Episode #01.20: M.A.D.
Original Air Date: April 26, 2005
Written by: Phil Klemmer & John Enbom
Directed by: John T. Kretchmer
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 ...) (None)
Philosophy (Unanswered Questions)
Principles of Democracy (Hindsight is 20/20)
Role Call (Written/Compiled By ...)
Grade: A
Membership Grade: A (86.4% / 66 votes)
Barring a substandard guest performance, M.A.D. is absolutely everything that makes Veronica Mars the great show that it is. The writing is crisp and dead-on, creating moments alternately funny, tender and heartbreaking. The acting (especially by Bell and Dohring, colored with so many different shades) is almost uniformly excellent with some wonderful guest turns. The twists and turns of the mystery of the week build until they've affected the core characters deeply as well as revealing hints of one of the season long mystery arcs. Finally, the interaction between Logan and Veronica -- the pair that have become, inarguably, this show's "It" couple -- offer up moments of giddy joy, flirty sexuality, tender emotion, tentative hope and finally heartbreaking despair. And the audience is along for the rollercoaster ride every up and down of the way.
Credited Cast Non-Appearance
Teddy Dunn - Duncan Kane
Recurring Guest Stars (Previous Episode Appearances)
Brad Bufanda - Felix Toombs
- Pilot
- Credit Where Credit's Due
- The Wrath of Con
- Return of the Kane
- The Girl Next Door
- An Echolls Family Christmas
Ryan Hansen Dick Casablancas
- Credit Where Credit's Due
- Meet John Smith
- Return of the Kane
- The Girl Next Door
- Like a Virgin
- Lord of the Bling
- Kanes and Abel's
Harry Hamlin - Aaron Echolls
- Return of the Kane
- An Echolls Family Christmas
- Clash of the Tritons
- Lord of the Bling
- Hot Dogs
Erica Gimpel - Alicia Fennel
- Like a Virgin
- Mars vs. Mars
- Weapons of Class Destruction
Daran Norris - Cliff McCormack
- Pilot
- Credit Where Credit's Due
- Like a Virgin
- Clash of the Tritons
- Mars vs. Mars
Christopher B. Duncan - Clarence Wiedman
- Drinking the Kool-Aid
- Silence of the Lamb
- Ruskie Business
- Betty and Veronica
- Kanes and Abel's
Tina Majorino - Cindy "Mac" Mackenzie
- Like a Virgin
- Silence of the Lamb
- Weapons of Class Destruction
Guest Stars:
Jeff DAgostino Tad Wilson
Natalia Baron Carmen Ruiz
Robert Clark - Seth Rafter
Kyle Gallner Cassidy 'Beaver' Casablancas
Ameenah Kaplan - Loretta Cancun
Martin Yu - Mr. Wu
Who's Who in Neptune:
Beaver Casablancas - Neptune High Student, 09er, younger brother of Logan's friend, Dick Casablancas.
Seth Rafter - Openly gay student at Neptune High; good with computers and putdowns.
Loretta Cancun - Cliffs client mentioned in the Pilot.
Mr. Wu - Teacher at Neptune High.
Lowlights
Jeff DAgostino (Tad Wilson) - Although M.A.D. includes some wonderful, passionate Veronica and Logan moments cherished by LoVe shippers, it is unfortunately marred by a horrible performance by DAgostino. Stilted, one-note and almost unwatchable, DAgostino drags down every scene he is in. My advice: Skip as much of the Tad scenes as you can and fast forward to the Logan and Veronica goodness. Their scenes are gold.
Scene One: Veronica Mars, You Sure Know How To Stop Traffic
I'm probably in the minority in that I wasn't 100% sold on this first scene that shared Logan and Veronica. Don't get me wrong, I loved how Logan was so going for defense of her and the little secret looks and smiles between them were too adorable for words. It's just that the whole blocks and grilled cheese and stuff, the dialogue there just didn't work for me. It was just off. I actually had read the sides of that way, way back when and didn't quite get it then. I was hoping that watching the scene, it would work better. Upon watching it on the UPN site and again last night, nope, it was just weird. I mean, I get what was being said and all that; it just didn't work for me.
But even with that criticism, it still did have many a swoon-worthy LoVe moment. The looks he gave her, the way she casually took his knife (one of many smaller, intimate moments in the episode), the continued looks and smiles, were all deliciously wonderful.
Scene Two: A Hop, Skip and Jump to LoVe
There was a lot of discussion after Hot Dogs (episode 19) about the fact that Logan seemed more into Veronica than she was into him. I think that judging from the way Veronica was just as all over him as he was her in the bathroom scene, they are about on par now. Even more so, he was the one who was able to return to reality and note other things, while it seemed like Veronica just wanted to get it ON!
Little things in this scene I loved. Well, I suppose I'll just get the obvious out of the way. HOT! Yes, very, very hot makeouting-age, the way they were groping and pulling and tugging at each other, how he swept her up onto that counter and the way their bodies were so snug. YOWZA!!! These two really do have some intense chemistry going on, now don't they? And speaking of all of that hot, I loved how when Logan first pulled away, when Veronica was explaining about the barricading, out of order sign, her voice was all breathless and giddy. And Veronica, being quite frankly used to things of an illicit nature, keeping secrets, etc. didn't seem even remotely fazed by their situation. I like that Logan was.
Yeah, he turned it into "boy ... in a girl's bathroom is wrong," but the subtext when he said it was "wrong," was that he just thought hiding was wrong and I think that came from THE respect that he does have for Veronica. However, typical guy, once she added the "so wrong it's right" and angled for another kiss, he just muttered that "yes" in response into her mouth as he kissed her again. Hormones have such powerful sway. Especially in teenage boys.
Another small thing: I loved, loved, loved how Veronica kept tugging on Logan's shirt from beginning to end of the scene. It was just such a girly, intimate, possessive-he's-mine kinda thing, but not in a scary, obsessive-he's-mine kinda way. I loved it.
Moving along, once the decision had been made to cut the make-out session short, did anyone else catch Logan's little flip-kick he did after he said "time travel isn't possible?" At first, I just immediately thought that it was Jason's ode to Logan's ambiguously gay moment of the week (as he tends to have at least one per episode). Then I wondered if it was a throwback to Logan's earlier reference to Brigadoon (from You Think You Know Somebody) -- which is a musical about time travel to a loose degree. And then when Veronica hopped off of the camera, she did this kewpie-doll "oh!" expression that then reminded me of Reefer Madness and I had a momentary wonder if Logan and Veronica were going to launch into a musical number. Now that alone would have been worth just about every other scene on television this year!
Finally, the tail-end of the scene. Did anyone else kinda get the idea that Veronica was showing off just a tad bit for Logan when she whipped out the tardy slips? And then, sigh, when she was against the door and he kinda put his arm over her head, leaning towards her and then double, sigh, the physics talk and the stolen kisses, go to kiss, pause, talk, slightly laugh, kiss, go to kiss, pause, talk, slightly laugh, kiss, go to kiss, pause, talk, slightly laugh, go to kiss, Veronica pushes him away. It was all just so cute and flirty and giddy and adorable and left me with the biggest smile on my face.
Scene Three: Let's Take a Ride
It was very short, but I absolutely loved, loved, LOVED when Logan picked her up from the junkyard place. I saw Veronica walking away from Weevil on the phone and the familiar yellow truck drove by and I was like squeeing inside, "it's Logan!" And then when she just casually opened the door and hopped in while continuing the talk on the phone, I just got all giddy because as I stated above it was one of those little, intimate things. She just opened the door and got in, all business like she belongs there. It was just such a small thing, but it was one of the things that showed me that their relationship is more than just hot hormones and lust.
Scene Four: When the Cat is Away, the Mice Will Play
What I liked best about this scene was actually not the macking, but the overall tenor of the scene (before Aaron showed up), they were both just so happy and teen-age-y. It is one of the few times we've seen them not really dealing with the weight of grown-up things and the dark that lurks in the corners that neither should be dealing with at all, and yet, so often are. The exchange about the "wuv you beary much", "I want my bear won by a show of ring-tossing-ability" was just so endearing in that I think that IS truly something they both want. However, right now they do have to settle for the secret nature of things because of the weight of grown-up things and the dark that lurks in the corners that they DO have to deal with. And that just sucks.
On a lighter note, I have to ask. Am I the only one who is hoping that someday, sometime down the road we see either (a) Veronica with a bear that has a tee-shirt that reads "I wuv you beary much" and/or (b) Logan demonstrating his ring-tossing abilities for Veronica? Just someday.
Okay, yeah and the kissing was hot. LOL! But, but, but, it wasn't about the kissing in this scene for me. It was that they were so happy. Even as they were talking about some of the weighty things (Lynn's death, the weirdness of a relationship between them), they were just content to be in one another's company and I truly enjoyed that. And unlike in the first scene, I really liked the dialogue here and -- but like the first scene -- the little touches. The point of reference to the bong goes back to the Pilot (as a lot of things in this episode did); and then Logan's almost sweet snarking on Aaron filling it with seawater. We had the afore-mentioned beary/ring-tossing and then when Aaron showed up, the dialogue about "your dad, the star of Breaking Point and Beyond the Breaking Point." Nice little touch that for Logan, Aaron is just dad, but for Veronica, he IS one of the world's most famous movie stars. For me, it was even funnier, because of my reaction to Aaron walking in and their reaction. Logan was leaning against the couch, and I said out loud "Oh My God! How embarrassing!" and then Logan said, "Oh my God!" and I squeed!! That whole little section there was so real and uncomfortable and hysterical.
One small, well not complaint, but non-giddy observation: Why did Veronica look so annoyed when she talked about having lipstick on her teeth? As she caught it and then walked to the bathroom, she looked almost pissed and I wasn't sure what the subtext there was. I'm not sure why she seemed so bugged, embarrassed I get, but why so annoyed?
Anyhoo, moving on. Finally, when Dick and Beav showed up, I felt bad for both Logan and Veronica. Logan clearly did not want to be with them, but wanted to be with Veronica, still he was trying to respect Veronica's wishes of keeping it quiet. And Veronica, I think for the first time, realized just how much it sucked keeping it quiet was gonna be. How much do you know she wanted to walk right out there and throw some snark Dick and Beav's way? But because of her own rules she couldn't.
As for Aaron, sick, twisted, multiple personality boy. If we hadn't seen all of his psychoses earlier in the season, he would've given Keith a good race for the running of best dad in Neptune in this episode. He was understanding and kinda sweet about the LoVe make-out; and then he helped Logan out in covering up for Veronica, and with that final look to Logan, showed that he didn't approve of him keeping it secret, what seemed to him a lack of respect for Veronica, but also showed respect for his son by not busting him. And he was sweet and not in your face when he handed Veronica her purse and offered her the ride home. Which leads us to ...
Scene Five: Let's Take a Ride, Part Deux
Again, if we hadn't had such ample evidence of Aaron's not-so-father-knows-best parental skills I would have just thought what a wonderful father Aaron was. It was obviously an awkward situation, but Aaron acted the part of the understanding, concerned father so well -- well, gee, it's no wonder he has an Oscar! He touched all of the right notes and so even though it was coming from Aaron, it was nice hearing someone point out what we've been seeing. Logan was a good kid before Lilly died, that fucked him up and he's been spiraling out of control since, but as Veronica stated, he is "coming to terms." And we've seen that over the course of the season, but especially since he's allowed Veronica back into his life. We have seen him happier, a lot happier in the last couple of episodes. And not just with Veronica, but overall. And, I think it should be noted, that we are actually seeing the same thing with Veronica.
Watch the car scene in the beginning, the cell phone classroom/pick-up scene, the Duncan discussion with Keith * and even the small scene where she talked to the teacher about recycling. We've certainly seen chipper Veronica before, but there's always been a slightly brittle quality, that wasn't there in these scenes. (Kudos to Kristen for that touch.) There was lightness about Veronica's overall attitude, the same as with Logan. The bottom-line is that whatever fuck-ups have happened between these two, they are damn sure making each other happy now and that has got to be worth something in this world.
And may I just kiss the musical director for the choice of beginning the scene with me and you/and a dog named Boo! Talk about ratcheting up the absurd-quotient to the zenith. Brilliant.
* Now, about that Keith/Veronica discussion about Duncan, was anyone else rather surprised at how disparagingly Keith spoke about Duncan? Obviously, Keith knows that they broke up, but I never got the impression that he knew how Donut had dumped Veronica. Veronica seems to have kept the details of her horror at high school from her dad as much as she could. So, I was quite surprised at how belittling of Donut, Keith spoke.
Scene Six: Episode 1 vs. Episode 20 - A Smash to a Tap
Another small scene, but another gem. Building on the tone of happiness that had been escalating in just about every scene between the two, we got our climax, so to speak, here. Now, I know I wasn't the only person who thought that Logan was just about ready to out them right then and there. All sitting on her car and flirting and googly-eyes and awww! And that was the surface, which I do want to discuss before digging deeper. The overall feel of this scene was just unadulterated happiness (with, of course -- this IS Veronica Mars -- the shadow about her parents). Logan picking her car up for her (okay, having his dad's driver pick her car up for her), throwing her the keys, her oh so I'm digging but not coming out and saying I'm digging for info about the upcoming weekend, him almost bashfully admitting he bailed on the guys, and then asking her out for "what's the word? a date," her smiling acceptance. Just pure bliss.
And then we get to the subtext. First we had him getting her attention and then her turning around to see him sitting on the hood of her car. In the pilot, Wallace got her attention and she turned around to see Logan lying on the hood of her car. In the Pilot, Logan talked about his daddy taking away his car. Here, Logan talked about his daddy's driver picking up her car. And, of course, the piece de resistance, in the Pilot, Logan smashed her headlights in with a tire iron; here he just gently tapped them with his bent fingers.
Ah, subtext. I love this show.
Scene Seven: The Irony Just Kills
I really, really did not want Veronica to let Tad down, so I was glad that she didn't, even if I wasn't glad with why she didn't do it (the Logan reveal). The guy was just a total jerk bag. I mean, complete and utter jerk bag. Sick, sick fuck. Much hate for that character.
Okay, hold on, let me back up a bit to the VMVO intro of the scene. Proof positive why I love this show, they not only understand irony, they use it well. The very reason that Veronica was there so early before anyone else and had the opportunity to question Tad and thus get that answer from him is because she was dropping a paper off early because she was cutting school to go gallivanting Catalina-style with Logan. The irony just kills.
As did this scene to my heart. I knew it was coming. I was completely spoiled, but when Tad said "Logan Echolls," gah! the look on Veronica's face. It was such an interesting acting choice by Kristen Bell, because there was shock and pain, but once we left the closeness of her face, we just got her voice and body language and there was this almost blankness. Like the shell that had been cracking was being reassembled right before our eyes.
Scene Eight: I Think I Could Love Her, Crimson and Clover
I know that Veronica is the star of the show, the main character and all that jazz. I know that Veronica was raped and it was horrible and she just found out that Logan had some hand in it. I know this intellectually. But, but, but -- I've been living with the knowledge that Veronica was raped from episode one. And I was spoiled as to knowing that Veronica found out it was Logan who supplied the GHB so maybe that is why my reaction was two seconds of "poor Veronica," my heart breaking for her and then once it shot to Logan on that boat alone and the strums and then lyrics of "Crimson and Clover" began playing, I jumped into full gear of "poor Logan" and honestly, my heart hasn't stopped repeating that since.
I've had a few "poor Veronica's" still thrown in, but my poor baby, Logan! Everything about that scene, the way it was shot, the sun setting, Logan staring out, looking at his watch, staring out, walking over to the nice meal he had set up, the champagne, amidst the melting ice, opening it, taking a swig, sitting down in such schlumpy despair and all the while we heard ...
However, on the bright side, the set-up of that scene actually gave me hope that things will turn out just fine for our erstwhile heroine and her rogue-ish semi-bad boy. Why? Because that scene was SO over the top in trying to drum up the response of "poor Logan." I mean, how could you not watch that scene and not feel for him? You can't. Unless you have a heart of stone. And so, Rob Thomas is NOT going to take such care in building up sympathy for a guy that Veronica, his show's heroine, is done with, over with, kaput, finished, the end. So the pain actually gave me hope.
Still, Poor Logan.
The mystery of the week isnt so much a mystery in this episode, as it is a chance to watch what a true "obligatory psychotic jackass" looks like in action. I mean, no matter how much Veronica hated Logan to start the season, I still don't think she would have awarded him that title if she had known Tad was in the running.
We open with Carmen ending her two-year relationship with Tad. Two years with this guy? Ive got to believe he was dosing her familys milk with GHB the whole time, because she seems pretty reasonable, and his ten minutes on screen were enough to make me want to beat the crap out of him. She says she's not up for the whole long distance thing next year, when he goes off to the Naval Academy. I say long distance is the only relationship anyone should have with this guy.
