So, is anyone in Neptune who he appears to be?
In my book, even though Veronica can't seem to keep his name straight, Beaver is still Cassidy by any other name. But both he and brother Dick are about to become "the new Veronicas:" at the center of some very ugly publicity and quite likely no longer able to maintain their '09er lifestyle. And "mom" is so not going to be helpful. Poor Cassidy, in seeking to save his father from his gold-digging wife he inadvertently brings down a much larger catastrophe on his father's head. And, as usual, the fallout rains down on the innocent as well as the guilty. In fact, not only is Cassidy responsible for hiring Veronica, it is he who first notices and points out the gym bag switch which brings down the house of cards. Will the boys blame dear old dad? Unlikely. I predict that Dick's dislike of Veronica is going to reach new heights.
The aptly named Mr. Pope stands out for his highly moral decision not to "stick some other sucker with the consequences" of his misguided investment. I really like that RT continues to portray individual teachers at Neptune High with dignity and respect rather than stereotypical idiots like much teen drama. Similar to how he portrays parents. They may be weak or even evil, but rarely stupid.
Sheriff Lamb, at least thus far, doesn't appear to have any unplumbed depths. I wonder what we will see during the election campaign versus Keith?
And then there is Keith Mars. Ahh, sweet, funny Keith. Keith is multi-faceted, but all his facets are an open book: wonderful father; wonderful lover; wonderful sheriff. As far as we know so far, Keith is just not-so-plain Mr. Wonderful. I certainly hope he stays that way.
Likewise Wallace is the real deal. Even while admitting that he hopes to be "lunch buddies with privileges" Wallace is still sweet, friendly, helpful, open and honest.
Clues?
"This is Neptune Veronica Mars,
nothing happens accidentally."
- Diamond earring found outside a biker bar.
- Curly has "Veronica Mars" written on his hand.
- Curly has a connection to Aaron Echolls (as well as sports figures, bimbos and stunts involving vehicles plunging off of cliffs--which Veronica discovers immediately after thinking, "I don't suppose he left a bunch of helpful clues lying around.")
- Curly has been beaten to death and dumped in the ocean.
- The MOTW once again involves a conspiracy: Dick Sr., Kendall, Jack Montana, possibly other company employees.
- More conspiracy pointers: A REIT "allows your average Joe to pool his resources with other investors and own a piece...."
- Veronica looks at pictures of both Kendall and Curly on her computer screen at the same time with the comment, "don't they make a cute couple?" For some reason I'm flashing back to Celeste Kane and Abel Koontz.
- Veronica sees only what she expects to see (evidence of an affair) and misses the change in gym bags. Sometimes Veronica needs to examine the evidence more closely.
- Logan's comment to Duncan: "It's a war....and you're on the sidelines." Followed by Veronica's comment about pointless fisticuffs and potential pistol duels. Foreshadowing?
Revelations and more questions
Beyond the resolution of the MOTW, which turned into something much larger than a tawdry affair, a number of other doors have been opened. Logan revealed his secret pain at Duncan's desertion and it turned out not to be all about Veronica. Duncan still has hidden anger under that apparently stoic demeanor. Jackie is as two-faced as they come. Although, we don't yet really know what her second face hides. I suspect that it's more complicated than just being sweet to Wallace and a bitch with a New York attitude behind his back. There's a whole lot more we don't know about Jackie, or her father for that matter. And let's not forget Alicia. Who is Sherry? Or rather, who was Sherry? And who is the large black man who appears to know her and whom she is clearly avoiding (but not for long?). For now I refuse to assume anything bad about Alicia. Nor am I going to fall for the surface appearance of Mr. Supposedly-A-Lawman. Since when does flashing a badge actually prove someone is working for the law? What is he hiding behind door number two? Although I'd feel a lot more confident if Erica Gimple was appearing in the credits, rather than simply listed as a guest star.
