Episode #02.21: Happy Go Lucky
Original Air Date: May 2, 2006
Written by: Diane Ruggiero
Directed by: Steve Gomer
Report Card (Capsule Episode Review)
Yearbook (Recurring & Guest Stars/Character Statistics)
Drama Club (Performances: Highlights and Lowlights) (None)
Chemistry (The Analysis of LoVe Scenes)
Journalism (The Mystery of the Week) (None)
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) (None)
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: C
Membership Grade: C (40.5% / 42 votes)
After a run of great episodes, the bottom sure fell out for this one. Ah well. There are definitely great moments to be had here (the Weevil/Mac/Beaver storyline, Keith in the courtroom, the Wallace/Veronica BFF moment), but overall this episode feels hollow. There is simply so little connect to what is happening onscreen. Spending so much time with the Cooks, expending so little emotion in reaction to Aaron's trial, extending less than a minute to Logan and Veronica, it all just makes this episode so ... less than. And less than is not where a show wants to be at the 11th hour.
Credited Cast Non-Appearance
Ryan Hansen - Dick Casablancas
Teddy Dunn - Duncan Kane
Recurring Guest Stars (Previous Episode Appearances)
Gil Birmingham - Leonard Lobo
- Versatile Toppings
Ian Brininstool - Rodney Goodman
- Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner
- Look Who's Stalking
Gigi Erneta - Mrs. Goodman
- Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner
Michael Gaarde Hart
- Season One Appearances
Steve Guttenberg - Woody Goodman
- Normal is the Watchword
- Driver Ed
- Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner
- One Angry Veronica
- Plan B
- Look Who's Stalking
Harry Hamlin - Aaron Echolls
- Season One Appearances
- Rat Saw God
- The Quick and the Wed
Brandon Hillock Deputy Sacks
- Season One Appearances
- Driver Ed
- Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang
- Blast from the Past
- Donut Run
- Versatile Toppings
- Plan B
Annie Hinton Judge
- Pilot
James Jordan Lucky
- I Am God
- Look Who's Stalking
Lauren Krause - Reporter #1
- Driver Ed
Tina Majorino Mac
- Season One Appearances
- Green-Eyed Monster
- Ahoy Mateys
- My Mother, The Fiend
- Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough
- Versatile Toppings
- Plan B
- Nevermind the Buttocks
- Look Who's Stalking
Michael Muhney - Sheriff Don Lamb
- Season One Appearances
- Driver Ed
- Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang
- Green-Eyed Monster
- Blast from the Past
- Rat Saw God
- Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner
- Donut Run
- Rashard and Wallace Go to White Castle
- Versatile Toppings
- The Quick and the Wed
- The Rapes of Graff
- Plan B
- Look Who's Stalking
John Prosky Mr. Levoie
- Nevermind the Buttocks
Krysten Ritter - Gia Goodman
- Normal is the Watchword
- Rat Saw God
- Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner
- Plan B
- Nevermind the Buttocks
- Look Who's Stalking
Jeffrey Sams - Terrance Cook
- Normal is the Watchword
- Driver Ed
- Blast From the Past
- Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough
- Versatile Toppings
- Look Who's Stalking
Graham Sterling - Reporter #2
- Season One Appearances
Guest Stars
Jamen Nanthakumar - Older Boy
Gay Storm - Prosecution Lawyer
Maria Valdez - Young Mother
Shelley Wenk - Juror (Foreman)
Don Worley - Judge Ferris
Who's Who in Neptune
Older Boy Boy that identified Weevil at the Sheriff's Department as the one that attacked Thumper on the night Thumper went missing.
Prosecution Lawyer Prosecution lawyer at the Aaron Echolls' murder trial.
Young Mother Mother of the two boys that witnessed Weevil's attack on Thumper.
Juror (Foreman) Woman that announced to the court room that Aaron Echolls was found not guilty on all charges.
Judge Ferris Judge to whom Leonard Lobo informed that Terrence Cook was in the casino with Lobo on the day of the bus crash, resulting in Cook being cleared of the crime.
Scene One: Ain't Epic Love Grand?
Before I get to the actual content of the scene itself which lends to some possible hope, I'm first going to detail exactly why many were so very, very disappointed and get that out of the way. The disappointment stemmed from what was NOT featured. Other than Veronica's "Ain't epic love grand?" voiceover and tension in look-a-ways towards the end, there was no follow-up at all to what happened in the last couple of scenes of the last episode (Logan's semi-declaration of love, Veronica's running away and then coming back the next morning, and just as she copped to willing to give it a go, Kendall's appearance). None of that was referenced, which was pretty dang frustrating on its own.
Even more frustrating was that despite the fact that earlier in the episode, Veronica was one of the students involved in a shoot-out and her best friend was actually shot and would be dead were it not for the non-usage of bullets in the shooting. Was there even a nod or recognition to this occurrence? Nope. Oh and then there was the fact that they were both currently attending the murder trial against his father for killing his ex-girlfriend, this ex-girlfriend's best friend. Sure, Veronica mentioned the "murder trial," but it was fairly sarcastic and held about zero emotional content. And let's not forget the fact that the gripping testimony of Veronica revealed that she had an STD from boy wonder ... which was also completely ignored. Absolutely no follow-up, no reaction, nothing. Nada. Zip.
Another thing missing from this scene -- and it was considered missing because many viewers were convinced it would happen -- was Logan showing any sign that OMIGOD! Veronica actually made it clear that she has feelings for him. There have been a few counter-arguments to the "It was out of character" commentary and I'm inclined to buy them (I admit, because I simply want to). I can believe that Logan realized the combination of his actions the last year -- admittedly many don't see said actions in the same light as Rob Thomas, thus Veronica and Logan, but we'll go with how we're supposed to think he's a bad, bad boy in need of redemption
-- plus the drinking, the 'I don't do bimbos anymore,' flash forward to next morning, oh, look! A bimbo! may have put him in the mindset that he really had screwed up completely this time.
When those elevator doors closed on her tears, he may have perceived it as a symbol of the end of their relationship once and for all and by pushing her, he would just be hurting her even more. I can buy that. So I'm willing to let that missing piece go mostly unchallenged. The lack of follow-through for the events in the last episode, the shooting, the trial, Veronica's STD testimony -- not so much. No. Just no.
Ahem, now moving along to analysis of the actual content. Uhm, Logan leaned prettily. Par for the course. Both Kristen Bell and Jason Dohring did the nervous, simmering tension very well. Again, par for the course. Not much was said, the information about Lucky was interesting, I guess. However, considering that many viewers were anxiously awaiting the first interaction between Logan and Veronica after the last episode and had been waiting THIRTY-FIVE MINUTES into this episode for it, frankly, anything interesting that had nothing to do with Logan and Veronica and their relationship in a scene featuring Logan and Veronica at this juncture ... just wasn't that interesting!
Still, as always, we must make do with what we were given. So yes, there was the tension. And Veronica's "Ain't epic love grand?" was nice (despite the sarcastic bent which understandably would leave one to believe that she didn't think their relationship had the "epic" or the "love"). It was still nice simply because Veronica's sarcasm in regards to Logan often is the opposite of what she truly feels. Also, her mentioning it certainly implied that, after a week, she still had what he said on her mind. That's a good thing.
One more positive note that can be found was that while many expected Veronica to go back into uberbitch mode when dealing with Logan, that didn't happen. She wasn't judgmental; she wasn't nasty; there were no sarcastic quips. It was almost as if she realized after that spurt of bitterness in the hallway ("Stop") that HER running away was what put the closure on the relationship for him. And so therefore, she had no right (not reason, mind you) to be jealous, to be angry.
Naturally, this may all go to hell in a hand basket in the next episode, but it would be nice to think -- even for a short period -- that Veronica actually grew up! in regards to Logan and her unfair treatment of him. She can't break his heart over and over again and expect him to keep handing it back to her on a silver platter. Maybe she made this realization.
And as depressing as the idea is that both felt they've reached closure, I'm not depressed because I don't believe the relationship really has. Simply put, Logan needs to stop being so hurt at what Veronica does and not just take it and instead confront her without presenting himself as the whipping boy. Likewise, Veronica needs to stop being so angry at Logan and running away in retaliation and instead discuss it with him and give him a chance to tell his side of the story. And maybe, just maybe (even subconsciously) they both realized that. So, perhaps the place of closure they've come to is the one of hurting and anger and now instead of looking into the past, they can move into the future.
- Weevil approaches Veronica, who's already in super-stressed-out study mode, and asks her if she's got a minute. She whines that she really doesn't, but Weevil gives the impression he isn't going away any time soon so she walks off with him. Weevil uncomfortably asks for her help with something that's a little weird for him to ask. She wonders if it's something that's going to make her nauseous, but fortunately he only needs her help with algebra.
His grandmother, who's taken ill, wants to see him walk across the stage at graduation (And I mean this. Awww.), but in order to graduate high school, he needs at least a B on his final exam. Veronica wishes she could help him, but she's swamped with her own finals. Weevil walks away, disappointed, while Veronica meekly calls out an apology.
Noticing Beaver and another boy staring at the Beav's car door, Veronica walks up and sees that someone has scratched "Amber is a bitch" into the paint. When she asks Beaver who Amber is, he has no idea. Veronica jokes that if someone keyed the wrong door, Amber's never going to know she's a bitch. Beaver's not amused, though, because it's going to cost a lot of money and time to fix the door.
The other boy there shyly says "hey" to Veronica. It's obvious that Veronica doesn't have the slightest clue who he is, so he reminds her that his name is Hart. And he hasn't said a thing, locking his lips to prove it. Veronica's still not getting it, but says "good for you" anyway. (Don't worry, Veronica. I couldn't place him right away, either, as the boy who accidentally filmed Lynn's suicide last year.) Veronica suddenly gets an idea and tells Beaver she thinks she knows someone who can help him.
Weevil and Beaver are sitting at a table in the quad, attempting to school Weevil in the marvels of algebra, but frustration seems to be the only thing they're accomplishing as Weevil's starting to think it's all pointless. Beaver's attempts to find out what he does know about algebra and his efforts to explain quadratic equations with a word problem referencing spark plugs and oil are met with Weevil's threats to kill him, or himself, and then a resignation to just cheat on the test. Beaver worries what that means about his car and Mac takes this opportunity to chime in from a nearby table.
"F-O-I-L." First, outside, inside, last. Getting the impression that Mac may be able to explain things in terms he can actually understand, Weevil asks her if she can teach him. Once she has Weevil's promise to fix Beaver's car, Mac sits down at their table, takes Beaver's pencil and notebook and starts laying things out, as she and Beaver share a sweet smile.
Later, in an empty classroom, Mac is grading Weevil's work while Beaver sits on a teacher's desk. Frustrated, Weevil warns her they're going to have a problem if she puts another X on his paper. She says she'd use smiley faces instead, but doesn't know if it'll sell "wrong." Beaver reminds Mac that he told her she went too fast on balancing equations, so fast even he didn't understand what she was talking about.
Mac glares at him and says she didn't go too fast and makes a thinly veiled joke that it's no surprise Beaver didn't understand. Banter ensues about who's the smarter of the two, Beaver or Mac. Weevil shakes his head in annoyance and suggests the two geniuses go work out their aggression in a coat room, then come back and teach him some algebra. Mac and Beaver exchange looks and start giggling.
The big moment arrives as Weevil's math teacher passes out the exam. He kisses his cross pendant and starts the test. Later, he walks into the classroom and anxiously waits as the teacher grades his test. She hands it to him and congratulates him it's a B! "Hell, yeah!"
- Veronica is sitting alone at a table in the school quad, trying desperately to focus on studying for her finals, when Jackie and Wallace walk up and sit next to her, giggling. The Fennel Radar immediately targets in on the cupcakes Gia's just given to Veronica. He asks where they came from and Veronica curtly tells him she saved someone's life, she can't talk, she's studying.
Wallace gloats that he's just cruising through the week. He's got his scholarship to Hearst; his grades are fine. He's good to go. Veronica asks him if he wants to see her cry, because she will. Unlike him, she still has to ace all of her finals and hope that Angie Dahl chokes on one of hers. Even then, she still won't be guaranteed the Kane scholarship.
Jackie thinks it's odd that Veronica is working so hard to go to Stanford with Angie Dahl when Wallace, Mac and her dad will all be in Neptune. Wallace points out that Jackie's also leaving to go to France, but she starts hinting that she might be staying after all, since her dad is still in trouble. Wallace is, naturally, pleased by this bit of hopeful news. Veronica, on the other hand, is getting annoyed by the distraction and asks if they could tone down the adorable so she can study for Western Civ.
Jackie wants some milk to go with the cupcakes, so she asks if anyone else would like something. Veronica asks for some peace with a side of quiet. Jackie kisses Wallace and runs off. Wallace starts to talk to Veronica who holds her finger up insistently, "Shh!" Making the "lock the lips and throw away the key" sign at him, she goes back to studying.
Later, Veronica is standing in the school hallway, studying some more. Wallace walks up and hip-bumps her, happily announcing that he just took his last high school test ever. Veronica asks him if he decided to celebrate by torturing her. She still has one final left. Her future is currently resting on her knowledge of the ascendancy rules of Babylon.
It's time for Wallace to go clean out his locker and, growing a little serious, he warns her to enjoy this moment because it's as nostalgic as he gets. She listens as he tells her it was all worth getting taped to a pole. He's going to miss her. (Sniffle.) Clearly touched and feeling the same, she smiles, "and my stupid-assed face?" They laugh together. He has to go grab his stuff, pick up his lady and do a little celebrating. As she watches him walk away, he turns back around, insisting that the conversation never happened. "Sure it did," she calls after him. BFFs forever, indeed.
Veronica sits in class as the teacher passes out her last final exam. She looks out the door and sees Wallace emptying his locker, spinning his basketball. She smiles wistfully, perhaps truly realizing what she'll be missing if she goes away to Stanford. The teacher closes the door on that thought. Veronica's cell phone starts vibrating and she checks it. It's a message from her dad. The verdict is in. She thinks it over, weighing the consequences, as the teacher places the test before her. After a moment, she shakes it off, pockets her phone and picks up the pen and starts taking the test. Then she pauses, thinking some more. Putting the pen down, she grabs her bag and walks out, giving up all her chances at getting the Kane scholarship.
Wallace walks up to the Cook house, ready to celebrate with his girlfriend. Terrance answers the door and Wallace happily tells him he's there to pick up Jackie for their date. Terrance sadly informs Wallace that she's not there. Wallace, thinking she's just stepped out for a bit, asks if he can wait. Terrance breaks it to him that Jackie left for France that morning. Handing Wallace an envelope, Terrance tells him he's sorry and closes the door. Disappointed, Wallace walks away, as he reads her goodbye letter.
- And the Oscar for Best Liar in a Scumbag Role goes to Aaron Echolls! Giving the performance of a lifetime, Aaron is on the witness stand testifying about his relationship with Lilly Kane. He explains that back in 1987 he was People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive and he had the power to get movies made based on his interest alone. Then, he got older. What looks like a predominantly female jury listens attentively as he tells the sad story of a movie star now relegated to being cast as the father of superstar tweens who didn't even know who he was. He became just some old guy, until Lilly entered the picture. (And I don't mean this. Awww.)
Keith and Veronica watch as he describes Lilly as a beautiful young girl who thought he hung the moon. Having her see him as the person he wished he could be was a powerful thing. Logan, seated in front of Lamb, listens as the defense attorney, Mr. Lavoie, asks Aaron if that's true even when the person is only sixteen and dating your son. Aaron clarifies that he didn't claim it to be right, just powerful. (Well, that makes it all okay, then, I guess.)
When asked if he had sex with Lilly, Aaron firmly denies it. They fooled around a little, but they never had intercourse. Veronica looks at Keith with what can only be described as a WTF-face. Logan looks at the ground and shakes his head in disgust. (And I scream at the TV while my neighbors wonder what the crazy lady upstairs is going on about now.)
Lavoie continues that Aaron has said that he ended their relationship on the day she was killed. Aaron testifies that Lilly came over to see him because she wanted some attention and he told her they had to stop. She stormed out and then he realized she'd taken his Oscar with her. So he went to her house to get it back. Instead of returning it, she yelled and threw an ashtray at him. That's when Duncan came out, enraged, screaming at Lilly about Aaron as though he wasn't even there.
Logan takes a deep breath, realizing where Aaron's going with this. Aaron confesses that he probably shouldn't have left Lilly with Duncan, but he panicked. As crazy as Duncan was getting, Aaron never would have imagined him -- And here the prosecutor objects. Lavoie fakes an apology and asks if that was the last time Aaron saw Lilly. It was.
Outside the courthouse, the press and Aaron's (idiot) fans are gathered, waving their pink heart-decorated "We Love You Aaron" banners and signs. Keith and Veronica walk away from the courthouse, ignoring the spectators (as they should be ignored). Veronica is bitter that it appears if you're handsome and famous enough you can just lie under oath and it's cool. Keith explains that it's all about the tapes now because the Oscar with Duncan's hair is going to create doubt in the jurors' minds. If Veronica and Logan can convince the jury that they saw Aaron having sex with Lilly, they'll convict him.
Keith warns Veronica to keep herself in check when she's testifying because Aaron's lawyer will do everything he can to rile her. Veronica shrugs and smiles because she's unrileable; in fact "Easy-Going Veronica Mars" is what the kids at school call her. Not at all convinced, Keith asks if she's sure she doesn't want to go over her testimony again. She's not interested, but she does know what she wants. Slowly building up a head of steam, Veronica expresses her desire to be there in court, watching Aaron at the moment the jury reads the guilty verdict. She wants to see the smirk wiped from his face as he realizes he'll never be free again.
Keith smiles lovingly at his daughter and cups her face in his hands. "Easy-Going Veronica Mars," huh? He kisses her forehead and she lets out a frustrated sigh as she realizes how riled she just got. He wraps an arm around her as they walk away, joking about how fat men are sometimes called Tiny. (And bald men are sometimes called Curly, but that's another story.)
