Episode #02.03: Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang
Original Air Date: October 12, 2005
Written by: Phil Klemmer & John Enbom
Directed by: John Kretchmer
Report Card (Capsule Episode Review)
Yearbook (Recurring & Guest Stars/Character Statistics)
Drama Club (Performances: Highlights and Lowlights)
Chemistry (The Analysis of LoVe Scenes)
Journalism (The Mystery of the Week)
Study Hall (Miscellaneous Plot Details)
Extra Credit (Clues to the Season Mystery Arcs)
History (Flashbacks)
Band Class (The Music of Veronica Mars)
Literature (LoVe Lines/In Memory/Quotable Quotes)
Social Science (In Reference To ... Pop Culture & The World)
Homeroom (On Second Viewing, Get a Clue)
Pep Squad Practice (Ambiguously (Or Not) Gay Logan Moments)
Detention (While the Censors Were Out to Lunch ...)
Philosophy (Unanswered Questions)
Principles of Democracy (Hindsight is 20/20)
Role Call (Written/Compiled By ...)
Grade: A
Membership Grade: TIE - A/B (42.9% / 54 votes each)
The first truly solid episode of season two, Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang showcases much of what makes Veronica Mars so great in the first season: Drama, humor, relationship screw-ups, witty dialogue and a compelling mystery of the week. Guest stars are effectively used to not only further the plot, but also tug at the emotions and all of the above combined equal a great episode.
Credited Cast Non-Appearance
Francis Capra - Eli "Weevil" Navarro
Recurring Guest Stars
Charisma Carpenter - Kendall Casablancas
- Normal is the Watchword
- Driver Ed
Erica Gimpel Alicia Fennel
- Season One Appearances
Brandon Hillock Deputy Sacks
- Season One Appearances
- Driver Ed
Mike King Lars
- Like a Virgin
Michael Muhney Sheriff Don Lamb
- Season One Appearances
- Driver Ed
David Starzyk "Big Dick" Casablancas
- Driver Ed
Guest Stars:
John Ciccolini Dan
Mary Lou Flesh County Assessor Secretary
Michel Kostroff Mr. Samuel Nelson Pope
Michael Otis Jack Montana
Janene Possell School Nurse
Courtney Taylor-Taylor Himself
Cress Williams Mystery Man
Who's Who in Neptune:
Dan Mechanic at the Symbolic Motor Car Company that used to work with Curly Moran, the dead Hawaiian Shirt guy from last week's episode.
Lars Really bad karaoke singer that sang at Java the Hut in an attempt to impress a blonde chick named Jeannie. (Previously seen as a student anchor at Neptune High.)
Mr. Samuel N. Pope Teacher at Neptune High and moderator of the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America).
Jack Montana Neptune County Assessor in cahoots with Dick Casablancas, Sr.
Courtney Taylor-Taylor Karaoke singer who followed up Lars' lacking performance at Java the Hut with a much better performance of his own (a karaoke rendition of "Love Hurts").
Mystery Man The yet unnamed African-American man that is after "Cher" (a.k.a. Alicia Fennel) for a yet-to-be-disclosed reason.
Hey! It's That Guy/Girl
Courtney Taylor-Taylor (Karaoke Singer #2) Lead singer of the Dandy Warhols, the group who sing the Veronica Mars theme song, "We Used to Be Friends." The track can be found on their Welcome To The Monkey House CD.
Highlights
Michael Kostroff (Mr. Pope) - Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang offers a lovely smorgasbord of acting performances, but it is Michel Kostroff playing the ebullient Mr. Pope that offers the defining acting performance of the episode.
A guest star's role varies according to the show he is guest starring in. On CSI, Cold Case or any sort of procedural show, the guest star's role is pivotal, often determining whether the show is memorable or simply another run of the mill episode. In a show, like Veronica Mars, where the episode revolves around a single, pivotal character, a guest star is often negligible, with the performance adding little to the overall impact of the episode.
Michael Kostroff rises above these limitations and creates an indelible portrait as Mr. Pope, the head of the FBLA. Kostroff shines every moment he is onscreen -- whether snarkily smacking down Dick Casablancas, enthusiastically predicting his imminent life of future ease or excitedly waving the prize for winning his stockholder's game. However, it is in his final scene with Veronica, as he realizes the extent of his losses and the ethical price he is unable to pay, that he ensures the viewing audience's devotion.
In the world of Veronica Mars' noir, where all avenues are often gray and corruptible, Mr. Pope chooses to do the right thing. Kostroff adds a touching layer of heartbreak to his final scene as he pulls down the picture of his boat and quietly contemplates his future. Bravo for a standout performance.
Kyle Gallner (Cassidy 'Beaver' Casablancas) - Gallner shines as a seemingly angry, vengeful Cassidy -- a performance overlaid by Cassidy's strong desire to protect his father and his intense hunger for his love.
Charisma Carpenter (Kendall Casablancas) - Continuing to play the trampy trophy wife with equal parts glee and sluttiness as she contemplates adding a girl toy to her sex games, Carpenter barely contains her impatience as Veronica switches the iPods, and is smirkily happy at the compliment Veronica bestows on her ass.
David Starzyk (Big Dick Casablancas) - Starzyk's Big Dick is sheer delight as he does the "Shred everything!" flee out the building. He may not have been around for long, but he definitely made an indelible impression.
Scene One: Veronica Chooses Not to Deal
When I first watched this scene, I was fairly unhappy with how Veronica was interacting with Donut. I actually began to question my take on the hallway scene from the previous episode since the two were kissing lingeringly twice in front of Logan, acting happy and in love. Not to mention that Veronica glared at Logan twice as if he was this horrible jerk. I was not a happy camper. However, upon further thought (with elucidation from my fellow posters), I saw that it was indeed completely in character for Miss Veronica Mars.
When something happens that she does not want to deal with -- In this case: She totally is in love with Logan and Donut is no longer 'the one,' -- she simply chooses to ignore it, box it up and not deal. Think Betty and Veronica: The Veronica who dealt with her wreck of a mother was completely put in a box while she went about finding a mascot and helping Wallace out. Veronica Mars is nothing if not a master at compartmentalization. And that is exactly what she was doing here, with an added dash of the ole 'Veronica Mars is never wrong.' She was not only boxing up that late-night encounter, she was also working double-time to prove to herself ... and Logan ... that she DOES love Duncan and that she IS super-duper happy and that Duncan IS the bestest ever and plugs her up right every time.
Not.
Scene Two: Logan Cares
I understand that this scene contains the best line of the show ("Didn't plug her right the first time, huh?"), but past the first bit that features interaction of any kind between Logan and Veronica (and it really is stretching to call it interaction), the rest of the scene when dealing with Logan in relation to the VD epidemic is directed towards Donut. So, I'm just covering that first bit ... which I still don't quite understand. Why DID Logan make such a big show of getting up, moving his stuff and dramatically offering up his place so that Veronica and Donut could sit by one another? Maybe it was part of his "I don't care" attitude by showing the two of them that, well, he didn't care. If that was the case, well, he failed because it came across that, yeah, he cared.
Scene Three: It's All About Control ... or Lack Thereof
Logan and Veronica have had plenty of snark-fests and one-sided fights but I think this was the first true fight that they both participated in. I think the two of them have truly had two fights prior to this one, on the beach and Veronica wasn't really playing along and in her apartment when they broke up, where again Veronica was not an active participant. However, this time they were both engaged in the fight and it wasn't a game of one-upsmanship as all of their past disagreements have been. They were genuinely fighting, not so much as trying to keep from going at each other (as Veronica was in the apartment break up) or get a grasp on what the hell is going on (Logan during the break-up).
They were fighting as two people who love each other, but hate each other right now to the degree that they want to hurt the other. Veronica was more in your face, while Logan used his favorite weapon, the subtle verbal jabs -- this time mostly directed at the situation. And both of them were trying very hard to pretend that they simply did not care and that this anger -- which they'd both kept under control prior to this -- had nothing to do with their dual knowledge of their sexual activities. Surprisingly, Logan did a much better job than did Veronica.
With three notable exceptions, one more intangible than the rest, Logan almost was able to play the entire situation as if he just did not care that he was fucking a married woman, that he was caught fucking a married woman and that Veronica knew that he was fucking a married woman. The exceptions? First was when Veronica claimed that Logan was getting enjoyment out of his death wish. You can see him very visibly swallow once and then less visibly as if he's gained control. And it's in those swallows that I get the sense that Logan does not have a death wish at all. He doesn't want to die; he doesn't want someone else to do the job for him.
The things that happen to him, brought on by things he does -- because yes, he did bring both (especially the bridge-beating) on himself in a way -- are not a result of him baiting death because he enjoys the thrill. It's two things, I think. The first is that he simply does not think of the consequences of his actions. This is partly because of his youth and partly because of his upbringing as one of the privileged whose only consequences were a beating by daddy and he had clearly immunized those against stopping his actions back in Return of the Kane.
The second is because he IS the poor, little rich boy. He is, simply put, in pain. He is so very alone and I really don't think that Veronica fully appreciates that. She feels as if she was alone her junior year, but she had her dad and she eventually grew to have Wallace. So in her mind, she may feel that she understands what it is like to be truly alone because of her ostracism and because she didn't tell her dad everything. Therefore, she figures that she understands what Logan has gone through, but she never acted out as horribly as he had. However, she is wrong.
Veronica had Keith; she always had someone who loved her ... and not just loved her, but unconditionally so. Logan clearly has not had unconditional love ever in his life and once he lost the happy memory of Lilly and Aaron was tarnished to a degree that Logan no doubt had not even fathomed, he truly was alone except for Veronica. Who was holding herself back from him because she wanted "normal." And once she dropped him, this poor, little rich boy was truly, completely and utterly alone. A desolate soul living with the belief that he truly is worthless to any other human being.
The second exception to Logan's devil-may-care facade was the most obvious when his voice finally rose. Yes, there was snark, but it was presented with anguish and not a cheeky attitude. However, unlike Veronica, his control was quickly recaptured -- during the sentence, no less ("you storm out in a burst of professionalism"). His voice rose in bitterness before dropping like lead to normal.
I had commented last week that Logan has been doing an excellent job of showing that he was unaffected by Veronica, except when he's with Veronica. Clearly, he's been working on this. And considering what he found out last week, it certainly makes sense that he would use that information to build up his walls even more securely and as witnessed in the two earlier scenes, it's clear that he has. And it's really clear in this scene. Most of his comments to her are delivered as jokes or lighthearted banter. Only the tone on "devoted ex-girlfriend" and the above quote completely lose the jocular tinge, while the "responsible for what?" loses the bit of that edge, but not all.
Finally, the intangible exception. Part of the reason I wrote way above that "[Logan and Veronica] were fighting as two people who love each other, but hate each other ..." is because the way Logan spoke his barbs was different from how we've heard him snark at Veronica or anyone else for that matter -- but for one other -- in the past. The sweet smile or full on smirk was missing from every hit. The only person that Logan has ever directed barbs to without the smile or smirk in full force is Aaron. The one person he loved, but hated. (I'm rather hoping that he just plain hates Aaron now, but back then, there was definitely still that mixture.)
Logan hated Aaron for hurting him and his mother, but he desperately wanted Aaron to love him too. He did. And in a sad way, it's the same thing with Veronica. He does hate her for hurting him so much, and hurting him when he had absolutely no one else, but he wants her to love him too. The thing is that enough time has passed now that Logan is getting better and better at hiding that need, just as he did with Aaron.
Veronica, on the other hand, has spent so much time lately living in this shell -- a pod so to speak ;) -- that when she's confronted with the one person who pushes her buttons like no other, she can barely control herself. She actually began the scene barely in control. As she commented on his redecorating, her voice was trembling and already sounded as if it was on the verge of tears. Veronica was so jealous; she was so angry, so upset with him, and she was doing her absolute damndest to control those emotions ... and failing miserably.
She kept trying for the snark with the accompanying sweet smile, shining eyes, occasional head tilt and she simply could not pull it off. After each delivered snark, the smile would drop immediately; the head never finished its tilt. And her eyes were shining all right, but not with fake cheer filled with contempt, but rather with unshed tears. The same unshed tears that kept her voice from having the lightness that generally accompanies her quips.
And the quips? Those she could barely hold onto. Instead she started attacking. She couldn't attack him for moving on which is what she was really angry about, so she turned it on him sleeping with a "bimbo." She couldn't really call him out ethically because girl has done some unethical things in her time so many times that she knows he'd call her out on that in a heartbeat. And she couldn't, wouldn't, did not want to admit to jealousy, so she sought to hurt him. Pulling the "poor little rich boy" spiel out when she should know better. Playing the 'you done wrong' card by using Mr. Casablancas as a front. She just wanted to hurt him because she was hurting. He did it last week, it was her turn now. And she realized exactly what she was doing and tried to head it off in the worst way possible, protesting much too much.
Scene Four: This Time She Gets the Concept
Technically this is a separate scene even if it's only about 5 seconds long. What is interesting about it is that it neatly encapsulates in those five seconds the main core of what happened in Logan's bedroom. Logan is in control, snarking with ease as if he simply does not care. Veronica, on the other hand, completely loses her train of thought -- and that's a pretty damn hefty train of thought -- and reverts back to the pissed, jealous nonprofessional immediately upon Logan's arrival. After his comment, she rolls her eyes and all but huffs and storms away. This time correctly.
Veronica joins her school's chapter of Future Business Leaders of America so she can have at least one legitimate extracurricular for college applications. She must have forgotten about: Working part time at her dad's office, being a hostess at Java the Hut, newspaper, photography, pep squad, running a campaign for the Student Council election, submitting a poem for the school's literary magazine, and her excellent recommendation from Vice Principal Clemmons. (With that last one, he really does put the "pal" in principal.)
During the FBLA meeting, she listens to major money maker H. Richard Casablancas, Dick and Beaver's dad, a.k.a. Big Dick, talk about real estate investments. His company is so successful with a whopping 35% return that Mr. Pope, the FBLA faculty advisor, invests with the Big Dick. He explains that REITs, Real Estate Investment Trusts, allow a bunch of people to pool their money and buy into several different real estate buildings, similar to how mutual funds work.
I bet during this speech Veronica is wondering if the H. stands for Harold. I'm sure it does. Parents can be cruel that way; just ask my plumber Richard Wacker. From this meeting, Veronica gets to keep her very own fabulous, printed in color, multi-page flyer for Casablancas Enterprises. That is going to make great reading while she is at the doctor's office for her weekly dose of penicillin (to cure the VD, of course.)
Cassidy approaches Veronica and tries to butter her up with the ever-successful, sexist remark along the lines of, "It's great you joined FBLA, you know, for being a girl." Cassidy is cute, but he should be careful or Veronica's girlie parts are going to kick his Beaver ass all over Neptune. Cassidy tells her he wants proof that his stepmother, Kendall, is cheating on his dad. Veronica finally agrees after asking for more money. FBLA would be proud.
