Just When I Think I'm Out, They Pull Me Back In

Episode 2.01: Normal Is the Watchword. Original Airdate 9.28.05

"Veronica spends the summer trying to become 'normal' again, but finds it difficult when Wallace is kicked off the basketball team for testing positive for drugs. Meanwhile, Keith is finding it hard to cope with popularity after releasing his book on the Lilly Kane murder, Logan takes refuge from the paparazzi at Dick and Beaver's, and a field trip to the local sports arena has shocking consequences."

Daniel's Thoughts:

• Hey! New year, new job.  Veronica has a normal job (that’s the watchword). 
• “New boyfriend,” she says.  BUT WHO, VERONICA? WHO?
• Apparently she hasn’t had any cases all month.
• You can tell Veronica is itching to get back but she declines a case anyway.
• And Keith is on the news!  That’s so cute.  Apparently he wrote a book about it.  And they remind us that Lianne stole the 50 grand…so writing a book is kinda necessary.
• We finally get to see who’s at the door.  It’s Logan.  We also flashback to last year’s cliffhanger where we finally find out that Weevil and his friends beat the shit out of him.
• So does that mean Logan’s the boyfriend?
• But oops, Felix is dead. And a knife is planted on Logan.
• Hey it’s Deputy Leo….but he’s here with bad news.  He’s here to pick up Logan. 
• Wallace failed the drug test, too…Veronica knows that’s not true.  So it looks like she’s back in the investigating game.  And Meg failed too!
• Season 2: Dick, Beav & (Tessa Thompson!) is added to the cast.  Except Tessa’s not in this episode.  She’ll be introduced next ep.
• That’s amazing.  Duncan gets to stay at the presidential suite at the Neptune Grand while his parents move away.
• Ok, so in the flashback, we find out that Duncan’s been visiting Veronica at the coffeebar….but she is in fact dating Logan.
• Wow, Meg is way more than being chilly towards Veronica.
• More flashbacks: Logan was found not guilty for Felix’s death.
• Oh, Wallace. Come on.  I don’t think he would laugh at someone being bullied especially since he’s been bullied in the past.  Does he not remember the flagpole?
• The banter between Veronica & Keith is one of the most amazing thing about this show.  They have such amazing chemistry.
• Aww, this guy is nick-named after Butters on South Park.  He hates it – but omg, I love Butters!  And oh no, he’s the VP’s son!
• “I can’t believe after a year of working here, you don’t know the make and model of the filing cabinet”
• The lab tech’s name is “Jim Chimmery”
• Wallace, “I’ll just follow you. You don't want to go out alone." -  Aww, Wallace is looking out for Veronica.
• Aww, flashback Logan, “I’m in love with you”
• Wallace’s shirt says 69.  Dude.
• What a coincidink – that all the new starters’ parents are part of this corporation.  It’s just…
•  Zelda tells me that America’s Next Top Model contestants won roles on Veronica Mars.  I always just assume, they hire pretty people who can’t act on these shows.  Which, Except for VM, is usually true.  Glad they only have cameoish roles.
• “I love baseball.”  “Yeah but you don’t like people.”  Aww, she’s me.
• Hey it’s Cordelia!  All the boys stare.  Except for Beav, really…
• And all the parents are meeting.  And Van Clemmons is listening.  I love how he trusts her enough to go along with this.
• And…Veronica’s boyfriend….DUNCAN is here.  DUN DUN DUNCANNNN
• YAY IT’S JESSICA JONES AKA GIA AKA THE BITCH IN APARTMENT 23.
• Flashback with how Veronica is breaking up with Logan.  Aww.
• Cordelia’s naked!  And sleeping with Logan!
• Oh no, it’s creepy Steve Guttenberg but we don’t know it yet.  Well we know the Steve Guttenberg part.
• And we find out how Veronica and Duncan got back together – Basically, he stalked her?
• I’m surprised the show did this considering how they seem to feel about Duncan – but it could be just to make things more interesting for her and Logan.
• And here’s where it happens:  Where freaking Lilly saves her life.  Dead Lilly.   Bringing Veronica to Weevil.
• And the teacher’s like, “everyone here”?  Without counting.  Bad teacher.  I guess she unwittingly saved Veronica’s life.
• And that’s what I like about Weevil.  He’s reasonable.  He can actually listen to what Veronica says. And this part, man.  The bus part. Yikes.  So damn scary.

