Veronica Mars S01E17

The episode that makes us ask ourselves, which is cheaper, a PI or college tuition?

In the last episode, Veronica spent her college fund to sober up her mother. Now she’s worried about how she’ll afford college. It seems to me that she makes plenty of money. A thousand dollars for a week’s work? She could easily afford Harvard at that rate. Plus, she can do it during finals week. I mean, if she works part time through college, she’ll have no trouble. It’s just another mirage to chase.

Similarly, we’re being set up to think that Duncan killed Lilly, and as I previously said, it’s a false lead. We probably haven’t even met the killer yet, or if we have, he/she/it hasn’t been linked to Lilly in any meaningful way. Bah humbug.

Logan was completely reasonable and even nice in this episode. And he managed to keep his pants on. Doesn’t make me like him. His story about Duncan throttling his own father is interesting, but I don’t think it applies to Lilly. I mean, if I were faced with Jake Kane on a daily basis and suddenly had my inhibitions removed, I’d throttle him too.

Finally, Koontz’s daughter seems like a nice enough girl and I’m wondering what all the security chief told her. He told the Mars clan that he just told her about her father’s health, but I think he is probably more crafty than that, and it would have taken more than that to convince her. I guess we’ll never know.

Well, it’s time to hang up my Veronica Mars hat until Sunday. Hopefully I can finish season one then. I’m so used to BBC shows that only have six episodes per season I forgot how arduous it can be watching an entire American series.

Veronica Mars S01E16

The episode in which Veronica finds a parrot, a mother, and a little spirit.

“Whoever said it’s a man’s world had no idea how easy it is sometimes to be a girl.”

“Please tell me that’s not filled with Polish hookers?”

“I don’t want to hear about your protein deficiency. If you eat eggs, you eat babies.”

If you were surprised that Abel Koontz is leaving behind survivors, raise your hand. What a surprise. Of course he has survivors. These murder mystery revelations are non-revelations. I figured out these things a while back.

Oh, and if Veronica’s mom really thought that Veronica was Kane’s daughter, why didn’t she try to break up Veronica and Duncan? I think that’s just more ephemera to tantalize us.

Speaking of tantalizing, I think the murder mystery bit is leading us down the wrong paths. They’re setting up Duncan’s epilepsy and memory loss as a possibility. They’re also setting up something with the Weevil/Lilly angle as well as the Logan/Lilly break up. This episode reiterated the Celeste Kane possibility. They keep setting up more whos for the whodunit. But I think Logan, Weevil, and Duncan loved her too much. I’m even going to assume Celeste isn’t a total witch, just hates what Veronica might represent. And Veronica’s mom corroborates Jake Kane’s alibi. So, who did it? Argh. I get this feeling that the writers are going to pull the same trick they did with the answer to this episode: not provide enough foreshadowing then suddenly drag the criminal from nowhere.

Look at the violation of mystery procedure perpetrated in this episode. We have several people set up who may have done it, none of whom did. We could guess it was someone from Neptune. We found out it was #13. We knew Jake had orchestrated the goat kidnapping, but only after the missing parrot had become news (it could be unrelated). And we knew that Wallace was better than him in basketball. BUT, we don’t get to see Jack’s number until seconds before the revelation was made. The rest was circumstantial and most of the hints could implicate anyone at Neptune, especially Wallace. So, we were not provided with the tools to accurately guess the identity of the parrotknapper until seconds before Veronica tells us. The story is entertaining, but it doesn’t play the game fairly. A good mystery provides the clues but does so in such clever riddles that you don’t figure it out until your told, but when you look back, you say, “Blyad! I’m stupid.”

As I said, I think this episode is representative of the overall murder. I think that none of the people being set up as possibilities now will be the murderer and we won’t be given the tools to even start looking at the riddle until the last moments before the solution is revealed. It’s just not playing fair.

On a better note, I liked how Veronica has overcome her hatred of school activities for the sake of friends in the last two episodes. First she went with Meg to a party then the dance. Now she does school spirit things for Wallace like attend the game and bake snickerdoodles. She’s growing in a way that lets her accept her old self. Now if she could just accept that Meg and Duncan are a better match than her and Duncan.

Second, I was happy to see the mother, even if she was a wreck. It helps to balance the image of Veronica’s family that we have been getting. It seems strange they couldn’t get her some sort of treatment that didn’t cost the entirety of Veronica’s college fund, but that just emphasizes the unfailingness of familial love.

Veronica Mars S01E15

This is the Russian “bride” episode.

I was hoping the whole time that Meg’s secret admirer was Duncan. It would simplify things. And guess what, I was right. I am too good for my own good. But why does Veronica, who thinks there’s a good chance he’s her brother, get so broken up about it. It just makes no sense. But then, girls rarely do to me.

“I look like Manila-whore Barbie.”

“Wang chung, or I’ll kick your ass.”

“Logan, when did you stop wearing pants?”