Veronica follows Kendall around but isn't very sneaky about it. She does hide behind a somewhat see-through wall once, so she hasn't lost all of her spy magic. Or maybe Veronica is just hypnotized by the rhythmic swaying of Kendall's short, yellow skirt. [Note to Charisma: way to try to sashay us into better ratings. Keep it up, if it will help us get a 3rd season.] Veronica gets some pictures of Kendall and a "Mr. Good Looking but has no lines" meeting at the gym for a snack (not the dirty kind, unless you are on a carb-free diet) and then driving to a motel where Kendall closes the curtains. Which of course automatically means there must be sex going on. Just ask the students at Ricks Junior College in Idaho.
After Cassidy sees the pictures, he is appalled that Kendall is cheating at one of Big Dick's motels, but points out that all the pictures really prove is Kendall and Mr. Good Looking swapped gym bags. And that isn't a dirty reference either. Darn. Cassidy needs undeniable proof for his father to take him seriously.
In a very ballsy, as 'non under the radar' as you can get, Veronica switches Kendall's iPod with an exact replica that has a hidden camera that takes pictures automatically every 15 seconds. Again, Veronica seems to have lost her smooth operator status she displayed in the 'great stapler exchange' in Clash of the Tritons, but she gets the job done. She is however smart enough to purposefully change the song playing, in front of Kendall, so that she won't notice a song switch when she next listens to the iPod.
Veronica continues to follow Kendall and Mr. Good Looking to a motel, the Sandpiper. Veronica's Spidey sense tingles and she pulls out the Casablancas flyer from earlier. While she thinks someone is getting screwed in the motel room, she is pretty sure a lot of other people are getting screwed outside of the motel also because the fabulous picture from the flyer doesn't match the dumpy looking motel in front of her. Before jumping to conclusions however, I think that Veronica should consider that maybe the motel was just at the mall one day and decided on a whim to visit Glamour Shots. The motel didn't mean to imply that it was snazzy and shiny, like the flyer showed, all of the time. The motel just wanted to look extra pretty for once.
Veronica trails Mr. Good Looking to the bank and then the county assessor's office. Veronica walks into the office and asks the receptionist about the man that came in right before her. The receptionist replies, "Are you looking for someone?" Uh, yea lady, and she just told you who. Duh and Grrr. The receptionist says no one is there. Well, someone is, unless Mr. Good Looking did a Danny Phantom on his way in. Sheesh. Eventually Veronica figures out that the man she was following is the county assessor. [A quick observation: Veronica's hair was slightly funky for the first time this season. Yea, baby, the show and the hair are back! She had it in a bad, choppy, ponytail flip. Maybe with the return of the funky hair comes the return of super sleuth. I am hoping anyway.]
Veronica questions Mr. Pope about real estate fraud and tells him that Kendall and Big Dick are bribing the county assessor to raise the value on local properties. Veronica warns Mr. Pope to sell his stock before the fraud is exposed. He refuses to dump his worthless investment on some other poor schlub. Here's a tip for you Mr. Pope: get the hell out of Neptune. I hear Sunnydale has some cheap properties available. Might be a nice change of pace.
Cassidy shows up at Java the Hut with the iPod camera and he and Veronica start to look at the pictures it captured. They see the county assessor signing some documents, which confuses Cassidy. Veronica's hostess duties call her away before she can explain the pictures and the fraud to Cassidy. When she gets back to their table, she sees that he has split with the camera. On her laptop are half-naked pictures of Logan and realizes he is the other man in Kendall's life.
The following day, Veronica drops by Logan's house to find his bedroom in a state of disarray and his body in a state of hotness covered only by a towel. Lucky towel. She is sweet enough to not point out that one should really dress for company and instead most professionally gives him a heads up about the affair being exposed. Just in case he missed it, she says this is a just a job. I don't buy that and neither does Logan. Snarking and barbing a bit more, Veronica ends the conversation in a decided huff and storms out. Very professional.
Cassidy takes the incriminating pictures to his dad to tell him about the Kendall/Logan affair. Big Dick ignores the affair part and jumps to, "you hired a private investigator? Oh son." He grabs his brief case and stuffs two files into it just as his receptionist reports that two men from the SEC want to see him. If his receptionist wanted to stall the SEC men, maybe she should try the "are you looking for someone?" question from before. Big Dick races out of the office yelling, "shred it, shred it all" in a fabulous Arrested Development shout out. He leaves a bewildered and disappointed Cassidy behind while he runs to a waiting helicopter and flies off.
- It is the beginning of senior year and Veronica has three months to get college applications done and six months to apply for scholarships. Since her college applications are going to be a bit thin on extracurriculars, Veronica has joined the Future Business Leaders of America mainly due to the fact that Duncan is a member. The faculty advisor is Mr. Samuel Nelson Pope. The FBLA have a local profiles series. Each year they also play a stock market game where every club member has a virtual portfolio that they control to see who has the best return at the end of the year. Last year Dick invested in dog races and lost his shirt. (Which several of our members would like to see again. And soon.)
Mr. Pope is planning on retiring at the end of the year and sailing away on his Swan 40 boat that he has been restoring. When he states that he has been having problems and had to reseal the hull twice, Logan gets the best zinger in a long while with "Didn't plug her right the first time, huh," complete with a smirk at Duncan. Duncan loses his shit and goes for Logan, pushing him out of the classroom and into some nearby lockers. Cut to them getting patched up in the nurse's office. (Oh, I wanted to see Logan land a few punches. Seriously, that was a majorly wimpy fight, but Duncan does have a bloody nose and Logan has the beginning of a black eye, so the fight must have gone on longer than we saw.)
After some snark about who knows Veronica best and Logan's staying power, Logan admits that he is angry about how Duncan disappeared over the summer. (How could he be there for you Logan, he was too busy stalking your then girlfriend at her place of employment?) Their conversation turns into a "Who had the worse summer vacation" competition. Logan quite rightly points out that Duncan has not had his back recently, and Duncan has no rebuttal. Logan gets in the last shot with a very well acted, "I hate him too" (about Aaron) coupled with unshed tears. Poor woobie Logan.
- Dick's father is H. Richard Casablancas and he is CEO of Casablancas Enterprises. They specialize in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). His stock is trading at $52.16 and Casablancas Enterprises has posted 35% returns on their investments for the last two years. Dick is obviously his daddy's favorite.
- Dick is being a dick to Veronica again.
- Neptune High has a French Club and a Model UN Club.
- Veronica is doing nothing to hide her relationship with Duncan from Logan.
- Veronica is trying to remember to call Beaver 'Cassidy,' but is not always successful.
- Cassidy seems to really care about his lying, good for nothing dad, as his hiring of Veronica can attest. He thinks that Kendall is a money grubbing gold digger.
- Kendall Casablancas has a prenup that forbids her from cheating.
- Kendall's schedule is:
- Keith's book is 97 on the New York Times bestseller list. His publisher believes in the book and he has been doing a lot of publicity. He invites Alicia to join him on a book signing in Chicago where he is being put up at the Rossmore Hotel that has a jazz club at the top. She agrees to go and Veronica questions Keith about his intentions toward Alicia. He swears that he will not be proposing, and that it is just a romantic getaway.
In Chicago, Keith and Alicia are enjoying the ambience of the Jazz club and a very happy Keith tells Alicia that he really wants to be sheriff. He tells her that he likes being "that guy" and talks fondly of hopped up meth heads. Well, whatever floats your boat, Keith.
- Kendall Lacey Casablancas, nee Lacey Shiflett, dropped out of Arizona State University. She was a featured music video background dancer and then a Laker girl, where she made $10,000 a year. She had a string of "baller" boyfriends and then landed the Big Dick. As a trophy wife, she drives a black convertible Mercedes, wears Jimmy Choos and Dolce and Gabanna. (Which, by the way the yellow pleated skirt is very cute, but the top is not working for me.)
- One of Neptune's zip codes is 90927.
- Dick Casablancas has been married twice before.
- Keith has filed the official paperwork for his divorce from Lianne.
- Wallace's mom still makes his lunch and he is embarrassed by her addition of a pudding cup. Hey, don't knock the puddin'.
- Jackie and Wallace's relationship has progressed to eating lunch together, which does not thrill Veronica. Wallace says that he is trying to get "privileges" and asks for Veronica's help. Jackie, who seems the tiniest bit chagrined that Veronica and Wallace are friends, apologizes for her behavior at the beginning of Driver Ed. Jackie then goes on to knock one of the greatest books ever written, Pride and Prejudice, which causes Wallace to jump in with an offer of his CliffsNotes (Wallace! I am going to tell your mother on you). Veronica one ups him with the offer of a viewing of the Colin Firth BBC version (which is inarguably the best) and Jackie agrees.
At the viewing party, Jackie irritates Veronica to no end, which hysterically, Duncan seems totally unaware of. While Wallace discounts the awesomeness that is Colin Firth, Duncan says that women only want Colin for his mansion and his swans. Well, Duncan, all you have going for you is your mansion, so I would not be casting stones. Apparently Jackie used to date an actor who did a play in London. Colin Firth attended the after party and she finally says something I agree with when she claims that he doesn't need the house and swans to land a girl. Duncan, be happy you have the mansion, because you are no Colin Firth.
Jackie was thrown out of St. Paul's prep for "borrowing the dean's car," and got bored so she flew to Paris for her birthday with her boyfriend. Wallace also shows a surprising inability to read his BFF, looks to Veronica for validation of Jackie's coolness. Veronica, while trying to explain to Wallace that Jackie sucks, is unable to make her point. Wallace gets defensive; assuming that Veronica thinks Jackie is out of his league. Veronica, quite rightly, points out that Jackie is out of Wallace's league. He needs a woman who will like his little pudding cup! And Veronica, what is the deal with that shirt and sweater combo? Yuck.
Jackie breaks up this tender moment and Veronica, at Wallace's very cute pleading face, covers for their absence by saying that Wallace was asking for hair tips. (Yea, 'cause that makes him a babe magnet!) Jackie overshares that she likes the wild look while fondling Wallace's hair and Veronica leaves the room before her dinner leaves her. Wallace suggest that they meet Friday to finish the movie, but Veronica begs off saying she has to work and Jackie pipes in that she has plans as well. Those plans turn out to be a date with a random, but pretty hot guy. Veronica is not happy with this turn of events and is downright bitchy to Jackie in school the following week. Wallace has rescheduled the movie night and at Veronica's arch question, Jackie confirms that she is not too busy to come.
- Java the Hut has a Karaoke night that has the power to stop an episode in its tracks.
- The county assessor's office is located in the county courthouse. The assessor's name is Jack Montana.
- Dick has an upper locker.
- Logan still has Veronica's cell phone number programmed into his phone.
- Logan's inspirational phone message is: "To Love and win is the best thing. To love and lose the next best. William M. Thackeray."
- Veronica is driving the LeBaron again and it doesn't have a dent on it. Weevil's uncle is a miracle worker.
- Dick and Logan were in cub scouts together.
- As Veronica is leaving school she finds Deputy Sacks waiting to take her in for questioning. (By the way, Sacks, 1972 called. They want their look back.) Veronica is quite emphatic that she will not reconsider her turning Lamb down as a prom date, but Sacks just opens the door for her. Obviously she is not considered a hardened criminal quite yet, because he opens the passenger door for her and not the back door.
In the interrogation room (which is not the same room Veronica used for her phone call last episode) Lamb is using his new psychic interrogation skills as he stares at Veronica without saying a word. (Which episode of NYPD Blue did you learn that one in?) Lamb glares unsuccessfully as he uses the old "You must know why you are here" to break Veronica. But, she has obviously been watched a few Hill Street Blues herself and after she faux confesses, she tells Sheriff Lamb that she would like to buy a vowel because she has no idea why he is questioning her.
Lamb finally gets down to brass tacks and tell her about David "Curly" Moran's penchant for washing up on Neptune's beaches with her name on his hand. Veronica remembers seeing him at the memorial, and Lamb, able to read her for once, realizes that she does know him, but she does not say from where.
Next he shows her the square diamond encrusted earring that Weevil wore in Normal is the Watchword, asking if it is hers. He tells her that it was found outside the Road Hog, a biker bar up the PCH, the last place that Curly was seen. He then stands up and looms over her trying for menacing, but she seems too shocked to really be affected by his tactics.
Veronica investigates Curly and finds out that he was a stunt man whose career died in the 1980's. He liked to combine crystal meth while working, never a good idea, and was imprisoned for three years at San Quentin for possession with intent to sell. While in Neptune he was working at Symbolic Motor Car Company.
Veronica, in a very cute ensemble, goes to the garage to look through Curly's stuff pretending to be his niece. Veronica seems disappointed that he never mentioned her name, but does score with a greasy box of his belonging. Well maybe not score, because well, greasy and pornographic ... but it does turn up a photo of Curly and Aaron Echolls together.
It is signed: "All these years still on 'The Long Haul,' always your pal, Aaron Echolls." The quote makes no sense to Veronica until she passes a poster of Aaron's in the Echolls' hall. He stared in a movie named The Long Haul where Curly was the stunt coordinator. The main stunt involved a bus going over a bridge. A very bright light goes off for Veronica and she figures out that the bus accident was arranged to kill her, probably arranged by Aaron
- As Alicia and Keith are leaving the bar in Chicago, a man seems to recognize Alicia. He calls her Cher and tries to catch her before they get on the elevator. When he is unsuccessful he finds their floor and flashing a badge gets the front desk clerk to give out Keith's name. Later we see the same guy in Neptune. He looks for Alicia in the phone book and gets her home address.
- Curly and Veronica at the bus crash site. (Read detailed breakdown.)
"I Turn My Camera On" (Spoon)
Scene: Veronica plays I Spy with her dang obtrusive camera (that she's turned on), but like the truly self-absorbed in the world, Mrs. Casablancas is completely oblivious.
"Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair" (Original Artist: Stephen Foster/Performed By: Mike King)
Scene: In which we are introduced to Lars, a lovely chap wooing his lady ... but alas his good-boy persona can not match the bad boy to follow.
"Love Hurts" (Courtney Taylor-Taylor)
Scene: The karaoke may go on and on, but it also (not so) subtly reveals that LoVe does indeed hurt as Veronica follows Logan's happy trail to Beaver's stepmom.
"Smoke It" (The Dandy Warhols)
Scene: Big Dick plays like George Bluth who played like Oliver North when push came to shred. Big Dick made his grand escape, but like his predecessors will he too be caught with his pants around his ankles? (Oh wait, that was Logan.)
LoVe Lines
Veronica: (Tapping fingers together after seeing down next to Donut.) Egggsellent.
Logan: (Disgustedly.) And now I've lost my appetite.
Veronica: I love what you've done with the place.
Logan: Yeah. Well, now you know what you were missing. (Extending his arms as if indicating the room, and his body.)
Veronica: Is your girlfriend still here?
Logan: Girlfriend? Girlfriend. I don't know, you're going to have to be a little more specific.
Veronica: Let me clarify. The one whose husband is going to break you in half when he finds out that his sons' old Cub Scout jamboree buddy is secretly plowing his wife.
Logan: Ah-ha! That one is less of a girlfriend and more of a playmate. Kinda.
Veronica: I hope you're scared, on the inside, Logan. What if I had been Mr. Casablancas? What would you have done then, huh? Just standing here in your towel (Looks him up and down.), your room still reeking of bimbo?
Logan: I suppose I would have had some 'splaining to do.