He responds to Carmen with a look that should be posted around the country for "warning signs that your boyfriend is going to stalk you." He follows the look with the presentation of a CD containing something he wrote for her on his guitar, which in this case is way more creepy than romantic. When she remains unconvinced, he goes deep into the stalker playbook, producing some covertly made, amateur pornography, featuring her and a popsicle. Ill ask again, two years with this guy??
Cut to Carmen with Veronica in the girls' room. She tells Veronica she doesnt remember the event on film, and that its so disgusting she can't believe she did it. Knowing Tad, its no surprise that Veronica thinks shes referring to having sex with him. Carmen explains that there was skinny-dipping and a popsicle (oh, the phrases I get to write as part of this recapping gig). Veronica assures her she can get the phone back.
Given Veronicas confidence, we know two things. She'll rely on Wallace's help and there's either a disposable cell phone or a tracking device involved. Sure enough, Wallace helps her with a "bump and bait" she "accidentally" bumps into Tad, and then Wallace, as silky smooth as he is on the basketball court, uses the distraction to drop a disposable phone in Tad's bag.
Veronica gets herself sent from gym class to Tad's study hall for "personal reasons," and enters talking, like, all valley girl on her phone to make sure the teacher is enforcing the cell-phone confiscation policy. Wallace then calls the disposable phone in Tad's bag. Tad pulls his phone out, and protests that it's not on, although he seems strangely unconcerned with the fact that its probably not even the right ring tone. His phone is confiscated as well.
Veronica - always comfortable using faux charity in pursuit of a case - gets dismissed early from her last class to "help separate the cafeteria recycling from the garbage." Instead she returns to the study hall to claim her phone, taking Tads "Fly Navy" phone instead. Tad arrives a minute later, realizes what has happened, and says "Veronica Mars" in a tone of voice that should become this shows equivalent of "And I would have gotten away with it, if it weren't for those meddling kids."
Carmen arrives at Mars Investigations, gets the phone from Veronica, and smashes it with a conveniently placed statuette. Veronica warns her that there may be other copies of the video, and sure enough they get an instant message containing another copy of the video from Tad with screenname "Top Gun." Still cant escape Tom Cruise.
Next day at school, we find Carmen back with Tad. She has no choice if she wants to stop him from sending out the video. He rises to new heights of charm in this scene, engaging in some fine gay bashing with his friends. Fortunately, Seth, the object of the ridicule, CLEARLY gets the better of this exchange, asking if "just joining the Navy is gay enough to get you kicked out of the Navy." Thats the sort of line I hope to write once in my life.
Not surprisingly, Carmen has had about all she can take. But she worries that if she ends it, hell distribute the video and shell be a national joke like Paris Hilton. (Note to writers -- nice job letting us know that you didnt like her any more than we did.) Veronica tells Carmen she needs to build her own atomic bomb, so that there will be mutually assured destruction if Tad tries to strike first.
Apparently, this bomb will be built at the boardwalk, where Carmen takes Tad for what he thinks is a sweet, romantic date. Does he really think shes just forgotten the whole video blackmail thing? She convinces him to prove his love with a tattoo, then by going over to talk to Seth about getting some X for some erotic experimentation after the prom. Were not quite sure of the plan at this point, but it becomes clear in the next scene when Carmen calls him to "add a soundtrack." She talks about how happy she is that hes into the whole X idea, and he responds with references to their "erotic experiment" and to how hes "always been curious" but that he worried about his parents or the Navy finding out. I think my basset hound could figure out a way to make him look gay with material that good.
Veronica asks Mac instead. She says she needs 45 minutes to create an incriminating, libelous, sexually explicit website. With Seth's help, they use pictures of Tad and Seth at the boardwalk, Tad's phone soundtrack, and Tad's song for Carmen, which quite conveniently seems to be all about rainbows, to build an ode to Tad and Seth's forbidden love. Veronica and Carmen show Tad the site and tell him their bomb is in place - it's over between Tad and Carmen, and if he tries to retaliate theyll send the webpage to the whole school and all the Naval Academy plebes. As Veronica says, under "don't ask, don't tell," once they tell, the Navy is going to ask.
Carmen arrives at school the next day feeling free until another of Neptunes charming young men asks her if she'd like some of his popsicle. Tad sent out the video. Among those enjoying it is Felix, until Weevil puts a stop to that. Veronica finds Carmen in the computer lab at the end of the day and offers her the honor of emailing the link to the Seth and Tad webpage. Carmen deletes the email, saying that destroying Tad won't help her feel better. I could use this as the basis for a long discussion of why the idea of mutually assured destruction violates basic game theory - once one side strikes, the other side may not have the incentive to follow through. Instead, I'll just say that Veronica has gotten yet another lesson that revenge isn't the only way.
Veronica finds two freshman watching the video and, still thirsty for some revenge, threatens to put her foot up their collective asses. I think she's pretty sexy right there, but they choose to run off, leaving the video running. For the first time, she notices that the stars and Chinese lanterns look like those at Shelly Pomroy's end of year party. She asks Mac to help her figure out the date that the video was taken (How hard can that be? Did she really need Macs help?) and discovers that, in fact, it was from the night of the party. Carmen can't remember her rendezvous with a popsicle, and Veronica cant remember losing her virginity? Too much to be a coincidence.
Veronica arrives at school early the next morning to turn in an English paper, before her date with Logan (that is fun to write, even if it never happened). She finds Tad taped to the flagpole with "Scum" written on his chest. At least she can count on Weevil to share her taste for vengeance. She offers to cut him down if he tells her where he got the drugs that night. We can all feel the name coming before he says it - Logan Echolls. Crap. Instead of cutting him down, she rips off the bandage covering his tattoo, revealing a lovely heart with the name Seth on it. At least we can be confident that Tad's time in the Navy will be nearly as bad as what now lies in store for Logan.
- Veronica is having car trouble. She takes the car to Weevils uncle's garage where she strikes a deal to trade 8% of the reward and her car repairs for free in exchange for information on Duncan. Logan has his fathers driver pick up the car and drop it off at school where Logan presents her with the keys.
- Veronica and Logan are still keeping their relationship a secret so that Duncan does not find out before they tell him. Logan wants to make the relationship public and asks her out for a date that Friday on his dads boat.
- Logan tells her that his dad saw something about her parents in the paper. She looks for it and discovers an ad that states legal proceedings have begun in Liannes name and urging her to call a number. Veronica calls Cliff and finds out that serving notice for seven consecutive days would be the first step in beginning divorce proceedings.
She calls the paper and tries to cancel the ad, but cant. She tracks her fathers cell phone to the Hotel Dunes where she finds Keith and Alicia taking dancing lessons. Keith confronts Veronica and tells her that he was just examining his options and that if he took any further steps on the divorce he would tell her.
- Neptunes school colors are green and yellow.
- Veronica has some basic car repair know-how.
- Neptune High does not allow students to use phones during class or they are confiscated.
- The Kanes have offered a $50,000 reward for information to help find Duncan on a website named Missing Persons Link. Veronica confessed how she gave Duncan some basic tips to avoid being found. Since one of the tips was buying recycled passports on eBay she asks Mac to look into it. Mac finds a passport that was shipped to Neptune and gives Keith a lead to look for Duncan. Veronica promises to cut her in for the reward to thank her for her help.
- Duncan bought a 1969 Impala with a California license plate number 6GUC788 for $800 cash. Keith later finds that he left it at the bus station with beer and a note saying that the car was free.
- Alicia and Keith are taking dancing lessons together (with matching outfits!). They were dancing to "Our Love Is Here to Stay."
- Weevil had a crush on Carmen in the 8th grade.
- Tad was (unfortunately) Carmens first boyfriend and the first boy she (unfortunately) had sex with.
- The Junior/Senior Proms theme is Get Marooned. Admission is $75/ticket or $150/couple.
- Logan surfs.
- Aaron is taking classes in Spanish, ceramics, Tae Kwon Do, and glass blowing.
- Dick invites Logan to Rosarito with Beaver and himself for an annual surf and chick fest.
- Keith speaks Spanish.
- Keith wants Veronica to go to an Ivy League college.
- One of Neptune High's math teachers, Mr. Heinrich, is listed on the Neptune swingles site.
- Seths website is called 'Our Precious Secret.'
- Its a month until school is out.
- Logan is taking physics.
- Wallace has a science class for sixth period.
- Mac meets Keith for the first time.
- Clarence Wiedman threatens Alicia (who has not met him before) if she does not break things off with Keith. He tells her that Keith has a known grudge against the Kane family and Kane software and that Wallace delivered a bugged plant to his office.
- Carmens video was shot at Shellys party at 3:32 am December 7th, 2003 -- the same night that Veronica was raped.
- Lynn Echolls' body still has not been found.
- Veronica finds out that Logan had GHB at Shellys party.
- Veronica remembers being drugged at Shelly's party.
"Gold Rush" (Kissinger)
Scene: I only have eyes for you ... Oops, wrong song, but dang if it doesn't better describe the oogily-lovey-dovey peepers that Logan is directing towards Miss Mars and her automotive skills. And awww, they share a deadly weapon. How sweet. We'll just ignore that Dick and Beaver are in the scene, too. Logan pretty much does.
"Me and You and a Dog Named Boo" (Lobo)
Scene: Let's see, definition of awkward according to Veronica Mars: Season 1, Episode 20 -- Veronica in a car attempting small talk with a famous movie star who just happens to be her secret boyfriend's father who just happened to walk in on them getting rrrandy on the fake (please be fake!) fur-throw covered couch.
"Finding Out True Love Is Blind" (Louis XIV)
Scene: Tad and Carmen. Such a lovely couple. Strolling on the boardwalk, making kissy-face pics in the photo booth, getting tattoos, making "ecstatic" plans -- too bad Carmen is making some less than ecstatic plans that Tad doesn't know about. Or not.
"Tu Abandono" (X.Herrera)
Scene: SuperKeith is on the move in Tijuana expecting to find a wayward Duncan. Alas, the seedy motel room boasts many roaches, but no Donut.
"Lets Sail Away" (Josh Kramon and Jeff DAgustino)
Scene: Tad and Seth. Such a lovely couple. Mocked-up kissy-face pics from a photo booth, manipulated dirty phone calls, "ecstatic" plans made -- too bad the fake website that was created to celebrate their love is all a big, fat, honking lie set up to blackmail Tad. Or not.
"Our Love Is Here To Stay" (Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald)
Scene: Swaying to the music, Alicia is billowy lavender, Keith with the moves of Astaire and Veronica watches happiness dance right before her eyes.
"Crimson and Clover" (Tommy James and the Shondells)
Scene: {{Sob}} Logan. {{Sob}} Yacht. {{Sob}} Romantic set-up. {{Sob}} Champagne in an ice bucket and ... {{Sob}} the ice is all melted because he's been waiting forever for Veronica to arrive and ... {{Sob}} she never does!
LoVe Lines
Dick: Uh oh. Someone's got her eye on that 'Miss White Trash' title.
Beaver: Yeah, and she's got a solid effort in the talent competition, but I would like to see that car up on some cinder blocks.
Logan: Guys come on, huh ...
Veronica: I know, guys come on; the talent is making a grilled cheese sandwich on the engine block. Guys come on; you cant put your car up on blocks in the yard, if you don't have a yard. You know, I think I can do both sides of this little act now. So how about next time you dont bother? Ive got it covered.
Veronica: What? I blockaded the door. I hung an 'out of order' sign.
Logan: No, this is wrong. I mean a boy in a girl's bathroom, it's just ...
Veronica: So wrong it's right?
Logan: Yes.
Logan: I'm beyond tardy for my physics class. And, if I remember right, time travel is not yet possible.
Veronica: So try petty corruption.
Logan: Hmm?
Veronica: Tardy excuse slips. Date stamped. Untraceable. (At his look.) I know people. (Checks outside.) It's clear. Good luck in physics. Remember, (While kissing him.) force equals mass times acceleration. Light is a particle that can exhibit properties of a wave.
Logan: I'd learn more staying here with you.
Veronica: I have things to do (Logan kisses her cheek and leaves the room.) ... Like cool down.
Logan: (To Veronica, with a smile.) It's always business with you.
Logan: So the place is ours. Dad's at class and Trinas at an extremely important purse store opening in Beverly Hills.
Veronica: Your dad's taking classes?
Logan: Yeah, exploring the world outside himself. All part of the new Aaron Echolls. Spanish, ceramics, Tae Kwan Do. And today, glass blowing with Silvio Pirelli, master of Old World crystal. Nice, huh? Just two lessons.
Veronica: And he made a bong?
Logan: An urn for my mom. You know since there was no body and thus no ashes, he filled it with sea water, 'cause she jumped into the ocean. Get it?
Veronica: Hey, do you think this thing will ever get more normal?
Logan: What? Like will we ever hang at the mall and hold hands and buy each other teddy bears with hearts that say 'I Wuv You Beary Much?'
Veronica: Yes, exactly that, except I want my bear won through some sort of demonstration of ring tossing abilities.
Logan: Well, secrets are kinda hot, too.
Logan: Oh, my God. Did I just get caught by my dad making out on the couch?
Veronica: Yeah, you got caught by your dad. I got caught by the star of Breaking Point and Beyond the Breaking Point. That's weird. And I have lipstick on my teeth.
Logan: Ah, mass transit. Why take the bus when you can drive your very own rust bucket? I had my dad's driver pick it up. Its full of fresh stolen parts, ready to go.
Veronica: Wow, I'll just try to keep this little gesture in mind this weekend when you and Dick and the Beaver are off getting blasted and scamming cheerleaders.
Logan: Yeah, yeah. Actually I had to tell Dick I'm not available, because I have other plans.
Veronica: There are cheerleaders with low self-esteem available domestically?
Logan: Are you free Friday? Maybe we could go out.
Veronica: Here? In Neptune? What about our little secret?
Logan: Well, I thought we could try a practice run on Catalina Island. So what do you think about us skipping school on Friday for a little ride on Dad's boat? Dinner and a movie?
Veronica: Ill pencil you in.
Logan: So, it's, a ... what is the word ... a date?
Quotable Quotes
Veronica: No offense, but you look odd.
Wallace: I just watched our parents cuddle on the couch last night. My eyes ... they burn.
Veronica: Any idea what our parents do Mondays and Wednesdays from six to ten that requires an overnight bag?
Wallace: As far as I'm concerned, they play bingo at the VFW. That's my story. I'm sticking with it.
Veronica: Okily Dokily.
Mr. Wu: I know you know the policy, Mr. Wilson, because you just saw a demonstration. I'm an equal opportunity confiscator.
Mr. Wu: Consider this a warning. Next time, I'm keeping it and you'll just have to gossip with your friends with two cans and string.
Veronica: I'm not sure what that means but I'm totally warned, I swear.
Keith: Hey, honey, how's school?
Veronica: You know. Mean kids, indifferent teachers. Crumbling infrastructure. So, why are you smiling?
Keith: Because I'm savoring the irony. Imagine the Mars family sending our heir, Veronica, to an Ivy League college with money from the bounty on the Kane heir.
Veronica: (Enthusiastically.) But, come on, Dad, with your expertise and my can-do spirit, we can do it. Family project!
Mac: Man, Veronica. Have you ever asked for help for anything normal?
Veronica: What fun would that be?
Male Student: Isn't the, uh, gay prom next Friday at the Dog Beach mens room?
Seth: So I guess I'll see you there, sailor.
Tad: What did you just say to me, Boy George?
Seth: Come on, the Navy? 'Cover my back, wing man!' 'The rear admiral wants us to pound away with the ten inch gun!' I mean, isn't just joining the Navy alone gay enough to get you thrown out of the Navy?
Veronica Mars Voiceover: Now why would Carmen want to dump such a charmer?
Veronica: Do you think your uncle can return the LeBaron to all its original glory?
Weevil: He can get it ready for Daytona, if you pay him enough.
Veronica: You pick up some leads when you broke into the Kane house, or were you just covering your tracks? You used me.
Weevil: Yeah, well, we're always owing each other favors, aren't we? Don't give me that look. If you really thought I'd hurt Lilly you'd have a homing device on my ass already.
Dick: Dude, you got a chick here?
Logan: No, that's Trina's. She's without her lip gloss. It's possible she's suffering out there.
Aaron: So, how are you Veronica?
Veronica: Embarrassed. Uncomfortable.
Aaron: Oh, don't be. I was a teenager once. The thing I really want to ask ... how is Logan?
Veronica: I think he's ... coming to terms.
Aaron: He was such a good kid. When Lilly died, he became ...
Veronica: Difficult?
