Episode #01.04: The Wrath of Con
Original Air Date: October 19, 2004
Written by: Diane Ruggiero
Directed by: Michael Fields
Report Card (Capsule Episode Review)
Yearbook (Recurring & Guest Stars/Character Statistics)
Drama Club (Performances: Highlights and Lowlights)
Chemistry (The Analysis of LoVe Scenes)
Journalism (The Mystery of the Week)
Study Hall (Miscellaneous Plot Details)
Extra Credit (Clues to the Season Mystery Arcs)
History (Flashbacks)
Band Class (The Music of Veronica Mars)
Literature (LoVe Lines/In Memory/Quotable Quotes)
Social Science (In Reference To ... Pop Culture & The World)
Homeroom (On Second Viewing, Get a Clue)
Pep Squad Practice (Ambiguously (Or Not) Gay Logan Moments)
Detention (While the Censors Were Out to Lunch ...)
Philosophy (Unanswered Questions)
Principles of Democracy (Hindsight is 20/20)
Staff Grade: B+
Membership Grade: A (56.4% / 55 votes)
The Wrath of Con is the first (but not the last) Veronica Mars episode where the B-story is much more compelling and memorable than the A-story/mystery of the week. Viewers are offered a glimpse of the four friends -- and especially Lilly -- at their -- and her -- finest. Because of this series of flashbacks, for the first time, the audience truly understands Veronica's loss and in so doing, is more fully invested in her search for the truth.
Credited Cast Non-Appearance
Sydney Tamiia Poitier - Mallory Dent
Recurring Guest Stars (Previous Episode Appearances)
Aaron Ashmore - Troy Vandegraff
- Credit Where Credit's Due
- Meet John Smith
Brad Bufanda Felix Toombs
- Pilot
- Credit Where Credit's Due
Kyle Secor - Jake Kane
- Pilot
- Credit Where Credit's Due
- Meet John Smith
Amanda Seyfried - Lilly Kane
- Pilot
- Credit Where Credit's Due
- Meet John Smith
Lisa Thornhill - Celeste Kane
- Pilot
- Meet John Smith
Guest Stars
Robert Baker Liam
Kyla Pratt Georgia
Alex Scarlis Jimmy Spain (a.k.a. Karl)
Adam Wylie Grant Winters
Who's Who in Neptune
Liam Grant's con-artist and computer genius partner-in-crime. Student at San Diego State and roommate of Grant. One-half of the Silicon Mafia.
Georgia Neptune High student that Wallace is crushing on. Also, the nave victim of a money-scamming con that Veronica agrees to help out as a favor to Wallace (and for money, of course).
Jimmy Actor hired by Grant and Liam to help pull off their con. He was convinced that he was playing a part in a reality show called Duped.
Grant Liam's con-artist and computer genius partner-in-crime. Student at San Diego State and roommate of Liam. The other half of the Silicon Mafia.
Highlights
Jason Dohring (Logan Echolls) - In this episode, Dohring begins to form the first of many, many future indelible acting impressions. Suddenly he was not just an obligatory psychotic jackass. The Homecoming flashbacks, infused as they are with the friendship bonds the Fabulous Four shared, showed the audience a more playful and loving Logan. An almost magical aura seems to shimmer over these moments as we see a glimpse of the tragedy of love and innocence lost. Frustrated, yearning, playful, frisky -- the many layers of Logan Echolls begin to unfold and the believability of those layers is thanks to Dohring's skill.
Amanda Seyfried (Lilly Kane) - Seyfried simply shines in this episode. Sassy, flamboyant, sexy, impish, Amanda shows us the Lilly that Logan and Veronica loved so much. Huge props to Seyfried for hitting all the right notes in her portrayal. The flashbacks not only solidify why Veronica cares so much about her death, it also serves to invest the viewer in Lilly's murder also. Now we, too, are on a quest for answers and justice.
Scene One: A Shared Glance
A short scene, about twenty seconds long, but we see an interaction between Logan and Veronica in their shared glance, filled with grief (over Lilly) and wariness (over both clearly remembering their past connection through/with Lilly). And this interaction is the first time in the show's history that we actually see the two of them NOT fighting, snarking, ignoring or just hurting one another.
Scene Two: Logan's Such a Poser!
There are two things of note about this first flashback between the fab four, one specific and one just in general. The first is if you look carefully, in the beginning of the flashback, you can see that behind the main action of Jake, Celeste and Duncan talking, Veronica is videotaping Logan and he is posing for her. It's really adorable.
The second thing of note is more the general vibe, how not only were Duncan and Logan friends, Veronica and Lilly friends and obviously Duncan and Lilly siblings (although, I was slightly skeeved by him checking out her cleavage), but Logan and Veronica WERE friends. There wasn't a shift in the paradigm of the foursome, all four of them were a unified group.
Scene Three: Logan's Truth
Of course, we all know the importance of THIS flashback, which I'll get to in just a bit. But first another interesting thing to note here was how Veronica was sitting next to Logan in the limo as opposed to Duncan (and Logan not next to Lilly). It was no doubt done for framing purposes regarding Logan's truth and of course Lilly's dare, but it was still an interesting choice.
Now I firmly believe that the reason that Lilly asked Logan that specific question about Veronica was because the show wanted us to be aware that there was a level of attraction there from even before the fab four days.
Scene Four: Snark Without the Heart
Going with the lingering remnants of that shared glance in scene one, even though Logan makes a snarky comment upon Veronica's entrance here, really, his heart isn't in it. And Veronica realizing that, just simply ignores it and asks what he's doing. Proof that his heart wasn't in the snark, he answers her questions and the two share (for the first time in the show's history thus far) a non-snarky, non-baiting, actual conversation. It's short, it's simple, but gosh darn't, if it isn't sweet.
And onto the flashback ...
There really isn't much Logan/Veronica interaction at all here, other than Veronica pointing to Logan to make sure he was videotaping an embarrassed Duncan. The only other thing of note is the same vibe from the first flashback, the unity of the four, they truly were all friends and Logan and Veronica's relationship was not exclusive of that.
Scene Five: An Uneasy Truce
And that uneasy truce continues as Veronica offers up Logan her videotape of the homecoming night. This time, Logan doesn't even make the snarky comment, they go straight into the slightly stilted, but not at all snarky conversation. Progress. And voila! we get the first smile between the two (in present day).
It's sad, it's wary and it's definitely uneasy, but it's genuine.
Scene Six: One Small Smile, One Huge Step in Transition
In a lovely bit of symmetry, the LoVe in this episode ends with a shared glance between Logan and Veronica, just as it began. Very nice. And while it is a small moment, less than a few seconds long in entirety, it's huge in the transitioning of Logan and Veronica from enemies to friends to more ... After Lilly's memorial video finishes playing, Logan and Veronica share a smile of connection and it's the very first time (out of flashbacks) where we see interaction between the two without any bitterness, snarkiness or sadness. It's sweet.
And I'd be remiss to not mention a little something about the memorial video. There were four people in attendance the night of the homecoming dance, Logan, Veronica, Lilly and Duncan -- only three of them appear in the video that Logan put together. It makes sense why he would include himself as he was her boyfriend, but why Veronica and not Duncan? It's a small thing, but I think it was that subconscious crushin' in effect. (Hey, I'm allowed to step a little outside the box and fanwank now and then.)
Wallace and his new lady friend, Georgia, are camped out in the administration office going through stacks of files. The only problem is Georgia is about as graceful as an elephant on crack and keeps knocking over stacks they've already sorted. Wallace can't see what a ditz she is through the tiny hearts fluttering about his head and he doesn't mind that she's making this boring task last ten hours longer than necessary. Her lack of coordination turns out to be the least of her worries. Wallace is so nice that Georgia hugs him and tells him that she's done something really stupid. Wallace thanks stupid activity everywhere for getting the beautiful Georgia to press her body into his. A fine girl is in peril: Wallace Fennel to the rescue! (Well, in truth, it's Wallace's superhero friend Veronica Mars to the rescue but he'll be helping like a true sidekick - funky cape and all!)
Wallace takes Georgia into Veronica's bathroom office. Georgia explains that she received an e-mail from this trust fund kid who has a gambling problem. She must have received the e-mail by mistake because he was writing to ask his friend for money to cover his debts until his trust fund came through in a couple of weeks. Georgia is a nice girl who wouldn't mind the 200% interest this guy, Karl, promises to pay. Everyone knows that you can always trust a gambler in debt with money, so of course she decided to help him.
Veronica is musing over the fact that guys - Wallace included - obviously aren't attracted to women with brains while Wallace runs interference on anyone trying to use the bathroom (honestly, how long did it take Veronica to have the 'Out of Order' brain spark?).
Veronica takes a look at the printed e-mail. For those of us who know you don't give money to strangers who randomly e-mail you, it's obvious that the message is a scam but Georgia needs a little more ... nudging. Veronica tells her that trust fund kids don't send e-mails from grrantastictech.com, that's pure nerd. Georgia defends her brain fart by saying the trust fund kid was offering her 200% interest if she could wait two weeks until his twenty-first birthday when his trust fund came through. Veronica smiles, "Let me guess, he wanted it in cash?" Georgia is starting to look a little glum and Veronica is shaking her head trying to restrain the sarcastic quips that are pushing to escape her mouth. Wallace saves the day by reassuring Georgia that everything will be fine now that Veronica's on the case. If only Sheriff Lamb was around to tell Georgia to go see the wizard about a brain.
After all the favors Wallace has done for Veronica, the least she could do is hold her tongue and help him get a little loving from the intellectually challenged but rather sweet Georgia. Putting on her best bimbo voice (because that seems to be what these scam artists go for) she calls up Karl's number and pretends to be like some blonde and ditzy girl called Amber who could so totally bail him out. She hangs up her phone and soberly tells Georgia that her rate will be ten percent of whatever she gets back from the scam artists. She then changes her voice mail message to the same ditzy alternate identity. As she exits the bathroom she gives Wallace's beaming face a particularly dry look. It's best to keep her mouth shut about this match if she wants him to raid the administration office for her in the future.
Not too much later, Veronica stands by her locker, reminiscing about the golden days of yore with the fab four (ooh I'm rhyming) when Wallace bounces up to her beaming with manly pride. He's talked to Georgia more times today than he has all year, oooh yeah, who cares that she's in peril when he can milk the Knight in Shining Armor role to get a little affection? My hero! "Her pain is your pleasure," Veronica snarks smartly. But Wallace knows that he'll get some action if they save the day they are going to save the day, right?
Veronica's cell phone rings and she answers it with a sigh. She tenses up and slips into her ditzy role when she realizes it's Karl calling. She sure does like taking advantage of the fact people underestimate her mighty girl powers. Suckers. She grips onto Wallace's arm as he crosses his fingers, and agrees to meet up with Trust Fund Karl today.
Veronica is tarted up to the nines in Malibu Barbie pink as she waits for, Trust Fund Karl. He arrives at the park in a relatively cheap car, but he sure does walk like a smug, trust fund baby. Georgia and Wallace watch from the car park; Georgia doesn't immediately recognize Karl. Karl shakes Veronica's hand and thanks her for helping him out of an embarrassing jam. Veronica tilts her head and says with a nave sympathetic voice: "Gambling is an addiction."
Georgia says the guy Veronica's talking to isn't Karl, but he's wearing the same clothes and has the same ugly backpack. Wallace gives her a smile and starts to walk away. The grin widens immeasurably when Georgia tells him to be careful. He strolls over to Karl's car and sticks a tracing device beneath his bumper bar.
Veronica clears up the deal by asking Karl if she's meant to give him $3,000 so he'll later give her $6,000. He says she's right, that's when he turns twenty-one and his trust fund is unlocked. She grins and asks him who to make the check out to. Karl immediately stops her and tells her it has to be in cash. Hmmm, not suspicious at all, Trust Fund Karl. Veronica acts surprised when he explains all his accounts are frozen so he wouldn't be able to deposit anything. She makes a joke about her silly mistake being all about her blonde hair and asks if it's okay to meet up with Karl tomorrow once she has the money in cash. He agrees with aplomb as if he is the one doing Veronica the favor and not the other way around.
When he's about to leave, Veronica asks if she can trust him. He tells her she can with a 'winning' smile: "Hand to God." As he leaves, Veronica's eyes narrow. Your average bad guy she can handle but there's something about smug jackasses that strikes a violent chord in her body (she must know someone else that fits that description). The message behind her glare is so clear they may as well have drawn a thought bubble above her head: I'm gonna get that sucker!
Veronica follows the trace on Karl's car to a bohemian theatre staging Samuel Beckett's Endgame. Veronica walks up to the cast list and sees that 'Karl' is actually an actor named Jimmy Spain who is playing Hamm in the current theatre production. She opens up the glass case using her hair clip (sweet!) and takes out his head shot. On the back of the photo is a list of his past roles including a penned in recurring role on a television show called Duped! Smirking, Veronica's pretty sure that it wasn't only Georgia that got herself duped in this scam.
Veronica waits outside the theatre until after the production is over that night. (She's really lucky Logan and his 09er gang dont sojourn to the cheap side of town or she would have been wide open for countless street walker slurs in her Malibu Barbie outfit.) Finally, Jimmy comes out of the theatre and immediately spots Veronica perched against a car. He asks what she's doing there and she says she's a huge Beckett fan, "Hand to God!" Jimmy reacts unexpectedly, by thinking Veronica is part of the television show too and he's the true target of the dupe. He looks around telling someone named Liam that they can't get him that easily. Veronica asks him what the hell he's jabbering about and he explains that Duped is a reality television show where people get pranks played on them.
Veronica pulls a face; is everyone gullible in this world except for her or is it Stupid Week and she just wasn't informed? She explains to him as slowly as possible that there were no cameras, there's no show and he's actually been cast in a role helping someone scam teenagers out of their money. Jimmy's face really is a candid moment but unfortunately Veronica is right, there are no cameras around to capture it.
She asks Jimmy where he heard about the role he was cast in and he says there was an advertisement in Back Stage West, a theatre magazine. They had called him up only that day and told him he had the job. Veronica perks up and asks if he's still got their number. Jimmy pulls out his mobile phone and shows her the number. Veronica yanks the phone out of his hand and presses the dial button despite Jimmy's protests. He couldn't possibly be part of the scam if he's that cheap.
The phone number was a pay phone that doesn't take incoming calls. Surprise, surprise. The payphone was in a place called Gameland which Veronica thinks it's a cyber caf. Luckily for her Wallace is male and thus knows all about the male tendency to geek it up with video games. Gameland is gaming central for computer nerds - the testosterone wasteland of the least attractive members of the male race. So naturally, Wallace doesn't frequent the place. He tells her they don't get many girls in there unless they're interested in anime so Veronica won't blend. Veronica smirks, if she's not going to blend no matter what, she might as well intentionally stick out.
The next time we see Veronica she's walking into Gameland dressed up like a Japanese schoolgirl. The costume serves the double purpose of representing her secret love of all things anime and short circuiting male brain function with naughty school girl fantasies. If she'd walked in wearing leather carrying a whip I doubt the effect would have been much stronger. Veronica can't walk two paces without turning heads in her direction and causing computer geeks to blow themselves up in their game. If Lilly Kane was trying to get Veronica Mars to stop 'blending in' she has succeeded post mortem.
Veronica hands in her I.D. so she can plug into the game and then dumps herself on a couch between two guys to observe how primitive male posturing is transformed in the geek space. "Ownage" seems to be geek chic for "I rock." Veronica smirks with a little head tilt and walks off to sign herself in for the game. But first, she needs to find the real Karl. She peruses the list of usernames and finds grrantula. Grrantastic tech? Grrantula? Could there be two lame geeks who think up the same grrantastic play on words in the same place? Veronica doubts it. She signs herself in as Gamegirl on grrantula's team and returns to the couch ready to smoke out the bandit.
Veronica's version of finding the bad guy is to try and blow him up over and over again. The guy to her left tells her she probably shouldn't kill her own team. That would usually be good advice but Veronica's feeling like a really bad team player today and she just can't help it. Across the room someone whispers "Cut the crap," as Veronica attempts to mow grrantula down with her machine gun. She sits up and searches for him but he's stopped speaking before she can get a good look. Oh well, she'll just have to try harder. This time he yells out "I'm on your team, Lamer!" but she still can't see him clearly.
"Wow, I'm really bad at this," she says self deprecatingly and then presses down on the machine gun key with sadistic glee as she fires at grrantula. When he finally blows up she stands to her feet smugly and yells out "Ownage!" (Oh yeah, never say Veronica Mars isn't a fast learner.) Her arrogant posturing is enough to get the real Karl to please stand up. "It's not ownage. I'm on your team!" She spots an aggravated blond glaring at her from across the room and this time her smug grin is for real. Gotcha.
Veronica returns to the front desk to collect her I.D. She tells the attendant it would be faster if she found her card herself and flicks through the I.D.s. Not only does she collect her own, but finds grrantula's as well. His real name is Grant Winters. Grrant's I.D. leads her to a college dorm at San Diego State, a university known for its liberal arts, beautiful campus and raging parties. Veronica visits the campus and picks up a poster advertising the latest dorm party. From the smile on her face it's clear she's feeling the need to shake her booty.
At the Mars family home Veronica is doing her very best to iron the pimp out of her friend, Wallace Fennel. She has him in a geek chic ensemble complete with Einstein equation T-shirt, flannel overshirt, pocket protector and multifocal spectacles. He's still the most debonair man at Neptune High, there ain't nothing she can do about that (Wallace hopes).
As Veronica tries out which pair of glasses best detract from the perfection of his gorgeous face, Wallace explains to her that he is not going to talk about his feelings for Georgia. He does like her. And he does go out of his way to see her. And, he volunteered to reorganize the filing system so he could be close to her. But there's no way he wants to talk about it like some girlie-girl cheerleader full of fluffy feelings. He's a bad ass and the only reason he's wearing the geek chic is because he wants some ass. You keep telling yourself that, Wallace.
Once the costume's all done, Veronica tells Wallace that San Diego State already believes he's a nerd despite his protests. He's signed up as a prospective freshman and both of them are heading out to the party at Grant's dorm to check out the campus social life. Veronica and Wallace venture into Grant's college dorm where they're partying like quadratic equations are going out of fashion. Grant's R.A. is dressed up in a sombrero and lei so it's clear this is a very serious place and Wallace-in-disguise will fit right in. The R.A. describes the rules which are basically 'don't set things on fire' and 'don't get caught with drugs.'
Veronica spies Grant through the crowd and points him out to the R.A. looking for the scoop. The R.A. says Grant is a genius of legendary proportions around the campus along with another guy called Liam. He points Liam out as the 'bouncer looking guy' sculling a beer yard. Liam is immediately recognizable as Veronica's couch buddy from Gameland who told her to stop killing his grrrantastic friend. Together Liam and Grant are da-dada-DA! The Silicon Mafia: Here to steal from one helpless victim at a time.
Veronica and Wallace mingle, knowing that if San Diego State is anything like Neptune High, the common masses will love to dish gossip on the Shiny Happy People. Two of Grant and Liam's dorm mates give Veronica exactly what she wants: Lots of rumor and speculation about what the Silicon Mafia does and how they raise the money to pay for all the dorm parties. They tell Veronica about one guy who got caught looking at Grant's laptop screen and was put on academic probation because his G.P.A. dropped from a 3.8 to a 1.5. Overnight. Though this hacking incident is probably true, Wallace and Veronica seem to doubt that The Silicon Mafia have a security system with laser beams and a secret room they grow weed in.
Veronica runs into the R.A. office and asks if it's okay if people shoot Roman candles down the stairwell. From the reaction of the R.A. this seems to be a biweekly event in the dorm. He pulls a card out of his top drawer and runs out of the room. Veronica stops the drawer from closing and gets a copy of the key to Grant and Liam's room. Meanwhile, Wallace Fennel's love for Georgia is being put to the test as Grant interrogates him like a true mathematical snob. Veronica takes advantage of Grant's distraction and sneaks off to his room. She pins Jimmy Spain's head shot on the board outside of their room and enters.
As soon as she opens the door a red warning light starts flashing on their security alarm. Veronica opens up a panel and attempts to stop the alarm from going off. Wallace is having trouble understanding what Grant is even saying so it's lucky for him that Veronica couldn't stop the alarm from triggering. The alarm sends a message to Grant's phone and he charges back to the room to see who broke into their residence. Liam gets there first and discovers Veronica wandering around aimlessly. Veronica plays drunk (unconvincingly) and tells Liam she wandered in because she was told this is where Sri Lanka was and she wanted a coconut toddy. Grant arrives on the scene and asks how she got in. She shrugs and says "I don't know. The door just opened."
