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)

He Bugged Me First

Episode 1.21: A Trip to the Dentist. Original Airdate 5.03.05

"After obtaining a shocking new piece of information, Veronica is determined to get to the bottom of what happened the night she was drugged and raped, even if it means piecing together the fuzzy stories of every 09er at Neptune High. Meanwhile, Aaron throws a party for Logan, but inadvertently throws a wrench into Logan and Veronica's secret relationship."

Daniel's Thoughts:

• Havana, Cuba.  ….in the 50s?  Nope, nope.  It’s today.  Just…old cars, I guess?
• Duncan has a beard – great disguise.  And hey, Daddy Mars found him
• V’s ignoring Logan….  And Weevil’s coming to her rescue.
• And Logan is getting all racist again – not a good look for him.
• BACK UP!
• Poor Veronica – having to explain to Logan how his bringing GHB to the party caused her to be raped.
• “As a rule, people who hate you aren’t that helpful” 
• And this is where everything gets pieced together.  It’s creepy and weird but necessary.
• So many people in this episode; so many past guest stars coming together.  That’s what I love about this show.
• Yay, Sam Huntington, the werewolf!
• “You can keep asking, but you’re not the fairest.” – Veronica to Madison looking in the mirror.
• Eww, Veronica made out with Dick
• And there was a moment, just a brief moment, when Veronica told Madison she was drugged, not drunk – Madison had an ounce of sympathy and then just like that, it was gone.
• The look on V’s face when Daddy Mars tells her to go to her room.  She gets it though. 
• I love that they’re showing these flashbacks from different points of view.  It wasn’t Veronica that made a pass at Dick and Casey.  It was Dick who took advantage of her.  Still gross.
• I love when Wallace and Veronica prove their friendship to each other….but Veronica is lying here…again. 
• Dick is such a…well dick.  This is so disgusting.
• Beaver claims he didn’t touch Veronica – but he’s guilty of not helping her either. (And guiltier than we know right now...spoilers...)
• Pretty much everyone at that party is guilty.
• How does a father not know his son is allergic to shell fish? I like how we’re being reminded now about how awful Daddy Echolls is.
• Was it Duncan?  What’s awful is that there are so many suspects – so many people it could have been.
• Poor Duncan – Having sex with someone he thinks is his sister.  That's....really messed up.
• And I like this follow-up.  Veronica is having the worst day – the worst realizations of her life.  And she comes to Wallace.  She seems like she’s told him everything even if we don’t see it.  And Wallace is being a great friend.  I get it.  It’s hard for Veronica to trust. And it’s nice that she slowly but surely trusting Wallace – and even showing him the files on her investigation.
• Keith’s hiring a hookah!  And duh, we’re not stupid.  We know he didn’t go all the way to Las Vegas to do this.  He’s investigating.
• This is about Abel Koontz.  He’s finally bringing this mystery to a head.
• Surprise! 

• - yes, just as awkward.  Now everyone knows that Logan and Veronica are dating so….yay. 
• Oh man, and Duncan looks so pissed.  And Meg realizes it.  We never saw Meg and Duncan’s reunion.  Does Meg know why he left?  Did he even tell her?
• So getting drugged was a total accident.  It wasn’t even anyone’s fault. Well I mean it was Dick’s fault for drugging the drink in the first place – but Veronica wasn’t even the intended target. 
• OMG, do the curtains in the pool bedroom (Yes, that’s a thing) has Aaron’s picture on them.

Yep, there's Aaron & Lynn...on the curtains...

• Oh no oh no oh no.  Logan drugged Duncan.  He didn’t know what happened and Veronica is being seriously understanding about it.  I mean on the one hand Logan is being upfront about his past.  Also on that one hand,  he seems like he's growing up.  On the other hand...he drugged his friend.
• And V – being the ever observant one – finds a camera in the pool bedroom… wtf.  She immediately blames Logan and runs away…this must be the one with the misunderstanding. [My favorite episode of Friends! - Z]
• And hey, there’s Lianne!  Lianne’s home….  why...