Aaron: Well, maybe it's in the genes. I can be difficult from time to time.
Aaron: I'm glad you two are together. I like what I see in him when he's with you.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: The talk with Dad. I guess that means my relationship with Logan is officially off the ground.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: The mystery bag. On a Tuesday? My own dad has lost total libidinal control.
Veronica: (To Keith.) Are you sure? There are some important teen issues we could discuss.
Veronica: You busy?
Mac: Still working on that passport thing. Check it out. I just found Mr. Heinrich's posting on the Neptune Swingles site.
Veronica: Oooh, Larry. Boom chicka boom boom.
Mac: What do you need?
Veronica: Ah, along those same lines. How long does it take you to create a highly incriminating, thoroughly libelous sexually explicit website?
Mac: 45 minutes, give or take? I'll get started on it as soon as I'm done reading about how Mr. Heinrich's interests include horseback riding on the beach, hot-tubbing with special friends and sensual charades.
Veronica: Ah, thanks Mac, that's a mental image I'll carry with me to the grave.
Seth: Is that my math teacher?
Tad: Whatever. Who cares what this school thinks about me? Im gone in a month.
Veronica: Actually, I was able to get the e-mail addresses of every plebe at Annapolis. One press of a button and each of your new classmates will have the link to this very special website. The Navy's got that don't ask, don't tell thing. If we tell, they're gonna ask. Mutually assured destruction. Think hard, Tad.
Cliff: (To Loretta Cancun.) You just sign right here, dear.
Veronica: Divorce?
Cliff: (To Loretta.) 'Screw you pig.' Nice. Okay, like a big girl now.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: Of course, they have to have something sensible like a password to prevent people like me from doing what I'm trying to do.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: I might feel a little uncomfortable about tracking my dad's cell phone, if he hadn't done it to me first. A hotel, great! Suddenly Im feeling a little queasy.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: Okay, Dad, I get it. You're happy.
Veronica: Hey, I saw your car was still in the lot.
Carmen: I was waiting for the rest of school to leave so that I could sneak home without being assailed with any frozen desserts.
Carmen: (About Tad.) You know what, screw it! I'm still glad I dumped that idiot, loser, crap face.
Veronica: (To a couple of underclassmen watching Carmen's video.) It's all fun and games until one of you gets my foot up your ass.
Keith: No more surprises, I promise.
Veronica: I just want you to be happy, Dad. And, I realize that may involve ... surprises.
Mac: Roberto Nalbandian.
Veronica: Who's Roberto Nalbandian?
Mac: I have no idea.
Veronica: Okay, forgive me if as of yet, I'm unimpressed.
Alicia: (To Clarence.) Look, Mr. Weed, or whatever your name is ...
Veronica Mars Voiceover: An hour early to school is pretty brown-nosey, but even at Neptune yachting is not a recognized excuse for a late English report.
Veronica: How's it hanging, Tad? Let me guess, uncomfortable?
Veronica: (To Tad.) You are so lucky she has a better soul than I do because I would have taken you down with me.
Veronica: I just want a simple answer to a simple question. Who gave you the rohypnol the night of Shelly Pomroy's party? Yeah, I know you roofied your girlfriend. Class with a capital K.
Tad: I don't remember.
Veronica: In about five minutes people are going to start showing up for school. And, unless you want your little business to be the first thing they see, you're going to tell me who gave you the roofies.
Tad: There weren't any roofies; it was GHB. It was Logan Echolls; he gave it to me.
M.A.D. ... (Referenced throughout the entire episode as well as being the episode title.)
Mutually assured destruction was a doctrine from the Cold War in which both the United States and the USSR had the nuclear capability to destroy the other. This threat resulted in a perpetual standoff that stopped the cold war from becoming hot.
The US Naval Academy ... (Referenced throughout the entire episode as that is where Tad is going after high school.)
It was founded in 1845 by the Secretary of the Navy and is located in Annapolis, Maryland. The institution's purpose is to give men and women the academic and professional training needed to be naval and marine officers while upholding their motto of honor, courage and commitment. They stress moral and ethical development as a fundamental element of their education. The core curriculum includes engineering, science, mathematics, humanities and social science.
The Navy pays for the tuition, room and board, and medical and dental care of students and $75-$100 cash per month their first year for expenses. Students learn to drink responsibly and to shun illegal drugs entirely. Use of illegal drugs results in expulsion and midshipmen are subject to random drug testing through urinalysis. Upon graduation, students begin their service commitment as either an ensign in the Navy or a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.
Popsicle (Referenced by Carmen as she starts to tell Veronica about the embarrassing video Tad is holding over her head.)
Although the term 'Popsicle' is a trademark of Unilever, it is the commonly referred-to-name as a frozen treat on a stick in the United States. An interesting sidenote: In the UK, it is called an 'ice lolly' and an 'icy pole' in Australia.
The first recorded Popsicle was created in 1905 by 11-year-old Frank Epperson. Young Mr. Epperson had left a glass of soda water powder and water (don't gag -- it was a popular drink in those days) on a windowsill outside with a glass mixing stick in it. The next morning, he found that the soda water had frozen inside the glass. In order to remove it, he tried running it under hot water, which worked and was then able to eat it as a frozen soda water using the mixing stick as a handle. And voila! The Popsicle was born.
Newton's Second Law ... (Referenced by Veronica to Logan as she tries to kiss the equation into him.)
Sir Isaac Newton's Laws of Motion were first published in Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica in 1687. Newton used them to prove many results concerning the motion of physical objects. In the third volume of the text, he showed how, combined with his law of universal gravitation, the laws of motion would explain Kepler's laws of planetary motion.
Newton's Second Law of Motion says that "the rate of change of momentum of a body is equal to the resultant force acting on the body and is in the same direction." This is represented by the equation: F=ma; which, in laymen's terms, means force equals mass times acceleration.
VFW ... (Referenced by Wallace as he pretends that Alicia and Keith's mysterious dates are spent playing bingo.)
In 1899, the American Veterans of Foreign Service and the National Society of the Army of the Philippines were organized to secure rights and benefits for veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898-1899) and the Philippines War (1899-1902). These two organizations merged in 1914, creating the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. The VFW was chartered by Congress in 1936 with its founding tenet one of constructive community service.
They stress volunteerism benefiting education, the environment, health sciences and civic projects. The VFW's citizenship education program is designed to stimulate an interest in America's history, its traditions and institutions, as well as promote patriotism. Their halls are frequently used for community activities.
Ivy League (Referenced by Keith as he tells Veronica to imagine the Kane bounty paying her way through school.)
Ivy League refers to an athletic conference of eight private colleges and universities located in the Northeast of the United States: Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, Columbia University in New York City, Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey, the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. The conference was established in 1954, but the schools have been around as early as 1701. The academic excellence of these eight institutions is consistently recognized by the U.S. News & World Report's published yearly list of college and university rankings.
Admission to the Ivies is highly selective, with admission rates ranging from 8.6 percent for Yale to 24.7 percent for Cornell. Admitted students typically have SAT Math and Verbal composites well over 1400 and are in the top ten percent of their high school classes. Really, though, Ivy admissions give a whole new meaning to the term "crapshoot". Admissions committees also do not ignore non-academic factors like legacy status, race/ethnicity or state of residence.
The Ivy League sponsors 33 men's and women's sports, and each schools has, on average, more than 35 varsity teams. All eight institutions rank among the top twenty of NCAA Division I schools for the number of sports offered to men and women.
eBay (Referenced by Veronica as she confesses to Keith that she may have given Duncan a few pointers on how to disappear.)
eBay Inc. manages an online auction and shopping website, where people buy and sell goods and services worldwide. Founded in San Jose on September 4, 1995 by computer programmer Pierre Omidyar as Auctionweb, part of a larger personal site that included, among other things, Omidyar's own tongue-in-cheek tribute to the Ebola virus. The first item ever sold on eBay was Omidyar's broken laser pointer for $13.83. Astonished, he contacted the winning bidder and asked if he understood that the laser pointer was broken. In his responding email, the buyer explained: "I'm a collector of broken laser pointers."
Thus began (possibly) the most popular auction the world has ever seen with rare collectibles worth thousands available (the most expensive item ever sold on eBay was a Grumman Gulfstream II jet for $4.9 million), alongside generally worthless knicknacks that someone somewhere holds near and dear enough to pay that little bit more for. So pervasive is eBay's popularity that the site regularly has celebrity and charity auctions as well as the auction of regular Joes throughout the world.
Top Gun (Referenced by Veronica as Tad's e-mail ID.)
Arguably the most popular movie that Tom Cruise has ever made and the movie that solidified his presence as one of the world's biggest superstars, Tom Gun told the tale of a naval aviator (LT Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell) whose aspiration is to be the top figher pilot at a prestigious naval academy, thus the film's title. The movie follows his journey as he strives to achieve his goal, along the way finding love and friendship. Cruise played the role of Maverick, Kelly McGillis (in one of only three roles in her career that made an impact) was his flight instructor/love interest and a young Anthony Edwards (post-Revenge of the Nerds, pre-ER) is his buddy. The film also starred Meg Ryan, Val Kilmer and Tim Robbins.
Released in 1986 and directed by Tony Scott, Top Gun was inspired by an article written by Ehud Yonay for California Magazine entitled "Top Guns." The film opened on May 16, 1986 to good reviews, the fighter pilot scenes garnering most of the positive attention. A success on all levels, the movie made over $350 million world-wide, broke home-video sales records and dramatically increased the Air Force and Navy's recruitment because everyone wanted to be Maverick. Yes, once upon a time, Tom Cruise was not only more than a punchline; he was THE coolest person on the planet.
Dog Beach (Ocean Beach) (Referenced by one of Tad's friends as he harasses Seth.)
Dog Beach is the section of Ocean Beach that is a place where Veronica -- and other dog owners -- can allow their canine friends to run around leash-free, at any time of the day. (Go, Backup!) Approximately one mile long, Ocean Beach is a Southern California beach located in San Diego County. Dog Beach can be found at the west end of the San Diego River floodway. In addition to the dog run and the shoreline, the beach community also offers a long fishing pier (Ocean Beach Municipal Pier), antique stores, surf shops and restaurants.
Boy George ... (Referenced when Tad is gay-bashing Seth and his buddies about the dance.)
Performer who came to world prominence as the lead singer for the band Culture Club from 1982 to 1986. He became known for both his strong singing voice and a unique, androgynous sense of fashion including heavy makeup and outrageous costumes.
He went solo in 1987 and had his first solo US hit in 1992 with The Crying Game. In 2002, Boy George provided the music and lyrics for a musical entitled Taboo that ran in London's West End for 15 months. Rosie O'Donnell provided the funding for the show to open on Broadway in 2003 where it was nominated for four Tony Awards.
Paris Hilton (Referenced by Carmen as the perfect example of a downloadable national joke.)
Paris Whitney Hilton, born February 17, 1981, is the heiress to the Hilton Hotel fortune, as well as her father's real estate fortune. In addition to being a famous socialite, she has also done modeling and "acting." And yes, the use of quotation marks was deliberate.
Ms. Hilton is perhaps best known for her simultaneous participation in both the 2003 home-made sex video One Night In Paris, released by her former boyfriend Rick Salomon, and the 2003 FOX hit reality series The Simple Life, which she starred in along with her former real-life best friend Nicole Richie. The show followed Hilton and Richie while they lived with a family on their farm in rural Altus, Arkansas. Highlights of the show included the girls performing poorly at various jobs, making out with the local boys, and numerous instances of them shown as "fish out of water." It was followed by two more seasons: The Simple Life 2: Road Trip and The Simple Life 3: Interns. In April 2005, Hilton announced that she severed both personal and professional ties with Richie, and the show was dropped by FOX.
In addition to her "role" on The Simple Life, the Hilton girl has had roles in several films including the aforementioned House of Wax, Zoolander, and The Cat in the Hat, along with T.V. guest appearances on shows including The OC and our very own Veronica Mars. We know it's painful -- just try not to dwell. At least she was only with us for one episode.
Star Wars Kid on Internet (Referenced by Carmen as an example of a downloadable internet joke.)
On November 8, 2002, Ghyslain Raza recorded himself using a golf club as a lightsaber and wielding it as a weapon ala Star Wars. The video was filmed at the studio of Sminaire St-Joseph high school in Trois-Rivires, Quebec, Canada. The cassette, left behind, was found around April 19, 2003 by the original owner of the tape. Thinking it a funny prank, he and his friends made it into a WMV file and shared it on Kazaa.
Within two weeks, the file was downloaded several times. An adapted version of the video was created, adding Star Wars music, texts, and lightsaber lights and sounds to Raza's golf ball retriever. Several gaming, technology and Star Wars-related sites began to host the video, which caused the video to be downloaded more and more. Soon, people all over the world picked up the original and began making conversions of it, adding music, visual effects, and sounds, combining it with other well-known videos or scenes from films, for comic effect.
Raza, mightily embarrassed because the video showed off his girth, left his school and sought counseling due to the bullying intent in the original prank. His family eventually led a privacy lawsuit against the schoolmates who put the original video on Kazaa. On April 7, 2006, the suit was settled out of court. One hopes that today, Raza realizes that while the original perpetrators did not have the best intentions, most people who've watched, downloaded, edited the video think of Raza with a joyful fondness; by most he is no longer being laughed at, but laughed with. This video launched the current craze today (utilized through youtube.com) of regular people taping themselves doing stupid things in the hopes that they too will someday become as famous as "The Star Wars Kid."
To see several versions of the video, go here.
Google (Referenced by Carmen as she worries about the video showing up in an internet search.)
Google is a search engine owned by Google, Inc. whose mission statement is to "organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful." Google receives over 200 million queries a day. The name "Google" is derived from a play on the word "googol", which refers to the number represented by 1 followed by one hundred zeroes. Google's headquarters, located in California, are referred to as "the Googleplex."
Google began as a research project in January, 1996 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, two students at Stanford University. The term "to google" has come to be used as a verb synonymous with "to search for something on the internet," though Google officials discourage the use of this phrase for fear that it will lead to trademark dilution.
Similar to the Search Engine Olympics Veronica took part in in Donut Run, there are several games that can be played with Google. In "Gwigle," participants learn advanced Google search tricks as they go through the puzzles. In "Googlewhack," you attempt to find two words that produce exactly one search result. (Examples: "dork turnspit", "unconstructive superegos", "bibliophilic sandwiched", "dripstone ingles") "Googlefight" pits two keywords against each other to find which one has more results. In "Guess the Google," the objective is to guess which search term resulted in the displayed images.
In addition to its webpage search engine, Google also provides services for searching images, Usenet newsgroups, news websites, videos, searching by locality, maps, and items for sale online.
Chrysler LeBaron (Referenced by Veronica as she asks Weevil to fix her car.)
The LeBaron is the name Chrysler used for a variety of cars from 1977 to 1995. The first LeBaron was a rebadged Dodge Diplomat that was sold from 1977 to 1981. The 1982 LeBaron, based on the Chrysler K platform, was available in sedan, coupe, convertible, and station wagon versions and featured Chrysler's Electronic Voice Alert (a computerized voice that issued warnings, such as "Please fasten your seatbelt," and "A door is ajar").
Veronica Mars' LeBaron -- as seen in The Pilot.
From 1987 to 1995, Chrysler released a new generation of LeBaron coupe and convertible. This version was quite stylish for its day, featuring retractable metal covers for the headlights ... to protect them from crowbar-wielding jackasses, perhaps? Unfortunately for Veronica, this feature was discontinued in 1993.
Daytona ... (Referenced by Weevil as Veronica brings the LeBaron to him for repair.)
The Daytona International Speedway is the home to the Daytona 500, considered by many to be the biggest, richest and most prestigious NASCAR race in the United States. It was founded on February 22, 1959 and in 1996 the Daytona area opened a multi million dollar entertainment facility designed to broaden the entertainment and educational experience for visitors.
'69 Chevy Impala (Referenced by Weevil as he tells Veronica that Duncan bought a used car from his uncle's friend.)
The Chevrolet Impala is an automobile developed and built by the Chevrolet car division of General Motors. Ed Cole, Chevrolet's chief engineer in the late 1950s, defined the Impala as a "prestige car within the reach of the average American citizen." At its peak sales volume in 1965, the Impala was the best selling full-size car in the United States. Here is an image of 1969 Impala itself.
Beverly Hills (Referenced by Logan as he tells Veronica that Trina is at a purse store opening.)
Beverly Hills is a city in the western part of Los Angeles County, California, entirely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles. It is part of the so-called "Golden Triangle" of Beverly Hills, Bel-Air and Holmby Hills. It is bordered on the north by the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, on the east by the City of West Hollywood and the Fairfax District of the City of Los Angeles, on the south by Los Angeles and on the west by Westwood Village and Century City, which are neighborhoods of Los Angeles and not separate incorporated cities.
