Unicornicopia

Episode 2.05: Blast from the Past. Original Airdate 10.26.05

"Despite the fact that she dislikes Jackie, Veronica helps her find out who stole her credit card by going on a local psychic TV show. Meanwhile, Wallace's world is turned upside-down when his real father returns home, and Veronica gets a huge piece of new evidence in the bus case."

We're excited to welcome back our friend Melodie to our blog! Welcome back, Melodie!

Melodie's Thoughts:

• starting the episode strong with Wallace confronting his mother about Nathan Wood, the man who claims to be his father.
• Alicia stands firm that Hank Fennell is his real father, despite what DNA tests would say. This is kind of a cool juxtaposition to last season with Veronica questioning who her own father was. While DNA solidified her answer, she didn’t need a DNA test to tell her that the man who raised her was her father. Alicia is asking Wallace to consider the same, despite the fact that the DNA test would tell him differently. 
• Aw Veronica sees Wallace is upset and tries to cheer him up but he’s not having it.
• Undeterred Veronica nominated him for homecoming King even though it’s clear that’s the last thing he wants. 
• But ruh-roh, Veronica is also being nominated by a stoner bro, much to both Logan and Jackie’s annoyance.
• Aw, Mandy is back to be Veronica’s cheerleader. It kind of hurts because Veronica wasn’t even that nice to her but she did find her dog so I get it. 
• And if Jackie wasn’t jealous enough already, Wallace ignores her talking about wanting to go to homecoming and goes to tell Veronica about his problem.
• I’d feel bad for Jackie but she’s a bitch so I don’t. #sorrynotsorry
• Keith is leading Lamb by 12 points for the election so he’s feeling mighty confident.
• I was shocked to learn that Jackie believes in fortune tellers, seems like the sort of thing that would be beneath her and it looks like she can’t afford it. 
• Swallowing her pride to ask Veronica for help after being a bitch to her. Veronica is better than me because she agrees to help.
• I laughed when Veronica mentioned that the credit card stealer didn’t hit up unicornicopia because her love of ponies and unicorns, ironic or not gives me life. 
• Oh no, Keith and Alicia are fighting. He stole her information and yeah, that’s pretty shitty but I still hate to see them fight. I like them together.
• Wallace’s Dad claims that Alicia kept him from knowing him. This felt very fake and manipulative to me the first time I watched it but it’s just a really messy and complicated situation. Another nice juxtaposition to Veronica and her mom. 
• Wallace is homecoming King nominee. Mandy is gutted to learn that Veronica is not in the running. Jackie and Logan are enthused and I hate Jackie because like, bitch, Veronica is helping you right now. Show some respect.
• Veronica makes plans with Cora to go to the outlet mall where she claims to have bought her expensive jacket. Cora seems really sweet. I actually don’t remember how this plays out so I’m interested to see if she’s the culprit. I have a feeling that Jackie is playing Veronica and I can’t tell if that’s me remembering the episode or just my hatred of Jackie shining through. 
• Duncan and Logan making a play date is kind of adorable.
• Ugh, I hate Sheriff Lamb. He’s the worst. And wow, bringing up an old DUI case from 1989 as a way of blaming Keith for the eventual bus crash was super low. Lamb plays dirty. 
• Turns out Cora works as a chicken mascot for a fast food chain. She also worked during the purchase times so she’s cleared. I knew she seemed too nice.
• Duncan and Veronica actually have a cute moment. Unfortunately, he really comes across as stupid because he doesn’t even realize he hasn’t asked his girlfriend to the dance. Up your game, Dude. 
• Keith is now in a dead heat with Lamb. I’d say that Lamb’s accusation wouldn’t be enough to do that but I’ve seen people be led by dumber things in real life so this is accurate. *sigh*
• Wallace confronts Alicia about the letters. She forbids him to see his father and I get that she’s scared but this is not the way to handle things when you’ve lied to your son. 
• Wallace wants to believe in his father but Veronica is jaded because of her mother. Juxtaposition! Is he like Lianne or is he actually turning his life around?
• Lol at Veronica bugging Lamb with a literal bug under the guise of being a gift from the Kane's. He's not bright. 
• Veronica tracks down the psychic and discovers that she's the one who stole the card.
• Jackie says she wants to get even by going on the psychic's show. And I'm now remembering that I was definitely right about Jackie. Don't tell her your embarrassing story in commiseration, Veronica!!
• Lamb is blackmailing Jackie's dad. Apparently he throws games for money. Yikes.
• It turns out that the girl talking about the bus crash on the psychic's show is legit and has a voicemail recording of the crash happening. 
• Veronica thinks she's conning the psychic but the psychic and Jackie are conning her. And using Lilly and her relationship with Logan to do it. I. Hate. Jackie!
• "I'm slathering up my boobs as we speak" at least our girl has a good sense of humor about it.
• Veronica wants vengeance but Wallace asks her to drop it as a favour to him. He also yells at her for not being there for him about his dad. I want to say he isn't being fair but then...
• Wallace tells off Jackie for humiliating his friend. He doesn't take her apology at all and tells her he's not going to the dance with her.
• Veronica reveals the tape to her dad. The bus crash wasn't the driver's fault. There was an explosion but Keith won't use the info to win the election. Keith is the best most noble person. 
• Veronica decides against her vengeance on Jackie but loses it on her when she sees her dance with another guy at Homecoming.
• Keith hands the evidence to Lamb but Lamb is a moron. 
• Keith spots the bug and takes it.
• Oh no, Wallace ran away and this is the start of his absence from the show for a bit. I'm le sad. 
• Veronica tries to apologize for screwing up but Wallace is leaving town with his dad. Boo! Come back, Wallace. 