All males seem to fall for her I-am-a-short-blonde-girl-and-thus-naturally-stupid-and-inferior routine: Grant and Liam - geniuses that they are - are no exception. Liam finds Jimmy's head shot and shows it to Grant, understanding covering his face. It's much more believable that one of their Duped! actors caught onto the scheme, tracked them down and left his own head shot behind so Grant and Liam would know about it than it is that a girl broke into their apartment by herself. Of course it is.
Wallace comes into the hallway to make sure Veronica wasn't caught. Veronica uses the excuse to stumble away drunkenly mumbling "I don't feel so good, Papa Bear." Wallace doesn't seem to appreciate the nickname coming from Veronica and here's hoping he doesn't get Georgia to call him that when they're feeling especially kinky. Disturbing, very disturbing.
The next day at school Wallace is still disappointed about what college parties are really like: Drinking pia coladas and talking about mathematics. Party on, dude! Veronica is keen to get into her target's room and find out what they're hiding because their security was enough to impress even her. Then again, anything over a dead bolt impresses Veronica Mars's budget.
Wallace has stopped paying attention to their conversation because he's entered the Cute Girl Zone. It's a nice place where everything is tunnel vision and all he sees is Georgia dancing like a Bond girl at the other end. Veronica whispers that Wallace has got it bad and seems to swell with icky fluffiness when Wallace replies there's nothing bad about what he feels for Georgia and jogs off to say hello. Awwww. Even though he hates the Papa Bear nickname, I hope he doesn't mind if I call my teddy bear Wallace. They are equally cute and cuddly.
If the Silicon Mafia won't be intimidated by Veronica's innocent grin she'll have to bring in the big guns: Keith Mars and his Super Sheriff Scowl. When Keith asked for Daddy-Daughter time, dressing up as a D.E.A. agent wasn't what he meant but it's certainly better than watching Veronica kiss Troy on his porch for eight minutes. Yechh. Keith and his trusty sidekick, Backup, enter the dorms and tell the resident advisor that their heat seeking radar picked up some high intensity discharge lamps in the area. He uses the excuse to get into Liam and Grant's dorm room so he can look around for dope.
Keith falls into the comfortable role of a cop who won't take no shit from nobody, especially smart ass kids. Grant immediately looks like he's regressed to five years old. Keith asks if he has any drugs on the premises and Grant responds "Caffeine?" in obvious confusion. Keith gets up on a chair and checks a top shelf for "cannabis seedlings" while he really plants a bug. It's only then Liam thinks to ask if Keith has a warrant and Keith makes a quick exit, leaving a very rattled Silicon Mafia behind.
Meanwhile, Veronica sits at a table on campus listening to the bug transmission. She stays there until Liam and Grant leave for a snack, keying in the alarm. Veronica listens to the tone of each number keyed into the pad and then uses the key pad tones of her cell phone to work out the key combination for their security alarm. Now kids, before we start asking ourselves why Veronica didn't have to replay any of the tones while she figured out the right combination remember that she is smarter than us, this is television and they don't have enough time for trial and error. She's on a schedule and she's perfect, okay?
Well, maybe not so perfect. She stays listening to the bug for so long that she forgets she has a date tonight with Troy ... and her father. Leaving Troy alone with her father would be like leaving a bloody steak in front of Backup and then telling him not to pounce. When Keith calls to ask if she's forgotten anything she races home and hopes she's in time to stop her father from loading his shot gun.
The next day Grant receives a phone call from admissions asking if he is free Thursday night. Grant says they're not interested in showing a pro'fer around campus. The camera cuts away and we see that Bill Smith from admissions is really Keith Mars again. Veronica is trying to coach her father on geek lingo when he says that the prospective student asked for Grant's 'crew' specifically. Crew? Veronica recovers with a shake of her head and points to her post it note which is her secret weapon against any and all computer nerds. He says Admissions has three tickets to Gameland (although he says Game Lord) for an exhibition trial of the Matrix Online Game, perhaps they'd heard of it? No matter how intelligent the Silicon Mafia are, they're still guys who work off their testosterone by playing with joysticks. They cave in quicker than a land slide.
Wallace turns out to be the prospective student accompanying Grant and Liam to Gameland. As they walk off campus Wallace starts texting Veronica on his phone telling Grant and Liam he's messaging his girlfriend to tell her how psyched he is! In reality he's giving Veronica the signal that it's all clear to play her own game of Spy vs. Security. Who will win?
Her key tone skills are excellent and the code works first go, but now she has to collect some leverage against the Silicon Mafia before they find out that the exhibition game is a hoax and head back to the dorms. In a voiceover she relates all that she has learned about their operation from her surveillance: They have developed a computer game with the money they earned by ripping people off in their own version of the Nigerian scam. Since they didn't need any financial backers there will be no one to take a cut of the profits once the game is released and they'll make millions.
It's a pity Veronica Mars is smarter than they are and doesn't like it when her friends get ripped off. Veronica makes the nightmare of every tech nerd come true by breaking open their computers and extracting all the hard drives. She sticks a note to their monitor and is about to leave when she remembers to collect her bug. While she's up on the chair she notices a bunch of computer cables running across the ceiling and leading into their closet. Veronica opens the closet to find a steel, padlocked safe. She really hates these guys.
Key tones and a simple security lock are cake but a fortified safe? Veronica gets a soda out of their fridge and sits down in front of it. Deep thinking is required for a moment like this. Ah! An epiphany. There's only one thing to do: Stare it down and hope it opens itself up in fright.
Meanwhile, Grant and Liam walk into Gameland only to discover that there is no exhibition game. Wallace can't help himself, he looks around the room and exclaims "Wow, I can't believe there's no party, I feel so duped." Grant and Liam are too downhearted by their disappointment to notice Wallace's allusion and they simply stare around. Even though there is no party, they may cry if they want to.
Liam and Grant's phones go off simultaneously and they are rudely interrupted from their depression. What the hell? It was the alarm from the back up drives in their safe and there's no way that alarm could have gone off unless they were warned someone had broke into their room first. They rush back to their dorm expecting the best only to find the worst: All their computer towers are gutted. Veronica also seems to have got quite parched while she worked because there are at least twenty cans of soda all around the computer desk.
Liam rushes to check on the backup drives while Grant discovers the letter Veronica left them. Inside the safe Liam discover more cans and a funnel that has tipped all the soda onto the back up drives. You never know ... they could be salvageable. Grant opens the letter and starts reading it only to discover it's almost word for word their own scam e-mail, except for the ending: If you give me $7,600 tomorrow night, I'll give you your hard drives back.
Grant and Liam go down to the park to meet Wallace, Veronica and Georgia who can't help gloating at how utterly marvelous they are for outsmarting these geniuses from university. Grant hands the money over and Veronica gives it to Wallace to count since he's a math wiz and all. Grant impatiently tells Wallace all the money is there and Georgia - for once - exercises her limited mental prowess by saying "Like we trust you?" She must have gone to that wizard after all. Veronica scolds Grant for being testy in failure. Doesn't he know you're supposed to say it with a smile? She tells him that his back up drives are in the trash can but they'll probably have to dig a little to get them back.
As they leave, Georgia says she feels bad about all the other people Liam and Grant scammed who don't have such kick-ass friends (and she uses that term loosely since she is paying Veronica and Wallace is expecting some booty licking fun in return). But Veronica won't leave the poor bad guys alone and has already sent all the info she has on the Silicon Mafia to the F.B.I.'s fraud section. Game over. It's time for the hero to get his big finale kiss! (And it doesn't look bad at all that Wallace hands Georgia a wad of cash before she lays a big kiss on his lips.)
Veronica looks back at Wallace and Georgia and smiles. It's clear now that she missed her calling. It's time for the cynicism and seediness in the life of a private detective to come to an end. Veronica Mars must open up her very own matchmaking clinic!
Nah! Kicking ass is much too fun.
- Veronica lies on her bed reminiscing about the last time she was thinking of Homecoming plans. The day before last year's dance, Lilly was there, reprimanding Veronica for buying her dress without her personal supervision. She was frustrated with her choice of a simple pink gown because she thought it was high time that Veronica stopped trying to blend in and time for her friend to show the world how hot she was.
As Veronica tried to protest, Lilly started going through her closet, pronouncing it a lame reflection of her personality. Veronica Mars was not a yellow cotton dress, damnit! She was strapless red satin! Despite the last-minute fashion advice, Veronica reminded her that there was no time left to look for a new dress. Which shocked Lilly because she thought Veronica realized that "go to the dance" was code for "buy a new dress and have a limo party, complete with Logan-supplied refreshments." Veronica freaked out because fifteen years as Keith Mars' daughter had taught her enough to know that daddy would undoubtedly catch her and ground her. Lilly wasn't worried, though. After all, grounding only lasts a week, but the memories of the fun they were going to have would last them a lifetime. (Some a bit longer than others.)
In the present day, the Neptune Navigator News is broadcasting a reminder that it's the last day to buy Homecoming tickets. And kicking off those festivities will be the dedication of the Lilly Kane Memorial fountain -- a tribute and celebration of the memory of "one of Neptune High's most beloved students," commemorating the first anniversary of her death. Viewing this announcement in journalism class, Logan and Veronica exchange a sorrowful, yet guarded glance.
After being officially asked to this year's Homecoming dance, Veronica thinks back to when she was getting ready to "attend" last year's shindig. At the Kane estate, Celeste was impatiently calling out to Lilly because everyone was waiting on her. "Everyone" would be the rest of Neptune's "fab four," all decked out in their formal wear. Logan was posing for Veronica as she filmed him with her vidcam; Jake was sitting down patiently waiting; and Duncan was pacing impatiently, asking his mother how it could take so long for his sister to put on a dress. Celeste reminded him that Lilly couldn't make "an entrance" if she was on time. Not appeased, Duncan suggested that Veronica go on up to help her, but it turned out to not be necessary as Lilly finally made her grand entrance. An entrance greeted by Logan's finest Keanu impression ("Whoah!") before he twirled her around so she could flaunt her low-cut gown.
And it was picture time! The kids got in position as Jake and Celeste readied the cameras. Mommy Dearest even managed to spit out a compliment that they all looked "very nice." (Wow. I hope that didn't hurt too much, Mrs. K.) Then she gestured a suggestion to her daughter to cover her cleavage a bit. So naturally Lilly took the hint and pulled the dress material away to expose even more skin, causing the kids to laugh while steam started to seep out of Celeste's ears. Lilly put things in perspective, though: She'd only be young once and, really, how many braless years did she have left anyway? (Years? I'm thinking months. Or more likely weeks, honey.) Cleavage issue settled, the four hammed it up for the cameras, laughing and thoroughly enjoying themselves. Then Duncan noticed the limo arrive and announced it was time to go and, while the Kanes wished them a safe time, they jaunted out to the limo together.
Joining Duncan at his locker in the present day, Logan sees that his buddy has a bunch of video tapes and a thoroughly miserable expression on his face. Duncan tells him that Celeste thought it would be nice to have a video tribute to Lilly at the fountain dedication and Jake wanted someone who knew her to put it together, so he's been given the task. Seeing how upset he is, Logan offers to do it, insisting that he wants to do it and that he's awesome at that stuff, anyway. Duncan's grateful for the offer and gives him the tapes.
Meanwhile, while grabbing her cell phone from her desk, Veronica spots a photo peeking out from a stack of pictures -- a photo taken the night of last year's Homecoming dance. She remembers the limousine party the gang opted for in lieu of the dance.
Logan and Veronica were sharing the backseat and Duncan and Lilly were facing them as they played "Truth or Dare." It was Lilly's turn and she called on Logan, who chose to reveal a "truth." The question? What he thought of Veronica the first time he saw her. Shyly, he smiled and looked down, almost blushing as he revealed that he thought she was hot. Veronica laughed, both amused and a bit appalled -- she was twelve when he moved there! (What, is there an age of majority when it comes to a girl being considered hot? By someone their own age, I mean, of course.) Logan insisted that little Veronica was totally working it in her shorts and knee socks. Which just made Veronica laugh that much harder and playfully sock him in the arm because when they met, she had been wearing that totally sexy outfit known by some as a soccer uniform. Everyone was laughing hysterically at this point as Logan defended his attraction, insisting that the look totally worked on her. (The boy would probably have short-circuited if he'd seen her Gamegirl get-up. There was some definite knee sock action going on there, after all.)
Moving on from the revelation of his no-longer-secret attraction, Logan called on Lilly, who, to absolutely no one's surprise, chose "dare." The challenge Logan set forth? To kiss someone in the limo. As Veronica and Duncan rolled their eyes at his obvious ploy, Logan leaned back a little on Veronica's side and beckoned to Lilly. She slinked her way slowly towards him and at the last second, bypassed his lips for Veronica's. Naturally, Logan reacted with enthusiastic applause at this unexpected girl-on-girl action. Everyone, in fact, laughed hysterically as Veronica pushed Lilly off of her. Except Duncan, who complained at the grossness of his sister and girlfriend kissing. (Just wait, Donut. It'll get even ickier in remembrance, believe me.) When Logan joked that it was probably in his personal fantasy rotation, Duncan replied with a shaken bottle of champagne, sprayed at Logan, as the girls tried to duck out of harm's way. Logan complained that he was wearing his dad's tux -- (Pauses a moment, why on earth wouldn't a multi-millionaire's son have his own tailor-made tuxedos? Never mind, moving on.) Duncan feigned regret, then doused him again. The girls laughed uncontrollably as Logan chased Duncan out of the limo and onto the beach for a little wrestling in the sand, then sat back and reflected on the classiness of their boyfriends.
Now, walking down the school hallway, Veronica pauses when she hears Lilly's voice coming out of the journalism room. Seeking out the source, Veronica finds Logan sitting in front of a computer, watching a video of Lilly and taking notes. He notices Veronica walk in, but doesn't say anything at first, choosing to ignore her instead. The video plays clips of Lilly as a small child, playing and then sitting in bed reading a book; then it changes to a clip of teenage Lilly putting on makeup. Breaking the silence, Logan asks Veronica what part of ignoring her made her think she was welcome. Ignoring him, in turn, she asks him what he's doing and walks a little bit closer. Assembling the world's most boring memorial video, he tells her. Picking up the video tapes one by one, he describes his available selections as ballet, choir recitals, debutante crap and Girl Scouts. He drops the tapes disdainfully back on the desk. When Veronica notes that it's Lilly as a long distance commercial, Logan points out sadly that it really isn't about Lilly, is it? Then laughs humorlessly that this video would really piss Lilly off. Veronica experiences another memory of their limo party.
The four were walking on the beach, champagne in hand and a game of "I never" underway, with Veronica's turn at hand. Lilly urged her not to lame out, so Veronica quickly revealed that she'd never gone skinny-dipping. Everyone else groaned in surprise, while they drank, and Lilly insisted that it was unacceptable and they'd have to do something to change that. Logan took his turn and, while pointing the camera at Duncan, revealed that he'd never masturbated in the boys' locker room after watching cheerleader tryouts. (Gee, thanks for that mental pic, Logan. Just ... ew.) The girls were shocked -- and Lilly a bit impressed -- as Logan insisted that a not-so-pleased Duncan must drink. Logan and Lilly then laughed hysterically as Duncan insisted it was before he met Veronica. Duncan's turn came and he'd never seen his parents having sex. Gasps were heard when Lilly drank, then explained that she went to borrow a sweater from Celeste's room and saw her mother on top of Jake, which Lilly then demonstrated -- complete with yawns and fake moans. (And yet another icky mental pic. Gee, thanks guys. At least this one was funny, I guess.) This sent Logan and Veronica into a fit of laughter, especially as they watched Duncan's horrified reaction. Lilly's turn revealed that she'd never not had sex. Huh? Logan trained the camera on Veronica and Duncan and explained that it meant drink if you're a virgin. Proudly and without hesitation, Veronica took a drink. As did Duncan, while Lilly and Logan laughed and pretended to be shocked by their friends' admissions. The playful moment ended with a group hug as Logan continued to video their laughter for future remembrance of good times past.
Veronica comes out of her reverie and watches Logan and the video of Lilly for a moment longer, then turns to leave, glancing back at Logan for a bit before walking out the door.
Later in the week, Veronica returns to the journalism room where Logan is staring once again at a video of young Lilly. She asks him how it's coming along and he snarks that Celeste will love how very Wonder Years it is. Veronica sits next to him and pulls out a video tape marked "Fun With Lilly." Handing it to him, she tells him she found it while going through some of her stuff. Asked what it is, she cryptically reveals that it's not a violin recital. He takes it, not quite sure how to respond, then awkwardly says he's got a lot of work to do. Taking the hint, she politely says she does, too, then leaves him to his editing.
Walking to her car, sometime later, Veronica pulls her keys out of her purse and notices the folded up flyer within. Taking it out, she reads:
The Kane Family Invites You To The Dedication Of The
Lilly Kane
Memorial Fountain
In Remembrance
Veronica thinks back to the conclusion of the Fab Four's night of partying in the limo. The car pulled up to the Kane estate in the wee hours of the morning after. The partiers inside were unaware they were about to be greeted by none other than Neptune's finest Sheriff, who was waiting outside with Jake and Celeste. Duncan and Veronica reacted with the appropriate amount of horror that the law in the form of Veronica's father had been called. Lilly, on the other hand, saw it as confirmation that it had been "the best dance ever!"
Duncan helped his sister exit the limo, as she stumbled a bit, what with the whole one shoe on, one shoe off thing she had going on. Oh, and probably thanks to the alcohol she'd been drinking all night. Something that wasn't lost on Celeste, who beckoned her over to ask her if she was drunk. Not so much anymore, Lilly laughed at her. While Veronica walked over to her father, shamed enough to not be able to really look him in the eye, Celeste continued to berate her daughter for humiliating her and for being at the root of any trouble the family ever had. Duncan tried to take the blame that Celeste refused to let him share, but Lilly went into full 'Piss Celeste Off' mode. She stumbled defiantly over to Logan, who was still putting his shoes on at the limo, and pulled him into a passionate kiss as he stared uncomfortably at her parents. Celeste walked off in a snit and Jake followed her, shaking his head at their daughter's antics.
Veronica apologized to her father, but he chose to save that conversation for later. Thanking the Kanes for the coffee, he took Veronica and Logan home.
Just a little more than a year later, a crowd of students gathers outside Neptune High School to pay tribute to Celeste's "root of the family tree's problems." Candles burn in the dark and an orchestra plays "Wind Beneath My Wings" as the Kanes sit facing the crowd -- Lilly now only present as the photograph hanging behind them. The fountain is still hidden beneath a red sheet and a video screen announces "Lilly Kane / Always Remembered" as Veronica walks around, photographing the ceremony. Logan is alone in the crowd, painfully studying the ground, but when he notices the flash from Veronica's camera, he looks for her.
Celeste takes the microphone and thanks the orchestra, assuring them that Lilly would have been moved by their performance had she been there. (Yeah, I'm gonna have to go with Logan on this one -- Lilly would have hated everything about this. Well, except all the attention focused on her.) She continues that Lilly loved the school and the fountain will always serve as a reminder to her peers that Lilly was a kind, generous and sweet girl. (Of course, most of her peers will be gone from the school in a couple of years, but I guess it's the sentiment that counts.) It will also be a reminder of how Lilly embodied Pirate pride and the school motto: "service, loyalty, honor." (Loyalty? Honor? Lilly? Okaaaay. It's the girl's memorial, so I'll just restrain myself and let it pass this time.)
Veronica continues to wander through the crowd, snapping pictures and passing Wallace, Georgia and Troy, who throws her a nod. Duncan somberly walks to the fountain and unveils it before his mother turns the water on by a remote control. Then, Logan begins playing the video he made.
As a sweet instrumental score plays, clips of baby, toddler and teenage Lilly are shown. Veronica smiles a little at the images of her best friend; Jake and Celeste watch attentively, but Duncan avoids looking at the screen, until the music suddenly changes to the rockin' tune of Damone's "Now Is the Time," getting everyone's attention, including his. Logan smiles to himself as Lilly, in her Homecoming dress, looks into the camera and says, "Hello, America. You wanted Lilly; now you've got her. Now sit back and enjoy the ride."
The kids in the audience, including Logan and Veronica, smile and laugh as various clips from the limo party play out on the screen: Lilly and Veronica dancing and drinking champagne in the back of the limo; Lilly popping open a champagne bottle; Lilly lifting her dress and hanging her butt out the window to moon the world as Logan cheers and claps from the backseat. The crowd also laughs and cheers -- well, except for Celeste, who looks positively mortified. Duncan and Jake, however, are smiling now. Remembering Lilly's joy for life. But as the video continues with Lilly running down the beach towards the camera, Jake's laughter turns to sobs. Closing out the video is Lilly, head hanging out the window of the moving limo, wind blowing her hair back as she declares, "You love me, don't you?" And the video ends on the still frame of her smiling face.
