You Can Call Me Anything You Like, but My Name is Veronica
"Veronica Mars" Finale / The TV Whore
May 15, 2006
It’s probably wrong for a grown man just shy of 30 to be in love with a TV character, but I just can’t help it. I love me some Veronica Mars. And this week’s season finale of the same-named show didn’t do anything to curb this unrequited and possibly inappropriate love. For those who have not seen the finale yet and don’t want to know anything about it, you’d best stop reading this article right now.
So in the finale, as one might expect, we finally learned who blowed up the bus full of kiddies and, unsurprisingly, it wasn’t Mayor Guttenberg. As we learned last season, this show doesn’t totally “out” its villain so early in the season wrap-up. Sure, the mayor was Grade-A scum, setting up Keith with the whole dead-hooker thing and, worse yet, diddling kids because they needed a good father role-model (and giving them chlamydia in the process — he really shoulda stayed in hiding with Johnny Five). But it turns out that he was the impetus for the explosion, having diddled poor little Beaver and starting in a motion a rather nasty chain of events.
And making Cassidy “Beaver” Casablancas the ultimate bad guy is why I love this show. Going into last night’s episode, I had no idea that the Beav was going to be the villain but, in retrospect, it doesn’t feel like any sort of cheat. They had done a good job all season of playing up that there was something a little off with Beaver. Something more than the fact that he’s just a quiet/shy nerd living in the shadow of a loud and obnoxious older brother (you gotta love big brother Dick for quote gems like last night’s “I think he took Ghost World up to his room. They’re probably up there making love. Or playing Dungeons and Dragons. Or both. At the same time. They’re both, like, 12th level dorks.”). So when the cards all fall into place and Kyle Gallner (Beaver) gets to take a turn at playing menacing and evil, it feels fulfilling in the same way as Harry Hamlin’s turn of evil last season. And kudos to Gallner for his performance in this episode — when he read Veronica’s text message outing him as a killer, he did a great job at contorting his face from the dejected Beaver we’ve seen all season long to a twisted and menacing kid who, you could believe, killed more than his fair share of people.
The reason that “Mars” was able to pull off making Beaver a believable villain is because, as show creator Rob Thomas has been quoted as saying, they knew from the moment Beaver was introduced last season that he would be the ultimate bad guy this season. They were therefore able to plan things out and make sure that all the pieces fit. So many of the current serial dramas fail to adequately plan things out and have to fit square peg surprises into the round holes of what’s happened before (“Lost” and “Nip/Tuck” — I’m looking right the fuck at you). But here, we not only got a nice wrap-up of the season-long mystery, but they even tied some things from Season 1 back into the mix (the rape, giving us real closure on Happy Harry Hamlin’s storyline, etc.).
Of course, in addition to providing an answer to the season’s big mystery, this episode took us along for a fine ride and tied up most of the other loose ends. Weevil gets himself hauled off, just before his proud grandma would have gotten to see him graduate, for his involvement in Thumper’s murder. Jackie explains her lied-about past to Wallace and gives us a good deus ex machine (her previously unheard about baby!) for why they’re going to have to remain apart next season (although I wouldn’t be surprised to see her guest-arch at some point). Papa Echolls gets what’s coming to him, while watching himself on TV no less, courtesy of Duncan and Kane security black-hat Clarence Wiedman. The Logan fans got to see Veronica and Logan reunited, for now at least. And we even got a funny and poignant little dream sequence showing what life might be like if Happy Harry Hamlin had never killed poor ol’ Lily — we saw a presumably happier Veronica, but one who had apparently traded her grit and friendship with Wallace in exchange for keeping her naivete and ‘09er status. More importantly, the dream gave us one last chance to see the wonderful Amanda Seyfried as Lily, wondering why there was a memorial for her at the school (and, by the by, three of the “Mars” kids, including Seyfried, are all doing good work over on HBO’s “Big Love” — check it out).
My only real complaint with the episode was the whole “I’m going to blow up your daddy” bit. While I wouldn’t it put it past the show to actually have the balls to kill off Keith Mars, I just knew there was just no way they’d do it right here, right now. You knew, after the trauma of the night, that she would need the relief of seeing daddy alive and well. But I forgive them on this because (a) Kristen Bell gave a rock-solid roof-top performance which was enjoyable/heartbreaking to watch, (b) they didn’t try to drag it out and make you wait until Season 3 to find out if he was, in fact, dead or alive, and (c) I’ve already confessed my love for Veronica, so of course I want her to ultimately be happy and be able to hug Daddy Dearest the next morning. Warms the cockles of my heart.
And speaking of the warming of my cockles, I love the clever bit of dialogue they threw in at the end, when Clarence Wiedman called Duncan to confirm the Daddy Echolls hit:
Duncan: “CW?”