Daniel's Thoughts:

• And we start off where we left off.  Wallace comes in and confronts Alicia.
• So Wallace is going through some stuff.
• Let’s see what Veronica is up to.
• She can’t read Wallace’s expression although she’s trying.
• It’s nice hearing about how much people like Veronica – even if it’s crossed with how many people hate her…
• Maybe one day Jackie & Veronica will be friends.
• Hey it’s Christine Estabook.  She’s one of those tv personalities who’s in everything.
• I was wondering if Veronica was going to tell Keith about Wallace’s bio-dad – but he already knows.  She didn’t have to.
• Wallace is working again.  I kinda like that about this show. Both Wallace and Veronica work.  It partly shows the socio-economic realities of the world.   But also, it shows that these kids are responsible. They’re good role-models for teens watching this show.
• Duncan and Wallace are running against each other as homecoming king.
• No homecoming queen nom for Veronica though.
• Ooh, are Jackie & Logan flirting?
• “League of Women Voters”
• I recognized the actress who played Cora.  She was in Franklin & Bash, a little seen show.  But she was good in it.  She was also in Heroes – I remember liking her character in that but unfortunately they never did much with it.  Coincidently Kristen Bell had a role in that show's second season, too.
• VM is cool, but she’d still liked to be asked to homecoming.
• Veronica’s biggest lie to her dad is calling everything a “school project”.  We shoulda had a stat.
• “The one who sticks with you is the one who cares.”  - Veronica’s advice to Wallace.  She’s said something similar to Keith about her own mom.  It’s sweet and consistant.
• I love the literalness of the “bug”

• Again, with the amazing amount of time Veronica has on hands.  She’s listening to hours of spy tape at the sheriff’s office.  I guess she’s not interested in must-see-tv.
• That voicemail message that Veronica listens to of the bus crashing is super creepy.
• It’s nice – Logan & Duncan kissing and making up.
• Although – what is that video game system?
• Whoa – and it appears Jackie was right – everyone does watch this dumb psychic show.
• Wallace “It’s your world, I just live in it.” – Yep, welcome to the club, boo.
• I love how Wallace can ream Veronica out – but he’ll still punish the person who did Veronica wrong.  He’s a loyal friend whether he wants to be or not.
• What we love about Veronica and Keith are things that can also be frustrating. Keith knows that winning the election would be good for the town, but he’s not going to stoop low to do it.  Which unfortunately means he won’t win the election.
• And Jackie really lets Veronica have it.
• Keith recognizes the “bug” in Lamb’s office.
• Poor Wallace running away.  I’m glad Veronica is realizing that she screwed up.  Let’s hope she can fix it.

Zelda's Thoughts:

• Wallace is aaaaangry. Which, legit. He thought his dad was dead. "Who we put in the ground back in Cleveland? Who was it I cried for all those months?"
• So Alicia lied about who Wallace's biological father is (Hank Fennel, whom they buried, is his adopted father), but that's because Nathan became someone she couldn't trust, as he got in too deep with his drug dealing cover.
• Hey there, Corny and Mandy, the two non-Wallace students who like Veronica!
• Ugh Jackie, you're just being awful. I hate her plot this episode, and I hate it a lot.
• Welp, this is probably the end of Alicia and Keith. :(
• " I will not invite chaos into my house." // "Oh come on, Alicia, you invited chaos. All you did was postpone it."
• Veronica is so adorably excited for Wallace being on the Homecoming Court. 
• And then Logan and Jackie are snarking at poor Mandy about Veronica not making it.
• Duncan's attempting to bury the hatchet, make friends with Logan again.
• Veronica to Duncan" You're here for your looks." He is? "Why don't you leave the heavy thinking to me." Fair.
• Shit man. This is really rough, watching Wallace and Alicia fighting.
• But Veronica's on Alicia's side: "The one who sticks with you is the one who cares."
• hah, that's why Veronica wanted Kane stationary: to sneak her "bio project" bug into Lamb's office.
• Daniel and I are SO astonished that Veronica bugged Sheriff Lamb.
• hey hey hey Lamb is a blackmailer this is fun
• because Terrence Cook has a gambling problem, and because he helped throw games when he was a professional ball player.
• meanwhile, amidst people being awful, we're getting more clues about the bus crash - a voicemail from one of the victims, Rhonda. And that's when we learn there were two explosions before the bus went off the cliff.
• guh-gasp! the psychic has a message from Lily! "You should have stayed away from her boyfriend."
• Yeah, fuck you, Jackie, and fuck you, fake psychic.
• Wallace has a point that he's going through a lot, and that Veronica's not there for him. But Jackie was flipping awful about Veronica. At least the next scene we see him realize that. He's not here to pick a side between two women. He's got his own thing. But if they're going to be shitty, he doesn't have time for them.
• aaand Jackie's all over Logan at Homecoming
• whoops Keith recognizes Veronica's "bio project" on Lamb's desk and swipes it.
• Wallace has skipped town with Nathan Woods, thus facilitating his upcoming quota of episode absences.

