(Season 1, Episodes 21-22)
Well, I’ve finished season one of Veronica Mars. It seems like the popular opinion is that season one was the best, which has me a little nervous moving in to season two. I enjoyed season one, but didn’t fall over myself in love with the show. It’s a fun romp, but I didn’t think it was anything more than that. The season long mystery was great, but some episodes were subpar.
Just a little warning: I’m going to get a bit nitpicky after the jump.
“A Trip to the Dentist”
I think my favorite part of the whole season was that pathetic little “I’m in hiding” beard that Duncan grew. It totally made me laugh out loud.
So… In my first post I said that the rape subplot seemed like it was shoved into the pilot with a whole lot of exposition about Veronica and the murder of Lilly Kane. It pretty much stayed dormant for the entire season until this episode, the penultimate of the season. I guess I just don’t understand why this plot was even necessary. It was kind of seedy, even for a show focusing on a murder, and seemed like an afterthought. Also, the conclusion was a bit anticlimactic, in my opinion.
With all that being said, I thought Kristen Bell did a great job in the episode as the vengeful woman on a mission to find who had done her wrong. There were a lot of emotions, and I thought her performance was really excellent. I also like how Veronica’s trip through the past brought back just about every character that we saw throughout the season. That was a nice touch.
“Leave it to Beaver”
I feel like I should have known Aaron was behind everything, but I had never even considered him a suspect. He was clearly a little unstable and violent, but I didn’t know why he would have had reason to kill Lilly. Thanks to his dirty little habit of taping his sexual exploits, it quickly became apparent that he definitely had a motive. I will miss Harry Hamlin on the show, he was great in this role.
This was a great finale, with lots of twists (the Kanes actually thought Duncan killed his sister) and excitement, but I do have one gripe about the climax. After a whole season of establishing Veronica as a kick butt, do-anything, empowered woman, she ends up the damsel in distress and has to get rescued by her father. Really? I was a little disappointed, but it certainly wasn’t a big deal.
I was really glad to see Veronica send her mother away. I thought that she had way too much faith and patience with her mother, but I can’t blame her, it was her mom. I hope that Keith can move on with Wallace’s mom now, and Veronica can get past the ugly situation too.
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Jun 26, 2009 @ 13:00 EST5EDT
That was the brilliance of the first season, who did it made perfect sense and was still shocking. Sadly the second season isn’t like that.
This is only season 1, just because you think you know everything doesn’t mean you do. ;)
The first season of Veronica Mars was beautiful for me.
Yes it is not the best of the best tv show (we have The Wire and Six Feet Under) but it’s no far behind.
I love this show because it has a heart for me, it’s speaks to me i can’t help it.
The writing and the acting (Kristen Bell but also the supporting cast : Enrico Colontani, Jason Dohring above all) was outstanding.
It will be always well known as a cult show.
Read the trivia page for the show on imdb. The original idea for the murder plot sounds actually more interesting to me and Duncan and Veronica would of turned out to be related.
I think you have some valid points. I had actually forgotten about the rape until they brought it up again all the way at the end of the season. But I still think “A Trip to the Dentist” is one of the best episodes of the series, and I loved the use of flashbacks and various characters (I think I watched that episode about 4 times before it finally clicked who everyone was). To quote Oreo above…”just because you think you know everything, doesn’t mean you do.” You need to remember, Veronica Mars is smarter than us. :)
I’ll admit, the second season isn’t as well put-together. But I still enjoyed it very much, and there are still some stand-out episodes. The plots may have needed some work, but the dialogue and the characters make it worth watching. There is more Vinnie and Cliff (and even Aaron) to look forward to, if that sweetens the pot at all… And in my opinion, Logan and Weevil are awesome in season 2.
I wouldn’t worry about season 2, it’s pretty much as good as season 1. Season 3 is where the show becomes dips in quality.
I agree with Juliet about the performances from Kristin Bell, Enrico Colotani, and Jason Dohring. They really elevate the show to another level. They bring such presence and depth to their characters. I honestly believe Kristin Bell is one of the best actresses alive today – I just hope she does more TV (they totally wasted her talents on Heroes – damn them)!
I also remember being a bit upset that Veronica had to be rescued at the end of Season 1, but I also remember just being so happy that she was rescued that I went along with it.
but then, my family and I recently watched Coraline, and damn if they didn’t do it again. In the book, Coraline gets some help, but basically defeats the evil character herself, with her own wits. In the movie, she gets rescued at the end by the young boy character who was invented whole cloth for the movie (apparently so that he could rescue Coraline). I do not know why we, as a society, have such a problem with women being able to save themselves in our popular culture.