley forces a smile back at him.moreless

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    5 0

  • Season 4 Episode 20

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By stella_lisy, Jun 28, 2007 Report Abuse
    There were a lot of emotional scenes. When Nathan asks Dan to tell him Deb and Lucas were wrong and Dan just whispers he cannot do that. That's a killer scene. It seems Dan is done with running away. It was about time.

    I also liked that Brooke opened up to Principal Turner abouth the whole calculus thing. It's so good she made it to graduation. Well, it's a bit unrealistic Principal Turner let it go like that but, after all, stranger thing happened in Tree Hill, so... :D And speaking of graduation, it's also nice that Turner let Rachel graduate, although she wasn't even there.

    The most hilarious scene... Deb slapping Lucas and Lucas asking her if she was still on drugs. (LOL)
    Chase and Brooke were very cute, and so were Peyton and Lucas.

    It was sad to see Nathan adjusting his life without basketball, but I knew something was going to happen. In fact, Whitey ended up sorting things out, which is good because Nathan deserves a bit of luck, for once.moreless

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    1 0

  • so what if i did? so what if i do?

    8.3
    "Great"
    By QE-Zodak, Jun 17, 2007 Report Abuse
    so chase loves my girl brooke & she loves him. the sound of her voice & her dimples makes me swoon everytime. i'm glad whitey figured out a way 2 do something & now nathan won't have 2 work at that dirty job. it was great that deb slapped lucas, he deserved it. sometimes people need to act like actual adults on tv & that was a good example of the few times people do. the inclusion of the shakespeare & the clip from the 1st season was excellent. details like that make a show good. the parents being perfectly ok with the race difference was unrealistic. hopefully the mom is not dead cause that would suck.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • When Lucas is sitting in the hallway of the hospital, the elevator door opens and Haley, Nathan and Deb walk out of it and see him. While they are talking, it is very obvious that they are on the first floor because you can see the number 1 on the elevator behind them. They would not be coming down from a higher floor to see Lucas if they had just gotten there. Edit
    • Haley gives Lucas a bind copy of his novel, that Karen made for him as a graduation present. The name of the book is An Unkindness Of Ravens, which was going to be the show's title. Also, is a reference to the pilot episode: Haley: So, Luke, what are ravens? I mean, more than one. Lucas: An unkindness. Edit
    • When the doctor tells Lucas that his mother's condition is worse, she tells him that they can't be aggressive with the antibiotics because of her pregnancy. Earlier Lucas had said that Karen had eclampsia. Eclapmsia is high blood pressure and protienuria during pregnancy. It is not treated with antibiotics because there is no infection. In fact, Karen should have had a C-section immediately after lapsing into a coma instead of waiting to see if the condition got worse. Waiting can cause the other complications Lucas mentioned earlier when he was explaining what was wrong with his mother. Edit

  • Notes

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    • This episode marks the final appearance ofBarry Corbin (Whitey) as a series regular, although he is still listed in the main credits in the next episode.

      He would return in the Season 5 episode "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" as a guest star and in the Season 6 finale "Remember Me As a Time of Day" as a Special Guest Star.

      Edit

    • This is the final episode, until the season 8 premiere to feature the series' original opening credits sequence and the theme song "I Don't Wanna Be" by Gavin DeGraw. All subsequent episodes feature the "Black Card" title (as referenced in Season Four DVD commentary), with the actors' names running at the bottom of the screen during the first few minutes of the episode.

      Edit
    • Although credited, Danneel Harris (Rachel) didn't appear in this episode. Moira Kelly (Karen) appeared, but had no lines. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Lucas: Graduation day at Tree Hill High. A day when we officially leave the refuge of high school and begin our real lives. But what are those lives as we go into the world? What matters most? Is it about the things we create? The things we achieve? The awards we win? Is it about who we are when we fail? What's more important: what we become or how we become it? Edit
    • (Brooke tells Principal Turner she stole the calculus exam.) Brooke: Just before you do, can I say something? You know when I was a freshman I wasn't... a very good person. I mean, sure I was popular and dating seniors but as a person... I was pretty lost. And over the last four years I have been forced to grow up. I stopped letting boys define me and I started believing in myself and in... my potential. And I run for student council president and I designed the clothing line. (beat) And somewhere along the way the lost little party-girl became the girl on the wall of honour. And... I know what I did was wrong, Mr Turner, I know. But the girl I was when I came to this school I'm not so sure she would have... And isn't that the point of high school? I mean, isn't that what you guys have been trying to teach us for the last four years? Principal Turner: Actually we have been trying to teach you not to cheat in calculus... But the rest of this is certainly important too. I imagine you have been feeling a good amount of guilt over letting your friend Rachel take the fault. Brooke: Yes sir, I mean... (she starts speeding up her voice) Even though she told me she did do a bunch of things over the last years that would have got her expelled anyway, uh... (slowly) Yes, I have so... that's why I thought that I should come forward. Principal Turner: You know Brooke, I must seem ancient to you. Your teacher probably seem irrelevant, but one day you look back and things won't seem so... us against them (beat) I assume you're going to college... Brooke: Yes, sir, I... I hope so now. Principal Turner: To study? Brooke: Fashion. Principal Turner: Not engineering? Or anything requiring intense of calculus? Brooke: No sir. Principal Turner: Good. (beat) Go graduate. Brooke: Really? Are you serious? Uh... Thank you! I don't even... Chase runs toward Brooke and Principal Turner Chase: Principal Turner... Principal Turner! Look, if you suspend her I think you are really making a huge mistake. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to barge in like this, but... Brooke: Shut up! Chase, I love you for this, really but... Shut up! (to Principal Turner) Uh, I'm sorry, we'll... We'll just go! (to Chase) Go... Thanks! (Brooke and Chase walk away. Turner smiles) Edit
    • (After Lucas shoots the gun). Lucas: Get out. Dan: Lucas, she could lose the baby. Lucas: I missed on purpose. I will not miss again. Dan: You're making a big mistake. Lucas: Get out. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • While reading a note from Karen that quotes, "There is a tide in the affairs of men," Lucas and Haley reminisce about the time Haley and Karen gave Luke Julius Caesar in the pilot. Edit
    • The episode's title alludes the song by Explosions In The Sky. Edit

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