• I just. I hate all of this. I hate everything that happens in this episode. I hate everything Jackie does, I hate how much the lying and manipulation of both of Wallace's parents is hurting him, I hate everything about Sheriff Lamb, and I also hate the false equivalency drawn between what Jackie's doing and what Veronica's doing, when she's trying to protect her friend. I hate all of it.

Crossfire!

Keith: What kind of bug is that?

Veronica: You worry about the election, I'll worry about my bio project.

Z: *laughs forever*

D: *rolls eyes* "Bio project." She's such a liar.

Favorite Lines:

Melodie: Terrence: Right - promised you wouldn't wash that hand.

Veronica: I haven’t. People are starting to complain. 

Daniel: "It's your world, I just live in it." - Wallace

Zelda: "I think she hit every store in the mall." // "Except for Unicornicopia." - Jackie/Veronica

Arc/Continuity:

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

First Appearance: Cora Briggs, Michelle Thompson

Recurring: Alicia Fennel, Mrs. Murphy, Corny, Mandy, Veronica's "Office," Nathan Woods, Sheriff Don Lamb, Deputy Jerry Sacks, Terrence Cook

Generally Known TV Face: Christine Estabrook

Veronica's Alias: Vocational Ed Coordinator Mae Hadwell

Logan's Nicknames: Zippy the Pinhead (Corny, whose real name is apparently Douglas)

Stats:

Dead Humans - 0

Backup Sighting - 1

Veronica Breaks In - 0

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

Dick's Single Entendres - 0

Shenanigans Called - 0

VERONICA WAS RIGHT - 0

VERONICA WAS WRONG - 0

My Friend is Nick Cage

Episode 2.04: Green-Eyed Monster. Original Airdate 10.19.05

"Veronica tries to get her mind off the bus crash by going undercover to help a wealthy woman who is determined to prove that her husband is cheating on her. Meanwhile, Keith asks Alicia about the mysterious man who recognized her in Chicago, and Weevil gives Veronica new information about the accident." 

Zelda's Thoughts:

• It's Broadway's Laura Bell Bundy! cue: Legally Blonde cast album.

• Shoutout to Vinnie Van Lowe!
• But Gasp! Veronica didn't dump jumpy girlfriend Julie as a client. She's moonlighting on her own.
• awwww reminder that Wallace has an adorable tiny brother
• GASP who is that mysterious CW superhero
• Keith and Alicia continue to be adorable. I continue to fret because I know it's almost over.
• Keith and Nathan - sorry, Carl - giving each other the other man's bio. Kinda cute.
• "She's not my old lady. She's my special lady friend." Keith is the cutest.
• apparently Duncan has been trying to visit Meg in the hospital for a while now, and the Mannings don't like that.
• "What if I get an upgrade? What comes after silver?" // "Psycho?"
• This episode is a world of Julie NO.
• "There's a fine line between looking for a problem and creating one." Note to future Veronica and her future Logan trust issues.
• HI WEEVIL HI
• Confirmed the evidence bag earing is his.
• Is this the first we hear about the Fitzpatricks as a crime family?
• Wallace: makes out with Jackie. V calls him. "Are you in immediate life-threatening danger?"
• hahahahahha he's house sitting for his friend Nic Cage. Dang I would love if Cage actually cameoed at the end of this. He'd just wander into frame, scream "I LOST MY HAND," then wander off.
• "Oh sorry, should I hide in the bedroom like a HOOKER?"
• MAC MAC MAC MAC MAC I MISSED YOU
• Mac is here to hack into Meg's secret laptop.
• ... that was a 15 second scene. I need more Mac.
• "My day is complete! Veronica Mars has accused me of evil." Logan's gesture work is on point

• Nathan Woods just pulled a Darth Vader on our boy Wallace.
• ...I wrote almost nothing this week.