Zelda's Thoughts:

• Time to find out who raped Veronica, with every character who's appeared in season one returning!
• Except first Cuba. Oh hey, this is when we still weren't talking to Cuba.
• Duncan (who looks okay with scruff?) didn't even notice Keith sitting down at the table with him. Yep he was easy for Keith to find after all.
• Weevil providing backup to Veronica, shielding her from Logan. FRIENDS. 
• But also everything hurts and the boys are fighting and everyone hurts.
• Kristen Bell and Jason Dohring acting the shit out of this confrontation. I just love this cast so much.
• "As a rule, people that hate you aren't that helpful."
• Meg saw boys doing body shots off an unconscious Veronica, but assumed Veronica was wasted (as did pretty much everyone).
• Aw man Celeste to Duncan. "Next time you run away, take your medication with you."
• And now we know Madison was the one who wrote Slut on Veronica's car.
• Madison's hair this episode is so many different colors because Flashback! 
• "I have never done anything to you, UP TIL NOW." Seriously, Madison, do you not know the thousand ways Veronica can destroy you? Have you not been paying attention all season?
• I'm so impressed Keith is defending Veronica to Alicia. But also he is LIVID with her.
• "Fine. But he bugged me first."
• omg Veronica has a Cuba poster on her wall. that's ... on topic, set dressers

• "Veronica, what if you started looking for another job, selling clothes or something ... I just can't help think that your life would be better if you weren't working for me." // "Are you kidding me? You're the best father in the world ... I never would have gotten through this past year if it wasn't for you." // "If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have to." The Marses, you guys.
• And Casey tries to brush Veronica off, but she reminds him that he had a heart at one point, and she saw it.
• Fuck Dick, Fuck Sean, and Fuck Beaver, who's watching, as they feed Veronica shots. Fuck all of them and fuck this rape culture and fuck everything.
• Wallace! We've missed you this episode.
• V apologizes but he reminds her "I'm not stupid. I know I wasn't just delivering a plant. I could've said no."
• But then he also reminds her, when he finds out Logan used one of the absent slips W gave to V: "You, I do favors for. My friends, I put my butt on the line for. That guy doesn't even know my name. You wanna tell me why I'm helping him out?" Good point, Wallace. The slips were his favors to dole out, not hers. He and Logan don't know each other from Adam and Steve.
• Aw when Veronica cites one of her favorite local deputies, we all know whom she means!
• Seeing Beaver be the good guy and talk Dick out of raping Veronica is making me feel ill because I know what season two tells us about this night.
• But I guess this means they decided at this point that Beaver wasn't just a Dick 2.0
• Ahahaha I forgot about Veronica using her car to bust up Dick's board in revenge.
• "Look, I swear to god, I didn't touch you, Veronica." LIAR LIAR BEAVER IS A RETCONNED LIAR
• I love the Rashomon style of these flashbacks, though. Same dialogue, different speakers, depending on who's telling the story. We don't always know which version to trust (well, we know not to trust Dick's version, like, ever)
• Beaver tells V he didn't rape her, but as she points out, he still left her there. We now know so many people knew she wasn't okay, but they left her there, vulnerable.
• Wow. Aaron made a fancy dish ... which Logan reminds him he's deathly allergic to.
• "Round one of How Well Do You Know Your Son: When is my birthday?" // "*huffs and blinks* February." // "Wow. Well, you got a vowel right."
• "My eighteenth birthday, whenever that is."
• Hi Carrie Bishop! "Do you remember Shelly's party last year? Yeah, I don't." Tag line for this episode.
• Gasp! Carrie saw Veronica and Duncan getting it on.
• Man, V is so hurt. You can see how much pain she's in, just looking at Duncan.
• Ouch. He thought she was conscious and consenting.
• "Then why did you leave me there? If it was so tender and loving, why did I wake up by myself, searching for my underwear?"
• Ow ow ow ow and he did it thinking they were siblings? That's ... ew.
• At least V is finally confiding in Wallace. She's told him about the rape, and now she's reading him in on the Lilly Kane files.
• Now we're in Vegas. Keith is quite the world traveler this week.
• Guys, my ship is making up. They're sitting on a couch and looking deeply in each other's eyes. 