Zelda's Thoughts:

• Welcome to Season Twoooooooo. Is Mac a regular yet? [She isn't. - Ron Howard]
• Veronica has a job that's not working for Keith. Sadface.
• But her classmates are still coming to her to detectivize their problems.
• But she's saying no. And the response? "You're an 09-er now. You landed yourself some rich boyfriend. And last year was just some big old act for you. You gotta pick sides in this town these days. You picked yours."
• Oh good a flashback. Because this new Watchword Veronica has some 'splaining to do.
• And Logan is all beat to shit.
• Ah the iconic shot of Logan prone on the couch.

• Flashback-within-a-flashback to the PCHers beating Logan up.
• RIP Felix Toombs :(
• And whereas Veronica was willing to believe Logan killed Lilly, she instantly believes him when he says he didn't kill Felix.
• And Leo's here to take Logan in.
• Speaking of believing, V didn't believe Kelvin when he got kicked off sports for drugs, but now that Wallace has been kicked off too, she's on the case.
• But with Meg also kicked off, we know not all 09-ers were kept safe.
• Listen, this drug test doesn't sound nearly as secure as the Olympic drug testing, and I just saw the documentary Icarus, and that stuff is totally hackable if you have enough corruption.
• "Believe it or not, I didn't sign up for a second year of Office Aide." // "Yeah, that doesn't work for me."
• BUT WALLACE GOT VERONICA A MASTER KEY AND ADMINISTRATIVE PASSWORDS. Veronica is a bad influence.
• "You got any enemies?" // "Well, there's the Klan." // "This is not really their M.O." // "I guess that leaves everybody that hates you." #awkward
• They're still being coy about who Veronica's currently dating. He's away "visiting his dad." 

(fine, the gif doesn't quite work but I DON'T CARE)

• Kelvin sure is a dickwad. Glad we're helping him.
• Ooof Meg really hates Veronica now.
• Aw Keith and Alicia are still together! At least something good survived the summer.
• Vincent/Butters isn't denying he framed all those athletes, but come on, it's too early in the episode.
• hahahah he's VP Clemmons's kid. Of course he is.
• "I was wondering where we were drawing the ethical line this year." Says Wallace while they're in Clemmons's office at night, breaking into his file cabinet.
• Neptune is no longer as safe as it never was, since Logan didn't get convicted for murdering Felix.
• Veronica listing drugs. Keith strolls in: "What's up honey?"
• OMG he suggested Wallace pinch his nipples to help himself pee WHAT
• Keith is such a weirdo. 
• But then he's all squeamish when Veronica waves Wallace's pee stick in his face. Man up, Keith.
• There's a new journalism teacher aka America's Next Top Model contestant Naima Mora. Someone should warn her this is like being the drummer for Spinal Tap.
• I guess Veronica and Weevil aren't talking anymore.
• Dick is awful. 
• Cordelia is here being all Cordelia-y.
• GASP! Veronica's boyfriend is Duncan now.
• And Dick being awful is part of the reason V breaks up with Logan. "Those people you call toadies are my friends, they've got my back."
• And ew Logan is boning Kendall Casablancas. With the opener "Can Dick and Beaver come out and play."
• Woody Goodman "I know some of you. I even coached a few of you back in Little League." Hello first seed planted.
• Krysten Ritter is delightful. Gia Goodman is annoying, but Krysten Ritter is delightful.
• Since the show is currently on the V/D ship, they're working hard to make it seem like they have banter chemistry.
• Ugh, Meg. Stop. Veronica didn't steal him from you any more than you stole him from her in the first place.
• The wooing with the fortune cookie is a sweet touch. Teddy is still boring as sand, but I guess there's a sweetness somewhere in V/D? I guess?
• Aw Veronica's still seeing Lilly.
• And Meg deliberately lets them leave Veronica behind when the bus pulls out, inadvertently saving her life.
• Veronica to Weevil: "You sure you're still in charge?"
• And even though they were just fighting, Weevil gives Veronica a ride.
• A ride to see where the bus went over the railing and off a cliff.
• Welcome to Season Two, you guys.
• "This is Neptune. Nothing happens accidentally."