Daniel's Thoughts:

• Ooh, Meg mention.  She’s still in a coma.
• Mars Detective Agency’s new client looks like she stepped out of Legally Blonde (which - see Z's notes above)
• Hey – Veronica is making a fake phonecall to make Keith think she’s cancelling the client.  Surprise, surprise.
• “Aren’t you awfully young to be a detective?” "It's amazing. I never get tired of that question."
• So Mrs. Wallace has an ex.  I’m glad she’s being honest with Keith, finally.
• Aww, it’s cute that Veronica and Wallace’s lockers are almost next to each other.
• Meg’s dad: “Why do you come here every day?”  Way to fill Veronica in on what’s been happening with her boyfriend. Expositionnnnn
• I remember the outcome to Julie the client’s case and it’s kinda sad.
• Veronica: Rut Roh.
• “He’s with a Rabbi.” “A Rabbi?  He’s not Jewish, I’m Jewish.” “Are you there yet?”
• Poor hot mess Julie.   I mean I feel her.  She’s a hot mess but it’s probably the result of being hurt so many times in the past.

Hot Mess Julie

• “What comes after silver?” “Psycho.”
• Sheriff - I mean he constantly suspects Keith despite Keith never being intentionally deceiving.   But that’s because people assume everyone is like them.
• Veronica and Wallace both have sidekicks.  Those didn’t last long, did they? (2011 according to this story)  They must have been sponsoring the show.
• Oh shit.  I don’t like Jackie and Veronica being rivals.  It’s kinda cliché of tv shows.  They're the only current female leads. [That's why we need more Mac. - Z]
• Wow, Veronica is really laying on “sex-crazed soritory girl” thick.  She’s putting it on.
• Wallace isn’t as good at lying as Veronica is.
• Seriously when does Veronica do homework?  She has a ton of time on her hands spying and detectiving  and spending time with her boyfriend.
• “Oh sorry, should I hide in the bedroom like a hooker??”  Love V’s indignation here.
• Hey, it’s Mac!  Remember when they were going to run a business together?  Neither do the writers.
• It’s really sad.  The Julie stuff.  Bad ending because of suspicion and jealousy and bitterness.
• Does Nathan telling Wallace who his daddy is count as a stat?

Crossfire!

Veronica, pretending to call the Sheriff's office: Hello, Inga
Z & D: Ingaaaaa!
D: She does still work there!

Favorite Lines:

Zelda: "*eats a doughnut bribe* Keith Mars for Sheriff!" - Wallace
Daniel: "What comes after silver?" "Pyscho?" - Julie/Veronica

Arc/Continuity:

Neptune Roll Call: Wallace, Duncan, Logan, Weevil, Jackie (Absent: Dick, Beaver)
First Appearance: Stewart Manning, Rose Manning, Grace Manning
Recurring: Alicia Fennel, Darrel Fennel, Nathan Woods, Lizzie Manning, Sheriff Don Lamb, Mac
Future Famous Person: Laura Bell Bundy
Veronica's Alias: UCSD student with a flat tire

Stats:

Dead Humans - 0 
Backup Sighting - 0
Veronica Breaks In - 0
Veronica Tases Someone - 0
Mac Hacks - 1
Who's Your Daddy? - 0 (but now Wallace knows!)
Wallace Does Veronica a Favor - 0 (he got paid)
Veronica Wants a Pony - 0
Logan Punches Someone - 0
Dick's Single Entendres - 0
Shenanigans Called - 0
VERONICA WAS RIGHT - 0
VERONICA WAS WRONG - 0

Hot Damn, Colin Firth Is In It!

Episode 2.03: Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang. Original Airdate 10.12.05

"Beaver hires Veronica to investigate his stepmother, Kendall, who he believes is cheating on his dad and planning to clean him out, but both are shocked by what they discover. Meanwhile, Wallace begins dating Jackie, against Veronica's advice."

We are very excited to welcome our friend Melodie to today's post! Welcome, Melodie!

Melodie's Thoughts:

• Hi everyone! Long time watcher of VM, long time reader of this blog, first time guest! I'm super excited so let's dig right in.
• And I start the episode on Papa Casablancas. Boo.
• But Kristen is so adorable doing her little "excellent"
• Beaver seemed so innocent and sweet but now I'm just creeped out by him and this scene of him sheepishly asking for a favour from Veronica feels so sinister in hindsight.
• Sheriff Lamb is such a jackass. The smug way he's gleefully showing a teenager a dead body with her name on his hand is just gross. Kudos to the actor for being able to play such a skeevy character.
• Aww, Keith and Alicia are so sweet together. Even V can't deny it, much as it weirds her out to see it, understandably.
• "I'm super, thanks for asking!" LOL! Veronica is a South Park fan.
• One of the pics Veornica pulls up for Kendall, looks so much like a photo of Cordelia from Buffy that I'm convinced that's what it is. You can't tell me otherwise.