Clarence: “It’s a done deal.”
Of course, most of the show’s regular viewers know that its future is up in the air until the new CW network announces its fall lineup at next Thursday’s upfronts. So this was a very clever little in-joke to those folks, telling them not to worry (although Rob Thomas still only puts the show’s likelihood of renewal at 80 percent). And speaking of next season, the wheels are already in motion, should the CW do the right thing and bring “Veronica Mars” back to us. (If you want to know absolutely nothing about next season, then get out of here — I don’t consider any of the following information to be worthy of being called a “spoiler,” but I know some folks like to be kept entirely pure).
So what are we in store for next year? Well for one thing, expect a format change. Thomas has said they are going to move away from the season-long mystery arc, and instead break the show down into three smaller-mystery arcs (something like an eight-episode mystery, followed by two seven-episode mysteries). I’ll be sad to see the season-long format go, since “Veronica” is one of the few shows that can pull it off well, but I understand why they’re doing it and it’s probably for the best. The plan is to be able to play episodes from each arc straight through, without repeats and gaps stuck in the middle to break up the action (presumably, each arc will run at or around the three sweeps periods). This cuts down on the three-weeks-off frustration, and helps folks from getting confused as to what’s going on (I’ll admit that for a couple of weeks I wasn’t quite following the whole Fitzpatricks/PCH’ers bit, and had to go back and watch a couple of episodes again). It also makes very clean jumping-on points for new viewers, and anything that gets more people watching the show is aces up in my book. And, considering that they had no problem tying Season 2 back into Season 1, I’m sure there will still be some entertaining overflow between these smaller arcs, to reward the faithful watchers.
As for what the third season is actually going to focus on, it’s been rather obvious since the Hearst episode that one storyline would be the Hearst serial rapist. So more happy times ahead there. Another will certainly follow Kendall and Keith and what’s in the Marsellus Wallace briefcase. It’s clearly important enough to keep Daddy Dearest from missing his NYC flight with Veronica, and it presumably relates to the $8 million Kendall fell into thanks to the Beav’s real estate dealings (and maybe even the Fitzpatricks, if she’s still fucking Liam). And the third storyline? Well, you got me there. But hopefully Mac will play a big part in it, as they’re trying to make her a full-time cast member, and it may take her the whole season just to get over the debacle of a relationship she ended up in with Cassidy (they’re also working on making Michael Muhny (Sheriff Lamb) a full time caster too!).
But whatever they’re planning, I’m hooked. Utterly and completely. Here’s hoping that the CW doesn’t fuck us all over next week and, assuming they don’t, the long wait to the fall premiere is now upon us. Maybe we can try to pass the time by starting a support group. And the group can have its meetings outside of Kristen Bell’s house. Every night. That’s not creepy, is it?
Seth Freilich is Pajiba’s television columnist. He lives in Washington, D.C., and couldn’t be happier that summer “intern season” is finally here.
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Comments
Reading your review just allowed me to feel the joy of watching that finale all over again.
Posted by: Marie-Christine at May 11, 2006 7:54 PM
Total agreement with everything you wrote. Thanks for being as in love with her as I am (a grown woman just shy of 30 herself!). I wait anxiously for Thursday.
Posted by: Julie at May 11, 2006 8:05 PM
I live in Australia, and they only showed part of the first season here during our 'no ratings' period, which is needless to say, full of crap. I hope it gets shown again here: in the vast wasteland of summer TV, Veronica Mars was actually awesome.
Posted by: JL at May 11, 2006 9:52 PM
You made my night, Seth. I love this freakin' show, and I got all goosebumpy reliving the finale.
Posted by: Craig at May 11, 2006 11:17 PM
Gah, I love this show. I hope they don't cancel it. That would SO SUCK.
Anything we can do about that?
Posted by: Dana at May 12, 2006 1:43 AM
Yes, yes, and yes. I agree 10000% (and that's a lot of percents) with your assessment. Over at TWoP, there are a LOT of people who were pissed off or disappointed by the finale (either disbelieving that Beaver could be that eeevil, or annoyed that they'd already figured out that Beaver was that eeeevil), but don't count me among them.
Thanks for such an even-handed wrap-up. And CW--you let us down, you might just find yourself going over a cliff in a bus.
Posted by: Karen at May 12, 2006 10:47 AM
Great Review! You've hit the nail on the head for everything I thought. I cant wait for next season!
Posted by: Jenn at May 12, 2006 11:56 AM
Don't get me started on some of the other forums out there, Karen. If I ever hear "Pieta" again, it had best be some new delicious cheesy crust thingie from Pizza Hut.