Veronica: God, what a clich. Poor, little rich boy with a death wish. And I used to think it was bad luck that landed you in danger. The knife-fight on the bridge, the drive-by in your car. But, no, now I see you actually enjoy it, don't you Logan?
Logan: Well, then I guess I should feel grateful for having such a devoted ex-girlfriend looking after me. My very own guardian angel.
Veronica: Don't flatter yourself. The only reason I came here is so I won't have to feel responsible.
Logan: Whatever. Responsible for what?
Veronica: For taking pictures of you and Kendall, playing house. Don't take it the wrong way, Logan, it was a job. Nothing more.
Logan: Right. So you storm out in a burst of professionalism.
Veronica: I suggest you start locking your doors. (Slams bedroom door closed.)
Logan: (To Veronica a few minutes later as he sees her still in his house.) If this is what you call storming out, I'm not sure you understand the concept.
Quotable Quotes
Dick: (To Veronica.) Sure you're not here for the Future Boot Lickers of America?
Veronica: It looks like it's always looked. The rich get richer and everyone else hopes for scholarships.
Beaver: I found a condom wrapper under the couch.
Veronica: Hardly a smoking gun given your brother's proclivities.
Veronica: (To Deputy Sacks, referencing Sheriff Lamb.) My answer was final. I will not go to prom with him.
Lamb: You're 18 now, kiddo. You're an adult.
Veronica: Well, that makes one of us.
Veronica: (To Lamb.) So are you going to tell me why I am here or should I just sit back and enjoy your impression of a mildly constipated David Caruso?
Veronica: (Musing.) Ah, yes I remember that summer. He was a roadie for Whitesnake, I was singing back up for Boyz II Men. They said it would never work, but
Veronica Mars Voiceover: Somewhere those million chimps with their million typewriters must have finally written King Lear because Sheriff Lamb is actually right about something.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: Just remember kids, crystal meth and precision driving don't mix.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: Tailing young Mrs. Kendall is about as hard as following Malibu Barbie to the beach house.
Wallace: Hot damn! Colin Firth is in it.
Logan: What? We've lost money? Heads will roll.
Mr. Pope: As long as it's legal.
Dick: Dude, dog racing is totally legal.
Mr. Pope: But hardly lucrative, as I recall from your performance last year.
Dick: Dad's pulling in 35 percent returns? Dude, I'm the one that's retiring.
Mr. Pope: I'll alert the dog track.
Mr. Pope: (Discussing his boat.) We had to reseal the hull twice.
Logan: Didn't plug her right the first time, huh? (Slyly glancing towards Duncan.)
Logan: Actually, I disagree with Nurse Ratchett. I think Veronica would have been quite impressed; probably a little turned on too.
Duncan: Careful Logan, you're exposing your soft underbelly.
Logan: My underbelly is rock hard. It can go all night.
Logan: (To Duncan.) To hell with Veronica. She's in the rearview mirror. Where were you this summer?!
Logan: (To Duncan about Aaron.) I hate him too, you know.
Veronica: I'm really sorry to bug you; I noticed we have the same iPod.
Kendall: Wow, what are the odds? Can I help you with something? Before my heart goes out of the red zone.
Veronica: Oh totally, no, this will just take like a second. I think my player is acting funky and I don't know if it's the player or the headphones. And I don't want to borrow my boyfriend's headphone, because he has like major earwax and that would be totally gross. Could I?
Kendall: Borrow mine? All right just make it quick; my ass needs some major work here, okay?
Veronica: (While listening to Kendall's iPod.) Well, the headphones aren't broken. I love this song.
Kendall: I love it too; I love how it keeps my heart in the red zone.
Veronica: What else do you have on here? (Kendall sticks her hand out for the iPod impatiently.) Oh, sorry. Well, I guess mine's busted. (Turning back before walking away.) And your ass looks totally awesome, by the way.
Veronica: Mr. Pope, dump your stock.
Mr. Pope: You don't dump it, Veronica. You sell it ... to somebody else. I'd just be sticking some other sucker with the consequences. (Pausing, with a sad smile.) I don't think I can live with that.
Jackie: Oh, hey, Veronica.
Veronica: Hey Jackie, and random dude.
Logan: This is Logan with today's inspirational message: 'To love and win is the best thing. To love and lose the next best.' William M. Thackeray.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ... (Referenced by the episode title.)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car is a children's story written by Ian Fleming (famous for his James Bond series) for his son Caspar, with illustrations by John Burningham; it was first published in 1964 by Jonathan Cape in London and Random House in New York. The book was later made into a popular Disney musical in 1968 with a script by Roald Dahl (of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fame) and Ken Hughes, with songs by the Sherman Brothers. Starring the Dick Van Dyke -- a Disney staple, Chim Chim Cher-ee anyone? -- as Caractacus Potts and Sally Ann Howes as Truly Scrumptious (Yes, Truly Scrumptious). The film was directed by Ken Hughes and produced by Albert R. Broccoli, the well-known producer of the Bond films.
The movie tells the story of Caractacus Potts, an inventor and widower with two children, who renovates an old car (known then as the Paragon Panther) which once upon a time was a three-time Grand Prix winner, but had fallen into disrepair. A love interest, the daughter of a giant candy conglomerate, Truly Scrumptious joins the family on an outing to the beach, due to the urging of Jeremy and Jemima, Potts' children. (Note: Truly is a movie creation; in the novel, the inventor is marred to Mimsie. I know, I know from "James" to Caractacus and Mimsie? Really Ian, what were you smoking?) Anyhoo, on with the story: While at the beach, Caractacus spins a story about pirates who are trying to steal Chitty Chitty Bang Bang -- the renamed car renovated by Potts -- which becomes the central plot.
The pirates are headed by Baron Bomburst of Vulgaria, who captures Grandfather Potts (believing him to be Caractacus), takes him as hostage and is chased by the Potts family. However, during the chase, Jeremy and Jemima are also captured by the dastardly Baron and his scary Child Catcher. Child Catcher, because, you see, in the land of Vulgaria children are outlawed.
Eventually, Caractacus and Truly, with some help from the local Toymaker and the town's children (who are hidden in order not to be captured), defeat the Baron and his armies, rescue Jeremy and Jemima, and reunite the town's children with their rightful parents. The Potts family is reunited, and in the film version, Caractacus and Truly decide to get married, in a classic happy ending.
FBLA (Referenced by Veronica as she joins Logan, Duncan and the Casablancas brothers in the club.)
The (for some reason) ultra-trendy elective class for the 09ers -- I mean, seriously, WHY are Logan and Dick (DICK!?!) in this class? -- has its origins in the FLBA-PBL, i.e., the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda. It's an international career and technical student organization with headquarters in Reston, Virginia. The organization is non-profit (again, DICK?!?) and designed to help high school, middle school and college students transition to the business world. (For the last time ... DICK!?!)
Mr. Burns / "Exxcellent." / The Simpsons (Referenced by Veronica during FLBA class.)
Charles Montgomery Burns is Homer's boss and owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant in Matt Groening's animated series The Simpsons. He is the richest man in town and is shadowed nearly at all times by his loyal secretary, aid, and confidant Waylon Smithers. Burns is voiced by Harry Shearer, and his catchphrase is the word "Excellent" muttered in a low, sinister voice as he tents his fingertips.
Burns is a staunch Republican and was member #29 of the Stonecutters (who made Steve Guttenberg a star!). After the Stonecutters embarrassing fall from grace, Burns and the other former Stonecutters (except Homer Simpson) went on to form the No-Homers Club. Mr. Burns' inability to remember Homer's name would suggest that he is in that club more for status rather than any lasting anti-Homer sentiment.
REITs (Referenced by Dick, Sr. during his presentation.)
A REIT (or Real Estate Investment Trust) is a tax designation for a corporation investing in real estate that reduces or eliminates corporate income taxes. The REIT structure was designed to provide a similar structure for investment in real estate as mutual funds provide for investment in stocks. Like other corporations, REITs can be publicly or privately held. Public REITs may be listed on public stock exchanges like shares of common stock in other firms.
The United States Congress created REITs in 1960 to give anyone and everyone the ability to invest in large-scale commercial properties. In the U.S., REITs generally pay little or no federal income tax, but are subject to a number of special requirements set forth in the Internal Revenue Code, one of which is the requirement to annually distribute at least 90% of its taxable income in the form of dividends to its shareholders.
Now I'm not exactly sure what all of that means, but it sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me. It also sounds like it might be a way for less than scrupulous people (I'm talking to you Big Dick) to evade paying corporate income tax.
Pilates (Referenced by Veronica as she reads Kendall's schedule.)
The Pilates method is a physical fitness system, developed in the early 1900's, by Joseph Pilates. He called it Contrology, which is a way of encouraging the use of your mind, to control your muscles. The exercise program focuses on the muscles that help keep the body well balanced, and are essential for supporting the spine.
Pilates was not designed to be a complete physical fitness discipline; it does not supply effective cardiovascular training. It also avoids high impact/high power and heavy muscular and skeletal loading, resulting in Pilates not being quite as effective at building muscle mass.
A Pilates coach is simply a certified person who runs a group through different Pilates steps, through either a class or an at-home video.
Shiatsu Massage (Referenced by Veronica as she reads Kendall's schedule.)
Shiatsu (a Japanese word taken from shi, meaning finger, and atsu, meaning pressure) is a hands-on therapy technique originating in Japan. Shiatsu follows similar principles to Chiropractic or western massage using the principles of anatomy and physiology. The thumbs, palms, and fingers (no knees or elbows are used in the foundation form of shiatsu therapy) are used to apply pressure to designated areas of the body.
All licensed Shiatsu practitioners, called Shiatsupractors, in Japan have to go through a government-regulated program which covers mostly the traditional form of Shiatsu Therapy. This traditional form, now commonly practiced in North America, was started by Tokujiro Namikoshi, from whose lineage subsequent Shiatsu practitioners have been trained.
At the age of seven, Tokujiro Namikoshi developed a technique of pressing using his thumbs and palms as he tried to nurse his mother who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. He called the technique "Pressure Therapy" at first but later renamed it "Shiatsu Therapy". He treated many high profile persons such as former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida and other successive Prime Ministers, the Prosecutor for the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, Prosecutor Keenan, as well as celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Muhammad Ali. It was these high-profile clients that helped Shiatsu gain visibility world-wide.
Namikoshi's Shiatsu is described as "Diagnosis and Therapy combined," and relies on an understanding of how the body functions according to western principles of anatomy and physiology, as opposed to the principles in Traditional Chinese Medicine/TCM, although derivative forms of Shiatsu based on TCM (called Meridian Shiatsu) have been devised by later practitioners graduated from the Japan Shiatsu College established by Tokujiro Namikoshi in 1940.
David Caruso ... (Referenced by Veronica to Sheriff Lamb during the interrogation scene.)
David Caruso shot to fame on the television show NYPD Blue in 1993 playing the part of Detective John Kelly. He is, however, infamous for quitting his part after one season to pursue a film career that failed spectacularly. He eventually revived his career by accepting the lead role in CSI: Miami in 2002 as Horatio Caine and has continued in that role to the present day.
Whitesnake ... (Referenced by Veronica in the interrogation room with Lamb.)
Whitesnake was a British "hair band" popular in the 1980's. Led by singer David Coverdale, Whitesnake had their first platinum album, Slide It In in 1984. They followed that with the 1987 release of their most successful album, the self-titled Whitesnake, which featured the hit songs "Is This Love?" and "Here I Go Again." Whitesnake was also known for there popular music videos which prominently featured Coverdale's then wife, model/actress Tawny Kitaen. The band struggled to find success through the 1990's and remained largely inactive until Coverdale reunited the group in 2003 for a 25 year celebration tour.
Boyz II Men ... (Referenced by Veronica in the interrogation room with Lamb.)
Boyz II Men is an American R&B singing quartet from Philadelphia. Formed in 1988, they have become the most successful R&B group of all time. They have sold over 25 million records and have had 5 #1 Billboard hits including "End of the Road" "I'll Make Love to You," and "One Sweet Day," a duet with Mariah Carey. The group continued performing in the 1990's with mild success. In 2003, Michael McCary left the group, but the remaining members: Wanya Morris, Nathan Morris and Shawn Stockman continue to perform as a trio.
The Infinite Monkey Theorem ... (Referenced by Veronica in the interrogation room with Lamb.)
A popular theory which states that if you have an infinite number of monkeys randomly pounding on the keys of a typewriter, they will inevitably type out the entire works of Shakespeare. There is much debate as to where the theorem originated, but it is often attributed to an idea presented in a probability theory book published by mile Borel in 1909.
There is currently a popular web site which tests the theorem. The Monkey Shakespeare Simulator users a java script to simulate a large population of monkeys typing randomly, with the stated intention of seeing how long it takes the virtual monkeys to produce a complete Shakespearean play from beginning to end. The current record is 24 words from Henry IV Part 2.
King Lear ... (Referenced by Veronica in voiceover as she is interviewed by Sheriff Lamb.)
King Lear (1605-06) is widely regarded as William Shakespeare's crowning artistic achievement. It is a classical tragedy, filled with scenes of human cruelty and meaningless disasters. The play raises the questions as to whether there is any possibility of justice in the world, or is life just futile with good and bad characters all dying pointlessly. The scene in which a mad Lear rages naked on a stormy heath against his deceitful daughters and the final image of Lear cuddling his dead daughter Cordelia in his arms are considered some of the most powerful scenes ever written. This play highlights conflict between a parent and children and includes the famous quote, "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!"
PCH (Referenced by Lamb as he says the Road Hog is up the PCH.)
Pacific Coast Highway refers to sections of California's Route 1, beginning at San Juan Capistrano, south of Los Angeles, and ending where Route 1 merges with Highway 1 at Leggett, in Northern California. Route 1 is one of the longest (644 miles) and most scenic routes in California, providing breathtaking views of a large part of the Pacific Coast. It travels past dozens of historical landmarks and through such cities as San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
New York Times (Referenced by Keith as he tells Alicia his book is #97 on the Best Sellers list.)
The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City by Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr. and owned by The New York Times Company. The newspaper, nicknamed the "Gray Lady," is distributed throughout the United States and around the world. The paper was founded in 1851 as the New-York Daily Times by Henry Jarvis Raymond and George Jones. In 1857, the name was changed to its current moniker. The Times was originally published every morning except on Sundays, but during the Civil War Sunday issues were started. Adolph Ochs acquired the paper in 1896 and, one year later, coined the slogan, "All The News That's Fit To Print," likely a jab at the widespread yellow journalism at the time.
In 1904, the newspaper moved to new headquarters on 42nd Street and gave its name to Times Square. In 1907 the Times started the tradition of dropping a lighted ball from its building on New Year's Eve. In 1961 the original Times Square building was sold. New headquarters for the paper are currently under construction, a skyscraper at 41st Street and 8th Avenue. Today The New York Times has sixteen news bureaus in New York, eleven national news bureaus and twenty-six foreign news bureaus. The paper has twenty printing locations and circulation of around 1,131,000 on weekdays and 1,681,000 on Sundays.