Later that day, a guard escorts Aaron to the prison visiting room. He sits down, picks up the phone and motions to Logan, on the other side of the protective glass, to do the same. He picks up the receiver and Aaron greets his son. Logan suggests that if he'd given Lilly the performance he just gave in court, she might have given him the Oscar. Aaron explains that he wanted to talk to Logan before he testifies. Now playing the role of the concerned father, he suggests that it's in Logan's best interest if he doesn't tell the D.A. what he saw on the video tapes.
Logan smiles wryly and asks if it's supposed to be in his best interest because he wants so desperately to have Aaron free so they can be a family again. Aaron insists there is no reason that Logan should be convicted of destroying state's evidence, a felony, when Aaron's going to win his case anyway. Logan sarcastically points out how Aaron is always looking out for him and thanks him for the advice. Aaron can see he hasn't convinced him. Logan pauses, stares at Aaron moment, and leaves, throwing a little wave at Aaron as he goes.
Back in the courtroom, Veronica is sworn in and seated on the witness stand. Mr. Lavoie states that Veronica finds wealth and fame seductive, doesn't she? The prosecutor objects and Lavoie willingly backs up to clarify that her past two boyfriends, Duncan Kane and Logan Echolls, certainly fit that description. Veronica concedes that they do, as Logan and Lamb listen.
Veronica then agrees to Lavoie's claims that Lilly Kane was her best friend and that she looked up to her. When it's suggested that she emulated Lilly, Veronica agrees that to a degree she did. Lavoie then asks if her desire to emulate Lilly was why she propositioned Aaron upon discovering the tape of him and Lilly kissing. Keith glares daggers at the bag of Aaron's smug head. (Unfortunately, they were only figurative daggers.) Veronica looks pointedly at Aaron and asks if he means the tape of the naked kissing with Aaron on top gyrating. Aaron shakes his head in feigned disbelief.
Lavoie asserts that Veronica watched the tape, found Aaron at the Kane party and told him she'd give him back the tapes if he "earned" them. Veronica calmly replies that she said no such thing and didn't proposition him. He hid in the back seat of her car. Lavoie, this year's Oscar winner for Best Supporting Liar in a Scumbag role, pauses for dramatic effect, to clean his glasses. He sighs and asks her how old she is and upon hearing that she's eighteen, he informs the courtroom that she is currently completing treatment for a sexually transmitted disease.
Veronica is taken aback, the prosecution objects and the frickin' judge allows it. (And I once again shout expletives at the television.) Keith is visibly tense as Veronica pauses before answering the question. Not wishing for Lavoie to repeat himself, Veronica testifies to the jury that she has completed the treatment.
Keith waits outside the courtroom, as people are exiting. Veronica, hugging herself uncomfortably, comes out and awkwardly approaches him. He's not looking at her just yet, but asks if she's okay. She says she is. He clarifies that he means he wants to know if she's okay, if everything is okay? She's horrified, but nods that she's fine. He puts an arm around her and they walk out past Lamb who does an admirable impression of a smirking jackass.
In court, another day, it's Keith's turn on the witness stand. He testifies about the night in question - Veronica not showing up, driving out to find her abandoned car, hearing a commotion in the back of a nearby house, looking for her and getting jumped. Lavoie reminds him that Mr. Echolls testified that Veronica lost control of the car and crashed, and then she and Aaron knocked on the door of the nearby house and asked the owner to call a tow truck. Aaron and Veronica then waited on the man's porch.
Veronica looks disgusted as Lavoie contends that Keith arrived and upon seeing his daughter in a "compromising position" started the physical altercation with Aaron - a version of events that has been confirmed by the house's occupant. At this bit of information, the prosecutor objects, saying that the homeowner has disappeared and has never been questioned by the prosecution, despite being subpoenaed. The objection is sustained.
Lavoie takes another approach - does Veronica ever lie to Keith? And other than an occasional fib, would Keith say he has a close relationship with his daughter? Keith says they're very close. So, Lavoie continues, Keith would expect to hear the truth on the "big issues." Keith looks at his daughter and then testifies that he would. Lavoie picks up a folder and asks if Keith is aware that Veronica was caught breaking in to the home of Stewart and Rose Manning. Veronica closes her eyes, cringing.
No, Keith wasn't aware of that. Veronica was also named in a disciplinary file for manipulating her way in to the records room while Deputy Leo D'Amato was on duty. Did Keith know this? Keith, starting to lose his cool, points out that Lavoie wouldn't be asking him if he thought he knew about that. Then when asked, Keith tells the court that Veronica did have a personal relationship with Leo; she dated him.
The attorney goes on to discuss Keith's investigation into the stolen Echolls tapes. Keith's report suggested that Logan procured the tapes due to D'Amato's negligence. As Logan fidgets uncomfortably in his seat, Keith confirms this. Lavoie theorizes that it stands to reason that Veronica, who had Leo wrapped around her finger, manipulated him in whatever manner pretty young girls use to manipulate older men. Once again. Veronica is appalled and Keith, nearing the danger point, warns Lavoie to be careful.
Ignoring the warning, Lavoie explains that Veronica knew the tapes didn't show what she said they did, so she convinced one "boyfriend" (air quotes) to give them to another "boyfriend" (more air quotes) who she knew would destroy them, thus deflecting blame from another "boyfriend" (more frickin' air quotes), Duncan Kane! Suddenly, Keith grabs Lavoie's tie and yanks him forward, leaning in to speak into his ear, startling Veronica and the rest of the courtroom. "Any more air quotes and I'll break those fingers off!" Keith tells him before letting him go. The judge calls the bailiff to remove Keith from the stand, but Lavoie waves him off and tells the judge he's fine. As Lavoie excuses him, Keith looks down, defeated.
Different day, same trial. Logan testifies that it was just fuzz he saw at first. Leaning forward and holding the microphone closer, he explains that he means it was static. Then he saw Lilly, wearing only her bra, sitting on top of someone, writhing. Veronica sympathetically watches from her seat. Logan says that at first he couldn't see who it was with Lilly, but then they rolled over and he saw his father.
Aaron stares at his son, intently. Logan pauses, glances at the jury, then continues to describe the tapes. His father climbed on top of Lilly and continued to have sex with her. Aaron looks disappointed. Logan adds on that Aaron actually smiled at the camera a couple of times. Lavoie and Aaron exchange a look before the prosecutor asks Logan if he's certain they were having sex. He is. She has no further questions, so turns him over to the defense. Lavoie asks Logan if he is aware that destroying the tapes, as he claimed he did, is a felony. Logan is. Was he granted immunity in exchange for his testimony? Looking pointedly at Aaron, Logan says that yes, he was granted immunity. Lavoie has no further questions.
Some time later, at the Sheriff's Department, Lamb is talking to Keith when Sacks walks up and announces that the jury has reached a verdict. In the courtroom, the judge and everyone is seated, as the jury foreman is asked if they've reached a verdict. She says they have.
Veronica stares at Aaron and Logan seemingly holds his breath as the foreman prepares to read the verdict: On the count of murder in the second degree, the jury finds the defendant not guilty. Cheers of surprise ring out. Keith closes his eyes in defeat. On the count of aggravated assault not guilty. More cheers. Veronica's face is one of stunned horror. On the count of statutory rape ... not guilty.
Veronica's crushed as people cheer. Lavoie and Aaron hug, jubilant in their victory, as Logan sits devastated. Veronica stares at Aaron with horror and disgust as people congratulate and embrace him. Eventually, Aaron turns and stares triumphantly and menacingly at Veronica. She closes her eyes in despair, trying desperately not to break down.
- Lucky's email addresses he used to contact Woody:
- As Veronica walks across the quad to return to her lunch table and her enormous pile of study materials, a shot rings out. And then another, and another. People are screaming and ducking, running away as fast as their legs will carry them, and the shots continue to be fired. Across the way Veronica sees Lucky, bearing a pistol and a bad attitude, climb atop one of the lunch tables.
Veronica spots Gia doing her best deer in the headlights impersonation, standing out in the open all but asking to get shot. Playing heroine yet again, Veronica grabs Gia and pushes her to the ground under cover of one of the lunch tables. Guess Gia's gonna have to bake a few more cupcakes.
Lucky starts his predictably psycho rant about how all of the students are running like animals -- glossing over the fact that they are acting that way because he's SHOOTING AT THEM. He makes noise about how messy things are and chucks a container of milk at some poor random extra. Lucky then goes on to whine about the fact that someone's gonna have to clean up the mess, but not him, because he got fired. I'm thinking that if the gun was a bid for sympathy, he's even crazier than we thought.
Lucky continues his woe-is-me rant by saying that although he's good enough to drive an armored transport truck through Tikrit, but not good enough to polish the floors at old Neptune High. Just venturing a guess here, but I think that might have something to do with the fact that in Tikrit, wielding a gun makes you a good soldier whereas gunplay at high schools is generally frowned upon. I'm just sayin'.
Lucky continues to babble and drool some more before bringing his crazy into focus a little and asking where his girl G-G-G-Gia is. And now I have the disturbing image of Gia growing grass on her head and calling it a fashion statement running around in my head. Thanks, Lucky.
Jackie, in a moment of either extreme bravery or sheer stupidity (seeing as how she's only a few feet away from crazy Lucky) opens her cell phone and starts to dial. Lucky, as I'm sure you guessed, is not pleased by this development. Lucky continues to give the weather with his news when he spits all over Jackie when asking her who she's calling. Jackie is understandably freaked out at being the center of Lucky's attention and begins to cry that she's sorry and wasn't calling anyone as Wallace looks on from across the quad in horror.
All of the sudden, a body comes flying through the air and knocks Lucky right off the table. It's a bird, it's a plane, it's SUPER WALLACE! In a moment of either extreme bravery or sheer stupidity, Wallace has taken Lucky down in a flying tackle that makes coach wonder if he shouldn't have tried to recruit Wallace for the football team too. The two go rolling over a short wall and land on the concrete, and Lucky loses control of the gun.
Wallace and Lucky continue to wrestle but Lucky, perhaps due to his military training, manages to quickly get the upper hand and throw Wallace to the side. Before Wallace can roll over and get to his feet, Lucky has the gun back in his hands and stands over Wallace. He takes the gun in both hands, takes careful aim at Wallace's chest, and pulls the trigger as we, along with Veronica, look on in horror with our hearts in our throats.
We flash back to Wallace who, rather than bleeding from an open chest wound, is still laying in tact on the ground. "Surprise!" Lucky says with fiendish glee, making me wish I could dive through the TV screen and personally beat the shit out of him for making us think, for even a moment, that the world was about to become a lonelier place for us and for Veronica.
Before anyone can fully process these events, another shot rings out stopping Lucky's laughter abruptly. His face goes slack and then so does his body and he slumps to the ground. As Lucky's body slips from view, a school security officer is revealed standing with his gun raised and aimed at the precise spot where Lucky had been standing only moments before. The blood on the back of Lucky's jacket and the vacant stare in his eyes let us know that Lucky isn't so Lucky -- or alive -- anymore.
In light of the shooting at the high school, the Woodster is giving a press conference on the front steps of what I'm assuming is City Hall. He tells the gaggle of reporters and camera men that Thomas Dehannick (although Logan said his last name was Dolinik in I Am God), a.k.a. Lucky, was a very disturbed young man who, the Sheriff's department has informed him, has just returned from a tour in Iraq.
Woody answers several questions and confirms that the gun Lucky was brandishing was filled with blanks, and that although he was arrested for stalking the Goodman family, Woody's only relationship with Lucky was years before when Lucky was a bat boy for the Sharks. Woody goes on to say, with the most ridiculously fake sympathy I've seen on a politician in ages, that the Sharks had to let Lucky go because several players complained about his job performance. *cough*bullshit*cough*
We pull back into the Mars family living room where Veronica and Keith are watching as Woody finishes the conference by stating that he doesn't know if Lucky was really there looking for Gia, and doubts that the world will ever understand Lucky's troubled mind. Veronica and I seem to be getting the same readings on our bullshit-o-meters as she comments that you can actually see his eyes turning brown.
Keith tells Veronica that he got into Lucky's apartment and found a bunch of emails that Lucky sent to Woody from a bunch of different email accounts. Unfortunately, the emails didn't really tell Keith anything. Some had attachments, but Keith couldn't access them because Lucky had already trashed the original files. Keith is pretty certain he can access the emails at Woody's.
Veronica is a bit skeptical on this point because why would Woody keep around a bunch of threatening or potentially incriminating emails? Keith gives Veronica a spiel about how emails are held on a server but not refreshed from terminal to terminal in a networked system blah, blah, blah. The long and short of it is that Keith thinks he might find some of these emails if he can log on to one of the seldom used computers in the Goodman home.
Keith smirks over his peanut butter sandwich that he can do this because he's got Woody's password -- he looked over the Woodster's shoulder once when he was logging on to his home computer. Veronica snarks that people should know better than to log on with a Mars around and Keith continues to preen over his P.I. prowess. He tells Veronica that he's going in the following night because Woody and the whole family will be attending a Sharks team award dinner, leaving the house perfectly empty.
Not so fast there daddy-o. Veronica rains on Keith's parade when she tells him that unfortunately, Gia will be home with her favorite study buddy prepping for finals. Keith, knowing exactly where this is going, gives his token "Veronica" protest. Veronica argues that there's no point in him breaking in when she's already been invited in. Plus, if it came down to it, she knows that they both know that she could take Gia. Veronica, not to burst your bubble, but that isn't really saying much.
Veronica demands the password, and Keith, as expected, caves. He slaps her outstretched hand and tells her he's sure she won't have any problem remembering it because Woody's password is Mr. GoodWood. Um, ewwwww. And now I have another disturbing image running around in my head, but I can't bring myself to share it. Just -- ewwww. Can someone pass the bleach?
Veronica and Gia are studying at the Goodman house and Veronica suggests that they take an online practice test to see how much they've learned. As Gia whines about her only 900 something friends on MySpace, Veronica does one of her worst fake-outs ever and tells Gia that her laptop just froze. Seriously, it was like she was trying to see exactly how little she could do and still get one by Gia. The answer? Disturbingly little. Veronica asks if there is another computer in the house that she could use. Gia tells her to use the one in the guest room.
Veronica heads into the guest room and leaves the door cracked open before making her way to the computer station. She pulls up Woody's email account and begins searching for emails from any of Lucky's accounts. She finds quite a few and begins forwarding the files to her dad. One in particular, with the subject line "Kill incorporation or else," catches her eye. She opens the email and finds only an audio file, which she plays.
What begins to play is a conversation between two unidentified young men with some garbled sounds in the background. The first guy emphatically states that they have to tell everyone what Woody did to the three of them. He goes on to say that these kinds of things don't stay secret and that he's pretty sure a couple of the Sharks know something and would come forward. The other guy agrees, and they continue discussing what a pervert Woody is, and how what he did was wrong because they were just kids. And the disturbing images just keep on coming tonight.
Veronica is clearly shaken by this information and struggles to calmly forward this most important email to Keith before she runs out of time. As she clicks "send" on the email, Woody appears in the doorway and asks Veronica what she's doing in there. She gives him her cover story about the practice test and Woody pretends to believe her, and gives her the old my house is your house bit. As he approaches, the file finally finishes transferring and Veronica changes the screen just in the nick of time.
Woody leans over the desk and asks, rather creepily, how it worked out for her. Veronica, still shaken, seems confused by his question. Woody clarifies that he wonders how she did on the practice test -- is she as smart as she thinks she is? Oh yes, dirty Woody, she is. As you are about to learn the hard way, Veronica Mars is smarter than you.
Veronica excuses herself and all but runs out of the room. When she reaches the dining room, Gia has disappeared. Veronica quickly begins to gather up her stuff when Gia reappears with bowls of ice cream to fuel the rest of their study session. As Veronica makes her lame excuses about bad headaches, Woody appears in the hallway and leans against the wall, hiding a bit in the shadows. He calls out that it's the computer screen that did it -- all that squinting. Veronica refuses to turn and face him and instead says her goodbyes and heads for the rectangle with the knob like her ass was on fire.
Back at chez Mars, Keith and Veronica are listening to the conversation again, trying to distinguish the noises in the background. Keith speculates that since one of the guys makes reference to the "three of them," perhaps the gaps in the audio are a third person that was edited out of the conversation. They muse over the mentions of the Sharks, and Keith speculates that whatever happened, happened when Lucky met Woody as a bat boy for the ball club.
Unfortunately, Lucky's emails don't give any more details or mention anything about being abused or molested by Woody. Keith tells Veronica that most of it was stream of consciousness (read: kooky psycho babble) stuff about war and the life of a soldier. Veronica offers to help Keith figure out what Lucky's emails mean, but Keith encourages Veronica to go to bed because she's got a big day tomorrow.
The following afternoon at the Mars Investigations office, Keith is on the phone trying to track down a Rick Pickett with absolutely no luck. Keith, in utter frustration, sarcastically asks Veronica if she'll grab a flight to New York, swing by NYU and find out if Rick Pickett was one of the bat-boys that Woody molested. Veronica's only reply is that he knows she doesn't fly coach. Heee!
Keith tells Veronica that there were three other bat boys the year Lucky worked for the Sharks. Of those three, two are away at college and one is backpacking through Europe. Veronica isn't having any more luck deciphering Lucky's emails. Keith grabs one and reads a portion of his crazy ramblings aloud, and wonders why Veronica can't make sense of phrases like "time is the timeliness of the present." There's more crazy stuff about finding presents before they find Woody and Veronica has a light bulb. She tells Keith that in his crazy rant in the janitor's closet at school, Lucky called roadside bombs left by the insurgents as "presents."
Keith, being a bigger man than most, goes to visit Woody at his office to warn him that Lucky may have planted bombs at his home. He goes on to tell Woody about the hints Lucky left in his emails in an effort to get Woody to take him seriously. Woody expresses faux surprise that Keith has had access to these emails, and then has a faux light bulb that Veronica was the one that retrieved the emails from his computer.
Woody makes the comment that most people don't get their children to do espionage. Keith blasts back that most people keep their hands off of other people's children. Burn! Woody gets all dark and angry and tells Keith that he should leave. Keith tells Woody that he's read the emails and this is clearly more than a bat-boy disgruntled over being let go.