Posted by: Craig at May 12, 2006 1:24 PM
I'm a little bit over 30 (32) and I love Veronica too. I have never been so into a tv show before. I find it a bit crazy. I even record it but find myself needing to be home on Tuesday nights to watch it "live". I've already watched the finale about 12 times.
Posted by: Lisa at May 12, 2006 3:56 PM
well, it cant be that creepy of a crush considering she's nearly 26 herself!
Posted by: Gebbs at May 12, 2006 6:06 PM
Great review, I love this show too. I'm a male way over 30 :(
A very well done series...I caught the CW line too and couldn't believe it!
I WANT MORE! So there had better be a season 3.
Mike
Posted by: Mike at May 12, 2006 8:17 PM
Why again am I supposed to like Logan Echolls?
Is it his staging bum fights? Breaking Veronica's car? Maybe his burning down the Community pool while lounging around his private estate (and pool)?
RT's prior show Cupid was interesting but also full of garbage (why should I care about a crazy guy and the shrink threatening to send him away), VM is the same.
It's not the writing, it's Bell and Colantoni. Just like Cupid was Piven and Marshall.
VM is just OK. It's not even A-Team good (a show like A-Team, or Greatest American Hero simply could not be made now). At no time and at no place can TV give us characters we can actually like ... I give you romantic idol Logan Echolls.
Posted by: Jim Rockford at May 12, 2006 11:05 PM
Love love LOVE Veronica Mars. Although I'm gonna be avoiding the TWOP forums-I want to be surprised and I don't want someone's speculating to ruin reveals for me. It's hard though, because the show's so awesome I always want more!
Posted by: Erin at May 13, 2006 2:06 AM
A-Team was good?
Posted by: Jennifer at May 13, 2006 10:06 AM
to Jim:
You know what's funny? As a 20 year old woman who had a pretty average childhood and high school life, I myself am a surprised at how completely IN LOVE I am with Logan Echolls... because he's not a good guy!
Psychologists would love to study VM fans. We're obviously not in our right mind.
:-)
Posted by: redleigh86 at May 13, 2006 1:30 PM
Jim, I think we're supposed to like Logan because he's grown as a character. He's still an asshole but he's not only redeemed himself, but un-redeemed himself. He's human, which is so rare on TV.
I don't know if it's the California setting or what, but the Neptune High is nothing like my school. That's the only sticking point for me.
Posted by: Claire at May 14, 2006 12:14 AM
You said they want to make Lamb a full time cast member but wasn't he on the plane? I presumed he was dead.
Posted by: Melody at May 14, 2006 4:37 AM
I love Veronica Mars...of course, I'm a 22 year old female so it's not verging on creepy.
I was lucky enough to catch the finale, since where I'm at we don't get Veronica Mars unless they happen to play an episode at 3 or 4 AM on Saturday, damn it. The finale was the first episode I've seen since last Thanksgiving.
Posted by: aliastriona at May 14, 2006 11:58 AM
Frankly, compared to Beaver, Logan looks like a real winner now.
I loved the finale, although it did temporarily turn my brain into something resembling scrambled eggs. I was amazed, and I love that I can watch this show without many of those "really? well, ok, I guess then" moments that I have with other shows. Thanks for re-capping it, and I'm hoping that CW line means what I think it does. ;)
Posted by: Genevieve at May 15, 2006 12:22 AM
I'm a 30-something female and I'm in love with Veronica, too. I had some issues with the way things played out in the finale but the show is still my favorite show on network tv right now.
And to Jim: If you don't understand why so many VM fans love Logan, it would be hard to explain. Yes, the list of bad things he's done is a mile long, but he's also a fundamentally decent kid who's been abused and neglected most of his life and has suffered a shitstorm of trauma in the past two years. And he's also grown a lot and has shown a great capacity to change and learn from his mistakes.
And on top of that, he plainly adores Veronica and would take a bullet for her. So while I don't always like Logan, I find him to be one of the more interesting characters on television and endlessly entertaining.
Posted by: Lynn at May 15, 2006 3:24 PM
I just had to say that Veronica was perfect love it. For Season three I hope that Veronica and Logan can be together beccause their so cute. But this season Weevil needs some girl action cuz I'm kinda feeling that bad boy with a heart thing maybe he could even hook up with Mac?!
Posted by: Crystal at May 15, 2006 3:53 PM
Am I the only person on earth who finds that show unwatchable?
Posted by: Jen at May 16, 2006 12:50 PM
Veronica Mars takes work. And attention to fine detail. Some people don't want that from their TV experience -- entertainment is, after all, supposed to be relaxing -- and would prefer to watch Pepper Dennis, and that is a valid life choice. It's just not mine. I'll CRY if VM isn't picked up.