Duncan notices his father is crying and puts a comforting arm around him while Celeste continues her impression of the Human Popsicle. As the crowd applauds their approval, Logan looks directly at Veronica, a little expectantly -- almost like he's seeking her approval. She smiles at him and laughs just a bit, showing her appreciation that he really did capture what they all loved about Lilly. He returns her smile, as the link between them reconnects even if just for this moment.
As the ceremony ends and the crowd breaks up, Felix suggests to Weevil that it's time to skedaddle. Weevil faces him, not so discreetly wiping tears of sorrow from his face. Caught up in a moment of what appears to be his own private grief, he collects himself and agrees that they should take off, as the night is still young. Before they leave, Weevil spares a glance back at the scene of Lilly's latest memorial.
- Post-date goodbyes are being exchanged by Veronica and Troy, when he backhandedly asks her to the Homecoming dance, by suggesting that if they were the type of people to attend such school functions, this would be the time he'd ask her. Not answering his non-question, Veronica enters her apartment to find Keith doing an impersonation of a person on a couch reading a book, who's just noticed that his daughter happens to be home early. Not buying the act, impressive though it may be, Veronica asks her father if he's taken Troy's fingerprints yet or at least run a check on his license plate. Playing dumb and oh so very innocent, Keith insists he has no idea what she could possibly mean.
Still seeing through his act, Veronica just shakes her head and attempts to walk to her room, but Mr. Innocent stops her with the warning that if Troy's going to be kissing his daughter on his front porch, he'll need to meet him. Not liking where this discussion's headed, Veronica wonders if that's really necessary. It is, according to Keith, who's jealous of all the Daddy-Daughter time the new kid in town is stealing from him. Veronica points out that they see each other constantly, but Keith insists that they may see each other, but they don't do anything anymore. Shaking her head, Veronica goes to her room and happily plops down onto her bed and thinks of another time and another impending Homecoming dance.
At school, Troy catches up to Veronica in the hall, and suggests mini-golf plans for Thursday night (what all the cool kids are doing!). Greeting his invite with a smile that reeks of "I have bad news," he thinks maybe she doesn't like mini-golf. Then she breaks it to him that her dad wants to meet him. As they stop at her locker, Troy says he's cool with that, even though he can't do a beep and wave. Carefully, she explains that her dad is a little "intense," but he's not worried -- he "gives good parent," i.e. "kisses ass well." (Oh, lad, you have no idea what family you're dealing with here. Live and learn, I guess.) Then, he asks for confirmation that she'll be attending Homecoming with him (since their previous non-question/non-answer conversation was so clear!). She smiles and adds a half-hearted "It'll be fun," but as he walks away, she thinks about how she's already had the perfect Homecoming experience and anything else seems like a cheap reminder.
Thursday evening, Veronica is too involved with her surveillance of the Silicon Mafia to remember she has a "meet my scary father" date with Troy, until she gets a call from him and realizes she's left the boy to fend for himself. Alone. With Keith. Promising to be right there, she hangs up and rushes home.
At the Mars residence, Troy and Keith are sitting in the living room, chatting. Keith explains that Veronica's told him nothing about Troy, which Troy jokes about not knowing if that's good or bad. Keith doesn't know either, then laughs (too) loudly. (Ah, Keith. So subtle in your psychological warfare on the scoundrels dating your daughter.) Troy gamely offers to answer any questions or give him a list of references. (Okay, wait a minute there. What kind of pertinent references does a boy give a girl's father for dating purposes? Ex-girlfriends? Fathers of ex-girlfriends? A list of other girls he's currently dating? Wouldn't that be like the worst idea ever?)
Keith asks if they're going to the Homecoming dance. Troy politely says they are, if that's alright with him. (The boy does indeed know how to kiss ass. Too bad he doesn't realize how wasted that is on Keith.) Keith gives his permission, of course, but what about after the dance? They're not going skip out and go to a party or hotel and still make it back in time for curfew, are they? (Guess Daddy Mars hasn't forgotten about last year's Homecoming.) Starting to buckle just a bit under Keith's unwavering gaze, Troy dismisses those radical ideas because the point of going to the dance is to go to the dance. Keith's relieved by this attitude and expects that Troy feels the same, too, even though he's taken the liberty of canceling Troy's hotel reservations at the Four Seasons. Troy looks like the wind's been knocked out of him as his smile fades. Veronica cheerily burst through the door and asks who's ready for mini-golf. Keith squeezes Troy's shoulder with a hearty smile as Troy sits in stunned silence.
On the way to the Homecoming dance, Veronica, Troy, Wallace and Georgia share a limousine. Everyone's decked out in their party clothes -- Veronica in a strapless red gown, in remembrance of her departed best friend's advice. Suddenly, Veronica asks the others if they mind making a stop because she has something she needs to do. Nervous about the things Keith could and would do to him, Troy tries to object to not going straight to the dance. Veronica ignores him as the limo stops at the beach. She climbs out, grinning, and tells Troy he can't come along. As she walks off, Troy looks to Wallace for an explanation, but he's wisely stopped trying to figure out his best friend since the day he met her. On the beach, Veronica walks to the ocean, with a sparkle in her eye. She unzips her dress, letting it fall to the sand, then dives into the ocean, finally crossing "skinny-dipping" off of her "I never" list.
- Veronica is using a Samsung cell phone in this episode.
- The driver's license that Veronica used at Gameland shows license #A78778712, which is not a valid California state license number.
- The fountain plaque engraving says:
- The theatre Veronica tracks Jimmy to is the Circle X Theatre Co.
- The headshot photo Veronica steals from outside the theatre lists Jimmy's address and credits on the back:
- While Jake displays expected disappointment when his children return home after a night spent misbehaving, Celeste reacts with open hostility towards just one of their guilty kids -- Lilly. (If you thought I was going to say Duncan, you probably haven't been watching the show.) Celeste accuses her daughter of acting out just so she can humiliate her. (Yes, IceBitch, the world does revolve around you. It's now clear where your daughter picked up that lovely trait.) When called out on the fact that she's not yelling at her beloved Prince Duncan, Celeste accuses Lilly of being at the root of any trouble their family tree has ever had.
- The crowd of students attending the Lilly Kane Memorial Fountain dedication ceremony includes a surprise appearance by Weevil, whose tearful reaction to the tribute video seems to indicate he had some sort of a personal relationship with Lilly before she was murdered. (Either that or the orchestra's earlier rendition of "Wind Beneath My Wings" stirred up painful memories of Beaches.)
- Lilly and Veronica discuss her wardrobe. (Read detailed breakdown.)
- Veronica, Logan and Duncan await Lilly's arrival, after which the four gather 'round and take pre-Homecoming dance photos. (Read detailed breakdown.)
- The fab four in the limo playing Truth or Dare. (Read detailed breakdown.)
- The fab four playing 'I Never' on the beach. (Read detailed breakdown.)
- The foursome arrive at the Kane Mansion after the dance. (Read detailed breakdown.)
"Supernatural Supergirl" (Josh Kramon)
Scene: It's Fashion Advice with Lilly Kane ... which Veronica so does not follow. Until, like, months after Lilly is dead.
"All That We Perceive" (Thievery Corporation)
Scene: Aww, Logan thought Veronica was workin' it in her shorts and knee socks! Aww, Lilly is mackin' on Veronica! Aww, Logan is like really wishing he was in the middle of the workin' it Veronica and the mackin' on-Veronica Lilly! Duncan, not so much.
"Diverse City" (TobyMac)
Scene: Veronica and Wallace have arrived at the party and the beat is hopping!
"Party Crashers" (Radio 4)
Scene: The beat may be hoppin', but Veronica is more into breakin' ... and entering.
"Wind Beneath My Wings" (Instrumental)
Scene: To quote Logan about Lilly: "God, this would piss her off." Wind Beneath my Wings for a Lilly Kane Memorial Video? Is Celeste on crack! Nah, she's just being Celeste, mother of the year extraordinaire. Not.
"Now Is The Time" (Damone)
Scene: Now THIS is more like it! Lilly would approve of this groove that plays while her video-immortalized-self is boogying with Veronica, making out with Logan, mooning Neptune and telling the world, "You love me, don't you."
LoVe Lines
Logan: What part of my ignoring you makes you think you are welcome?
Veronica: What are you doing?
Logan: Assembling the world's most boring memorial video. Ballet, choir recital, debutante crap, girl scouts. Memories both misty and water colored.
Veronica: It's Lilly as a long-distance commercial.
Logan: Well, it isn't really about Lilly, is it? (Laughing without humor.) God, this would piss her off.
Veronica: How's it going?
Logan: It's very Wonder Years. Celeste will love it.
LoVe Lines In Memory
Lilly: What did you think of Veronica the first time you saw her?
Logan: (Squirming and mumbling in embarrassment.) I don't know; I thought she was hot.
Veronica: (Gasping.) I was 12 when you moved here!
Logan: Oh, and, like you weren't working it in your shorts and your kneesocks.
Veronica: That was my (Punching him in the arm in emphasis.) soccer uniform!
Logan: So, whatever! It totally worked!
In Memory
Lilly: Why do you insist on suppressing your hotness? The world is ready for you Veronica Mars. You don't have to blend in. I mean, none of this reflects your personality at all. I'm -- Why, why do you even have this? You are not a yellow cotton dress.
Veronica: What am I?
Lilly: You're like -- you're red satin. You are strapless red satin.
Lilly: You know that we're not really going to the dance, right?
Veronica: Wait, what are you talking about?
Lilly: The dance is just a lame excuse for a new dress and a limo party. Logan has got all the refreshments taken care of so it's going to be amazing.
Veronica: No, I can't do that. You know my dad. He will find out and I'll get crushed.
Lilly: You'll get grounded.
Veronica: Severely.
Lilly: Oh, whoop-de-frigging-doo, Veronica. I mean, grounding lasts what, a week? You are gonna remember this fun we have for the rest of your life. Trust me.
Logan: (Upon seeing Lilly in her homecoming dress.) I believe Keanu Reeves said it best when he said: "Whoa."
Lilly: Hey, I'm only young once. How many braless years do I have left?
Logan: I've never taken matters into my own hand in the boys' locker room after watching the cheerleader tryouts.
Duncan: Dude, you are so dead.
Lilly: How pervy, Duncan! I am a little impressed, though.
Logan: You must drink, comrade.
Duncan: Oh, my god. They called the cops.
Veronica: They called my dad.
Lilly: This is like, the best dance ever!
Lilly: You love me, don't you?
Quotable Quotes
Veronica: So, what did you think of him?
Keith: Oh, hey, you're home early.
Veronica: Oh hey, did you run his license plate? Or did you get fingerprints?
Keith: Sorry, honey, what?
Veronica: You know you're not fooling me.
Keith: Okay. (Pausing.) Veronica, I have no idea what you're talking about. (Veronica sighs in disbelief and heads out of the room.) Oh, hey, I forgot to tell ya. If he's gonna be kissing my daughter on my porch for eight and a half minutes, I'll need to meet him. Sweet dreams, honey.
Veronica: Is that really necessary?
Keith: He's taking up a lot of daddy-daughter time.
Veronica: My Dad wants to meet you.
Troy: That's cool. I'll pick you up at the door. I can't do the beep and wave, but that's no problem.
Veronica: My Dad is a little intense.
Troy: Don't worry. I give good parent.
Veronica: Her pain is your pleasure?
Wallace: Hey, hey, I'm the cavalry. I get to save the day. We are going to save the day? Right?
Wallace: Only girls they see in there are Japanimated. So, you're not going to really blend.
Veronica: So I won't blend.
Wallace: It's not going to work. You can't take the cool out of me. Look, pocket protector and I'm still full of pimp juice.
Veronica: I still think you're a badass.
Wallace: And I am. And nobody's gonna buy me as a nerd.
Veronica: You've already been bought. I called the resident advisor and I told him you were a prospective freshman.
Wallace: And they believed you because?
Veronica: Because I do a surprisingly convincing admissions assistant. But, tonight, you lucky boy, I'm all nerd hag.
Veronica: I don't feel so good, papa bear.
Wallace: Papa bear?
Veronica: Never happened.
Troy: Well, if you have any questions or, you know, you want a list of references or anything ...
Keith: So you're going to the homecoming dance.
Troy: Oh yes, sir, if that's okay with you.
Keith: Of course. And after the dance?
Troy: Why -- I think that, uh, Veronica said that she had to be right home after, so ...
Keith: Yeah, good. And you're gonna stay for the whole dance, I mean, you're not gonna leave early to go to a party or a hotel and still make it back by curfew?
Troy: No, you-ah, I mean ... the whole point of going to the dance is to go to the dance.
Keith: Good. So you won't mind, then, that I cancelled your reservation at the Four Seasons?
Veronica: Hello, boys. Let me guess what you're thinking. Paybacks are a bitch.
Grant: Yeah, something like that.
Grant: Can we have our backup drives now?
Veronica: You need to lay off the caffeine, Grrrant. 'Cause you're downright testy. Your backups are in the garbage can, next to the bench.
Georgia: Yeah, you might have to dig a little.
Wallace: (Regarding Veronica.) Don't ask me, man. Stopped trying to figure her out day one.
The Wrath of Khan ... (Referenced by the episode title.)
Based upon the short-lived, but long-beloved sci-fi classic, Star Trek (created by Gene Roddenberry and running on NBC, 1966-1969 -- the five year mission, as described in the opening credits, cut short by a few years *), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is the second Star Trek Movie. Directed by Nicholas Meyers and written by Jack B. Sowards, the film was a critical and box-office smash. The first film Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), not so much as it was considered more a cerebral take on the ST universe, without the fun and camp that embodied the series. The Wrath of Khan corrected that and is most often considered the best of the Trek films. Much of the reason for this distinction is due to the tone and style of the film, which is firmly character-driven, and almost completely avoids the pseudo-science (a.k.a. "techno-babble") that detractors see in other Star Trek films and series.
Originally featured in the Star Trek episode Space Seed, Khan was played by Ricardo Montalban (he of Fantasy Island fame) in both the 1960's show, as well as the 1982 movie. The plot of Space Seed revolved around a powerful dictator from earth's violent past, Khan Noonien Singh, and his followers who are found by the USS Enterprise in a state of cryogenic suspended animation aboard the SS Botany Bay. The crew awakens Khan and discover that he was genetically engineered for physical and mental superiority.
After Kirk and crew learn that he was a murderous tyrant who fled defeat in the late 20th century, Khan is imprisoned in the ship's "guest" quarters before escaping and reviving his followers -- fellow "supermen" who had helped him rule a quarter of the Earth during the 1990s. He takes control of the Enterprise, but that control is short-lived and Kirk offers the defeated Khan two choices: Exile on the inhospitable, but habitable planet Ceti Alpha V or imprisonment on a Federation penal colony. Khan (a lover of words, as well as war) answers with a famous quote from John Milton's Paradise Lost: "Better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven."
Khan in Space Seed (From the original series) and in the film, The Wrath of Khan.
The film, The Wrath of Khan, begins fifteen years later and reunites newly promoted Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) with his nemesis from the earlier episode who is now seeking revenge upon Kirk for having been imprisoned on that desolated planet. Their battle ensues over control of the Genesis device, a top-secret Starfleet project enabling entire planets to be transformed into life-supporting worlds, pioneered by the mother of Kirk's estranged and now-adult son. While Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) mentors the young Vulcan Lt. Saavik (then-newcomer Kirstie Alley), Kirk must battle Khan to the bitter end through a climactic starship chase and an unexpected crisis that will cost the life of Kirk's closest friend.
* Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.
Keanu Reeves' "Whoa." ... (Referenced by Logan when quoting Keanu upon seeing Lilly in her homecoming dress as a sign of appreciation.)
This popular modern actor was born on September 2, 1964 and started acting in 1985. His name means "cool breeze over the mountains" in Hawaiian. He first hit it big with Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. He reached superstardom with Speed (co-starring Sandra Bullock) and went onto greater heights with the The Matrix trilogy by the Wachowski Brothers. Logan's nod to Keanu was from this role since Neo (Reeves' characer) responded to many a situation with the single word: "Whoa."
He also performs with his rock band, Dogstar.
Cavalry ... (Referenced by Wallace when describing his role in Georgia's time of need.)
Known as rescuers and shining beacons of heroic charge, the cavalry are soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. From earliest times cavalry had the advantage of improved mobility, an "instrument which multiplied the fighting value of even the smallest forces, allowing them to outflank and avoid, to surprise and overpower, to retreat and escape according to the requirements of the moment." A man fighting from horseback also had the advantage of height, speed and weight over an opponent on foot.
Bohemian Theater (Referenced by Veronica as the place to where she follows Karl/Jimmy.)
A Bohemian is a native of the Czech province of Bohemia, however in 19th century France, the term "bohemian" attained a different meaning. Due to an incorrect perception that gypsies were originally from Bohemia, "bohemian" was used in French literature to describe gypsies who lived outside of conventional society, with no concern for society's disapproval of their non-traditional lifestyles. Eventually, the bohemian description expanded to artists, musicians, writers, intellects and any disenchanted person who chose to live a nonconformist life, sometimes expressed through bizarre dress, self-induced poverty and drug use. Giacomo Puccini's 19th century opera La bohme and Jonathan Larson's 1996 Broadway musical Rent are arguably the two most popular stories focused on the Bohemian culture.
Samuel Beckett ... (Referenced by Veronica in the scene where she confronts Jimmy, the actor.)
Born near Dublin, Ireland in 1906 into a wealthy Protestant family, Beckett attended Trinity College in Dublin, studying French and Italian. Beckett briefly taught Romance languages after graduating, but eventually grew disillusioned with teaching. Beckett's first book, Whoroscope, was published in 1930, and a collection of short stories, More Pricks than Kicks, followed in 1934. Beckett eventually settled in Paris, and one night in 1938, while traveling home, he was stabbed in the street.
While recovering, one of his visitors was Suzanne Descheveaux-Dumesnil, a French woman whom he knew casually. They grew very close, and Suzanne worked to help him get his work published. They eventually married in 1961.
During the Second World War, Beckett worked as a courier for the French Resistance, and at one point was concealed in a barn to escape detection. During that time, he wrote the novel Watt, in his words, "to stay sane." After the war, Beckett's writing took on a darker tone, and he gained international attention with the play Waiting for Godot, written around 1950. Beckett became renowned for abstract themes, which were continued in the plays Endgame, Happy Days, and Play. In 1969, Beckett won the Nobel Prize for Literature, and he gave away much of the prize money to charities and needy writers. Beckett died in 1989, and was buried beside his wife, Suzanne.
Back Stage West (Referenced by Jimmy when explaining how he found out about his latest "role.")
Published by Vnu Business Publications, Back Stage West is a magazine for performing artists in theatre, film and television, with a weekly circulation of about 24,000 readers. It contains reviews, industry news, casting notices, career advice and editorials, with an emphasis on the Los Angeles scene.
The publication is available on newsstands or through subscription ($89/year) and is one of three Back Stage services available. Back Stage East is centered around the industry in New York and BackStage.com is the online service which, in addition to encapsulating the print editions' contents, includes daily updates, casting notices from all around the country, and other articles that are not reported in the print editions.
SAG ... (Referenced by Jimmy when he realizes Duped! isn't a legitimate show.)
The Screen Actor's Guild is a union that covers films, commercials and videos shot on film. Since most studio pictures are union projects, producers can be fined $15,000 for hiring actors without a SAG card. To get a card, actors need to land a speaking role in a film or TV Show, which may not be easy without any experience.
However, If you have worked a year or longer for another Union and had at least one principal part you are eligible to join SAG. The other option is to work as an extra and earn vouchers. Three vouchers make you eligible for a card. If you are cast as an extra and required to speak a line you are able to join immediately. Once an actor has earned a SAG card they are entitled to higher pay and better benefits under union contracts, it is easier to get an agent and they have more opportunities since most feature films and television programs hire only SAG performers.
Anime ... (Referenced by Wallace when describing the girls who go to Gameland.)
Anime is the term used for Japanese animation and comes from the French word. It is a distinctive form that is noticeable by either the style or quality. Cartoons and comic books in Japan are geared towards all ages. Most anime consist of a great storyline with a great amount of detail. Anime is usually less clichd containing much more variety and life than most western animation and comics. Anime tends to be very emotional and the characters have very big eyes. Examples are Sailor Moon, Speed Racer, Spirited Away, Akira and my favorite -- as seen below, Lina and Gourry, from Slayers.