Woody tells Keith that if he shares his 'theories' and slanders him, Woody will ruin his life, ruin his family -- and he's a more than a little scary. But hey, Woody, Keith's been there, done that AND bought the t-shirt. Keith, without raising an eyebrow or his voice, calmly tells Woody that he's not a 15 year old boy and Woody doesn't scare him. In the face of real strength and power, Woody's bravado begins to falter. Keith, knowing he's made his point, turns and leaves.
At school, Veronica gathers her courage and approaches her epic love for the first real conversation since tragedy struck at the Neptune Grand the morning after alterna-prom. They banter sweetly, if hesitantly, about Aaron's trial and Veronica wonders if she can ask Logan a question. He leans adorably against his locker and muses that it isn't like her to approach him to ask a random question, while we struggle to focus on what he's saying because his flexed guns are so distracting. Veronica smiles self-deprecatingly and asks if Lucky ever mentioned Woody Goodman.
Logan thinks for a moment and says no, but that there was a weird baseball-related incident last summer. We flash back to Logan popping into the janitor's closet where he finds Lucky standing in a stationary tub wearing a catcher's mask and pants (but no shirt) and is pouring Clorox over his feet -- because he thinks he has gangrene. Logan, in typical Logan fashion, barely blinks and tells Lucky that he needs a keg delivered to the beach that night. Lucky continues to ramble about how "they" are "doing something" to him.
Back in the present, Veronica is incredulous that Lucky was actually wearing a catcher's mask. Logan, looking super hot, was apparently more disturbed by the foot bleaching. Logan goes on to tell Veronica that Lucky would wear the mask whenever they were "going into battle," but that he thought it was merely an affectation. He turns away from Veronica with a sad expression that hints at all of the things that we know he wants to say, but won't.
Veronica arrives home that night and tells Keith that she did a little digging without getting into danger, breaking any laws, and while at school so he knew where she was the whole time. Honest. Keith decides not to engage in a fight about Veronica's secretive and less-than-honest behavior and instead focuses on what she found out.
Veronica tells Keith about her conversation with Logan and his summer flashback of Lucky. Keith is particularly interested in the catcher's mask, and clearly for more than the general baseball associations. Keith runs over to his laptop and pulls up the surveillance video from Woody's house and points out to Veronica that the wall in the dining room is a huge mural of a guy in a catcher's mask.
While Keith calls the Sheriff's department about this latest development to encourage them to get the bomb squad over to the Goodman home, Veronica reviews the video again and wonders why the camera man chose to shoot footage of the wall in the hallway. She rewinds and looks closer at the photographs and realizes that Woody's little league team was also called the Sharks. And she also clearly notices something else.
Veronica beckons Keith over and shows him the little league photo and points out that two of the team members in that picture are Marcos Oliveres and Peter Ferrer. For those who haven't been keeping score, both Marcos and Peter were on the bus that fateful day in September and perished in the bus crash.
We next see the Goodman family out on the street in their pajamas, waiting as the Sheriff's department and the bomb squad apparently go over their house and possessions with a fine-tooth comb. Lamb approaches Woody and tells him that although the house was clean, they found a bomb under Woody's car -- Woody's stalker clearly meant business.
Keith and Veronica go to Lamb's office the next day to play him the audio clip from Lucky's email, in an effort to convince Lamb that Mr. GoodWood is, in fact, up to no good. Keith stops the clip and tells Lamb that the voices he is hearing belong to Marcos and Peter. Veronica tells Lamb that she confirmed Peter's voice with Mr. Wu (Woo woo woo Mr. Wu!) and that she has recordings of Marcos from his radio show for comparison. Keith tells Lamb that Marcos and Peter were planning to come forward about being molested, and that he thinks Woody planted a bomb on the bus to kill them.
Lamb, exhibiting his typical jackassery, thinks it's unlikely because the same kind of bomb was found under Woody's car. Then he says the words I'm sure he never thought he'd say: Keith was right. He thought Lucky planted a bomb and he did. Lamb goes on to say that Lucky left early on the day of the crash, implying that he was somehow involved. We roll our eyes right along with Keith over that one.
Lamb goes on to say that he thinks the real story is that Keith is trying to get Lamb to arrest Woody and make a fool of himself. Keith, barely controlling his fury, asks if Lamb's ego is really that big that he is going to make the deaths of eight people all about him. (Go Keith! Go Keith!) Keith then ups the ante and rages at Lamb that if he doesn't act on this, Woody is going to use all of his considerable resources and flee. In which case, Lamb's not going to be a laughing stock, he's going to be the guy that let a child molester and murderer get away. And the crowd goes wild!
Keith comes back to the station later that day with important evidence for Lamb. He tells Lamb that Lucky wasn't at work the day of the crash because he was in a padded cell. Apparently, while the bus was headed over the cliff, Lucky was a guest at a local VA hospital. Lamb finally caves and tells Keith they'll pick Woody up.
Later at the court house, Lamb tells Keith that when they went to pick Woody up, he was gone. Shocker! Apparently the Woodster and family took the Goodman family private plane and disappeared. There's no flight plan on file and no one knows where they have disappeared to. I commend Keith for his maturity here because I would not have been able to refrain from a whole lot of "I told you so dumbass!" right up in Lamb's face.
- Jackie and her dad share a brief visit at the hospital where she regales him with tales of Wallace's bravery in the face of a gun-toting psycho ex-janitor. Terrance, although glad that Wallace and Jackie are safe, is frustrated with the whole situation. He feels like he should be the one protecting Jackie, but instead he's made her life a circus. Jackie blows him off and tells him that it's just the painkillers talking because her life is the best it has ever been.
At the court house, Sachs grabs Lamb in the hallway and tells him that Judge Ferris wants to see him ASAP. Upon entering the Judge's chambers, Sachs finds Judge Ferris yukking it up with three gentleman, one of whom we recognize as Mr. Lobo, the owner of the casino Terrance was gambling in at the time of the bus crash. Long story short, Mr. Lobo's had a miraculous memory flash and has realized that Terrance was with him at the time of the crash, so he couldn't be responsible for the accident. Lamb is clearly not pleased by this turn of events, but the Judge makes it clear that he expects Lamb to act on this information immediately.
Jackie and Wallace have just arrived at the Cook home and Jackie's planning to make dinner. As Wallace tries to convince Jackie that dinner will be so much better if she's wearing some frilly apron - the "and not much else" is implied - we hear a door and the dulcet tones of HotDad Terrance calling from the foyer. Jackie runs and embraces her dad who tells her that he's been released.
As Jackie and Terrance renew their bond in the kitchen, Wallace tries to graciously excuse himself for the evening so that Jackie and her dad can catch up. Jackie stops him and tells him she wants to spend the evening with her two favorite men. At that moment, the bell rings and Jackie theorizes that it must be the delivery of the first "I knew you were innocent all along" gift baskets.
Jackie opens the door and finds Mr. Lobo, and no gift basket in sight. Wallace tells Jackie to come with him to the kitchen so they can work on dinner and let Terrance and Lobo talk. Terrance doesn't thank Lobo as Lobo thinks he should, but assures him that he'll repay his debts as soon as he's back on his feet. Lobo has other ideas. He considers his testimony as Terrance's alibi a business investment because from now on, Terrance will be working for him, glad-handing and welcoming people to Lobo's casino's as his own personal celebrity ambassador.
The next morning, Jackie's eating breakfast when Terrance comes home (looking supa-fine in a white linen suit) after a very late evening. She teases that he's entitled to a few nights of debauchery after his incarceration. Terrance, not feeling quite so jovial, tells her that he was working. Jackie tries to ask about the job, what he's doing, and when his day off is, but Terrance keeps shutting her down. Jackie tells him not to worry because they aren't pressed for time.
She then tells him that she's decided not to go to Paris, at least for a semester. Terrance bites out that he doesn't think that's a good idea. He's going to be working all the time and traveling a lot. She tries to say that she doesn't mind, but he cuts her off and tells her it will be better for both of them if she just goes to France. Jackie, clearly upset, simply nods quietly. And now I'm about to say something I never thought I would: Poor Jackie. Poor, poor, poor Jackie. Terrance, you may be hot, but you suck in the dad department.
- While Weevil is doing his best to pass his algebra final and graduate, a young mother visits the Sheriff's department with her two kids in tow. She shows Sachs the newspaper article about Thumper's death and tells him that the night he disappeared, her boys saw someone attack him. Lamb comes over and gets the scoop on the situation, and asks the boys if they feel like looking at some pictures.
As Weevil is learning that he got his B on the final and will be able to fulfill his promise to his grandmother, the two young boys are flipping through mug shots. One of the boys points to Eli's mug shot, literally fingering him for the crime. Lamb grins an evil grin.
- Logan coming upon Lucky (in catcher's mask) bleaching his foot. (Read detailed breakdown.)
"Lost and Found" (Adrienne Pierce)
Scene: Nostalgic Wallace with BFF, Veronica Mars. Sniff, sniff ... "Iit was worth it getting taped to a pole." Sniff, sniff. Yes, it was, Wallace. Yes, it was. Awwww.
LoVe Lines
Veronica Mars Voiceover: (Walking towards Logan at his locker.) After a week of forced smiles and the occasional, "Hey," it's time for business as usual. Ain't epic love grand?
Veronica: Been to any good murder trials lately?
Logan: Uh I have. You give an excellent testimony, by the way. (She shrugs.) It was gripping.
Veronica: I want to ask you about something.
Logan: How unlike you. You never come to me out of the blue with some random question.
Veronica: (About Lucky.) He was wearing a catcher's mask? Really?
Logan: And I thought the weird part was the foot-bleaching. You know, he'd wear the catcher's mask a lot. Whenever we were 'going into battle.' I thought it was an affectation.
Quotable Quotes
Keith: Easy going Veronica Mars, huh? (Putting his arm around Veronica as they walk away.) You know how fat men are sometimes called Tiny?
Veronica: Do you know how long I've wanted to go to Stanford?
Wallace: Since middle school?
Veronica: Elementary, my dear Wallace. (Pausing as Jackie and Wallace laugh.) Do you have any idea how long I've waited to say that?
Veronica: (to Keith about Woody's press conference.) Look at that. His eyes are turning brown.
Keith: I'm thinking about getting you some sort of giant hamster ball so you can roll everywhere in this protective sphere.
Veronica: (Shaking her head.) It'd just draw attention to me. Nobody likes a blonde in a hamster ball.
Keith: Veronica.
Veronica: What? Why should you break in when I'm invited? Woody will be at the dinner, and we both know if it came down to it? (Veronica does her best Rocky impression.) I could take Gia.
Logan: (To Aaron.) You know, if you would've given Lilly the performance that you gave today, she might have given you the Oscar.
Veronica: They keyed the wrong car? How's Amber gonna know that she's a bitch?
Hart: Hey Veronica.
Veronica: (Clearly confused.) Hey ... you.
Hart: Hart. I haven't said a thing. (Miming zipping his lips.)
Veronica: (Looking even more confused.) Good for you.
Judge Ferris: There's been a development, Sheriff. It seems Mr. Lobo here was struck by a bolt of lightning.
Lamb: What, that he could cash old ladies' social security checks himself and get rid of the slot machines?
Beaver: Yeah, okay, look, so you know quadratic equations, right?
Weevil: Do I look like someone who knows quadratic equations?
Beaver: Okay, okay. So let's say that you and your buddy, you want to buy a 12-pack of a certain item. Say like, spark plugs for x dollars. And you want to find out how many of another item, like, um, I don't know, like oil, right, like oil that you can get for the same amount. Except oil, is y times as much as much as --
Weevil: If this is your idea of terms I'll understand, I'm going to kill you. Or myself. It's a toss up.
Keith: Veronica?
Veronica: Yeah?
Keith: Can you fly to New York, stop by NYU real quick, find Rick Pickett and see if he's one of the bat boys Woody molested?
Veronica: You know I don't fly coach.
Woody: (Smiling coldly.) I'll put this plainly. You are mistaken. And if you share your theories, slander me, I'll ruin you. I'll ruin your family. And you'll remember the moment you walked through that door as the moment you threw your life away.
Keith: I'm not a 15-year-old boy, Woody. You don't scare me.
Keith: (To Lavoie.) Any more air quotes and I'll break those fingers off!
Weevil: Okay, you put another 'X' on that paper and we're gonna have problem.
Mac: I'd put little smiley faces, but I don't know if that's gonna sell 'wrong.'
Beaver: What, are you saying you're smarter than me?
Mac: No, I wasn't. Here's what that would've sounded like. I'm smarter than you. Hear the difference?
Beaver: You don't really believe that.
Mac: Then why'd I get it tattooed on my hip?
Beaver: I don't know. If this is what you need to do to feel better about yourself.
Mac: (To Weevil.) If I get you an 'A', will you shiv him?
Weevil: Hey. I got an idea. How about you two geniuses go work out your aggression in some coat room and then come back here and teach me algebra, huh?
Wallace: I just took my last high school test ever. Done! Over! I'm outta here.
Veronica: And you decided to celebrate by torturing me?
Wallace: Whadda ya got? One more?
Veronica: Nothing like having your future rest on how much you know about the ascendancy rules of Babylon.
Wallace: (turning serious) Well, I gotta go clean out my locker.
Veronica: You got that salmon I left in there for ya, right?
Wallace: You better enjoy this because this is as nostalgic as I get. (Veronica looking up.) I just wanted to say, it was worth getting taped to a pole. I'm gonna miss you.
Veronica: And my stupid-ass face?
Jury Forewoman: On the count of murder in the second degree, we find the defendant not guilty. (Gasps from the crowd.) On the count of aggravated assault, we find the defendant not guilty. On the count of statutory rape, we find the defendant ... not guilty.
People Magazine's 'Sexiest Man Alive' ... (Referenced by Aaron during his testimony.)
People magazine's 'Sexiest Man Alive' issue is an annual event that features a male celebrity whose popularity hit on all cylinders the year of his choosing. The first issue featuring a sexiest man alive was in 1985 and the chosen was Mel Gibson (then 29). With the exception of 1993's 'Sexiest Couple Alive' (Richard Gere -- a single winner in 1999 -- and Cindy Crawford), this has been a yearly feature of celebrated male beauty for twenty years. Past sexiest have been Brad Pitt (the only solo two-time nominee), Denzel Washington (the only African-American chosen), Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck and the current 'Sexiest Man Alive,' Matthew McConaughey. Oh yes, one other honoree was ... Harry Hamlin (aka Aaron Echolls) in 1987.
Tween ... (Referenced by Aaron during his testimony.)
'Tween' became a pop-culture reference during the late 20th early 21st century to describe children in the pre-teen and teenage years, usually between the ages of 8 and 12. Some sources references the 'tween' years as the period between childhood and adulthood and is used to describe any person under the age of 30. To add further confusion, some educators and parents use 'tween' or 'tweenie' to describe children who are in the transition between toddlerhood and childhood.
Oscar ... (Referenced by Aaron during his testimony.)
The Oscar is the common nick-name for the statuette given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at their annual ceremony (also commonly known as "The Oscars") for artists granted an Academy Award. The official name of the Oscar statuette is the Academy Award of Merit. Made of gold-plated britannium on a black marble base, it is 13.5 inches (34 cm) tall, weighs 8.5 lb (3.85 kg) and depicts a knight holding a crusader's sword standing on a reel of film with five spokes, signifying the original branches of the Academy: Actors, Writers, Directors, Producers and Technicians. Its heft and easy to grasp design make it the perfect faux murder weapon for an aging Hollywood icon trying to beat a murder rap.
The origin of the nick-name "Oscar" is contested, but there are two popular theories. One story claims that Bette Davis named the Oscar after her first husband, bandleader Harmon Oscar Nelson. The other claims that the nick-name originated with the Academy's Executive Secretary, Margaret Herrick, who first saw the award in 1931 and made reference of the statuette reminding her of her Uncle Oscar. Columnist Sidney Skolsky was present during Herrick's naming and seized the name in his byline, "Employees have affectionately dubbed their famous statuette 'Oscar'." However it came to be, The Oscar represents the pinnacle of achievement in motion pictures. Or, if you live in Rob Thomas' world, the pinnacle of sloppy and crappy (if not convenient) red-herring plot devices.
Flashcards... (Referenced by Gia to Veronica about studying together.)
Flashcards are pieces of paper (cards) that are used as a learning aid. The purpose of using flashcards is memorization. One writes a question on each card (and an answer overleaf), tests themselves using the cards, and sorts the cards into groups as he or she learns, according to performance. This strategy makes selective learning possible. That is: The more difficult the flashcards in a group, the more often one reviews that group. The result is, ideally, a reduction in the amount of study time needed. This method was proposed by the German psychologist Sebastian Leitner in the 1970s.
Some people have suggested that Season 2 of Veronica Mars has been too complicated and difficult to follow so perhaps a set of flashcards should be included in the new Season 2 DVD sets.
They could include a character set of flashcards:
Stanford University is a University located in Stanford, California. This institution is known for its strong academic programs and highly competitive admissions process. Nearly 75% of students enrolled in the university attained a score of 700 or better on both the verbal and mathematical portions of the SAT exam. That said, only about 13% of applicants to Stanford are actually admitted. Perhaps more daunting than the rigorous academic barriers facing Stanford hopefuls are the financial ones. Tuition and room and board cost almost $40,000 a year.
Elementary, Dear Wallace ... (Referenced by Veronica to Wallace in the quad as a phrase she's waited some time to say.)
"Elementary, my dear Watson" is a phrase associated with that most famous of literary detectives, Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective of the late 19th and early 20th centuries who made his first published appearance in 1887. He was created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes, like our favorite girl detective, is best known for his uncanny ability to use logic and his powers of observation to solve cases. How I wish our favorite girl detective could apply these super powers to solving the mystery of her love life. Because in that area, I think we can all agree, the girl wonder is pretty clueless.