So, as Logan sat in the hotel, I liked him. When he cried, I thought, “He has a heart after all.” As he cried with his head against Veronica’s breasts, I wondered, “Isn’t it strange that he finds Veronica while looking for his mother?” Oedipus Rex, thy name is Logan. There’s one father I wouldn’t mind being killed; as much as I’ve disliked Logan, I dislike his father much more.

The deputy is a character made from cardboard. He won’t stand long as a love interest. Even Logan is at least interesting.

And as we reach the end of what has been one of the better episodes (what can I say, Logan cried and at least three words of Russian were exchanged), we find her mother and find her drugged/drunk and being watched. AACH. What a horrible cliffhanger for me to endure.

Veronica Mars S01E14

The episode in which a teacher impregnates a girl, a Logan looks for his mommy, and Veronica stops answering the phone.

In this corner, Veronica Mars, child prodigy! And in the other corner, Keith Mars, hated ex-sheriff. Let’s get ready to RUMBLE!

I was glad about the father/daughter spy v. spy in this one and wish we could have seen more. I also wish we could have seen more of the medical records story line. I wouldn’t have minded seeing more Logan storyline even. The episode suffered from too many fertile plots and too little time (not unlike Love Actually).

It also had too many great lines to even try to list, but here’s a couple:

“Tell me where to put your father of the year trophy, ‘cause I have an idea.”

“They thought I was trying to turn their daughters into little beret-wearing, cloves-smoking Bolsheviks.”
“Were you?”
“Nyet.”
. . .
“Thanks Mr. Rooks.”
“Dosvidanya Veronica.”

Few things win me over as quickly as a few words in a language I’ve studied.

This is a rather small thing, but I think important: in this episode, Duncan sought out Veronica for no apparent reason. Previously, we’ve seen them thrown together by circumstance, we’ve seen Veronica use a connection to Duncan for some reason, but we’ve never seen either of them just go talk to the other for no apparent reason. Perhaps Logan “hiring” her was enough to let Duncan do what he’s wanted to for so long. It’s an interesting development. As is Veronica telling the deputy that she fell for him. And then the humanizing of Logan. So many guys, so little time, eh Veronica? (And please don’t forget Weevil is still a constant help in trouble.)

Logan is nearly acceptable in this episode, but he’s still a childish prig. It definitely is his volta. Still, I don’t like him.

As for the revelation that the death row inmate was already dieing . . . yawn. Guessed that one ten episodes ago. Or more. I’m not sure but anyone with half a brain could see that was a factor in his false confession.

For a while now I’ve been wanting to talk about the depictions of the father figure. He’s not nearly as bumbling as one might expect. He’s increasingly downright intelligent and responsible. That’s a rare breed on TV today.

In the struggle to show strong female characters over the last two decades, TV writers have increasingly changed the archetype of the father figure. Back in the fifties, sixties, and seventies, fathers were always intelligent, responsible, brave, resourceful, etc. To sum it up, the trope was that “Father Knows Best.” Now the role of zany Lucy is played by men and fix-it Ricky is played by the women. Just think of shows like Home Improvement, Reba, and Everybody Loves Raymond. Women/mothers are wise and loving, men/fathers play the clown. Even in Dharma and Greg, where Dharma is supposed to be so wacky, it’s usually her wackiness that saves the day and stolid Greg is proved the fool. It’s almost as if we’re incapable of conceiving of gender equality, and when asked to confront old stereotypes, we simply switch the roles rather than dealing with the problem. Instead of showing weak and dependant women, we show little boys who never became adults, they just move from mother to mothering wife without an interlude of independence.

Keith Mars plays a comic character but not a clown. He deals with issues and he jokes. I wish more TV shows could do that.

Veronica Mars S01E13

The episode in which a girl runs away to Vegas to get married, and an ass attends his mother’s funeral.

Nothing really stands out about this episode. I mean, it’s solid, but in no way exceptional.

I really liked the science-whiz gangsta-rapper son, but we didn’t see him enough to get to know him. Same with his sister. I wouldn’t have minded seeing the new husband either.

Logan is still an ass, but now he has an excuse. And don’t think that showing up on Veronica’s doorstep makes me change my mind on this one. I can’t say I felt like acting the way he does at a funeral, but I have felt the surrealness of funerals. His ass-likeness is mostly related to his megalomania. He doesn’t seem to realize what it’s like to be other people. He has no empathy. Everything happens to him. Not to others. I know we’re seeing his human side, but I just have a hard time believing I’ll ever like him. Which isn’t to say I appreciate bimbo-box-driving, cement-for-brains Duncan. I just don’t think the show writes men well. But then, perhaps I just don’t know the sort of men they’re writing.

I do like Weevil, the dad and Wallace. But as far as the characterization, I don’t think they really resist my earlier assessment. That’s OK. Some of my favorite shows don’t do men well (Gilmore Girls). And don’t even get me started on Jane Austin. After millennia of women being poorly written, it’s our turn.

