<P> Sophia Bush directed the penultimate episode of the series . The CW has given more promotion for the launch of the final season than it has since the fifth season . Mark Pedowitz said, "I'm a big believer in giving shows a proper sendoff . "It deserves a proper sendoff . Not many shows last nine years . Mark, his team and the cast deserve a really good sendoff . I think we did a good job for them this year ." </P> <P> After backlash from fans about whether Sophia Bush had asked not to work with Murray during his episode, she cleared up the matter in an interview with Zap2it: </P> <P> "When I got the script and saw that Lucas was back, I called Mark, and I told him that if he wanted to write scenes where the whole gang gets together at Haley's house and talks about how they're going to find Nathan, then he should write that . I've never asked not to work with any former cast mates, and I'm certainly not going to start now, in the final season . This show is too important to me, and these characters are too important to me, and the fans are too important to me ." </P> <P> The series finale aired on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, 8: 00--10: 00 p.m., as a special two - hour event . It featured interviews with the series' stars as they look back at the shows most memorable moments . </P>

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