Mars Vs. Mars

Season 1 -- Episode 14

by Sue, February 16, 2005

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The Story of the Week

Mars vs Mars: Veronica versus Keith? Maybe so, at least on the surface. Veronica clearly sees herself pitted against her father. She tries to talk him out of the investigation and when that doesn't work she resorts to pettiness, telling him to get his own messages. However, I don't think Keith sees himself working against Veronica. He tells her he is just doing his job; keeps it all on a very professional level. Keith is on Veronica's side: always and completely. As he says to her, "I encourage you to stand up for your convictions, but I don't want you hurt by the truth when it comes out." And later, when he learns of the previous incident involving Rooks he makes her lasagna and salad--which Veronica immediately recognizes as "pity cooking."

Veronica on the other hand is determined to prove Keith wrong. It's a bit of a low blow when she uses the appeal, "Do you want to be responsible for taking a good man down? Destroying his reputation? Can you possibly relate?"

About the only time Keith actually takes Veronica on is when he goes in for a bit of "one-up-man-ship" regarding Veronica and the safe. On the one hand he is testing her to see what lessons she has learned from him, yet at the same time making it clear that he is still in control--that he still knows a few more tricks than Veronica.

On a deeper level this episode is really about Veronica versus herself: emotional Veronica vs fact-seeking Veronica; naive Veronica vs grown-up too-soon Veronica; and the Veronica who believes totally in her teacher vs the Veronica who needs to know the truth. We've seen this dynamic before. Most clearly in her relationship with Troy. Veronica really wanted to believe in Troy, but her need to see the truth clearly was over-riding in the end. And the same dynamic was displayed in the episode about the pregnant girl who lived next door. Veronica thought she knew that the boyfriend was the bad guy, but she still persevered in seeking out the real truth.

In fact, getting at the truth is one of the pre-eminent themes of Veronica Mars--even when it hurts, when it is hard, or when it proves her wrong, Veronica seeks out the truth. In our discussion of the pilot episode, Laura pointed out early on that her name means: true(vera) image (icon). Would it be stretching the point to say that Veronica seeks out the truth of the images around her?

Carrie calls Veronica naive. Given what Veronica has been put through in the past year this may not be an adjective we would normally associate with her. But even though outside events have forced Veronica to grow up rapidly she truly does still exhibit some innate naivety. Veronica wants to believe in the innocence of Mr. Rooks. For no other reason than because he is a good teacher and she likes him. He is one of the few good things about life at Neptune High. Still it was awfully naive of Veronica to visit him at his home, not once but twice, given the circumstances.

Likewise, Veronica has a personal grudge against Carrie, which she allows to color her opinion of Carrie's veracity. As she tells Keith in the following exchange which demonstrates quite clearly the conflict between Veronica, who is being driven by her emotions and Keith, who is operating as a clear-headed professional:

V: Mr. Rooks is amazing. I don't understand why you are joining the witch-hunt against him. I can't help you.

K: This is my business. Besides, the girl deserves to be heard.

V: No, she doesn't. She's a liar and a gossip and a manipulator.

K: What makes you think that?

V: I just do. (flashback)

Of course, Veronica learns later that Carrie is actually a true friend to Susan, courageous, and was even telling the truth about Duncan's medical episode. One of Veronica's best traits is being able to continue to seek the truth in spite of her emotional leanings; to recognize the truth when she sees it; and to admit when she is wrong.

In watching this episode I also discovered my own personal naivety: I was at first surprised by her classmates' antagonism toward Carrie. Then I realized I was reacting as a mother of teenage girls--not as an immature high school girl who really doesn't mind a little payback for the "gossip queen." Apparently Veronica is not the only classmate she has made an enemy of. As well, if the teacher is really popular I could definitely see the kids taking his side. Likewise, I was surprised that the school board seemed to be so skeptical of Carrie's charges at the outset. I would have expected them to be more obviously on her side. Allegations such as these are not treated lightly in today's world and even as Mr. Rook is retained as a teacher his reputation and credibility are far from cleared. The viewer knows from the moment he invites Veronica into his backyard that either this man is guilty of unprofessional teacher/student relationships or he is at the very least, monumentally stupid.

Once reinstated by the school board apparently Mr. Rooks feels confident enough to begin his games again--inviting Veronica into his home. Question: was Veronica being naive in visiting him at home and accepting the invitation to pizza or in spite of everything was she still seeking truth--eyes wide open? Once her suspicions are (finally) aroused it is remarkably easy to check on exactly who was the Extemporaneous Speech winner and discover that it wasn't Carrie, but rather her very close friend Susan Knight aka S.K.

