For dedicated fans who have followed the show through eight seasons, this latest DVD offering is another typical One Tree Hill. Premiering last September, the 22 part series really plays to its loyal fans with a return to the original theme song “I Don’t Want to Be” covered by a different artist each episode.

James Lafferty, Bathany Joy Galoetti (previously Lenz), Lee Norris and Sophia Bush are other returning favorites from the early seasons, with evil Dad Dan Scott featuring in two dramatic episodes.

An exciting season opener concludes the cliffhanger from series 7, where we see Clay and Quinn fighting for their lives after being shot and left for dead in the previous season finale. Meanwhile Hayley and Nathan are dealing with news of their own and Brooke finds herself in trouble with the law. This first episode is well-written and follows all the expected highs and lows of a (not-so) teen drama. The acting is on par throughout the 22 episodes, but this could be more down to the fact that the cast is so comfortable in its roles rather than any actual acting ability (which they may all have, but seeing as no ones been in anything else it’s hard to tell).

All-in-all the journey for the One Tree Hill gang continues in the way most of these drama series do that have essentially passed their peak. Die hard fans won’t be disappointed because it has hardly changed from its inception, but newcomers won’t find anything enticing to keep them watching.