This complaint could also be an artifact of the comparatively short amount of time a TV show has to build characters and develop plot as well as my own over-analyzing the show. Still, I’d be interested in seeing the show’s demographics.

Veronica Mars S01E12

This is the fake ID episode.

Best quote: Yadda yadda yadda “seduce the head cheerleader” yadda yadda. “How do I do that?” “Play on her insecurity.” Hilarious.

So, she gets six names of the Tritons and she automatically follows Duncan. She just wants to follow Duncan, nothing more. Any excuse will do. And everyone thinks Duncan is hung up on her, but I think there is plenty of mutual hanging. They need to move on, but then if they did, where would the show be?

Eavesdropping on the counseling sessions is both brilliant and amoral on Veronica’s part. Not a great credit to the writers though. What I don’t understand is how she was planning to do it while she was in classes. Perhaps earbuds, but it seems the suspension was really convenient. Too convenient. I don’t like convenient writing.

This episode didn’t have enough Dad time. Some, but not enough. Also, each episode balances between murder mystery and mystery du jour, and I keep losing interest in Lilly's murder and unravelling the Kane family. I'm glad for the weekly story line, but it's concerning that the arc loses my interest so easily at this point. I imagine the murder plot will eventually overpower the other and I hope the writers are up to the challenge.

Anyway, it’s past my bed time and I won't be able to watch the next episodes for a while. Perhaps I will need to visit someone’s house soon.

Veronica Mars S01E11

This is the Mac was switched at birth episode.

Non-random things that made me happy about this episode:

A. Spinal Tap reference. You can’t go wrong.
B. “So this is where the bourgie folks live?” I like this line just because it reminds me of Pauline (bourgie).
C. In the library at Madison’s house I saw Will and Ariel Durant’s history of Western Civilization, a formative text in my life.
D. I like that Mac returned. I think she’s a good character. Here she provides the foil for Veronica: both face not being with their real parents. And the lesson? Whether we like our family or are even related to them, we can’t choose them.
E. Weevil’s performance complaining at the police station is amazing. Absolutely amazing. He really is the second best male character (after Mr. Mars that is).

Veronica Mars S01E10

This is the Christmas party/stabbing episode that featured a poker game.

“Annoy, tiny blonde one, annoy like the wind.” –Logan

Logan has on occaision made a few references to his relationship with Duncan with terms usually reserved for romantic relationships, always jokingly. This episode is no different. That's no big deal, boys this age are fascinated with the taboo of male relations and often employ subtle homoeroticism. This episode ups the ante though. An alert watcher should notice that Duncan and Logan wear matching boxers. Hmm.

Veronica’s round up to discover the thief was great classic mystery schtik. I like these homages to the genre. Also, that strand of the plot made me once again wonder why Veronica doesn’t see Weevil as boyfriend material. Sure, he steals Faberge eggs, but that just shows he has good taste. And anyway, he returned them. Honor among thieves, and at least he’s honest about his dark side.

The falling out between Mr. and Mrs. Kane after Veronica confronted Mr. Kane was quite intriguing. We’ll have to see were it leads. I have time for one more before bed, so I’m not going to ramble.

Veronica Mars S01E09

This is the rich kid joins a cult episode.

I know he was a guest star and not a contender, but this episode finally had a young male character that one could like. Casey (played by Jonathan Bennett of Mean Girls fame) is handsome, moderately intelligent, newly nice, and incredibly well heeled. He’s the knight in shining armor that would be a perfect-world match for Veronica. But of course, as has been well said by better TV addicts than I, perfect-world matches make for poor storytelling. There’s a reason why the fairy tales don’t go in depth about the happily-ever-afters. It’s boring. It’s best to leave the perfect match fellows for when you know the show is about to be cancelled.

Why, why on earth, does Veronica shred the paternity test results? She’s dealing with the possibility now, would the truth make life better? Perhaps she’s just as afraid of not being Kane’s daughter. She’s just found a comforting story to tell herself about why Duncan broke up with her. She’d have to give that up. Maybe she secretly likes the idea of being the heiress. The more I think about it, the less likely I feel it is for her to be Duncan’s sister. Lilly seemed to have known the real reason why Duncan broke up with Veronica, and I think Lilly would have told Veronica and the world. There are other reasons that are harder to express as well.

I really liked that this episode showed the “cult” to actually be a healthy community that was pleasingly abnormal rather than scarily freakish. Sometimes there are good people in the world. Sometimes idealists like to get together. Sometimes we shouldn’t judge people by their poor taste in names. (Mooncalves? Seriously.)

We didn’t have any significant Logan time, which was nice on the one hand (since he’s an impish ass) but also not so great because one of the things I’m watching for is his character’s development. Oh well. That English teacher is a character whose development I’d like to follow ... anyway ...

No favorite lines since I didn’t have a pencil while I was watching and I really like watching these full screen.

I can finally read this article now that I’ve finished episode 9, plus I’ve got episode 10 ready to view so no waiting!