Well, we all know that the SOTW is just a vehicle to let us see a bit more into Veronica's world. And Keith sums it up best. Veronica sees Dad as the "opposition" but Keith is always and totally on Veronica's side: "I encourage you to stand up for your convictions but I don't want you hurt by the truth when it comes out." (Foretelling much?)

Lilly's Murder Arc:

The subplot regarding Duncan's medical condition adds another possible layer to the on-going arc regarding Lilly's murder. On the one hand Veronica is able to satisfy her curiosity (and commit a felony in the process) about Duncan's medications. Duncan suffers from a form of epilepsy that can result in possibly violent episodes but is apparently extremely well controlled by medication. Could he have harmed Lilly during an episode? We're not sure, and neither is Duncan--loss of memory is a side effect. Certainly both Jake and Celeste would be very highly motivated to cover up such a possibility. Which leads us to Abel Koontz. In a rare "isn't that convenient" moment Veronica hits the jackpot while stealing Duncan's files and discovers that Abel is terminally ill. While that isn't a complete explanation for why he would confess to Lilly's murder it does provide at least partial understanding that he really doesn't have a lot to lose--especially since we assume that someone (Jake, Celeste, both?) has provided some type of financial incentive as well. Besides, if Koontz' illness is painful and lingering the prospect of the death penalty (quick and painless) may hold some promise for him.

Veronica's conversation with Deputy Leo also adds a new dynamic to this storyline. So far as we know this is the first time some of Veronica's private information about Lilly's shoes and the time of death have been put out into the public domain. I have to admit to being troubled by Veronica's exchange with the deputy. Not because of the age debate, but because we have not been shown on screen that Veronica has shared some of this information with her father--especially the discrepancy regarding Lilly's time of death; and now the facts concerning Koontz' medical condition. This omission bothers me greatly.

Is Lynn Really Dead?

In the past few episodes another on-going plot arc has evolved: the mystery of Lynn Echolls' disappearance. Logan's declaration, "I know my mother. If she were going to kill herself she'd choose Chardonnay and pills, not risk being found bug-eyed and bloated in some fish net," rings true. Given the lack of hard evidence it's not so far fetched to at least investigate the possibilities. The two female "witnesses"--one who claims she saw Lynn jump and is clearly willing to alter her story for anyone who pays her; the other a nutcase/over-enthusiastic fan who really believes she saw Lynn willingly leave in a van only further muddy the waters. These two women are just reflections of the unreliability of "truth" in Veronica's world.

Jason Dohring continues to do a superb job of playing the snarky, yet emotionally vulnerable Logan. His exchanges with Veronica ("I'm no doctor, but I think penicillin will clear that up") do little to hide the pain he is suffering over his mother's fate. Veronica, thinking of her own mother, clearly empathizes. Really, Logan has suffered every bit as deeply as Veronica in the past year and has grown a similar shell around himself. Although Veronica clearly thought she was simply helping out a friend, Logan says he is paying her to do a job, not expecting a favor as if they were friends.

Also, Veronica's conversation with the deputy puts more of that information into the "public domain."

The "Finale"

The final few minutes of the episode was a wonderful montage of the "all Veronica all the time" variety. Following one right after the other we have a series of brief but highly meaningful scenes:

Veronica and Carrie, in which Veronica attempts to make amends;

Veronica, Logan and Weevil viewing the film of someone jumping or falling from the bridge, immediately followed by Veronica and Logan learning that the credit card has been used;

Veronica and Carrie exchanging looks with Mr. Rooks as he vacates the room;

Veronica and Keith re-bonding;

and finally, Veronica and creepy Abel--where she lobs the ball into his court and then leaves, allowing him to stew.

Miscellaneous:

I need more Weevil. And I think we all need more Duncan if we are to understand and empathize with the character.

Veronica has very little respect for the privacy of others. Plus, her methods sometimes go far beyond what is professionally ethical. ("Methods the insurance companies would probably not support."--duh.)

Question: The combination of the safe: 12-16-63. Does is have some significance? It does look like it could be a birth date.

Great Lines:

"I remember when you were new and eager to please....good times."
"You got a trophy for a rim job?"

"Okay, yes I am petite."

"You don't have to get all blue in the face."

"There is a tribe in Africa which worships Donald Trump's hair."

"Death Valley...sounds like a metaphor, but not."

"I have a cyanide capsule and a false tooth."

And, Veronica to Deputy Leo, repeating her mantra: I have done everything I could to get to the truth.

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