Crossfire!

Daniel: What's this one called?

Zelda: Driver Ed? No, that's episode two.

Daniel: Normal is the (starts typing) watchworld. No.

Zelda: Word.

Daniel: Word. What a terrible title.

Veronica and Wallace: long scene in Clemmons's office looking for forgeries

Zelda: When does the bus happen?

Logan: What I'm trying to say is I'm in love with you.

Zelda and Daniel: awwwwwww

Favorite Lines:

Daniel and Zelda: 

Keith: How was your first day of school, honey?

Veronica: Great. I beat up a freshman, stole his lunch money, and then skipped out after lunch.

Keith: What? No pre-marital sex?

Veronica: 

Arc/Continuity:

Neptune Roll Call: Wallace, Duncan, Logan, Weevil, Dick, Beaver (Absent: Jackie)

First Appearance: Cute as a Bug Manager (yes, that's her name), Vincent "Butters" Clemmons, Kendall Casablancas, Gia Goodman, Woody Goodman, Terrence Cook

Recurring: Felix Toombs, Deputy Leo D'Amato, Meg Manning, Vice Principal Van Clemmons

Future Famous Person: Krysten Ritter

Already Famous Person: Steve Guttenberg, Julie Chen

Buffy Alum: Charisma Carpenter (The Cordelia Chase), Charles Duckworth (Glenn)

America's Next Top Model: Naima Mora as Ms. Dumas

Logan's Nicknames: Action (Duncan)

Stats:

Dead Humans - 8 (the bus victims total is confirmed next episode as 7)

Backup Sighting - 0

Veronica Breaks In - 1

Veronica Tases Someone - 0

Mac Hacks - 0

Who's Your Daddy? - 0

Wallace Does Veronica a Favor - 0

Veronica Wants a Pony - 0

Logan Punches Someone - 0

Logan Kicks Weevil in the Head - 1

Dick's Single Entendres - 1 (shocker gesture)

Logan's Single Ententres - 2 (shocker gesture, "Can Dick and Beaver come out and play?")

Duncan's Single Ententres - 1 ("Let me guess, you want to pluck her?")

Shenanigans Called - 0

VERONICA WAS RIGHT - 0

VERONICA WAS WRONG - 0

Do Me a Favor, Season One?

Season One Stats

Dead Humans - 2

Backup Sighting - 10

Veronica Breaks In - 10

(Keith Breaks In - 1)

(Aaron Breaks In - 2)

Veronica Tases Someone - 1

(Mandy Tases Someone - 1)

Mac Hacks - 3

Who's Your Daddy? - 3

Wallace Does Veronica a Favor - 12

Weevil Does Veronica a Favor - 3

Leo Does Veronica a Favor - 3

Mac Does Veronica a Favor - 4

Veronica Wants a Pony - 1

Logan Punches Someone - 3

(Logan Hires Someone to Punch Someone Else - 1)

(Logan Smashes a Camera - 1)

(Aaron Beats the Shit out of Someone - 1)

Dick's Single Entendres - 4

Shenanigans Called - 7

VERONICA WAS RIGHT - 4

VERONICA WAS WRONG - 5

Additional Stats

Absences: 18 total (Wallace 2, Duncan 4, Logan 4, Weevil 5, Mallory Dent 3)

Recurring Characters: 47 (Vice Principal Van Clemmons, Deputy Jerry Sacks, Felix Toombs, Hector, Sheriff Don Lamb, Lianne Mars, Cliff McCormack, Celeste Kane, Lilly Kane, Jake Kane, Abel Koontz, Corny, Inga the receptionist, Troy Vandergraff, Veronica's "Office," Dick Casablancas, Rebecca James, Lilly's Fountain, Luke Halderman, Lynn Echolls, Aaron Echolls, Madison Sinclair, Mrs. Murphy, Meg Manning, Alicia Fennel, Darrell Fennel, Cindy "Mac" Mackenzie, Lizzie Manning, Clarence Wiedman, Casey Gant, Sean Friedrich, Harvey Greenblatt, Deputy Leo D'Amato, Carrie Bishop, Susan Knight, Trina Echolls, Vinnie Van Lowe, Jessica Fuller, Dawn, Caz Truman, Hotel Camelot, Mandy, Barry Randall, Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas, Carmen Ruiz, Cheyenne, Lloyd Blankenship)