The Times has three main sections: (1) News, which includes International, National, Washington, Business, Technology, Science, Health, Sports, New York Region, Education, Weather and Obituaries; (2) Opinion, which includes Editorials, Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor and (3) Features, including Arts, Books, Movies, Theater, Travel, NYC Guide, Dining & Wine, Home & Garden, Fashion & Style, Crossword, The New York Times Magazine and Week in Review. With the growth of the Internet, the Times has had a strong online presence since 1995, and its website, www.nytimes.com, is considered one of the top overall web sites and the number one newspaper site. The current executive editor is Bill Keller, and notable columnists include Maureen Dowd, Thomas L. Friedman, John Tierney, William Safire and George Vescey.
The Times has withstood a number of controversies. One of these was an allegation that leading up to and during World War II the paper downplayed accusations that the Third Reich had targeted Jews for expulsion and genocide. Another charge was that the Times' coverage of the Soviet Union by correspondent Walter Duranty helped cover up the Ukrainian genocide by Joseph Stalin in the 1930's. One notable recent controversy was the 2003 admission that reporter Jayson Blair had committed journalistic fraud on multiple stories over the span of several years.
The Times is the recipient of ninety-four Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any newspaper, including a record seven in 2002.
Front page of The New York Times on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
Chicago/Chi Town/Windy City/City with Broad Shoulders (Referenced by Keith as he asks Alicia to accompany him to Chicago.)
Chicago is the largest city in Illinois, as well as the third-most populous city in the United States (over 2.8 million). It is referred to as the "Second City" (second to nation's capital Washington, D.C. in importance), the "Windy City," the "City of Big Shoulders," and "Chi-town." The city is located along the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. Chicago was founded in 1833 as a frontier town, and has since grown into one of the world's ten most influential cities. It is the financial, economic, and cultural capital of the Midwest, and is also recognized as a major center for transportation, business, and architecture.
Though there has been a decline in overall crime since the 1990s, the 1960s marked a period of intense gangland problems and saw a major rise in violent crimes. In 1974, with a population just over three million, the city had 970 murderers (resulting in a murder rate of 29:100,000). In 1992, the murder rate was 34:100,000. Chicago adopted crime-fighting techniques used by the NYPD and LAPD in 2004, and recorded a total of 448 homicides, the lowest on record since 1965. Organized crime has a long-standing place in Chicago's history, dating back to the 1910s, and boasting some of the most notorious crime lords and gangs, such as Al "Scarface" Capone and the Chicago Outfit, Bugs Moran, the Chicago Crime Syndicate, and the Chicago North Side Gang.
Chicago's theater scene is a major draw for aspiring actors, and is the birthplace of modern improvisation comedy. There is a major music scene in the city as well; it is the birthplace of the House music genre, had significant influences in Hip-Hop, and is home to a number of 90s Alternative, Punk, and Indie bands.
Kenny G ... (Referenced by Keith to Alicia in wondering if she has been turned off of Jazz.)
The name Kenny G has become synonymous with the contemporary jazz strains that many jazz purists love to hate. Born Kenneth Gorelick in Seattle in 1956, Kenny adopted the Kenny G stage name when he became a professional saxophonist at the age of 17 and started playing in Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra. In 1981, Kenny G was signed as a solo artist to Arista Records. An instrumentalist that departs from the jazz trend of improvisation, Kenny G's recordings have repeatedly made the pop charts. Kenny G's music is staple on adult contemporary and smooth jazz radio stations, contributing to his status as a household name.
In 1994, Kenny G won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for Forever in Love. In 1997, Kenny G earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for playing the longest note ever recorded on a saxophone - holding an E for over forty five minutes - a record he still holds. In 2003, Kenny G was named the 25th-highest selling artist in America by the RIAA with 47.5 million albums sold in the USA.
I'm Super (Thanks for Asking) / South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (Referenced by Veronica as Keith asks her if she's ok.)
The feature-length feature film, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, is based on Comedy Central's long-running, hilariously off-color, profane cartoon. Created by Trey Stone and Matt Parker, the animated show features four grade-schoolers with potty mouths.
The plot of the film involves a couple of Canadian comic actors being sentenced to execution for their profane hit, Asses of Fire. This sets off a nation-wide assault on obscenity. Terrence and Phillip are scheduled to be executed at the end of a U.S.O. show being hosted by Big Gay Al, a flamboyantly homosexual character familiar to series fans. The children, Stan and Kyle, join in an organized rescue of their favorite television actors and find themselves needing to stall for time, so they get the audience to join them in urging Big Gay Al to sing a song for everyone. Enjoying the spotlight, Al sings a song he wrote about the war -- one that highlights his signature catch phrase, "I'm super" -- cigarette in hand, costume changes galore, surrounded by male dancers and ending with Big Gay Naked Al.
While incredibly hilarious and raunchy, the film is quite the brilliant satire on censorship in the United States. Despite being animated, the film is NOT meant for children -- and it says so on the DVD cover!
Lyrics to "I'm Super":
Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that produces an intense sensation of euphoria when swallowed or snorted. Users become addicted to meth quickly and tend to use more of it with increasing frequency. The negative side effects to the central nervous system are depression, aggressiveness, insomnia and paranoia. Meth use increases heart rate and blood pressure and can result in stroke, cardiovascular collapse, organ damage and death.
In the United States, the illegal manufacturing of methamphetamine is punishable from ten years to life in prison. The sale of ingredients used in meth production is also heavily monitored. In March of 2006, President Bush signed the Combat Meth Act, which limited the sale of ephedrine, the base ingredient of meth, to 3.6 grams per day, and customers must provide identification and sign a sales log. The manufacturing of meth in labs is highly dangerous, and there have been many cases of lab explosions to prove it. Meth labs have been found in garages, barns, apartments, etc.
King Kong ... (Referenced during Keith and Veronica's talk.)
What began as an answer to the success of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World, King Kong has inspired almost a dozen movies and a Saturday morning cartoon. The original movie version of King Kong was released in 1933. The latest version of the movie will hit theaters at the end of 2005, as directed by Peter Jackson.
King Kong was written by Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace and tells the story of an island populated by dinosaurs, and of course, a huge silverback gorilla. Filmmaker Carl Denham heads to the remote Skull Island to capture Kong, a huge creature the locals hold at bay with a giant barrier, keeping the beast locked in his primordial jungle.
Ann Darrow and John "Jack" Driscoll get caught up in the adventure, as Ann is captured by Kong and taken into the interior of his island home. Jack leads the rescue mission to bring her back. On the way, the explorers are attacked by various types of dinosaurs. Eventually, they capture the gorilla and take him back to civilization, where Kong meets his end on the Empire State Building. The film went down in history as one of the great film adventures to be produced in that time period, and is considered a classic today.
Jimmy Choo ... (Referenced as part of Kendall's spending habits.)
Jimmy Choo is a Chinese designer based in England. Born Jimmy Chow in Penang, Malaysia to a family of shoe makers, Jimmy's name was spelled incorrectly on his birth certificate, resulting in the now well-known name of Jimmy Choo. Choo created his first shoe at the tender age of 11, and studied at the former Cordwainers' Technical College, now known as the London College of Fashion.
The Jimmy Choo company was founded in 1996 by Tamara Mellon, a high-end fashion retailer wowed by the exceptional style and quality of Choo's designs. Jimmy Choo is famous for their expensive, hand-made shoes and handbags. The self-described company philosophy is to create exclusive shoes and accessories that are both luxurious and practical for every occasion while also distinctively Jimmy Choo. A pair of Jimmy Choos generally retails for upwards of $300, usually in the $500 - $800 dollar range.
Unicorns ... (Referenced by Veronica when she 'confesses' to Keith that girls love them.)
The unicorn is a legendary creature usually depicted with the body of a horse, but with a single -- usually spiral -- horn growing out of its forehead. In fact, the name "unicorn" is derived from the Latin word for horn, cornus. The unicorn is a mystical creature whose blood and horn supposedly have magical healing properties.
Though the modern popular image of the unicorn is sometimes that of a horse differing only in the horn, the traditional unicorn is actually way, way less pretty. It has a billy-goat beard, a lion's tail and cloven hooves, which distinguish him from a horse. Less My Pretty Pony, more hell-beasty. Despite their unconventional appearance, unicorns have been described as "the only fabulous beast that does not seem to have been conceived out of human fears. In even the earliest references he is fierce yet good, selfless yet solitary, but always mysteriously beautiful."
In medieval lore, the alicorn, the spiraled horn of the unicorn, is said to be able to heal and neutralize poisons. The unicorn is also generally a symbol of innocence. It is said that the unicorn can only be tamed or ridden by a virgin woman.
Dolce and Gabbana ... (Referenced as part of Kendall's spending habits.)
Dolce & Gabbana S.p.A. is a high-end fashion company founded by designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana in 1980. Dolce & Gabbana is organized into two central brands: 'D&G' and 'Dolce & Gabbana.' 'D&G' is generally the more casual lines with cheaper prices, while 'Dolce & Gabbana' is focused on haute couture and expensive price tags. Since their first collection showing and boutique opening in Milan in 1986 and 1990 respectively, Dolce and Gabbana have opened stores in major cosmopolitan cities across the world, kicking off their first US store in Houston in 1995.
Still based in Milan, Dolce & Gabbana are very popular designers for the Hollywood set; Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, Kylie Minogue and others are frequent customers. The private side of Dolce and Gabbana became public in early 2005, when the duo officially announced their romantic separation after nineteen years as a couple. The company has remained intact and Dolce and Gabbana continue to design together.
Sri Lanka (Referenced by Veronica as she ponders a girl's love for pricey convertibles.)
Known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean," The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean, located approximately thirty-one kilometers south of India. It has a geographic area of 65,610 sq km and a population of approximately 20,743,000 people. The nation is separated into eight provinces: Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Western.
The island was originally settled by the Sinhalese in late 6th century B.C., with kingdoms eventually arising in the cities of Anuradhapura (200 B.C. - A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (1070-1200). During the 14th century, the Tamil kingdom was established when a South Indian dynasty seized power in the northern region. Occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch in the 17th century, the island previously known by many names, including Serendib, became the British crown colony Ceylon in 1802. Independence came to the nation on February 4, 1948 and the island's name was changed in 1972 to Sri Lanka, Sanskrit for "venerable Lanka" -- Lanka being an ancient name of the island.
Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist nation. The two main cultures found on the island are the Sinhalese and the Tamils. In 1983, an ethnic war erupted between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists. After twenty years of warfare, a formal cease-fire was negotiated in 2002 between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, although the violence has not discontinued completely.
Sinhala and Tamil are the official national languages. The national form of currency is the Sri Lankan rupee. The capital is located in Colombo, however the city of Sri Jayewardenapura-Kotte is the legislative capital. Since November 2005, the Sri Lankan president has been Mahinda Rajapakse. The president is elected by a popular vote for a six-year term.
Sri Lanka is the leading exporter of tea and cinnamon and its major industries include the processing and export of rubber, tea, spices, textiles and apparels. The main sport of interest is cricket and the sport is so popular, in fact, that businesses usually shut down when there is a big cricket match being televised.
Two historical facts of interest: Sri Lanka is the first Asian country to have a female monarch (Queen Anula, 47-42 B.C.) and the first country in the world to have a female Prime Minister (Sirimavo Bandaranaike, 1960).
Malibu Barbie ... (Referenced by Veronica when trailing Kendall.)
First appearing in 1971, Malibu Barbie also marked the first time the doll stared straight ahead instead of glancing demurely to the side. Introduced in 1959 at the New York Toy Show, Barbie was a fashion doll unlike any of her time. Long limbed, shapely and beautiful, she stood only 11" tall.
1971-1976 was considered the "Malibu Era" when Barbie's friends included Fluff, Tiff, Steffi, Kelley, Cara, Curtis and Ginger. Barbie has undergone a lot of changes over the years and has managed to keep up with current trends in hairstyles, makeup and clothing. She is a reflection of the history of fashion since her introduction to the toy market. Barbie has a universal appeal and collectors both young and old enjoy time spent and memories made with their dolls.
The Atkins Diet ... (Referenced by Veronica when trailing Kendall.)
Somewhat controversial, the Atkins Diet (named after its programmer, Dr. Robert Atkins) is a low-carb diet based on the theory that overweight people eat too many carbohydrates. Our bodies burn both fat and carbohydrates for energy, but carbs are used first. By drastically reducing carbs and eating more protein and fat, our bodies naturally lose weight by burning stored body fat more efficiently. Recent studies seem to show that those on the plan lose weight at a greater rate than traditional diets without serious effects on health. However, the Atkins restrictions (eliminating potatoes, pasta and sweets from their diets on a permanent basis) can be very difficult for some people.
New York (Referenced by Veronica as she thinks about Jackie.)
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.
Pride and Prejudice ... (Referenced by Wallace as an alternative to either the book (boo!) or the CliffsNotes (boo!!) version of Jane Austen's P&P.)
Jane Austen novel, published in 1813. The book follows the headstrong character, Elizabeth Bennett, the second of five sisters, as she makes her way through romantic entanglements, false assumptions, and bad first impressions to find love with Mr. Darcy, the rude, snobbish, arrogant antagonist (Does this scenario sound familiar to anyone else?).
CliffsNotes (Referenced by Wallace as he tells Jackie he has them for Pride and Prejudice.)
Often incorrectly called CliffNotes, these are a series of pamphlets used as study aids to help students understand various literary works including novels, plays, poetry and essays. CliffsNotes offer a biography of the author, discuss the time during which the work was written, summarize the plot and characters, and explores the themes and symbols contained within the work.
Supporters say that they help increase understanding of the works, while detractors say that they let students avoid reading the actual works. The company has expanded its range to other courses such as math, government, sciences, languages and grammar.
William S. Burroughs ... (Referenced by Jackie during lunch.)
American novelist, essayist, and social critic. Born February 5, 1914 in St. Louis, Missouri. He died August 2, 1997, in Lawrence, Kansas. Burroughs lived a very adventurous life, during which he spent time traveling through Europe, befriended Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsburg, became addicted to morphine, grew marijuana in Texas, fled to Mexico after being suspected of marijuana delivery, accidentally shot and killed his common-law wife during a drunken game of "William Tell," traveled through South America looking for a drug called Yage to cure his opiate addiction, and joined and then left the Church of Scientology.
In his writings, Burroughs used many of his own life experiences as inspiration. He is known for using surreal imagery, experimenting with structure, and employing a strong satirical voice. His most famous work is the novel Naked Lunch. Born out of his opiate addiction acquired during time spent in Morocco, the novel was an amalgamation of various fragmented hallucinatory writings. It is part experimental fiction, part science fiction, filled with disturbing, bizarre, and obscene images.
Naked Lunch became the subject of a 1966 Massachusetts Supreme Court case that made room in obscenity laws to allows for artistic merit. In addition to a number of other novels, essays, and short stories, Burroughs also released spoken word recordings that included collaborations with Sonic Youth, R.E.M., and Kurt Cobain and made numerous cameo appearances in various films and videos, including a U2 music video.
Colin Firth ... (Referenced as a reason to watch Pride & Prejudice by Wallace to Jackie.)