• Oh but Logan's face when she says it was Duncan. Because he knows Duncan was drugged too. Oh he didn't reveal that yet. It's hard knowing the future sometimes.
• Ahh Keith called the escort Cheyenne because she was with Abel Koontz during Lilly's murder.
• Uh oh....Logan and Veronica making out ... just in time for Logan's surprise party.
• Wow and Aaron is the ONLY one to yell Surprise. It'd be more hilarious if it wasn't the most awkward ever.
• "So is this party nine months early or three months late?"
• On the plus, Logan basically says fuck you if you have a problem with Veronica.
• HEY IT'S THE TITLE. A Trip to the Dentist = Madison spits in a drink and gives it to someone she doesn't like.
• Which is how Veronica got drugged. It was malicious, but it wasn't the intended malice. The drugs were a second-hand malice from Dick attempting to drug Madison. Isn't rape culture the best? Isn't it fun how Dick is let completely off the hook for all this? Isn't it fun how Rob Thomas's love for Ryan Hansen leads to exactly no redemptive arc ever for Dick but we keep him around anyway and never demand any kind of reckoning?
• Shit, Duncan's having a rage meltdown. You know, like all epileptics have. Because that's what epilepsy is, you guys. Rage blackouts.
• THEY'RE DOING THE SPINNY THING AGAIN. Sorry, I really like how Logan and Veronica spin when they're together.
• Ah, here's where Logan tells her Duncan was drugged too. But he also tells her that Duncan rescued her from the body shots (and confesses he was aiding and abetting said body shots).
• Everything is complicated and messy and my god do the characters on this show make bad choices sometimes.
• "I want you to trust me." / "I do."
• Right before Veronica discovers the hidden camera in the pool house.
• Also we have one last clue about Lilly: hiding things in the air vents.
• And she called Weevil to rescue her from Logan again. Man, I can definitely see why some ppl ship her with Weevil.
• Aw shit Lianne's back.
• I DON'T THINK ENOUGH THINGS HAPPENED IN THIS EPISODE. DEFINITELY NOT ENOUGH REVELATIONS AND CHARACTER MOVES. NOPE. BASICALLY A BORING FILLER EPISODE.

Crossfire!

Daniel and Zelda had a post-ep discussion about this whole Veronica/Duncan encounter, now that we have full knowledge. Veronica wasn't able to consent, but Duncan didn't know. But now it turns out he wasn't able to consent. However, unlike Veronica, he wasn't blacked out; he remembers the night. Which is interesting, since HE BLACKS OUT ALL THE TIME.

Favorite Lines:

Daniel: 

Zelda: "Do you remember Shelly's party last year? Yeah, I don't." - Veronica

Arc/Continuity:

Neptune Roll Call: Wallace, Duncan, Logan, Weevil

First Appearance: Cheyenne

Recurring: Dick Casablancas, Meg Manning, Cole, Clarence Wiedman, Celeste Kane, Luke Halderman, Sean Friedrich, Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas, Madison Sinclair, Casey Gant, Alicia Fennel, Carrie Bishop, Aaron Echolls, Lianne Mars

Logan's Nicknames: Paco (Weevil)

Stats:

Dead Humans - 0

Backup Sighting - 1

Veronica Breaks In - 0

Veronica Tases Someone - 0

Mac Hacks - 0

Who's Your Daddy? - But Duncan thinks he knows

Wallace Does Veronica a Favor - 0

Veronica Wants a Pony - 0

Logan Punches Someone - 0

Dick's Single Entendres - 2 ("Oh, I'd hurt her. You, she might not even notice."; "Make sure you suit up. You don't know where she's been." (this one is only Dick's in Sean's version))

Shenanigans Called - 0

VERONICA WAS RIGHT - 0

VERONICA WAS WRONG - 0

Who's Roberto Nalbandion?