Posted by: cRL at May 16, 2006 5:24 PM
Love this site and this is my first time posting. I love love love Veronica Mars. Its sad actually for a grown woman to love a high school show but I love it. The acting, the writing, everything's great. I'll seriously be pissed if it doesn't make it over to the CW. I think the finale was wrapping up a little too nicely for me. I thought for sure its not coming back because everyone's so happy. But there are a few unfinished story lines and that gives me some hope.
I have to say that I can't understand why people wouldn't love Logan. I totally love him because he seems to be the most believable person on the show. He can be a total prick but that's what he is and he's redeemed himself in my opinion. Great review!
Posted by: Shiv at May 17, 2006 1:22 PM
Okay, I LOVE the show. I've been trying to get more people to watch the show since the ratings aren't that great. I was really scared that this was gonna be the last season since they were tying up the storylines. I hope that they bring it back.
Should we start a petition to keep VM on the new CW?????
Posted by: Rose at May 17, 2006 2:24 PM
cRL, that's not what I find unwatchable about it. It's the cloyingness, really. The feeling that I am watching people pretending to be characters with obviously scripted lines.
Dunno, just feels too fake, like it's trying too hard to be...whatever it is. I have this problem with all shows of this genre. And by "this genre" I really mean all the shows my roommate is wild about (Veronica Mars being her favorite show in TV evar), which make me want to leave the room after about 30 seconds.
Posted by: Jen at May 17, 2006 2:28 PM
You're supposed to enjoy Logan cause he's fuggin hilarious (one of my fave quotes: Honey, when the milk stops being free, I stop drinking it). And tortured. And he's got those puppy dog eyes. And compared to his abusive, girlfriend-murderin dad and boozy, neglectful mom, he doesn't look so bad. I didn't catch the CW reference (I'm sorta slow), but hope it's true. VM rules.
Posted by: LL at May 17, 2006 5:26 PM
It HAS been picked up (thank you Hollywood Reporter!) - was to be announced tomorrow but it leaked today. Exhale and rejoice.
Posted by: will at May 17, 2006 5:44 PM
Phew!!! Glad to see Veronica stay. Pretty sure it would make it though. I heard its following Gilmore Girls.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2006 1:47 PM
I LOVE Veronica Mars! Seth, you are a SUPERB columnist. This is my first time at pajiba, but I will be back, beleedat.
VM is television for people who like to think. If you want the answers handed to you, go watch CSI, moron. Every character is developing so well! (with the exception of Beaver, he's dead.) I can't wait to see more! The format for next season sounds interesting, I hope it does get more people to watch.
Posted by: briana at May 19, 2006 8:38 PM
"VM is television for people who like to think. If you want the answers handed to you, go watch CSI, moron."
You are just cute as a button!
Posted by: Jen at May 22, 2006 10:16 AM
"The feeling that I am watching people pretending to be characters with obviously scripted lines"
as opposed to....? its called television. its the "cloyingness" that makes it good television. if its the acting you do not prefer, then stick to the documentaries on pbs and discussions with other pretentious twits.
Posted by: briana at May 22, 2006 6:34 PM
Heh.
So if we don't like the T.V. style that you do, we're either complete morons or pretentious twits. Roger.
Posted by: Jen at May 23, 2006 9:13 AM
if you're content to watch television geared toward the lowest common denominator, more power to you. maybe i got a little carried away with the "moron" comment, and for that i apologize.
Posted by: briana at May 23, 2006 12:55 PM
Love Veronica, and Love your message....now if only we could get more viewers!
Posted by: Susan at May 23, 2006 4:21 PM
Nope. Hated that they made Beaver, one of the most likeable characters even if he did a get bit weird with Mac wanting to do the Do, a sociopathic rapist cum maniac. It wasn't too cool that every kid that was molested either turned out to be gay, curious or crazy either. They might have wanted to show a bit more sensitivity there. The whole season felt really choppy but it was still loads better than any other show on this season. Glad they're changing the format for next season ie no more season-long mysteries.
Also, Logan has had his girlfriend murdered by his dad who was screwing her plus she was cheating on him with Weevil, his mom jump off a bridge and now his dad killed. Can we just get one glimpse of this kid in therapy so it's believable that he doesn't need to be in a padded room? :)
Posted by: amanda at May 25, 2006 7:09 AM
i really love logan and veronica. veronica mars is an all time fave here in the philippines.... ;p
Posted by: chops at November 20, 2006 3:55 PM
"(they're also working on making Michael Muhny (Sheriff Lamb) a full time caster too!)."
Ahem. Muhney with an "e", mate. [insert inappropriate handcuff joke here]
Aside from that, great review! It was nice to relive the finale even in the light of the CW sucking ass recently.
Lamb/Veronica totally works! Don't look at me like that.
Posted by: short and furious death at June 11, 2007 12:52 PM