British actor, known for portraying the earnest, yet endearing, Englishman. Firth is probably most recognized for playing the character of Mark Darcy in the Bridget Jones movies. He has starred in over fifty films, among them, Love Actually, Girl With the Pearl Earring, What a Girl Wants, Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient, and, of course, the much acclaimed BBC version of Pride and Prejudice.
iPod Shuffle ... (Referenced as the "Bug holder of choice" as Veronica's choice of surveillance of Kendall.)
Younger, and significantly less expensive, sibling of the iPod mp3 player. The iPod shuffle can hold up to 240 downloaded songs at any given time. Songs are easily uploaded as the device plugs right into a computer's flash drive. But, the real cache of the shuffle lies in its song randomization process, in which the song order can be manipulated or "shuffled."
Dog Racing (Referenced by Dick as he and Mr. Pope discuss the stock market game.)
While not the only breed involved with dog racing, the most common and popular competitive events involve greyhounds. The dogs run on a circular track, chasing an artificial rabbit until the fastest dog crosses the finish line. As with horse racing, parimutuel betting is a key attraction to the sport.
The modern form of greyhound racing emerged in 1912 when, wishing to stop the killing of the jack rabbits historically used as bait, Owen Patrick Smith invented mechanical rabbits to be used as the lures. In 1926, greyhound racing was introduced to the U.K. to great success. Currently, all but a few states in the U.S. have banned greyhound racing. Where allowed, it is strictly regulated by the state government due to the gambling factor.
Warren Buffett ... (Referenced by Mr. Pope in the second FBLA meeting.)
Born Warren Edward Buffett August 30, 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska. He married Susie Thompson in 1952 with whom he had three children. Susan left him in 1977 to live on her own, and she set him up with a waitress, Astrid Menks, whom he currently lives with. Nicknamed the "Oracle of Omaha," Buffett is an investor and businessman with an estimated net worth of $40 billion as of 2005.
Forbes ranks him as the second-richest person in the world, behind only Bill Gates. He attended the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania for two years before returning home to Omaha where he graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He did his graduate studies at Columbia, where he was mentored by Ben Graham. After completing his studies, Buffett returned home to work at his father's brokerage house and eventually moved to New York to work for Ben Graham.
In 1956 he created a partnership called Buffett Associates, Ltd. Over the next 10 years the partnership earned 1,156% profit. In 1969 he liquidated the partnership and became Chairman of the Board of Berkshire Hathaway. Berkshire's first big investment was purchasing See's Candies for $25 million. Berkshire continued to grow. Buffett helped rebuild GEICO, which eventually became a full subsidiary of Berkshire. Buffett also loaded up on Coca-Cola stock, eventually owning 7% of the company.
T- bills ... (Referenced as Mr. Pope's investment of choice.)
T- bills (Treasury bills) are a type of government bond that are heavily traded on the secondary market. They mature in one year or less and do not pay interest prior to maturity. Treasury bills are considered by many the most risk free investment. They are commonly issued with maturity dates of 4 weeks, 91 days, and 182 days. T-bills are sold weekly at an auction held on Mondays with banks and financial institutions being the largest purchasers. They are quoted for purchase and sale in the secondary market on an annualized percentage yield to maturity.
The SWAN 40 ... (Referenced when Mr. Pope discusses his dreams for retirement.)
The SWAN 40 is a type of sailboat, designed by German Frers for Nautor of Finland, that enjoyed a very successful production run from 1990 to 2000. Fast and comfortable with a fiberglass hull and a single diesel engine, the SWAN 40 was heralded as the best in performance-oriented SWAN's with its manageable size that, like her larger sisterships, could also be safely cruised and raced in "offshore" conditions. A total of 58 SWAN 40's were built, retailing for approximately $350,000.
Although the original SWAN 40 is no longer manufactured by Nautor, the company continues to construct new SWAN 40' to 160' yachts.
Nurse Ratchett ... (Referenced by Logan in the nurse's office after the fight with Duncan.)
Nurse Ratchett is a character in the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest directed by Milos Forman and released to theaters in 1975. It was based on a character from the novel by Ken Kesey. The part was played by actress Louise Fletcher who won an Academy Award for her performance.
Nurse Ratchett is a sadistic, domineering bureaucratic authoritarian who continually clashes with free-spirited inmate McMurphy (played by Jack Nicholson). Constantly observing and quietly plotting, she eventually shames a young inmate into committing suicide leading McMurphy to attack and attempt to strangle her. Although she triumphs over McMurphy in the end, the seed of rebellion he plants leads to freedom for some of the other inmates.
Paris (Referenced by Veronica as she mentally ticks off Jackie's pre-Neptune adventures.)
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."
Cub Scouts ... (Referenced by Veronica when detailing Logan's childhood history between Dick and Logan during their fight.)
Sector of the National Boy Scouts of America, designed for younger boys, ages 7-10 years old. Much like the boy scouts, cub scouts earn badges as they engage in a variety of activities that introduce them to nature, safety, and environmental issues.
I Love Lucy ... (Referenced by Logan's "I got some 'splainin' to do" during his fight with Veronica.)
Sitcom based on the comedy of Lucille Ball and, her then husband, Desi Arnaz. The show's plot often revolved around one of Lucy's elaborate, though not entirely thought-through, plans. When she was inevitably caught by or found out by her husband, Lucy had a lot of explaining to do, or as the Cuban born Arnaz said "a lot of 'splainin' to do," in his thick native accent. The show broke through social, racial, and gender barriers and made Lucille Ball both a household name and a comedic icon. It ran from 1951-1957, spawned two spin- offs, Lucy in Connecticut and The Lucy and Desi Comedy Hour, and continues to entertain new audiences in perennial syndication.
- Veronica's "Eggscellent" -- for the second time!
- Keith's very adorable King Kong impersonation.
- Someone needs to have their Photoshop taken away. The picture of Aaron and Curly is terrible.
- Dick looks wicked hot in the black shirt during the FBLA meeting.
- Tessa Thompson does a very good English accent.
- Charisma's hysterical move it along hand gesture and face.
- Charisma does have an awesome ass.
- Apparently the karaoke scene was supposed to represent the Veronica/Duncan/Logan triangle.
- Speaking of the karaoke scene, the Love Hurts dude who sucked up so much airtime did so for a reason. The singer is Courtney Taylor-Taylor, lead singer of The Dandy Warhols, the band who does the theme song, We Used to Be Friends, for the show.
- Veronica has elephants behind her head in the confrontation scene.
- Parallels between plot of Pride and Prejudice and the Logan/Veronica/Duncan triangle.
- The Long Haul was directed by John Enbom, one of the writers of this episode.
- How Logan and Duncan suffered any injuries other than slightly stinging hands and raw scalps is a mystery. Someone else certainly must have come along and inflicted the wounds we saw in the nurse's office because their hand-slapping attempt at a "fight" surely couldn't have done the damage.
- Speaking of the nurse's office -- while awaiting treatment, Logan treated us to a lovely limp wrist more suited for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy than Veronica Mars.
- Imitating Veronica's role as his guardian angel, Logan's attempt at a halo using his (extremely tiny) towel managed to, well, add to this episode's ambiguously gay list.
- While Mr. Pope was obviously alluding to his dream yacht, Logan's "Didn't plug her right the first time, huh?" was a clear, if vulgar, reference to Duncan's lack of sexual prowess.
- Where is Veronica going to go to college now that her nest egg is gone? With Keith's book, is she eligible for financial aid?
- Who is Veronica's guidance counselor? Is Miss James still there pining for Keith?
- Veronica picked her extra curricular activity because her boyfriend was a member? Who is this girl? Would you jump off a bridge just because he did? Quick Donut, jump, let's see if she follows.
- Dick is in the Future Business Leaders of America? Wasn't there some sort of prerequisite to join the organization? Like having a brain or the ability to read. (Oh Dick, I joke because I care.)
- Why is Dick being a dick to Veronica again? Did Logan tell him that Veronica is sleeping with Duncan?
- Who else feels sorry for Cassidy? He is so much nicer than his brother and his father just won't give him the time of day.
- Is Cassidy worried for his father or worried that Kendall is spending his inheritance?
- Even with a prenup, Kendall is sleeping with Logan? He must be extraordinary in bed, because otherwise she is the dumbest person on the planet.
- How does Beaver know Kendall's schedule? And is that her every day schedule because, dayum, I want that life.
- How long had Sacks been waiting for Veronica? If it was that important, why didn't Lamb have her pulled out of school?
- What was Weevil's earring doing outside the bar? Was he the one who beat Curly to death?
- How often does the FBLA meet? Because it is hard to tell the passage of time this episode, but it seems like they are meeting daily.
- Was Moran at the memorial because he felt badly for killing all those innocent people? If he didn't want anyone to die, why crash the bus in the first place?
- Did Moran know who Veronica was? Did he recognize her at the memorial?
- Why would Lamb think that earring was Veronica's? It seems like too much bling for our girl. And why would he think she would be at a biker bar? And does he really think that she beat someone to death? I could see him thinking she could annoy someone to death, but a 5'1" teenager is not going to bludgeon a 6-foot-plus biker to death.
- Did Lamb even consider the possibility that Veronica was the target of the bus crash? She was supposed to be on the bus, after all. And, she makes for a terrible suspect in Curly's death, so I would like to think that he considered other angles. No? Oh well, I was just hoping that he was vaguely qualified for his job. Again, good thing he's pretty.
- Why did Lamb hand Veronica the case file? Shouldn't he have just given her a picture?
- Was Alicia hesitant to go to Chicago because she was worried that she would run into someone who knows her? Did she used to live there? Also, was she worried about the publicity if Keith ran for Sheriff spilling over to her? How much more scrutiny could it be from dating the man who helped bring down Aaron Echolls?
- After everything they have been through, why is Veronica lying to Keith again? Never a good plan.
- How did Veronica's name not wash off Curly's hand while he was in the water?
- How did Veronica know about Chicago? She wasn't in the room when he asked Alicia.
- The gym let Veronica stroll in with a camera and no change of clothes? Boy, their security sucks.
- Did she really say tawdry? It pains me that Veronica says that word with no Cliff around. That is his word. She should not be able to steal it. And for the record, bring back Cliff!
- Why do Kendall and Mr. Montana meet at the gym if they are going to take the same car to the motel? Plus, he is just going to have to drop her back at the gym later. At some point isn't the valet going to notice that she is coming and going a lot?
- Why are Duncan, Veronica, Jackie and Wallace all taking the same English class? As students in competition for Valedictorian, wouldn't Veronica and Duncan be in an AP class, or at least an Honors class?
- How did Veronica miss that they had swapped gym bags? And why do it at the gym? They had plenty of time in the hotel room for any switching that was necessary.
- Why did Duncan stop in the middle of the classroom to ask Veronica what was on her mind? Wouldn't they have had more privacy in the hallway?
- Why did Logan get up and move so that they could sit together? Duncan could have easily pulled another chair over for himself.
- Did Veronica tell Duncan about seeing Logan at the Neptune Grand or did Duncan assume he was talking about Shelly's party with the plugging crack?
- How did Duncan and Logan not get expelled for fighting? Where is Van when you need him?
- Are Duncan and Logan going to kiss and make up?
- Why does Logan say that Veronica would have been impressed? She was right there when the fight started. How did she not end up in the hall? For that matter why wasn't Dick there taking bets? See if Weevil had been there, he would have covered the line with just the FBLA members.
- Is Jackie going to spend all season driving a wedge between Veronica and Wallace? Because that would suck.
- Why does Veronica keep touching Duncan's wrapped hand? I mean it is better than her hanging on him, but only barely. And it is not like his promising future as a concert pianist is over. He has some scraped knuckles, get over it.
- Is that Duncan's same hotel room from Driver Ed? I don't remember seeing the sofa and the bed was directly opposite the door, which I don't see. Maybe Duncan finally figured out he had a crappy room and got it changed?
- Does Duncan have ear wax problems?
- How often do Kendall and Mr. Montana exchange pleasantries while violating several SEC regulations? Isn't twice in one week a little bit excessive?
- Couldn't there have been another Sandpiper Hotel that actually was worth $60 million?
- Keith and Alicia left all three of the kids alone while they went to Chicago? Who was the designated adult?
- Since Keith is virtually assured of winning in the election, what will happen to the detective agency? Can Veronica run it alone? I bet Beaver would make a handy assistant or receptionist.
- What is a minibar martini?
- What the hell is up with Alicia? And she is so not a Cher.
- How many people are staying on the third floor? And how did the front desk clerk figure out which guest the guy was looking for without a name or room number?
- What is the deal with the musical interlude? Love may hurt, but I would have rather had action I cared about. When did this turn into Charmed or One Tree Hill?
- Why did Jackie bring random dude to the Hut when she knew that Veronica was working?
- Why did Cassidy leave the pictures on Veronica's computer? It only would have taken a second to delete the file. Why did he want her to know that Logan was banging Kendall?
- Why did Cassidy wait all weekend to confront his Dad with the pictures? I would have thought that he would have had at least one opportunity before Monday afternoon.
- What is going to happen to Dick and Kendall now that the SEC is snooping around?
- How did Logan's room get trashed?
- Alicia's on the run and has a listed number? And when did you ever see a complete phone book at a payphone? And since the room was reserved in Keith's name how did the guy get Alicia's, complete with last name?
- Why doesn't Logan lock his doors?
- How does Logan pay for the keep and maintenance on that house?
- Logan was a cub scout?
- Why are Aaron's things still on the wall and photos still in the house? If Logan hates him, why make the house a shrine to his image? On that subject, How hard for Veronica was it to be in Logan's house? Maybe Veronica broke up with Logan because after a summer in the Echolls house she was tired of seeing Aaron every day.
- How is Logan's relationship with Dick and Beaver going to change now that they know he was banging Kendall?
- What is wrong with Veronica? Seriously. She was in Logan's hall hundreds of times during the summer, which means she spent a lot of time in the palatial mansion without any adult supervision. In all that time, Logan never got past second base? Those two had chemistry so combustible they almost caught the girl's bathroom on fire and yet he got no action? That smacks of something more serious than maidenly virtue. What was causing Veronica to hold back so severely?
- Why take out a whole bus of people to get to Veronica? If Curly worked at a garage the LeBaron could have been tampered with or Veronica could have met with an accident. Sending a bus over a bridge seems a little extreme. And is Aaron planning from jail? If so who is his accomplice on the outside who took care of Curly when he failed? Or was that Weevil's handiwork?
- Did Aaron also arrange for Felix's murder to frame Logan?
- How bad does Beaver feel now that his father is a fugitive?
- Did Big Dick know about Kendall and Logan?
