(Season 3, Episodes 16-18)
Thank god for Paul Rudd. With no big mystery stringing these final episodes together, there isn’t a whole lot of focus. Keith is back in the sheriff’s office — which is still strange — and the dating musical-chairs game is in full swing. It’s a shame, as this certainly isn’t a really strong way to end the series. I’ve been told that the series finale is a strong one, though. I’ll find out soon.
“Un-American Graffiti“
This wasn’t a bad episode, but there wasn’t really a whole lot going on. The case of the week had some interesting aspects, but it was a little contrived for my tastes. It didn’t have any of the clever twists, or plays on common stereotypes, that most episodes of the show have. An angry, ignorant American attacks the local Arabs. I think it could have been a little more clever.
The sub-plot with the underage drinking in the bars on campus wasn’t that spectacular either. I like that someone finally called out Veronica on some of her moral ambiguity (making fake IDs) after she has been riding her high horse for most of the season. The rest of the story line was subpar, though. Keith is awesome and a good guy. We get it. Lamb was a corrupt moron. We get it.
“Debasement Tapes“
This was definitely the winner out of this group of episodes, almost completely thanks to Paul Rudd. He put in a typically Rudd-tastic performance as the drunk, washed-up rock musician, Desmond Fellows. It was fun just watching him snark his way through the world of Veronica Mars.
With Vinnie Van Lowe entering the sheriff’s race, I’m really hoping for some good fireworks between him and Keith in these last few installments.
“I Know What You’ll Do Next Summer”
Wow … Dick is actually human. Who knew? I thought the show did a great job with showing a bit of his human side in this episode when he met up with his fugitive father, without going too far. To see Dick completely break down would have been a betrayal to the character, but the writers didn’t go too far.
The case of the week was a little dull, with an African student being hunted down by his long lost father. There was also a ton of relationship stuff, with everyone going all googly because the summer break is coming and they’ll be separating. I was so happy to see that Veronica was super-excited about her internship with the FBI, not even picking up on Piz’s disappointment that they would be apart. Seriously, dude, you’re in college, don’t be an idiot. One summer away isn’t going to ruin your life.
It was also nice to see Leo back on the show, and given somewhat of a happy ending, being made a deputy again. We’ll see if anyone else gets a happy ending.
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Sep 01, 2009 @ 16:00 EST5EDT
Un-American Graffiti I thought was so contrived I hated it. Also the underage drinking plot line just felt too after school special for me. Veronica Mars is not the right show for that. I Know What You’ll Do Next Summer had the same problem but was less annoying about it.
Debasement Tapes was great however because it reeked of Paul Rudd. Even when he wasn’t on screen. Maybe he tinkered with the script a little bit. Even though he couldn’t even save the crappy relationship plots.
I didn’t like these episodes. But i loved Paul Rudd as always, and the little Dick story.
Probably the worst three episodes of the series. Thank God for Paul Rudd.
I agree with Natalie that these were the worst three episodes of the series (and Dick’s character was so inconsistent this season, going back to his old self after his downfall in the premiere, that even his story felt about 17 episodes too late).
Even Paul Rudd couldn’t help Debasement Tapes. It was so clearly a sloppily written “mystery” just to cater to a big name guest-star, and the writers were too lazy to think of something clever to make it worthwhile. I’d buy that a mystery that’s not a mystery at all might be a nice change of pace, but this one was poorly executed.