First Day On A Brand New Planet(Season 3, Episode 3)

Lucas and Haley have a cute first day of school tradition: they write predictions for things they want to happen, and put them in a tiny lunch box stashed away behind a brick on the roof of the diner. They postpone making new predictions this year though, because all the past ones bring up bittersweet memories. Haley will apply to be a tutor! Karen and Uncle Keith will get married!

Haley goes to school and is taunted by some other girls. They call her "Kelly Clarkson," which is a pretty lame insult. "Hey, we're comparing you to that other singer who is really successful!" Nyah nyah nyah!

Dan's memories of the fire have started to return. He knows he saw Lucas in the dealership that night. In fact he thinks Lucas is the perpetrator! Dan also makes good on his one of his threats... he somehow convinced the school board to hold a special hearing to decide if Whitey should be replaced as coach of the Ravens. Whitey is unbowed, and throws a few zingers Dan's way. He calls Dan a cockroach, and wonders how Dan could get burned, if he was the devil.

We hear Whitey on the phone, insinuating that Dan bribed the board members with discounts on cars. Maybe that's how he got the hearing. He gets Haley and Nathan to talk to each other by giving them detention. In fact, he gives Haley detention three times! Once for fighting with those girls, once for yelling at him, and one more for calling him Whitey.

Oh, That Brooke! Apparently Haley isn't making any money from her record at all, because Brooke is having trouble making the rent. She gets a job working at a trendy clothing store called "Suburban Filth." This is the beginning of Brooke's clothing designer storyline, which plays out over the rest of the series.

Speaking of that hearing: Dan argues that Whitey should be replaced, because he's never won a state championship for the team. It's a matter of civic pride! Karen is allowed to speak on Whitey's behalf, and she lets the board know that Whitey is a mentor to these kids, and that's more important than championships, right? The school board is swayed by this, and Whitey remains as coach!

Lucas has confronts Ellie Harp about buying the drugs. She claims it's marijuana for treatment of cancer. Peyton balks at this. Also, Peyton foes ballistic when Larry allows Ellie in her room around her record collection. Not a pretty sight.

PLOT TWIST TIME!  Lucas and Peyton are alone in the gym(doing the reminiscing thing) when Dan strikes. He does his best to strangle Lucas to death, until Peyton begs Lucas to reveal the truth: Lucas saved Dan from the fire. In a flashback we seem him dragging Dan out into the parking lot and then running off in shame.

CLIFFHANGER(S):  Nathan tells Haley they should remain separated for one year. This prompts Haley to a new prediction for that lunch box.  We see Dan receiving a mystery brown envelope from a police officer.

"Will not siphon gasoline ever again."