Episode 1.20: M.A.D. Original Airdate 4.26.05

"Veronica helps her friend Carmen plot revenge on her clingy boyfriend, after he releases a scandalous tape of her over the Internet. Meanwhile, Keith decides to track down the missing Duncan in exchange for the huge Kane reward."

Zelda's Thoughts:

• BEAVER IS HERE. I'd be more excited except WE KNOW THE FUTURE. Also he comes off douchier here than they'll write him later.
• And while Logan may not be contributing to the mocking of Veronica, he's not stopping it. But Veronica's in good snarky spirits and they're sharing secret looks and WE SEE YOU TWO.
• Also yay Carmen is trying to break up with her toolbag bf and he's blackmailing her with racy footage. Isn't slut shaming fun, you guys?
• Um so does this makeout session count as office hours, since we're in Veronica's Office? 

• sidebar: I love how spinny their makeout sessions always are.
• "So I was all no way and he was like yeah way." She's amazing when she's in full ditz mode.
• So Tad is the absolute worst.
• And homophobic. [In other words, typical teen boy from that era -D]
• What a shitstain.
• Meanwhile, Weevil gives us a clue to the car Duncan might have fled in, making a deal for 8% of the finders fee. But since we know what happens to the fee, does Weevil get anything?
• Oooh it's time for the one-shot of Logan giving Veronica a mini tour slash making out with her.
• Man, the chemistry with these two.
• And the show is working hard to make Aaron seem reformed and kind of awkwardly nice BUT WE KNOW THE TRUTH, SHOW.
• Seriously, Beaver feels like an entirely different character than he becomes. I guess they hadn't decided yet; just dropped him in. I wonder if they already had next season planned yet. They can't have.
• I feel pretty not-great that Veronica's plan for mutually assured destruction with Tad is to frame him as a closeted gay man. I get that it's something he, with his homophobic ways, wouldn't like, but hey let's stop sanctioning that being gay is something to be embarrassed about, cool? Cool.
• Poor Keith. He think he's earning Veronica's admission to Yale, not knowing Veronica sort of already waived the fee, trading finding Duncan for Weevil's release from prison.
• "Maybe Duncan's smarter than I was giving credit." I know that feel, bro.
• Wow wow WOW Tad. Claiming he loves Carmen while blackmailing her into not dumping him. "You made me do it! And look, if you make me do it again -"
• Awww Logan brought Veronica her car. TRUE LOVE.
• Even if it's just a light dose, I always love when Cliff McCormack shows up. He is a snarky delight.
• Aw, Keith and Alicia are taking ballroom dancing classes. This is too cute.
• Oh lord Shenanigans! That that dude brought in a popsicle from home for the sole purpose of mocking Carmen with it, and managed to keep it UNWRAPPED in his back pocket until he saw her ... and that when he did, it was unmelted and not covered in lint. So many shenanigans, you guys.
• And here we see another foil to Veronica, much like Meg was. Veronica's impulse is for revenge, but Carmen recognizes it wouldn't actually make her feel better.
• Oh shiiiiiiiiit I forgot that the video of Carmen actually sets Veronica on her mission for the next episode - find out who drugged and raped her - because it was the same night.
• Hahahaha and now Mac wants her percent of the bounty too. Veronica's gonna disappoint so many people.
• Geeeeez Wiedman is threatening Alicia to break up with Keith or she might lose her job. And then she calls him Mr. Weed and it's amazing.
• Except he found the bug Veronica asked Wallace to plant.
• I see Weevil got his trademarked revenge on Tad, duct taping him to the flagpole.
• shit shit shit shit Tad got the drugs from Logan shit shit shit
• everything hurrrrrrrtssssssssssss
• Interesting, since the show ends with Logan looking disappointed and sad, stood up for his yachting date with Veronica, and not with his having any mien of malevolence or menace, the show is definitely signalling that he's not actually going to be the villain, at least not of what happened the night of Shelly Pomeroy's party.