Sherlock Holmes was featured in four novels and fifty-six short stories by Conan Doyle. Almost all were narrated by Holmes' friend and biographer, Dr. John H. Watson, with the exception of two narrated by Holmes himself and two more written in the third person. The phrase is associated with the moment in each story when Holmes reveals the solution to the mystery by explaining to Watson (and other characters of the tale) that the answer was "elementary" if you carefully reviewed the facts of the case. In Neptune, California this reveal is better known as the "Veronica Mars is smarter than me" moment.
Despite appearing in Edith Meiser's scripts for The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes radio series, it is interesting to note that the complete phrase, "Elementary, my dear Watson" does not appear in any of the sixty Holmes stories written by Conan Doyle. Separately, readers could expect to hear Holmes refer to his deductions as "elementary" and Dr. Watson as "My dear Watson." It does, however, appear at the very end of the 1929 film, The Return of Sherlock Holmes, the first Sherlock Holmes sound film.
France ... (Referenced by Wallace to Jackie during their quad discussion about finals.)
France, officially the French Republic, has a population of over 60 million inhabitants, making it the second most populous country in Western Europe (after Germany). France is bordered by the English Channel to the north, the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay to the west, Spain and Andorra to the south-west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, Switzerland and Italy to the south-east, and Germany, Luxembourg, and Belgium to the north-east.
The natural land frontiers are the Pyrenees, along the border with Spain; the Jura Mountains and the Alps, along the border with Switzerland and Italy; and the Rhine River, which is part of the border with Germany. The name France originates from the Franks, a Germanic tribe that occupied the region after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. More precisely, the region around Paris, called le-de-France, was the original French royal demesne.
The French Republic is a democracy which is organized as a unitary semi-presidential republic. The current president is Jacque Chirac, and the Prime Minister is Dominique de Villepen. It is a highly developed country with the fifth-largest economy in the world in 2005. Its main ideals are expressed in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, one of the fundamental documents of the French Revolution, defining a set of individual rights and collective rights of the people, and is similar in purpose to our own Constitution. The country's motto is "Libert, galit, Fraternit" or "Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood" in English. "La Marseillaise" is the National Anthem.
France's capital and largest city is Paris, home to several famous monuments including The Eiffel Tower and The Arc de Triomphe, along with the world's most famous art museum, The Louvre. France is also home to The Tour de France, the most famous long-distance bicycle ride in the world. France is widely known for its food and wine, as well as for art, fashion and culture. It is the birthplace of both champagne and Haute Couture, and is often thought to be one of the most romantic places in the world.
Tikrit ... (Referenced as to where Lucky was stationed in Iraq.)
Tikrit is a town in Iraq, located 140 km northwest of Baghdad on the Tigris river. The town, with an estimated population (according to a 2002 census) of about 28,900, is the administrative centre of the province of Salah ad Din, a governorate (or subnational entity) in Iraq. The province is named after Saladin, an ethnic Kurd and hero of the 12th century. Salahuddin province is a variant version of the province's name.
Snake [River] Canyon ... (Referenced by Lucky as he asks if anyone wants to go there because he's thinking of jumping it.)
Known for having some of the best white-water rafting in the United States, Snake River Canyon is formed by the Snake and Greys Rivers at the border between Idaho and Wyoming. The Perrine Bridge spans the canyon at Twin Falls, Idaho.
In 1974, stuntman Evel Knievel attempted to jump the canyon while riding the X-1 Skycycle rocket. The stunt failed during the launch when the parachute deployed early.
Chia Pets (G-G-G-Gia) ... (Referenced by Lucky while calling out to Gia during the shoot-out.)
"Ch-ch-ch-chia!" is one of the most unfortunately catchy, stick-in-your-head-all-day commercial jingles of all time. It is used to market Chia Pets, collectible animal figurines first manufactured and sold in 1982 by San Francisco-based Joseph Enterprises, Inc.
Moistened chia seeds (Salvia Columbariae) are placed into small grooves in a hollow clay figurine, then after three to five days of filling the Pet with water, the seeds produce a thick gel-like paste which binds the seeds to the clay. The seeds sprout over the Pet's body, giving the appearance of fur or hair.
The first Chia Pet sold was in the shape of a ram, but the line of figurines currently includes a Bunny, Frog, Hippo, Kitten, Pig, Puppy, Turtle, Professor, a Chia Kid (pictured below) and various cartoon characters from Scooby Doo, The Simpsons, Looney Tunes, Garfield and Shrek.
Although the name Chia Pet is a registered trademark belonging to Joseph Enterprises, Inc. the item is not a patented invention, so other companies are free to make similar figurines. In addition to the Chia fad and the "Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia" jingle, we also have Joseph Enterprises, Inc. to thank for the Smart Clapper. "Clap On! Clap Off!"
Now, even though Gia's "interesting" hair has sometimes been a topic of discussion, I'm not certain I see the resemblance. But judge for yourselves.
Iraq ... (Referenced during Woody's press conference.)
The Republic of Iraq is a Middle Eastern country in southwestern Asia encompassing most of Mesopotamia as well as the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range and the eastern part of the Syrian Desert. It shares borders with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the west, Syria to the northwest, Turkey to the north, and Iran (Persia) to the east. Baghdad is the nation's capital. There are several suggestions for the origin of the name of Iraq; one dates back to the Sumerian city of Uruk (or Erech). Another suggestion is that Iraq comes from the Aramaic language, meaning "the land along the banks of the rivers."
Iraq was first widely introduced into the casual discussion in the United States during The Gulf War (often referred to as "Desert Storm") in 1991. Since then, the U.S. has been in and out of various battles and skirmishes with leaders and factions of religion in the country. Today, the United States (as led by the Bush Administration) is at war with Iraq with over 2,000 U.S. soldiers having already lost their lives. As to why we are at war with Iraq -- you'll have to check with our President -- his reasons vary depending on how much truthful information has made its way to the public.
Hamster Ball ... (Referenced by Veronica to Keith after watching Woody's press conference.)
Hamster Ball is both an arcade game featuring a hamster in a clear plastic ball winding it's way through fiendish courses with zany obstacles popping up every turn and an exercise ball that allows a hamster to run all over your room without you having to worry that it might get lost or be attacked by other animals. The ball protects the hamster from harm as it explores the environment.
MySpace ... (Referenced by Gia while studying for the Health final with Veronica.)
MySpace is the most popular English language social networking website in the world, beating out competitors such as LiveJournal, MSN Spaces, and Friendster, with just over 75 million registered accounts. MySpace's website offers an interactive network of blogs, user profiles, photos, groups, and an internal email system. As of March 2006, it is the world's fifth most popular English language website and the eighth most popular website in the world. MySpace has approximately 250 employees and projects a $20M revenue for 2006.
Stream of Consciousness ... (Referenced by Keith when talking to Veronica about Lucky's unfathomable e-mails.)
Stream of consciousness is essentially the mixture of all levels of awareness -- sensations, thoughts, memories, associations, reflections, etc. -- going through a person's mind at any given moment. The phrase originated in 1855 with Alexander Bain and was later made current by William James.
As a writing technique, these disjointed, varied, illogical elements of the mind are expressed by a flow of words, images, and ideas. As a literary technique, stream of consciousness was made famous by James Joyce, whose interpretation involved the removal of quotation marks, hyphens, etc., making his prose resemble that of the inner mind. Of course, it also makes it near impossible to understand, at times. Ulysses, anyone?
New York (Referenced by Keith as he jokingly asks Veronica to fly there to question Woody's former batboy.)
Officially the City of New York, New York City (also known by the initials NYC) is the highest populated city in the United States and the most densely populated major city in North America. Located in the state of New York, it has a population of over eight million in a 321 square mile radius. Overwhelmingly considered to be one of the world's major global cities, NYC is a center for international finance, fashion, entertainment, and culture with an exceptional array of museums, galleries, media outlets, performance venues, international corporations and financial markets. NYC is also the home to the United Nations headquarters.
New York City proper is made up of five boroughs: Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Manhattan. Each borough is home to at least a million people and each would be considered as some of the nation's largest cities if considered separate of the others.
Since the 1970's the city has commonly been referred to by the nickname "The Big Apple" due to a promotional campaign by the New York Convention and Visitor's Bureau, although the true origins of this alternate toponym are less clear. The city has attracted a large number of immigrants, with over a third of its population born outside of the United States. NYC also attracts people from all over the U.S. because of its culture, energy, cosmopolitan feel and economic opportunities. Currently NYC has the lowest crime rate among the nation's twenty-five largest cities.
New York University (NYU) ... (Referenced by Keith as he asks Veronica if she can fly to New York to talk to Rick Pickett, a former bat boy who is now located there.)
Founded in 1831 by Albert Gallatin and a group of prominent New Yorkers, New York University is now the largest private not-for-profit university in the United States. With fourteen schools, colleges and divisions occupying six major centers in Manhattan, as well as branch campus and research programs in other states and countries, the University has an enrollment of more than 40,000 students. The University is also one of the largest employers in New York City with over 16,000 employees.
The University motto is "perstare et praestare" (to persevere and to excel) and the official mascot is the Bobcat. Some notable alumni include Nobel Prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Neil Simon, Academy Award winner Ang Lee and VM's very own Kristen Bell, who attended but left before graduation to perform on Broadway.
Shiv ... (Referenced by Mac as she jokingly asks Weevil to "shiv" Beaver if she gets him an 'A'.)
A shiv is a slang term for a knife, or a makeshift knife-like weapon. They're usually made and used by inmates in prisons, out of any number of everyday items like a shard of glass with cloth wrapped around one end, a razorblade stuck in the end of a toothbrush, a sharpened spoon, or the like. A similar term is a "shank," which is a shiv made out of the metal shanks that used to be part of prison-issue boots. More information and photographs of various shivs can be found at this website.
Paris (Referenced by Jackie as she tells her dad she's decided not to go there.)
The capital and largest city of France, Paris is also the capital of the le-de-France rgion, as well as having the distinction of being the largest city in the world with an estimated population of 11.5 million. A leading global cultural, business and political center, the city is well known for its defining neo-classical architecture as well as its unparalleled influence in fashion and the arts. Paris has a reputation for being a "romantic" city and has held the nickname "The City of Light" (la Ville Lumire) since the 19th century.
Located on the river Seine in north central France, Paris is home to many museums, galleries, churches, and nightlife helping to make it the most visited city in the world with more than thirty million visitors a year. Paris' most recognizable symbol is the 1,063 foot Eiffel Tower on the banks of the river Seine.
The original Latin name of the city was Lutetia or Lutetia Parisiorum, which was later dropped in favor of simply Paris. The origins of the name are uncertain. It may be derived from the Gallic Parisii tribe, whose name might be from the Celtic Gallic word parios, meaning "cauldron." Paris might also be derived from Celtic language parisio meaning "the working people" or "the craftsmen."
Babylon ... (Referenced by Veronica when telling Wallace her last exam is on the ascendancy rules of Babylon.)
Babylon was the capital of Babylonia, the alluvial plain between the Euphrates and Tigris. After the fall of the Assyrian empire (612 BCE), Babylon became the capital of the ancient Near East, and King Nebuchadnezzar adorned the city with several famous buildings (including The Hanging Gardens of Babylon 1). Even when the Babylonian Empire had been conquered by the Persian king Cyrus the Great (539), Babylon remained a splendid city.
During the Hellenistic period, in 331, the Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great, who was fighting a war against the Persians, captured Babylon. Later, he intended to make the city his residence, and therefore ordered several building projects, including Etemenanki (the large temple tower in Babylon, also known as the Tower of Babel 2). Building activity related to the Esagila is mentioned in several cuneiform sources and continued as late as the early 280's, when the Seleucid crown prince Antiochus used his elephants to remove the debris. Meanwhile, the founder of the Seleucid dynasty, Seleucus Nicator, had ordered the building of a new city, Seleucia. This was meant as a Greek city, and crown prince Antiochus resettled Europeans that had been left in Babylon in Seleucia. For more than a century, Babylon remained a primarily Babylonian city. It was only Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164) who again started a Greek colonizing policy in Babylon.
A generation after the attempt by Antiochus IV Epiphanes to populate Babylon with Europeans, the Parthians conquered Babylonia (141). The city suffered, but remained an important center of learning. For example, the Babylonian astronomers known as Chaldaeans were still studying the skies, and the Akitu festival was still celebrated. Yet, it appears that the city's decline had begun. When the Roman emperor Trajan invaded Babylonia in 116-117, he was disappointed by the ruins.
1 The Gardens, built in 600 BC, were supposedly a present for Nebuchadnezzar's wife, Amyitis, who was homesick for her verdant homeland. She found the flat, sun-baked terrain of the Mesopotamia depressing and so Nebuchadnezzar tried to recreate her homeland by building an artificial mountain with rooftop gardens. (Illustrated in this painting by an unknown artist below.)
The Gardens were one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World -- a widely-known list of seven remarkable constructions of classical antiquity. The earliest known version of the list was compiled in the 2nd century BC by Antipater of Sidon.
2 The famous temple of Marduk, and its ziggurat, a temple tower of the ancient Mesopotamian valley, known as the Etemenanki, were considered to be the foundation of heaven on earth. In the creation epic Enma li, Babylon is the center of the universe, an idea that is also implied in the Biblical account of the "Tower of Babel," in which the confusion of languages is followed by people spreading all over the world out of Babylon.
Pieter Bruegel, 1563
- In the quad scene, Gia's outfit is color coordinated with the cupcakes she presents to Veronica. Wow, the things those '09er girls will do for the sake of fashion.
- Veronica's protectiveness towards Gia during Lucky's rampage.
- When Lucky's body falls to the ground, in the background you can see a banner, proclaiming: "Create Smiles. Be a Mentor."
- Nice nod to continuity with Hart making a not-so-subtle reference to keeping the secret for Veronica, the secret being the accidental recording he made of Lynn falling to her death (as shown in Mars vs. Mars, S1, Ep 14).
- What's up with the peanut butter and the Mars family? Last week, Veronica was eating peanut butter on bread while teasing Keith about the newspaper article and in this episode, Keith was eating his own peanut butter and bread while discussing the Woody situation.
- Woody referenced Lucky's real name as "Thomas Dehannick" (DOHANIC??) in this episode, but Logan called him "Tommy Dolinick" in I Am God.
- Jackie's cutesy cowgirl outfit, complete with pigtails and plaid shirt.
- In one of Lucky's emails that he sent to Woody, the email address was MisterClean221@cyberbolt.com. In I Am God, when Cervando is drawing the diagram of the killer's proximity to the bus, he says: "Hey, look he's bald." This now makes two reference to baldness, is there any significance behind this?
- Beaver's hilariously panicked expression after Weevil tells him, "If this is your idea of terms I'll understand, I'm going to kill you."
- Neither Woody nor Veronica are wearing shoes in the scenes at the Goodman house. This is a nice bit of continuity from Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner, when we learned that the house rule is for everyone, including visitors, to put their shoes in specially marked baskets.
- Rick Pickett, mentioned by Keith as one of Woody's former bat boys, is the name of Veronica Mars's graphic designer.
- The shirt (or whatever it is) on the back of the teacher's chair when Mac is helping Weevil: "I ♥ Π" (I love Pi)
- Jackie's snotty look and greeting when she opens the door to Leonard Lobo.
- Veronica's cell phone, when she gets the message about the verdict, shows the date as Jan 4, 9:37am.
- Why didn't Jake and Celeste Kane attend the trial of the man accused of murdering their daughter?
- When did Veronica discover that Logan erased the Lilly Kane tapes and what was her reaction to the incident?
- Since Aaron has been acquitted of Lilly's murder, now does Logan regret destroying the tapes?
- After the incident at the Neptune Grand, did Logan ever again attempt to broach the topic with Veronica?
- How did Aaron's defense attorney obtain Veronica's confidential medical records and in what alternative dimension is this evidence admissible in court?
- Does Veronica really have Chlamydia or was it an elaborate ruse designed by Aaron's defense team to discredit her as a witness?
- What happened to the witness whose house Aaron broke into?
- Why did Aaron take the stand before Logan, Veronica, and Keith?
- Who really keyed Beaver's car?
- Who is Amber and why is she a bitch?
- Is there a greater purpose behind Hart's sudden reappearance than simply playing Beaver's momentary sidekick? Does this mean Lynn Echolls' suicide might be re-explored?
- In one of Lucky's emails to Woody, the subject line reads "kill incorporation or else." Why would Lucky want to stop the incorporation deal?
- Who is the third person on the audio recording and why has his voice been edited out? Why would the background voices be speaking French?
- After Aaron was arrested for Lilly's murder and the videotapes were entered into evidence, why didn't anyone, especially Sheriff Lamb, view them? In order to build a case, wouldn't some law enforcement official have to witness them?
- Was it really Lucky who planted the bomb under Woody's car?
- Where in the world is Woody?
- Could Lucky's e-mail threat have led Woody to stage the campaign worker scandal right before the vote was scheduled?
- Was there some significance to it being revealed in Normal is the Watchword that Duncan was never in Little League?
- Why was Lucky bleaching his feet? Memories of being forced to go shoeless at the Goodmans' house? Reiters syndrome, which can be a complication of Chlamydia, and sometimes causes a rash on the soles of the feet? Or just random craziness on Lucky's part?
- Lucky would wear a catcher's mask "a lot" whenever he, Logan and the other boys were "going into battle" last summer? Didn't that strike anyone as odd? Did Lucky accompany the boys during all of their anti-PCHer stunts? How many were there?
- Lucky, who used to be a former bat boy for the Sharks, was blackmailing Woody Goodman with audio recordings that suggest he engaged in inappropriate behavior with young boys.
