The CW team One Tree Hill defined the young adult drama genre in the 2000s. The program maintains a large international following due to its handling of complex topics (from teenage pregnancy to shootings and divorce) and related situations to young viewers. The villain of the show for many seasons is Dan Scott (played by Paul Johansson) the patriarch of the Scott family and the father of the brothers Lucas and Nathan Scott. However, while Dan Scott has committed brutal acts over the course of the show’s nine seasons, he is a true villain One Tree Hill is something none other than his son, Lucas.
Lucas Scott’s character was a teenage heartthrob. Dan Scott fathered his sons within months of marriage, one with his girlfriend Karen and the other with his college girlfriend Deb. As a result, the half-brothers develop a unique rivalry – fueled by Dan’s cunning. However, for all his father’s objections, Lucas Scott ends up destroying relationships and friendships even more throughout the show. It’s one thing to be a morally difficult character, but true evil relies on selfish actions that affect large groups of people. After dissecting Lucas’ actions, it’s clear that he belongs in this category.
Lucas’ Role in the Show’s Infamous Love Triangle
More Showtime Drama From Lucas’ Love Life
Lucas Scott’s act of bullying was to get lifelong best friends Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush) and Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton), and he continued to date both of them after cheating on Brooke and Peyton multiple times. While his cheating was inherently selfish in itself, the true evil lies in his choice to compete against two longtime friends. Peyton Sawyer lost her mother in a car accident when she was young, and she often relied on Brooke Davis for a strong female friendship and source of emotional support. Lucas Scott thoughtlessly removed them, and continued to wrong both girls throughout the show.
Meanwhile, Lucas Scott’s problematic treatment of women also extends to his best friend Haley James. Although her fears about her relationship with her brother were justified, her judgment of him was not. Haley James starts out as a shy and defiant character who tutors students after school and works at Lucas’ mother Karen’s restaurant, and eventually breaks out and befriends Brooke Davis in the hit squad. His quick jump into questioning Haley’s character was unnecessary, and proves once again that the character picks and chooses which women he wants to respect.
Lucas Scott’s End of Reunion Chaos
Even as an Adult, Lucas Continues to Wreak Havoc
After a time skip that brings the Tree Hill gang back to his hometown college and Peyton’s time in the music industry in California, Lucas announces his engagement to his book editor, Lindsey. He is presented as a kind and sympathetic character who wants to understand the important roots of Lucas’ hometown, so that Lucas can destroy their relationship again. This time, he publicly humiliates her by leaving her at the altar to run off with Peyton again.
While Brooke Davis finds happiness and Haley James happily marries Nathan Scott, Lucas Scott seems neutral about his worst actions.
Although Lucas ultimately ends up with Peyton, viewers are led to feel that all of their conflicts that brought them together were worth it, when, in fact, they left a broken road of chaos in their wake. While Brooke Davis finds happiness and Haley James happily marries Nathan Scott, Lucas Scott seems neutral about his worst actions.
To add insult to injury, after consummating their engagement on their wedding day in front of the whole town, Lucas goes on to reveal that the book that put him on the map (edited by Lindsey) was actually about his love for Peyton. Actions like this may be the reason for the absence of Lucas Scott’s character in the newly confirmed ones One Tree Hill The sequel, which will feature Hilarie Burton and Sophia Bush reprising their roles as Peyton Sawyer and Brooke Davis. In 2024Lucas Scott’s disrespectful actions will surely receive more condemnation.