San Diego State (Referenced by Veronica as Grant's school.)
San Diego State University is, not surprisingly, a college in San Diego, California. The university competitive academically with admitted freshmen having an average GPA of 3.5. Their football team, the Aztecs, is significantly less competitive, winning only five of their twelve games during the 2005 season.
Mary J ... (Referenced by Keith when posing as a DEA officer.)
Another term for marijuana (or cannabis) and is derived from the hemp plant. Other names include weed, hash, pot, Mary Jane and reefer. There are also street names for different strains of marijuana like "Texas tea," "Maui wowie," and "Chronic." According to current publications there are more than two hundred various kinds of marijuana all containing a mind altering drug containing THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Most people smoke marijuana in a cigarette or in a water pipe called a bong and it is the most frequently used illegal drug in the US with nearly ninety-five million Americans over the age of twelve having tried it at least once.
Roman Candles ... (Referenced by Veronica as a ploy to get into Grant and Liam's room.)
A type of fireworks consisting of long paper tubes that contain pyrotechnic stars and lifting charges, which are emitted in a series for a prolonged segment of time. Stars are pellets which may contain metal powders, salts or other compounds that burn a particular color or emit sparks when ignited.
Sri Lanka (Referenced by Veronica as she plays drunk at the college party.)
Known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean," The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean, located approximately thirty-one kilometers south of India. It has a geographic area of 65,610 sq km and a population of approximately 20,743,000 people. The nation is separated into eight provinces: Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Western.
The island was originally settled by the Sinhalese in late 6th century B.C., with kingdoms eventually arising in the cities of Anuradhapura (200 B.C. - A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (1070-1200). During the 14th century, the Tamil kingdom was established when a South Indian dynasty seized power in the northern region. Occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch in the 17th century, the island previously known by many names, including Serendib, became the British crown colony Ceylon in 1802. Independence came to the nation on February 4, 1948 and the island's name was changed in 1972 to Sri Lanka, Sanskrit for "venerable Lanka" -- Lanka being an ancient name of the island.
Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist nation. The two main cultures found on the island are the Sinhalese and the Tamils. In 1983, an ethnic war erupted between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists. After twenty years of warfare, a formal cease-fire was negotiated in 2002 between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, although the violence has not discontinued completely.
Sinhala and Tamil are the official national languages. The national form of currency is the Sri Lankan rupee. The capital is located in Colombo, however the city of Sri Jayewardenapura-Kotte is the legislative capital. Since November 2005, the Sri Lankan president has been Mahinda Rajapakse. The president is elected by a popular vote for a six-year term.
Sri Lanka is the leading exporter of tea and cinnamon and its major industries include the processing and export of rubber, tea, spices, textiles and apparels. The main sport of interest is cricket and the sport is so popular, in fact, that businesses usually shut down when there is a big cricket match being televised.
Two historical facts of interest: Sri Lanka is the first Asian country to have a female monarch (Queen Anula, 47-42 B.C.) and the first country in the world to have a female Prime Minister (Sirimavo Bandaranaike, 1960).
Pia Colada (Referenced by Wallace as he describes his first college party experience with Veronica.)
A Pia Colada (translated as "strained pineapple") is an ice-blended cocktail containing light rum, coconut milk and pineapple. The ingredients are blended with crushed ice and the resulting beverage is often garnished with a maraschino cherry and a wedge of pineapple.
The drink gained popularity after Rupert Holmes released his song "Escape (The Pia Colada Song)" in 1979. Easily one of the most recognizable songs ... ever, the chorus will no doubt send your brain off humming the tune if you've ever heard it and before long you'll be singing beneath your breath ...
Girl Scouts ... (Referenced when Logan is telling Veronica about Lilly's memorial video.)
Girl Scouts of the USA is a youth association, best known for their annual entrepreneurial cookie selling, featuring popular selections such as Thin Mints, Caramel De Lites, Tagalongs and Do-si-dos. Founded in 1912 by Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia, Girl Scouts was formed based on the "scouting" ideas of Brit Robert Baden-Powell. Daisy believed that all girls should have the opportunity to develop physically, mentally and socially, and strove to bring girls out of home environments and into society through community service, physical activity and educational opportunities.
Today, Girl Scouts of the USA is the largest female youth organization, blossoming from its early ranks of eighteen, to a membership of approximately 3.5 million girls, ages 5-17, and nearly one million adult members. There are five age levels in Girl Scouting, Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior. Girls Scouts of USA defines its goal as helping its members achieve their full potential through development of strong values, life skills and decision-making, self-acceptance and self-worth, and compassionate and respectful relating to others.
"The Way We Were" ... (Referenced by Logan as he describes the type of video footage he's been given to make Lilly's tribute as full of "memories both misty and water-colored.")
This title song to the 1973 film The Way We Were was written by Marvin Hamlisch (music), Marilyn Bergman (lyrics) and Alan Bergman (lyrics) and performed by the film's star Barbra Streisand. The song was Streisand's first number one single in the U.S., sold more than a million copies and held a place on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for twenty-three weeks. "The Way We Were" was awarded the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 1974 Academy Awards.
The lyrics:
A very popular drinking game usually played with a group of people. One person goes first by making a TRUE statement that begins with "I never...." For example, "I've never been to the Grand Canyon." Then, if any other player HAS DONE what the person said, they simply drink. However, if somebody drinks on an "I never..," no explanation is necessary. For example, if someone says, "I've never had sex with a stranger," and someone ends up drinking to it, no explanation is needed, just a drink of affirmation. Just a sidenote, the game is also played in the novel Rats Saw God by Veronica Mars creator, Rob Thomas.
The Four Seasons ... (Referenced by Keith when letting Troy know he canceled his reservation there for the night of the Homecoming dance.)
Four Seasons Hotels, Inc. is a Canadian-based chain consisting of many hotels and resorts aimed at the top of the travel accommodation market and at wealthy travelers. It is considered among the best in the world, according to Travel and Leisure magazine and Zagat Guide. It is also a AAA five diamond hotel chain, one of only a few in the world. Founded in 1960, the chain boasts sixty-six hotels in twenty-nine countries. Seventeen of the world's top hotels on the Zagat Survey are Four Season properties. Visit their webpage to find out more about locations and services.
MIT ... (Referenced by Keith during his attempt to lure Grant and Liam away from their room.)
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university in Cambridge, MA. Teaching and research at MIT is grounded in practical applications of science and technology. The institution is organized into five schools and one college, and was founded in 1861 by William Barton Rogers. MIT contributed significant defense research during WWII and the Cold War as a federally funded research and development center. MIT is ranked #2 overall among the world's top 200 universities by The Times Higher Education Supplement (2005), and #1 worldwide in technology. The 2006 Princeton Review ranked MIT #1 in selectivity and in the top 10 for diversity and racial interactions. The institute's sports teams are called the Engineers, and their mascot is the beaver - or 'nature's engineer.'
The Matrix Online (Referenced by Keith as a lure to get Grant and Liam away from their room.)
The Matrix Online (MxO) is a massively-multiplayer online role-playing game set in the fictional universe of The Matrix film series. Developed by Monolith Productions with the films' creators, Andy and Larry Wachowski, the game was originally published by Warner Brothers Interactive in the U.S. on March 22, 2005 to somewhat underwhelming critical and commercial success. Three months later, rights for the game were purchased by Sony Online Entertainment.
The science fiction film trilogy The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and The Matrix Revolutions (2003) stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity, Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus and Hugo Weaving as the villainous Agent Smith. The three films took in a combined worldwide box office gross of $1.6 billion, placing it as one of the top five film trilogies of all-time worldwide (as of 2006). Additional Matrix stories were explored in the direct-to-DVD animated anthology collection The Animatrix (2003), graphic novels and the Enter the Matrix video game.
MxO continues the films' storyline of a secret battle between humans and machines, using cutting-edge 3-D graphics. Battle is waged in four major zones: the Slums, the Barrens, Downtown and the International District. The game includes the film's signature "wire-fu" and "bullet time" combat techniques, as well as opportunities to hack and disable security devices, while carrying out extensive missions. Special Live Events are held when game developers come online and play as characters from the storyline, such as Morpheus or Niobe, introducing new critical missions to the gameplay.
The Wonder Years ... (Referenced by Logan when describing the tone of the memorial video to Veronica.)
The Wonder Years (1988-1993) was an unapologetically sentimental television drama that followed the life of Kevin Arnold from boyhood to adulthood. Though set in the 1960's, the show dealt very little with the political and social turbulence of the times. Rather, it focused on one boy's experiences with family, friends, first loves, disappointments, and life lessons. The story is told by the now grown Kevin, who with age, wisdom, and distance, relays the tales of his youth with a sense of fondness and bittersweet nostalgia.
Starring Fred Savage as Kevin, the show gained many accolades throughout its run -- including a 1989 Leading Actor Emmy nomination for Savage, who at 13 is still the youngest actor to receive such an honor. Rounding out the cast was Dan Lauria and Alley Mills as Kevin's parents, Olivia D'Abo and Jason Hervey as his siblings, Josh Saviano as best friend, Paul, and finally Danica McKellar as Winnie, the girl that Kevin fell for in one of the sweetest courtships in television history.
Saviano, Savage and McKellar
Quake (Referenced by Veronica as she describes the quality of the game Grant and Liam are developing.)
A popular horror/dark fantasy first-person shooter computer game released by id Software on June 22, 1996, Quake's 3-dimensional environments, players and monsters helped to popularize these advances for other 3D games. It is both a single and multi-player game and is the second game that allowed multi-player gameplay on the Internet, as well as on a local network.
Set to background music by Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), the game's story occurs in a different dimension, accessed through a "Slipgate" that was created by the government while conducting teleportation experiments. This inter-dimensional portal is being used by death squads, who slip through the gate to murder and steal before returning to their own dimension. The game player assumes the role of a ranger the government sends into the portal to combat the enemy, who has been code-named "Quake." While traveling through various Gothic, medieval and futuristic settings, the player collects necessary items (e.g. ammunition, medkits, armor) and attempts to travel to the next level. Monsters or other online players are battled along the way, using shotguns, nailguns, axes, and grenade/rocket launchers.
Three follow-up games (not sequels) have been released: Quake II, Quake III Arena and Quake 4. Also, in 2005, a Quake game was developed for mobile phones.
Asteroids ... (Referenced by Veronica as she describes the quality of the game Grant and Liam are developing.)
One of Atari's all-time best sellers, this vector-based video game was conceived by Atari's vice president of engineering, Lyle Rains, programmed and designed by Ed Logg and released in 1979. Three much less popular sequels were released: Asteroids Deluxe (1980), Space Duel (1982) and Blasteroids (1987).
The Asteroids arcade game first introduced the feature allowing a player to record their initials with their high scores, thus setting up a competition to keep your score higher than other arcade players. This is now a standard feature of arcade games.
The object of the game is to destroy asteroids by shooting them and breaking them down into smaller and smaller asteroids until they're gone, without letting the pieces or randomly appearing UFOs destroy your ship first. The game begins with your small triangular ship located in the middle of a black screen with four large asteroids floating around you. The control actions available are thrust, fire, rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, and hyperspace, which teleports your ship to some random place on the screen -- sometimes right on top of a deadly asteroid! Points are scored each time you shoot a target -- with more points being awarded for the smaller asteroids and even more for shooting the UFOs.
Although by today's standards, the black and white graphics and gameplay are extremely simple in nature, Asteroids is one of the most cloned, revised and updated games in existence and is still quite addictive, as this online version of Asteroids may demonstrate.
Nigerian Scam (Referenced by Veronica as a description of the type of scam Grant and Liam are pulling in order to fund their enterprise.)
A type of "advance fee fraud" scheme, also called "419 fraud" after the Nigerian penal code for fraud schemes, the Nigerian Advanced Fee Fraud scheme is a two-layered scam. First, the fraudsters obtain large mailing lists -- physical or e-mail -- of potential victims. Then, a letter is sent out en masse, often originating from Nigeria. In the letter, the scammer usually claims to be a civil servant seeking help from a reputable foreign business or individual to transfer a large amount of money (over invoiced contract funds, embezzled funds of a recent dictator) out of the country. The stated amount is generally $10-$60 million and the victim is offered a commission of up to 30 per cent. An example of an actual "Nigerian letter" used in the scam:
It is at this point that the second part of the scheme begins. Usually, the victim is asked to travel to Nigeria to complete the transaction. They're told that a visa is not required to enter the country and when they arrive, the fraudsters have bribed Immigration and Customs to let the traveler through. The victim is then suddenly informed that a problem has arisen with an "insider" demanding a bribe, some unexpected tax, a legal fee, etc. The victim, eager to receive their commission, puts up the money to cover the fee. Unfortunately, as soon as that problem is resolved, another unexpected fee is turned up and another and another. This pattern can go on for months. Then, if the victim refuses to release any more funds, the criminals can threaten to expose their illegal entry into the country. Sometimes, physical violence or threats of bodily harm are also used.
Although this money-for-nothing scam seems like something people wouldn't easily fall for, each day the U.S. Secret Service's Financial Crimes Division receives approximately 100 telephone calls and 300-500 pieces of correspondence related to the Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud. Annual losses are in the hundreds of millions of dollars, not counting the losses to victims who never come forward to report the crime. In June of 1995, an American victim of this fraud was murdered in Lagos, Nigeria. Numerous others have been reported as missing.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (Referenced by Veronica as she tells Wallace and Georgia that she's reported the con artists to the anti-fraud agency.)
Created in 1908 by Attorney General Charles Joseph Bonaparte as the official investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Justice, the Bureau of Investigation (BOI) was tasked with investigating antitrust matters, land fraud, copyright violations, peonage, and twenty other crimes. It wasn't until the 1930's that, in response to the violence of organized crime following in the wake of Prohibition, Congress passed the Federal Kidnapping Act and the 1934 May/June Crime Bills. These new laws gave the FBI authority to act in previously off-limit areas, to make arrests and to carry weapons. At this time, the BOI was renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
During the 1930's, the FBI played a prominent role in the aggressive pursuit and apprehension of well-known gangsters, earning the FBI's agents the nickname "G-Men." In the following decades, the FBI's efforts were directed at a wide range of issues including subversion, espionage, sabotage, civil rights violations, organized crime, white collar crime and high technology crimes.
The FBI's motto is "Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity," and its currently stated mission is "to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats and to enforce the criminal laws of the United States."
FBI Headquarters is located in the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington, D.C. The most well-known Director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover held the office from 1924 to 1972. Upon his death, the FBI instituted a policy to limit future Directors to a term of no more than ten years. Today, the FBI's workforce includes more than 11,000 Special Agents, Legal Attachs (LEGATS) stationed in foreign countries and 1,000 FBI Police officers whose job it is to protect the J. Edgar Hoover Building, the FBI's training Academy in Quantico and the Washington and New York Field Offices.
- Logan is posing for Veronica as Celeste walks through the doorway waiting for Lilly to come downstairs in the first Homecoming flashback.
- As they are getting ready to pose for pictures with Celeste and Jake, Logan is ballroom dancing with Lilly.
- There is quite a bit of graffiti (and lipstick kisses) on the walls of the girls' bathroom.
- Veronica takes Lilly's past advice twice in this episode: "You don't have to blend in." (Veronica chooses not to blend in when going undercover at Gameland.) and "You are strapless red satin." (Veronica's next Homecoming dress.)
- Wallace's goofy-yet-studly grin when Georgia warns him to be careful.
- Veronica's lock-picking skills. (Keith should be, er, proud?)
- 'Karl' calls out for "Liam" while trying to prove his claim that it's just a tv show to Veronica. Liam is Grant's partner and, no doubt, the face of the Duped! operation.
- During Logan and Duncan's tussle on the beach, Logan falls to the ground and basically flips Duncan into a somersault over him.
- Undercover math nerd Wallace's E=mc2 T-shirt.
- Keith, during his phone call to Grant, refers to the gaming place as Game Lord, not Gameland, as it's referred to in the rest of the episode.
- When Veronica gets Wallace's text messages, they're both dated 09/17/04. However, Georgia's e-mail from "Karl" is dated 10/08/04. (The latter seems more accurate, since the anniversary of Lilly's death would have been 10/03.)
- Logan watching Jake and Celeste when Lilly kisses him on the driveway.
- While waiting for Lilly to come downstairs, Veronica plays junior videographer and Logan vamps it up as her subject, standing in flirtatious and fey poses.
- Logan references Lilly's childhood tapes from Celeste as "memories, both water-colored and misty." The boy quoted Barbra Streisand. Definitely falls in the "or not" category.
- Is the dress Veronica wore to the dance in the flashback the same dress she wore to Shelly Pomroy's party?
- Why was Logan wearing his dad's tux and why does it fit?
- Was that actually Amanda Seyfried in the baby videos?
- What happened between Wallace and Georgia? They appeared close at the end, but we never see her again.
- Why did Weevil cry?
- Why the heck did Veronica go skinny-dipping BEFORE the homecoming dance, thus ruining her hair and make-up. (And it was before, because Troy said that he promised her dad they would go straight TO the dance.)
- Logan's joke to Duncan ("like that one's not in the rotation") after Lilly kissed Veronica has an even bigger ick factor, considering not much more time passed before Duncan was told by Celeste that Veronica was also his sister.
- Logan is upset that Duncan is spraying his tux with champagne brings up a few thoughts later one. First of all, he claims that it is his dad's tux and well, look at Harry Hamlin's (Aaron) build. Then at Jason Dohring's. Er, is this a magical tuxedo that conforms to anyone's body? A true one size fits all? Also, knowing Aaron's propensity for punishing his son, Logan must have been fairly drunk already to not be more upset that a beating was most likely coming his way due to the champagne-drenched tuxedo.
- Weevil's tears at Lilly's memorial are the first obvious indication that they had a secret relationship.
- Despite Wallace's crush on Georgia and her seeming reciprocation, we never see her again.
Written/Compiled By:
JenniferH: Report Card; Chemistry; Band Class; Literature; Social Science; Homeroom; Pep Squad Practice; Principles of Democracy
Mastermia (Maria): Yearbook; Social Science; Philosophy; Homeroom; Principles of Democracy; History
Pixigal (Gerrie): Drama Club
PolarTruckin (Belinda): Journalism
Tar Frimmer (Joanne): Study Hall; Extra Credit; Social Science; Homeroom; Principles of Democracy
Original Air Date: October 19, 2004
Written by: Diane Ruggiero
Directed by: Michael Fields
Staff Grade: B+
Membership Grade: A (56.4% / 55 votes)
The Wrath of Con is the first (but not the last) Veronica Mars episode where the B-story is much more compelling and memorable than the A-story/mystery of the week. Viewers are offered a glimpse of the four friends -- and especially Lilly -- at their -- and her -- finest. Because of this series of flashbacks, for the first time, the audience truly understands Veronica's loss and in so doing, is more fully invested in her search for the truth.
Credited Cast Non-Appearance
Sydney Tamiia Poitier - Mallory Dent
Recurring Guest Stars (Previous Episode Appearances)
Aaron Ashmore - Troy Vandegraff
Brad Bufanda Felix Toombs
Kyle Secor - Jake Kane
Amanda Seyfried - Lilly Kane
Lisa Thornhill - Celeste Kane
Guest Stars
Robert Baker Liam
Kyla Pratt Georgia
Alex Scarlis Jimmy Spain (a.k.a. Karl)
Adam Wylie Grant Winters
Who's Who in Neptune
Liam Grant's con-artist and computer genius partner-in-crime. Student at San Diego State and roommate of Grant. One-half of the Silicon Mafia.
Georgia Neptune High student that Wallace is crushing on. Also, the nave victim of a money-scamming con that Veronica agrees to help out as a favor to Wallace (and for money, of course).
Jimmy Actor hired by Grant and Liam to help pull off their con. He was convinced that he was playing a part in a reality show called Duped.
Grant Liam's con-artist and computer genius partner-in-crime. Student at San Diego State and roommate of Liam. The other half of the Silicon Mafia.
Highlights
Jason Dohring (Logan Echolls) - In this episode, Dohring begins to form the first of many, many future indelible acting impressions. Suddenly he was not just an obligatory psychotic jackass. The Homecoming flashbacks, infused as they are with the friendship bonds the Fabulous Four shared, showed the audience a more playful and loving Logan. An almost magical aura seems to shimmer over these moments as we see a glimpse of the tragedy of love and innocence lost. Frustrated, yearning, playful, frisky -- the many layers of Logan Echolls begin to unfold and the believability of those layers is thanks to Dohring's skill.