As stereotypes might suggest, Beverly Hills is not as uniformly wealthy as Hollywood portrays it. This stereotype comes, of course, from the two television shows that bear the famous city in their title (Beverly Hillbillies and Beverly Hills 90210). Both series feature families who come from humble backgrounds and are then transplanted into the ultra-rich environs of Beverly Hills. The fact of the matter is that although it does have some of the largest homes in Los Angeles County in its city limits, these homes only make up a mere 10% of the city. Many of the homes are small duplex rental units, or detached homes with less than 3,000 square feet.
Tae Kwon Do (Referenced by Logan as he tells Veronica that Aaron is taking classes.)
Taekwondo is a martial art originating in Korea. An amalgamation of Chinese, Japanese, and traditional Korean fighting styles, taekwondo has become the world's most commonly practiced martial art, and is the national sport of Korea.
Derived from the word hanja, tae means "to kick or destroy with the foot," kwon means "fist" and do means "way" or "art." Therefore, taekwondo is loosely translated as "the art of hand and foot" or "the way of the foot and the fist." As with many other martial arts, taekwondo is a combination of combat technique, self-defense, sport, exercise, entertainment, and philosophy.
Around the liberation of Korea in 1945, five martial arts schools under the style name of kong soo do or tang soo do, called kwan, were formed by men who were mostly trained in Japanese karate. The kwan and their founders were the chung do kwan (Lee, Won Kuk), jidokwan (Chun, Sang Sup), chang moo kwan (Yoon, Byung In), moo duk kwan (Hwang Kee), and song moo kwan (Roh, Byung Jick).
Around 1953, shortly after the Korean War, five more kwan formed. These 2nd generation kwan and their principle founders were; oh do kwan (Choi, Hong Hi & Nam, Tae Hi), han moo kwan (Lee, Kyo Yun), kang duk kwan (Park, Chul Hee & Hong Jong Pyo), jung do kwan (Lee, Young Woo), and kuk mu kwan (Kang, Suh Chong).
In 1955, these arts, at that time called various names by the different schools, were ordered to unify by South Korea's President Syngman Rhee. A governmental body selected a naming committee's submission of "taekwondo" as the name. Both Sun Duk Song and Choi Hong Hi both claim to have submitted the name. The name sounds like the ancient Korean martial arts of taekkyon, as taekwondo has direct relation to taekkyon in the techniques.
In 1959, the Korean Taekwondo Association (KTA) was formed in an attempt to unify the dozens of the kwan as one standardized system of taekwondo. In 1960, Jhoon Rhee was teaching what he called karate ( the names taekwondo and tang soo do were unknown in the west at this time) in Texas, USA. After receiving the ROK Army Field Manual which contained martial arts training curriculum under the new name of taekwondo, from General Choi Hong Hi, Rhee began using the name taekwondo.
In July 1980, the International Olympic Committee recognized the WTF and taekwondo sparring was accepted as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul and the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympic Games. It has been an official full medal Olympic event since the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Taekwondo is one of two Asian martial arts (judo being the other) in the Olympic Games. Taekwondo was admitted to the Asian Games as an official event in 1984.
In 2006, the the World Taekwondo Federations has over 180 Member National Association with approximately 50,000,000 members. (Courtesy: Wikipedia, July 13, 2006.)
Mexico (Referenced by Dick as he and Beaver talk to Logan about their annual surf and chick fest.)
Mexico (Spanish: Mxico) is a country located in North America, approximately 753,665 square miles in size, bordered at the north by the United States, and at the south with Guatemala and Belize in Central America. It is the northernmost and westernmost country in Latin America, and with a population of 106.5 million, Mexico is also the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world. The official name is Estados Unidos Mexicanos, which translates as the United Mexican States. The term State of Mexico (Estado de Mexico) does not refer to the country, but only to one state within Mexico, located near the center of the country adjacent to the Federal District.
U.S. citizens, like Keith's crazy bail-jumper, have been known to cross the border into Mexico to evade U.S. authorities and skip tracers (like Papa Mars). Most often, these individuals cross the border into Tijuana due to its proximity to the world's busiest border crossing. What is interesting is that criminals continue to cross into Mexico to evade criminal prosecution despite the extradition treaty that has been in place between the U.S. and Mexico since 1980.
According to EscapingJustice.com, the Treaty provides for extradition of a party who has been charged with or found guilty of an offense committed in the United States, who has fled to Mexico. An offense is extraditable if it is a crime in both countries and punishable by incarceration for a period of one year or more. The Extradition Treaty further provides that where the offense for which extradition is sought is punishable by death, extradition may be refused unless assurances are given that the death penalty shall not be imposed, and if imposed, shall not be executed.
Rosarito (Referenced by Beaver as he tells Logan about a cheerleader retreat.)
Playas de Rosarito is a city in the Mexican state of Baja California and seat of the municipality of the same name. The official name is Playas de Rosarito. It is located approximately 35 minutes south of the U.S. border in Tijuana. It is a popular destination for college students and young people in general from the United States for Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. It boasts miles of beaches, hotels, and dance clubs.
Vodka (Referenced by Tad as Carmen gets him drunk at the boardwalk.)
Vodka is a typically colorless liquor that is usually distilled from fermented grain or potatoes. The term is a diminutive of the Slavic word voda for water. Vodka consists of water and alcohol (ethanol) and insignificant amounts of flavorings, with a typical alcohol content ranging from 35-70% by volume. While generally drunk neat (alone), vodka can be used to in cocktails and other mixed drinks, such as the Bloody Mary, the Screwdriver, and the Vodka Martini.
Ecstasy (Referenced by Carmen as she asks Tad to buy some X from Seth.)
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), most commonly known today by the street name ecstasy, is a synthetic entactogen of the phenethylamine family whose primary effect is to stimulate the secretion of large amounts of serotonin as well as dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain, causing a general sense of openness, empathy, energy, euphoria, and well-being. Tactile sensations are enhanced for some users, making general physical contact with others more pleasurable, but contrary to popular mythology, it generally does not have aphrodisiac effects. Its ability to facilitate self-examination with reduced fear has proven useful in some therapeutic settings, leading to its 2001 approval by the United States FDA for testing in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. (Credit: Wikipedia)
Tijuana (Referenced by Keith as he tells Veronica that Duncan's car was spotted.)
Tijuana is the largest city in the Mexican state of Baja California. The current mayor is Jorge Hank Rhon of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). The city stands on the U.S. Mexico border, adjacent to San Diego, California to the north. The city's motto is Aqui empieza la patria, which translates to The homeland starts here. It is sometimes referred to as the Most visited city in the world due to its proximity to the world's busiest border crossing. The city is commonly called TJ in Southern California. The most popular tourist attraction is Avenida Revolucion. Many foreigners visit the strip to drink, buy prescription drugs, bootleg brand-name clothing and accessories, and Mexican curiosities. There are also plenty of nightclubs in Plaza Fiesta, across from the Plaza Rio Mall that are mainly frequented by the locals. The Revolucion strip is also famous for its nearby red-light district La Coahuila, which boast numerous street prostitutes and various strip clubs.
Yale (Referenced by Keith as he squees at the idea of the Kane reward money paying for Veronica's tuition.)
Yale University is a private university in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1701 as the Collegiate School, Yale is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and a member of the Ivy League. Yale's 70 undergraduate majors are primarily focused on a liberal curriculum, and few of the undergraduate departments are pre-professional in nature (even the engineering departments encourage and require students to explore academic disciplines outside of engineering). Yale and Harvard have for most of their history been rivals in almost everything, notably academics, rowing and football.
Yale president Richard C. Levin summarized the university's institutional priorities for its fourth century: "First, among the nation's finest research universities, Yale is distinctively committed to excellence in undergraduate education. Second, in our graduate and professional schools, as well as in Yale College, we are committed to the education of leaders."
PSATs (Referenced by Veronica after Keith suggests Duncan may be smarter than he thought.)
The PSAT/NMSQT, or Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, is a multiple-choice standardized test administered by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The test is composed of three sections: Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Writing. Each of the three sections is scored on a scale of 20 to 80 points, which add up to a maximum composite score of 240 points. This parallels the SAT, which is graded on a scale of 200 to 800 (the difference in range is mainly to distinguish from which test a score comes). However, unlike the New SAT (2005), the New PSAT does not include higher-level mathematics (i.e. concepts from Algebra 2) or an essay in its writing section (this section is new to the SAT in 2005).
Photoshop (Referenced by Tad as he accuses Veronica and Carmen of faking the webpage photos of Tad with Seth.)
Developed by Adobe Systems, Adobe Photoshop is one of the most well known graphics editor programs on the market and is in fact, the current market leader for commercial bitmap and image manipulation. Photoshop (as the product is commonly referred to), as well as Adobe Acrobat, is one of the most well-known pieces of software produced by Adobe Systems. Photoshop is considered the industry standard in most, if not all, jobs related to the use of visual elements. The software, developed by brothers Thomas and John Knoll in 1987 with Version 1 released in 1990, is currently available for Mac OS and Microsoft Windows.
Catalina Island ... (Referenced as the locale of what was to be the first ever official date between Logan Echolls and Veronica Mars. {{Sob}})
Located 22 miles from the coast of Los Angeles, the island is a popular resort containing many activities including bicycling, boating, fishing, golf, parasailing and scuba diving. The main city is Avalon, which hosts shops and nightlife.
Albacore Club (Referenced by Logan to Veronica, as the location of his father's boat.)
Featured in Roman Polanski's masterpiece Chinatown starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, the Albacore Club is a fictional gentlemen's social club of long standing that gives generously to those in need on the surface, but is actually a front for large-scale corruption in. The 1974 film features many elements of the film noir genre (thus a likely reason for its winking conclusion in the VM-verse, perhaps a subtle nod to the red herring noir of Logan Echolls that would follow in the next two episodes).
Chinatown offers a multi-layered story that was part mystery/part psychological drama. The movie is considered one of the greatest films of all time, ranking as #19 on the AFI (American Film Institute) list of the 100 Greatest American Films of all time. It has won several high-profile awards, including an Academy Award in 1975 for Best Writing and Original Screenplay for Robert Towne.
Argentina (Referenced by Mac and Keith as she tells them she found information on a passport bought off of eBay.)
Argentina is the second-largest country in South America and the eighth-largest country in the world. It occupies a continental surface area of 1,078,000 square miles and is located between the Andes mountain range in the west and the southern Atlantic Ocean in the east and south. It is bordered by Paraguay and Bolivia in the north, Brazil and Uruguay in the northeast, and Chile in the west and south. The country is formally named the Argentine Republic (Spanish: Repblica Argentina), but for purposes of legislation, the form Nacin Argentina (Argentine Nation) is used.
The name Argentina derives from the Latin argentum (silver). The first Spanish conquistadors discovered the Ro de la Plata ("River of Silver"). Indigenous people gave silver gifts to the survivors of the shipwrecked expedition, who were led by Juan Daz de Sols. The legend of Sierra del Plata a mountain rich in silver reached Spain around 1524. The source of the silver was the area where the city of Potos was to be founded in 1546. An expedition that followed the trail of the silver up the Paran and Pilcomayo rivers finally reached the source of the silver only to find it already claimed by previous explorers that had reached it from Lima, the capital of the Viceroyalty. The name Argentina was first used in Ruy Daz de Guzmn's 1612 book Historia del descubrimiento, poblacin, y conquista del Ro de la Plata (History of the discovery, population, and conquest of the Ro de la Plata), naming the territory Tierra Argentina (Land of Silver).
The first signs of human presence in Argentina are located in the Patagonia (Piedra Museo, Santa Cruz), and date from 11,000 BC. In 1480 the Inca Empire, under the rule of emperor Pachacutec, launched an offensive and conquered present-day northwestern Argentina, integrating it into a region called Collasuyu. In 1502, Europeans arrived and Spain established a permanent colony where Buenos Aires rests today in 1580. The Viceroyalty of the Ro de la Plata was set up in 1776 (the same year as American independence!). On May 25, 1810, after the confirmation of the rumors about the overthrow of King Ferdinand VII by Napoleon, the most prominent citizens of Buenos Aires took advantage of the situation and created the First Government Junta. Independence from Spain was declared on July 9, 1816. Centralist and federationist groups were in conflict until national unity was established and the constitution promulgated in 1853.
Roofie (Referenced by Veronica as she demands to know where Tad got the Rohypnol from, the night of Shelly's party.)
Flunitrazepam -- marketed under the trade name Rohypnol -- is manufactured worldwide, particularly in Europe and Latin America. Its most common street name is roofie and it generally sells for below $5.00 per small white tablet. It is ten times more potent than valium and can be habit forming, one of the reasons that it is illegal to own in the US. Rohypnol is one of the drugs most commonly implicated in drug-facilitated rape and due to its high usage blue dye was added to it in 1999 so that it would no longer be clear in liquid. Common effects from usage are memory impairment, drowsiness, visual disturbances, dizziness, confusion, excitability or aggressive behavior and it can mentally and physically paralyze an individual. Effects of the drug are of particular concern in combination with alcohol and can lead to amnesia, where events that occurred during the time the drug was in effect are forgotten.
In response to Rohypnol abuse and use of the drug to facilitate sexual assaults, the U.S. Congress passed the Drug Induced Rape Prevention and Punishment Act, effective October 13, 1996. The law provides for harsher penalties regarding the distribution of a controlled substance to an individual without the individual's consent and with the intent to commit a crime of violence, including rape. The law imposes a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine for the importation and distribution of 1 gram or more of Rohypnol. Simple possession is punishable by 3 years in prison and a fine.
GHB ... (Referenced {{Sob}} in Veronica's final scene when she finds out that {{Sob}} Logan brought the GHB to Shelly Pomroy's party. {{Sob}})
Acronym for Gamma hydroxy butyrate or Gamma hydroxybutyric acid, Sodium Oxybate. Trace amounts are found naturally in the human body. However, the main ingredients in synthetic GHB are basically degreasing solvent or floor stripper mixed with drain cleaner. The common nicknames are Gamma-OH, Liquid Ecstasy, Fantasy, Easy Lay and Cherry Meth. It is usually found in a clear liquid, which looks just like water and is packaged in a 30ml clear plastic bottle. It is also found infrequently as a white powder.
The common effects from use are intoxication, increased energy, happiness, desire to socialize, feeling affectionate and playful, mild disinhibition, enhanced sexual experience and loss of gag reflex. Many people have bad reactions including nausea, headaches, drowsiness and amnesia. The effects of large doses include sedation, desire to sleep, rambling incoherent speech, difficulty thinking, passing out and, in extreme cases, death.
- Veronica's 'Wow!' face after she looks out the bathroom door.
- Alicia humming "Our Love is Here to Stay" when she comes in to pick up Keith.
- Aaron has two Oscars on the bookshelf next to the fireplace.
- The way Keith says room service.
- Logan tapping the headlights of Veronicas car calls to mind the last time he had any interaction with her headlights (bashing them in the Pilot).
- After asking Veronica out Logan winks at her after saying "slip 5" as he walks away.
- Keith salsas into his office after they find out about the passport.
- After the hot!hot!hot! Logan/Veronica bathroom make-out session, Logan makes a slight detour into ambiguouity-land with a little hop that would make the girliest girly-girl proud.
- What high school would let Logan have a three inch knife on campus?
- What was Carmen doing with the popsicles?
- How expensive are disposable cell phones and how does Veronica afford them to leave lying around?
- What was in the pen Weevil stole from the Kane house?
- Who decorated the Echolls living room? And whats with all the animal prints?
- Why did Aaron cover for Logan and Veronica?
- Was Veronica going to tell Keith about Logan when they discussed Teen Issues?'
- How does Veronica use her car to take pictures of Carmen and Tad at the pier when it was at the shop?
- What did Aaron know about Keith and Lianne? Or, was he just well versed in suing for divorce from an absentee spouse?
- Where did the Jackass pull the popsicle from? It looked like his back pocket, but the thing didnt even have a wrapper. Yuck!
- What does Alicia do at Kane Software?
- How long has Clarence known about the bug? How did he know that Wallace delivered it?
- How did Tad not realize that the tattoo said Seth and not Carmen?
- Why isn't Veronica wearing her choker?
- How long did Logan wait on the boat?
- When is Veronica going to tell her dad where her college money went?
- What does this do to her college plans?
- How much money does it cost to spend over a year looking for someone?
- Was Aaron hitting on Veronica? What is it with him and his sons girlfriends?
- Since Lianne made off with the $50,000 bounty check, what did Mac get for her trouble?
- Cheyenne is the entertainment lawyer Keith has been looking for.