• I love Veronica and Keith scenes. Veronica LOVES unicorns.
• Aw, Veronica is kind of jealous of Jackie but she still helps Wallace out with her because she wants her friend to be happy. Besties! I love it when they show how much Veronica cares about Wallace.
• Veronica, don't feel bad for Beaver, trust me.
• I used to be impressed by Beaver noticing the switched gym bags, but I know better now. Now I side eye him and get grossed out every time he leans in really close to Veronica. Bleh.
• Curly and Aaron Echolls know each other, but what does it mean?
• Aw, I really like Mr. Pope. He just seems like a really nice and enthusiastic teacher. It sucks what happens to him.
• LMAO! Can I just talk about everything wrong with the Logan/Duncan fight scene? Because I just can't with this.
• First off, SHENANIGANS! There is no door behind Logan so how the hell does Duncan lunging at Logan, end up with them in the hallway? I like to think that they kind of danced around the room a bit, twirling until they reached the door so that they could fight in the hallway, very polite. [Logan and Duncan are competitive dance partners. Headcanon accepted - Z]
• Second, NO ONE reacts to this fight. Literally no one, not even Veronica. Not even the teacher. It's just dead silence and them grunting at the lockers and then hard cut to the nurse's office. It's very awkward.
• But Logan isn't upset about Duncan stealing Veronica, he's more upset that his friend left him twisting in the winds amid all the controversy over the summer. And Duncan is pissed because, duh, Logan's father killed Lilly, his sister.
• Aw, Logan hates Aaron too. Poor baby has no one. I'll hug him.
• Veronica being overly jealous of Jackie is not a good look but at least she is justified later on. And Jackie is annoying with all the name dropping.
• iPod switcheroo! Can we all just take a moment to be amazed at how much technology has changed in just over 10 years? Crazy.
• Hotel switcheroo! The Sandpiper isn't a luxury hotel at all.
• It's heartbreaking watching Veronica try to warn Mr. Pope to sell his stocks but Mr. Pope doesn't want to saddle someone else with the debt. He's a stand up guy and I just hope that he got to retire with his boat eventually.
• Why is some weird guy calling Alicia, Cheri?
• Oof, someone tell this Lars guy that he can't sing. At least his girlfriend liked it though?
• Courtney follows up the sappy love song with "Love Hurts." lol. Side note, is this guy a someone that I should know? They give him a lot of screen time for his singing and it isn't that important so why dwell on him so long? Did he win this? [We weren't quite sure either, but the internet tells us it's Courtney Taylor-Taylor, lead singer for The Dandy Warhols, who also sings the VM theme song]
• Beaver sending V away but then looking through all of the pictures. He knows more than his sweet/innocent schtick is letting on.
• Jackie brought another guy to the coffee shop that Wallace's best friend works at. Not only is that super shitty, that is knowing, blatant shittiness. I hate her. Love hurts, indeed.
• Even after everything, Veronica still tries to warn Logan about Mr. Casablancas. #LoVe
• Uhoh, scary guy has tracked down Alicia!
• Veronica is clearly hurt that Logan doesn't care that he's in danger of being seriously hurt, she still cares. When does she dump Duncan, already?
• Oooh, Aaron and Curly worked together on a film! Curly was the stuntman and the stunt was sending a truck off a cliff. Dun dun DUN!
• Ooops, Mr. Casablancas doesn't care that his wife is cheating on him. He's too worried about being exposed for real estate fraud. SHRED EVERYTHING!!!
• Lol, he just leaves his kids and wife behind. Later suckers!!! What a horrible human being.
• We end the episode with Veronica revealing that the bus crash was meant for her and that all of her classmates died because of her. That is some serious guilt to carry around. Ooof. Poor Veronica.

Daniel's Thoughts:

• Senior year – I’m glad VM did the strict 2 years of high school instead of extending an extra year like a lot of HS shows do.
• Hey it’s Dick Sr. again
• VM: Excellent. 

