I didn't even know that AN directed the ep. But I loved Lucas (except the hair!)

Well both are equally important. It's just that Lucas returning, and what we see on screen will obviously be more noticeable, and memorable for the fans.

I think Austin Nichols did a great job directing, it's just that seeing Lucas after all this time was really special. Even if his hair did suck pretty badly...

I think kellerin87 makes a good point about what's obviously more noticeable and memorable to fans. When we watch a great episode of OTH it's not very often that fans say "Wow, the directing was fantastic!" (even if it was). Usually the comments are on the writing, the acting, and the music. It's very infrequent that fans are able to notice when there is great directing.

So while Austin Nichols's directing may have been more important to him (and maybe even to some of the other crew members)... and maybe even was more significant in contributing to the greatness of the episode (not that I thought it was THAT great, good but not amazing)- fans got to SEE Lucas return and that's going to be what's important to most fans (including myself).

You all say Lucas' return is so damn GREAT, cool, important for the show etc, but I sill don't get the meaning of it, he just grabbed the kids and left... AGAIN!

lucas was

Yeah I hear ya Ginevraaa. It was nice to see him but at the end it's like seriously? That's all there was? I thought he was coming back to help Haley look for Nathan. It was kind of a letdown. It was good to see him but still a letdown.