Future Famous Person:  11 (Aaron Ashmore, Melissa Leo, Sam Huntington, Jane Lynch, Jessica Chastain, Bonita Friedericy, Steven Williams, Max Greenfield, Aaron Paul, Leighton Meester, Adam Scott)

Already/Past Famous Person: 8 (Paris Hilton, Harry Hamlin, Lisa Rinna, Jonathan Bennett, Anthony Anderson, Alyson Hannigan, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Joey Lauren Adams)

Generally Known TV Face: 4 (Adam Wylie, Ken Marino, Theo Rossie, Michael McMillian)

Buffy Alum: 4 (Adam Kaufman (Parker Abrams), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Peter Nichols (Zachery Bryan), Steve Rankin (Mr. Maclay))

Logan's Nicknames: 6 (Nowhere Man/Fool on the Hill (Duncan), Tiny Blonde One (Veronica), Sugarpuss (Veronica), Jeeves (Hotel Receptionist), Jump Street (Ben), Paco (Weevil))

Veronica's Alias: 22 (Inga the Receptionist, Distressed Pregnant Girl, Lilly Kane (twice), Amber, Gamergirl, prospective freshman/"nerd hag" (with Wallace), personal assistant to Lawrence Vandergraff, Ellen White (from Abel Koontz's hometown), Veronica Mars at 22 years old, San Diego State student, licensed massage therapist, Melinda the Hospitality Hostess, Lisa the Sorority Girl, reporter for The National Instigator, Nasal Casting Director, Logan's fiancee, owner of a Catahoula Leopard dog named Lulu, Betty, Ellen Roush, Yorkshire Terrier-owning Bridget, Todd Russell's assistant at CAA, cater-waiter with kinky brown curls)

Keith's Alias: 5 (Distressed Pregnant Girl's Angry Dad, DEA Agent, Bill Smith (Admissions), James Anderson (head of security to L.T. Vandergraff), Sal from the County Water Department)

Logan's Inspirational Greeting: 2 ("The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt; "Adversity is the diamond dust with which heaven polishes its jewels.")

Zelda's Thoughts:

This is a pretty perfect first season of television (that homophobic episode aside). It knows from the beginning what kind of show it is, what style, aesthetic, what world view it has. Veronica herself is not as straightforward a hero as our Buffy was, but I do think these two scrappy blondes would get along. Veronica carries a lot of baggage, but she's pretty good at figuring out how to channel her anger and pain so that the splashback doesn't hurt too many innocents - and when she realizes it has hurt someone who didn't have it coming, as with Wallace, she does try to make amends. I like the depth of the cast on this - just look at how long the list of recurring characters is. Some recur frequently, some just once or twice, but it's a great acknowledgment that there's a whole town/school, and that you might see the same face more than once (like Buffy's Jonathan, but ... more than one person). And it's great payoff whenever someone we thought was a one-off returns, as in "A Trip to the Dentist." It also keeps more people in play as potential suspects in the Lilly Kane of it all. I like how smart the characters are (well, the non-Don Lamb characters anyway), I like the relationships built and the backstory we see to those relationships in the Lilly days. And man, are we lucky in our leads - Kristen Bell and Enrico Colantoni are just completely wonderful, and the show wouldn't work nearly as well if their chemistry and relationship didn't feel as real as it does. (Also god I love Jason Dohring. A great example of a character becoming more interesting in the writing, in response to the quality of the performer) I like the final reveal of who killed Lilly, because it's as awful as it needs to be, feels unexpected and yet - looking back - the clues were there. (fine, fine, I'm sure some of you figured it out. mysteries are not my forte) I know the show kind of peaked in Season One, so in a sense it's a bit downhill from here, but I'm still looking forward to the next step in our journey. Especially the Mac part of it. I love Mac!

Daniel's Thoughts:

Ditto.

Zelda's Follow Up:

You dork.

I've Got a Secret. A Good One.