JenniferH: Report Card; Yearbook; Chemistry; Band Class; Literature; Social Science; Pep Squad Practice
Mastermia (Maria): Social Science; Study Hall; Extra Credit; Philosophy; Homeroom; Principles of Democracy; History
SeluciaV (Alli): Social Science
smlf (Mark): Journalism
Tar Frimmer (Joanne): Study Hall; Literature; Social Science
Additional Help:
sawmg (Shannon): Social Science
genova (Cara): Social Science
Original Air Date: April 26, 2005
Written by: Phil Klemmer & John Enbom
Directed by: John T. Kretchmer
Grade: A
Membership Grade: A (86.4% / 66 votes)
Barring a substandard guest performance, M.A.D. is absolutely everything that makes Veronica Mars the great show that it is. The writing is crisp and dead-on, creating moments alternately funny, tender and heartbreaking. The acting (especially by Bell and Dohring, colored with so many different shades) is almost uniformly excellent with some wonderful guest turns. The twists and turns of the mystery of the week build until they've affected the core characters deeply as well as revealing hints of one of the season long mystery arcs. Finally, the interaction between Logan and Veronica -- the pair that have become, inarguably, this show's "It" couple -- offer up moments of giddy joy, flirty sexuality, tender emotion, tentative hope and finally heartbreaking despair. And the audience is along for the rollercoaster ride every up and down of the way.
Credited Cast Non-Appearance
Teddy Dunn - Duncan Kane
Recurring Guest Stars (Previous Episode Appearances)
Brad Bufanda - Felix Toombs
Ryan Hansen Dick Casablancas
Harry Hamlin - Aaron Echolls
Erica Gimpel - Alicia Fennel
Daran Norris - Cliff McCormack
Christopher B. Duncan - Clarence Wiedman
Tina Majorino - Cindy "Mac" Mackenzie
Guest Stars:
Jeff DAgostino Tad Wilson
Natalia Baron Carmen Ruiz
Robert Clark - Seth Rafter
Kyle Gallner Cassidy 'Beaver' Casablancas
Ameenah Kaplan - Loretta Cancun
Martin Yu - Mr. Wu
Who's Who in Neptune:
Beaver Casablancas - Neptune High Student, 09er, younger brother of Logan's friend, Dick Casablancas.
Seth Rafter - Openly gay student at Neptune High; good with computers and putdowns.
Loretta Cancun - Cliffs client mentioned in the Pilot.
Mr. Wu - Teacher at Neptune High.
Lowlights
Jeff DAgostino (Tad Wilson) - Although M.A.D. includes some wonderful, passionate Veronica and Logan moments cherished by LoVe shippers, it is unfortunately marred by a horrible performance by DAgostino. Stilted, one-note and almost unwatchable, DAgostino drags down every scene he is in. My advice: Skip as much of the Tad scenes as you can and fast forward to the Logan and Veronica goodness. Their scenes are gold.
Scene One: Veronica Mars, You Sure Know How To Stop Traffic
I'm probably in the minority in that I wasn't 100% sold on this first scene that shared Logan and Veronica. Don't get me wrong, I loved how Logan was so going for defense of her and the little secret looks and smiles between them were too adorable for words. It's just that the whole blocks and grilled cheese and stuff, the dialogue there just didn't work for me. It was just off. I actually had read the sides of that way, way back when and didn't quite get it then. I was hoping that watching the scene, it would work better. Upon watching it on the UPN site and again last night, nope, it was just weird. I mean, I get what was being said and all that; it just didn't work for me.
But even with that criticism, it still did have many a swoon-worthy LoVe moment. The looks he gave her, the way she casually took his knife (one of many smaller, intimate moments in the episode), the continued looks and smiles, were all deliciously wonderful.
Scene Two: A Hop, Skip and Jump to LoVe
There was a lot of discussion after Hot Dogs (episode 19) about the fact that Logan seemed more into Veronica than she was into him. I think that judging from the way Veronica was just as all over him as he was her in the bathroom scene, they are about on par now. Even more so, he was the one who was able to return to reality and note other things, while it seemed like Veronica just wanted to get it ON!
Little things in this scene I loved. Well, I suppose I'll just get the obvious out of the way. HOT! Yes, very, very hot makeouting-age, the way they were groping and pulling and tugging at each other, how he swept her up onto that counter and the way their bodies were so snug. YOWZA!!! These two really do have some intense chemistry going on, now don't they? And speaking of all of that hot, I loved how when Logan first pulled away, when Veronica was explaining about the barricading, out of order sign, her voice was all breathless and giddy. And Veronica, being quite frankly used to things of an illicit nature, keeping secrets, etc. didn't seem even remotely fazed by their situation. I like that Logan was.
Yeah, he turned it into "boy ... in a girl's bathroom is wrong," but the subtext when he said it was "wrong," was that he just thought hiding was wrong and I think that came from THE respect that he does have for Veronica. However, typical guy, once she added the "so wrong it's right" and angled for another kiss, he just muttered that "yes" in response into her mouth as he kissed her again. Hormones have such powerful sway. Especially in teenage boys.
Another small thing: I loved, loved, loved how Veronica kept tugging on Logan's shirt from beginning to end of the scene. It was just such a girly, intimate, possessive-he's-mine kinda thing, but not in a scary, obsessive-he's-mine kinda way. I loved it.
Moving along, once the decision had been made to cut the make-out session short, did anyone else catch Logan's little flip-kick he did after he said "time travel isn't possible?" At first, I just immediately thought that it was Jason's ode to Logan's ambiguously gay moment of the week (as he tends to have at least one per episode). Then I wondered if it was a throwback to Logan's earlier reference to Brigadoon (from You Think You Know Somebody) -- which is a musical about time travel to a loose degree. And then when Veronica hopped off of the camera, she did this kewpie-doll "oh!" expression that then reminded me of Reefer Madness and I had a momentary wonder if Logan and Veronica were going to launch into a musical number. Now that alone would have been worth just about every other scene on television this year!
Finally, the tail-end of the scene. Did anyone else kinda get the idea that Veronica was showing off just a tad bit for Logan when she whipped out the tardy slips? And then, sigh, when she was against the door and he kinda put his arm over her head, leaning towards her and then double, sigh, the physics talk and the stolen kisses, go to kiss, pause, talk, slightly laugh, kiss, go to kiss, pause, talk, slightly laugh, kiss, go to kiss, pause, talk, slightly laugh, go to kiss, Veronica pushes him away. It was all just so cute and flirty and giddy and adorable and left me with the biggest smile on my face.
Scene Three: Let's Take a Ride
It was very short, but I absolutely loved, loved, LOVED when Logan picked her up from the junkyard place. I saw Veronica walking away from Weevil on the phone and the familiar yellow truck drove by and I was like squeeing inside, "it's Logan!" And then when she just casually opened the door and hopped in while continuing the talk on the phone, I just got all giddy because as I stated above it was one of those little, intimate things. She just opened the door and got in, all business like she belongs there. It was just such a small thing, but it was one of the things that showed me that their relationship is more than just hot hormones and lust.
Scene Four: When the Cat is Away, the Mice Will Play
What I liked best about this scene was actually not the macking, but the overall tenor of the scene (before Aaron showed up), they were both just so happy and teen-age-y. It is one of the few times we've seen them not really dealing with the weight of grown-up things and the dark that lurks in the corners that neither should be dealing with at all, and yet, so often are. The exchange about the "wuv you beary much", "I want my bear won by a show of ring-tossing-ability" was just so endearing in that I think that IS truly something they both want. However, right now they do have to settle for the secret nature of things because of the weight of grown-up things and the dark that lurks in the corners that they DO have to deal with. And that just sucks.
On a lighter note, I have to ask. Am I the only one who is hoping that someday, sometime down the road we see either (a) Veronica with a bear that has a tee-shirt that reads "I wuv you beary much" and/or (b) Logan demonstrating his ring-tossing abilities for Veronica? Just someday.
Okay, yeah and the kissing was hot. LOL! But, but, but, it wasn't about the kissing in this scene for me. It was that they were so happy. Even as they were talking about some of the weighty things (Lynn's death, the weirdness of a relationship between them), they were just content to be in one another's company and I truly enjoyed that. And unlike in the first scene, I really liked the dialogue here and -- but like the first scene -- the little touches. The point of reference to the bong goes back to the Pilot (as a lot of things in this episode did); and then Logan's almost sweet snarking on Aaron filling it with seawater. We had the afore-mentioned beary/ring-tossing and then when Aaron showed up, the dialogue about "your dad, the star of Breaking Point and Beyond the Breaking Point." Nice little touch that for Logan, Aaron is just dad, but for Veronica, he IS one of the world's most famous movie stars. For me, it was even funnier, because of my reaction to Aaron walking in and their reaction. Logan was leaning against the couch, and I said out loud "Oh My God! How embarrassing!" and then Logan said, "Oh my God!" and I squeed!! That whole little section there was so real and uncomfortable and hysterical.
One small, well not complaint, but non-giddy observation: Why did Veronica look so annoyed when she talked about having lipstick on her teeth? As she caught it and then walked to the bathroom, she looked almost pissed and I wasn't sure what the subtext there was. I'm not sure why she seemed so bugged, embarrassed I get, but why so annoyed?
Anyhoo, moving on. Finally, when Dick and Beav showed up, I felt bad for both Logan and Veronica. Logan clearly did not want to be with them, but wanted to be with Veronica, still he was trying to respect Veronica's wishes of keeping it quiet. And Veronica, I think for the first time, realized just how much it sucked keeping it quiet was gonna be. How much do you know she wanted to walk right out there and throw some snark Dick and Beav's way? But because of her own rules she couldn't.
As for Aaron, sick, twisted, multiple personality boy. If we hadn't seen all of his psychoses earlier in the season, he would've given Keith a good race for the running of best dad in Neptune in this episode. He was understanding and kinda sweet about the LoVe make-out; and then he helped Logan out in covering up for Veronica, and with that final look to Logan, showed that he didn't approve of him keeping it secret, what seemed to him a lack of respect for Veronica, but also showed respect for his son by not busting him. And he was sweet and not in your face when he handed Veronica her purse and offered her the ride home. Which leads us to ...
Scene Five: Let's Take a Ride, Part Deux
Again, if we hadn't had such ample evidence of Aaron's not-so-father-knows-best parental skills I would have just thought what a wonderful father Aaron was. It was obviously an awkward situation, but Aaron acted the part of the understanding, concerned father so well -- well, gee, it's no wonder he has an Oscar! He touched all of the right notes and so even though it was coming from Aaron, it was nice hearing someone point out what we've been seeing. Logan was a good kid before Lilly died, that fucked him up and he's been spiraling out of control since, but as Veronica stated, he is "coming to terms." And we've seen that over the course of the season, but especially since he's allowed Veronica back into his life. We have seen him happier, a lot happier in the last couple of episodes. And not just with Veronica, but overall. And, I think it should be noted, that we are actually seeing the same thing with Veronica.
Watch the car scene in the beginning, the cell phone classroom/pick-up scene, the Duncan discussion with Keith * and even the small scene where she talked to the teacher about recycling. We've certainly seen chipper Veronica before, but there's always been a slightly brittle quality, that wasn't there in these scenes. (Kudos to Kristen for that touch.) There was lightness about Veronica's overall attitude, the same as with Logan. The bottom-line is that whatever fuck-ups have happened between these two, they are damn sure making each other happy now and that has got to be worth something in this world.
And may I just kiss the musical director for the choice of beginning the scene with me and you/and a dog named Boo! Talk about ratcheting up the absurd-quotient to the zenith. Brilliant.
* Now, about that Keith/Veronica discussion about Duncan, was anyone else rather surprised at how disparagingly Keith spoke about Duncan? Obviously, Keith knows that they broke up, but I never got the impression that he knew how Donut had dumped Veronica. Veronica seems to have kept the details of her horror at high school from her dad as much as she could. So, I was quite surprised at how belittling of Donut, Keith spoke.
Scene Six: Episode 1 vs. Episode 20 - A Smash to a Tap
Another small scene, but another gem. Building on the tone of happiness that had been escalating in just about every scene between the two, we got our climax, so to speak, here. Now, I know I wasn't the only person who thought that Logan was just about ready to out them right then and there. All sitting on her car and flirting and googly-eyes and awww! And that was the surface, which I do want to discuss before digging deeper. The overall feel of this scene was just unadulterated happiness (with, of course -- this IS Veronica Mars -- the shadow about her parents). Logan picking her car up for her (okay, having his dad's driver pick her car up for her), throwing her the keys, her oh so I'm digging but not coming out and saying I'm digging for info about the upcoming weekend, him almost bashfully admitting he bailed on the guys, and then asking her out for "what's the word? a date," her smiling acceptance. Just pure bliss.
And then we get to the subtext. First we had him getting her attention and then her turning around to see him sitting on the hood of her car. In the pilot, Wallace got her attention and she turned around to see Logan lying on the hood of her car. In the Pilot, Logan talked about his daddy taking away his car. Here, Logan talked about his daddy's driver picking up her car. And, of course, the piece de resistance, in the Pilot, Logan smashed her headlights in with a tire iron; here he just gently tapped them with his bent fingers.
Ah, subtext. I love this show.
Scene Seven: The Irony Just Kills
I really, really did not want Veronica to let Tad down, so I was glad that she didn't, even if I wasn't glad with why she didn't do it (the Logan reveal). The guy was just a total jerk bag. I mean, complete and utter jerk bag. Sick, sick fuck. Much hate for that character.
Okay, hold on, let me back up a bit to the VMVO intro of the scene. Proof positive why I love this show, they not only understand irony, they use it well. The very reason that Veronica was there so early before anyone else and had the opportunity to question Tad and thus get that answer from him is because she was dropping a paper off early because she was cutting school to go gallivanting Catalina-style with Logan. The irony just kills.
As did this scene to my heart. I knew it was coming. I was completely spoiled, but when Tad said "Logan Echolls," gah! the look on Veronica's face. It was such an interesting acting choice by Kristen Bell, because there was shock and pain, but once we left the closeness of her face, we just got her voice and body language and there was this almost blankness. Like the shell that had been cracking was being reassembled right before our eyes.
Scene Eight: I Think I Could Love Her, Crimson and Clover
I know that Veronica is the star of the show, the main character and all that jazz. I know that Veronica was raped and it was horrible and she just found out that Logan had some hand in it. I know this intellectually. But, but, but -- I've been living with the knowledge that Veronica was raped from episode one. And I was spoiled as to knowing that Veronica found out it was Logan who supplied the GHB so maybe that is why my reaction was two seconds of "poor Veronica," my heart breaking for her and then once it shot to Logan on that boat alone and the strums and then lyrics of "Crimson and Clover" began playing, I jumped into full gear of "poor Logan" and honestly, my heart hasn't stopped repeating that since.
I've had a few "poor Veronica's" still thrown in, but my poor baby, Logan! Everything about that scene, the way it was shot, the sun setting, Logan staring out, looking at his watch, staring out, walking over to the nice meal he had set up, the champagne, amidst the melting ice, opening it, taking a swig, sitting down in such schlumpy despair and all the while we heard ...
- Ah, now I don't hardly know her
But I think I could love her
Crimson and clover
Yeah, my, my such a sweet thing
I wanna do everything
What a beautiful feeling
However, on the bright side, the set-up of that scene actually gave me hope that things will turn out just fine for our erstwhile heroine and her rogue-ish semi-bad boy. Why? Because that scene was SO over the top in trying to drum up the response of "poor Logan." I mean, how could you not watch that scene and not feel for him? You can't. Unless you have a heart of stone. And so, Rob Thomas is NOT going to take such care in building up sympathy for a guy that Veronica, his show's heroine, is done with, over with, kaput, finished, the end. So the pain actually gave me hope.
Still, Poor Logan.
The mystery of the week isnt so much a mystery in this episode, as it is a chance to watch what a true "obligatory psychotic jackass" looks like in action. I mean, no matter how much Veronica hated Logan to start the season, I still don't think she would have awarded him that title if she had known Tad was in the running.
We open with Carmen ending her two-year relationship with Tad. Two years with this guy? Ive got to believe he was dosing her familys milk with GHB the whole time, because she seems pretty reasonable, and his ten minutes on screen were enough to make me want to beat the crap out of him. She says she's not up for the whole long distance thing next year, when he goes off to the Naval Academy. I say long distance is the only relationship anyone should have with this guy.
He responds to Carmen with a look that should be posted around the country for "warning signs that your boyfriend is going to stalk you." He follows the look with the presentation of a CD containing something he wrote for her on his guitar, which in this case is way more creepy than romantic. When she remains unconvinced, he goes deep into the stalker playbook, producing some covertly made, amateur pornography, featuring her and a popsicle. Ill ask again, two years with this guy??
