Episode Title: 'A Rush of Blood to the Head'
Airdate: February 29th, 2012
Ratings: 1.56 mil (↑ 0.9%)
Bethany Joy Galeotti’s brilliant, bruising and entirely committed performance in “A Rush of Blood to the Head,” is the truest testament of the actress’s dedication to deliver a performance beyond what is expected of her. The intense preparation that goes into every performance most definitely pays off on screen— and last night was no exception. Completely immersed in the tragic plot where Haley struggles to find Nathan, Galeotti flawlessly captures the emotional turmoil, anxiety, and frustration involved in locating a missing loved one. Never content in portraying Haley as the victim, Galeotti upholds a unique grace and poise as Haley searches for him.
In this episode Haley’s enduring sadness intensifies when she receives a phone call from the morgue saying they’ve identified a body that may be Nathan’s. This single moment initiates one of the strongest montages in One Tree Hill history. The keys and the phone crash abruptly to the floor and the camera pans to Galeotti’s numb expression. The news is so powerful and so hard-hitting that it debilitates Haley to a point where she loses all strength to hold herself up.
Burdened by the impending news of her husband’s possible death, Haley heads to the morgue crying silently in the passenger seat as she delivers what can easily be the most touching yet heartbreaking voice over this show has ever seen:
“And you looked at me so tenderly, Nathan, and you said you always chose mint chocolate chip because you knew it was my favorite flavor. And that’s when I realized for the first time that you hadn’t been making any of your decisions for yourself. You were doing everything for me all along, for your family. And it occurred to me that we still had so much to learn about each other. And since then Nathan, I’ve learned about the wonderfully selfless, humble, strong man you are. Nathan, I can’t hear that you’ll never come home again, that I’ll never learn something new about you again, never experience your selflessness, your love, your warm touch again. Nathan, please – have we really had our last conversation? Our last kiss? I don’t know what I’d do – please.” – Haley James Scott (9.08)Amidst the heavy drama, Haley draws upon this “insignificant” yet tender memory of Nathan that reinforces why these two are the cornerstone of One Tree Hill. Despite the fact that this favorite-ice-cream-flavor moment never played before us on screen, Galeotti vividly brings us to relive it. She conveys such warmth and sincerity that you would have to be made of stone not to sympathize with her and feel the magnitude of Nathan and Haley's love.
When Haley arrives, she whispers something to Quinn and gathers the strength to face the manifestation of her biggest fear. Her breath hitches and the man pulls the heavy sheet, exposing the body. She reluctantly looks at the body – Galeotti doesn’t say a single word, but her physical reaction reveals it all. With a look of deep shock, disgust and agony she cries and then strongly signals to cover the unidentified lifeless body that lies before her.Although fans may have felt cheated given the buildup of this poignant moment (no, it wasn't Nathan), Galeotti’s spectacular performance distracts from the fact, as this breakdown is the strongest work we’ve ever seen from an actor on this show. And like Matt Mitovich from TVLine says in response to the latest episode, "Damn, the Actress Formerly Known as Joie Lenz can cry."
The episode continues as Haley somberly talks about the tornado of events with Deb and Brooke. Haley makes minor progress but seeks more help by going to the local precinct to speak to the only Tree Hill cop on duty. Here, Galeotti flawlessly captures the disappointment and disillusionment with the police force, and their lack of support in locating Nathan. Haley looks so defeated and her voice sounds like she’d been crying for hours – which adds an amazing element of realism that can be lent to Galeotti's ability to channel deep into the pain of her character. Unapologetically, Haley yells her heart out screaming “it’s not enough” as she violently shoves objects off a desk in an attempt to drive the police to find Nathan. Galeotti's tears are so impactful that it legitimately feels like fans are too fighting to look for Nathan, although we already know where he is.
“A Rush of Blood to the Head,” will go down in One Tree Hill history as one of the most moving episodes ever produced – all thanks to the phenomenally talented, Bethany Joy Galeotti. This woman possesses such immense potential and it's an awe-inspiring experience watching her live up to it. What a gift! If Hollywood critics and casting directors aren’t already aware of Galeotti’s talent I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this is the beginning to a journey towards BIG things in her career.
There’s just something so enigmatic and striking about the way she effortlessly thrusts audiences so intimately into the complex world of Haley James Scott – the woman posses a certain je ne sais quoi, an IT Factor that no other actor on this show has. And it's that unique and undefined "IT" that makes Galeotti so special – so unique. Her talent is truly something that will be revered for years and years to come.
And as they say on tumblr, “all the awards for you, girl.” Congratulations on a wonderful performance.
(Image credit goes to screen--caps and lovablesinss on tumblr. Thank you ladies!)
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