Episode 1.22: Leave It to Beaver. Original Airdate 5.10.05 

"In the shocking, action-packed first season finale, a determined Veronica must betray someone she cares deeply about in order to solve the mystery of who murdered her best friend Lilly, but what she discovers puts her life in serious danger. Meanwhile, Jake Kane asks Duncan if he really wants to know what happened on the night Lilly died, and Keith awaits the results of a paternity test."

Zelda's Thoughts:

• TIME TO FIND OUT WHO KILLED LILLY KANE. Prepare for everything to hurt.
• ALSO WE GET TO FIND OUT WHO'S VERONICA'S DADDY.
• Aw man, the pain of Veronica happily preparing dinner with Lianne. It's all gonna hurt.
• Lianne's drinking from a water bottle, but we who know the future know what's inside.
• GASP WHAT DO BEAVER AND DICK KNOW ABOUT THE LILLY KANE MURDER.
• Dammit Keith don't break up with Alicia we like Alicia. Lianne will only let us down. No, Keith!
• And you know Keith did it because he sees how happy Veronica is to have Lianne back. He doesn't seem like he's in love with Lianne anymore. He loves Alicia. IT HURTS.
• Time for the Kanes to come clean to Duncan. And they think Duncan killed Lilly.
• But come now, show, it's too early in the episode for that to be the case.
• Fuck, though, what must it be like to think your son killed your daughter, and to cover it up. How can they even look at each other? How can they even look at him? (Flashback to Ep3 at the Kane family dinner table when no one is looking at each other. Oh.)
• Oops and now Beaver is planting the seeds with Veronica that Logan was actually in town when Lilly was killed. Alibi gone.
• And now that Veronica suspects Logan, she's not avoiding him, she's going back and trying to make up with him, after fleeing when she found the camera.
• And now everything is tinged. He says he's worried it was Duncan, but that makes it look like he's deflecting blame.
• Veronica: *makes a call to her dad making it clear she thinks Logan killed Lilly* // Weevil: *strolls into frame from a darkened doorway* // Me: Fuck.
• Oh, I forgot Celeste agreed to pay them for finding Duncan after all. I guess we do owe Mac and someone else money after all. (Never mind, I forgot the future but now I remember)
• Keith's faaaaaaaace when Veronica  signs away any claim to the Kanes. THEY'RE BOTH CRYING I LOVE THEM. "I am without a doubt your father." "Yeah you are."

• And while Lamb is searching Logan's room, Weevil is gonna take his own brand of justice. Except Deputy Sacks got to him just in time. For now.
• "I asked you a question." // "And I ignored it and moved on. Keep up."
• ow ow ow Logan calls Veronica for help from the interrogation room. And Lamb tells him she's the one who turned him in ow ow ow.
• THIS IS WHY MY SHIP HAS SO MANY TRUST ISSUES.
• "The Echolls kid, what'd you find out?" // "Among other things, I'm pretty sure he's dating your daughter." ...oops
• More amazing acting from Bell and Dohring in their confrontation on the beach
• And Veronica knows Lianne's water bottle is not filled with water.
• As Veronica goes to remove the screws from Lilly's air vent, and discovers the screws were already removed, and the door slowly opens, I whisper loudly "OH THAT'S RIGHT, I FORGOT." Because Aaron Murderface Echolls is in the closet, listening.
• But Veronica dropping the catering tray alerted Aaron someone was coming, so he didn't finish getting to the tapes.
• (and he knew to look there because Sheriff Lamb had them check Logan's air vents and Lamb knew to look because Veronica told him to look there EVERYTHING IS SO WELL-CONSTRUCTED)
• And now we have the final reveal of who Lilly's lover and murderer was: Aaron Fuckface Echolls.
• And finally we have the One True Flashback to Rule Them All: What actually happened the day Lilly Kane was murdered.
• Every time Lilly dies, in every scenario, it's always awful to watch.
• No no no no Veronica don't get in the car THE MURDERER IS IN THE CAR.
• And there's broken Logan, drunk and standing on the edge of a bridge.
• And there's Weevil and his gang, out for revenge.
• Please stop these children. Save them from disaster.
• What do you do when you realize there's a murderer in your car? Make sure your seatbelt is buckled, and crash that fucking car.
• Daniel and I were just talking about airbags. I guess Veronica's didn't deploy.
• V has the tapes back from unconscious Aaron, but can't quite reach her phone.
• God this is terrifying. He looks ordinary. But she knows what violence he's capable of. And she's smart and she's wily but she's also a tiny teenage girl.
• And he's no longer unconscious.
• Good for Veronica. Terrified but stashing the tapes in different places.
• I'm still so pissed about what Logan does to those tapes.
• Question for those of us who live in the future. While Aaron getting off the hook for Lilly's murder is beyond upsetting, you can see how they finagled that. But how does he not get any punishment for attempting to murder both Veronica and Keith, or for assaulting the rando in the house? HOW. ACTUALLY HOW.
• The fight between Keith and Aaron is brutal and scary and without music. A hero vs. a monster.
• And then he flicks on his lighter.
• Keith is in literal flames but he rescues Veronica from the fridge. Get this man a cape.
• Aw redemption for Back Up! Earlier Logan mocked his killer instinct, but that canine knows when someone's trying to steal his humans' cars, and he will bite.
• And then Aaron gets hit by a fucking truck and it's hilarious.
• ...oops Jake Kane is also getting arrested, for obstruction of justice. Fair.
• And Veronica's kicking Lianne out. "I know you're not through drinking. I know you didn't even finish rehab. You checked yourself out and that was my college money. I bet on you, and I lost. I've been doing that my whole life."
• "Veornica, it's not easy." // "I know it's not." She does know. But she also knows that she has to do what's not easy for her either, to protect herself, and to protect Keith.
• And she called Alicia, not Lianne, to sit with Keith for when he woke up.
• FUCK YOU LIANNE. She stole the Kane reward money. Fuck fuck fuck you.
• And our farewell - for now - to Lilly. The two best friends, sunning in a pool full of water lilies. 