Daniel's Thoughts:

• Hey, it’s Beaver!
• Aww, Veronica and Logan doing the “I Hate You” banter but giving each other SECRET LOOKS OF LOVE.
• Mystery of the week:  Bad boyfriend blackmailing his girlfriend into staying with her with a dumb video.
• Logan & Veronica making out in her "office." Respect at work, Veronica!
• I dunno. There are so many flaws in this plan.  Tad’s phone wasn’t even on.  He can easily prove that to his teacher if he wanted to.  Even if the phone was on, he could have shown that there were no missed calls.  It’s just…such a stretch.
• “I volunteered to separate the recycling from the cafeteria trash”  Seriously?  And her teacher bought this terrible excuse?
• “Hi…Miss Fanell…”, she said through gritted teeth.
• Mac!
• Ugh, this “who’s gayer” back and forth argument between teenage boys is the worst.
• Weevil “We’re always owing each other favors aren’t we?” – That’s what our stats say!
• Logan’s already giving her rides – that’s boyfriend responsibilities!
• Oops.  Veronica/Logan caught by Aaron.
• Oh man, Beaver’s streaked hair.
• They’re tricking us into thinking Aaron’s becoming a cool dad…  Just wait.
• I hate seeing Veronica stuck in a car with Aaron, knowing what we know.
• I kinda hate this.  Because the producers/writers think they’re being witty here.  But all it’s doing is making me uncomfortable – using the only gay kid in school (that we know of yet) to get faked compromising photos/video to blackmail someone by making him think they’ll tell the world he’s gay.  Gay as blackmail.  GAY AS BLACKMAIL.  It’s fucked.  It works because it’s fucked.  But no one’s thinking about the actual gay kid. 
• Yeah, I’m kinda over this.
• Let’s concentrate on Logan & Veronica – because it’ll be years before we see a good healthy gay relationship on tv.  Might as well ship the heterosexuals. [Hey. - Willow & Tara.]
• Cliff!
• Keith and Alicia also make a cute couple.  It’s just nice to see Keith happy.
• Well he released it anyway.  That’s actually unexpected.   And Carmen takes the high road.
• Mac and Keith meet!
• Clarence Wiedman telling Alicia who she can and can’t date.  NOT COOL KANE SOFTWARE.  That’s her personal life!
• Oh no.  Logan Echolls is the one that gave Tad the GHB.  A CROSS TO BEAR FOR LOGAN AND VERONICA? SAY IT AIN’T SO.
• Also, final joke/pay-back? A tattoo that says Seth’s name that everyone will see.  HAHA YOU ARE GAY THAT IS FUNNY.
• Done.

Favorite Lines:

Zelda: "Tardy excuse slips. Date-stamped. Untraceable. I know people." - Veronica

Daniel: Logan: "What, like will we ever hang at the mall and hold hands and buy each other teddy bears with hearts that say 'I wuv you bear-y much'?"  Veronica: "Yes, exactly that. Except I want my bear won through some sort of demonstration of ring tossing ability."

Arc/Continuity:

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

First Appearance: Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas, Carmen Ruiz

Recurring: Dick Casablancas, Veronica's "Office," Alicia Fennel, Felix Toombs, Mac, Aaron Echolls, Cliff McCormack, Clarence Wiedman

Stats:

Dead Humans - 0

Backup Sighting - 0

Veronica Breaks In - 0

Veronica Tases Someone - 0

Mac Hacks - 1

Who's Your Daddy? - 0

Wallace Does Veronica a Favor - 0

Mac Does Veronica a Favor - 2

Veronica Wants a Pony - 0

Logan Punches Someone - 0

Dick's Single Entendres - 0

Shenanigans Called - 1

VERONICA WAS RIGHT - 0

VERONICA WAS WRONG - 0

It Was Heartfelt Crappy

Episode 1.19: Hot Dogs. Original Airdate 4.19.05

"When awkward classmate Mandy asks Veronica to help her find her missing dog, a much larger scheme is exposed as they follow the trail. Meanwhile, Logan's sister Trina begs her father to play a role in her new boyfriend's movie, while Logan suspects that Trina is hiding something."

