(Don't)leave it to Beaver. Extremely long review, but hopefully it's worth a read.
10
"Perfect"
First of all, a little recap.
Veronica Mars season 1 - Rob Thomas thought of a character called Veronica Mars. He thought he'd use this character to write a book, but then, his plans changed and decided to create a TV show of it. He wanted to get it picked up by a cable TV, but nobody wanted it. So, he went to network TV - nobody really wanted it. Except UPN. UPN, USA's smallest network TV with basically zero successful shows decided to pick up Veronica Mars.
Of course, Rob Thomas couldn't do his original concept. A network TV show has to be lighter, and longer. So the first season became 22 episodes long and not as noir as he thought it'd be. The pilot commentary is very revealing, I recommend it. Aaanyways, Season 1 was epic. It definitely did feel like a book - every little detail in the big picture made sense and the characters were extremely well defined. You see, the only thing was that to make those 22 episodes, RT had to make up some episodic content was a bit weak from time to time. Still, for the most, they were good. And even if they weren't, Veronica and the season arc saved the episode.
Then came season 2 which was never really planned, so it was a "regular" Tv season. Which meant, RT and co could prepare more. And boy, they did.
Rob Thomas and co obviously realized that to make the show even better they would have to somehow make the episodic stories a little more related to the overall storyline. And so they did. By crashing a bus full of students and not resolving a series defining cliffhanger from the last season(Rich boys vs poor boys - basically the bridge confrontation represents that) the writers made it damn sure that for almost each episode Veronica would have a case that is at least a little related to the big picture.
But even when it wasn't, for a few episodes in the middle of the season, the writers managed to make it extremely fun and entertaning by making them creative(as usual, no surprises here) BUT, by also making the characters and their relationships a little more complicated this season.
Yes, the first season had amazing characters and interactions. Veronica - my favourite from the first moment. Logan - amazing guy with a very complicated life. Logan + Veronica = best love story on motion picture. But in the 2nd season the writers gave some other characters a little more depth and developed the already well developed even further.
I still consider the season 2 premier to be on of my favourite. The twist that we were led to believe that Veronica was with Logan was amazing. And then she hooks up with Duncan, which wouldn't have been so amazing if I was told before the episode, but damn, the writers made it play out in a way that it felt just right.
Adding Meg to the equation along with Duncan's guilt and eventually - a baby - was genius too. And then making him leave the show was probably the best "twist" yet, if you can call that that. It was an amazing plot development that I think nobody really counted on. How often does this happen? A main character, a main love interest, leaves the show in peace, after only one and a half season. Giving Wallace a love interest and some family trouble did help alot too. See, in season 1 he was mostly an addition to Veronica but by the end of season 2 he was very well on his own. Jackie's character was very satisfying and had a very nice development during the season with a rather shocking conclusion, but I'll get to that soon.
Weevil(or should I just call him Eli?) became much more human this season too. The first season he was this badass gang leader with a little love interest. But really, that was it. Sure, he was cool, but on his own, he wasn't worth too much. But in this season - his desperation to find the killer who murdered his friend which eventually led him to be kicked out of his own gang really gave his character a huge amount of depth. Once again: It was all about Veronica and without her, the show wouldn't have worked.
And well, I could go on forever. But what I'm trying to say is that this season developed and "stressed" our beloved characters much more than the first season. Also loved the new characters, you just couldn't guess who's good and who's bad.
Now, the first season's storyline was, basically a simple WHODUNIT. Lilly Kane is dead, but why, and who killed her? Surely,it did appear to be more complicated than that, but it was nothing compared to the bus crash.
The writers had the opportunity to really set up almost everyone as the one who caused the accident which really gave the season an edge. And while it wasn't as personal to Veronica as her girlfriends' death, it did affect her greatly - and more importantly - the people around her.
************And so, onto the episode . . . . .
The writers really set themselves up in a corner. They built up the momentum since the 2nd season premiere, and with the previous episode, they also decided to bring back season 1's storyline and conclude it once and for all - in one episode.
NOTE: This episode was meant to be the series finale at first, as it was very uncertain weather CW would pick up Veronica Mars. So yes, we can say it's extremely overwhelming.
Extremely overwhelming, but in a good way. If you paid attention you should have no trouble following the plot, however if you blinked in the wrong moment, well, you'll have a hard time.
The episode opens with an amazing dream sequence. A small "What-if"... What if Lily was alive? What if Lianne never left Neptune and become an alcoholic? I found it very interesting, especially two things.
- Wallace. So Veronica would officially have been an 09'er. Interesting. So in a way, there's something good about Lily's death, right? In a twisted way, of course. - Veronica's silliness. Logan and Duncan played her for a fool claiming that Wallace lost 4 fingers. This isn't a big thing but then if you notice how she talks to Wallace, it's obvious it's not the same smart and sassy Veronica. - Veronica being with Logan. So in her dream which is a mixature of a what-if and a "perfect world" scenario, she chose Logan over Duncan. This once and for all proves that she has always loved Logan more than Duncan.
The episode continues with the graduation. Fantastic. Loved every moment and I love that in Veronica Mars scenes that could end up being sappy, well, aren't sappy. The only thing that I thought was a bit too cruel was Eli being taken away by Lamb before her grandmother could see him graduate. That was a really sad moment. Loved the brief exchange between Clemmons and Veronica - we're gonna miss the damn principal, won't we? You know, I was as surprised as Veronica. She got some serious applaud... but of course, she deserved it. Over these 2 seasons she helped more people than... well, I don't know, but she helped alot. Surely she made enemies, but as a proof - she made lots of friends too. Loved this really nice contrast with the pilot episode where everyone hated her.