I wonder whether Logan will "stand by his woman" once Kendall is poor, probably indicted and not attached to a husband who might do him bodily harm? Where would be the thrill? Nobody thinks he's actually with her out of any real emotion, right? He calls her a "playmate," but Veronica sees right through him to the death wish concealed behind door number two: "I hope you're scared on the inside, Logan. What a cliche--'poor little rich boy' with a deathwish. And I used to think it was bad luck that landed you in danger." On the other hand, given his own brush with the law and his rant at Duncan for not "having his back," will he somehow feel strangely compelled to support Kendall in her "hour of need?" Heavens.
It seems to me that Veronica has jumped to a premature conclusion about the bus accident being all about her. In the coming weeks I'm sure she'll go behind door number two, number three and as many more doors as it takes to reach the bottom of this mystery. Sheriff Lamb points out that Veronica is now legally an adult, but she announces herself to Keith and Alicia as "child in the room." I suspect Veronica is going to do a lot of growing up in the coming year, and discover that things are afoot in Neptune which go far, far beyond simple revenge on the part of Aaron Echolls.
Scene of the Week
I have to nominate three:
First was the typically sweet and funny exchange between Wallace and Veronica at the lunch table. Wallace is totally aware of Veronica's hostility toward Jackie and simply suggests she "sheath her claws." Which Veronica does and then even goes on to forward Wallace's plans in a very best friendy manner. Here and later it's clear that Veronica understands that she needs to be supportive of Wallace and his choices.
Second is the totally angst-ridden exchange in which Logan reveals at least small part of his inner pain to Duncan. Turns out that it's not all about Veronica, and Duncan has demons too. Can't wait to see where this relationship is going. I don't think mending fences will be all that easy, even if both boys want to. And while it may not be all about Veronica she is certainly an impediment rather than a boon to potentially re-establishing their friendship.
And finally, the scene between Veronica and Logan-in-the-towel. And not just because of the towel! Logan reveals a lot about himself, but Veronica sees even more. Okay, I take it back. I loved all three scenes, but tears in Logan's eyes? The winner, hands down.
I completely skipped over the scene in the Karaoke bar since I didn't really see it having any factual impact on either the MOTW or the long-story arc. However, it does reveal something of what is behind Rob Thomas' door number two, along with Logan's message of the day: " 'To love and win is the best thing. To love and lose, the next best'.--Thackery."
Music is, unfortunately for a VM reviewer, not so much my thing, but I did research (okay, I googled) the lyrics:
Love hurts, love scars
Love wounds, and mars any heart
Not tough or strong enough
To take a lot of pain, take a lot of pain
Love is like a cloud, holds a lot of rain
Love hurts......ooh, ooh love hurts
I’m young , I know, but even so
I know a thing or two, and I learned from you
I really learned a lot, really learned a lot
Love is like a flame, it burns you when it’s hot
Love hurts......ooh, ooh love hurts
Some fools think of happiness
Blissfulness, togetherness
Some fools fool themselvesI guess
They’re not foolin’ me
I know it isn’t true ,I know it isn’t true
Love is just a lie, made to make you blue
Love hurts......
Ooh, ooh love hurts,ooh, ooh love hurts
I know it isn’t true, I know it isn’t true
Love is just a lie, made to make you blue
Love hurts......
Ooh, ooh love hurts, ooh, ooh love hurts
Interestingly, to me, there is a Nashville connection. The lyrics were written, either in the late 50's or early 60's, by Boudleaux Bryant. Bryant also wrote, among hundreds of other songs, Bye, Bye, Love, Wake Up Little Susie, and Rocky Top, the state song of Tennessee. Bryant and wife Felice moved to Nashville in 1950 and are generally considered the first people to settle in here and actually succeed at making their living solely as songwriters. Over the years Love Hurts has been recorded by Roy Orbinson, EmmyLou Harris, The Everly Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, Joan Jett, Cher, Nazareth and others. On Veronica Mars it was performed by Courtney Taylor-Taylor of The Dandy Warhols.
It may not have advanced the plot line, but it certainly serves as an anthem for our players.
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