• Veronica wants to be at peace now she found the killer. But Lilly knows better. "Don't forget about me, Veronica." // "I could never."
• WHO'S AT THE DOOR. WHO WAS VERONICA HOPING IT WOULD BE. WHAT'S IN THE BOX.

Daniel's Thoughts:

• Keith is going to the papers!
• Cheyenne’s back trying to do the right thing
• The testimony of a hooker is not good though because HOOKERS ARE AMORAL.  Fuck you, newspaper guy.
• The results!  Keith has the results!  He doesn’t open it yet though.
• What a nice big happy family.  Veronica is hopeful.  Lianne is temporarily satisfied.  Keith looks skeptical.
• The results: Keith sees it.  We don’t.
• And something’s going on with Dick and the Beav….but what???
• The article has gone through – but is this the only evidence needed? Nope….we’ll get more.  But people are talking about it.
• OH NO. Veronica shoves Wallace into the girl’s room/her office.
• Keith doesn’t seem very happy that his wife is back…  Again, I think skeptical is the word. 
• Whoa.  Jake tells Duncan that he killed Lilly.  And maybe he believes that. And as his parents, they’re doing everything they can do cover it up.
• Everyone thinks they know what happened to Lilly…but no one knows.  Beav (and maybe Dick) know that Logan came back early from their trip.  So does that mean Beaver thinks Logan killed Lilly?
• One thing is clear  - Logan found Lilly at least.
• And she’s sorta acting here now.  But sorta not.  She suspects Logan and she’s working him, despite herself.  She’s not mentioning the real reason that she left – the cameras set up in the pool house.  Veronica calls it “the guest house” but Imma still call it the pool house. [Seconded. - Z]
• And now Weevil overhears it so he has his own theory.  He thinks Logan did it too.  This, of course, is misdirection.
• “You know what you just signed away?  Nothing.  You didn’t sign a thing.”  It’s finally revealed: Veronica’s paternity and it’s Keith and it’s a wonderful and they’re both so happy.
• Uh oh. Weevil’s sneaking up on Logan.  He’s gonna bash his head in.  Saved by the cops!
• And Logan has no idea…that Veronica was the one who came through with the information.  And the look on his face when sheriff doofus tells him.
• Back-Up!!!
• She threatens Logan with Back-Up.  But Logan knows that Back-up is a big softy. And Back-up knows that Logan is actually a good guy.  Because dogs know.
• Video of Lilly and Veronica singing “If You wanna be my lover” – Ha!
• I mean why would Lianne leave that bottle of vodka disguised as water right in the fridge.  It’s just dumb.
• Looks like someone already found Lilly’s hiding place.
• And Veronica actually looks scared of Duncan which is understandable.
• Logan’s pool house! Veronica calls it a pool house!
• And we can see by the video that Lilly is just as smart as Veronica.  She realizes there’s a hidden camera as well.
• And the other tape – earlier – shows creepy Mr. Echolls sleeping with Lilly.  And he’s so gross and creepy and gross.
• Lilly was very sexually free.  Both Echolls, Weevil…and others.  I hate that it feels like she’s getting punished for that.  She is, in fact, getting punished for that.  Which is so unfair.
• It’s nice that Veronica told Duncan about her paternity so he doesn’t have to live with that guilt.