Cut to Carmen with Veronica in the girls' room. She tells Veronica she doesnt remember the event on film, and that its so disgusting she can't believe she did it. Knowing Tad, its no surprise that Veronica thinks shes referring to having sex with him. Carmen explains that there was skinny-dipping and a popsicle (oh, the phrases I get to write as part of this recapping gig). Veronica assures her she can get the phone back.
Given Veronicas confidence, we know two things. She'll rely on Wallace's help and there's either a disposable cell phone or a tracking device involved. Sure enough, Wallace helps her with a "bump and bait" she "accidentally" bumps into Tad, and then Wallace, as silky smooth as he is on the basketball court, uses the distraction to drop a disposable phone in Tad's bag.
Veronica gets herself sent from gym class to Tad's study hall for "personal reasons," and enters talking, like, all valley girl on her phone to make sure the teacher is enforcing the cell-phone confiscation policy. Wallace then calls the disposable phone in Tad's bag. Tad pulls his phone out, and protests that it's not on, although he seems strangely unconcerned with the fact that its probably not even the right ring tone. His phone is confiscated as well.
Veronica - always comfortable using faux charity in pursuit of a case - gets dismissed early from her last class to "help separate the cafeteria recycling from the garbage." Instead she returns to the study hall to claim her phone, taking Tads "Fly Navy" phone instead. Tad arrives a minute later, realizes what has happened, and says "Veronica Mars" in a tone of voice that should become this shows equivalent of "And I would have gotten away with it, if it weren't for those meddling kids."
Carmen arrives at Mars Investigations, gets the phone from Veronica, and smashes it with a conveniently placed statuette. Veronica warns her that there may be other copies of the video, and sure enough they get an instant message containing another copy of the video from Tad with screenname "Top Gun." Still cant escape Tom Cruise.
Next day at school, we find Carmen back with Tad. She has no choice if she wants to stop him from sending out the video. He rises to new heights of charm in this scene, engaging in some fine gay bashing with his friends. Fortunately, Seth, the object of the ridicule, CLEARLY gets the better of this exchange, asking if "just joining the Navy is gay enough to get you kicked out of the Navy." Thats the sort of line I hope to write once in my life.
Not surprisingly, Carmen has had about all she can take. But she worries that if she ends it, hell distribute the video and shell be a national joke like Paris Hilton. (Note to writers -- nice job letting us know that you didnt like her any more than we did.) Veronica tells Carmen she needs to build her own atomic bomb, so that there will be mutually assured destruction if Tad tries to strike first.
Apparently, this bomb will be built at the boardwalk, where Carmen takes Tad for what he thinks is a sweet, romantic date. Does he really think shes just forgotten the whole video blackmail thing? She convinces him to prove his love with a tattoo, then by going over to talk to Seth about getting some X for some erotic experimentation after the prom. Were not quite sure of the plan at this point, but it becomes clear in the next scene when Carmen calls him to "add a soundtrack." She talks about how happy she is that hes into the whole X idea, and he responds with references to their "erotic experiment" and to how hes "always been curious" but that he worried about his parents or the Navy finding out. I think my basset hound could figure out a way to make him look gay with material that good.
Veronica asks Mac instead. She says she needs 45 minutes to create an incriminating, libelous, sexually explicit website. With Seth's help, they use pictures of Tad and Seth at the boardwalk, Tad's phone soundtrack, and Tad's song for Carmen, which quite conveniently seems to be all about rainbows, to build an ode to Tad and Seth's forbidden love. Veronica and Carmen show Tad the site and tell him their bomb is in place - it's over between Tad and Carmen, and if he tries to retaliate theyll send the webpage to the whole school and all the Naval Academy plebes. As Veronica says, under "don't ask, don't tell," once they tell, the Navy is going to ask.
Carmen arrives at school the next day feeling free until another of Neptunes charming young men asks her if she'd like some of his popsicle. Tad sent out the video. Among those enjoying it is Felix, until Weevil puts a stop to that. Veronica finds Carmen in the computer lab at the end of the day and offers her the honor of emailing the link to the Seth and Tad webpage. Carmen deletes the email, saying that destroying Tad won't help her feel better. I could use this as the basis for a long discussion of why the idea of mutually assured destruction violates basic game theory - once one side strikes, the other side may not have the incentive to follow through. Instead, I'll just say that Veronica has gotten yet another lesson that revenge isn't the only way.
Veronica finds two freshman watching the video and, still thirsty for some revenge, threatens to put her foot up their collective asses. I think she's pretty sexy right there, but they choose to run off, leaving the video running. For the first time, she notices that the stars and Chinese lanterns look like those at Shelly Pomroy's end of year party. She asks Mac to help her figure out the date that the video was taken (How hard can that be? Did she really need Macs help?) and discovers that, in fact, it was from the night of the party. Carmen can't remember her rendezvous with a popsicle, and Veronica cant remember losing her virginity? Too much to be a coincidence.
Veronica arrives at school early the next morning to turn in an English paper, before her date with Logan (that is fun to write, even if it never happened). She finds Tad taped to the flagpole with "Scum" written on his chest. At least she can count on Weevil to share her taste for vengeance. She offers to cut him down if he tells her where he got the drugs that night. We can all feel the name coming before he says it - Logan Echolls. Crap. Instead of cutting him down, she rips off the bandage covering his tattoo, revealing a lovely heart with the name Seth on it. At least we can be confident that Tad's time in the Navy will be nearly as bad as what now lies in store for Logan.
- Veronica is having car trouble. She takes the car to Weevils uncle's garage where she strikes a deal to trade 8% of the reward and her car repairs for free in exchange for information on Duncan. Logan has his fathers driver pick up the car and drop it off at school where Logan presents her with the keys.
- Veronica and Logan are still keeping their relationship a secret so that Duncan does not find out before they tell him. Logan wants to make the relationship public and asks her out for a date that Friday on his dads boat.
- Logan tells her that his dad saw something about her parents in the paper. She looks for it and discovers an ad that states legal proceedings have begun in Liannes name and urging her to call a number. Veronica calls Cliff and finds out that serving notice for seven consecutive days would be the first step in beginning divorce proceedings.
She calls the paper and tries to cancel the ad, but cant. She tracks her fathers cell phone to the Hotel Dunes where she finds Keith and Alicia taking dancing lessons. Keith confronts Veronica and tells her that he was just examining his options and that if he took any further steps on the divorce he would tell her.
- Neptunes school colors are green and yellow.
- Veronica has some basic car repair know-how.
- Neptune High does not allow students to use phones during class or they are confiscated.
- The Kanes have offered a $50,000 reward for information to help find Duncan on a website named Missing Persons Link. Veronica confessed how she gave Duncan some basic tips to avoid being found. Since one of the tips was buying recycled passports on eBay she asks Mac to look into it. Mac finds a passport that was shipped to Neptune and gives Keith a lead to look for Duncan. Veronica promises to cut her in for the reward to thank her for her help.
- Duncan bought a 1969 Impala with a California license plate number 6GUC788 for $800 cash. Keith later finds that he left it at the bus station with beer and a note saying that the car was free.
- Alicia and Keith are taking dancing lessons together (with matching outfits!). They were dancing to "Our Love Is Here to Stay."
- Weevil had a crush on Carmen in the 8th grade.
- Tad was (unfortunately) Carmens first boyfriend and the first boy she (unfortunately) had sex with.
- The Junior/Senior Proms theme is Get Marooned. Admission is $75/ticket or $150/couple.
- Logan surfs.
- Aaron is taking classes in Spanish, ceramics, Tae Kwon Do, and glass blowing.
- Dick invites Logan to Rosarito with Beaver and himself for an annual surf and chick fest.
- Keith speaks Spanish.
- Keith wants Veronica to go to an Ivy League college.
- One of Neptune High's math teachers, Mr. Heinrich, is listed on the Neptune swingles site.
- Seths website is called 'Our Precious Secret.'
- Its a month until school is out.
- Logan is taking physics.
- Wallace has a science class for sixth period.
- Mac meets Keith for the first time.
- Clarence Wiedman threatens Alicia (who has not met him before) if she does not break things off with Keith. He tells her that Keith has a known grudge against the Kane family and Kane software and that Wallace delivered a bugged plant to his office.
- Carmens video was shot at Shellys party at 3:32 am December 7th, 2003 -- the same night that Veronica was raped.
- Lynn Echolls' body still has not been found.
- Veronica finds out that Logan had GHB at Shellys party.
- Veronica remembers being drugged at Shelly's party.
"Gold Rush" (Kissinger)
Scene: I only have eyes for you ... Oops, wrong song, but dang if it doesn't better describe the oogily-lovey-dovey peepers that Logan is directing towards Miss Mars and her automotive skills. And awww, they share a deadly weapon. How sweet. We'll just ignore that Dick and Beaver are in the scene, too. Logan pretty much does.
"Me and You and a Dog Named Boo" (Lobo)
Scene: Let's see, definition of awkward according to Veronica Mars: Season 1, Episode 20 -- Veronica in a car attempting small talk with a famous movie star who just happens to be her secret boyfriend's father who just happened to walk in on them getting rrrandy on the fake (please be fake!) fur-throw covered couch.
"Finding Out True Love Is Blind" (Louis XIV)
Scene: Tad and Carmen. Such a lovely couple. Strolling on the boardwalk, making kissy-face pics in the photo booth, getting tattoos, making "ecstatic" plans -- too bad Carmen is making some less than ecstatic plans that Tad doesn't know about. Or not.
"Tu Abandono" (X.Herrera)
Scene: SuperKeith is on the move in Tijuana expecting to find a wayward Duncan. Alas, the seedy motel room boasts many roaches, but no Donut.
"Lets Sail Away" (Josh Kramon and Jeff DAgustino)
Scene: Tad and Seth. Such a lovely couple. Mocked-up kissy-face pics from a photo booth, manipulated dirty phone calls, "ecstatic" plans made -- too bad the fake website that was created to celebrate their love is all a big, fat, honking lie set up to blackmail Tad. Or not.
"Our Love Is Here To Stay" (Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald)
Scene: Swaying to the music, Alicia is billowy lavender, Keith with the moves of Astaire and Veronica watches happiness dance right before her eyes.
"Crimson and Clover" (Tommy James and the Shondells)
Scene: {{Sob}} Logan. {{Sob}} Yacht. {{Sob}} Romantic set-up. {{Sob}} Champagne in an ice bucket and ... {{Sob}} the ice is all melted because he's been waiting forever for Veronica to arrive and ... {{Sob}} she never does!
LoVe Lines
Dick: Uh oh. Someone's got her eye on that 'Miss White Trash' title.
Beaver: Yeah, and she's got a solid effort in the talent competition, but I would like to see that car up on some cinder blocks.
Logan: Guys come on, huh ...
Veronica: I know, guys come on; the talent is making a grilled cheese sandwich on the engine block. Guys come on; you cant put your car up on blocks in the yard, if you don't have a yard. You know, I think I can do both sides of this little act now. So how about next time you dont bother? Ive got it covered.
Veronica: What? I blockaded the door. I hung an 'out of order' sign.
Logan: No, this is wrong. I mean a boy in a girl's bathroom, it's just ...
Veronica: So wrong it's right?
Logan: Yes.
Logan: I'm beyond tardy for my physics class. And, if I remember right, time travel is not yet possible.
Veronica: So try petty corruption.
Logan: Hmm?
Veronica: Tardy excuse slips. Date stamped. Untraceable. (At his look.) I know people. (Checks outside.) It's clear. Good luck in physics. Remember, (While kissing him.) force equals mass times acceleration. Light is a particle that can exhibit properties of a wave.
Logan: I'd learn more staying here with you.
Veronica: I have things to do (Logan kisses her cheek and leaves the room.) ... Like cool down.
Logan: (To Veronica, with a smile.) It's always business with you.
Logan: So the place is ours. Dad's at class and Trinas at an extremely important purse store opening in Beverly Hills.
Veronica: Your dad's taking classes?
Logan: Yeah, exploring the world outside himself. All part of the new Aaron Echolls. Spanish, ceramics, Tae Kwan Do. And today, glass blowing with Silvio Pirelli, master of Old World crystal. Nice, huh? Just two lessons.
Veronica: And he made a bong?
Logan: An urn for my mom. You know since there was no body and thus no ashes, he filled it with sea water, 'cause she jumped into the ocean. Get it?
Veronica: Hey, do you think this thing will ever get more normal?
Logan: What? Like will we ever hang at the mall and hold hands and buy each other teddy bears with hearts that say 'I Wuv You Beary Much?'
Veronica: Yes, exactly that, except I want my bear won through some sort of demonstration of ring tossing abilities.
Logan: Well, secrets are kinda hot, too.
Logan: Oh, my God. Did I just get caught by my dad making out on the couch?
Veronica: Yeah, you got caught by your dad. I got caught by the star of Breaking Point and Beyond the Breaking Point. That's weird. And I have lipstick on my teeth.
Logan: Ah, mass transit. Why take the bus when you can drive your very own rust bucket? I had my dad's driver pick it up. Its full of fresh stolen parts, ready to go.
Veronica: Wow, I'll just try to keep this little gesture in mind this weekend when you and Dick and the Beaver are off getting blasted and scamming cheerleaders.
Logan: Yeah, yeah. Actually I had to tell Dick I'm not available, because I have other plans.
Veronica: There are cheerleaders with low self-esteem available domestically?
Logan: Are you free Friday? Maybe we could go out.
Veronica: Here? In Neptune? What about our little secret?
Logan: Well, I thought we could try a practice run on Catalina Island. So what do you think about us skipping school on Friday for a little ride on Dad's boat? Dinner and a movie?
Veronica: Ill pencil you in.
Logan: So, it's, a ... what is the word ... a date?
Quotable Quotes
Veronica: No offense, but you look odd.
Wallace: I just watched our parents cuddle on the couch last night. My eyes ... they burn.
Veronica: Any idea what our parents do Mondays and Wednesdays from six to ten that requires an overnight bag?
Wallace: As far as I'm concerned, they play bingo at the VFW. That's my story. I'm sticking with it.
Veronica: Okily Dokily.
Mr. Wu: I know you know the policy, Mr. Wilson, because you just saw a demonstration. I'm an equal opportunity confiscator.
Mr. Wu: Consider this a warning. Next time, I'm keeping it and you'll just have to gossip with your friends with two cans and string.
Veronica: I'm not sure what that means but I'm totally warned, I swear.
Keith: Hey, honey, how's school?
Veronica: You know. Mean kids, indifferent teachers. Crumbling infrastructure. So, why are you smiling?
Keith: Because I'm savoring the irony. Imagine the Mars family sending our heir, Veronica, to an Ivy League college with money from the bounty on the Kane heir.
Veronica: (Enthusiastically.) But, come on, Dad, with your expertise and my can-do spirit, we can do it. Family project!
Mac: Man, Veronica. Have you ever asked for help for anything normal?
Veronica: What fun would that be?
Male Student: Isn't the, uh, gay prom next Friday at the Dog Beach mens room?
Seth: So I guess I'll see you there, sailor.
Tad: What did you just say to me, Boy George?
Seth: Come on, the Navy? 'Cover my back, wing man!' 'The rear admiral wants us to pound away with the ten inch gun!' I mean, isn't just joining the Navy alone gay enough to get you thrown out of the Navy?
Veronica Mars Voiceover: Now why would Carmen want to dump such a charmer?
Veronica: Do you think your uncle can return the LeBaron to all its original glory?
Weevil: He can get it ready for Daytona, if you pay him enough.
Veronica: You pick up some leads when you broke into the Kane house, or were you just covering your tracks? You used me.
Weevil: Yeah, well, we're always owing each other favors, aren't we? Don't give me that look. If you really thought I'd hurt Lilly you'd have a homing device on my ass already.
Dick: Dude, you got a chick here?
Logan: No, that's Trina's. She's without her lip gloss. It's possible she's suffering out there.
Aaron: So, how are you Veronica?
Veronica: Embarrassed. Uncomfortable.
Aaron: Oh, don't be. I was a teenager once. The thing I really want to ask ... how is Logan?
Veronica: I think he's ... coming to terms.
Aaron: He was such a good kid. When Lilly died, he became ...
Veronica: Difficult?
Aaron: Well, maybe it's in the genes. I can be difficult from time to time.
Aaron: I'm glad you two are together. I like what I see in him when he's with you.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: The talk with Dad. I guess that means my relationship with Logan is officially off the ground.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: The mystery bag. On a Tuesday? My own dad has lost total libidinal control.
Veronica: (To Keith.) Are you sure? There are some important teen issues we could discuss.
Veronica: You busy?
Mac: Still working on that passport thing. Check it out. I just found Mr. Heinrich's posting on the Neptune Swingles site.