• Dick Sr. is such an asshole to his younger son.  It’s so gross.
• Ugh, they’re talking about finance and real estate and I’m bored.
• I have Cassidy’s Penguin Polo Shirt. 90s clothes are my jam.
• VM is being hauled into the police department.  Must be Tuesday.
• So this is follow up to the guy found dead with Veronica’s name on his hand.
• Uh oh.  I truly don’t remember the outcome to this particular small mystery so it’ll be exciting when it’s revealed.
• Keith is a best-selling author now but they still live in that shitty little apartment. [Maybe it's going into Veronica's Stanford fund? - Z]
• I don’t like when Veronica keeps secrets from her dad.
• It’s also a shame that Veronica has to do detective work that the Sherriff’s department can’t or won’t do.
• I love VM in detective mode.  Giant cameras getting the shots.
• "Hot bitchy transfer" – Veronica describing Jackie.
• Wallace: "Retract claws"
• Aww, sweet that Veronica is playing wingman despite not really liking Jackie.
• Wow, go Beav.  He noticed something that Veronica completely missed.
• Ooh, Curly knew Aaron Echolls.  I love when evidence is so readily available.  And why didn’t the police know about this?  Right, because they’re useless.
• I know this teacher.  Mr Pope.  He’s just that guy in everything, Michael Kostroff.
• Aww, the clueless nurse asking Logan if the alcohol rub stings because he has tears in his eyes.   LOGAN IS JUST EMOTIONAL.  HE DOESN’T STAND FOR YOUR TOXIC MASCULINITY STANDARDS, NURSE RATCHED.
• "I realize I’m not a 19^th century British woman-" – Wallace
• Oh man, Veronica really doesn’t like Jackie.  And she can’t tell Wallace.
• Oh those little ipod nanos.  They lasted a few years.
• "And your ass looks totally awesome by the way." – Veronica "….oh!" – Cordelia Casablancas.
• Poor Mr. Pope.  He’s gonna get screwed.  And Veronica’s gonna reveal it.  But they’re talking about finance and real estate and it’s boring and over my head and I’m falling asleep.
• But Mr. Pope’s a good guy.  He can’t sell his stock knowing that some other sucker would get stuck with it.  He reminds me of Keith in that way.
• Uh oh.  Wallace’s mom has a secret.
• Aww. This is so cute.  Random guy singing bad karaoke really badly and his girlfriend is looking at him like he’s [insert someone cute and famous here]
• Uh oh.  Jackie is with a random dude.
• Oh no oh no oh no.  I was wondering if Veronica would discover Logan in her investigation.  And she’s devastated. Because she still WUVS him.
• Omg, this wall street scene at the Casablancas company is amazing.  Mr. C leaves in a helicopter and ….doesn’t even take his son. [or his other son. - Z]
• Poor V.  She thinks the bus crash was because of her.  Not everything is about you, Veronica.  But I guess you’d think that given it’s the name of the show.

Zelda's Thoughts:

• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a dumb movie and a dumber Broadway show and yes I've seen both shut up let's watch Veronica Mars
• Veronica is a Future Business Leader of America ... with guest speaker Dick Sr. Great. Super.
• They're all eating ... does the club meet during lunch? Is that a thing?
• Wow Dick Sr doesn't acknowledge Beaver. What a ... dick.
• Veronica's the only one who respects Beaver's wish to be called Cassidy. I hate him too much.
• Anyplot, he wants Veronica to prove Cordelia Chase is violating her prenup with Dick Sr.
• Veronica snarking Sheriff Lamb = always a good time.
• It is pretty crazy that Curly had Veronica's name written on his palm ... and that while his body washed up on a beach, that name didn't get blurred or washed away at all ... pretty contrivancy, even. One might even call it ... shenanigany?
• Keith and Alicia are way too cute and lovey dovey, which means something is gonna go wrong soon.
• Seriously, though, how did Veronica manage to make only the unicorn wallpaper on her laptop be open? We saw her just slam down the lid, not close a bunch of windows.
• omg Veronica stop making fun of Wallace's pudding cup. Pudding cups are great!
• Jackie hates Pride and Prejudice! boooooooooo hissssssssssssss
• But Veronica is Wallace's friend and will be a true wingman, inviting him and Jackie to join her P&P-watching party with Duncan.
• Beaver's being sneaky with his observation - pointing out that Kendall's sleazy hotel was one of Dick Sr.'s properties, and that Kendall and Gym Buddy swapped gym bags.
• gasp Curly has a celeb photo with everyone's favorite murderer, Aaron Echolls
• this teacher running FBLA is endearing and charming, therefore bad things will happen to him. poor Mr. Pope
• aww man he's invested in Dick Sr. We who know the future know it won't end well.
• this fight between Logan and Duncan is painful. It's not about Veronica. It's about the fact that Logan was accused of murder this summer, and he felt abandoned by Duncan. But it's not as simple as that. Duncan had to deal with the fact that his best friend's dad murdered his sister, that his parents thought he did it, that they're in trouble for obstruction of justice, and basically everything was shitty for both boys this summer.
• "Your dad murdered my sister." // "I hate him too, you know."
• YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS NOT THE SOUNDTRACK TO THE BBC P&P AND I'M CALLING THEM OUT. Shenanigans. I know what that score sounds like.
• hahaha Veronica's doing one of my biggest pet peeves: people talking at me as if I can hear them when I clearly have earbuds in and can't hear a word they're saying.
• aaaand now the penny drops. Veronica sees that what Dick Sr was selling as the Sandpiper hotel is loads seedier than the brochure.
• oh man, Veronica found an honest guy, so of course he's getting screwed. "You don't dump [stock], Veronica, you sell it ... to somebody else. I'd just be sticking some other sucker with the consequences."
• This episode really is about setting up nice people/relationships before it ruins them. VM is a show with a cynical lens to be sure.
• Uhmmm NO. Just because you have a fancy badge, hotels still aren't supposed to give out guest information without some kind of warrant. Eff this.
• Aw poor Lars and his bad voice. Beginning of the running gag of him being upstaged by real singers on karaoke night.
• Oh shiiiiiiiit. I remembered the Dick Sr. scandal, but forgot this was when Beaver and Veronica found out about Logan and Kendall.
• Interesting, because I was feeling bad for Logan earlier during his fight with Duncan. But he's in full on douche mode when Veronica confronts him.
• "Right, and so you storm out in a burst of professionalism."
• Meanwhile as soon as Dick Sr. realizes there's a private investigator, he knows it's time for his go bag. "Shred it, shred everything."
• wow he's just got a helicopter all fueled and ready to go on the roof? that's ... I guess that's a thing
• Bye, Dick Sr. We hate you!
• Dang, Veronica thinks the bus crash was about her because of Curly's connection to Aaron. Don't worry, Veronica. It's way more awful than you think.