- Why didn't the SEC guys stop the employees from shredding the documents?
ameriott45 (Amy): Social Science; Homeroom
CandiceH04 (Candice): Literature
duchessjms (Jayne): Literature; Social Science
holly96 (Holly): Social Science; Philosophy
JenniferH: Report Card; Yearbook; Chemistry; History; Band Class (Scene Description); Literature; Homeroom; Pep Squad Practice; Detention; Philosophy
Krissy215 (Krissy): Band Class (Song Identifier); Social Science
Mastermia (Maria): Study Hall; Extra Credit; Homeroom; Philosophy; Principles of Democracy
Maxymama: Journalism; Homeroom; Philosophy
Pixigal (Gerrie): Drama Club; Social Science; Philosophy
ramwitz (Margarita): Yearbook
SeluciaV (Alli): Social Science
Tar Frimmer (Joanne): Social Science
TLP70 (Tracie): Literature; Social Science; Homeroom; Philosophy
Original Air Date: October 12, 2005
Written by: Phil Klemmer & John Enbom
Directed by: John Kretchmer
Grade: A
Membership Grade: TIE - A/B (42.9% / 54 votes each)
The first truly solid episode of season two, Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang showcases much of what makes Veronica Mars so great in the first season: Drama, humor, relationship screw-ups, witty dialogue and a compelling mystery of the week. Guest stars are effectively used to not only further the plot, but also tug at the emotions and all of the above combined equal a great episode.
Credited Cast Non-Appearance
Francis Capra - Eli "Weevil" Navarro
Recurring Guest Stars
Charisma Carpenter - Kendall Casablancas
Erica Gimpel Alicia Fennel
Brandon Hillock Deputy Sacks
Mike King Lars
Michael Muhney Sheriff Don Lamb
David Starzyk "Big Dick" Casablancas
Guest Stars:
John Ciccolini Dan
Mary Lou Flesh County Assessor Secretary
Michel Kostroff Mr. Samuel Nelson Pope
Michael Otis Jack Montana
Janene Possell School Nurse
Courtney Taylor-Taylor Himself
Cress Williams Mystery Man
Who's Who in Neptune:
Dan Mechanic at the Symbolic Motor Car Company that used to work with Curly Moran, the dead Hawaiian Shirt guy from last week's episode.
Lars Really bad karaoke singer that sang at Java the Hut in an attempt to impress a blonde chick named Jeannie. (Previously seen as a student anchor at Neptune High.)
Mr. Samuel N. Pope Teacher at Neptune High and moderator of the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America).
Jack Montana Neptune County Assessor in cahoots with Dick Casablancas, Sr.
Courtney Taylor-Taylor Karaoke singer who followed up Lars' lacking performance at Java the Hut with a much better performance of his own (a karaoke rendition of "Love Hurts").
Mystery Man The yet unnamed African-American man that is after "Cher" (a.k.a. Alicia Fennel) for a yet-to-be-disclosed reason.
Hey! It's That Guy/Girl
Courtney Taylor-Taylor (Karaoke Singer #2) Lead singer of the Dandy Warhols, the group who sing the Veronica Mars theme song, "We Used to Be Friends." The track can be found on their Welcome To The Monkey House CD.
Highlights
Michael Kostroff (Mr. Pope) - Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang offers a lovely smorgasbord of acting performances, but it is Michel Kostroff playing the ebullient Mr. Pope that offers the defining acting performance of the episode.
A guest star's role varies according to the show he is guest starring in. On CSI, Cold Case or any sort of procedural show, the guest star's role is pivotal, often determining whether the show is memorable or simply another run of the mill episode. In a show, like Veronica Mars, where the episode revolves around a single, pivotal character, a guest star is often negligible, with the performance adding little to the overall impact of the episode.
Michael Kostroff rises above these limitations and creates an indelible portrait as Mr. Pope, the head of the FBLA. Kostroff shines every moment he is onscreen -- whether snarkily smacking down Dick Casablancas, enthusiastically predicting his imminent life of future ease or excitedly waving the prize for winning his stockholder's game. However, it is in his final scene with Veronica, as he realizes the extent of his losses and the ethical price he is unable to pay, that he ensures the viewing audience's devotion.
In the world of Veronica Mars' noir, where all avenues are often gray and corruptible, Mr. Pope chooses to do the right thing. Kostroff adds a touching layer of heartbreak to his final scene as he pulls down the picture of his boat and quietly contemplates his future. Bravo for a standout performance.
Kyle Gallner (Cassidy 'Beaver' Casablancas) - Gallner shines as a seemingly angry, vengeful Cassidy -- a performance overlaid by Cassidy's strong desire to protect his father and his intense hunger for his love.
Charisma Carpenter (Kendall Casablancas) - Continuing to play the trampy trophy wife with equal parts glee and sluttiness as she contemplates adding a girl toy to her sex games, Carpenter barely contains her impatience as Veronica switches the iPods, and is smirkily happy at the compliment Veronica bestows on her ass.
David Starzyk (Big Dick Casablancas) - Starzyk's Big Dick is sheer delight as he does the "Shred everything!" flee out the building. He may not have been around for long, but he definitely made an indelible impression.
Scene One: Veronica Chooses Not to Deal
When I first watched this scene, I was fairly unhappy with how Veronica was interacting with Donut. I actually began to question my take on the hallway scene from the previous episode since the two were kissing lingeringly twice in front of Logan, acting happy and in love. Not to mention that Veronica glared at Logan twice as if he was this horrible jerk. I was not a happy camper. However, upon further thought (with elucidation from my fellow posters), I saw that it was indeed completely in character for Miss Veronica Mars.
When something happens that she does not want to deal with -- In this case: She totally is in love with Logan and Donut is no longer 'the one,' -- she simply chooses to ignore it, box it up and not deal. Think Betty and Veronica: The Veronica who dealt with her wreck of a mother was completely put in a box while she went about finding a mascot and helping Wallace out. Veronica Mars is nothing if not a master at compartmentalization. And that is exactly what she was doing here, with an added dash of the ole 'Veronica Mars is never wrong.' She was not only boxing up that late-night encounter, she was also working double-time to prove to herself ... and Logan ... that she DOES love Duncan and that she IS super-duper happy and that Duncan IS the bestest ever and plugs her up right every time.
Not.
Scene Two: Logan Cares
I understand that this scene contains the best line of the show ("Didn't plug her right the first time, huh?"), but past the first bit that features interaction of any kind between Logan and Veronica (and it really is stretching to call it interaction), the rest of the scene when dealing with Logan in relation to the VD epidemic is directed towards Donut. So, I'm just covering that first bit ... which I still don't quite understand. Why DID Logan make such a big show of getting up, moving his stuff and dramatically offering up his place so that Veronica and Donut could sit by one another? Maybe it was part of his "I don't care" attitude by showing the two of them that, well, he didn't care. If that was the case, well, he failed because it came across that, yeah, he cared.
Scene Three: It's All About Control ... or Lack Thereof
Logan and Veronica have had plenty of snark-fests and one-sided fights but I think this was the first true fight that they both participated in. I think the two of them have truly had two fights prior to this one, on the beach and Veronica wasn't really playing along and in her apartment when they broke up, where again Veronica was not an active participant. However, this time they were both engaged in the fight and it wasn't a game of one-upsmanship as all of their past disagreements have been. They were genuinely fighting, not so much as trying to keep from going at each other (as Veronica was in the apartment break up) or get a grasp on what the hell is going on (Logan during the break-up).
They were fighting as two people who love each other, but hate each other right now to the degree that they want to hurt the other. Veronica was more in your face, while Logan used his favorite weapon, the subtle verbal jabs -- this time mostly directed at the situation. And both of them were trying very hard to pretend that they simply did not care and that this anger -- which they'd both kept under control prior to this -- had nothing to do with their dual knowledge of their sexual activities. Surprisingly, Logan did a much better job than did Veronica.
With three notable exceptions, one more intangible than the rest, Logan almost was able to play the entire situation as if he just did not care that he was fucking a married woman, that he was caught fucking a married woman and that Veronica knew that he was fucking a married woman. The exceptions? First was when Veronica claimed that Logan was getting enjoyment out of his death wish. You can see him very visibly swallow once and then less visibly as if he's gained control. And it's in those swallows that I get the sense that Logan does not have a death wish at all. He doesn't want to die; he doesn't want someone else to do the job for him.
The things that happen to him, brought on by things he does -- because yes, he did bring both (especially the bridge-beating) on himself in a way -- are not a result of him baiting death because he enjoys the thrill. It's two things, I think. The first is that he simply does not think of the consequences of his actions. This is partly because of his youth and partly because of his upbringing as one of the privileged whose only consequences were a beating by daddy and he had clearly immunized those against stopping his actions back in Return of the Kane.
The second is because he IS the poor, little rich boy. He is, simply put, in pain. He is so very alone and I really don't think that Veronica fully appreciates that. She feels as if she was alone her junior year, but she had her dad and she eventually grew to have Wallace. So in her mind, she may feel that she understands what it is like to be truly alone because of her ostracism and because she didn't tell her dad everything. Therefore, she figures that she understands what Logan has gone through, but she never acted out as horribly as he had. However, she is wrong.
Veronica had Keith; she always had someone who loved her ... and not just loved her, but unconditionally so. Logan clearly has not had unconditional love ever in his life and once he lost the happy memory of Lilly and Aaron was tarnished to a degree that Logan no doubt had not even fathomed, he truly was alone except for Veronica. Who was holding herself back from him because she wanted "normal." And once she dropped him, this poor, little rich boy was truly, completely and utterly alone. A desolate soul living with the belief that he truly is worthless to any other human being.
The second exception to Logan's devil-may-care facade was the most obvious when his voice finally rose. Yes, there was snark, but it was presented with anguish and not a cheeky attitude. However, unlike Veronica, his control was quickly recaptured -- during the sentence, no less ("you storm out in a burst of professionalism"). His voice rose in bitterness before dropping like lead to normal.
I had commented last week that Logan has been doing an excellent job of showing that he was unaffected by Veronica, except when he's with Veronica. Clearly, he's been working on this. And considering what he found out last week, it certainly makes sense that he would use that information to build up his walls even more securely and as witnessed in the two earlier scenes, it's clear that he has. And it's really clear in this scene. Most of his comments to her are delivered as jokes or lighthearted banter. Only the tone on "devoted ex-girlfriend" and the above quote completely lose the jocular tinge, while the "responsible for what?" loses the bit of that edge, but not all.
Finally, the intangible exception. Part of the reason I wrote way above that "[Logan and Veronica] were fighting as two people who love each other, but hate each other ..." is because the way Logan spoke his barbs was different from how we've heard him snark at Veronica or anyone else for that matter -- but for one other -- in the past. The sweet smile or full on smirk was missing from every hit. The only person that Logan has ever directed barbs to without the smile or smirk in full force is Aaron. The one person he loved, but hated. (I'm rather hoping that he just plain hates Aaron now, but back then, there was definitely still that mixture.)
Logan hated Aaron for hurting him and his mother, but he desperately wanted Aaron to love him too. He did. And in a sad way, it's the same thing with Veronica. He does hate her for hurting him so much, and hurting him when he had absolutely no one else, but he wants her to love him too. The thing is that enough time has passed now that Logan is getting better and better at hiding that need, just as he did with Aaron.
Veronica, on the other hand, has spent so much time lately living in this shell -- a pod so to speak ;) -- that when she's confronted with the one person who pushes her buttons like no other, she can barely control herself. She actually began the scene barely in control. As she commented on his redecorating, her voice was trembling and already sounded as if it was on the verge of tears. Veronica was so jealous; she was so angry, so upset with him, and she was doing her absolute damndest to control those emotions ... and failing miserably.
She kept trying for the snark with the accompanying sweet smile, shining eyes, occasional head tilt and she simply could not pull it off. After each delivered snark, the smile would drop immediately; the head never finished its tilt. And her eyes were shining all right, but not with fake cheer filled with contempt, but rather with unshed tears. The same unshed tears that kept her voice from having the lightness that generally accompanies her quips.
And the quips? Those she could barely hold onto. Instead she started attacking. She couldn't attack him for moving on which is what she was really angry about, so she turned it on him sleeping with a "bimbo." She couldn't really call him out ethically because girl has done some unethical things in her time so many times that she knows he'd call her out on that in a heartbeat. And she couldn't, wouldn't, did not want to admit to jealousy, so she sought to hurt him. Pulling the "poor little rich boy" spiel out when she should know better. Playing the 'you done wrong' card by using Mr. Casablancas as a front. She just wanted to hurt him because she was hurting. He did it last week, it was her turn now. And she realized exactly what she was doing and tried to head it off in the worst way possible, protesting much too much.
- Veronica: Don't take it the wrong way, Logan. It was a job, nothing more.
- Logan: Right, and so you storm out in a burst of professionalism.
- Veronica: I suggest you start locking your doors!
Scene Four: This Time She Gets the Concept
Technically this is a separate scene even if it's only about 5 seconds long. What is interesting about it is that it neatly encapsulates in those five seconds the main core of what happened in Logan's bedroom. Logan is in control, snarking with ease as if he simply does not care. Veronica, on the other hand, completely loses her train of thought -- and that's a pretty damn hefty train of thought -- and reverts back to the pissed, jealous nonprofessional immediately upon Logan's arrival. After his comment, she rolls her eyes and all but huffs and storms away. This time correctly.
Veronica joins her school's chapter of Future Business Leaders of America so she can have at least one legitimate extracurricular for college applications. She must have forgotten about: Working part time at her dad's office, being a hostess at Java the Hut, newspaper, photography, pep squad, running a campaign for the Student Council election, submitting a poem for the school's literary magazine, and her excellent recommendation from Vice Principal Clemmons. (With that last one, he really does put the "pal" in principal.)
During the FBLA meeting, she listens to major money maker H. Richard Casablancas, Dick and Beaver's dad, a.k.a. Big Dick, talk about real estate investments. His company is so successful with a whopping 35% return that Mr. Pope, the FBLA faculty advisor, invests with the Big Dick. He explains that REITs, Real Estate Investment Trusts, allow a bunch of people to pool their money and buy into several different real estate buildings, similar to how mutual funds work.
I bet during this speech Veronica is wondering if the H. stands for Harold. I'm sure it does. Parents can be cruel that way; just ask my plumber Richard Wacker. From this meeting, Veronica gets to keep her very own fabulous, printed in color, multi-page flyer for Casablancas Enterprises. That is going to make great reading while she is at the doctor's office for her weekly dose of penicillin (to cure the VD, of course.)
Cassidy approaches Veronica and tries to butter her up with the ever-successful, sexist remark along the lines of, "It's great you joined FBLA, you know, for being a girl." Cassidy is cute, but he should be careful or Veronica's girlie parts are going to kick his Beaver ass all over Neptune. Cassidy tells her he wants proof that his stepmother, Kendall, is cheating on his dad. Veronica finally agrees after asking for more money. FBLA would be proud.
Veronica follows Kendall around but isn't very sneaky about it. She does hide behind a somewhat see-through wall once, so she hasn't lost all of her spy magic. Or maybe Veronica is just hypnotized by the rhythmic swaying of Kendall's short, yellow skirt. [Note to Charisma: way to try to sashay us into better ratings. Keep it up, if it will help us get a 3rd season.] Veronica gets some pictures of Kendall and a "Mr. Good Looking but has no lines" meeting at the gym for a snack (not the dirty kind, unless you are on a carb-free diet) and then driving to a motel where Kendall closes the curtains. Which of course automatically means there must be sex going on. Just ask the students at Ricks Junior College in Idaho.
After Cassidy sees the pictures, he is appalled that Kendall is cheating at one of Big Dick's motels, but points out that all the pictures really prove is Kendall and Mr. Good Looking swapped gym bags. And that isn't a dirty reference either. Darn. Cassidy needs undeniable proof for his father to take him seriously.