- Peter Ferrer and Marcos Oliveres, victims of the bus crash, were on Woody Goodman's Little League team as children. Supposedly, Woody molested Marcos and Peter and they were considering revealing this information.
duchessjms (Jayne) Social Science
JenniferH: Report Card; Chemistry; History; Band Class; Social Science; Homeroom
Iluvyoubearymuch (Kathryn): Homeroom; Philosophy; Principles of Democracy
Pixigal (Gerrie): Social Science
SeluciaV (Alli): Extra Credit; Literature; Social Science
Tar Frimmer (Joanne): Study Hall; Literature; Social Science; Homeroom; Philosophy
Original Air Date: May 2, 2006
Written by: Diane Ruggiero
Directed by: Steve Gomer
Grade: C
Membership Grade: C (40.5% / 42 votes)
After a run of great episodes, the bottom sure fell out for this one. Ah well. There are definitely great moments to be had here (the Weevil/Mac/Beaver storyline, Keith in the courtroom, the Wallace/Veronica BFF moment), but overall this episode feels hollow. There is simply so little connect to what is happening onscreen. Spending so much time with the Cooks, expending so little emotion in reaction to Aaron's trial, extending less than a minute to Logan and Veronica, it all just makes this episode so ... less than. And less than is not where a show wants to be at the 11th hour.
Credited Cast Non-Appearance
Ryan Hansen - Dick Casablancas
Teddy Dunn - Duncan Kane
Recurring Guest Stars (Previous Episode Appearances)
Gil Birmingham - Leonard Lobo
Ian Brininstool - Rodney Goodman
Gigi Erneta - Mrs. Goodman
Michael Gaarde Hart
Steve Guttenberg - Woody Goodman
Harry Hamlin - Aaron Echolls
Brandon Hillock Deputy Sacks
Annie Hinton Judge
James Jordan Lucky
Lauren Krause - Reporter #1
Tina Majorino Mac
Michael Muhney - Sheriff Don Lamb
John Prosky Mr. Levoie
Krysten Ritter - Gia Goodman
Jeffrey Sams - Terrance Cook
Graham Sterling - Reporter #2
Guest Stars
Jamen Nanthakumar - Older Boy
Gay Storm - Prosecution Lawyer
Maria Valdez - Young Mother
Shelley Wenk - Juror (Foreman)
Don Worley - Judge Ferris
Who's Who in Neptune
Older Boy Boy that identified Weevil at the Sheriff's Department as the one that attacked Thumper on the night Thumper went missing.
Prosecution Lawyer Prosecution lawyer at the Aaron Echolls' murder trial.
Young Mother Mother of the two boys that witnessed Weevil's attack on Thumper.
Juror (Foreman) Woman that announced to the court room that Aaron Echolls was found not guilty on all charges.
Judge Ferris Judge to whom Leonard Lobo informed that Terrence Cook was in the casino with Lobo on the day of the bus crash, resulting in Cook being cleared of the crime.
Scene One: Ain't Epic Love Grand?
Before I get to the actual content of the scene itself which lends to some possible hope, I'm first going to detail exactly why many were so very, very disappointed and get that out of the way. The disappointment stemmed from what was NOT featured. Other than Veronica's "Ain't epic love grand?" voiceover and tension in look-a-ways towards the end, there was no follow-up at all to what happened in the last couple of scenes of the last episode (Logan's semi-declaration of love, Veronica's running away and then coming back the next morning, and just as she copped to willing to give it a go, Kendall's appearance). None of that was referenced, which was pretty dang frustrating on its own.
Even more frustrating was that despite the fact that earlier in the episode, Veronica was one of the students involved in a shoot-out and her best friend was actually shot and would be dead were it not for the non-usage of bullets in the shooting. Was there even a nod or recognition to this occurrence? Nope. Oh and then there was the fact that they were both currently attending the murder trial against his father for killing his ex-girlfriend, this ex-girlfriend's best friend. Sure, Veronica mentioned the "murder trial," but it was fairly sarcastic and held about zero emotional content. And let's not forget the fact that the gripping testimony of Veronica revealed that she had an STD from boy wonder ... which was also completely ignored. Absolutely no follow-up, no reaction, nothing. Nada. Zip.
Another thing missing from this scene -- and it was considered missing because many viewers were convinced it would happen -- was Logan showing any sign that OMIGOD! Veronica actually made it clear that she has feelings for him. There have been a few counter-arguments to the "It was out of character" commentary and I'm inclined to buy them (I admit, because I simply want to). I can believe that Logan realized the combination of his actions the last year -- admittedly many don't see said actions in the same light as Rob Thomas, thus Veronica and Logan, but we'll go with how we're supposed to think he's a bad, bad boy in need of redemption
-- plus the drinking, the 'I don't do bimbos anymore,' flash forward to next morning, oh, look! A bimbo! may have put him in the mindset that he really had screwed up completely this time. When those elevator doors closed on her tears, he may have perceived it as a symbol of the end of their relationship once and for all and by pushing her, he would just be hurting her even more. I can buy that. So I'm willing to let that missing piece go mostly unchallenged. The lack of follow-through for the events in the last episode, the shooting, the trial, Veronica's STD testimony -- not so much. No. Just no.
Ahem, now moving along to analysis of the actual content. Uhm, Logan leaned prettily. Par for the course. Both Kristen Bell and Jason Dohring did the nervous, simmering tension very well. Again, par for the course. Not much was said, the information about Lucky was interesting, I guess. However, considering that many viewers were anxiously awaiting the first interaction between Logan and Veronica after the last episode and had been waiting THIRTY-FIVE MINUTES into this episode for it, frankly, anything interesting that had nothing to do with Logan and Veronica and their relationship in a scene featuring Logan and Veronica at this juncture ... just wasn't that interesting!
Still, as always, we must make do with what we were given. So yes, there was the tension. And Veronica's "Ain't epic love grand?" was nice (despite the sarcastic bent which understandably would leave one to believe that she didn't think their relationship had the "epic" or the "love"). It was still nice simply because Veronica's sarcasm in regards to Logan often is the opposite of what she truly feels. Also, her mentioning it certainly implied that, after a week, she still had what he said on her mind. That's a good thing.
One more positive note that can be found was that while many expected Veronica to go back into uberbitch mode when dealing with Logan, that didn't happen. She wasn't judgmental; she wasn't nasty; there were no sarcastic quips. It was almost as if she realized after that spurt of bitterness in the hallway ("Stop") that HER running away was what put the closure on the relationship for him. And so therefore, she had no right (not reason, mind you) to be jealous, to be angry.
Naturally, this may all go to hell in a hand basket in the next episode, but it would be nice to think -- even for a short period -- that Veronica actually grew up! in regards to Logan and her unfair treatment of him. She can't break his heart over and over again and expect him to keep handing it back to her on a silver platter. Maybe she made this realization.
And as depressing as the idea is that both felt they've reached closure, I'm not depressed because I don't believe the relationship really has. Simply put, Logan needs to stop being so hurt at what Veronica does and not just take it and instead confront her without presenting himself as the whipping boy. Likewise, Veronica needs to stop being so angry at Logan and running away in retaliation and instead discuss it with him and give him a chance to tell his side of the story. And maybe, just maybe (even subconsciously) they both realized that. So, perhaps the place of closure they've come to is the one of hurting and anger and now instead of looking into the past, they can move into the future.
- Weevil approaches Veronica, who's already in super-stressed-out study mode, and asks her if she's got a minute. She whines that she really doesn't, but Weevil gives the impression he isn't going away any time soon so she walks off with him. Weevil uncomfortably asks for her help with something that's a little weird for him to ask. She wonders if it's something that's going to make her nauseous, but fortunately he only needs her help with algebra.
His grandmother, who's taken ill, wants to see him walk across the stage at graduation (And I mean this. Awww.), but in order to graduate high school, he needs at least a B on his final exam. Veronica wishes she could help him, but she's swamped with her own finals. Weevil walks away, disappointed, while Veronica meekly calls out an apology.
Noticing Beaver and another boy staring at the Beav's car door, Veronica walks up and sees that someone has scratched "Amber is a bitch" into the paint. When she asks Beaver who Amber is, he has no idea. Veronica jokes that if someone keyed the wrong door, Amber's never going to know she's a bitch. Beaver's not amused, though, because it's going to cost a lot of money and time to fix the door.
The other boy there shyly says "hey" to Veronica. It's obvious that Veronica doesn't have the slightest clue who he is, so he reminds her that his name is Hart. And he hasn't said a thing, locking his lips to prove it. Veronica's still not getting it, but says "good for you" anyway. (Don't worry, Veronica. I couldn't place him right away, either, as the boy who accidentally filmed Lynn's suicide last year.) Veronica suddenly gets an idea and tells Beaver she thinks she knows someone who can help him.
Weevil and Beaver are sitting at a table in the quad, attempting to school Weevil in the marvels of algebra, but frustration seems to be the only thing they're accomplishing as Weevil's starting to think it's all pointless. Beaver's attempts to find out what he does know about algebra and his efforts to explain quadratic equations with a word problem referencing spark plugs and oil are met with Weevil's threats to kill him, or himself, and then a resignation to just cheat on the test. Beaver worries what that means about his car and Mac takes this opportunity to chime in from a nearby table.
"F-O-I-L." First, outside, inside, last. Getting the impression that Mac may be able to explain things in terms he can actually understand, Weevil asks her if she can teach him. Once she has Weevil's promise to fix Beaver's car, Mac sits down at their table, takes Beaver's pencil and notebook and starts laying things out, as she and Beaver share a sweet smile.
Later, in an empty classroom, Mac is grading Weevil's work while Beaver sits on a teacher's desk. Frustrated, Weevil warns her they're going to have a problem if she puts another X on his paper. She says she'd use smiley faces instead, but doesn't know if it'll sell "wrong." Beaver reminds Mac that he told her she went too fast on balancing equations, so fast even he didn't understand what she was talking about.
Mac glares at him and says she didn't go too fast and makes a thinly veiled joke that it's no surprise Beaver didn't understand. Banter ensues about who's the smarter of the two, Beaver or Mac. Weevil shakes his head in annoyance and suggests the two geniuses go work out their aggression in a coat room, then come back and teach him some algebra. Mac and Beaver exchange looks and start giggling.
The big moment arrives as Weevil's math teacher passes out the exam. He kisses his cross pendant and starts the test. Later, he walks into the classroom and anxiously waits as the teacher grades his test. She hands it to him and congratulates him it's a B! "Hell, yeah!"
- Veronica is sitting alone at a table in the school quad, trying desperately to focus on studying for her finals, when Jackie and Wallace walk up and sit next to her, giggling. The Fennel Radar immediately targets in on the cupcakes Gia's just given to Veronica. He asks where they came from and Veronica curtly tells him she saved someone's life, she can't talk, she's studying.
Wallace gloats that he's just cruising through the week. He's got his scholarship to Hearst; his grades are fine. He's good to go. Veronica asks him if he wants to see her cry, because she will. Unlike him, she still has to ace all of her finals and hope that Angie Dahl chokes on one of hers. Even then, she still won't be guaranteed the Kane scholarship.
Jackie thinks it's odd that Veronica is working so hard to go to Stanford with Angie Dahl when Wallace, Mac and her dad will all be in Neptune. Wallace points out that Jackie's also leaving to go to France, but she starts hinting that she might be staying after all, since her dad is still in trouble. Wallace is, naturally, pleased by this bit of hopeful news. Veronica, on the other hand, is getting annoyed by the distraction and asks if they could tone down the adorable so she can study for Western Civ.
Jackie wants some milk to go with the cupcakes, so she asks if anyone else would like something. Veronica asks for some peace with a side of quiet. Jackie kisses Wallace and runs off. Wallace starts to talk to Veronica who holds her finger up insistently, "Shh!" Making the "lock the lips and throw away the key" sign at him, she goes back to studying.
Later, Veronica is standing in the school hallway, studying some more. Wallace walks up and hip-bumps her, happily announcing that he just took his last high school test ever. Veronica asks him if he decided to celebrate by torturing her. She still has one final left. Her future is currently resting on her knowledge of the ascendancy rules of Babylon.
It's time for Wallace to go clean out his locker and, growing a little serious, he warns her to enjoy this moment because it's as nostalgic as he gets. She listens as he tells her it was all worth getting taped to a pole. He's going to miss her. (Sniffle.) Clearly touched and feeling the same, she smiles, "and my stupid-assed face?" They laugh together. He has to go grab his stuff, pick up his lady and do a little celebrating. As she watches him walk away, he turns back around, insisting that the conversation never happened. "Sure it did," she calls after him. BFFs forever, indeed.
Veronica sits in class as the teacher passes out her last final exam. She looks out the door and sees Wallace emptying his locker, spinning his basketball. She smiles wistfully, perhaps truly realizing what she'll be missing if she goes away to Stanford. The teacher closes the door on that thought. Veronica's cell phone starts vibrating and she checks it. It's a message from her dad. The verdict is in. She thinks it over, weighing the consequences, as the teacher places the test before her. After a moment, she shakes it off, pockets her phone and picks up the pen and starts taking the test. Then she pauses, thinking some more. Putting the pen down, she grabs her bag and walks out, giving up all her chances at getting the Kane scholarship.
Wallace walks up to the Cook house, ready to celebrate with his girlfriend. Terrance answers the door and Wallace happily tells him he's there to pick up Jackie for their date. Terrance sadly informs Wallace that she's not there. Wallace, thinking she's just stepped out for a bit, asks if he can wait. Terrance breaks it to him that Jackie left for France that morning. Handing Wallace an envelope, Terrance tells him he's sorry and closes the door. Disappointed, Wallace walks away, as he reads her goodbye letter.
- And the Oscar for Best Liar in a Scumbag Role goes to Aaron Echolls! Giving the performance of a lifetime, Aaron is on the witness stand testifying about his relationship with Lilly Kane. He explains that back in 1987 he was People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive and he had the power to get movies made based on his interest alone. Then, he got older. What looks like a predominantly female jury listens attentively as he tells the sad story of a movie star now relegated to being cast as the father of superstar tweens who didn't even know who he was. He became just some old guy, until Lilly entered the picture. (And I don't mean this. Awww.)
Keith and Veronica watch as he describes Lilly as a beautiful young girl who thought he hung the moon. Having her see him as the person he wished he could be was a powerful thing. Logan, seated in front of Lamb, listens as the defense attorney, Mr. Lavoie, asks Aaron if that's true even when the person is only sixteen and dating your son. Aaron clarifies that he didn't claim it to be right, just powerful. (Well, that makes it all okay, then, I guess.)
When asked if he had sex with Lilly, Aaron firmly denies it. They fooled around a little, but they never had intercourse. Veronica looks at Keith with what can only be described as a WTF-face. Logan looks at the ground and shakes his head in disgust. (And I scream at the TV while my neighbors wonder what the crazy lady upstairs is going on about now.)
Lavoie continues that Aaron has said that he ended their relationship on the day she was killed. Aaron testifies that Lilly came over to see him because she wanted some attention and he told her they had to stop. She stormed out and then he realized she'd taken his Oscar with her. So he went to her house to get it back. Instead of returning it, she yelled and threw an ashtray at him. That's when Duncan came out, enraged, screaming at Lilly about Aaron as though he wasn't even there.
Logan takes a deep breath, realizing where Aaron's going with this. Aaron confesses that he probably shouldn't have left Lilly with Duncan, but he panicked. As crazy as Duncan was getting, Aaron never would have imagined him -- And here the prosecutor objects. Lavoie fakes an apology and asks if that was the last time Aaron saw Lilly. It was.
Outside the courthouse, the press and Aaron's (idiot) fans are gathered, waving their pink heart-decorated "We Love You Aaron" banners and signs. Keith and Veronica walk away from the courthouse, ignoring the spectators (as they should be ignored). Veronica is bitter that it appears if you're handsome and famous enough you can just lie under oath and it's cool. Keith explains that it's all about the tapes now because the Oscar with Duncan's hair is going to create doubt in the jurors' minds. If Veronica and Logan can convince the jury that they saw Aaron having sex with Lilly, they'll convict him.
Keith warns Veronica to keep herself in check when she's testifying because Aaron's lawyer will do everything he can to rile her. Veronica shrugs and smiles because she's unrileable; in fact "Easy-Going Veronica Mars" is what the kids at school call her. Not at all convinced, Keith asks if she's sure she doesn't want to go over her testimony again. She's not interested, but she does know what she wants. Slowly building up a head of steam, Veronica expresses her desire to be there in court, watching Aaron at the moment the jury reads the guilty verdict. She wants to see the smirk wiped from his face as he realizes he'll never be free again.
Keith smiles lovingly at his daughter and cups her face in his hands. "Easy-Going Veronica Mars," huh? He kisses her forehead and she lets out a frustrated sigh as she realizes how riled she just got. He wraps an arm around her as they walk away, joking about how fat men are sometimes called Tiny. (And bald men are sometimes called Curly, but that's another story.)
Later that day, a guard escorts Aaron to the prison visiting room. He sits down, picks up the phone and motions to Logan, on the other side of the protective glass, to do the same. He picks up the receiver and Aaron greets his son. Logan suggests that if he'd given Lilly the performance he just gave in court, she might have given him the Oscar. Aaron explains that he wanted to talk to Logan before he testifies. Now playing the role of the concerned father, he suggests that it's in Logan's best interest if he doesn't tell the D.A. what he saw on the video tapes.
Logan smiles wryly and asks if it's supposed to be in his best interest because he wants so desperately to have Aaron free so they can be a family again. Aaron insists there is no reason that Logan should be convicted of destroying state's evidence, a felony, when Aaron's going to win his case anyway. Logan sarcastically points out how Aaron is always looking out for him and thanks him for the advice. Aaron can see he hasn't convinced him. Logan pauses, stares at Aaron moment, and leaves, throwing a little wave at Aaron as he goes.
Back in the courtroom, Veronica is sworn in and seated on the witness stand. Mr. Lavoie states that Veronica finds wealth and fame seductive, doesn't she? The prosecutor objects and Lavoie willingly backs up to clarify that her past two boyfriends, Duncan Kane and Logan Echolls, certainly fit that description. Veronica concedes that they do, as Logan and Lamb listen.
Veronica then agrees to Lavoie's claims that Lilly Kane was her best friend and that she looked up to her. When it's suggested that she emulated Lilly, Veronica agrees that to a degree she did. Lavoie then asks if her desire to emulate Lilly was why she propositioned Aaron upon discovering the tape of him and Lilly kissing. Keith glares daggers at the bag of Aaron's smug head. (Unfortunately, they were only figurative daggers.) Veronica looks pointedly at Aaron and asks if he means the tape of the naked kissing with Aaron on top gyrating. Aaron shakes his head in feigned disbelief.