Daniel's Thoughts:

• Hey, it’s Weevil.  Haven’t seen him in a while.
• Veronica’s tutoring him in math – it’s nice that she’s doing him a favor.
• For a private conversation, word about Veronica’s accusation (which wasn’t really an accusation) got around fast.  I imagine Duncan told Logan – but I feel like Logan wouldn’t tell anyone.  Who knows?
• Logan’s cool.  He points to the ceiling and the bell rings.  How did he do that?  Not gonna lie, I’ve done the same with my automatic doors at work.
• Poor Mandy.  She just wants her dog back.  I’m glad Veronica is sympathetic enough to help her.
• Veronica to Leo: “How are you?” CAN’T YOU TELL BY THAT SMILE?
• I…I dunno.  Alyson Hannigan is just so miscast in this role.   It’s obvious she was only given it riding the coattails of Buffy.
• “Coolest girl in Neptune High.”  It’s nice when people reveal their awe of Veronica
• I’m glad Veronica stood up for Mandy but telling her she needs to stand up for herself is not cool.  Not everyone can do that, V.
• I’m glad Back-Up is in this episode. All doggie-themed episodes should have Back-Up.
• “I know you think I hate you but I don’t.  I just can’t stand to look at you.”
• A long time ago, Mrs. Kane and Keith used to be friends.
• Is Duncan in Australia?  Nope, not yet.
• And Logan.  As much as he hates his sister, he still wants to protect her.
• “No discussing parental PDA at lunch”
• So many cute dogs in this episode!
• “Sure, let’s play dirty charades with the Gringa”
• This episode is very dirtily witty. “Always getting out of the back of some dude’s van.”
• The guy who plays Dylan is kinda unrecognizable.  He later goes on to play Carlos Rivera on General Hospital. 

• It’s nice that Aaron is protecting his daughter by kicking this kid’s ass – but he’s still responsible for doing the same things to Logan as he’s accusing his own father of doing to him, so.  Remember the belt?
• “Do you think Lilly loved Weevil?”  Wow, shit – deep, out-of-the-blue question from Logan.
• Hey, more kissing!  Glad it’s not just a one-off.  Both Veronica and Logan are confused and delighted and it’s all really cool.
• Oh no.  I don’t like when Leo loses that smile.  And the only thing that can make that happen is Veronica breaking up with him.  I’m glad she’s being honest with him, though.  She even told him what happened with Logan.
• “That’s where we keep the dogs with serious contagious diseases.”  That’s a TERRIBLE excuse.
• Mandy tazes Hans like 5 times.  Once is enough to cause serious damage, though I guess not necessarily on someone who’s 18, but still.  It’s more dangerous than people think.
• “Can I ask you a weird question?” “Do you ask any other kind of questions?”
• Aww, Chester/Mandy reunion.

Zelda's Thoughts:

• The previouslies are reminding us that Veronica made out with two guys last ep
• She should ... probably do something about that.
• Awww she's tutoring Weevil. Welcome back, Weevil! We missed you.
• "He helped me out in the past, I'm just returning the favor." VERONICA RETURNS FAVORS
• Aw awkward Mandy is reading Judy Blume. Of course she is.
• Logan and Veronica, meaningful looks, trying not to smile, talking about Duncan's disappearance, everything is awkward
• OR YOU COULD MAKE OUT MORE, IDK
• just my opinion
• "You're Veronica Mars, right?" // "Sometimes." It's a joke because of all her aliases. 
• hahaha "Do I have to tip you over or are you gonna spill it on your own?"
• Oops Weevil broke into the Kane house. 
• See, this is the danger with Veronica talking about the case with people who loved Lilly. They alllllll have intense revenge streaks, several of them violent.
• Aaron Echolls reading Siddhartha. snort
• Aaron was removed from Lynn's will. Good.
• Aw the animal shelter guy declares Veronica Mars to be the coolest girl at Neptune High. Also his name is Hans. Also doesn't he turn out to be the bad guy?
• God I love Logan sometimes. "Would you look at that? There was a string attached to my poptart!"