In a very ballsy, as 'non under the radar' as you can get, Veronica switches Kendall's iPod with an exact replica that has a hidden camera that takes pictures automatically every 15 seconds. Again, Veronica seems to have lost her smooth operator status she displayed in the 'great stapler exchange' in Clash of the Tritons, but she gets the job done. She is however smart enough to purposefully change the song playing, in front of Kendall, so that she won't notice a song switch when she next listens to the iPod.
Veronica continues to follow Kendall and Mr. Good Looking to a motel, the Sandpiper. Veronica's Spidey sense tingles and she pulls out the Casablancas flyer from earlier. While she thinks someone is getting screwed in the motel room, she is pretty sure a lot of other people are getting screwed outside of the motel also because the fabulous picture from the flyer doesn't match the dumpy looking motel in front of her. Before jumping to conclusions however, I think that Veronica should consider that maybe the motel was just at the mall one day and decided on a whim to visit Glamour Shots. The motel didn't mean to imply that it was snazzy and shiny, like the flyer showed, all of the time. The motel just wanted to look extra pretty for once.
Veronica trails Mr. Good Looking to the bank and then the county assessor's office. Veronica walks into the office and asks the receptionist about the man that came in right before her. The receptionist replies, "Are you looking for someone?" Uh, yea lady, and she just told you who. Duh and Grrr. The receptionist says no one is there. Well, someone is, unless Mr. Good Looking did a Danny Phantom on his way in. Sheesh. Eventually Veronica figures out that the man she was following is the county assessor. [A quick observation: Veronica's hair was slightly funky for the first time this season. Yea, baby, the show and the hair are back! She had it in a bad, choppy, ponytail flip. Maybe with the return of the funky hair comes the return of super sleuth. I am hoping anyway.]
Veronica questions Mr. Pope about real estate fraud and tells him that Kendall and Big Dick are bribing the county assessor to raise the value on local properties. Veronica warns Mr. Pope to sell his stock before the fraud is exposed. He refuses to dump his worthless investment on some other poor schlub. Here's a tip for you Mr. Pope: get the hell out of Neptune. I hear Sunnydale has some cheap properties available. Might be a nice change of pace.
Cassidy shows up at Java the Hut with the iPod camera and he and Veronica start to look at the pictures it captured. They see the county assessor signing some documents, which confuses Cassidy. Veronica's hostess duties call her away before she can explain the pictures and the fraud to Cassidy. When she gets back to their table, she sees that he has split with the camera. On her laptop are half-naked pictures of Logan and realizes he is the other man in Kendall's life.
The following day, Veronica drops by Logan's house to find his bedroom in a state of disarray and his body in a state of hotness covered only by a towel. Lucky towel. She is sweet enough to not point out that one should really dress for company and instead most professionally gives him a heads up about the affair being exposed. Just in case he missed it, she says this is a just a job. I don't buy that and neither does Logan. Snarking and barbing a bit more, Veronica ends the conversation in a decided huff and storms out. Very professional.
Cassidy takes the incriminating pictures to his dad to tell him about the Kendall/Logan affair. Big Dick ignores the affair part and jumps to, "you hired a private investigator? Oh son." He grabs his brief case and stuffs two files into it just as his receptionist reports that two men from the SEC want to see him. If his receptionist wanted to stall the SEC men, maybe she should try the "are you looking for someone?" question from before. Big Dick races out of the office yelling, "shred it, shred it all" in a fabulous Arrested Development shout out. He leaves a bewildered and disappointed Cassidy behind while he runs to a waiting helicopter and flies off.
- It is the beginning of senior year and Veronica has three months to get college applications done and six months to apply for scholarships. Since her college applications are going to be a bit thin on extracurriculars, Veronica has joined the Future Business Leaders of America mainly due to the fact that Duncan is a member. The faculty advisor is Mr. Samuel Nelson Pope. The FBLA have a local profiles series. Each year they also play a stock market game where every club member has a virtual portfolio that they control to see who has the best return at the end of the year. Last year Dick invested in dog races and lost his shirt. (Which several of our members would like to see again. And soon.)
Mr. Pope is planning on retiring at the end of the year and sailing away on his Swan 40 boat that he has been restoring. When he states that he has been having problems and had to reseal the hull twice, Logan gets the best zinger in a long while with "Didn't plug her right the first time, huh," complete with a smirk at Duncan. Duncan loses his shit and goes for Logan, pushing him out of the classroom and into some nearby lockers. Cut to them getting patched up in the nurse's office. (Oh, I wanted to see Logan land a few punches. Seriously, that was a majorly wimpy fight, but Duncan does have a bloody nose and Logan has the beginning of a black eye, so the fight must have gone on longer than we saw.)
After some snark about who knows Veronica best and Logan's staying power, Logan admits that he is angry about how Duncan disappeared over the summer. (How could he be there for you Logan, he was too busy stalking your then girlfriend at her place of employment?) Their conversation turns into a "Who had the worse summer vacation" competition. Logan quite rightly points out that Duncan has not had his back recently, and Duncan has no rebuttal. Logan gets in the last shot with a very well acted, "I hate him too" (about Aaron) coupled with unshed tears. Poor woobie Logan.
- Dick's father is H. Richard Casablancas and he is CEO of Casablancas Enterprises. They specialize in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). His stock is trading at $52.16 and Casablancas Enterprises has posted 35% returns on their investments for the last two years. Dick is obviously his daddy's favorite.
- Dick is being a dick to Veronica again.
- Neptune High has a French Club and a Model UN Club.
- Veronica is doing nothing to hide her relationship with Duncan from Logan.
- Veronica is trying to remember to call Beaver 'Cassidy,' but is not always successful.
- Cassidy seems to really care about his lying, good for nothing dad, as his hiring of Veronica can attest. He thinks that Kendall is a money grubbing gold digger.
- Kendall Casablancas has a prenup that forbids her from cheating.
- Kendall's schedule is:
- 10:00 am Brunch with the Girls
12:00 am Pilates with Lorenzo
3:00 pm Spa reservation for shiatsu massage, organic enzyme facial and possibly a colonic.
- Keith's book is 97 on the New York Times bestseller list. His publisher believes in the book and he has been doing a lot of publicity. He invites Alicia to join him on a book signing in Chicago where he is being put up at the Rossmore Hotel that has a jazz club at the top. She agrees to go and Veronica questions Keith about his intentions toward Alicia. He swears that he will not be proposing, and that it is just a romantic getaway.
In Chicago, Keith and Alicia are enjoying the ambience of the Jazz club and a very happy Keith tells Alicia that he really wants to be sheriff. He tells her that he likes being "that guy" and talks fondly of hopped up meth heads. Well, whatever floats your boat, Keith.
- Kendall Lacey Casablancas, nee Lacey Shiflett, dropped out of Arizona State University. She was a featured music video background dancer and then a Laker girl, where she made $10,000 a year. She had a string of "baller" boyfriends and then landed the Big Dick. As a trophy wife, she drives a black convertible Mercedes, wears Jimmy Choos and Dolce and Gabanna. (Which, by the way the yellow pleated skirt is very cute, but the top is not working for me.)
- One of Neptune's zip codes is 90927.
- Dick Casablancas has been married twice before.
- Keith has filed the official paperwork for his divorce from Lianne.
- Wallace's mom still makes his lunch and he is embarrassed by her addition of a pudding cup. Hey, don't knock the puddin'.
- Jackie and Wallace's relationship has progressed to eating lunch together, which does not thrill Veronica. Wallace says that he is trying to get "privileges" and asks for Veronica's help. Jackie, who seems the tiniest bit chagrined that Veronica and Wallace are friends, apologizes for her behavior at the beginning of Driver Ed. Jackie then goes on to knock one of the greatest books ever written, Pride and Prejudice, which causes Wallace to jump in with an offer of his CliffsNotes (Wallace! I am going to tell your mother on you). Veronica one ups him with the offer of a viewing of the Colin Firth BBC version (which is inarguably the best) and Jackie agrees.
At the viewing party, Jackie irritates Veronica to no end, which hysterically, Duncan seems totally unaware of. While Wallace discounts the awesomeness that is Colin Firth, Duncan says that women only want Colin for his mansion and his swans. Well, Duncan, all you have going for you is your mansion, so I would not be casting stones. Apparently Jackie used to date an actor who did a play in London. Colin Firth attended the after party and she finally says something I agree with when she claims that he doesn't need the house and swans to land a girl. Duncan, be happy you have the mansion, because you are no Colin Firth.
Jackie was thrown out of St. Paul's prep for "borrowing the dean's car," and got bored so she flew to Paris for her birthday with her boyfriend. Wallace also shows a surprising inability to read his BFF, looks to Veronica for validation of Jackie's coolness. Veronica, while trying to explain to Wallace that Jackie sucks, is unable to make her point. Wallace gets defensive; assuming that Veronica thinks Jackie is out of his league. Veronica, quite rightly, points out that Jackie is out of Wallace's league. He needs a woman who will like his little pudding cup! And Veronica, what is the deal with that shirt and sweater combo? Yuck.
Jackie breaks up this tender moment and Veronica, at Wallace's very cute pleading face, covers for their absence by saying that Wallace was asking for hair tips. (Yea, 'cause that makes him a babe magnet!) Jackie overshares that she likes the wild look while fondling Wallace's hair and Veronica leaves the room before her dinner leaves her. Wallace suggest that they meet Friday to finish the movie, but Veronica begs off saying she has to work and Jackie pipes in that she has plans as well. Those plans turn out to be a date with a random, but pretty hot guy. Veronica is not happy with this turn of events and is downright bitchy to Jackie in school the following week. Wallace has rescheduled the movie night and at Veronica's arch question, Jackie confirms that she is not too busy to come.
- Java the Hut has a Karaoke night that has the power to stop an episode in its tracks.
- The county assessor's office is located in the county courthouse. The assessor's name is Jack Montana.
- Dick has an upper locker.
- Logan still has Veronica's cell phone number programmed into his phone.
- Logan's inspirational phone message is: "To Love and win is the best thing. To love and lose the next best. William M. Thackeray."
- Veronica is driving the LeBaron again and it doesn't have a dent on it. Weevil's uncle is a miracle worker.
- Dick and Logan were in cub scouts together.
- As Veronica is leaving school she finds Deputy Sacks waiting to take her in for questioning. (By the way, Sacks, 1972 called. They want their look back.) Veronica is quite emphatic that she will not reconsider her turning Lamb down as a prom date, but Sacks just opens the door for her. Obviously she is not considered a hardened criminal quite yet, because he opens the passenger door for her and not the back door.
In the interrogation room (which is not the same room Veronica used for her phone call last episode) Lamb is using his new psychic interrogation skills as he stares at Veronica without saying a word. (Which episode of NYPD Blue did you learn that one in?) Lamb glares unsuccessfully as he uses the old "You must know why you are here" to break Veronica. But, she has obviously been watched a few Hill Street Blues herself and after she faux confesses, she tells Sheriff Lamb that she would like to buy a vowel because she has no idea why he is questioning her.
Lamb finally gets down to brass tacks and tell her about David "Curly" Moran's penchant for washing up on Neptune's beaches with her name on his hand. Veronica remembers seeing him at the memorial, and Lamb, able to read her for once, realizes that she does know him, but she does not say from where.
Next he shows her the square diamond encrusted earring that Weevil wore in Normal is the Watchword, asking if it is hers. He tells her that it was found outside the Road Hog, a biker bar up the PCH, the last place that Curly was seen. He then stands up and looms over her trying for menacing, but she seems too shocked to really be affected by his tactics.
Veronica investigates Curly and finds out that he was a stunt man whose career died in the 1980's. He liked to combine crystal meth while working, never a good idea, and was imprisoned for three years at San Quentin for possession with intent to sell. While in Neptune he was working at Symbolic Motor Car Company.
Veronica, in a very cute ensemble, goes to the garage to look through Curly's stuff pretending to be his niece. Veronica seems disappointed that he never mentioned her name, but does score with a greasy box of his belonging. Well maybe not score, because well, greasy and pornographic ... but it does turn up a photo of Curly and Aaron Echolls together.
It is signed: "All these years still on 'The Long Haul,' always your pal, Aaron Echolls." The quote makes no sense to Veronica until she passes a poster of Aaron's in the Echolls' hall. He stared in a movie named The Long Haul where Curly was the stunt coordinator. The main stunt involved a bus going over a bridge. A very bright light goes off for Veronica and she figures out that the bus accident was arranged to kill her, probably arranged by Aaron
- As Alicia and Keith are leaving the bar in Chicago, a man seems to recognize Alicia. He calls her Cher and tries to catch her before they get on the elevator. When he is unsuccessful he finds their floor and flashing a badge gets the front desk clerk to give out Keith's name. Later we see the same guy in Neptune. He looks for Alicia in the phone book and gets her home address.
- Curly and Veronica at the bus crash site. (Read detailed breakdown.)
"I Turn My Camera On" (Spoon)
Scene: Veronica plays I Spy with her dang obtrusive camera (that she's turned on), but like the truly self-absorbed in the world, Mrs. Casablancas is completely oblivious.
"Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair" (Original Artist: Stephen Foster/Performed By: Mike King)
Scene: In which we are introduced to Lars, a lovely chap wooing his lady ... but alas his good-boy persona can not match the bad boy to follow.
"Love Hurts" (Courtney Taylor-Taylor)
Scene: The karaoke may go on and on, but it also (not so) subtly reveals that LoVe does indeed hurt as Veronica follows Logan's happy trail to Beaver's stepmom.
"Smoke It" (The Dandy Warhols)
Scene: Big Dick plays like George Bluth who played like Oliver North when push came to shred. Big Dick made his grand escape, but like his predecessors will he too be caught with his pants around his ankles? (Oh wait, that was Logan.)
LoVe Lines
Veronica: (Tapping fingers together after seeing down next to Donut.) Egggsellent.
Logan: (Disgustedly.) And now I've lost my appetite.
Veronica: I love what you've done with the place.
Logan: Yeah. Well, now you know what you were missing. (Extending his arms as if indicating the room, and his body.)
Veronica: Is your girlfriend still here?
Logan: Girlfriend? Girlfriend. I don't know, you're going to have to be a little more specific.
Veronica: Let me clarify. The one whose husband is going to break you in half when he finds out that his sons' old Cub Scout jamboree buddy is secretly plowing his wife.
Logan: Ah-ha! That one is less of a girlfriend and more of a playmate. Kinda.
Veronica: I hope you're scared, on the inside, Logan. What if I had been Mr. Casablancas? What would you have done then, huh? Just standing here in your towel (Looks him up and down.), your room still reeking of bimbo?
Logan: I suppose I would have had some 'splaining to do.
Veronica: God, what a clich. Poor, little rich boy with a death wish. And I used to think it was bad luck that landed you in danger. The knife-fight on the bridge, the drive-by in your car. But, no, now I see you actually enjoy it, don't you Logan?
Logan: Well, then I guess I should feel grateful for having such a devoted ex-girlfriend looking after me. My very own guardian angel.