Lavoie asserts that Veronica watched the tape, found Aaron at the Kane party and told him she'd give him back the tapes if he "earned" them. Veronica calmly replies that she said no such thing and didn't proposition him. He hid in the back seat of her car. Lavoie, this year's Oscar winner for Best Supporting Liar in a Scumbag role, pauses for dramatic effect, to clean his glasses. He sighs and asks her how old she is and upon hearing that she's eighteen, he informs the courtroom that she is currently completing treatment for a sexually transmitted disease.
Veronica is taken aback, the prosecution objects and the frickin' judge allows it. (And I once again shout expletives at the television.) Keith is visibly tense as Veronica pauses before answering the question. Not wishing for Lavoie to repeat himself, Veronica testifies to the jury that she has completed the treatment.
Keith waits outside the courtroom, as people are exiting. Veronica, hugging herself uncomfortably, comes out and awkwardly approaches him. He's not looking at her just yet, but asks if she's okay. She says she is. He clarifies that he means he wants to know if she's okay, if everything is okay? She's horrified, but nods that she's fine. He puts an arm around her and they walk out past Lamb who does an admirable impression of a smirking jackass.
In court, another day, it's Keith's turn on the witness stand. He testifies about the night in question - Veronica not showing up, driving out to find her abandoned car, hearing a commotion in the back of a nearby house, looking for her and getting jumped. Lavoie reminds him that Mr. Echolls testified that Veronica lost control of the car and crashed, and then she and Aaron knocked on the door of the nearby house and asked the owner to call a tow truck. Aaron and Veronica then waited on the man's porch.
Veronica looks disgusted as Lavoie contends that Keith arrived and upon seeing his daughter in a "compromising position" started the physical altercation with Aaron - a version of events that has been confirmed by the house's occupant. At this bit of information, the prosecutor objects, saying that the homeowner has disappeared and has never been questioned by the prosecution, despite being subpoenaed. The objection is sustained.
Lavoie takes another approach - does Veronica ever lie to Keith? And other than an occasional fib, would Keith say he has a close relationship with his daughter? Keith says they're very close. So, Lavoie continues, Keith would expect to hear the truth on the "big issues." Keith looks at his daughter and then testifies that he would. Lavoie picks up a folder and asks if Keith is aware that Veronica was caught breaking in to the home of Stewart and Rose Manning. Veronica closes her eyes, cringing.
No, Keith wasn't aware of that. Veronica was also named in a disciplinary file for manipulating her way in to the records room while Deputy Leo D'Amato was on duty. Did Keith know this? Keith, starting to lose his cool, points out that Lavoie wouldn't be asking him if he thought he knew about that. Then when asked, Keith tells the court that Veronica did have a personal relationship with Leo; she dated him.
The attorney goes on to discuss Keith's investigation into the stolen Echolls tapes. Keith's report suggested that Logan procured the tapes due to D'Amato's negligence. As Logan fidgets uncomfortably in his seat, Keith confirms this. Lavoie theorizes that it stands to reason that Veronica, who had Leo wrapped around her finger, manipulated him in whatever manner pretty young girls use to manipulate older men. Once again. Veronica is appalled and Keith, nearing the danger point, warns Lavoie to be careful.
Ignoring the warning, Lavoie explains that Veronica knew the tapes didn't show what she said they did, so she convinced one "boyfriend" (air quotes) to give them to another "boyfriend" (more air quotes) who she knew would destroy them, thus deflecting blame from another "boyfriend" (more frickin' air quotes), Duncan Kane! Suddenly, Keith grabs Lavoie's tie and yanks him forward, leaning in to speak into his ear, startling Veronica and the rest of the courtroom. "Any more air quotes and I'll break those fingers off!" Keith tells him before letting him go. The judge calls the bailiff to remove Keith from the stand, but Lavoie waves him off and tells the judge he's fine. As Lavoie excuses him, Keith looks down, defeated.
Different day, same trial. Logan testifies that it was just fuzz he saw at first. Leaning forward and holding the microphone closer, he explains that he means it was static. Then he saw Lilly, wearing only her bra, sitting on top of someone, writhing. Veronica sympathetically watches from her seat. Logan says that at first he couldn't see who it was with Lilly, but then they rolled over and he saw his father.
Aaron stares at his son, intently. Logan pauses, glances at the jury, then continues to describe the tapes. His father climbed on top of Lilly and continued to have sex with her. Aaron looks disappointed. Logan adds on that Aaron actually smiled at the camera a couple of times. Lavoie and Aaron exchange a look before the prosecutor asks Logan if he's certain they were having sex. He is. She has no further questions, so turns him over to the defense. Lavoie asks Logan if he is aware that destroying the tapes, as he claimed he did, is a felony. Logan is. Was he granted immunity in exchange for his testimony? Looking pointedly at Aaron, Logan says that yes, he was granted immunity. Lavoie has no further questions.
Some time later, at the Sheriff's Department, Lamb is talking to Keith when Sacks walks up and announces that the jury has reached a verdict. In the courtroom, the judge and everyone is seated, as the jury foreman is asked if they've reached a verdict. She says they have.
Veronica stares at Aaron and Logan seemingly holds his breath as the foreman prepares to read the verdict: On the count of murder in the second degree, the jury finds the defendant not guilty. Cheers of surprise ring out. Keith closes his eyes in defeat. On the count of aggravated assault not guilty. More cheers. Veronica's face is one of stunned horror. On the count of statutory rape ... not guilty.
Veronica's crushed as people cheer. Lavoie and Aaron hug, jubilant in their victory, as Logan sits devastated. Veronica stares at Aaron with horror and disgust as people congratulate and embrace him. Eventually, Aaron turns and stares triumphantly and menacingly at Veronica. She closes her eyes in despair, trying desperately not to break down.
- Lucky's email addresses he used to contact Woody:
- user444@planetzowie-mail.com
wrongysright37@planetzowie-mail.com
misterclean221@cyberbolt.com
katchenup1@cyberbolt.com
anon19982@cyberbolt.com
- Jessica Denney (2)
kumarSales@cyberbolt.com
Gia Goodman (2)
Mike Jurgensen
doornewaardHans@planetzowie-mail.com
Mirage Wireless
George Patterson
Emily Waldorf, MD
Harold Bell
Louisa Cetlingsworth
Phyllis Teeterborough
- As Veronica walks across the quad to return to her lunch table and her enormous pile of study materials, a shot rings out. And then another, and another. People are screaming and ducking, running away as fast as their legs will carry them, and the shots continue to be fired. Across the way Veronica sees Lucky, bearing a pistol and a bad attitude, climb atop one of the lunch tables.
Veronica spots Gia doing her best deer in the headlights impersonation, standing out in the open all but asking to get shot. Playing heroine yet again, Veronica grabs Gia and pushes her to the ground under cover of one of the lunch tables. Guess Gia's gonna have to bake a few more cupcakes.
Lucky starts his predictably psycho rant about how all of the students are running like animals -- glossing over the fact that they are acting that way because he's SHOOTING AT THEM. He makes noise about how messy things are and chucks a container of milk at some poor random extra. Lucky then goes on to whine about the fact that someone's gonna have to clean up the mess, but not him, because he got fired. I'm thinking that if the gun was a bid for sympathy, he's even crazier than we thought.
Lucky continues his woe-is-me rant by saying that although he's good enough to drive an armored transport truck through Tikrit, but not good enough to polish the floors at old Neptune High. Just venturing a guess here, but I think that might have something to do with the fact that in Tikrit, wielding a gun makes you a good soldier whereas gunplay at high schools is generally frowned upon. I'm just sayin'.
Lucky continues to babble and drool some more before bringing his crazy into focus a little and asking where his girl G-G-G-Gia is. And now I have the disturbing image of Gia growing grass on her head and calling it a fashion statement running around in my head. Thanks, Lucky.
Jackie, in a moment of either extreme bravery or sheer stupidity (seeing as how she's only a few feet away from crazy Lucky) opens her cell phone and starts to dial. Lucky, as I'm sure you guessed, is not pleased by this development. Lucky continues to give the weather with his news when he spits all over Jackie when asking her who she's calling. Jackie is understandably freaked out at being the center of Lucky's attention and begins to cry that she's sorry and wasn't calling anyone as Wallace looks on from across the quad in horror.
All of the sudden, a body comes flying through the air and knocks Lucky right off the table. It's a bird, it's a plane, it's SUPER WALLACE! In a moment of either extreme bravery or sheer stupidity, Wallace has taken Lucky down in a flying tackle that makes coach wonder if he shouldn't have tried to recruit Wallace for the football team too. The two go rolling over a short wall and land on the concrete, and Lucky loses control of the gun.
Wallace and Lucky continue to wrestle but Lucky, perhaps due to his military training, manages to quickly get the upper hand and throw Wallace to the side. Before Wallace can roll over and get to his feet, Lucky has the gun back in his hands and stands over Wallace. He takes the gun in both hands, takes careful aim at Wallace's chest, and pulls the trigger as we, along with Veronica, look on in horror with our hearts in our throats.
We flash back to Wallace who, rather than bleeding from an open chest wound, is still laying in tact on the ground. "Surprise!" Lucky says with fiendish glee, making me wish I could dive through the TV screen and personally beat the shit out of him for making us think, for even a moment, that the world was about to become a lonelier place for us and for Veronica.
Before anyone can fully process these events, another shot rings out stopping Lucky's laughter abruptly. His face goes slack and then so does his body and he slumps to the ground. As Lucky's body slips from view, a school security officer is revealed standing with his gun raised and aimed at the precise spot where Lucky had been standing only moments before. The blood on the back of Lucky's jacket and the vacant stare in his eyes let us know that Lucky isn't so Lucky -- or alive -- anymore.
In light of the shooting at the high school, the Woodster is giving a press conference on the front steps of what I'm assuming is City Hall. He tells the gaggle of reporters and camera men that Thomas Dehannick (although Logan said his last name was Dolinik in I Am God), a.k.a. Lucky, was a very disturbed young man who, the Sheriff's department has informed him, has just returned from a tour in Iraq.
Woody answers several questions and confirms that the gun Lucky was brandishing was filled with blanks, and that although he was arrested for stalking the Goodman family, Woody's only relationship with Lucky was years before when Lucky was a bat boy for the Sharks. Woody goes on to say, with the most ridiculously fake sympathy I've seen on a politician in ages, that the Sharks had to let Lucky go because several players complained about his job performance. *cough*bullshit*cough*
We pull back into the Mars family living room where Veronica and Keith are watching as Woody finishes the conference by stating that he doesn't know if Lucky was really there looking for Gia, and doubts that the world will ever understand Lucky's troubled mind. Veronica and I seem to be getting the same readings on our bullshit-o-meters as she comments that you can actually see his eyes turning brown.
Keith tells Veronica that he got into Lucky's apartment and found a bunch of emails that Lucky sent to Woody from a bunch of different email accounts. Unfortunately, the emails didn't really tell Keith anything. Some had attachments, but Keith couldn't access them because Lucky had already trashed the original files. Keith is pretty certain he can access the emails at Woody's.
Veronica is a bit skeptical on this point because why would Woody keep around a bunch of threatening or potentially incriminating emails? Keith gives Veronica a spiel about how emails are held on a server but not refreshed from terminal to terminal in a networked system blah, blah, blah. The long and short of it is that Keith thinks he might find some of these emails if he can log on to one of the seldom used computers in the Goodman home.
Keith smirks over his peanut butter sandwich that he can do this because he's got Woody's password -- he looked over the Woodster's shoulder once when he was logging on to his home computer. Veronica snarks that people should know better than to log on with a Mars around and Keith continues to preen over his P.I. prowess. He tells Veronica that he's going in the following night because Woody and the whole family will be attending a Sharks team award dinner, leaving the house perfectly empty.
Not so fast there daddy-o. Veronica rains on Keith's parade when she tells him that unfortunately, Gia will be home with her favorite study buddy prepping for finals. Keith, knowing exactly where this is going, gives his token "Veronica" protest. Veronica argues that there's no point in him breaking in when she's already been invited in. Plus, if it came down to it, she knows that they both know that she could take Gia. Veronica, not to burst your bubble, but that isn't really saying much.
Veronica demands the password, and Keith, as expected, caves. He slaps her outstretched hand and tells her he's sure she won't have any problem remembering it because Woody's password is Mr. GoodWood. Um, ewwwww. And now I have another disturbing image running around in my head, but I can't bring myself to share it. Just -- ewwww. Can someone pass the bleach?
Veronica and Gia are studying at the Goodman house and Veronica suggests that they take an online practice test to see how much they've learned. As Gia whines about her only 900 something friends on MySpace, Veronica does one of her worst fake-outs ever and tells Gia that her laptop just froze. Seriously, it was like she was trying to see exactly how little she could do and still get one by Gia. The answer? Disturbingly little. Veronica asks if there is another computer in the house that she could use. Gia tells her to use the one in the guest room.
Veronica heads into the guest room and leaves the door cracked open before making her way to the computer station. She pulls up Woody's email account and begins searching for emails from any of Lucky's accounts. She finds quite a few and begins forwarding the files to her dad. One in particular, with the subject line "Kill incorporation or else," catches her eye. She opens the email and finds only an audio file, which she plays.
What begins to play is a conversation between two unidentified young men with some garbled sounds in the background. The first guy emphatically states that they have to tell everyone what Woody did to the three of them. He goes on to say that these kinds of things don't stay secret and that he's pretty sure a couple of the Sharks know something and would come forward. The other guy agrees, and they continue discussing what a pervert Woody is, and how what he did was wrong because they were just kids. And the disturbing images just keep on coming tonight.
Veronica is clearly shaken by this information and struggles to calmly forward this most important email to Keith before she runs out of time. As she clicks "send" on the email, Woody appears in the doorway and asks Veronica what she's doing in there. She gives him her cover story about the practice test and Woody pretends to believe her, and gives her the old my house is your house bit. As he approaches, the file finally finishes transferring and Veronica changes the screen just in the nick of time.
Woody leans over the desk and asks, rather creepily, how it worked out for her. Veronica, still shaken, seems confused by his question. Woody clarifies that he wonders how she did on the practice test -- is she as smart as she thinks she is? Oh yes, dirty Woody, she is. As you are about to learn the hard way, Veronica Mars is smarter than you.
Veronica excuses herself and all but runs out of the room. When she reaches the dining room, Gia has disappeared. Veronica quickly begins to gather up her stuff when Gia reappears with bowls of ice cream to fuel the rest of their study session. As Veronica makes her lame excuses about bad headaches, Woody appears in the hallway and leans against the wall, hiding a bit in the shadows. He calls out that it's the computer screen that did it -- all that squinting. Veronica refuses to turn and face him and instead says her goodbyes and heads for the rectangle with the knob like her ass was on fire.
Back at chez Mars, Keith and Veronica are listening to the conversation again, trying to distinguish the noises in the background. Keith speculates that since one of the guys makes reference to the "three of them," perhaps the gaps in the audio are a third person that was edited out of the conversation. They muse over the mentions of the Sharks, and Keith speculates that whatever happened, happened when Lucky met Woody as a bat boy for the ball club.
Unfortunately, Lucky's emails don't give any more details or mention anything about being abused or molested by Woody. Keith tells Veronica that most of it was stream of consciousness (read: kooky psycho babble) stuff about war and the life of a soldier. Veronica offers to help Keith figure out what Lucky's emails mean, but Keith encourages Veronica to go to bed because she's got a big day tomorrow.
The following afternoon at the Mars Investigations office, Keith is on the phone trying to track down a Rick Pickett with absolutely no luck. Keith, in utter frustration, sarcastically asks Veronica if she'll grab a flight to New York, swing by NYU and find out if Rick Pickett was one of the bat-boys that Woody molested. Veronica's only reply is that he knows she doesn't fly coach. Heee!
Keith tells Veronica that there were three other bat boys the year Lucky worked for the Sharks. Of those three, two are away at college and one is backpacking through Europe. Veronica isn't having any more luck deciphering Lucky's emails. Keith grabs one and reads a portion of his crazy ramblings aloud, and wonders why Veronica can't make sense of phrases like "time is the timeliness of the present." There's more crazy stuff about finding presents before they find Woody and Veronica has a light bulb. She tells Keith that in his crazy rant in the janitor's closet at school, Lucky called roadside bombs left by the insurgents as "presents."
Keith, being a bigger man than most, goes to visit Woody at his office to warn him that Lucky may have planted bombs at his home. He goes on to tell Woody about the hints Lucky left in his emails in an effort to get Woody to take him seriously. Woody expresses faux surprise that Keith has had access to these emails, and then has a faux light bulb that Veronica was the one that retrieved the emails from his computer.
Woody makes the comment that most people don't get their children to do espionage. Keith blasts back that most people keep their hands off of other people's children. Burn! Woody gets all dark and angry and tells Keith that he should leave. Keith tells Woody that he's read the emails and this is clearly more than a bat-boy disgruntled over being let go.
Woody tells Keith that if he shares his 'theories' and slanders him, Woody will ruin his life, ruin his family -- and he's a more than a little scary. But hey, Woody, Keith's been there, done that AND bought the t-shirt. Keith, without raising an eyebrow or his voice, calmly tells Woody that he's not a 15 year old boy and Woody doesn't scare him. In the face of real strength and power, Woody's bravado begins to falter. Keith, knowing he's made his point, turns and leaves.
At school, Veronica gathers her courage and approaches her epic love for the first real conversation since tragedy struck at the Neptune Grand the morning after alterna-prom. They banter sweetly, if hesitantly, about Aaron's trial and Veronica wonders if she can ask Logan a question. He leans adorably against his locker and muses that it isn't like her to approach him to ask a random question, while we struggle to focus on what he's saying because his flexed guns are so distracting. Veronica smiles self-deprecatingly and asks if Lucky ever mentioned Woody Goodman.