Veronica: Oooh, Larry. Boom chicka boom boom.
Mac: What do you need?
Veronica: Ah, along those same lines. How long does it take you to create a highly incriminating, thoroughly libelous sexually explicit website?
Mac: 45 minutes, give or take? I'll get started on it as soon as I'm done reading about how Mr. Heinrich's interests include horseback riding on the beach, hot-tubbing with special friends and sensual charades.
Veronica: Ah, thanks Mac, that's a mental image I'll carry with me to the grave.
Seth: Is that my math teacher?
Tad: Whatever. Who cares what this school thinks about me? Im gone in a month.
Veronica: Actually, I was able to get the e-mail addresses of every plebe at Annapolis. One press of a button and each of your new classmates will have the link to this very special website. The Navy's got that don't ask, don't tell thing. If we tell, they're gonna ask. Mutually assured destruction. Think hard, Tad.
Cliff: (To Loretta Cancun.) You just sign right here, dear.
Veronica: Divorce?
Cliff: (To Loretta.) 'Screw you pig.' Nice. Okay, like a big girl now.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: Of course, they have to have something sensible like a password to prevent people like me from doing what I'm trying to do.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: I might feel a little uncomfortable about tracking my dad's cell phone, if he hadn't done it to me first. A hotel, great! Suddenly Im feeling a little queasy.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: Okay, Dad, I get it. You're happy.
Veronica: Hey, I saw your car was still in the lot.
Carmen: I was waiting for the rest of school to leave so that I could sneak home without being assailed with any frozen desserts.
Carmen: (About Tad.) You know what, screw it! I'm still glad I dumped that idiot, loser, crap face.
Veronica: (To a couple of underclassmen watching Carmen's video.) It's all fun and games until one of you gets my foot up your ass.
Keith: No more surprises, I promise.
Veronica: I just want you to be happy, Dad. And, I realize that may involve ... surprises.
Mac: Roberto Nalbandian.
Veronica: Who's Roberto Nalbandian?
Mac: I have no idea.
Veronica: Okay, forgive me if as of yet, I'm unimpressed.
Alicia: (To Clarence.) Look, Mr. Weed, or whatever your name is ...
Veronica Mars Voiceover: An hour early to school is pretty brown-nosey, but even at Neptune yachting is not a recognized excuse for a late English report.
Veronica: How's it hanging, Tad? Let me guess, uncomfortable?
Veronica: (To Tad.) You are so lucky she has a better soul than I do because I would have taken you down with me.
Veronica: I just want a simple answer to a simple question. Who gave you the rohypnol the night of Shelly Pomroy's party? Yeah, I know you roofied your girlfriend. Class with a capital K.
Tad: I don't remember.
Veronica: In about five minutes people are going to start showing up for school. And, unless you want your little business to be the first thing they see, you're going to tell me who gave you the roofies.
Tad: There weren't any roofies; it was GHB. It was Logan Echolls; he gave it to me.
M.A.D. ... (Referenced throughout the entire episode as well as being the episode title.)
Mutually assured destruction was a doctrine from the Cold War in which both the United States and the USSR had the nuclear capability to destroy the other. This threat resulted in a perpetual standoff that stopped the cold war from becoming hot.
The US Naval Academy ... (Referenced throughout the entire episode as that is where Tad is going after high school.)
It was founded in 1845 by the Secretary of the Navy and is located in Annapolis, Maryland. The institution's purpose is to give men and women the academic and professional training needed to be naval and marine officers while upholding their motto of honor, courage and commitment. They stress moral and ethical development as a fundamental element of their education. The core curriculum includes engineering, science, mathematics, humanities and social science.
The Navy pays for the tuition, room and board, and medical and dental care of students and $75-$100 cash per month their first year for expenses. Students learn to drink responsibly and to shun illegal drugs entirely. Use of illegal drugs results in expulsion and midshipmen are subject to random drug testing through urinalysis. Upon graduation, students begin their service commitment as either an ensign in the Navy or a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.
Popsicle (Referenced by Carmen as she starts to tell Veronica about the embarrassing video Tad is holding over her head.)
Although the term 'Popsicle' is a trademark of Unilever, it is the commonly referred-to-name as a frozen treat on a stick in the United States. An interesting sidenote: In the UK, it is called an 'ice lolly' and an 'icy pole' in Australia.
The first recorded Popsicle was created in 1905 by 11-year-old Frank Epperson. Young Mr. Epperson had left a glass of soda water powder and water (don't gag -- it was a popular drink in those days) on a windowsill outside with a glass mixing stick in it. The next morning, he found that the soda water had frozen inside the glass. In order to remove it, he tried running it under hot water, which worked and was then able to eat it as a frozen soda water using the mixing stick as a handle. And voila! The Popsicle was born.
Newton's Second Law ... (Referenced by Veronica to Logan as she tries to kiss the equation into him.)
Sir Isaac Newton's Laws of Motion were first published in Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica in 1687. Newton used them to prove many results concerning the motion of physical objects. In the third volume of the text, he showed how, combined with his law of universal gravitation, the laws of motion would explain Kepler's laws of planetary motion.
Newton's Second Law of Motion says that "the rate of change of momentum of a body is equal to the resultant force acting on the body and is in the same direction." This is represented by the equation: F=ma; which, in laymen's terms, means force equals mass times acceleration.
VFW ... (Referenced by Wallace as he pretends that Alicia and Keith's mysterious dates are spent playing bingo.)
In 1899, the American Veterans of Foreign Service and the National Society of the Army of the Philippines were organized to secure rights and benefits for veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898-1899) and the Philippines War (1899-1902). These two organizations merged in 1914, creating the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. The VFW was chartered by Congress in 1936 with its founding tenet one of constructive community service.
They stress volunteerism benefiting education, the environment, health sciences and civic projects. The VFW's citizenship education program is designed to stimulate an interest in America's history, its traditions and institutions, as well as promote patriotism. Their halls are frequently used for community activities.
Ivy League (Referenced by Keith as he tells Veronica to imagine the Kane bounty paying her way through school.)
Ivy League refers to an athletic conference of eight private colleges and universities located in the Northeast of the United States: Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, Columbia University in New York City, Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey, the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. The conference was established in 1954, but the schools have been around as early as 1701. The academic excellence of these eight institutions is consistently recognized by the U.S. News & World Report's published yearly list of college and university rankings.
Admission to the Ivies is highly selective, with admission rates ranging from 8.6 percent for Yale to 24.7 percent for Cornell. Admitted students typically have SAT Math and Verbal composites well over 1400 and are in the top ten percent of their high school classes. Really, though, Ivy admissions give a whole new meaning to the term "crapshoot". Admissions committees also do not ignore non-academic factors like legacy status, race/ethnicity or state of residence.
The Ivy League sponsors 33 men's and women's sports, and each schools has, on average, more than 35 varsity teams. All eight institutions rank among the top twenty of NCAA Division I schools for the number of sports offered to men and women.
eBay (Referenced by Veronica as she confesses to Keith that she may have given Duncan a few pointers on how to disappear.)
eBay Inc. manages an online auction and shopping website, where people buy and sell goods and services worldwide. Founded in San Jose on September 4, 1995 by computer programmer Pierre Omidyar as Auctionweb, part of a larger personal site that included, among other things, Omidyar's own tongue-in-cheek tribute to the Ebola virus. The first item ever sold on eBay was Omidyar's broken laser pointer for $13.83. Astonished, he contacted the winning bidder and asked if he understood that the laser pointer was broken. In his responding email, the buyer explained: "I'm a collector of broken laser pointers."
Thus began (possibly) the most popular auction the world has ever seen with rare collectibles worth thousands available (the most expensive item ever sold on eBay was a Grumman Gulfstream II jet for $4.9 million), alongside generally worthless knicknacks that someone somewhere holds near and dear enough to pay that little bit more for. So pervasive is eBay's popularity that the site regularly has celebrity and charity auctions as well as the auction of regular Joes throughout the world.
Top Gun (Referenced by Veronica as Tad's e-mail ID.)
Arguably the most popular movie that Tom Cruise has ever made and the movie that solidified his presence as one of the world's biggest superstars, Tom Gun told the tale of a naval aviator (LT Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell) whose aspiration is to be the top figher pilot at a prestigious naval academy, thus the film's title. The movie follows his journey as he strives to achieve his goal, along the way finding love and friendship. Cruise played the role of Maverick, Kelly McGillis (in one of only three roles in her career that made an impact) was his flight instructor/love interest and a young Anthony Edwards (post-Revenge of the Nerds, pre-ER) is his buddy. The film also starred Meg Ryan, Val Kilmer and Tim Robbins.
Released in 1986 and directed by Tony Scott, Top Gun was inspired by an article written by Ehud Yonay for California Magazine entitled "Top Guns." The film opened on May 16, 1986 to good reviews, the fighter pilot scenes garnering most of the positive attention. A success on all levels, the movie made over $350 million world-wide, broke home-video sales records and dramatically increased the Air Force and Navy's recruitment because everyone wanted to be Maverick. Yes, once upon a time, Tom Cruise was not only more than a punchline; he was THE coolest person on the planet.
Dog Beach (Ocean Beach) (Referenced by one of Tad's friends as he harasses Seth.)
Dog Beach is the section of Ocean Beach that is a place where Veronica -- and other dog owners -- can allow their canine friends to run around leash-free, at any time of the day. (Go, Backup!) Approximately one mile long, Ocean Beach is a Southern California beach located in San Diego County. Dog Beach can be found at the west end of the San Diego River floodway. In addition to the dog run and the shoreline, the beach community also offers a long fishing pier (Ocean Beach Municipal Pier), antique stores, surf shops and restaurants.
Boy George ... (Referenced when Tad is gay-bashing Seth and his buddies about the dance.)
Performer who came to world prominence as the lead singer for the band Culture Club from 1982 to 1986. He became known for both his strong singing voice and a unique, androgynous sense of fashion including heavy makeup and outrageous costumes.
He went solo in 1987 and had his first solo US hit in 1992 with The Crying Game. In 2002, Boy George provided the music and lyrics for a musical entitled Taboo that ran in London's West End for 15 months. Rosie O'Donnell provided the funding for the show to open on Broadway in 2003 where it was nominated for four Tony Awards.
Paris Hilton (Referenced by Carmen as the perfect example of a downloadable national joke.)
Paris Whitney Hilton, born February 17, 1981, is the heiress to the Hilton Hotel fortune, as well as her father's real estate fortune. In addition to being a famous socialite, she has also done modeling and "acting." And yes, the use of quotation marks was deliberate.
Ms. Hilton is perhaps best known for her simultaneous participation in both the 2003 home-made sex video One Night In Paris, released by her former boyfriend Rick Salomon, and the 2003 FOX hit reality series The Simple Life, which she starred in along with her former real-life best friend Nicole Richie. The show followed Hilton and Richie while they lived with a family on their farm in rural Altus, Arkansas. Highlights of the show included the girls performing poorly at various jobs, making out with the local boys, and numerous instances of them shown as "fish out of water." It was followed by two more seasons: The Simple Life 2: Road Trip and The Simple Life 3: Interns. In April 2005, Hilton announced that she severed both personal and professional ties with Richie, and the show was dropped by FOX.
In addition to her "role" on The Simple Life, the Hilton girl has had roles in several films including the aforementioned House of Wax, Zoolander, and The Cat in the Hat, along with T.V. guest appearances on shows including The OC and our very own Veronica Mars. We know it's painful -- just try not to dwell. At least she was only with us for one episode.
Star Wars Kid on Internet (Referenced by Carmen as an example of a downloadable internet joke.)
On November 8, 2002, Ghyslain Raza recorded himself using a golf club as a lightsaber and wielding it as a weapon ala Star Wars. The video was filmed at the studio of Sminaire St-Joseph high school in Trois-Rivires, Quebec, Canada. The cassette, left behind, was found around April 19, 2003 by the original owner of the tape. Thinking it a funny prank, he and his friends made it into a WMV file and shared it on Kazaa.
Within two weeks, the file was downloaded several times. An adapted version of the video was created, adding Star Wars music, texts, and lightsaber lights and sounds to Raza's golf ball retriever. Several gaming, technology and Star Wars-related sites began to host the video, which caused the video to be downloaded more and more. Soon, people all over the world picked up the original and began making conversions of it, adding music, visual effects, and sounds, combining it with other well-known videos or scenes from films, for comic effect.
Raza, mightily embarrassed because the video showed off his girth, left his school and sought counseling due to the bullying intent in the original prank. His family eventually led a privacy lawsuit against the schoolmates who put the original video on Kazaa. On April 7, 2006, the suit was settled out of court. One hopes that today, Raza realizes that while the original perpetrators did not have the best intentions, most people who've watched, downloaded, edited the video think of Raza with a joyful fondness; by most he is no longer being laughed at, but laughed with. This video launched the current craze today (utilized through youtube.com) of regular people taping themselves doing stupid things in the hopes that they too will someday become as famous as "The Star Wars Kid."
To see several versions of the video, go here.
Google (Referenced by Carmen as she worries about the video showing up in an internet search.)
Google is a search engine owned by Google, Inc. whose mission statement is to "organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful." Google receives over 200 million queries a day. The name "Google" is derived from a play on the word "googol", which refers to the number represented by 1 followed by one hundred zeroes. Google's headquarters, located in California, are referred to as "the Googleplex."
Google began as a research project in January, 1996 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, two students at Stanford University. The term "to google" has come to be used as a verb synonymous with "to search for something on the internet," though Google officials discourage the use of this phrase for fear that it will lead to trademark dilution.
Similar to the Search Engine Olympics Veronica took part in in Donut Run, there are several games that can be played with Google. In "Gwigle," participants learn advanced Google search tricks as they go through the puzzles. In "Googlewhack," you attempt to find two words that produce exactly one search result. (Examples: "dork turnspit", "unconstructive superegos", "bibliophilic sandwiched", "dripstone ingles") "Googlefight" pits two keywords against each other to find which one has more results. In "Guess the Google," the objective is to guess which search term resulted in the displayed images.
In addition to its webpage search engine, Google also provides services for searching images, Usenet newsgroups, news websites, videos, searching by locality, maps, and items for sale online.
Chrysler LeBaron (Referenced by Veronica as she asks Weevil to fix her car.)
The LeBaron is the name Chrysler used for a variety of cars from 1977 to 1995. The first LeBaron was a rebadged Dodge Diplomat that was sold from 1977 to 1981. The 1982 LeBaron, based on the Chrysler K platform, was available in sedan, coupe, convertible, and station wagon versions and featured Chrysler's Electronic Voice Alert (a computerized voice that issued warnings, such as "Please fasten your seatbelt," and "A door is ajar").
Veronica Mars' LeBaron -- as seen in The Pilot.
From 1987 to 1995, Chrysler released a new generation of LeBaron coupe and convertible. This version was quite stylish for its day, featuring retractable metal covers for the headlights ... to protect them from crowbar-wielding jackasses, perhaps? Unfortunately for Veronica, this feature was discontinued in 1993.
Daytona ... (Referenced by Weevil as Veronica brings the LeBaron to him for repair.)
The Daytona International Speedway is the home to the Daytona 500, considered by many to be the biggest, richest and most prestigious NASCAR race in the United States. It was founded on February 22, 1959 and in 1996 the Daytona area opened a multi million dollar entertainment facility designed to broaden the entertainment and educational experience for visitors.
'69 Chevy Impala (Referenced by Weevil as he tells Veronica that Duncan bought a used car from his uncle's friend.)
The Chevrolet Impala is an automobile developed and built by the Chevrolet car division of General Motors. Ed Cole, Chevrolet's chief engineer in the late 1950s, defined the Impala as a "prestige car within the reach of the average American citizen." At its peak sales volume in 1965, the Impala was the best selling full-size car in the United States. Here is an image of 1969 Impala itself.
Beverly Hills (Referenced by Logan as he tells Veronica that Trina is at a purse store opening.)
Beverly Hills is a city in the western part of Los Angeles County, California, entirely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles. It is part of the so-called "Golden Triangle" of Beverly Hills, Bel-Air and Holmby Hills. It is bordered on the north by the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, on the east by the City of West Hollywood and the Fairfax District of the City of Los Angeles, on the south by Los Angeles and on the west by Westwood Village and Century City, which are neighborhoods of Los Angeles and not separate incorporated cities.
As stereotypes might suggest, Beverly Hills is not as uniformly wealthy as Hollywood portrays it. This stereotype comes, of course, from the two television shows that bear the famous city in their title (Beverly Hillbillies and Beverly Hills 90210). Both series feature families who come from humble backgrounds and are then transplanted into the ultra-rich environs of Beverly Hills. The fact of the matter is that although it does have some of the largest homes in Los Angeles County in its city limits, these homes only make up a mere 10% of the city. Many of the homes are small duplex rental units, or detached homes with less than 3,000 square feet.
