[3] 14 months have passed since Lucas and Peyton left town for good, but the intertwined lives in Tree Hill has undergone major changes: new faces arrived, while new challenges await those who stayed

Since Peyton has been gone for a year, Haley has to do everything in her power to protect Red Room records with the help of Mia as they make her new album.

Brooke's fashion show brings an unexpected responsibility for Millicent, and Haley convinces Quinn to talk to her estranged husband David.

Nathan and Haley are dealing with the fact that Dan has invited Renee onto his show, where she will undoubtedly air out the young Scott's dirty laundry.

Back in Tree Hill, Brooke and Haley spend Girl's Night doing a little bonding of their own, and Quinn helps Clay come to terms with a tragic loss.

Meanwhile, Dan Scott returns to Tree Hill much to the chagrin of Nathan, who is about to sign a new NBA contract with the help of his agent Clay.

Nathan and Haley's careers bring about a tough decision for the family, and Julian divulges a secret to Alex that leads to a confrontation with Brooke.

Meanwhile, Millie's downward spiral threatens her relationship with Mouth, and Dan makes an announcement that shocks Rachel and his studio audience.

In the chaos surrounding an '80s alumni dance at the high school, Haley's birthday is forgotten, Jamie is left home alone, and Nathan and Clay are stranded 200 miles from Tree Hill.

Meanwhile, Brooke's appearance at the dance with Alexander forces Julian to relive his dorky adolescence in an episode dedicated to the memory of John Hughes.

Nathan tries to help Haley and Jamie confront Lydia's seemingly hopeless situation, while Brooke and Julian navigate their volatile relationship in the midst of a hectic movie shoot.

As Brooke angrily deals with Alex's tryst with Julian, Lydia's condition worsens, prompting Quinn and Haley to try to reconnect with Taylor.

Clay is forced to deal with Katie's unsettling advances, and Nathan helps Jamie come to terms with Lydia's impending death.

Alex discovers a secret about her leading man, Josh, that could derail Julian's film, and Clay is confronted by an unhinged Katie.

Nathan struggles to reach an increasingly depressed Haley, while Quinn leads Jamie on a Tree Hill treasure hunt.

Haley tries to overcome her depression by joining Nathan, Jamie and the rest of the Tree Hill gang on a trip to Utah for the premiere of Julian's film.

[7] Returning are both Austin Nichols who plays Julian Baker a character introduced in the sixth season and Danneel Harris who had previously portrayed bad girl Rachel Gatina.

[7] In an interview with new cast member Shantel VanSanten, she had noted the return of Lindsey McKeon as Taylor James, the sister of Haley and Quinn, midway through the season.