Logan thinks for a moment and says no, but that there was a weird baseball-related incident last summer. We flash back to Logan popping into the janitor's closet where he finds Lucky standing in a stationary tub wearing a catcher's mask and pants (but no shirt) and is pouring Clorox over his feet -- because he thinks he has gangrene. Logan, in typical Logan fashion, barely blinks and tells Lucky that he needs a keg delivered to the beach that night. Lucky continues to ramble about how "they" are "doing something" to him.
Back in the present, Veronica is incredulous that Lucky was actually wearing a catcher's mask. Logan, looking super hot, was apparently more disturbed by the foot bleaching. Logan goes on to tell Veronica that Lucky would wear the mask whenever they were "going into battle," but that he thought it was merely an affectation. He turns away from Veronica with a sad expression that hints at all of the things that we know he wants to say, but won't.
Veronica arrives home that night and tells Keith that she did a little digging without getting into danger, breaking any laws, and while at school so he knew where she was the whole time. Honest. Keith decides not to engage in a fight about Veronica's secretive and less-than-honest behavior and instead focuses on what she found out.
Veronica tells Keith about her conversation with Logan and his summer flashback of Lucky. Keith is particularly interested in the catcher's mask, and clearly for more than the general baseball associations. Keith runs over to his laptop and pulls up the surveillance video from Woody's house and points out to Veronica that the wall in the dining room is a huge mural of a guy in a catcher's mask.
While Keith calls the Sheriff's department about this latest development to encourage them to get the bomb squad over to the Goodman home, Veronica reviews the video again and wonders why the camera man chose to shoot footage of the wall in the hallway. She rewinds and looks closer at the photographs and realizes that Woody's little league team was also called the Sharks. And she also clearly notices something else.
Veronica beckons Keith over and shows him the little league photo and points out that two of the team members in that picture are Marcos Oliveres and Peter Ferrer. For those who haven't been keeping score, both Marcos and Peter were on the bus that fateful day in September and perished in the bus crash.
We next see the Goodman family out on the street in their pajamas, waiting as the Sheriff's department and the bomb squad apparently go over their house and possessions with a fine-tooth comb. Lamb approaches Woody and tells him that although the house was clean, they found a bomb under Woody's car -- Woody's stalker clearly meant business.
Keith and Veronica go to Lamb's office the next day to play him the audio clip from Lucky's email, in an effort to convince Lamb that Mr. GoodWood is, in fact, up to no good. Keith stops the clip and tells Lamb that the voices he is hearing belong to Marcos and Peter. Veronica tells Lamb that she confirmed Peter's voice with Mr. Wu (Woo woo woo Mr. Wu!) and that she has recordings of Marcos from his radio show for comparison. Keith tells Lamb that Marcos and Peter were planning to come forward about being molested, and that he thinks Woody planted a bomb on the bus to kill them.
Lamb, exhibiting his typical jackassery, thinks it's unlikely because the same kind of bomb was found under Woody's car. Then he says the words I'm sure he never thought he'd say: Keith was right. He thought Lucky planted a bomb and he did. Lamb goes on to say that Lucky left early on the day of the crash, implying that he was somehow involved. We roll our eyes right along with Keith over that one.
Lamb goes on to say that he thinks the real story is that Keith is trying to get Lamb to arrest Woody and make a fool of himself. Keith, barely controlling his fury, asks if Lamb's ego is really that big that he is going to make the deaths of eight people all about him. (Go Keith! Go Keith!) Keith then ups the ante and rages at Lamb that if he doesn't act on this, Woody is going to use all of his considerable resources and flee. In which case, Lamb's not going to be a laughing stock, he's going to be the guy that let a child molester and murderer get away. And the crowd goes wild!
Keith comes back to the station later that day with important evidence for Lamb. He tells Lamb that Lucky wasn't at work the day of the crash because he was in a padded cell. Apparently, while the bus was headed over the cliff, Lucky was a guest at a local VA hospital. Lamb finally caves and tells Keith they'll pick Woody up.
Later at the court house, Lamb tells Keith that when they went to pick Woody up, he was gone. Shocker! Apparently the Woodster and family took the Goodman family private plane and disappeared. There's no flight plan on file and no one knows where they have disappeared to. I commend Keith for his maturity here because I would not have been able to refrain from a whole lot of "I told you so dumbass!" right up in Lamb's face.
- Jackie and her dad share a brief visit at the hospital where she regales him with tales of Wallace's bravery in the face of a gun-toting psycho ex-janitor. Terrance, although glad that Wallace and Jackie are safe, is frustrated with the whole situation. He feels like he should be the one protecting Jackie, but instead he's made her life a circus. Jackie blows him off and tells him that it's just the painkillers talking because her life is the best it has ever been.
At the court house, Sachs grabs Lamb in the hallway and tells him that Judge Ferris wants to see him ASAP. Upon entering the Judge's chambers, Sachs finds Judge Ferris yukking it up with three gentleman, one of whom we recognize as Mr. Lobo, the owner of the casino Terrance was gambling in at the time of the bus crash. Long story short, Mr. Lobo's had a miraculous memory flash and has realized that Terrance was with him at the time of the crash, so he couldn't be responsible for the accident. Lamb is clearly not pleased by this turn of events, but the Judge makes it clear that he expects Lamb to act on this information immediately.
Jackie and Wallace have just arrived at the Cook home and Jackie's planning to make dinner. As Wallace tries to convince Jackie that dinner will be so much better if she's wearing some frilly apron - the "and not much else" is implied - we hear a door and the dulcet tones of HotDad Terrance calling from the foyer. Jackie runs and embraces her dad who tells her that he's been released.
As Jackie and Terrance renew their bond in the kitchen, Wallace tries to graciously excuse himself for the evening so that Jackie and her dad can catch up. Jackie stops him and tells him she wants to spend the evening with her two favorite men. At that moment, the bell rings and Jackie theorizes that it must be the delivery of the first "I knew you were innocent all along" gift baskets.
Jackie opens the door and finds Mr. Lobo, and no gift basket in sight. Wallace tells Jackie to come with him to the kitchen so they can work on dinner and let Terrance and Lobo talk. Terrance doesn't thank Lobo as Lobo thinks he should, but assures him that he'll repay his debts as soon as he's back on his feet. Lobo has other ideas. He considers his testimony as Terrance's alibi a business investment because from now on, Terrance will be working for him, glad-handing and welcoming people to Lobo's casino's as his own personal celebrity ambassador.
The next morning, Jackie's eating breakfast when Terrance comes home (looking supa-fine in a white linen suit) after a very late evening. She teases that he's entitled to a few nights of debauchery after his incarceration. Terrance, not feeling quite so jovial, tells her that he was working. Jackie tries to ask about the job, what he's doing, and when his day off is, but Terrance keeps shutting her down. Jackie tells him not to worry because they aren't pressed for time.
She then tells him that she's decided not to go to Paris, at least for a semester. Terrance bites out that he doesn't think that's a good idea. He's going to be working all the time and traveling a lot. She tries to say that she doesn't mind, but he cuts her off and tells her it will be better for both of them if she just goes to France. Jackie, clearly upset, simply nods quietly. And now I'm about to say something I never thought I would: Poor Jackie. Poor, poor, poor Jackie. Terrance, you may be hot, but you suck in the dad department.
- While Weevil is doing his best to pass his algebra final and graduate, a young mother visits the Sheriff's department with her two kids in tow. She shows Sachs the newspaper article about Thumper's death and tells him that the night he disappeared, her boys saw someone attack him. Lamb comes over and gets the scoop on the situation, and asks the boys if they feel like looking at some pictures.
As Weevil is learning that he got his B on the final and will be able to fulfill his promise to his grandmother, the two young boys are flipping through mug shots. One of the boys points to Eli's mug shot, literally fingering him for the crime. Lamb grins an evil grin.
- Logan coming upon Lucky (in catcher's mask) bleaching his foot. (Read detailed breakdown.)
"Lost and Found" (Adrienne Pierce)
Scene: Nostalgic Wallace with BFF, Veronica Mars. Sniff, sniff ... "Iit was worth it getting taped to a pole." Sniff, sniff. Yes, it was, Wallace. Yes, it was. Awwww.
LoVe Lines
Veronica Mars Voiceover: (Walking towards Logan at his locker.) After a week of forced smiles and the occasional, "Hey," it's time for business as usual. Ain't epic love grand?
Veronica: Been to any good murder trials lately?
Logan: Uh I have. You give an excellent testimony, by the way. (She shrugs.) It was gripping.
Veronica: I want to ask you about something.
Logan: How unlike you. You never come to me out of the blue with some random question.
Veronica: (About Lucky.) He was wearing a catcher's mask? Really?
Logan: And I thought the weird part was the foot-bleaching. You know, he'd wear the catcher's mask a lot. Whenever we were 'going into battle.' I thought it was an affectation.
Quotable Quotes
Keith: Easy going Veronica Mars, huh? (Putting his arm around Veronica as they walk away.) You know how fat men are sometimes called Tiny?
Veronica: Do you know how long I've wanted to go to Stanford?
Wallace: Since middle school?
Veronica: Elementary, my dear Wallace. (Pausing as Jackie and Wallace laugh.) Do you have any idea how long I've waited to say that?
Veronica: (to Keith about Woody's press conference.) Look at that. His eyes are turning brown.
Keith: I'm thinking about getting you some sort of giant hamster ball so you can roll everywhere in this protective sphere.
Veronica: (Shaking her head.) It'd just draw attention to me. Nobody likes a blonde in a hamster ball.
Keith: Veronica.
Veronica: What? Why should you break in when I'm invited? Woody will be at the dinner, and we both know if it came down to it? (Veronica does her best Rocky impression.) I could take Gia.
Logan: (To Aaron.) You know, if you would've given Lilly the performance that you gave today, she might have given you the Oscar.
Veronica: They keyed the wrong car? How's Amber gonna know that she's a bitch?
Hart: Hey Veronica.
Veronica: (Clearly confused.) Hey ... you.
Hart: Hart. I haven't said a thing. (Miming zipping his lips.)
Veronica: (Looking even more confused.) Good for you.
Judge Ferris: There's been a development, Sheriff. It seems Mr. Lobo here was struck by a bolt of lightning.
Lamb: What, that he could cash old ladies' social security checks himself and get rid of the slot machines?
Beaver: Yeah, okay, look, so you know quadratic equations, right?
Weevil: Do I look like someone who knows quadratic equations?
Beaver: Okay, okay. So let's say that you and your buddy, you want to buy a 12-pack of a certain item. Say like, spark plugs for x dollars. And you want to find out how many of another item, like, um, I don't know, like oil, right, like oil that you can get for the same amount. Except oil, is y times as much as much as --
Weevil: If this is your idea of terms I'll understand, I'm going to kill you. Or myself. It's a toss up.
Keith: Veronica?
Veronica: Yeah?
Keith: Can you fly to New York, stop by NYU real quick, find Rick Pickett and see if he's one of the bat boys Woody molested?
Veronica: You know I don't fly coach.
Woody: (Smiling coldly.) I'll put this plainly. You are mistaken. And if you share your theories, slander me, I'll ruin you. I'll ruin your family. And you'll remember the moment you walked through that door as the moment you threw your life away.
Keith: I'm not a 15-year-old boy, Woody. You don't scare me.
Keith: (To Lavoie.) Any more air quotes and I'll break those fingers off!
Weevil: Okay, you put another 'X' on that paper and we're gonna have problem.
Mac: I'd put little smiley faces, but I don't know if that's gonna sell 'wrong.'
Beaver: What, are you saying you're smarter than me?
Mac: No, I wasn't. Here's what that would've sounded like. I'm smarter than you. Hear the difference?
Beaver: You don't really believe that.
Mac: Then why'd I get it tattooed on my hip?
Beaver: I don't know. If this is what you need to do to feel better about yourself.
Mac: (To Weevil.) If I get you an 'A', will you shiv him?
Weevil: Hey. I got an idea. How about you two geniuses go work out your aggression in some coat room and then come back here and teach me algebra, huh?
Wallace: I just took my last high school test ever. Done! Over! I'm outta here.
Veronica: And you decided to celebrate by torturing me?
Wallace: Whadda ya got? One more?
Veronica: Nothing like having your future rest on how much you know about the ascendancy rules of Babylon.
Wallace: (turning serious) Well, I gotta go clean out my locker.
Veronica: You got that salmon I left in there for ya, right?
Wallace: You better enjoy this because this is as nostalgic as I get. (Veronica looking up.) I just wanted to say, it was worth getting taped to a pole. I'm gonna miss you.
Veronica: And my stupid-ass face?
Jury Forewoman: On the count of murder in the second degree, we find the defendant not guilty. (Gasps from the crowd.) On the count of aggravated assault, we find the defendant not guilty. On the count of statutory rape, we find the defendant ... not guilty.
People Magazine's 'Sexiest Man Alive' ... (Referenced by Aaron during his testimony.)
People magazine's 'Sexiest Man Alive' issue is an annual event that features a male celebrity whose popularity hit on all cylinders the year of his choosing. The first issue featuring a sexiest man alive was in 1985 and the chosen was Mel Gibson (then 29). With the exception of 1993's 'Sexiest Couple Alive' (Richard Gere -- a single winner in 1999 -- and Cindy Crawford), this has been a yearly feature of celebrated male beauty for twenty years. Past sexiest have been Brad Pitt (the only solo two-time nominee), Denzel Washington (the only African-American chosen), Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck and the current 'Sexiest Man Alive,' Matthew McConaughey. Oh yes, one other honoree was ... Harry Hamlin (aka Aaron Echolls) in 1987.
Tween ... (Referenced by Aaron during his testimony.)
'Tween' became a pop-culture reference during the late 20th early 21st century to describe children in the pre-teen and teenage years, usually between the ages of 8 and 12. Some sources references the 'tween' years as the period between childhood and adulthood and is used to describe any person under the age of 30. To add further confusion, some educators and parents use 'tween' or 'tweenie' to describe children who are in the transition between toddlerhood and childhood.
Oscar ... (Referenced by Aaron during his testimony.)
The Oscar is the common nick-name for the statuette given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at their annual ceremony (also commonly known as "The Oscars") for artists granted an Academy Award. The official name of the Oscar statuette is the Academy Award of Merit. Made of gold-plated britannium on a black marble base, it is 13.5 inches (34 cm) tall, weighs 8.5 lb (3.85 kg) and depicts a knight holding a crusader's sword standing on a reel of film with five spokes, signifying the original branches of the Academy: Actors, Writers, Directors, Producers and Technicians. Its heft and easy to grasp design make it the perfect faux murder weapon for an aging Hollywood icon trying to beat a murder rap.
The origin of the nick-name "Oscar" is contested, but there are two popular theories. One story claims that Bette Davis named the Oscar after her first husband, bandleader Harmon Oscar Nelson. The other claims that the nick-name originated with the Academy's Executive Secretary, Margaret Herrick, who first saw the award in 1931 and made reference of the statuette reminding her of her Uncle Oscar. Columnist Sidney Skolsky was present during Herrick's naming and seized the name in his byline, "Employees have affectionately dubbed their famous statuette 'Oscar'." However it came to be, The Oscar represents the pinnacle of achievement in motion pictures. Or, if you live in Rob Thomas' world, the pinnacle of sloppy and crappy (if not convenient) red-herring plot devices.
Flashcards... (Referenced by Gia to Veronica about studying together.)
Flashcards are pieces of paper (cards) that are used as a learning aid. The purpose of using flashcards is memorization. One writes a question on each card (and an answer overleaf), tests themselves using the cards, and sorts the cards into groups as he or she learns, according to performance. This strategy makes selective learning possible. That is: The more difficult the flashcards in a group, the more often one reviews that group. The result is, ideally, a reduction in the amount of study time needed. This method was proposed by the German psychologist Sebastian Leitner in the 1970s.
Some people have suggested that Season 2 of Veronica Mars has been too complicated and difficult to follow so perhaps a set of flashcards should be included in the new Season 2 DVD sets.
They could include a character set of flashcards:
- Duncan Kane: Psychotic, epileptic car-bashing ex-boyfriend of Veronica from Season 1 who in Season 2 assumes the role of boring, bland boyfriend. Gifted in stalking and writing sappy fortune telling cookies. Caffeine, No-Doz recommended for continual viewing.
Logan Echolls: Falsely accused OPJ, HOT, HOT, HOT, ex-boyfriend of Veronica from Season 1 who in Season 2 assumes the role of snarky, woobiefied, HOT, HOT, HOT falsely accused ex-boyfriend of Veronica. Gifted in behavior, both heroic and jack-assy. Cold drinks, fans, and a soft place to land due to numerous examples of shirtlessness recommended for continual viewing.
- Bus Crash: Complicated, devastating mystery that dominates the opening episode and is pretty much forgotten by all till the end of the season.
Coma Baby: Soap operatic plotline that dominates the first half of the season resulting in nausea, headaches and viewer rebellion that culminates by the middle of the season.
Stanford University is a University located in Stanford, California. This institution is known for its strong academic programs and highly competitive admissions process. Nearly 75% of students enrolled in the university attained a score of 700 or better on both the verbal and mathematical portions of the SAT exam. That said, only about 13% of applicants to Stanford are actually admitted. Perhaps more daunting than the rigorous academic barriers facing Stanford hopefuls are the financial ones. Tuition and room and board cost almost $40,000 a year.
Elementary, Dear Wallace ... (Referenced by Veronica to Wallace in the quad as a phrase she's waited some time to say.)
"Elementary, my dear Watson" is a phrase associated with that most famous of literary detectives, Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective of the late 19th and early 20th centuries who made his first published appearance in 1887. He was created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes, like our favorite girl detective, is best known for his uncanny ability to use logic and his powers of observation to solve cases. How I wish our favorite girl detective could apply these super powers to solving the mystery of her love life. Because in that area, I think we can all agree, the girl wonder is pretty clueless.