• And I’m wondering if Logan’s on the same bridge his mom jumped from.
• He’s in the freaking car!  He’s in the freaking car, Veronica!!!
• Smart girl.  Makes sure her seatbelt is on and then slams into a pole.  Aaron gets knocked out but unfortunately she does too…
• Oh wow.  Aaron flew into the front seat.  She tries to get her phone but he’s waking up so she has to run off without it.
• Again, even in panic, she makes smart decisions, throwing all three tapes in different places.
• How fucking scary.  She wakes up in an old refrigerator with no air.
• And with gasoline being thrown over it.
• But Keith is coming.
• Keith is not just in a fight for his life, he’s protecting his baby.
• They seem to be at a hoarder’s house and it’s making for a very interesting fight.   The fight coordinator must have had fun with this.
• Jeez, and I can’t imagine the panic Veronica feels right now and Kristen Bell is so freaking good.
• And I hate the choices Kristen Bell made after Veronica Mars because she could have done so many good things.   And she eventually does.  I think Kristen is getting back on track.  I’d love to see her do more dramatic stuff.  With her flair for comedy, too, she could do some amazing award winning films. Hollywood: Please cast Kristen Bell in better things.
• And yay, Back-Up biting Aaron and then Aaron getting hit by a truck!  So Awesome.
• And Jake’s wrath is amazing.  Kyle Secor is so good.
• So many things are wrapped up in this episode.
• “You checked yourself out and that was my college money.”  That fucking sucks.  She’s realizing her mother is a garbage-person and that sucks for her.
• And it’s nice that she called Mrs. Fannell to be there for Keith.
• More being a garbage person – Lianne stole the 50,000 check.
• This is nice – Lilly and Veronica in a fantasy segment.  Because Lilly can be at peace now.
• And she’s gone.  And it’s a nice but bittersweet dream.
• Veronica opens the door and says, “I hoped it would be you” – BUT WE DON’T SEE WHO IT IS – CLIFFHANGER – I BET IT’S DEPUTY LEO.

Favorite Lines:

Zelda: Lilly: "Don't forget about me, Veronica." Veronica: "I could never."
Daniel: “You know what you just signed away?  Nothing.  You didn’t sign a thing.” - Keith revealing his paternity [I'M FINE. - Z]

Arc/Continuity:

Neptune Roll Call: Wallace, Duncan, Logan, Weevil
First Appearance: Lloyd Blankenship
Recurring: Cheyenne, Lianne Mars, Cliff McCormack, Dick Casablancas, Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas, Veronica's "Office," Alicia Fennel, Jake Kane, Celeste Kane, Lilly Kane, Barry Randall, Sheriff Don Lamb, Aaron Echolls, Deputy Jerry Sacks
Buffy Alum: Steve Rankin (Tara's awful father)
Logan's Inspirational Message: "Adversity is the diamond dust with which heaven polishes its jewels."
Veronica's Alias: cater-waiter with kinky brown curls

Stats:

Dead Humans - 0
Backup Sighting - 1
Veronica Breaks In - 1
Aaron Breaks In - 2
Veronica Tases Someone - 0
Mac Hacks - 0
Who's Your Daddy? - 1. KEITH IS. KEITH IS.
Wallace Does Veronica a Favor - 1
Veronica Wants a Pony - 0
Logan Punches Someone - 0
Dick's Single Entendres - 0
Shenanigans Called - 0
VERONICA WAS RIGHT - 1 (Veronica finally figured it out)
VERONICA WAS WRONG - 1 (Logan didn't do it)