Keith gives Veronica a trip to New York as a present, not a pony... :) but what you know. Anyway, I loved that exchange. Keith after wards gets off to capture Woody with Vinnie's help. By the way, how awesome was the directing when Keith met with Vinnie? You figured they are talking face to face, but Vinnie was locked up for breaking into Woody's place... The capture goes easy and that can only mean one thing: He didn't blow up the bus. He surely did molest children and do some horrible things, but he didn't crash the bus. Who then? At this point, I was literally at the edge of my seat hoping that it won't be one of my favourites.
Veronica then makes a shocking discovery. Someone is not pictured on Woody's team picture. But who...?
Cassidy Casablancas.
WTF
^My exact reaction. Remember 2 episodes ago Veronica was tested for STD? Well, that wasn't a random storyline. She got it from Beaver. He raped her! This was, at the very least, shocking and adds even more depth to the stellar episode that "A Trip to the Dentist" was.
The rooftop scene was hands down the best scene of the episode. Cassidy confronts Veronica and here we some see some amazing performances on Kyle Gallner's part, and some oscar worthy on Kristen Bell's, now seriously, what the hell. AMAZING.
Cassidy tells Veronica everything - how he planned it all out, and why, through flashbacks. And it really made sense. Everything. That rarely happens with a TV show, but with Veronica Mars, they managed to make it perfectly fit, once again. So - Cassidy placed the bomb in Woody's car and now he also rigged up his plane - the same plane Keith is coming home on. He blows it up. Wow. Veronica's reaction was very real and impressive. And then Cassidy tazering her was really sad, I felt really sad for her, luckily godsend Logan came to the rescue. and MY FAVOURITE part :
"Put the gun down Veronica, you're not a killer"
He killed my father! HE RAPED ME!
!!!! best delivery ever !!!! I was blown away, really. Then Cassidy jumps off because there really is no reason for him to live. The odd placement of a joke was rather hilarious
Logan: Don't do it Beaver!
Cassidy: My name is... CASSIDY!
Another thing I Loved about this episode was the two scenes Aaron had with Logan and then Veronica. Especially the one with Veronica. Really creepy. Cassidy might have done horrible things but I still consider Aaron to be the ultimate villain of the show. Mac is found naked as Cassidy took all of her clothes to keep her steady. The scene where Veronica finds her was rather sad, as it was clear how embarassed she was. After the rooftop mayhem, Jackie and Wallace gets a wrap up. Loved it. Loved the revelation about Jackie: She was never a model or anything, she was never accepted to the university in Paris: She's just a brooklyn waitress who has a 2 year old kid. Even though Wallace is willing to live with this(aww) Jackie - rightfully - sends him back to Neptune.
Now in the previous episode Veronica didn't stay to complete her test so this means that she's most likely heading to Hearst just like Wallace... and probably Logan? Nice.
Anyway, at this point Veronica believes her father is dead .Once again a dream sequence, well a flashback - a nice memory of Veronica's childhood. Aww. Touching. Veronica's and Keith's relationship is just so strong and natural. Loved the way how the scene with Veronica taking care of Logan in the season 2 premiere was mirrored and in this episode Logan took care of Veronica. Meanwhile Aaron Echolls is killed off right after he tasted his precious freedom - Clarence Wiedman took care of him following Duncan's orders. Brilliant. It had to happen, and this was one of the best ways for it to. Some say that it sucked because he didn't get to suffer. But guys and girls - he's dead! He's not getting any more enjoyment of the life he enjoyed living so much. Now killing off Keith would've been a little too much, so he lives, he took the road instead of the plane. Loved the reunion. Now this would've been a perfect conclusion(along with the scene Logan and Veronica kissing - finally...!!) But the writers decided to throw in a cliffhanger, which is really the only weaker part of this breathetaking TV expierence. So basically Kendall has something so important for Keith that makes him miss the appointment with Veronica at the airport. While it's definitely intriguign, it's not really a sinister issue. It's like - a weak link between episodes, rather than a dun dun dun cliffhanger. Last season had a mild cliffhanger but at least it was related to Veronica, and well, it was a good one.
Surely though, one major reason there wasn't a big cliffhanger is because the show was likely to be cancelled, so I'll let this one slip.
While the first season left us several storylines to follow up, this one didn't. With our beloved characters leaving to university next year, the show is undergoing a huge change - or a reboot, if you will. A reboot, which means, new and fresh storylines - new and fresh enviorments, and possibly, new and fresh characters. But that's a season 3 discussion. As far as the first two seasons of Veronica Mars is concerned: one of the best planned television show, ever. Surely the first season got a nice conclusion at it's end but it was really the second season that tied everything up, and oh boy, it was a killer ride. Comparing the first 2 seasons is hard, and I would hate to say which one is better. As I said above season 2 had better supporting characters and better constructed plot. But season 1 was probably a little more unique and, because it was first, shocking with it's really weird mixature of crime drama and teenager drama in a noir setting.
I recommended this show to everyone I know and I'm so happy that the feedback is so positive. This show is a --
masterpiece.
Special thanks to:
Rob Thomas(for creating this wonderful show)
and
Kristen Bell(for playing the most awesome character ever)moreless