Crossfire!

Dick Sr: That's where Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITS, come in.

D & Z: *gasp of recognition!* (we work at a financial/real estate firm)

D: I can't believe how many times I've typed Casablancas.

Z: Me too, I'm starting to question how to spell it.

D: ... House of White People? Is that what the name means?

Favorite Lines:

Melodie: "Okay, then I have something to admit. I LOVE unicorns. What, Dad? Girls are crazy about unicorns!" - Veronica

Daniel: "I realize I'm not a nineteenth-century British woman." - Wallace

Zelda: Veronica: "It was a job, nothing more." // Logan: "Right, and so you storm out in a burst of professionalism."

Arc/Continuity:

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

First Appearance: Mr. Pope, Nathan Woods

Recurring: Richard Casablancas, Deputy Jerry Sacks, Sheriff Don Lamb, David "Curly" Moran, Alicia Fennel,  Kendall Casablancas, Lars/Singer

Already (?) Famous Person: Courtney Taylor-Taylor, lead singer of the Dandy Warhols

Generally Known TV Face: Cress Williams, Michael Kostroff

Logan's Inspirational Message: "To love and win is the best thing. To love and lose, the next best." - William M. Thackeray

Veronica's Alias: Curly's niece whose name is coincidentally Veronica Mars

Logan's Nicknames: Nurse Ratched (School Nurse)

Stats:

Dead Humans - 0

Backup Sighting - 0

Veronica Breaks In - 0

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 - 1

Dick's Single Entendres - 

Logan's Single Entendres - 1 "Didn't plug her right the first time, huh?"

Shenanigans Called - 3

VERONICA WAS RIGHT - 0

VERONICA WAS WRONG - 0

Go on Oprah and Tell the World I Loved Kittens

Episode 2.02: Driver Ed. Original Airdate 10.05.05

"Veronica finds her life once again swirling out of control as she struggles to deal with the aftermath of the bus crash by helping the daughter of the bus driver rule out suicide. Meanwhile, new student Jackie gets the attention of Wallace, who does a little detective work of his own."

Zelda's Thoughts:

• Veronica can no longer hold herself responsible for solving Lilly's murder, so now it's time to blame herself for Meg's being on the bus when it crashed
• Jackie's here and she's already awful (listen, I really like Tessa Thompson now but I mostly hate her as Jackie. I don't think she's doing her best work, and Jackie is an underwritten and kind of awful character)
• Last week Woody Goodman was running for Mayor; this week, he's running for County Supervisor. Because oops Neptune doesn't have a mayorship.
• Woody Goodman is so creepy. He's always so creepy. Did Guttenberg know he was a creeper when they cast him, or did he just decide he was gonna be a creeper independently?
• "Elections dredge up ugliness, and I don't wanna subject you to that again." // "You wanna protect me? Run for Sheriff." boom
• Keith's face "I can't imagine where I'd be if you'd gotten back on that bus."
• Gasp Jackie is Terrence Cook's daughter! ... estranged daughter
• Wallace side-eying the shallow girls pretending they knew the bus victims
• And then he sees Jackie and he lights up adorably
• Kendall to Logan "You need to not remind me you're in high school, there's an ick factor." AGREED MAYBE WE SHOULD STOP THIS RIGHT NOW. Also that was such a Cordelia line.
• ugh seriously how long til that entanglement ends?
• wow yeah Dick Sr announces he's taking Dick Jr to the firing range and invites Logan, and everyone ignores Beaver
• haha Wallace calls Veronica for a favor and uses her patented cute smile-head tilt-"whatcha doin'?"
• Kevin Smith is so excited that he was on TV.
• I actually think it's a darling thing, that other writers who loved Veronica Mars threw their names behind that love by cameo-ing on it (stay tuned for when Joss Whedon shows up to yell at another America's Next Top Model).
• Oho Driver Ed needed change for a phone call. The last payphone in America!
• The Sheriff's office is hiring a new receptionist? Where's Inga?
• Oh right, Jane! I remember Jane. Aw and Jane clearly has an adorable crush on Wallace.
• "I think my father has a similar philosophy. Of course, he's a murderer, so."
• Oho and a reporter tries to get a story off Wallace, and Wallace recognizes the notebook style. DETECTIVE WALLACE ON THE CASE.
• It's bittersweet but very well acted, the scene between Jessie and her dad's gf
• And Veronica and Duncan have had their first consensual sex.
• And they hear through the hotel wall, loud moany sex. Duncan: "Maybe we did it wrong."
• And whoop she knows it was Logan. And now he knows she and Duncan are sleeping together. Everything is awkward and bitter.
• Turns out Dick Sr is as awful as Dick Jr  I AM SHOCKED
• Keith tells Woody he's not running for Sheriff. But then he sees Lamb being awful and dismissive to Jessie, and well, he's a good man, our Keith.
• Veronica: sees girl who was a bitch to her kissing Wallace. sees Wallace's smitten face. doesn't say anything.
• Check out the dead guy with Veronica's name on his hand.

