The sense of dread began the minute Q said he tried to be a good role model for his little brother. At that moment, he went from troubled teen to the guy with a heart of gold. In other words, Q was doomed.

The hilarious images conjured up by Jamie’s ‘Grandpa Skills’ comment and the sheer delight of watching Crazy Nanny Carrie feed live cockroaches to Dan were soon overshadowed by the certainty that the Ravens were about to lose their star player. Thankfully, ‘One Tree Hill’ has never played it safe. It is because we all know nothing is ever certain that we invest so much in the show. It is also why our hearts can be so easily broken, as was the case in the second episode of season six.

Two hearts that were intact belonged to Peyton and Lucas. The speed with which they got engaged and moved in together is astounding since no significant amount of time has passed since he was standing at the altar with Lindsey - although it really doesn’t seem that far fetched when one considers how fast Chad Michael Murray (Lucas) got engaged in real life after divorcing Sophia Bush (Brooke). Still, there are bound to be bumps ahead. Lucas can’t be completely over Lindsey. Peyton spent all of last season trying to break them up and she didn’t really get to know this grown up Lucas because of that.

Deb and Skills are actually getting to know each other on a non-sexual level. That tender kiss after he gave her mature advice was the night’s biggest ‘awww’ moment. Now if Nathan and Haley would stop saying ‘ewww’ when Deb mentions sex maybe she’d be upfront with them! Maybe not. It is, however, going to be fun watching this unconventional couple.

Brooke is actually going a more conventional route herself: buying a gun. How disappointing. We’ve all seen this one before (Dylan on ‘90210’ comes to mind). Somewhere in the back of my mind there is the thought that Q’s murder will snap Brooke out of her revenge fantasy. Sophia Bush is certainly the most talented actor in the cast and she deserves something meatier than a B movie plot. 

While Sophia gave a stellar performance in this episode, ranging from cracking jokes with two black eyes to willing herself not to cry, nothing can top the last scene. Actor Robbie Jones took Q from a loudmouth punk last season to a triumphant hero this year. How could you not cheer when he got an A+? The look on Q’s face as he turned around, knowing he was about to die, made me literally atop breathing. It’s one of those scenes that I don’t need to replay – it’s going to stick with me.

This season is shaping up to be one of the most interesting so far. No more boyfriends-of-the-week (yes, I’m talking about you Owen!) or whiney Peyton or K-Fed to dread. ‘One Tree Hill’ has realized it isn’t about teenagers anymore and that’s something to look forward to.