Amanda Seyfried (Lilly Kane) - Seyfried simply shines in this episode. Sassy, flamboyant, sexy, impish, Amanda shows us the Lilly that Logan and Veronica loved so much. Huge props to Seyfried for hitting all the right notes in her portrayal. The flashbacks not only solidify why Veronica cares so much about her death, it also serves to invest the viewer in Lilly's murder also. Now we, too, are on a quest for answers and justice.
Scene One: A Shared Glance
A short scene, about twenty seconds long, but we see an interaction between Logan and Veronica in their shared glance, filled with grief (over Lilly) and wariness (over both clearly remembering their past connection through/with Lilly). And this interaction is the first time in the show's history that we actually see the two of them NOT fighting, snarking, ignoring or just hurting one another.
Scene Two: Logan's Such a Poser!
There are two things of note about this first flashback between the fab four, one specific and one just in general. The first is if you look carefully, in the beginning of the flashback, you can see that behind the main action of Jake, Celeste and Duncan talking, Veronica is videotaping Logan and he is posing for her. It's really adorable.
The second thing of note is more the general vibe, how not only were Duncan and Logan friends, Veronica and Lilly friends and obviously Duncan and Lilly siblings (although, I was slightly skeeved by him checking out her cleavage), but Logan and Veronica WERE friends. There wasn't a shift in the paradigm of the foursome, all four of them were a unified group.
Scene Three: Logan's Truth
Of course, we all know the importance of THIS flashback, which I'll get to in just a bit. But first another interesting thing to note here was how Veronica was sitting next to Logan in the limo as opposed to Duncan (and Logan not next to Lilly). It was no doubt done for framing purposes regarding Logan's truth and of course Lilly's dare, but it was still an interesting choice.
Now I firmly believe that the reason that Lilly asked Logan that specific question about Veronica was because the show wanted us to be aware that there was a level of attraction there from even before the fab four days.
- Lilly: What did you think of Veronica the first time you saw her.
Logan: I don't know, I thought she was hot.
Veronica: I was 12 when you moved here!
Logan: Oh, and, like you weren't working it in your shorts and your kneesocks.
Veronica: That was my soccer uniform!
Logan: So, whatever! It totally worked!
Scene Four: Snark Without the Heart
Going with the lingering remnants of that shared glance in scene one, even though Logan makes a snarky comment upon Veronica's entrance here, really, his heart isn't in it. And Veronica realizing that, just simply ignores it and asks what he's doing. Proof that his heart wasn't in the snark, he answers her questions and the two share (for the first time in the show's history thus far) a non-snarky, non-baiting, actual conversation. It's short, it's simple, but gosh darn't, if it isn't sweet.
And onto the flashback ...
There really isn't much Logan/Veronica interaction at all here, other than Veronica pointing to Logan to make sure he was videotaping an embarrassed Duncan. The only other thing of note is the same vibe from the first flashback, the unity of the four, they truly were all friends and Logan and Veronica's relationship was not exclusive of that.
Scene Five: An Uneasy Truce
And that uneasy truce continues as Veronica offers up Logan her videotape of the homecoming night. This time, Logan doesn't even make the snarky comment, they go straight into the slightly stilted, but not at all snarky conversation. Progress. And voila! we get the first smile between the two (in present day).
It's sad, it's wary and it's definitely uneasy, but it's genuine.
Scene Six: One Small Smile, One Huge Step in Transition
In a lovely bit of symmetry, the LoVe in this episode ends with a shared glance between Logan and Veronica, just as it began. Very nice. And while it is a small moment, less than a few seconds long in entirety, it's huge in the transitioning of Logan and Veronica from enemies to friends to more ... After Lilly's memorial video finishes playing, Logan and Veronica share a smile of connection and it's the very first time (out of flashbacks) where we see interaction between the two without any bitterness, snarkiness or sadness. It's sweet.
And I'd be remiss to not mention a little something about the memorial video. There were four people in attendance the night of the homecoming dance, Logan, Veronica, Lilly and Duncan -- only three of them appear in the video that Logan put together. It makes sense why he would include himself as he was her boyfriend, but why Veronica and not Duncan? It's a small thing, but I think it was that subconscious crushin' in effect. (Hey, I'm allowed to step a little outside the box and fanwank now and then.)
Wallace and his new lady friend, Georgia, are camped out in the administration office going through stacks of files. The only problem is Georgia is about as graceful as an elephant on crack and keeps knocking over stacks they've already sorted. Wallace can't see what a ditz she is through the tiny hearts fluttering about his head and he doesn't mind that she's making this boring task last ten hours longer than necessary. Her lack of coordination turns out to be the least of her worries. Wallace is so nice that Georgia hugs him and tells him that she's done something really stupid. Wallace thanks stupid activity everywhere for getting the beautiful Georgia to press her body into his. A fine girl is in peril: Wallace Fennel to the rescue! (Well, in truth, it's Wallace's superhero friend Veronica Mars to the rescue but he'll be helping like a true sidekick - funky cape and all!)
Wallace takes Georgia into Veronica's bathroom office. Georgia explains that she received an e-mail from this trust fund kid who has a gambling problem. She must have received the e-mail by mistake because he was writing to ask his friend for money to cover his debts until his trust fund came through in a couple of weeks. Georgia is a nice girl who wouldn't mind the 200% interest this guy, Karl, promises to pay. Everyone knows that you can always trust a gambler in debt with money, so of course she decided to help him.
Veronica is musing over the fact that guys - Wallace included - obviously aren't attracted to women with brains while Wallace runs interference on anyone trying to use the bathroom (honestly, how long did it take Veronica to have the 'Out of Order' brain spark?).
Veronica takes a look at the printed e-mail. For those of us who know you don't give money to strangers who randomly e-mail you, it's obvious that the message is a scam but Georgia needs a little more ... nudging. Veronica tells her that trust fund kids don't send e-mails from grrantastictech.com, that's pure nerd. Georgia defends her brain fart by saying the trust fund kid was offering her 200% interest if she could wait two weeks until his twenty-first birthday when his trust fund came through. Veronica smiles, "Let me guess, he wanted it in cash?" Georgia is starting to look a little glum and Veronica is shaking her head trying to restrain the sarcastic quips that are pushing to escape her mouth. Wallace saves the day by reassuring Georgia that everything will be fine now that Veronica's on the case. If only Sheriff Lamb was around to tell Georgia to go see the wizard about a brain.
After all the favors Wallace has done for Veronica, the least she could do is hold her tongue and help him get a little loving from the intellectually challenged but rather sweet Georgia. Putting on her best bimbo voice (because that seems to be what these scam artists go for) she calls up Karl's number and pretends to be like some blonde and ditzy girl called Amber who could so totally bail him out. She hangs up her phone and soberly tells Georgia that her rate will be ten percent of whatever she gets back from the scam artists. She then changes her voice mail message to the same ditzy alternate identity. As she exits the bathroom she gives Wallace's beaming face a particularly dry look. It's best to keep her mouth shut about this match if she wants him to raid the administration office for her in the future.
Not too much later, Veronica stands by her locker, reminiscing about the golden days of yore with the fab four (ooh I'm rhyming) when Wallace bounces up to her beaming with manly pride. He's talked to Georgia more times today than he has all year, oooh yeah, who cares that she's in peril when he can milk the Knight in Shining Armor role to get a little affection? My hero! "Her pain is your pleasure," Veronica snarks smartly. But Wallace knows that he'll get some action if they save the day they are going to save the day, right?
Veronica's cell phone rings and she answers it with a sigh. She tenses up and slips into her ditzy role when she realizes it's Karl calling. She sure does like taking advantage of the fact people underestimate her mighty girl powers. Suckers. She grips onto Wallace's arm as he crosses his fingers, and agrees to meet up with Trust Fund Karl today.
Veronica is tarted up to the nines in Malibu Barbie pink as she waits for, Trust Fund Karl. He arrives at the park in a relatively cheap car, but he sure does walk like a smug, trust fund baby. Georgia and Wallace watch from the car park; Georgia doesn't immediately recognize Karl. Karl shakes Veronica's hand and thanks her for helping him out of an embarrassing jam. Veronica tilts her head and says with a nave sympathetic voice: "Gambling is an addiction."
Georgia says the guy Veronica's talking to isn't Karl, but he's wearing the same clothes and has the same ugly backpack. Wallace gives her a smile and starts to walk away. The grin widens immeasurably when Georgia tells him to be careful. He strolls over to Karl's car and sticks a tracing device beneath his bumper bar.
Veronica clears up the deal by asking Karl if she's meant to give him $3,000 so he'll later give her $6,000. He says she's right, that's when he turns twenty-one and his trust fund is unlocked. She grins and asks him who to make the check out to. Karl immediately stops her and tells her it has to be in cash. Hmmm, not suspicious at all, Trust Fund Karl. Veronica acts surprised when he explains all his accounts are frozen so he wouldn't be able to deposit anything. She makes a joke about her silly mistake being all about her blonde hair and asks if it's okay to meet up with Karl tomorrow once she has the money in cash. He agrees with aplomb as if he is the one doing Veronica the favor and not the other way around.
When he's about to leave, Veronica asks if she can trust him. He tells her she can with a 'winning' smile: "Hand to God." As he leaves, Veronica's eyes narrow. Your average bad guy she can handle but there's something about smug jackasses that strikes a violent chord in her body (she must know someone else that fits that description). The message behind her glare is so clear they may as well have drawn a thought bubble above her head: I'm gonna get that sucker!
Veronica follows the trace on Karl's car to a bohemian theatre staging Samuel Beckett's Endgame. Veronica walks up to the cast list and sees that 'Karl' is actually an actor named Jimmy Spain who is playing Hamm in the current theatre production. She opens up the glass case using her hair clip (sweet!) and takes out his head shot. On the back of the photo is a list of his past roles including a penned in recurring role on a television show called Duped! Smirking, Veronica's pretty sure that it wasn't only Georgia that got herself duped in this scam.
Veronica waits outside the theatre until after the production is over that night. (She's really lucky Logan and his 09er gang dont sojourn to the cheap side of town or she would have been wide open for countless street walker slurs in her Malibu Barbie outfit.) Finally, Jimmy comes out of the theatre and immediately spots Veronica perched against a car. He asks what she's doing there and she says she's a huge Beckett fan, "Hand to God!" Jimmy reacts unexpectedly, by thinking Veronica is part of the television show too and he's the true target of the dupe. He looks around telling someone named Liam that they can't get him that easily. Veronica asks him what the hell he's jabbering about and he explains that Duped is a reality television show where people get pranks played on them.
Veronica pulls a face; is everyone gullible in this world except for her or is it Stupid Week and she just wasn't informed? She explains to him as slowly as possible that there were no cameras, there's no show and he's actually been cast in a role helping someone scam teenagers out of their money. Jimmy's face really is a candid moment but unfortunately Veronica is right, there are no cameras around to capture it.
She asks Jimmy where he heard about the role he was cast in and he says there was an advertisement in Back Stage West, a theatre magazine. They had called him up only that day and told him he had the job. Veronica perks up and asks if he's still got their number. Jimmy pulls out his mobile phone and shows her the number. Veronica yanks the phone out of his hand and presses the dial button despite Jimmy's protests. He couldn't possibly be part of the scam if he's that cheap.
The phone number was a pay phone that doesn't take incoming calls. Surprise, surprise. The payphone was in a place called Gameland which Veronica thinks it's a cyber caf. Luckily for her Wallace is male and thus knows all about the male tendency to geek it up with video games. Gameland is gaming central for computer nerds - the testosterone wasteland of the least attractive members of the male race. So naturally, Wallace doesn't frequent the place. He tells her they don't get many girls in there unless they're interested in anime so Veronica won't blend. Veronica smirks, if she's not going to blend no matter what, she might as well intentionally stick out.
The next time we see Veronica she's walking into Gameland dressed up like a Japanese schoolgirl. The costume serves the double purpose of representing her secret love of all things anime and short circuiting male brain function with naughty school girl fantasies. If she'd walked in wearing leather carrying a whip I doubt the effect would have been much stronger. Veronica can't walk two paces without turning heads in her direction and causing computer geeks to blow themselves up in their game. If Lilly Kane was trying to get Veronica Mars to stop 'blending in' she has succeeded post mortem.
Veronica hands in her I.D. so she can plug into the game and then dumps herself on a couch between two guys to observe how primitive male posturing is transformed in the geek space. "Ownage" seems to be geek chic for "I rock." Veronica smirks with a little head tilt and walks off to sign herself in for the game. But first, she needs to find the real Karl. She peruses the list of usernames and finds grrantula. Grrantastic tech? Grrantula? Could there be two lame geeks who think up the same grrantastic play on words in the same place? Veronica doubts it. She signs herself in as Gamegirl on grrantula's team and returns to the couch ready to smoke out the bandit.
Veronica's version of finding the bad guy is to try and blow him up over and over again. The guy to her left tells her she probably shouldn't kill her own team. That would usually be good advice but Veronica's feeling like a really bad team player today and she just can't help it. Across the room someone whispers "Cut the crap," as Veronica attempts to mow grrantula down with her machine gun. She sits up and searches for him but he's stopped speaking before she can get a good look. Oh well, she'll just have to try harder. This time he yells out "I'm on your team, Lamer!" but she still can't see him clearly.
"Wow, I'm really bad at this," she says self deprecatingly and then presses down on the machine gun key with sadistic glee as she fires at grrantula. When he finally blows up she stands to her feet smugly and yells out "Ownage!" (Oh yeah, never say Veronica Mars isn't a fast learner.) Her arrogant posturing is enough to get the real Karl to please stand up. "It's not ownage. I'm on your team!" She spots an aggravated blond glaring at her from across the room and this time her smug grin is for real. Gotcha.
Veronica returns to the front desk to collect her I.D. She tells the attendant it would be faster if she found her card herself and flicks through the I.D.s. Not only does she collect her own, but finds grrantula's as well. His real name is Grant Winters. Grrant's I.D. leads her to a college dorm at San Diego State, a university known for its liberal arts, beautiful campus and raging parties. Veronica visits the campus and picks up a poster advertising the latest dorm party. From the smile on her face it's clear she's feeling the need to shake her booty.
At the Mars family home Veronica is doing her very best to iron the pimp out of her friend, Wallace Fennel. She has him in a geek chic ensemble complete with Einstein equation T-shirt, flannel overshirt, pocket protector and multifocal spectacles. He's still the most debonair man at Neptune High, there ain't nothing she can do about that (Wallace hopes).
As Veronica tries out which pair of glasses best detract from the perfection of his gorgeous face, Wallace explains to her that he is not going to talk about his feelings for Georgia. He does like her. And he does go out of his way to see her. And, he volunteered to reorganize the filing system so he could be close to her. But there's no way he wants to talk about it like some girlie-girl cheerleader full of fluffy feelings. He's a bad ass and the only reason he's wearing the geek chic is because he wants some ass. You keep telling yourself that, Wallace.
Once the costume's all done, Veronica tells Wallace that San Diego State already believes he's a nerd despite his protests. He's signed up as a prospective freshman and both of them are heading out to the party at Grant's dorm to check out the campus social life. Veronica and Wallace venture into Grant's college dorm where they're partying like quadratic equations are going out of fashion. Grant's R.A. is dressed up in a sombrero and lei so it's clear this is a very serious place and Wallace-in-disguise will fit right in. The R.A. describes the rules which are basically 'don't set things on fire' and 'don't get caught with drugs.'
Veronica spies Grant through the crowd and points him out to the R.A. looking for the scoop. The R.A. says Grant is a genius of legendary proportions around the campus along with another guy called Liam. He points Liam out as the 'bouncer looking guy' sculling a beer yard. Liam is immediately recognizable as Veronica's couch buddy from Gameland who told her to stop killing his grrrantastic friend. Together Liam and Grant are da-dada-DA! The Silicon Mafia: Here to steal from one helpless victim at a time.
Veronica and Wallace mingle, knowing that if San Diego State is anything like Neptune High, the common masses will love to dish gossip on the Shiny Happy People. Two of Grant and Liam's dorm mates give Veronica exactly what she wants: Lots of rumor and speculation about what the Silicon Mafia does and how they raise the money to pay for all the dorm parties. They tell Veronica about one guy who got caught looking at Grant's laptop screen and was put on academic probation because his G.P.A. dropped from a 3.8 to a 1.5. Overnight. Though this hacking incident is probably true, Wallace and Veronica seem to doubt that The Silicon Mafia have a security system with laser beams and a secret room they grow weed in.
Veronica runs into the R.A. office and asks if it's okay if people shoot Roman candles down the stairwell. From the reaction of the R.A. this seems to be a biweekly event in the dorm. He pulls a card out of his top drawer and runs out of the room. Veronica stops the drawer from closing and gets a copy of the key to Grant and Liam's room. Meanwhile, Wallace Fennel's love for Georgia is being put to the test as Grant interrogates him like a true mathematical snob. Veronica takes advantage of Grant's distraction and sneaks off to his room. She pins Jimmy Spain's head shot on the board outside of their room and enters.
As soon as she opens the door a red warning light starts flashing on their security alarm. Veronica opens up a panel and attempts to stop the alarm from going off. Wallace is having trouble understanding what Grant is even saying so it's lucky for him that Veronica couldn't stop the alarm from triggering. The alarm sends a message to Grant's phone and he charges back to the room to see who broke into their residence. Liam gets there first and discovers Veronica wandering around aimlessly. Veronica plays drunk (unconvincingly) and tells Liam she wandered in because she was told this is where Sri Lanka was and she wanted a coconut toddy. Grant arrives on the scene and asks how she got in. She shrugs and says "I don't know. The door just opened."
All males seem to fall for her I-am-a-short-blonde-girl-and-thus-naturally-stupid-and-inferior routine: Grant and Liam - geniuses that they are - are no exception. Liam finds Jimmy's head shot and shows it to Grant, understanding covering his face. It's much more believable that one of their Duped! actors caught onto the scheme, tracked them down and left his own head shot behind so Grant and Liam would know about it than it is that a girl broke into their apartment by herself. Of course it is.
Wallace comes into the hallway to make sure Veronica wasn't caught. Veronica uses the excuse to stumble away drunkenly mumbling "I don't feel so good, Papa Bear." Wallace doesn't seem to appreciate the nickname coming from Veronica and here's hoping he doesn't get Georgia to call him that when they're feeling especially kinky. Disturbing, very disturbing.
The next day at school Wallace is still disappointed about what college parties are really like: Drinking pia coladas and talking about mathematics. Party on, dude! Veronica is keen to get into her target's room and find out what they're hiding because their security was enough to impress even her. Then again, anything over a dead bolt impresses Veronica Mars's budget.
Wallace has stopped paying attention to their conversation because he's entered the Cute Girl Zone. It's a nice place where everything is tunnel vision and all he sees is Georgia dancing like a Bond girl at the other end. Veronica whispers that Wallace has got it bad and seems to swell with icky fluffiness when Wallace replies there's nothing bad about what he feels for Georgia and jogs off to say hello. Awwww. Even though he hates the Papa Bear nickname, I hope he doesn't mind if I call my teddy bear Wallace. They are equally cute and cuddly.
If the Silicon Mafia won't be intimidated by Veronica's innocent grin she'll have to bring in the big guns: Keith Mars and his Super Sheriff Scowl. When Keith asked for Daddy-Daughter time, dressing up as a D.E.A. agent wasn't what he meant but it's certainly better than watching Veronica kiss Troy on his porch for eight minutes. Yechh. Keith and his trusty sidekick, Backup, enter the dorms and tell the resident advisor that their heat seeking radar picked up some high intensity discharge lamps in the area. He uses the excuse to get into Liam and Grant's dorm room so he can look around for dope.
Keith falls into the comfortable role of a cop who won't take no shit from nobody, especially smart ass kids. Grant immediately looks like he's regressed to five years old. Keith asks if he has any drugs on the premises and Grant responds "Caffeine?" in obvious confusion. Keith gets up on a chair and checks a top shelf for "cannabis seedlings" while he really plants a bug. It's only then Liam thinks to ask if Keith has a warrant and Keith makes a quick exit, leaving a very rattled Silicon Mafia behind.
Meanwhile, Veronica sits at a table on campus listening to the bug transmission. She stays there until Liam and Grant leave for a snack, keying in the alarm. Veronica listens to the tone of each number keyed into the pad and then uses the key pad tones of her cell phone to work out the key combination for their security alarm. Now kids, before we start asking ourselves why Veronica didn't have to replay any of the tones while she figured out the right combination remember that she is smarter than us, this is television and they don't have enough time for trial and error. She's on a schedule and she's perfect, okay?