Sherlock Holmes was featured in four novels and fifty-six short stories by Conan Doyle. Almost all were narrated by Holmes' friend and biographer, Dr. John H. Watson, with the exception of two narrated by Holmes himself and two more written in the third person. The phrase is associated with the moment in each story when Holmes reveals the solution to the mystery by explaining to Watson (and other characters of the tale) that the answer was "elementary" if you carefully reviewed the facts of the case. In Neptune, California this reveal is better known as the "Veronica Mars is smarter than me" moment.
Despite appearing in Edith Meiser's scripts for The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes radio series, it is interesting to note that the complete phrase, "Elementary, my dear Watson" does not appear in any of the sixty Holmes stories written by Conan Doyle. Separately, readers could expect to hear Holmes refer to his deductions as "elementary" and Dr. Watson as "My dear Watson." It does, however, appear at the very end of the 1929 film, The Return of Sherlock Holmes, the first Sherlock Holmes sound film.
France ... (Referenced by Wallace to Jackie during their quad discussion about finals.)
France, officially the French Republic, has a population of over 60 million inhabitants, making it the second most populous country in Western Europe (after Germany). France is bordered by the English Channel to the north, the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay to the west, Spain and Andorra to the south-west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, Switzerland and Italy to the south-east, and Germany, Luxembourg, and Belgium to the north-east.
The natural land frontiers are the Pyrenees, along the border with Spain; the Jura Mountains and the Alps, along the border with Switzerland and Italy; and the Rhine River, which is part of the border with Germany. The name France originates from the Franks, a Germanic tribe that occupied the region after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. More precisely, the region around Paris, called le-de-France, was the original French royal demesne.
The French Republic is a democracy which is organized as a unitary semi-presidential republic. The current president is Jacque Chirac, and the Prime Minister is Dominique de Villepen. It is a highly developed country with the fifth-largest economy in the world in 2005. Its main ideals are expressed in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, one of the fundamental documents of the French Revolution, defining a set of individual rights and collective rights of the people, and is similar in purpose to our own Constitution. The country's motto is "Libert, galit, Fraternit" or "Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood" in English. "La Marseillaise" is the National Anthem.
France's capital and largest city is Paris, home to several famous monuments including The Eiffel Tower and The Arc de Triomphe, along with the world's most famous art museum, The Louvre. France is also home to The Tour de France, the most famous long-distance bicycle ride in the world. France is widely known for its food and wine, as well as for art, fashion and culture. It is the birthplace of both champagne and Haute Couture, and is often thought to be one of the most romantic places in the world.
Tikrit ... (Referenced as to where Lucky was stationed in Iraq.)
Tikrit is a town in Iraq, located 140 km northwest of Baghdad on the Tigris river. The town, with an estimated population (according to a 2002 census) of about 28,900, is the administrative centre of the province of Salah ad Din, a governorate (or subnational entity) in Iraq. The province is named after Saladin, an ethnic Kurd and hero of the 12th century. Salahuddin province is a variant version of the province's name.
Snake [River] Canyon ... (Referenced by Lucky as he asks if anyone wants to go there because he's thinking of jumping it.)
Known for having some of the best white-water rafting in the United States, Snake River Canyon is formed by the Snake and Greys Rivers at the border between Idaho and Wyoming. The Perrine Bridge spans the canyon at Twin Falls, Idaho.
In 1974, stuntman Evel Knievel attempted to jump the canyon while riding the X-1 Skycycle rocket. The stunt failed during the launch when the parachute deployed early.
Chia Pets (G-G-G-Gia) ... (Referenced by Lucky while calling out to Gia during the shoot-out.)
"Ch-ch-ch-chia!" is one of the most unfortunately catchy, stick-in-your-head-all-day commercial jingles of all time. It is used to market Chia Pets, collectible animal figurines first manufactured and sold in 1982 by San Francisco-based Joseph Enterprises, Inc.
Moistened chia seeds (Salvia Columbariae) are placed into small grooves in a hollow clay figurine, then after three to five days of filling the Pet with water, the seeds produce a thick gel-like paste which binds the seeds to the clay. The seeds sprout over the Pet's body, giving the appearance of fur or hair.
The first Chia Pet sold was in the shape of a ram, but the line of figurines currently includes a Bunny, Frog, Hippo, Kitten, Pig, Puppy, Turtle, Professor, a Chia Kid (pictured below) and various cartoon characters from Scooby Doo, The Simpsons, Looney Tunes, Garfield and Shrek.
Although the name Chia Pet is a registered trademark belonging to Joseph Enterprises, Inc. the item is not a patented invention, so other companies are free to make similar figurines. In addition to the Chia fad and the "Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia" jingle, we also have Joseph Enterprises, Inc. to thank for the Smart Clapper. "Clap On! Clap Off!"
Now, even though Gia's "interesting" hair has sometimes been a topic of discussion, I'm not certain I see the resemblance. But judge for yourselves.
Iraq ... (Referenced during Woody's press conference.)
The Republic of Iraq is a Middle Eastern country in southwestern Asia encompassing most of Mesopotamia as well as the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range and the eastern part of the Syrian Desert. It shares borders with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the west, Syria to the northwest, Turkey to the north, and Iran (Persia) to the east. Baghdad is the nation's capital. There are several suggestions for the origin of the name of Iraq; one dates back to the Sumerian city of Uruk (or Erech). Another suggestion is that Iraq comes from the Aramaic language, meaning "the land along the banks of the rivers."
Iraq was first widely introduced into the casual discussion in the United States during The Gulf War (often referred to as "Desert Storm") in 1991. Since then, the U.S. has been in and out of various battles and skirmishes with leaders and factions of religion in the country. Today, the United States (as led by the Bush Administration) is at war with Iraq with over 2,000 U.S. soldiers having already lost their lives. As to why we are at war with Iraq -- you'll have to check with our President -- his reasons vary depending on how much truthful information has made its way to the public.
Hamster Ball ... (Referenced by Veronica to Keith after watching Woody's press conference.)
Hamster Ball is both an arcade game featuring a hamster in a clear plastic ball winding it's way through fiendish courses with zany obstacles popping up every turn and an exercise ball that allows a hamster to run all over your room without you having to worry that it might get lost or be attacked by other animals. The ball protects the hamster from harm as it explores the environment.
MySpace ... (Referenced by Gia while studying for the Health final with Veronica.)
MySpace is the most popular English language social networking website in the world, beating out competitors such as LiveJournal, MSN Spaces, and Friendster, with just over 75 million registered accounts. MySpace's website offers an interactive network of blogs, user profiles, photos, groups, and an internal email system. As of March 2006, it is the world's fifth most popular English language website and the eighth most popular website in the world. MySpace has approximately 250 employees and projects a $20M revenue for 2006.
Stream of Consciousness ... (Referenced by Keith when talking to Veronica about Lucky's unfathomable e-mails.)
Stream of consciousness is essentially the mixture of all levels of awareness -- sensations, thoughts, memories, associations, reflections, etc. -- going through a person's mind at any given moment. The phrase originated in 1855 with Alexander Bain and was later made current by William James.
As a writing technique, these disjointed, varied, illogical elements of the mind are expressed by a flow of words, images, and ideas. As a literary technique, stream of consciousness was made famous by James Joyce, whose interpretation involved the removal of quotation marks, hyphens, etc., making his prose resemble that of the inner mind. Of course, it also makes it near impossible to understand, at times. Ulysses, anyone?
New York (Referenced by Keith as he jokingly asks Veronica to fly there to question Woody's former batboy.)
Officially the City of New York, New York City (also known by the initials NYC) is the highest populated city in the United States and the most densely populated major city in North America. Located in the state of New York, it has a population of over eight million in a 321 square mile radius. Overwhelmingly considered to be one of the world's major global cities, NYC is a center for international finance, fashion, entertainment, and culture with an exceptional array of museums, galleries, media outlets, performance venues, international corporations and financial markets. NYC is also the home to the United Nations headquarters.
New York City proper is made up of five boroughs: Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Manhattan. Each borough is home to at least a million people and each would be considered as some of the nation's largest cities if considered separate of the others.
Since the 1970's the city has commonly been referred to by the nickname "The Big Apple" due to a promotional campaign by the New York Convention and Visitor's Bureau, although the true origins of this alternate toponym are less clear. The city has attracted a large number of immigrants, with over a third of its population born outside of the United States. NYC also attracts people from all over the U.S. because of its culture, energy, cosmopolitan feel and economic opportunities. Currently NYC has the lowest crime rate among the nation's twenty-five largest cities.
New York University (NYU) ... (Referenced by Keith as he asks Veronica if she can fly to New York to talk to Rick Pickett, a former bat boy who is now located there.)
Founded in 1831 by Albert Gallatin and a group of prominent New Yorkers, New York University is now the largest private not-for-profit university in the United States. With fourteen schools, colleges and divisions occupying six major centers in Manhattan, as well as branch campus and research programs in other states and countries, the University has an enrollment of more than 40,000 students. The University is also one of the largest employers in New York City with over 16,000 employees.
The University motto is "perstare et praestare" (to persevere and to excel) and the official mascot is the Bobcat. Some notable alumni include Nobel Prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Neil Simon, Academy Award winner Ang Lee and VM's very own Kristen Bell, who attended but left before graduation to perform on Broadway.
Shiv ... (Referenced by Mac as she jokingly asks Weevil to "shiv" Beaver if she gets him an 'A'.)
A shiv is a slang term for a knife, or a makeshift knife-like weapon. They're usually made and used by inmates in prisons, out of any number of everyday items like a shard of glass with cloth wrapped around one end, a razorblade stuck in the end of a toothbrush, a sharpened spoon, or the like. A similar term is a "shank," which is a shiv made out of the metal shanks that used to be part of prison-issue boots. More information and photographs of various shivs can be found at this website.
Paris (Referenced by Jackie as she tells her dad she's decided not to go there.)
The capital and largest city of France, Paris is also the capital of the le-de-France rgion, as well as having the distinction of being the largest city in the world with an estimated population of 11.5 million. A leading global cultural, business and political center, the city is well known for its defining neo-classical architecture as well as its unparalleled influence in fashion and the arts. Paris has a reputation for being a "romantic" city and has held the nickname "The City of Light" (la Ville Lumire) since the 19th century.
Located on the river Seine in north central France, Paris is home to many museums, galleries, churches, and nightlife helping to make it the most visited city in the world with more than thirty million visitors a year. Paris' most recognizable symbol is the 1,063 foot Eiffel Tower on the banks of the river Seine.
The original Latin name of the city was Lutetia or Lutetia Parisiorum, which was later dropped in favor of simply Paris. The origins of the name are uncertain. It may be derived from the Gallic Parisii tribe, whose name might be from the Celtic Gallic word parios, meaning "cauldron." Paris might also be derived from Celtic language parisio meaning "the working people" or "the craftsmen."
Babylon ... (Referenced by Veronica when telling Wallace her last exam is on the ascendancy rules of Babylon.)
Babylon was the capital of Babylonia, the alluvial plain between the Euphrates and Tigris. After the fall of the Assyrian empire (612 BCE), Babylon became the capital of the ancient Near East, and King Nebuchadnezzar adorned the city with several famous buildings (including The Hanging Gardens of Babylon 1). Even when the Babylonian Empire had been conquered by the Persian king Cyrus the Great (539), Babylon remained a splendid city.
During the Hellenistic period, in 331, the Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great, who was fighting a war against the Persians, captured Babylon. Later, he intended to make the city his residence, and therefore ordered several building projects, including Etemenanki (the large temple tower in Babylon, also known as the Tower of Babel 2). Building activity related to the Esagila is mentioned in several cuneiform sources and continued as late as the early 280's, when the Seleucid crown prince Antiochus used his elephants to remove the debris. Meanwhile, the founder of the Seleucid dynasty, Seleucus Nicator, had ordered the building of a new city, Seleucia. This was meant as a Greek city, and crown prince Antiochus resettled Europeans that had been left in Babylon in Seleucia. For more than a century, Babylon remained a primarily Babylonian city. It was only Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164) who again started a Greek colonizing policy in Babylon.
A generation after the attempt by Antiochus IV Epiphanes to populate Babylon with Europeans, the Parthians conquered Babylonia (141). The city suffered, but remained an important center of learning. For example, the Babylonian astronomers known as Chaldaeans were still studying the skies, and the Akitu festival was still celebrated. Yet, it appears that the city's decline had begun. When the Roman emperor Trajan invaded Babylonia in 116-117, he was disappointed by the ruins.
1 The Gardens, built in 600 BC, were supposedly a present for Nebuchadnezzar's wife, Amyitis, who was homesick for her verdant homeland. She found the flat, sun-baked terrain of the Mesopotamia depressing and so Nebuchadnezzar tried to recreate her homeland by building an artificial mountain with rooftop gardens. (Illustrated in this painting by an unknown artist below.)
The Gardens were one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World -- a widely-known list of seven remarkable constructions of classical antiquity. The earliest known version of the list was compiled in the 2nd century BC by Antipater of Sidon.
2 The famous temple of Marduk, and its ziggurat, a temple tower of the ancient Mesopotamian valley, known as the Etemenanki, were considered to be the foundation of heaven on earth. In the creation epic Enma li, Babylon is the center of the universe, an idea that is also implied in the Biblical account of the "Tower of Babel," in which the confusion of languages is followed by people spreading all over the world out of Babylon.
Pieter Bruegel, 1563
- In the quad scene, Gia's outfit is color coordinated with the cupcakes she presents to Veronica. Wow, the things those '09er girls will do for the sake of fashion.
- Veronica's protectiveness towards Gia during Lucky's rampage.
- When Lucky's body falls to the ground, in the background you can see a banner, proclaiming: "Create Smiles. Be a Mentor."
- Nice nod to continuity with Hart making a not-so-subtle reference to keeping the secret for Veronica, the secret being the accidental recording he made of Lynn falling to her death (as shown in Mars vs. Mars, S1, Ep 14).
- What's up with the peanut butter and the Mars family? Last week, Veronica was eating peanut butter on bread while teasing Keith about the newspaper article and in this episode, Keith was eating his own peanut butter and bread while discussing the Woody situation.
- Woody referenced Lucky's real name as "Thomas Dehannick" (DOHANIC??) in this episode, but Logan called him "Tommy Dolinick" in I Am God.
- Jackie's cutesy cowgirl outfit, complete with pigtails and plaid shirt.
- In one of Lucky's emails that he sent to Woody, the email address was MisterClean221@cyberbolt.com. In I Am God, when Cervando is drawing the diagram of the killer's proximity to the bus, he says: "Hey, look he's bald." This now makes two reference to baldness, is there any significance behind this?
- Beaver's hilariously panicked expression after Weevil tells him, "If this is your idea of terms I'll understand, I'm going to kill you."
- Neither Woody nor Veronica are wearing shoes in the scenes at the Goodman house. This is a nice bit of continuity from Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner, when we learned that the house rule is for everyone, including visitors, to put their shoes in specially marked baskets.
- Rick Pickett, mentioned by Keith as one of Woody's former bat boys, is the name of Veronica Mars's graphic designer.
- The shirt (or whatever it is) on the back of the teacher's chair when Mac is helping Weevil: "I ♥ Π" (I love Pi)
- Jackie's snotty look and greeting when she opens the door to Leonard Lobo.
- Veronica's cell phone, when she gets the message about the verdict, shows the date as Jan 4, 9:37am.
- Why didn't Jake and Celeste Kane attend the trial of the man accused of murdering their daughter?
- When did Veronica discover that Logan erased the Lilly Kane tapes and what was her reaction to the incident?
- Since Aaron has been acquitted of Lilly's murder, now does Logan regret destroying the tapes?
- After the incident at the Neptune Grand, did Logan ever again attempt to broach the topic with Veronica?
- How did Aaron's defense attorney obtain Veronica's confidential medical records and in what alternative dimension is this evidence admissible in court?
- Does Veronica really have Chlamydia or was it an elaborate ruse designed by Aaron's defense team to discredit her as a witness?
- What happened to the witness whose house Aaron broke into?
- Why did Aaron take the stand before Logan, Veronica, and Keith?
- Who really keyed Beaver's car?
- Who is Amber and why is she a bitch?
- Is there a greater purpose behind Hart's sudden reappearance than simply playing Beaver's momentary sidekick? Does this mean Lynn Echolls' suicide might be re-explored?
- In one of Lucky's emails to Woody, the subject line reads "kill incorporation or else." Why would Lucky want to stop the incorporation deal?
- Who is the third person on the audio recording and why has his voice been edited out? Why would the background voices be speaking French?
- After Aaron was arrested for Lilly's murder and the videotapes were entered into evidence, why didn't anyone, especially Sheriff Lamb, view them? In order to build a case, wouldn't some law enforcement official have to witness them?
- Was it really Lucky who planted the bomb under Woody's car?
- Where in the world is Woody?
- Could Lucky's e-mail threat have led Woody to stage the campaign worker scandal right before the vote was scheduled?
- Was there some significance to it being revealed in Normal is the Watchword that Duncan was never in Little League?
- Why was Lucky bleaching his feet? Memories of being forced to go shoeless at the Goodmans' house? Reiters syndrome, which can be a complication of Chlamydia, and sometimes causes a rash on the soles of the feet? Or just random craziness on Lucky's part?
- Lucky would wear a catcher's mask "a lot" whenever he, Logan and the other boys were "going into battle" last summer? Didn't that strike anyone as odd? Did Lucky accompany the boys during all of their anti-PCHer stunts? How many were there?
- Lucky, who used to be a former bat boy for the Sharks, was blackmailing Woody Goodman with audio recordings that suggest he engaged in inappropriate behavior with young boys.
- Peter Ferrer and Marcos Oliveres, victims of the bus crash, were on Woody Goodman's Little League team as children. Supposedly, Woody molested Marcos and Peter and they were considering revealing this information.
duchessjms (Jayne) Social Science
JenniferH: Report Card; Chemistry; History; Band Class; Social Science; Homeroom
Iluvyoubearymuch (Kathryn): Homeroom; Philosophy; Principles of Democracy
Pixigal (Gerrie): Social Science
SeluciaV (Alli): Extra Credit; Literature; Social Science
Tar Frimmer (Joanne): Study Hall; Literature; Social Science; Homeroom; Philosophy
