Monday night’s episode of “One Tree Hill” served fans with the ultimate mid-season cliffhanger. Entitled “You Have to Be Joking (Autopsy of the Devil’s Brain),” this week’s storyline gave insight into past unsolved mysteries, providing some answers but leaving us with even more questions.

Nathan Scott, finally above all fears and rejections he’s dealt with the past year, tried out for the B leagues. After nearly being turned away, one of the coaches recognized him and told him to stay. In a positive turn of events, Nathan out shined each and every player there, despite his back injury only the year prior. Unfortunately, his skills on the court didn’t suppress the teasing from several other basketball star-wannabes as they pointed out Nathan’s previous shoe contract. Nathan even ups his challenge by trying out for point out guard rather than shooting guard. I love how Quentin still gets his cameos despite his murder. There’s nothing like a positive ghost to twist things around in the present.

At Red Bedroom Records, Peyton Sawyer found herself dealing with a stubborn star, Mia, who refused to listen to any pre-recorded music. Insisting that she’s an artist who writes her own music, Peyton argued that she had yet to see the fruits of that labor. She sadly let Mia go from the record label in order to come to terms with her own inner demon: possibly cancer. At the end of the episode, Peyton called Lucas in tears. Not to see the glass half empty, but her tears seemed more tragic than good news. Or maybe she doesn’t have cancer but is pregnant and unsure if the baby is healthy. Either way, will it be a two-episode drama bit or an extended story plot?

Lucas Scott civilly agreed with Julian to continue with the movie and flew out to LA to meet with a director. Any former “Dawson’s Creek” fan was probably excited and shocked at this point. Instead of seeing passive, movie-loving Dawson Leery, fans were introduced to a coke-snorting, hyperactive director with a set of his own opinions. It can’t be a good thing when the director of your movie is already snorting coke off your script. But the whole Titanic bit did provide me with a few chuckles. The director posed various questions to spice up Lucas’ script. What if Haley dies? What if Lucas and Haley get married? Personally, all those scenarios could have been the exact plot line to spice up last week’s unique episode but should not be worked into “An Unkindness of Ravens.” He may not have said Peyton, but it sure was ironic for him to brainstorm a tragic death.

The biggest shock of the night was of course, the unveiling of Jack’s brother. Brooke Davis’ worst nightmare came true the moment Sam confessed to knowing her attacker. With the assumption that Brooke would no longer want her as her friend, Sam took off. Unbeknownst to her, Brooke overcame her initial fear and tried to find her, but was unsuccessful and with no help from typical Owen. Now this can allow Brooke to locate Sam and confront her attacker face-to-face. But what are the odds of the same guy being involved in both Brooke’s attack and the murder of Quentin? Fans can ask themselves these questions over and over, but when it comes down to it, when has OTH ever been full of well, reality.

Mouth continued to actually put his foot in his mouth with his so-called platonic friendship with Gigi. At Gigi’s work party, Mouth gave her a gift – the orange shirt she slept in after getting hammered at work. Later on, Gigi used the gift to her advantage as she took a picture of herself wearing only the shirt and sending it to Mouth on his cell phone. Unfortunately, Mouth being the bonehead he has been lately, did not delete the picture and not surprisingly, Millie found it. Fuming and upset, she went to Tric and announced to a defeated Owen that her virginity will be non-existent by the next day. Owen, sober for eight years, cheered to Gigi’s announcement with his own drink. Personally, I highly doubt anything will happen between the two of them. One of them will come to their senses and dig themselves out of their pity me situation.

Creator Mark Schwahn delivered one hell of a half season of “One Tree Hill.” While many problems arose and were laid to rest, several others have just begun. In the meantime, fans can only imagine what the rest of the season holds for our favorite OTH characters as “One Tree” Hill returns on Monday, January 5.

Story by Kathryn Sparks

Starpulse contributing writer