Well, maybe not so perfect. She stays listening to the bug for so long that she forgets she has a date tonight with Troy ... and her father. Leaving Troy alone with her father would be like leaving a bloody steak in front of Backup and then telling him not to pounce. When Keith calls to ask if she's forgotten anything she races home and hopes she's in time to stop her father from loading his shot gun.
The next day Grant receives a phone call from admissions asking if he is free Thursday night. Grant says they're not interested in showing a pro'fer around campus. The camera cuts away and we see that Bill Smith from admissions is really Keith Mars again. Veronica is trying to coach her father on geek lingo when he says that the prospective student asked for Grant's 'crew' specifically. Crew? Veronica recovers with a shake of her head and points to her post it note which is her secret weapon against any and all computer nerds. He says Admissions has three tickets to Gameland (although he says Game Lord) for an exhibition trial of the Matrix Online Game, perhaps they'd heard of it? No matter how intelligent the Silicon Mafia are, they're still guys who work off their testosterone by playing with joysticks. They cave in quicker than a land slide.
Wallace turns out to be the prospective student accompanying Grant and Liam to Gameland. As they walk off campus Wallace starts texting Veronica on his phone telling Grant and Liam he's messaging his girlfriend to tell her how psyched he is! In reality he's giving Veronica the signal that it's all clear to play her own game of Spy vs. Security. Who will win?
Her key tone skills are excellent and the code works first go, but now she has to collect some leverage against the Silicon Mafia before they find out that the exhibition game is a hoax and head back to the dorms. In a voiceover she relates all that she has learned about their operation from her surveillance: They have developed a computer game with the money they earned by ripping people off in their own version of the Nigerian scam. Since they didn't need any financial backers there will be no one to take a cut of the profits once the game is released and they'll make millions.
It's a pity Veronica Mars is smarter than they are and doesn't like it when her friends get ripped off. Veronica makes the nightmare of every tech nerd come true by breaking open their computers and extracting all the hard drives. She sticks a note to their monitor and is about to leave when she remembers to collect her bug. While she's up on the chair she notices a bunch of computer cables running across the ceiling and leading into their closet. Veronica opens the closet to find a steel, padlocked safe. She really hates these guys.
Key tones and a simple security lock are cake but a fortified safe? Veronica gets a soda out of their fridge and sits down in front of it. Deep thinking is required for a moment like this. Ah! An epiphany. There's only one thing to do: Stare it down and hope it opens itself up in fright.
Meanwhile, Grant and Liam walk into Gameland only to discover that there is no exhibition game. Wallace can't help himself, he looks around the room and exclaims "Wow, I can't believe there's no party, I feel so duped." Grant and Liam are too downhearted by their disappointment to notice Wallace's allusion and they simply stare around. Even though there is no party, they may cry if they want to.
Liam and Grant's phones go off simultaneously and they are rudely interrupted from their depression. What the hell? It was the alarm from the back up drives in their safe and there's no way that alarm could have gone off unless they were warned someone had broke into their room first. They rush back to their dorm expecting the best only to find the worst: All their computer towers are gutted. Veronica also seems to have got quite parched while she worked because there are at least twenty cans of soda all around the computer desk.
Liam rushes to check on the backup drives while Grant discovers the letter Veronica left them. Inside the safe Liam discover more cans and a funnel that has tipped all the soda onto the back up drives. You never know ... they could be salvageable. Grant opens the letter and starts reading it only to discover it's almost word for word their own scam e-mail, except for the ending: If you give me $7,600 tomorrow night, I'll give you your hard drives back.
Grant and Liam go down to the park to meet Wallace, Veronica and Georgia who can't help gloating at how utterly marvelous they are for outsmarting these geniuses from university. Grant hands the money over and Veronica gives it to Wallace to count since he's a math wiz and all. Grant impatiently tells Wallace all the money is there and Georgia - for once - exercises her limited mental prowess by saying "Like we trust you?" She must have gone to that wizard after all. Veronica scolds Grant for being testy in failure. Doesn't he know you're supposed to say it with a smile? She tells him that his back up drives are in the trash can but they'll probably have to dig a little to get them back.
As they leave, Georgia says she feels bad about all the other people Liam and Grant scammed who don't have such kick-ass friends (and she uses that term loosely since she is paying Veronica and Wallace is expecting some booty licking fun in return). But Veronica won't leave the poor bad guys alone and has already sent all the info she has on the Silicon Mafia to the F.B.I.'s fraud section. Game over. It's time for the hero to get his big finale kiss! (And it doesn't look bad at all that Wallace hands Georgia a wad of cash before she lays a big kiss on his lips.)
Veronica looks back at Wallace and Georgia and smiles. It's clear now that she missed her calling. It's time for the cynicism and seediness in the life of a private detective to come to an end. Veronica Mars must open up her very own matchmaking clinic!
Nah! Kicking ass is much too fun.
- Veronica lies on her bed reminiscing about the last time she was thinking of Homecoming plans. The day before last year's dance, Lilly was there, reprimanding Veronica for buying her dress without her personal supervision. She was frustrated with her choice of a simple pink gown because she thought it was high time that Veronica stopped trying to blend in and time for her friend to show the world how hot she was.
As Veronica tried to protest, Lilly started going through her closet, pronouncing it a lame reflection of her personality. Veronica Mars was not a yellow cotton dress, damnit! She was strapless red satin! Despite the last-minute fashion advice, Veronica reminded her that there was no time left to look for a new dress. Which shocked Lilly because she thought Veronica realized that "go to the dance" was code for "buy a new dress and have a limo party, complete with Logan-supplied refreshments." Veronica freaked out because fifteen years as Keith Mars' daughter had taught her enough to know that daddy would undoubtedly catch her and ground her. Lilly wasn't worried, though. After all, grounding only lasts a week, but the memories of the fun they were going to have would last them a lifetime. (Some a bit longer than others.)
In the present day, the Neptune Navigator News is broadcasting a reminder that it's the last day to buy Homecoming tickets. And kicking off those festivities will be the dedication of the Lilly Kane Memorial fountain -- a tribute and celebration of the memory of "one of Neptune High's most beloved students," commemorating the first anniversary of her death. Viewing this announcement in journalism class, Logan and Veronica exchange a sorrowful, yet guarded glance.
After being officially asked to this year's Homecoming dance, Veronica thinks back to when she was getting ready to "attend" last year's shindig. At the Kane estate, Celeste was impatiently calling out to Lilly because everyone was waiting on her. "Everyone" would be the rest of Neptune's "fab four," all decked out in their formal wear. Logan was posing for Veronica as she filmed him with her vidcam; Jake was sitting down patiently waiting; and Duncan was pacing impatiently, asking his mother how it could take so long for his sister to put on a dress. Celeste reminded him that Lilly couldn't make "an entrance" if she was on time. Not appeased, Duncan suggested that Veronica go on up to help her, but it turned out to not be necessary as Lilly finally made her grand entrance. An entrance greeted by Logan's finest Keanu impression ("Whoah!") before he twirled her around so she could flaunt her low-cut gown.
And it was picture time! The kids got in position as Jake and Celeste readied the cameras. Mommy Dearest even managed to spit out a compliment that they all looked "very nice." (Wow. I hope that didn't hurt too much, Mrs. K.) Then she gestured a suggestion to her daughter to cover her cleavage a bit. So naturally Lilly took the hint and pulled the dress material away to expose even more skin, causing the kids to laugh while steam started to seep out of Celeste's ears. Lilly put things in perspective, though: She'd only be young once and, really, how many braless years did she have left anyway? (Years? I'm thinking months. Or more likely weeks, honey.) Cleavage issue settled, the four hammed it up for the cameras, laughing and thoroughly enjoying themselves. Then Duncan noticed the limo arrive and announced it was time to go and, while the Kanes wished them a safe time, they jaunted out to the limo together.
Joining Duncan at his locker in the present day, Logan sees that his buddy has a bunch of video tapes and a thoroughly miserable expression on his face. Duncan tells him that Celeste thought it would be nice to have a video tribute to Lilly at the fountain dedication and Jake wanted someone who knew her to put it together, so he's been given the task. Seeing how upset he is, Logan offers to do it, insisting that he wants to do it and that he's awesome at that stuff, anyway. Duncan's grateful for the offer and gives him the tapes.
Meanwhile, while grabbing her cell phone from her desk, Veronica spots a photo peeking out from a stack of pictures -- a photo taken the night of last year's Homecoming dance. She remembers the limousine party the gang opted for in lieu of the dance.
Logan and Veronica were sharing the backseat and Duncan and Lilly were facing them as they played "Truth or Dare." It was Lilly's turn and she called on Logan, who chose to reveal a "truth." The question? What he thought of Veronica the first time he saw her. Shyly, he smiled and looked down, almost blushing as he revealed that he thought she was hot. Veronica laughed, both amused and a bit appalled -- she was twelve when he moved there! (What, is there an age of majority when it comes to a girl being considered hot? By someone their own age, I mean, of course.) Logan insisted that little Veronica was totally working it in her shorts and knee socks. Which just made Veronica laugh that much harder and playfully sock him in the arm because when they met, she had been wearing that totally sexy outfit known by some as a soccer uniform. Everyone was laughing hysterically at this point as Logan defended his attraction, insisting that the look totally worked on her. (The boy would probably have short-circuited if he'd seen her Gamegirl get-up. There was some definite knee sock action going on there, after all.)
Moving on from the revelation of his no-longer-secret attraction, Logan called on Lilly, who, to absolutely no one's surprise, chose "dare." The challenge Logan set forth? To kiss someone in the limo. As Veronica and Duncan rolled their eyes at his obvious ploy, Logan leaned back a little on Veronica's side and beckoned to Lilly. She slinked her way slowly towards him and at the last second, bypassed his lips for Veronica's. Naturally, Logan reacted with enthusiastic applause at this unexpected girl-on-girl action. Everyone, in fact, laughed hysterically as Veronica pushed Lilly off of her. Except Duncan, who complained at the grossness of his sister and girlfriend kissing. (Just wait, Donut. It'll get even ickier in remembrance, believe me.) When Logan joked that it was probably in his personal fantasy rotation, Duncan replied with a shaken bottle of champagne, sprayed at Logan, as the girls tried to duck out of harm's way. Logan complained that he was wearing his dad's tux -- (Pauses a moment, why on earth wouldn't a multi-millionaire's son have his own tailor-made tuxedos? Never mind, moving on.) Duncan feigned regret, then doused him again. The girls laughed uncontrollably as Logan chased Duncan out of the limo and onto the beach for a little wrestling in the sand, then sat back and reflected on the classiness of their boyfriends.
Now, walking down the school hallway, Veronica pauses when she hears Lilly's voice coming out of the journalism room. Seeking out the source, Veronica finds Logan sitting in front of a computer, watching a video of Lilly and taking notes. He notices Veronica walk in, but doesn't say anything at first, choosing to ignore her instead. The video plays clips of Lilly as a small child, playing and then sitting in bed reading a book; then it changes to a clip of teenage Lilly putting on makeup. Breaking the silence, Logan asks Veronica what part of ignoring her made her think she was welcome. Ignoring him, in turn, she asks him what he's doing and walks a little bit closer. Assembling the world's most boring memorial video, he tells her. Picking up the video tapes one by one, he describes his available selections as ballet, choir recitals, debutante crap and Girl Scouts. He drops the tapes disdainfully back on the desk. When Veronica notes that it's Lilly as a long distance commercial, Logan points out sadly that it really isn't about Lilly, is it? Then laughs humorlessly that this video would really piss Lilly off. Veronica experiences another memory of their limo party.
The four were walking on the beach, champagne in hand and a game of "I never" underway, with Veronica's turn at hand. Lilly urged her not to lame out, so Veronica quickly revealed that she'd never gone skinny-dipping. Everyone else groaned in surprise, while they drank, and Lilly insisted that it was unacceptable and they'd have to do something to change that. Logan took his turn and, while pointing the camera at Duncan, revealed that he'd never masturbated in the boys' locker room after watching cheerleader tryouts. (Gee, thanks for that mental pic, Logan. Just ... ew.) The girls were shocked -- and Lilly a bit impressed -- as Logan insisted that a not-so-pleased Duncan must drink. Logan and Lilly then laughed hysterically as Duncan insisted it was before he met Veronica. Duncan's turn came and he'd never seen his parents having sex. Gasps were heard when Lilly drank, then explained that she went to borrow a sweater from Celeste's room and saw her mother on top of Jake, which Lilly then demonstrated -- complete with yawns and fake moans. (And yet another icky mental pic. Gee, thanks guys. At least this one was funny, I guess.) This sent Logan and Veronica into a fit of laughter, especially as they watched Duncan's horrified reaction. Lilly's turn revealed that she'd never not had sex. Huh? Logan trained the camera on Veronica and Duncan and explained that it meant drink if you're a virgin. Proudly and without hesitation, Veronica took a drink. As did Duncan, while Lilly and Logan laughed and pretended to be shocked by their friends' admissions. The playful moment ended with a group hug as Logan continued to video their laughter for future remembrance of good times past.
Veronica comes out of her reverie and watches Logan and the video of Lilly for a moment longer, then turns to leave, glancing back at Logan for a bit before walking out the door.
Later in the week, Veronica returns to the journalism room where Logan is staring once again at a video of young Lilly. She asks him how it's coming along and he snarks that Celeste will love how very Wonder Years it is. Veronica sits next to him and pulls out a video tape marked "Fun With Lilly." Handing it to him, she tells him she found it while going through some of her stuff. Asked what it is, she cryptically reveals that it's not a violin recital. He takes it, not quite sure how to respond, then awkwardly says he's got a lot of work to do. Taking the hint, she politely says she does, too, then leaves him to his editing.
Walking to her car, sometime later, Veronica pulls her keys out of her purse and notices the folded up flyer within. Taking it out, she reads:
Lilly Kane
Memorial Fountain
In Remembrance
Veronica thinks back to the conclusion of the Fab Four's night of partying in the limo. The car pulled up to the Kane estate in the wee hours of the morning after. The partiers inside were unaware they were about to be greeted by none other than Neptune's finest Sheriff, who was waiting outside with Jake and Celeste. Duncan and Veronica reacted with the appropriate amount of horror that the law in the form of Veronica's father had been called. Lilly, on the other hand, saw it as confirmation that it had been "the best dance ever!"
Duncan helped his sister exit the limo, as she stumbled a bit, what with the whole one shoe on, one shoe off thing she had going on. Oh, and probably thanks to the alcohol she'd been drinking all night. Something that wasn't lost on Celeste, who beckoned her over to ask her if she was drunk. Not so much anymore, Lilly laughed at her. While Veronica walked over to her father, shamed enough to not be able to really look him in the eye, Celeste continued to berate her daughter for humiliating her and for being at the root of any trouble the family ever had. Duncan tried to take the blame that Celeste refused to let him share, but Lilly went into full 'Piss Celeste Off' mode. She stumbled defiantly over to Logan, who was still putting his shoes on at the limo, and pulled him into a passionate kiss as he stared uncomfortably at her parents. Celeste walked off in a snit and Jake followed her, shaking his head at their daughter's antics.
Veronica apologized to her father, but he chose to save that conversation for later. Thanking the Kanes for the coffee, he took Veronica and Logan home.
Just a little more than a year later, a crowd of students gathers outside Neptune High School to pay tribute to Celeste's "root of the family tree's problems." Candles burn in the dark and an orchestra plays "Wind Beneath My Wings" as the Kanes sit facing the crowd -- Lilly now only present as the photograph hanging behind them. The fountain is still hidden beneath a red sheet and a video screen announces "Lilly Kane / Always Remembered" as Veronica walks around, photographing the ceremony. Logan is alone in the crowd, painfully studying the ground, but when he notices the flash from Veronica's camera, he looks for her.
Celeste takes the microphone and thanks the orchestra, assuring them that Lilly would have been moved by their performance had she been there. (Yeah, I'm gonna have to go with Logan on this one -- Lilly would have hated everything about this. Well, except all the attention focused on her.) She continues that Lilly loved the school and the fountain will always serve as a reminder to her peers that Lilly was a kind, generous and sweet girl. (Of course, most of her peers will be gone from the school in a couple of years, but I guess it's the sentiment that counts.) It will also be a reminder of how Lilly embodied Pirate pride and the school motto: "service, loyalty, honor." (Loyalty? Honor? Lilly? Okaaaay. It's the girl's memorial, so I'll just restrain myself and let it pass this time.)
Veronica continues to wander through the crowd, snapping pictures and passing Wallace, Georgia and Troy, who throws her a nod. Duncan somberly walks to the fountain and unveils it before his mother turns the water on by a remote control. Then, Logan begins playing the video he made.
As a sweet instrumental score plays, clips of baby, toddler and teenage Lilly are shown. Veronica smiles a little at the images of her best friend; Jake and Celeste watch attentively, but Duncan avoids looking at the screen, until the music suddenly changes to the rockin' tune of Damone's "Now Is the Time," getting everyone's attention, including his. Logan smiles to himself as Lilly, in her Homecoming dress, looks into the camera and says, "Hello, America. You wanted Lilly; now you've got her. Now sit back and enjoy the ride."
The kids in the audience, including Logan and Veronica, smile and laugh as various clips from the limo party play out on the screen: Lilly and Veronica dancing and drinking champagne in the back of the limo; Lilly popping open a champagne bottle; Lilly lifting her dress and hanging her butt out the window to moon the world as Logan cheers and claps from the backseat. The crowd also laughs and cheers -- well, except for Celeste, who looks positively mortified. Duncan and Jake, however, are smiling now. Remembering Lilly's joy for life. But as the video continues with Lilly running down the beach towards the camera, Jake's laughter turns to sobs. Closing out the video is Lilly, head hanging out the window of the moving limo, wind blowing her hair back as she declares, "You love me, don't you?" And the video ends on the still frame of her smiling face.
Duncan notices his father is crying and puts a comforting arm around him while Celeste continues her impression of the Human Popsicle. As the crowd applauds their approval, Logan looks directly at Veronica, a little expectantly -- almost like he's seeking her approval. She smiles at him and laughs just a bit, showing her appreciation that he really did capture what they all loved about Lilly. He returns her smile, as the link between them reconnects even if just for this moment.
As the ceremony ends and the crowd breaks up, Felix suggests to Weevil that it's time to skedaddle. Weevil faces him, not so discreetly wiping tears of sorrow from his face. Caught up in a moment of what appears to be his own private grief, he collects himself and agrees that they should take off, as the night is still young. Before they leave, Weevil spares a glance back at the scene of Lilly's latest memorial.
- Post-date goodbyes are being exchanged by Veronica and Troy, when he backhandedly asks her to the Homecoming dance, by suggesting that if they were the type of people to attend such school functions, this would be the time he'd ask her. Not answering his non-question, Veronica enters her apartment to find Keith doing an impersonation of a person on a couch reading a book, who's just noticed that his daughter happens to be home early. Not buying the act, impressive though it may be, Veronica asks her father if he's taken Troy's fingerprints yet or at least run a check on his license plate. Playing dumb and oh so very innocent, Keith insists he has no idea what she could possibly mean.
Still seeing through his act, Veronica just shakes her head and attempts to walk to her room, but Mr. Innocent stops her with the warning that if Troy's going to be kissing his daughter on his front porch, he'll need to meet him. Not liking where this discussion's headed, Veronica wonders if that's really necessary. It is, according to Keith, who's jealous of all the Daddy-Daughter time the new kid in town is stealing from him. Veronica points out that they see each other constantly, but Keith insists that they may see each other, but they don't do anything anymore. Shaking her head, Veronica goes to her room and happily plops down onto her bed and thinks of another time and another impending Homecoming dance.
At school, Troy catches up to Veronica in the hall, and suggests mini-golf plans for Thursday night (what all the cool kids are doing!). Greeting his invite with a smile that reeks of "I have bad news," he thinks maybe she doesn't like mini-golf. Then she breaks it to him that her dad wants to meet him. As they stop at her locker, Troy says he's cool with that, even though he can't do a beep and wave. Carefully, she explains that her dad is a little "intense," but he's not worried -- he "gives good parent," i.e. "kisses ass well." (Oh, lad, you have no idea what family you're dealing with here. Live and learn, I guess.) Then, he asks for confirmation that she'll be attending Homecoming with him (since their previous non-question/non-answer conversation was so clear!). She smiles and adds a half-hearted "It'll be fun," but as he walks away, she thinks about how she's already had the perfect Homecoming experience and anything else seems like a cheap reminder.
