As promised, I used up pretty much every spare moment I had over this weekend taking in the complete first season of Veronica Mars. After watching the first DVD (first four episodes of the season), I have to admit that I wasn't that crazy about how things started, or at least I wasn't nearly as into it as I was the second season. Some of that may be because I already knew what happened, but by the time I had finished the third DVD, I was hooked and couldn't get enough. Even though I knew what was coming towards the end (spoiler alert: Aaron Echolls killed Lily), the final episode was very exciting. But why am I telling you guys (and girls) everything you already know? As we continue along this season with the yellow school bus that turned into a yellow submarine, we also must deal with Logan's trial looming, and the possibility that the two of them may be connected.
Veronica Mars may be the smartest soap opera ever created. Now before you all post on your Veronica Mars message boards and tell everybody there I suck and how dare I say such a thing, please at least finish this paragraph. Of course the show is much more than a soap opera, and I only compare it to one because of the way it has been able to handle the often conflicting love interests of so many of the main characters, work them in as determining factors in the story lines, build romances and breakups that break our hearts, yet still not have to depend on the status of any two individuals on the show being "together" to keep the fans happy. Bravo, writers, bravo.
Even though Lilly Kane was deceased, her interest in boys trumped all other discussions of love interests. That is not to say that what happened to the others wasn't important, but since Veronica's existence was often defined by the aftermath of Lilly's death, and by extension the aftermath of Lilly's promiscuity (although we obviously have to lay the blame on Aaron Echolls for most of it), I just don't think it's that big of a discussion. With Lilly at peace, Veronica takes center stage, and it's her relationship with Duncan that is causing lots of problems. Although Duncan had Meg and Veronica had Logan, I don't think you can blame Duncan and Veronica for getting back together. Their entire breakup was based largely on the fact that Duncan thought Veronica was his sister. When the paternity tests came back saying otherwise, how could people not understand why they wouldn't want to try again? It's like when your favorite sports team gets rid of the veteran because he badmouthed you, but you know you were always made for each other and they keep coming back. It hurts to see them with somebody else, that's why everybody hated Jerry Reinsdorf until about a month ago.
Despite all of this, there are still lingering feelings of guilt over the whole thing, especially concerning Meg, the sole survivor of the bus crash and the girl who seemed a perfect fit for Duncan as Veronica fell for bad boy Logan. Ironically, it was Meg's jealousy over the entire thing that kept Veronica from possibly falling to her death along with the other kids, but that doesn't mean Duncan and Veronica don't feel guilty about the whole thing. Duncan spent many days visiting Meg before Veronica ever found out, and now he is having dreams about Meg and Veronica. In the opening sequence, it is Meg the angel vs. Veronica the bad girl, and only Duncan can save Meg. From what, we don't know, but she says only Duncan can do it. This leads Duncan to go to his room, where he is debating whether or not to open a letter addressed to Meg from Chris Talley of Seattle. Does he knowingly open a letter intended for somebody else (even though Meg's sister gave him a bunch of her personal things), or does he open it and try to heal this subconscious wound? Duncan opts for the non mail fraud, Susanne Sommers method of healing and just leaves it alone.
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Comments (14)
I can't wait for Meg to get out of that coma, and hopefully Duncan will run away with her..far far away! Away from crazy religious parent's who lock up daughters.
Plus I want Logan and Veronica to be back to gether, or at least lay the groundwork for that.
(LoVe)LoganVeronica!!
1 of 14 | Posted by MRoman | Posted on November 29, 2005 3:26 PM
I agree, V and Logan have way more chemistry then her and Duncan...
2 of 14 | Posted by CB | Posted on November 29, 2005 4:08 PM
The mp3 player connection can probably be explained by the fact that Ryan was in the broadcast journalism class, where you can check out that type of equipment (I'm guessing). Glad you got a chance to see the first season!
3 of 14 | Posted by Bianca J | Posted on November 29, 2005 5:04 PM
Umm.. it's Lil' Jon! not little john... gee listen to music much?
4 of 14 | Posted by T | Posted on November 29, 2005 9:36 PM
Great review. I totally agree with your analysis of Veronica and Duncan and why they pretty much had to get back together again after how abruptly their relationship was originally ended. And the radio station totally does look like a giant game of Operation! Wow!
5 of 14 | Posted by Kara | Posted on November 29, 2005 10:37 PM
Great re-cap. I know we pestered you to hell about the DVDs, but I think it has improved your recaps ten fold. Which is great, since they didn't suck before. :)
I am a Logan fan, but I think even the most devoted of us will admit his an asshole. We still love him, but he's a jerk. The majority of us love all the characters (well maybe save Duncan, I don't have much love for him) not only despite their flaws, but because of them. No one on this show wears a black or a white hat. They do things that piss us are, are deeply flawed and screw up. A lot. But we love them anyway, and in a way, it makes them more real to us. And really, if all the character were "nice" and "solid" individuals like Duncan has appeared in the past, how boring would this show be? For me I had no interest in Duncan's character until this season when he started screwing up and his arch seems to be heading somewhere dark. Now, I hate him, and he gives me the creeps...but that is better than the apathy I felt for his character all of season one.
I am looking forward to your future re-caps!
6 of 14 | Posted by BS | Posted on November 30, 2005 6:37 AM
I agree that Jason Dohring did a fine job of acting in the torture scene. I was scared for him! I want him and V to get back together too, and I want to know what's in that letter! The best thing about Lost going into repeats after tonight is that I can watch VM instead of taping it.
7 of 14 | Posted by Dana | Posted on November 30, 2005 7:16 AM
I agree Dana, no more TIVOing VM now that Lost is on HOLD...
8 of 14 | Posted by CB | Posted on November 30, 2005 8:18 AM
I LOVE VERONICA MARS! I got hooked off one episode and it launched me into a Veronica Mars investigation of my own lol. I am renting the DVDs for season 1 through NetFlix so soon I will know detail for detail with the rest of you. Great Recaps, happy tubing!!
9 of 14 | Posted by Nicole | Posted on November 30, 2005 12:43 PM
J-Unit-
I agree with BS. Your already great recaps are even better now that you have last season's background. Thanks, your awesome recaps help make work bearable!
10 of 14 | Posted by Amy | Posted on November 30, 2005 3:20 PM
Wow... I missed something important, I thought when Logan called Weevil it was becuase hey set it up together to root our the mole or something, not that Logan was annoucing revenge. Whoops!
11 of 14 | Posted by Mr. Negativity | Posted on November 30, 2005 4:50 PM
LOST is not a priority although we do watch both shows. I think VM is a more clever show than LOST. Rob Thomas is creating depth for his characters while J.J. Abrams and his crew seems to be making it up as they go along. Logan is a great character to juxtapose with Veronica. And it's great to watch their interaction opposed to Jack/Kate/Sawyer BS.
12 of 14 | Posted by nancydrew77 | Posted on November 30, 2005 7:27 PM
Every Wednesday I wake up singing the Veronica Mars theme song.... I've recently started singing "Private Eyes... are watching you... Veronica Mars, I'm watching you" just like that shady P.I. V bugged back in season 1.... NOW that's obsession!
The saddest part is my boyfriend sings along with me and he doesn't watch the show!
Great recap and I love the way the season is going so far... Keep it up RT!
Don't pull a JJ Abrams (think Alias)
13 of 14 | Posted by ktro | Posted on December 1, 2005 5:16 AM
Logan and Veronica are the best couple. The chemistry between them is very believable. And maybe he is an ass- but it works. It all works. And sorry- he can act.
14 of 14 | Posted by soshiels | Posted on December 2, 2005 6:09 PM