Tae Kwon Do (Referenced by Logan as he tells Veronica that Aaron is taking classes.)
Taekwondo is a martial art originating in Korea. An amalgamation of Chinese, Japanese, and traditional Korean fighting styles, taekwondo has become the world's most commonly practiced martial art, and is the national sport of Korea.
Derived from the word hanja, tae means "to kick or destroy with the foot," kwon means "fist" and do means "way" or "art." Therefore, taekwondo is loosely translated as "the art of hand and foot" or "the way of the foot and the fist." As with many other martial arts, taekwondo is a combination of combat technique, self-defense, sport, exercise, entertainment, and philosophy.
Around the liberation of Korea in 1945, five martial arts schools under the style name of kong soo do or tang soo do, called kwan, were formed by men who were mostly trained in Japanese karate. The kwan and their founders were the chung do kwan (Lee, Won Kuk), jidokwan (Chun, Sang Sup), chang moo kwan (Yoon, Byung In), moo duk kwan (Hwang Kee), and song moo kwan (Roh, Byung Jick).
Around 1953, shortly after the Korean War, five more kwan formed. These 2nd generation kwan and their principle founders were; oh do kwan (Choi, Hong Hi & Nam, Tae Hi), han moo kwan (Lee, Kyo Yun), kang duk kwan (Park, Chul Hee & Hong Jong Pyo), jung do kwan (Lee, Young Woo), and kuk mu kwan (Kang, Suh Chong).
In 1955, these arts, at that time called various names by the different schools, were ordered to unify by South Korea's President Syngman Rhee. A governmental body selected a naming committee's submission of "taekwondo" as the name. Both Sun Duk Song and Choi Hong Hi both claim to have submitted the name. The name sounds like the ancient Korean martial arts of taekkyon, as taekwondo has direct relation to taekkyon in the techniques.
In 1959, the Korean Taekwondo Association (KTA) was formed in an attempt to unify the dozens of the kwan as one standardized system of taekwondo. In 1960, Jhoon Rhee was teaching what he called karate ( the names taekwondo and tang soo do were unknown in the west at this time) in Texas, USA. After receiving the ROK Army Field Manual which contained martial arts training curriculum under the new name of taekwondo, from General Choi Hong Hi, Rhee began using the name taekwondo.
In July 1980, the International Olympic Committee recognized the WTF and taekwondo sparring was accepted as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul and the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympic Games. It has been an official full medal Olympic event since the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Taekwondo is one of two Asian martial arts (judo being the other) in the Olympic Games. Taekwondo was admitted to the Asian Games as an official event in 1984.
In 2006, the the World Taekwondo Federations has over 180 Member National Association with approximately 50,000,000 members. (Courtesy: Wikipedia, July 13, 2006.)
Mexico (Referenced by Dick as he and Beaver talk to Logan about their annual surf and chick fest.)
Mexico (Spanish: Mxico) is a country located in North America, approximately 753,665 square miles in size, bordered at the north by the United States, and at the south with Guatemala and Belize in Central America. It is the northernmost and westernmost country in Latin America, and with a population of 106.5 million, Mexico is also the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world. The official name is Estados Unidos Mexicanos, which translates as the United Mexican States. The term State of Mexico (Estado de Mexico) does not refer to the country, but only to one state within Mexico, located near the center of the country adjacent to the Federal District.
U.S. citizens, like Keith's crazy bail-jumper, have been known to cross the border into Mexico to evade U.S. authorities and skip tracers (like Papa Mars). Most often, these individuals cross the border into Tijuana due to its proximity to the world's busiest border crossing. What is interesting is that criminals continue to cross into Mexico to evade criminal prosecution despite the extradition treaty that has been in place between the U.S. and Mexico since 1980.
According to EscapingJustice.com, the Treaty provides for extradition of a party who has been charged with or found guilty of an offense committed in the United States, who has fled to Mexico. An offense is extraditable if it is a crime in both countries and punishable by incarceration for a period of one year or more. The Extradition Treaty further provides that where the offense for which extradition is sought is punishable by death, extradition may be refused unless assurances are given that the death penalty shall not be imposed, and if imposed, shall not be executed.
Rosarito (Referenced by Beaver as he tells Logan about a cheerleader retreat.)
Playas de Rosarito is a city in the Mexican state of Baja California and seat of the municipality of the same name. The official name is Playas de Rosarito. It is located approximately 35 minutes south of the U.S. border in Tijuana. It is a popular destination for college students and young people in general from the United States for Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. It boasts miles of beaches, hotels, and dance clubs.
Vodka (Referenced by Tad as Carmen gets him drunk at the boardwalk.)
Vodka is a typically colorless liquor that is usually distilled from fermented grain or potatoes. The term is a diminutive of the Slavic word voda for water. Vodka consists of water and alcohol (ethanol) and insignificant amounts of flavorings, with a typical alcohol content ranging from 35-70% by volume. While generally drunk neat (alone), vodka can be used to in cocktails and other mixed drinks, such as the Bloody Mary, the Screwdriver, and the Vodka Martini.
Ecstasy (Referenced by Carmen as she asks Tad to buy some X from Seth.)
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), most commonly known today by the street name ecstasy, is a synthetic entactogen of the phenethylamine family whose primary effect is to stimulate the secretion of large amounts of serotonin as well as dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain, causing a general sense of openness, empathy, energy, euphoria, and well-being. Tactile sensations are enhanced for some users, making general physical contact with others more pleasurable, but contrary to popular mythology, it generally does not have aphrodisiac effects. Its ability to facilitate self-examination with reduced fear has proven useful in some therapeutic settings, leading to its 2001 approval by the United States FDA for testing in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. (Credit: Wikipedia)
Tijuana (Referenced by Keith as he tells Veronica that Duncan's car was spotted.)
Tijuana is the largest city in the Mexican state of Baja California. The current mayor is Jorge Hank Rhon of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). The city stands on the U.S. Mexico border, adjacent to San Diego, California to the north. The city's motto is Aqui empieza la patria, which translates to The homeland starts here. It is sometimes referred to as the Most visited city in the world due to its proximity to the world's busiest border crossing. The city is commonly called TJ in Southern California. The most popular tourist attraction is Avenida Revolucion. Many foreigners visit the strip to drink, buy prescription drugs, bootleg brand-name clothing and accessories, and Mexican curiosities. There are also plenty of nightclubs in Plaza Fiesta, across from the Plaza Rio Mall that are mainly frequented by the locals. The Revolucion strip is also famous for its nearby red-light district La Coahuila, which boast numerous street prostitutes and various strip clubs.
Yale (Referenced by Keith as he squees at the idea of the Kane reward money paying for Veronica's tuition.)
Yale University is a private university in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1701 as the Collegiate School, Yale is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and a member of the Ivy League. Yale's 70 undergraduate majors are primarily focused on a liberal curriculum, and few of the undergraduate departments are pre-professional in nature (even the engineering departments encourage and require students to explore academic disciplines outside of engineering). Yale and Harvard have for most of their history been rivals in almost everything, notably academics, rowing and football.
Yale president Richard C. Levin summarized the university's institutional priorities for its fourth century: "First, among the nation's finest research universities, Yale is distinctively committed to excellence in undergraduate education. Second, in our graduate and professional schools, as well as in Yale College, we are committed to the education of leaders."
PSATs (Referenced by Veronica after Keith suggests Duncan may be smarter than he thought.)
The PSAT/NMSQT, or Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, is a multiple-choice standardized test administered by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The test is composed of three sections: Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Writing. Each of the three sections is scored on a scale of 20 to 80 points, which add up to a maximum composite score of 240 points. This parallels the SAT, which is graded on a scale of 200 to 800 (the difference in range is mainly to distinguish from which test a score comes). However, unlike the New SAT (2005), the New PSAT does not include higher-level mathematics (i.e. concepts from Algebra 2) or an essay in its writing section (this section is new to the SAT in 2005).
Photoshop (Referenced by Tad as he accuses Veronica and Carmen of faking the webpage photos of Tad with Seth.)
Developed by Adobe Systems, Adobe Photoshop is one of the most well known graphics editor programs on the market and is in fact, the current market leader for commercial bitmap and image manipulation. Photoshop (as the product is commonly referred to), as well as Adobe Acrobat, is one of the most well-known pieces of software produced by Adobe Systems. Photoshop is considered the industry standard in most, if not all, jobs related to the use of visual elements. The software, developed by brothers Thomas and John Knoll in 1987 with Version 1 released in 1990, is currently available for Mac OS and Microsoft Windows.
Catalina Island ... (Referenced as the locale of what was to be the first ever official date between Logan Echolls and Veronica Mars. {{Sob}})
Located 22 miles from the coast of Los Angeles, the island is a popular resort containing many activities including bicycling, boating, fishing, golf, parasailing and scuba diving. The main city is Avalon, which hosts shops and nightlife.
Albacore Club (Referenced by Logan to Veronica, as the location of his father's boat.)
Featured in Roman Polanski's masterpiece Chinatown starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, the Albacore Club is a fictional gentlemen's social club of long standing that gives generously to those in need on the surface, but is actually a front for large-scale corruption in. The 1974 film features many elements of the film noir genre (thus a likely reason for its winking conclusion in the VM-verse, perhaps a subtle nod to the red herring noir of Logan Echolls that would follow in the next two episodes).
Chinatown offers a multi-layered story that was part mystery/part psychological drama. The movie is considered one of the greatest films of all time, ranking as #19 on the AFI (American Film Institute) list of the 100 Greatest American Films of all time. It has won several high-profile awards, including an Academy Award in 1975 for Best Writing and Original Screenplay for Robert Towne.
Argentina (Referenced by Mac and Keith as she tells them she found information on a passport bought off of eBay.)
Argentina is the second-largest country in South America and the eighth-largest country in the world. It occupies a continental surface area of 1,078,000 square miles and is located between the Andes mountain range in the west and the southern Atlantic Ocean in the east and south. It is bordered by Paraguay and Bolivia in the north, Brazil and Uruguay in the northeast, and Chile in the west and south. The country is formally named the Argentine Republic (Spanish: Repblica Argentina), but for purposes of legislation, the form Nacin Argentina (Argentine Nation) is used.
The name Argentina derives from the Latin argentum (silver). The first Spanish conquistadors discovered the Ro de la Plata ("River of Silver"). Indigenous people gave silver gifts to the survivors of the shipwrecked expedition, who were led by Juan Daz de Sols. The legend of Sierra del Plata a mountain rich in silver reached Spain around 1524. The source of the silver was the area where the city of Potos was to be founded in 1546. An expedition that followed the trail of the silver up the Paran and Pilcomayo rivers finally reached the source of the silver only to find it already claimed by previous explorers that had reached it from Lima, the capital of the Viceroyalty. The name Argentina was first used in Ruy Daz de Guzmn's 1612 book Historia del descubrimiento, poblacin, y conquista del Ro de la Plata (History of the discovery, population, and conquest of the Ro de la Plata), naming the territory Tierra Argentina (Land of Silver).
The first signs of human presence in Argentina are located in the Patagonia (Piedra Museo, Santa Cruz), and date from 11,000 BC. In 1480 the Inca Empire, under the rule of emperor Pachacutec, launched an offensive and conquered present-day northwestern Argentina, integrating it into a region called Collasuyu. In 1502, Europeans arrived and Spain established a permanent colony where Buenos Aires rests today in 1580. The Viceroyalty of the Ro de la Plata was set up in 1776 (the same year as American independence!). On May 25, 1810, after the confirmation of the rumors about the overthrow of King Ferdinand VII by Napoleon, the most prominent citizens of Buenos Aires took advantage of the situation and created the First Government Junta. Independence from Spain was declared on July 9, 1816. Centralist and federationist groups were in conflict until national unity was established and the constitution promulgated in 1853.
Roofie (Referenced by Veronica as she demands to know where Tad got the Rohypnol from, the night of Shelly's party.)
Flunitrazepam -- marketed under the trade name Rohypnol -- is manufactured worldwide, particularly in Europe and Latin America. Its most common street name is roofie and it generally sells for below $5.00 per small white tablet. It is ten times more potent than valium and can be habit forming, one of the reasons that it is illegal to own in the US. Rohypnol is one of the drugs most commonly implicated in drug-facilitated rape and due to its high usage blue dye was added to it in 1999 so that it would no longer be clear in liquid. Common effects from usage are memory impairment, drowsiness, visual disturbances, dizziness, confusion, excitability or aggressive behavior and it can mentally and physically paralyze an individual. Effects of the drug are of particular concern in combination with alcohol and can lead to amnesia, where events that occurred during the time the drug was in effect are forgotten.
In response to Rohypnol abuse and use of the drug to facilitate sexual assaults, the U.S. Congress passed the Drug Induced Rape Prevention and Punishment Act, effective October 13, 1996. The law provides for harsher penalties regarding the distribution of a controlled substance to an individual without the individual's consent and with the intent to commit a crime of violence, including rape. The law imposes a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine for the importation and distribution of 1 gram or more of Rohypnol. Simple possession is punishable by 3 years in prison and a fine.
GHB ... (Referenced {{Sob}} in Veronica's final scene when she finds out that {{Sob}} Logan brought the GHB to Shelly Pomroy's party. {{Sob}})
Acronym for Gamma hydroxy butyrate or Gamma hydroxybutyric acid, Sodium Oxybate. Trace amounts are found naturally in the human body. However, the main ingredients in synthetic GHB are basically degreasing solvent or floor stripper mixed with drain cleaner. The common nicknames are Gamma-OH, Liquid Ecstasy, Fantasy, Easy Lay and Cherry Meth. It is usually found in a clear liquid, which looks just like water and is packaged in a 30ml clear plastic bottle. It is also found infrequently as a white powder.
The common effects from use are intoxication, increased energy, happiness, desire to socialize, feeling affectionate and playful, mild disinhibition, enhanced sexual experience and loss of gag reflex. Many people have bad reactions including nausea, headaches, drowsiness and amnesia. The effects of large doses include sedation, desire to sleep, rambling incoherent speech, difficulty thinking, passing out and, in extreme cases, death.
- Veronica's 'Wow!' face after she looks out the bathroom door.
- Alicia humming "Our Love is Here to Stay" when she comes in to pick up Keith.
- Aaron has two Oscars on the bookshelf next to the fireplace.
- The way Keith says room service.
- Logan tapping the headlights of Veronicas car calls to mind the last time he had any interaction with her headlights (bashing them in the Pilot).
- After asking Veronica out Logan winks at her after saying "slip 5" as he walks away.
- Keith salsas into his office after they find out about the passport.
- After the hot!hot!hot! Logan/Veronica bathroom make-out session, Logan makes a slight detour into ambiguouity-land with a little hop that would make the girliest girly-girl proud.
- What high school would let Logan have a three inch knife on campus?
- What was Carmen doing with the popsicles?
- How expensive are disposable cell phones and how does Veronica afford them to leave lying around?
- What was in the pen Weevil stole from the Kane house?
- Who decorated the Echolls living room? And whats with all the animal prints?
- Why did Aaron cover for Logan and Veronica?
- Was Veronica going to tell Keith about Logan when they discussed Teen Issues?'
- How does Veronica use her car to take pictures of Carmen and Tad at the pier when it was at the shop?
- What did Aaron know about Keith and Lianne? Or, was he just well versed in suing for divorce from an absentee spouse?
- Where did the Jackass pull the popsicle from? It looked like his back pocket, but the thing didnt even have a wrapper. Yuck!
- What does Alicia do at Kane Software?
- How long has Clarence known about the bug? How did he know that Wallace delivered it?
- How did Tad not realize that the tattoo said Seth and not Carmen?
- Why isn't Veronica wearing her choker?
- How long did Logan wait on the boat?
- When is Veronica going to tell her dad where her college money went?
- What does this do to her college plans?
- How much money does it cost to spend over a year looking for someone?
- Was Aaron hitting on Veronica? What is it with him and his sons girlfriends?
- Since Lianne made off with the $50,000 bounty check, what did Mac get for her trouble?
- Cheyenne is the entertainment lawyer Keith has been looking for.
JenniferH: Report Card; Yearbook; Chemistry; Band Class; Literature; Social Science; Pep Squad Practice
Mastermia (Maria): Social Science; Study Hall; Extra Credit; Philosophy; Homeroom; Principles of Democracy; History
SeluciaV (Alli): Social Science
smlf (Mark): Journalism
Tar Frimmer (Joanne): Study Hall; Literature; Social Science
Additional Help:
sawmg (Shannon): Social Science
genova (Cara): Social Science
Stupid Tad had to go and ruin it.