Thursday evening, Veronica is too involved with her surveillance of the Silicon Mafia to remember she has a "meet my scary father" date with Troy, until she gets a call from him and realizes she's left the boy to fend for himself. Alone. With Keith. Promising to be right there, she hangs up and rushes home.
At the Mars residence, Troy and Keith are sitting in the living room, chatting. Keith explains that Veronica's told him nothing about Troy, which Troy jokes about not knowing if that's good or bad. Keith doesn't know either, then laughs (too) loudly. (Ah, Keith. So subtle in your psychological warfare on the scoundrels dating your daughter.) Troy gamely offers to answer any questions or give him a list of references. (Okay, wait a minute there. What kind of pertinent references does a boy give a girl's father for dating purposes? Ex-girlfriends? Fathers of ex-girlfriends? A list of other girls he's currently dating? Wouldn't that be like the worst idea ever?)
Keith asks if they're going to the Homecoming dance. Troy politely says they are, if that's alright with him. (The boy does indeed know how to kiss ass. Too bad he doesn't realize how wasted that is on Keith.) Keith gives his permission, of course, but what about after the dance? They're not going skip out and go to a party or hotel and still make it back in time for curfew, are they? (Guess Daddy Mars hasn't forgotten about last year's Homecoming.) Starting to buckle just a bit under Keith's unwavering gaze, Troy dismisses those radical ideas because the point of going to the dance is to go to the dance. Keith's relieved by this attitude and expects that Troy feels the same, too, even though he's taken the liberty of canceling Troy's hotel reservations at the Four Seasons. Troy looks like the wind's been knocked out of him as his smile fades. Veronica cheerily burst through the door and asks who's ready for mini-golf. Keith squeezes Troy's shoulder with a hearty smile as Troy sits in stunned silence.
On the way to the Homecoming dance, Veronica, Troy, Wallace and Georgia share a limousine. Everyone's decked out in their party clothes -- Veronica in a strapless red gown, in remembrance of her departed best friend's advice. Suddenly, Veronica asks the others if they mind making a stop because she has something she needs to do. Nervous about the things Keith could and would do to him, Troy tries to object to not going straight to the dance. Veronica ignores him as the limo stops at the beach. She climbs out, grinning, and tells Troy he can't come along. As she walks off, Troy looks to Wallace for an explanation, but he's wisely stopped trying to figure out his best friend since the day he met her. On the beach, Veronica walks to the ocean, with a sparkle in her eye. She unzips her dress, letting it fall to the sand, then dives into the ocean, finally crossing "skinny-dipping" off of her "I never" list.
- Veronica is using a Samsung cell phone in this episode.
- The driver's license that Veronica used at Gameland shows license #A78778712, which is not a valid California state license number.
- The fountain plaque engraving says:
- Is the end, the end...
or merely a new beginning?
Can that which once started
suddenly be stopped?
Or is this a cosmic circle,
that makes us think we are over
just before we begin again?
1987 - 2003
- From: Freimuth, Karl karl@grrrantastic-tech.com
Sunday, October 8, 2004 3:52 AM
To: Georgia
In a pinch, need your help - URGENT!
- The theatre Veronica tracks Jimmy to is the Circle X Theatre Co.
- The headshot photo Veronica steals from outside the theatre lists Jimmy's address and credits on the back:
- Jimmy Spain, 4536 Circle Heights, Neptune, CA 90080 615-555-1078
Duped!, Role of Karl - Recurring
Lost In the Midst, Role of David - lead, Summerland Theatre Group, Neptune, CA
Aquarena Commercial, Role of Salesman, 5 Mile Dam Productions, Neptune, CA
Twelfth Night, Chorus, Shakespeare Group, Neptune, CA
On Air, Stand In, Slave Rats Productions, Neptune, CA
- While Jake displays expected disappointment when his children return home after a night spent misbehaving, Celeste reacts with open hostility towards just one of their guilty kids -- Lilly. (If you thought I was going to say Duncan, you probably haven't been watching the show.) Celeste accuses her daughter of acting out just so she can humiliate her. (Yes, IceBitch, the world does revolve around you. It's now clear where your daughter picked up that lovely trait.) When called out on the fact that she's not yelling at her beloved Prince Duncan, Celeste accuses Lilly of being at the root of any trouble their family tree has ever had.
- The crowd of students attending the Lilly Kane Memorial Fountain dedication ceremony includes a surprise appearance by Weevil, whose tearful reaction to the tribute video seems to indicate he had some sort of a personal relationship with Lilly before she was murdered. (Either that or the orchestra's earlier rendition of "Wind Beneath My Wings" stirred up painful memories of Beaches.)
- Lilly and Veronica discuss her wardrobe. (Read detailed breakdown.)
- Veronica, Logan and Duncan await Lilly's arrival, after which the four gather 'round and take pre-Homecoming dance photos. (Read detailed breakdown.)
- The fab four in the limo playing Truth or Dare. (Read detailed breakdown.)
- The fab four playing 'I Never' on the beach. (Read detailed breakdown.)
- The foursome arrive at the Kane Mansion after the dance. (Read detailed breakdown.)
"Supernatural Supergirl" (Josh Kramon)
Scene: It's Fashion Advice with Lilly Kane ... which Veronica so does not follow. Until, like, months after Lilly is dead.
"All That We Perceive" (Thievery Corporation)
Scene: Aww, Logan thought Veronica was workin' it in her shorts and knee socks! Aww, Lilly is mackin' on Veronica! Aww, Logan is like really wishing he was in the middle of the workin' it Veronica and the mackin' on-Veronica Lilly! Duncan, not so much.
"Diverse City" (TobyMac)
Scene: Veronica and Wallace have arrived at the party and the beat is hopping!
"Party Crashers" (Radio 4)
Scene: The beat may be hoppin', but Veronica is more into breakin' ... and entering.
"Wind Beneath My Wings" (Instrumental)
Scene: To quote Logan about Lilly: "God, this would piss her off." Wind Beneath my Wings for a Lilly Kane Memorial Video? Is Celeste on crack! Nah, she's just being Celeste, mother of the year extraordinaire. Not.
"Now Is The Time" (Damone)
Scene: Now THIS is more like it! Lilly would approve of this groove that plays while her video-immortalized-self is boogying with Veronica, making out with Logan, mooning Neptune and telling the world, "You love me, don't you."
LoVe Lines
Logan: What part of my ignoring you makes you think you are welcome?
Veronica: What are you doing?
Logan: Assembling the world's most boring memorial video. Ballet, choir recital, debutante crap, girl scouts. Memories both misty and water colored.
Veronica: It's Lilly as a long-distance commercial.
Logan: Well, it isn't really about Lilly, is it? (Laughing without humor.) God, this would piss her off.
Veronica: How's it going?
Logan: It's very Wonder Years. Celeste will love it.
LoVe Lines In Memory
Lilly: What did you think of Veronica the first time you saw her?
Logan: (Squirming and mumbling in embarrassment.) I don't know; I thought she was hot.
Veronica: (Gasping.) I was 12 when you moved here!
Logan: Oh, and, like you weren't working it in your shorts and your kneesocks.
Veronica: That was my (Punching him in the arm in emphasis.) soccer uniform!
Logan: So, whatever! It totally worked!
In Memory
Lilly: Why do you insist on suppressing your hotness? The world is ready for you Veronica Mars. You don't have to blend in. I mean, none of this reflects your personality at all. I'm -- Why, why do you even have this? You are not a yellow cotton dress.
Veronica: What am I?
Lilly: You're like -- you're red satin. You are strapless red satin.
Lilly: You know that we're not really going to the dance, right?
Veronica: Wait, what are you talking about?
Lilly: The dance is just a lame excuse for a new dress and a limo party. Logan has got all the refreshments taken care of so it's going to be amazing.
Veronica: No, I can't do that. You know my dad. He will find out and I'll get crushed.
Lilly: You'll get grounded.
Veronica: Severely.
Lilly: Oh, whoop-de-frigging-doo, Veronica. I mean, grounding lasts what, a week? You are gonna remember this fun we have for the rest of your life. Trust me.
Logan: (Upon seeing Lilly in her homecoming dress.) I believe Keanu Reeves said it best when he said: "Whoa."
Lilly: Hey, I'm only young once. How many braless years do I have left?
Logan: I've never taken matters into my own hand in the boys' locker room after watching the cheerleader tryouts.
Duncan: Dude, you are so dead.
Lilly: How pervy, Duncan! I am a little impressed, though.
Logan: You must drink, comrade.
Duncan: Oh, my god. They called the cops.
Veronica: They called my dad.
Lilly: This is like, the best dance ever!
Lilly: You love me, don't you?
Quotable Quotes
Veronica: So, what did you think of him?
Keith: Oh, hey, you're home early.
Veronica: Oh hey, did you run his license plate? Or did you get fingerprints?
Keith: Sorry, honey, what?
Veronica: You know you're not fooling me.
Keith: Okay. (Pausing.) Veronica, I have no idea what you're talking about. (Veronica sighs in disbelief and heads out of the room.) Oh, hey, I forgot to tell ya. If he's gonna be kissing my daughter on my porch for eight and a half minutes, I'll need to meet him. Sweet dreams, honey.
Veronica: Is that really necessary?
Keith: He's taking up a lot of daddy-daughter time.
Veronica: My Dad wants to meet you.
Troy: That's cool. I'll pick you up at the door. I can't do the beep and wave, but that's no problem.
Veronica: My Dad is a little intense.
Troy: Don't worry. I give good parent.
Veronica: Her pain is your pleasure?
Wallace: Hey, hey, I'm the cavalry. I get to save the day. We are going to save the day? Right?
Wallace: Only girls they see in there are Japanimated. So, you're not going to really blend.
Veronica: So I won't blend.
Wallace: It's not going to work. You can't take the cool out of me. Look, pocket protector and I'm still full of pimp juice.
Veronica: I still think you're a badass.
Wallace: And I am. And nobody's gonna buy me as a nerd.
Veronica: You've already been bought. I called the resident advisor and I told him you were a prospective freshman.
Wallace: And they believed you because?
Veronica: Because I do a surprisingly convincing admissions assistant. But, tonight, you lucky boy, I'm all nerd hag.
Veronica: I don't feel so good, papa bear.
Wallace: Papa bear?
Veronica: Never happened.
Troy: Well, if you have any questions or, you know, you want a list of references or anything ...
Keith: So you're going to the homecoming dance.
Troy: Oh yes, sir, if that's okay with you.
Keith: Of course. And after the dance?
Troy: Why -- I think that, uh, Veronica said that she had to be right home after, so ...
Keith: Yeah, good. And you're gonna stay for the whole dance, I mean, you're not gonna leave early to go to a party or a hotel and still make it back by curfew?
Troy: No, you-ah, I mean ... the whole point of going to the dance is to go to the dance.
Keith: Good. So you won't mind, then, that I cancelled your reservation at the Four Seasons?
Veronica: Hello, boys. Let me guess what you're thinking. Paybacks are a bitch.
Grant: Yeah, something like that.
Grant: Can we have our backup drives now?
Veronica: You need to lay off the caffeine, Grrrant. 'Cause you're downright testy. Your backups are in the garbage can, next to the bench.
Georgia: Yeah, you might have to dig a little.
Wallace: (Regarding Veronica.) Don't ask me, man. Stopped trying to figure her out day one.
The Wrath of Khan ... (Referenced by the episode title.)
Based upon the short-lived, but long-beloved sci-fi classic, Star Trek (created by Gene Roddenberry and running on NBC, 1966-1969 -- the five year mission, as described in the opening credits, cut short by a few years *), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is the second Star Trek Movie. Directed by Nicholas Meyers and written by Jack B. Sowards, the film was a critical and box-office smash. The first film Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), not so much as it was considered more a cerebral take on the ST universe, without the fun and camp that embodied the series. The Wrath of Khan corrected that and is most often considered the best of the Trek films. Much of the reason for this distinction is due to the tone and style of the film, which is firmly character-driven, and almost completely avoids the pseudo-science (a.k.a. "techno-babble") that detractors see in other Star Trek films and series.
Originally featured in the Star Trek episode Space Seed, Khan was played by Ricardo Montalban (he of Fantasy Island fame) in both the 1960's show, as well as the 1982 movie. The plot of Space Seed revolved around a powerful dictator from earth's violent past, Khan Noonien Singh, and his followers who are found by the USS Enterprise in a state of cryogenic suspended animation aboard the SS Botany Bay. The crew awakens Khan and discover that he was genetically engineered for physical and mental superiority.
After Kirk and crew learn that he was a murderous tyrant who fled defeat in the late 20th century, Khan is imprisoned in the ship's "guest" quarters before escaping and reviving his followers -- fellow "supermen" who had helped him rule a quarter of the Earth during the 1990s. He takes control of the Enterprise, but that control is short-lived and Kirk offers the defeated Khan two choices: Exile on the inhospitable, but habitable planet Ceti Alpha V or imprisonment on a Federation penal colony. Khan (a lover of words, as well as war) answers with a famous quote from John Milton's Paradise Lost: "Better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven."
Khan in Space Seed (From the original series) and in the film, The Wrath of Khan.
The film, The Wrath of Khan, begins fifteen years later and reunites newly promoted Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) with his nemesis from the earlier episode who is now seeking revenge upon Kirk for having been imprisoned on that desolated planet. Their battle ensues over control of the Genesis device, a top-secret Starfleet project enabling entire planets to be transformed into life-supporting worlds, pioneered by the mother of Kirk's estranged and now-adult son. While Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) mentors the young Vulcan Lt. Saavik (then-newcomer Kirstie Alley), Kirk must battle Khan to the bitter end through a climactic starship chase and an unexpected crisis that will cost the life of Kirk's closest friend.
* Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.
Keanu Reeves' "Whoa." ... (Referenced by Logan when quoting Keanu upon seeing Lilly in her homecoming dress as a sign of appreciation.)
This popular modern actor was born on September 2, 1964 and started acting in 1985. His name means "cool breeze over the mountains" in Hawaiian. He first hit it big with Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. He reached superstardom with Speed (co-starring Sandra Bullock) and went onto greater heights with the The Matrix trilogy by the Wachowski Brothers. Logan's nod to Keanu was from this role since Neo (Reeves' characer) responded to many a situation with the single word: "Whoa."
He also performs with his rock band, Dogstar.
Cavalry ... (Referenced by Wallace when describing his role in Georgia's time of need.)
Known as rescuers and shining beacons of heroic charge, the cavalry are soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. From earliest times cavalry had the advantage of improved mobility, an "instrument which multiplied the fighting value of even the smallest forces, allowing them to outflank and avoid, to surprise and overpower, to retreat and escape according to the requirements of the moment." A man fighting from horseback also had the advantage of height, speed and weight over an opponent on foot.
Bohemian Theater (Referenced by Veronica as the place to where she follows Karl/Jimmy.)
A Bohemian is a native of the Czech province of Bohemia, however in 19th century France, the term "bohemian" attained a different meaning. Due to an incorrect perception that gypsies were originally from Bohemia, "bohemian" was used in French literature to describe gypsies who lived outside of conventional society, with no concern for society's disapproval of their non-traditional lifestyles. Eventually, the bohemian description expanded to artists, musicians, writers, intellects and any disenchanted person who chose to live a nonconformist life, sometimes expressed through bizarre dress, self-induced poverty and drug use. Giacomo Puccini's 19th century opera La bohme and Jonathan Larson's 1996 Broadway musical Rent are arguably the two most popular stories focused on the Bohemian culture.
Samuel Beckett ... (Referenced by Veronica in the scene where she confronts Jimmy, the actor.)
Born near Dublin, Ireland in 1906 into a wealthy Protestant family, Beckett attended Trinity College in Dublin, studying French and Italian. Beckett briefly taught Romance languages after graduating, but eventually grew disillusioned with teaching. Beckett's first book, Whoroscope, was published in 1930, and a collection of short stories, More Pricks than Kicks, followed in 1934. Beckett eventually settled in Paris, and one night in 1938, while traveling home, he was stabbed in the street.
While recovering, one of his visitors was Suzanne Descheveaux-Dumesnil, a French woman whom he knew casually. They grew very close, and Suzanne worked to help him get his work published. They eventually married in 1961.
During the Second World War, Beckett worked as a courier for the French Resistance, and at one point was concealed in a barn to escape detection. During that time, he wrote the novel Watt, in his words, "to stay sane." After the war, Beckett's writing took on a darker tone, and he gained international attention with the play Waiting for Godot, written around 1950. Beckett became renowned for abstract themes, which were continued in the plays Endgame, Happy Days, and Play. In 1969, Beckett won the Nobel Prize for Literature, and he gave away much of the prize money to charities and needy writers. Beckett died in 1989, and was buried beside his wife, Suzanne.
Back Stage West (Referenced by Jimmy when explaining how he found out about his latest "role.")
Published by Vnu Business Publications, Back Stage West is a magazine for performing artists in theatre, film and television, with a weekly circulation of about 24,000 readers. It contains reviews, industry news, casting notices, career advice and editorials, with an emphasis on the Los Angeles scene.
The publication is available on newsstands or through subscription ($89/year) and is one of three Back Stage services available. Back Stage East is centered around the industry in New York and BackStage.com is the online service which, in addition to encapsulating the print editions' contents, includes daily updates, casting notices from all around the country, and other articles that are not reported in the print editions.
SAG ... (Referenced by Jimmy when he realizes Duped! isn't a legitimate show.)
The Screen Actor's Guild is a union that covers films, commercials and videos shot on film. Since most studio pictures are union projects, producers can be fined $15,000 for hiring actors without a SAG card. To get a card, actors need to land a speaking role in a film or TV Show, which may not be easy without any experience.
However, If you have worked a year or longer for another Union and had at least one principal part you are eligible to join SAG. The other option is to work as an extra and earn vouchers. Three vouchers make you eligible for a card. If you are cast as an extra and required to speak a line you are able to join immediately. Once an actor has earned a SAG card they are entitled to higher pay and better benefits under union contracts, it is easier to get an agent and they have more opportunities since most feature films and television programs hire only SAG performers.
Anime ... (Referenced by Wallace when describing the girls who go to Gameland.)
Anime is the term used for Japanese animation and comes from the French word. It is a distinctive form that is noticeable by either the style or quality. Cartoons and comic books in Japan are geared towards all ages. Most anime consist of a great storyline with a great amount of detail. Anime is usually less clichd containing much more variety and life than most western animation and comics. Anime tends to be very emotional and the characters have very big eyes. Examples are Sailor Moon, Speed Racer, Spirited Away, Akira and my favorite -- as seen below, Lina and Gourry, from Slayers.
San Diego State (Referenced by Veronica as Grant's school.)
San Diego State University is, not surprisingly, a college in San Diego, California. The university competitive academically with admitted freshmen having an average GPA of 3.5. Their football team, the Aztecs, is significantly less competitive, winning only five of their twelve games during the 2005 season.
Mary J ... (Referenced by Keith when posing as a DEA officer.)
Another term for marijuana (or cannabis) and is derived from the hemp plant. Other names include weed, hash, pot, Mary Jane and reefer. There are also street names for different strains of marijuana like "Texas tea," "Maui wowie," and "Chronic." According to current publications there are more than two hundred various kinds of marijuana all containing a mind altering drug containing THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Most people smoke marijuana in a cigarette or in a water pipe called a bong and it is the most frequently used illegal drug in the US with nearly ninety-five million Americans over the age of twelve having tried it at least once.
Roman Candles ... (Referenced by Veronica as a ploy to get into Grant and Liam's room.)
A type of fireworks consisting of long paper tubes that contain pyrotechnic stars and lifting charges, which are emitted in a series for a prolonged segment of time. Stars are pellets which may contain metal powders, salts or other compounds that burn a particular color or emit sparks when ignited.
Sri Lanka (Referenced by Veronica as she plays drunk at the college party.)
Known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean," The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean, located approximately thirty-one kilometers south of India. It has a geographic area of 65,610 sq km and a population of approximately 20,743,000 people. The nation is separated into eight provinces: Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Western.
The island was originally settled by the Sinhalese in late 6th century B.C., with kingdoms eventually arising in the cities of Anuradhapura (200 B.C. - A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (1070-1200). During the 14th century, the Tamil kingdom was established when a South Indian dynasty seized power in the northern region. Occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch in the 17th century, the island previously known by many names, including Serendib, became the British crown colony Ceylon in 1802. Independence came to the nation on February 4, 1948 and the island's name was changed in 1972 to Sri Lanka, Sanskrit for "venerable Lanka" -- Lanka being an ancient name of the island.
Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist nation. The two main cultures found on the island are the Sinhalese and the Tamils. In 1983, an ethnic war erupted between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists. After twenty years of warfare, a formal cease-fire was negotiated in 2002 between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, although the violence has not discontinued completely.
Sinhala and Tamil are the official national languages. The national form of currency is the Sri Lankan rupee. The capital is located in Colombo, however the city of Sri Jayewardenapura-Kotte is the legislative capital. Since November 2005, the Sri Lankan president has been Mahinda Rajapakse. The president is elected by a popular vote for a six-year term.
Sri Lanka is the leading exporter of tea and cinnamon and its major industries include the processing and export of rubber, tea, spices, textiles and apparels. The main sport of interest is cricket and the sport is so popular, in fact, that businesses usually shut down when there is a big cricket match being televised.
Two historical facts of interest: Sri Lanka is the first Asian country to have a female monarch (Queen Anula, 47-42 B.C.) and the first country in the world to have a female Prime Minister (Sirimavo Bandaranaike, 1960).
Pia Colada (Referenced by Wallace as he describes his first college party experience with Veronica.)
A Pia Colada (translated as "strained pineapple") is an ice-blended cocktail containing light rum, coconut milk and pineapple. The ingredients are blended with crushed ice and the resulting beverage is often garnished with a maraschino cherry and a wedge of pineapple.
The drink gained popularity after Rupert Holmes released his song "Escape (The Pia Colada Song)" in 1979. Easily one of the most recognizable songs ... ever, the chorus will no doubt send your brain off humming the tune if you've ever heard it and before long you'll be singing beneath your breath ...
- If you like Pia Colada
And getting caught in the rain
If you're not into yoga
And have half a brain
If you'd like making love at midnight
In the dunes on the Cape
Then I'm the love that you've looked for
Write to me and escape
Girl Scouts ... (Referenced when Logan is telling Veronica about Lilly's memorial video.)
Girl Scouts of the USA is a youth association, best known for their annual entrepreneurial cookie selling, featuring popular selections such as Thin Mints, Caramel De Lites, Tagalongs and Do-si-dos. Founded in 1912 by Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia, Girl Scouts was formed based on the "scouting" ideas of Brit Robert Baden-Powell. Daisy believed that all girls should have the opportunity to develop physically, mentally and socially, and strove to bring girls out of home environments and into society through community service, physical activity and educational opportunities.
Today, Girl Scouts of the USA is the largest female youth organization, blossoming from its early ranks of eighteen, to a membership of approximately 3.5 million girls, ages 5-17, and nearly one million adult members. There are five age levels in Girl Scouting, Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior. Girls Scouts of USA defines its goal as helping its members achieve their full potential through development of strong values, life skills and decision-making, self-acceptance and self-worth, and compassionate and respectful relating to others.
"The Way We Were" ... (Referenced by Logan as he describes the type of video footage he's been given to make Lilly's tribute as full of "memories both misty and water-colored.")
This title song to the 1973 film The Way We Were was written by Marvin Hamlisch (music), Marilyn Bergman (lyrics) and Alan Bergman (lyrics) and performed by the film's star Barbra Streisand. The song was Streisand's first number one single in the U.S., sold more than a million copies and held a place on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for twenty-three weeks. "The Way We Were" was awarded the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 1974 Academy Awards.
The lyrics:
- Memories
Light the corners of my mind
Misty watercolor memories
Of the way we were
Scattered pictures
Of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another
For the way we were
Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
If we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me - Would we? Could we?
Memories
May be beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember
We simply choose to forget
So it's the laughter
We will remember
Whenever we remember
The way we were
So it's the laughter
We will remember
Whenever we remember
The way we were
A very popular drinking game usually played with a group of people. One person goes first by making a TRUE statement that begins with "I never...." For example, "I've never been to the Grand Canyon." Then, if any other player HAS DONE what the person said, they simply drink. However, if somebody drinks on an "I never..," no explanation is necessary. For example, if someone says, "I've never had sex with a stranger," and someone ends up drinking to it, no explanation is needed, just a drink of affirmation. Just a sidenote, the game is also played in the novel Rats Saw God by Veronica Mars creator, Rob Thomas.
The Four Seasons ... (Referenced by Keith when letting Troy know he canceled his reservation there for the night of the Homecoming dance.)
Four Seasons Hotels, Inc. is a Canadian-based chain consisting of many hotels and resorts aimed at the top of the travel accommodation market and at wealthy travelers. It is considered among the best in the world, according to Travel and Leisure magazine and Zagat Guide. It is also a AAA five diamond hotel chain, one of only a few in the world. Founded in 1960, the chain boasts sixty-six hotels in twenty-nine countries. Seventeen of the world's top hotels on the Zagat Survey are Four Season properties. Visit their webpage to find out more about locations and services.
MIT ... (Referenced by Keith during his attempt to lure Grant and Liam away from their room.)
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university in Cambridge, MA. Teaching and research at MIT is grounded in practical applications of science and technology. The institution is organized into five schools and one college, and was founded in 1861 by William Barton Rogers. MIT contributed significant defense research during WWII and the Cold War as a federally funded research and development center. MIT is ranked #2 overall among the world's top 200 universities by The Times Higher Education Supplement (2005), and #1 worldwide in technology. The 2006 Princeton Review ranked MIT #1 in selectivity and in the top 10 for diversity and racial interactions. The institute's sports teams are called the Engineers, and their mascot is the beaver - or 'nature's engineer.'
The Matrix Online (Referenced by Keith as a lure to get Grant and Liam away from their room.)
The Matrix Online (MxO) is a massively-multiplayer online role-playing game set in the fictional universe of The Matrix film series. Developed by Monolith Productions with the films' creators, Andy and Larry Wachowski, the game was originally published by Warner Brothers Interactive in the U.S. on March 22, 2005 to somewhat underwhelming critical and commercial success. Three months later, rights for the game were purchased by Sony Online Entertainment.
The science fiction film trilogy The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and The Matrix Revolutions (2003) stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity, Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus and Hugo Weaving as the villainous Agent Smith. The three films took in a combined worldwide box office gross of $1.6 billion, placing it as one of the top five film trilogies of all-time worldwide (as of 2006). Additional Matrix stories were explored in the direct-to-DVD animated anthology collection The Animatrix (2003), graphic novels and the Enter the Matrix video game.
MxO continues the films' storyline of a secret battle between humans and machines, using cutting-edge 3-D graphics. Battle is waged in four major zones: the Slums, the Barrens, Downtown and the International District. The game includes the film's signature "wire-fu" and "bullet time" combat techniques, as well as opportunities to hack and disable security devices, while carrying out extensive missions. Special Live Events are held when game developers come online and play as characters from the storyline, such as Morpheus or Niobe, introducing new critical missions to the gameplay.
The Wonder Years ... (Referenced by Logan when describing the tone of the memorial video to Veronica.)
The Wonder Years (1988-1993) was an unapologetically sentimental television drama that followed the life of Kevin Arnold from boyhood to adulthood. Though set in the 1960's, the show dealt very little with the political and social turbulence of the times. Rather, it focused on one boy's experiences with family, friends, first loves, disappointments, and life lessons. The story is told by the now grown Kevin, who with age, wisdom, and distance, relays the tales of his youth with a sense of fondness and bittersweet nostalgia.
Starring Fred Savage as Kevin, the show gained many accolades throughout its run -- including a 1989 Leading Actor Emmy nomination for Savage, who at 13 is still the youngest actor to receive such an honor. Rounding out the cast was Dan Lauria and Alley Mills as Kevin's parents, Olivia D'Abo and Jason Hervey as his siblings, Josh Saviano as best friend, Paul, and finally Danica McKellar as Winnie, the girl that Kevin fell for in one of the sweetest courtships in television history.
Saviano, Savage and McKellar
Quake (Referenced by Veronica as she describes the quality of the game Grant and Liam are developing.)
A popular horror/dark fantasy first-person shooter computer game released by id Software on June 22, 1996, Quake's 3-dimensional environments, players and monsters helped to popularize these advances for other 3D games. It is both a single and multi-player game and is the second game that allowed multi-player gameplay on the Internet, as well as on a local network.
Set to background music by Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), the game's story occurs in a different dimension, accessed through a "Slipgate" that was created by the government while conducting teleportation experiments. This inter-dimensional portal is being used by death squads, who slip through the gate to murder and steal before returning to their own dimension. The game player assumes the role of a ranger the government sends into the portal to combat the enemy, who has been code-named "Quake." While traveling through various Gothic, medieval and futuristic settings, the player collects necessary items (e.g. ammunition, medkits, armor) and attempts to travel to the next level. Monsters or other online players are battled along the way, using shotguns, nailguns, axes, and grenade/rocket launchers.
Three follow-up games (not sequels) have been released: Quake II, Quake III Arena and Quake 4. Also, in 2005, a Quake game was developed for mobile phones.
Asteroids ... (Referenced by Veronica as she describes the quality of the game Grant and Liam are developing.)
One of Atari's all-time best sellers, this vector-based video game was conceived by Atari's vice president of engineering, Lyle Rains, programmed and designed by Ed Logg and released in 1979. Three much less popular sequels were released: Asteroids Deluxe (1980), Space Duel (1982) and Blasteroids (1987).
The Asteroids arcade game first introduced the feature allowing a player to record their initials with their high scores, thus setting up a competition to keep your score higher than other arcade players. This is now a standard feature of arcade games.
The object of the game is to destroy asteroids by shooting them and breaking them down into smaller and smaller asteroids until they're gone, without letting the pieces or randomly appearing UFOs destroy your ship first. The game begins with your small triangular ship located in the middle of a black screen with four large asteroids floating around you. The control actions available are thrust, fire, rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, and hyperspace, which teleports your ship to some random place on the screen -- sometimes right on top of a deadly asteroid! Points are scored each time you shoot a target -- with more points being awarded for the smaller asteroids and even more for shooting the UFOs.
Although by today's standards, the black and white graphics and gameplay are extremely simple in nature, Asteroids is one of the most cloned, revised and updated games in existence and is still quite addictive, as this online version of Asteroids may demonstrate.
Nigerian Scam (Referenced by Veronica as a description of the type of scam Grant and Liam are pulling in order to fund their enterprise.)
A type of "advance fee fraud" scheme, also called "419 fraud" after the Nigerian penal code for fraud schemes, the Nigerian Advanced Fee Fraud scheme is a two-layered scam. First, the fraudsters obtain large mailing lists -- physical or e-mail -- of potential victims. Then, a letter is sent out en masse, often originating from Nigeria. In the letter, the scammer usually claims to be a civil servant seeking help from a reputable foreign business or individual to transfer a large amount of money (over invoiced contract funds, embezzled funds of a recent dictator) out of the country. The stated amount is generally $10-$60 million and the victim is offered a commission of up to 30 per cent. An example of an actual "Nigerian letter" used in the scam:
- REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP
FIRST, I MUST SOLICIT YOUR STRICTEST CONFIDENCE IN THIS TRANSACTION. THIS IS BY VIRTUE OF ITS NATURE AS BEING UTTERLY CONFIDENTIAL AND 'TOP SECRET'. I AM SURE AND HAVE CONFIDENCE OF YOUR ABILITY AND RELIABILITY TO PROSECUTE A TRANSACTION OF THIS GREAT MAGNITUDE INVOLVING A PENDING TRANSACTION REQUIRING MAXIIMUM CONFIDENCE.
WE ARE TOP OFFICIAL OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACT REVIEW PANEL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN IMPORATION OF GOODS INTO OUR COUNTRY WITH FUNDS WHICH ARE PRESENTLY TRAPPED IN NIGERIA. IN ORDER TO COMMENCE THIS BUSINESS WE SOLICIT YOUR ASSISTANCE TO ENABLE US TRANSFER INTO YOUR ACCOUNT THE SAID TRAPPED FUNDS.
THE SOURCE OF THIS FUND IS AS FOLLOWS; DURING THE LAST MILITARY REGIME HERE IN NIGERIA, THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SET UP COMPANIES AND AWARDED THEMSELVES CONTRACTS WHICH WERE GROSSLY OVER-INVOICED IN VARIOUS MINISTRIES. THE PRESENT CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT SET UP A CONTRACT REVIEW PANEL AND WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A LOT OF INFLATED CONTRACT FUNDS WHICH ARE PRESENTLY FLOATING IN THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA READY FOR PAYMENT.
HOWEVER, BY VIRTUE OF OUR POSITION AS CIVIL SERVANTS AND MEMBERS OF THIS PANEL, WE CANNOT ACQUIRE THIS MONEY IN OUR NAMES. I HAVE THEREFORE, BEEN DELEGATED AS A MATTER OF TRUST BY MY COLLEAGUES OF THE PANEL TO LOOK FOR AN OVERSEAS PARTNER INTO WHOSE ACCOUNT WE WOULD TRANSFER THE SUM OF US$21,320,000.00(TWENTY ONE MILLION, THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THOUSAND U.S DOLLARS). HENCE WE ARE WRITING YOU THIS LETTER. WE HAVE AGREED TO SHARE THE MONEY THUS; 1. 20% FOR THE ACCOUNT OWNER 2. 70% FOR US (THE OFFICIALS) 3. 10% TO BE USED IN SETTLING TAXATION AND ALL LOCAL AND FOREIGN EXPENSES. IT IS FROM THE 70% THAT WE WISH TO COMMENCE THE IMPORTATION BUSINESS.
PLEASE,NOTE THAT THIS TRANSACTION IS 100% SAFE AND WE HOPE TO COMMENCE THE TRANSFER LATEST SEVEN (7) BANKING DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE RECEIPT OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATIOM BY TEL/FAX; 234-1-7740449, YOUR COMPANY'S SIGNED, AND STAMPED LETTERHEAD PAPER THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL ENABLE US WRITE LETTERS OF CLAIM AND JOB DESCRIPTION RESPECTIVELY. THIS WAY WE WILL USE YOUR COMPANY'S NAME TO APPLY FOR PAYMENT AND RE-AWARD THE CONTRACT IN YOUR COMPANY'S NAME.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING THIS BUSINESS WITH YOU AND SOLICIT YOUR CONFIDENTIALITY IN THIS TRANSATION. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT OF THIS LETTER USING THE ABOVE TEL/FAX NUMBERS. I WILL SEND YOU DETAILED INFORMATION OF THIS PENDING PROJECT WHEN I HAVE HEARD FROM YOU.
YOURS FAITHFULLY,
DR CLEMENT OKON
NOTE; PLEASE QUOTE THIS REFERENCE NUMBER (VE/S/09/99) IN ALL YOUR RESPONSES.
It is at this point that the second part of the scheme begins. Usually, the victim is asked to travel to Nigeria to complete the transaction. They're told that a visa is not required to enter the country and when they arrive, the fraudsters have bribed Immigration and Customs to let the traveler through. The victim is then suddenly informed that a problem has arisen with an "insider" demanding a bribe, some unexpected tax, a legal fee, etc. The victim, eager to receive their commission, puts up the money to cover the fee. Unfortunately, as soon as that problem is resolved, another unexpected fee is turned up and another and another. This pattern can go on for months. Then, if the victim refuses to release any more funds, the criminals can threaten to expose their illegal entry into the country. Sometimes, physical violence or threats of bodily harm are also used.
Although this money-for-nothing scam seems like something people wouldn't easily fall for, each day the U.S. Secret Service's Financial Crimes Division receives approximately 100 telephone calls and 300-500 pieces of correspondence related to the Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud. Annual losses are in the hundreds of millions of dollars, not counting the losses to victims who never come forward to report the crime. In June of 1995, an American victim of this fraud was murdered in Lagos, Nigeria. Numerous others have been reported as missing.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (Referenced by Veronica as she tells Wallace and Georgia that she's reported the con artists to the anti-fraud agency.)
Created in 1908 by Attorney General Charles Joseph Bonaparte as the official investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Justice, the Bureau of Investigation (BOI) was tasked with investigating antitrust matters, land fraud, copyright violations, peonage, and twenty other crimes. It wasn't until the 1930's that, in response to the violence of organized crime following in the wake of Prohibition, Congress passed the Federal Kidnapping Act and the 1934 May/June Crime Bills. These new laws gave the FBI authority to act in previously off-limit areas, to make arrests and to carry weapons. At this time, the BOI was renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
During the 1930's, the FBI played a prominent role in the aggressive pursuit and apprehension of well-known gangsters, earning the FBI's agents the nickname "G-Men." In the following decades, the FBI's efforts were directed at a wide range of issues including subversion, espionage, sabotage, civil rights violations, organized crime, white collar crime and high technology crimes.
The FBI's motto is "Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity," and its currently stated mission is "to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats and to enforce the criminal laws of the United States."
FBI Headquarters is located in the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington, D.C. The most well-known Director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover held the office from 1924 to 1972. Upon his death, the FBI instituted a policy to limit future Directors to a term of no more than ten years. Today, the FBI's workforce includes more than 11,000 Special Agents, Legal Attachs (LEGATS) stationed in foreign countries and 1,000 FBI Police officers whose job it is to protect the J. Edgar Hoover Building, the FBI's training Academy in Quantico and the Washington and New York Field Offices.
- Logan is posing for Veronica as Celeste walks through the doorway waiting for Lilly to come downstairs in the first Homecoming flashback.
- As they are getting ready to pose for pictures with Celeste and Jake, Logan is ballroom dancing with Lilly.
- There is quite a bit of graffiti (and lipstick kisses) on the walls of the girls' bathroom.
- Veronica takes Lilly's past advice twice in this episode: "You don't have to blend in." (Veronica chooses not to blend in when going undercover at Gameland.) and "You are strapless red satin." (Veronica's next Homecoming dress.)
- Wallace's goofy-yet-studly grin when Georgia warns him to be careful.
- Veronica's lock-picking skills. (Keith should be, er, proud?)
- 'Karl' calls out for "Liam" while trying to prove his claim that it's just a tv show to Veronica. Liam is Grant's partner and, no doubt, the face of the Duped! operation.
- During Logan and Duncan's tussle on the beach, Logan falls to the ground and basically flips Duncan into a somersault over him.
- Undercover math nerd Wallace's E=mc2 T-shirt.
- Keith, during his phone call to Grant, refers to the gaming place as Game Lord, not Gameland, as it's referred to in the rest of the episode.
- When Veronica gets Wallace's text messages, they're both dated 09/17/04. However, Georgia's e-mail from "Karl" is dated 10/08/04. (The latter seems more accurate, since the anniversary of Lilly's death would have been 10/03.)
- Logan watching Jake and Celeste when Lilly kisses him on the driveway.
- While waiting for Lilly to come downstairs, Veronica plays junior videographer and Logan vamps it up as her subject, standing in flirtatious and fey poses.
- Logan references Lilly's childhood tapes from Celeste as "memories, both water-colored and misty." The boy quoted Barbra Streisand. Definitely falls in the "or not" category.
- Is the dress Veronica wore to the dance in the flashback the same dress she wore to Shelly Pomroy's party?
- Why was Logan wearing his dad's tux and why does it fit?
- Was that actually Amanda Seyfried in the baby videos?
- What happened between Wallace and Georgia? They appeared close at the end, but we never see her again.
- Why did Weevil cry?
- Why the heck did Veronica go skinny-dipping BEFORE the homecoming dance, thus ruining her hair and make-up. (And it was before, because Troy said that he promised her dad they would go straight TO the dance.)
- Logan's joke to Duncan ("like that one's not in the rotation") after Lilly kissed Veronica has an even bigger ick factor, considering not much more time passed before Duncan was told by Celeste that Veronica was also his sister.
- Logan is upset that Duncan is spraying his tux with champagne brings up a few thoughts later one. First of all, he claims that it is his dad's tux and well, look at Harry Hamlin's (Aaron) build. Then at Jason Dohring's. Er, is this a magical tuxedo that conforms to anyone's body? A true one size fits all? Also, knowing Aaron's propensity for punishing his son, Logan must have been fairly drunk already to not be more upset that a beating was most likely coming his way due to the champagne-drenched tuxedo.
- Weevil's tears at Lilly's memorial are the first obvious indication that they had a secret relationship.
- Despite Wallace's crush on Georgia and her seeming reciprocation, we never see her again.
Written/Compiled By:
JenniferH: Report Card; Chemistry; Band Class; Literature; Social Science; Homeroom; Pep Squad Practice; Principles of Democracy
Mastermia (Maria): Yearbook; Social Science; Philosophy; Homeroom; Principles of Democracy; History
Pixigal (Gerrie): Drama Club
PolarTruckin (Belinda): Journalism
Tar Frimmer (Joanne): Study Hall; Extra Credit; Social Science; Homeroom; Principles of Democracy