• So every shot in the Echolls household this episode has had someone cleaning/working in the background.
• Veronica Mars, human lightning. Tearing that showerbag [editor's note: look up the french word for shower if you want to see why Zelda likes this as an insult] who's trolling Mandy a new one. But she's not just a marshmallow, she yells at Mandy too, telling her to demand respect.
• Gasp! Veronica has detected A Pattern. It's not just Chester. Other dogs are missing.
• Oops Celeste Kane has arrived for a reckoning. But Veronica has ammunition of her own.
• "I know you think I hate you, but I don't. I just can't stand to look at you." Cool, totally cool.
• Oops Trina's got a limp and the telltale indoor sunglasses of Abuse Victim
• And Logan flips from slut shaming to angry protective Echolls
• Wow Hans is a showerbag. "How old are you, anyway, Hans?" // "18, why?" // "Community soap."
• Awwww Weevil's out of jail!
• It's actually pretty interesting, this scene with Aaron and Trina. He sees her putting on the makeup to cover her black eye, comments on it obliquely but doesn't press it. Maybe, being part of an abusive cycle himself, he knows the signs. And the degree of his psychopathy is that he's not gonna go psycho just yet. He'll bank that anger until he can destroy Dylan in person.
• GUYS THIS WAS OUR CLUE IF WE WEREN'T PICKING IT UP BEFORE. Aaron Echolls is patient, violent, and confident enough in his untouchability that he feels no qualms about beating the absolute shit out of someone.
• And all while Dean Martin sings to us about Amore.
• And then he casually greets Logan. "Oh hey, son, how was school?"
• OH LOOK, LOGAN AND VERONICA ARE KISSING AGAIN YAY.
• And at least she's doing right by Leo and breaking up with him rather than cheating on him.
• AND THEN SHE ASKS HIM FOR A FAVOR. 
• But at least it's not an abuse of his position like some of the favors she asks - here he gets to make a bust. "Please, resist arrest. Please."
• "Can I ask you kind of a weird question?" // "Do you ask any other kinds of questions?"
• ahhhhhhhhhh my feeeeeeelings Keith is conducting his own DNA test, after Veronica shredded the one she had done without reading it.
• Awww Mandy got her dog Chester back!

Crossfire!

Backup: *runs and tackles dog guy*

Daniel: (laughing, fondly) He just wants kisses.

Veronica: Would it be weird for me to start my own drinking game? Like I have to do a shot every time someone asks for my help?
Zelda: Pot, kettle.

Favorite Lines:

Daniel: "I know you think I hate you, but I don't. I just can't stand to look at you." - Celeste Kane

Zelda: "If I want you to speak, I'll wave a snausage over your nose. If you use Mandy again to try to convince yourself that you're not a loser, I will ruin your life." - Veronica

Arc/Continuity:

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

First Appearance: Mandy, Barry Randall (Echolls family lawyer)

Recurring: Deputy Leo D'Amato, Aaron Echolls, Trina Echolls, Celeste Kane, Lilly Kane

Veronica's Alias: Yorkshire Terrier-owning Bridget; Todd Russell's assistant at CAA

Stats:

Dead Humans - 0

Backup Sighting - 1

Veronica Breaks In - 1

Veronica Tases Someone - 0

Mandy Tases Someone - 1

Mac Hacks - 0

Who's Your Daddy? - KEITH IS CURIOUS

Wallace Does Veronica a Favor - 0

Leo Does Veronica a Favor - 1

Veronica Wants a Pony - 0

Logan Punches Someone - 0

Aaron Beats the Shit out of Someone - 1

Dick's Single Entendres - 0

Shenanigans Called - 0

VERONICA WAS RIGHT - 0

VERONICA WAS WRONG - 0