For years, One Tree Hill introduced the world to characters they would go on to love, and some that we would never stop loathing. Despite this divide of love and hate, each character had growth in their own way and proved that there are many sides to people that determine who they are and that everyone can change for the better.
The men of One Tree Hill and their relationships over the course of the show were major plot points that moved the series forward. From the love triangle between Peyton, Lucas, and Brooke to the trials and tribulations of Nathan and Haley's young marriage, the Scott brothers and their friends were always involved in different romantic endeavors, with some being better at love than others.
Dan Scott
Not only was Dan Scott an actual murderer, but he also got two women pregnant in the span of three months and decided to raise one of the children and neglect the other. Dan wasn't romantic partner potential, because he wasn't even acquaintance material.
Dan was manipulative, narcissistic, and irredeemable in every sense of the world. Every time fans thought they saw the world of the Scott patriarch, they were proved wrong and he took his evilness to the next level.
Chris Keller
Chris Keller entered Tree Hill in Season 2 as an antagonist to Nathan and Haley's marriage. He returned throughout the series as a frenemy to the now-adult Tree Hill residents and got somewhat of a redemption arc when he helped get Nathan out of captivity in Season 9.
Chris was never long-term (or even short-term) romance material. He didn't stand a chance against Nathan and Haley's true love, and his fling with Brooke was forgettable at best. His friendship with Chase was one of his strong suits, only foiled by their shared interest in a girl named Tara.
Lucas Scott
Lucas Scott never learned to make a decision. He couldn't decide whether or not to let Dan into his life, to become close with Nathan, or if he was truly in love with Peyton Sawyer.
King of the almighty love triangle, Lucas brought his indecisiveness into adulthood, where he nearly got married to Lindsey because he felt rejected by Peyton. At the end of the day, Lucas and Peyton were meant for one another, because they both weren't above sabotaging other relationships if it meant they got to be together.
Chase Adams
When Chase was first introduced as Brooke's love interest, he was cute and awkward, but possibly too awkward for a girl like Brooke Davis.
As they reconnected (and realized they were better off as friends) in adulthood, Chase had romances with musician Mia and actress Alex Dupre. Chase's heart of gold was always the strongest thing going for him, but as time went on his choice in women was flawed, to say the least, and he never figured out how to make love last.
Keith Scott
Dan's older brother Keith had been in love with Lucas's mom Karen since before the series began. He was always better for her than Dan, and a better father figure to Lucas.
Keith seemed to always go for the women Dan had first, like his brief affair with Deb and his never-ending love for Karen. His romance with Jules proved that he just wanted a partner to share life with, but was once again fooled by his scheming brother. Ultimately, Keith was a good man who loved with his entire soul and unfortunately met an untimely end.
Skills Taylor
Skills Taylor provided some of the best comic relief in the show and deserved more screen time than he got. He was a great uncle to Jamie, and his on-again-off-again romance with Bevin was a bright spot in contrast to the more serious, troubled relationships on the show.
Skills's fling with Nathan's mother, Deb, was uncomfortable for everyone to watch, and never made much sense. He could do so much better than Nathan's flakey mom, and fans hoped that one day he would reignite his spark with Bevin.
Mouth McFadden
Mouth was the guy all the girls loved -- as a friend. He was a devoted and loyal pal but never looked at as anything more. It wasn't until he met Millie in Season 5 that he finally found himself in real love.
Mouth and Millie's relationship wasn't perfect, mostly because she did a lot early on to drive a wedge between the two of them. However, Mouth was always her partner, supporting her when she couldn't support herself. Mouth was someone you'd be lucky to have in your life, as a friend or a romantic partner.
Nathan Scott
Nathan Scott's character growth was exponential throughout the run of One Tree Hill. He went from an arrogant, smug kid to a mature, loving husband and father who would do anything for his family.
As an adult, Nathan and Haley had their marriage struggles due to his back injury and Nanny Carrie's flirtatious ways. They always came out on the other side, however, because Nathan made sure to let Haley know that he only ever had eyes for her, and would stick true to their wedding vows and continue loving her for the rest of their days. Nathan wouldn't be perfect for everyone, but he would always be perfect for Haley.
Clay Evans
Clay's introduction in Season 7 gave Nathan a new friend and filled the void left by Lucas at the end of Season 6. Clay seemed to have all the positive attributes of the blonde Scott brother; he was handsome, a little jaded, and on Nathan's side.
Clay's tragic past (including the death of his wife and him literally forgetting he had a child) made him three-dimensional and gave space for his relationship with Haley's sister Quinn to grow. He was a good boyfriend and wanted a happy, full life for himself, Quinn, and Logan.
Julian Baker
There was nobody in the Tree Hill universe, or the world, more perfect for Brooke Penelope Davis than Julian Baker. At first introduced as the ex-boyfriend of her best friend Peyton Sawyer, Julian quickly became the only person who fully saw Brooke for the amazing person she was, and wanted to give her the love she deserved.
Julian continued to grow as his time on the show progressed. He went from being perceived as a cocky movie-making big-shot to an adorable, dorky dad to twin boys. He fit in great with all of Brooke's friends, and never stopped trying to be the man she pictured spending forever with.