Daniel's Thoughts:

• After the crash…
• It’s interesting that Meg is the only survivor.  Kinda..she’s in a coma.
• Omg, look how young Tessa Thompson is!  She hasn't aged in over ten years.
• “You know you can do better right?” – Duncan’s look.  Heh.
• Suicide is a personal thing.  They wouldn't risk others.  Blaming the bus driver sucks.
• Hey, it’s Ari Graynor!  The first thing I ever saw her in was on Broadway. “Dog Sees God”
• She’s the bus driver’s daughter.
• Veronica, “You must chill,” Ok. Fine.  But her dad just died and being accused of committing suicide while killing 6-7 other people. So…
• Ugh.  Knowing what I know about Woody/Steve Guttenberg – this scene with him as a little league coach is so damn creepy.
• But right now, he seems like a good guy.  He’s backing Keith, he’s being a good citizen, helping kids out… watching it for the first time, he seems all right - but ugh.  We don’t know it yet.
• It’s funny that Kevin Smith is playing a convenience store employee.

Lookat that tiny tiny TV

• Veronica’s getting really p.o’ed about the 09ers.
• Jackie enters the room.  And Wallace is in love.

*choirs singing*

• Ok, Jackie is pretty awesome here. 
• Cordelia Kendall: You have to stop reminding me you’re in high school. There’s an ick factor” Yes, there is, so stop.
• Oh poor clueless Mr. Casablancas.  Maybe.
• So gross that the convenience store is selling Bus Crash souvenirs.
• The bus logo on the souvenirs has wings…so gross.
• So Wallace is going to go all Veronica Mars for Jackie
• The way he’s talking, Veronica is trying so hard not to throw up.
• Kevin Smith is actually very funny in this role.
• Veronica is so smart. What would this town do without her?
• Wallace has learned a lot from Veronica.  Asking witnesses, cross referencing and stuff.
• The Gun range – Dick doing the douche side arm thing.
• Oh hey, Wallace still works at that other convenience store – We haven’t seen him work there since like the pilot.
• So Veronica sleeps with Duncan…and this time, she’ll remember it…and this time he won't think she's his sister... [...yay? - Z]
• Oh hey, look.  Logan has a suite as well.  Rich kids.  Man.
• Wow.  Dick senior is just as much of a dick as Dick Jr.
• And Wallace figured it out!   He saved the day!
• “Um, who was that kissing you?”  Aww, Big sis Veronica is concerned.
• Hey, dead guy on the beach.  Written on his hand is Veronica Mars.

Crossfire!

Logan and Kendall: second naked sex scene
Zelda: Ugh how much of this?
Daniel: Right? I need another Tums™️

Favorite Lines:

Zelda: Veronica, to Lamb, "Seriously, why do birds suddenly appear every time you're near?"

Daniel:  Keith: I can't imagine where I'd be if you had gotten back on that bus. Veronica: You'd be sad for a while and then you'd probably turn my room into some sort of sewing nook or yoga studio. Keith: You don't have to make a joke, you know.  Veronica: Sure I do.

Arc/Continuity:

Neptune Roll Call: Wallace, Duncan, Logan, Dick, Beaver, Jackie (Absent: Weevil)
First Appearance: Jackie Cook, David "Curly" Moran, Richard Casablancas, Jane Kuhne
Recurring: Sheriff Don Lamb, Woody Goodman, Veronica's "Office," Terrence Cook, Kendall Casablancas, Deputy Jerry Sacks, Wallace's job at the Sac n Pack
Future Famous Person: Ari Graynor (Jessie Doyle)
Already Famous Person: Kevin Smith (Duane Anders)
Veronica's Alias: Deputy Ann Shaughnessy, Dawn Lamb, assistant to the District Attorney

Stats:

Dead Humans - 1
Backup Sighting - 0
Veronica Breaks In - 0
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
Jessie Punches Someone - 1
Dick's Single Entendres - 0
Shenanigans Called -
VERONICA WAS RIGHT - 0
VERONICA WAS WRONG - 0