Veronica: Don't flatter yourself. The only reason I came here is so I won't have to feel responsible.
Logan: Whatever. Responsible for what?
Veronica: For taking pictures of you and Kendall, playing house. Don't take it the wrong way, Logan, it was a job. Nothing more.
Logan: Right. So you storm out in a burst of professionalism.
Veronica: I suggest you start locking your doors. (Slams bedroom door closed.)
Logan: (To Veronica a few minutes later as he sees her still in his house.) If this is what you call storming out, I'm not sure you understand the concept.
Quotable Quotes
Dick: (To Veronica.) Sure you're not here for the Future Boot Lickers of America?
Veronica: It looks like it's always looked. The rich get richer and everyone else hopes for scholarships.
Beaver: I found a condom wrapper under the couch.
Veronica: Hardly a smoking gun given your brother's proclivities.
Veronica: (To Deputy Sacks, referencing Sheriff Lamb.) My answer was final. I will not go to prom with him.
Lamb: You're 18 now, kiddo. You're an adult.
Veronica: Well, that makes one of us.
Veronica: (To Lamb.) So are you going to tell me why I am here or should I just sit back and enjoy your impression of a mildly constipated David Caruso?
Veronica: (Musing.) Ah, yes I remember that summer. He was a roadie for Whitesnake, I was singing back up for Boyz II Men. They said it would never work, but
Veronica Mars Voiceover: Somewhere those million chimps with their million typewriters must have finally written King Lear because Sheriff Lamb is actually right about something.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: Just remember kids, crystal meth and precision driving don't mix.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: Tailing young Mrs. Kendall is about as hard as following Malibu Barbie to the beach house.
Wallace: Hot damn! Colin Firth is in it.
Logan: What? We've lost money? Heads will roll.
Mr. Pope: As long as it's legal.
Dick: Dude, dog racing is totally legal.
Mr. Pope: But hardly lucrative, as I recall from your performance last year.
Dick: Dad's pulling in 35 percent returns? Dude, I'm the one that's retiring.
Mr. Pope: I'll alert the dog track.
Mr. Pope: (Discussing his boat.) We had to reseal the hull twice.
Logan: Didn't plug her right the first time, huh? (Slyly glancing towards Duncan.)
Logan: Actually, I disagree with Nurse Ratchett. I think Veronica would have been quite impressed; probably a little turned on too.
Duncan: Careful Logan, you're exposing your soft underbelly.
Logan: My underbelly is rock hard. It can go all night.
Logan: (To Duncan.) To hell with Veronica. She's in the rearview mirror. Where were you this summer?!
Logan: (To Duncan about Aaron.) I hate him too, you know.
Veronica: I'm really sorry to bug you; I noticed we have the same iPod.
Kendall: Wow, what are the odds? Can I help you with something? Before my heart goes out of the red zone.
Veronica: Oh totally, no, this will just take like a second. I think my player is acting funky and I don't know if it's the player or the headphones. And I don't want to borrow my boyfriend's headphone, because he has like major earwax and that would be totally gross. Could I?
Kendall: Borrow mine? All right just make it quick; my ass needs some major work here, okay?
Veronica: (While listening to Kendall's iPod.) Well, the headphones aren't broken. I love this song.
Kendall: I love it too; I love how it keeps my heart in the red zone.
Veronica: What else do you have on here? (Kendall sticks her hand out for the iPod impatiently.) Oh, sorry. Well, I guess mine's busted. (Turning back before walking away.) And your ass looks totally awesome, by the way.
Veronica: Mr. Pope, dump your stock.
Mr. Pope: You don't dump it, Veronica. You sell it ... to somebody else. I'd just be sticking some other sucker with the consequences. (Pausing, with a sad smile.) I don't think I can live with that.
Jackie: Oh, hey, Veronica.
Veronica: Hey Jackie, and random dude.
Logan: This is Logan with today's inspirational message: 'To love and win is the best thing. To love and lose the next best.' William M. Thackeray.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ... (Referenced by the episode title.)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car is a children's story written by Ian Fleming (famous for his James Bond series) for his son Caspar, with illustrations by John Burningham; it was first published in 1964 by Jonathan Cape in London and Random House in New York. The book was later made into a popular Disney musical in 1968 with a script by Roald Dahl (of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fame) and Ken Hughes, with songs by the Sherman Brothers. Starring the Dick Van Dyke -- a Disney staple, Chim Chim Cher-ee anyone? -- as Caractacus Potts and Sally Ann Howes as Truly Scrumptious (Yes, Truly Scrumptious). The film was directed by Ken Hughes and produced by Albert R. Broccoli, the well-known producer of the Bond films.
The movie tells the story of Caractacus Potts, an inventor and widower with two children, who renovates an old car (known then as the Paragon Panther) which once upon a time was a three-time Grand Prix winner, but had fallen into disrepair. A love interest, the daughter of a giant candy conglomerate, Truly Scrumptious joins the family on an outing to the beach, due to the urging of Jeremy and Jemima, Potts' children. (Note: Truly is a movie creation; in the novel, the inventor is marred to Mimsie. I know, I know from "James" to Caractacus and Mimsie? Really Ian, what were you smoking?) Anyhoo, on with the story: While at the beach, Caractacus spins a story about pirates who are trying to steal Chitty Chitty Bang Bang -- the renamed car renovated by Potts -- which becomes the central plot.
The pirates are headed by Baron Bomburst of Vulgaria, who captures Grandfather Potts (believing him to be Caractacus), takes him as hostage and is chased by the Potts family. However, during the chase, Jeremy and Jemima are also captured by the dastardly Baron and his scary Child Catcher. Child Catcher, because, you see, in the land of Vulgaria children are outlawed.
Eventually, Caractacus and Truly, with some help from the local Toymaker and the town's children (who are hidden in order not to be captured), defeat the Baron and his armies, rescue Jeremy and Jemima, and reunite the town's children with their rightful parents. The Potts family is reunited, and in the film version, Caractacus and Truly decide to get married, in a classic happy ending.
FBLA (Referenced by Veronica as she joins Logan, Duncan and the Casablancas brothers in the club.)
The (for some reason) ultra-trendy elective class for the 09ers -- I mean, seriously, WHY are Logan and Dick (DICK!?!) in this class? -- has its origins in the FLBA-PBL, i.e., the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda. It's an international career and technical student organization with headquarters in Reston, Virginia. The organization is non-profit (again, DICK?!?) and designed to help high school, middle school and college students transition to the business world. (For the last time ... DICK!?!)
Mr. Burns / "Exxcellent." / The Simpsons (Referenced by Veronica during FLBA class.)
Charles Montgomery Burns is Homer's boss and owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant in Matt Groening's animated series The Simpsons. He is the richest man in town and is shadowed nearly at all times by his loyal secretary, aid, and confidant Waylon Smithers. Burns is voiced by Harry Shearer, and his catchphrase is the word "Excellent" muttered in a low, sinister voice as he tents his fingertips.
Burns is a staunch Republican and was member #29 of the Stonecutters (who made Steve Guttenberg a star!). After the Stonecutters embarrassing fall from grace, Burns and the other former Stonecutters (except Homer Simpson) went on to form the No-Homers Club. Mr. Burns' inability to remember Homer's name would suggest that he is in that club more for status rather than any lasting anti-Homer sentiment.
REITs (Referenced by Dick, Sr. during his presentation.)
A REIT (or Real Estate Investment Trust) is a tax designation for a corporation investing in real estate that reduces or eliminates corporate income taxes. The REIT structure was designed to provide a similar structure for investment in real estate as mutual funds provide for investment in stocks. Like other corporations, REITs can be publicly or privately held. Public REITs may be listed on public stock exchanges like shares of common stock in other firms.
The United States Congress created REITs in 1960 to give anyone and everyone the ability to invest in large-scale commercial properties. In the U.S., REITs generally pay little or no federal income tax, but are subject to a number of special requirements set forth in the Internal Revenue Code, one of which is the requirement to annually distribute at least 90% of its taxable income in the form of dividends to its shareholders.
Now I'm not exactly sure what all of that means, but it sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me. It also sounds like it might be a way for less than scrupulous people (I'm talking to you Big Dick) to evade paying corporate income tax.
Pilates (Referenced by Veronica as she reads Kendall's schedule.)
The Pilates method is a physical fitness system, developed in the early 1900's, by Joseph Pilates. He called it Contrology, which is a way of encouraging the use of your mind, to control your muscles. The exercise program focuses on the muscles that help keep the body well balanced, and are essential for supporting the spine.
Pilates was not designed to be a complete physical fitness discipline; it does not supply effective cardiovascular training. It also avoids high impact/high power and heavy muscular and skeletal loading, resulting in Pilates not being quite as effective at building muscle mass.
A Pilates coach is simply a certified person who runs a group through different Pilates steps, through either a class or an at-home video.
Shiatsu Massage (Referenced by Veronica as she reads Kendall's schedule.)
Shiatsu (a Japanese word taken from shi, meaning finger, and atsu, meaning pressure) is a hands-on therapy technique originating in Japan. Shiatsu follows similar principles to Chiropractic or western massage using the principles of anatomy and physiology. The thumbs, palms, and fingers (no knees or elbows are used in the foundation form of shiatsu therapy) are used to apply pressure to designated areas of the body.
All licensed Shiatsu practitioners, called Shiatsupractors, in Japan have to go through a government-regulated program which covers mostly the traditional form of Shiatsu Therapy. This traditional form, now commonly practiced in North America, was started by Tokujiro Namikoshi, from whose lineage subsequent Shiatsu practitioners have been trained.
At the age of seven, Tokujiro Namikoshi developed a technique of pressing using his thumbs and palms as he tried to nurse his mother who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. He called the technique "Pressure Therapy" at first but later renamed it "Shiatsu Therapy". He treated many high profile persons such as former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida and other successive Prime Ministers, the Prosecutor for the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, Prosecutor Keenan, as well as celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Muhammad Ali. It was these high-profile clients that helped Shiatsu gain visibility world-wide.
Namikoshi's Shiatsu is described as "Diagnosis and Therapy combined," and relies on an understanding of how the body functions according to western principles of anatomy and physiology, as opposed to the principles in Traditional Chinese Medicine/TCM, although derivative forms of Shiatsu based on TCM (called Meridian Shiatsu) have been devised by later practitioners graduated from the Japan Shiatsu College established by Tokujiro Namikoshi in 1940.
David Caruso ... (Referenced by Veronica to Sheriff Lamb during the interrogation scene.)
David Caruso shot to fame on the television show NYPD Blue in 1993 playing the part of Detective John Kelly. He is, however, infamous for quitting his part after one season to pursue a film career that failed spectacularly. He eventually revived his career by accepting the lead role in CSI: Miami in 2002 as Horatio Caine and has continued in that role to the present day.
Whitesnake ... (Referenced by Veronica in the interrogation room with Lamb.)
Whitesnake was a British "hair band" popular in the 1980's. Led by singer David Coverdale, Whitesnake had their first platinum album, Slide It In in 1984. They followed that with the 1987 release of their most successful album, the self-titled Whitesnake, which featured the hit songs "Is This Love?" and "Here I Go Again." Whitesnake was also known for there popular music videos which prominently featured Coverdale's then wife, model/actress Tawny Kitaen. The band struggled to find success through the 1990's and remained largely inactive until Coverdale reunited the group in 2003 for a 25 year celebration tour.
Boyz II Men ... (Referenced by Veronica in the interrogation room with Lamb.)
Boyz II Men is an American R&B singing quartet from Philadelphia. Formed in 1988, they have become the most successful R&B group of all time. They have sold over 25 million records and have had 5 #1 Billboard hits including "End of the Road" "I'll Make Love to You," and "One Sweet Day," a duet with Mariah Carey. The group continued performing in the 1990's with mild success. In 2003, Michael McCary left the group, but the remaining members: Wanya Morris, Nathan Morris and Shawn Stockman continue to perform as a trio.
The Infinite Monkey Theorem ... (Referenced by Veronica in the interrogation room with Lamb.)
A popular theory which states that if you have an infinite number of monkeys randomly pounding on the keys of a typewriter, they will inevitably type out the entire works of Shakespeare. There is much debate as to where the theorem originated, but it is often attributed to an idea presented in a probability theory book published by mile Borel in 1909.
There is currently a popular web site which tests the theorem. The Monkey Shakespeare Simulator users a java script to simulate a large population of monkeys typing randomly, with the stated intention of seeing how long it takes the virtual monkeys to produce a complete Shakespearean play from beginning to end. The current record is 24 words from Henry IV Part 2.
King Lear ... (Referenced by Veronica in voiceover as she is interviewed by Sheriff Lamb.)
King Lear (1605-06) is widely regarded as William Shakespeare's crowning artistic achievement. It is a classical tragedy, filled with scenes of human cruelty and meaningless disasters. The play raises the questions as to whether there is any possibility of justice in the world, or is life just futile with good and bad characters all dying pointlessly. The scene in which a mad Lear rages naked on a stormy heath against his deceitful daughters and the final image of Lear cuddling his dead daughter Cordelia in his arms are considered some of the most powerful scenes ever written. This play highlights conflict between a parent and children and includes the famous quote, "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!"
PCH (Referenced by Lamb as he says the Road Hog is up the PCH.)
Pacific Coast Highway refers to sections of California's Route 1, beginning at San Juan Capistrano, south of Los Angeles, and ending where Route 1 merges with Highway 1 at Leggett, in Northern California. Route 1 is one of the longest (644 miles) and most scenic routes in California, providing breathtaking views of a large part of the Pacific Coast. It travels past dozens of historical landmarks and through such cities as San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
New York Times (Referenced by Keith as he tells Alicia his book is #97 on the Best Sellers list.)
The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City by Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr. and owned by The New York Times Company. The newspaper, nicknamed the "Gray Lady," is distributed throughout the United States and around the world. The paper was founded in 1851 as the New-York Daily Times by Henry Jarvis Raymond and George Jones. In 1857, the name was changed to its current moniker. The Times was originally published every morning except on Sundays, but during the Civil War Sunday issues were started. Adolph Ochs acquired the paper in 1896 and, one year later, coined the slogan, "All The News That's Fit To Print," likely a jab at the widespread yellow journalism at the time.
In 1904, the newspaper moved to new headquarters on 42nd Street and gave its name to Times Square. In 1907 the Times started the tradition of dropping a lighted ball from its building on New Year's Eve. In 1961 the original Times Square building was sold. New headquarters for the paper are currently under construction, a skyscraper at 41st Street and 8th Avenue. Today The New York Times has sixteen news bureaus in New York, eleven national news bureaus and twenty-six foreign news bureaus. The paper has twenty printing locations and circulation of around 1,131,000 on weekdays and 1,681,000 on Sundays.
The Times has three main sections: (1) News, which includes International, National, Washington, Business, Technology, Science, Health, Sports, New York Region, Education, Weather and Obituaries; (2) Opinion, which includes Editorials, Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor and (3) Features, including Arts, Books, Movies, Theater, Travel, NYC Guide, Dining & Wine, Home & Garden, Fashion & Style, Crossword, The New York Times Magazine and Week in Review. With the growth of the Internet, the Times has had a strong online presence since 1995, and its website, www.nytimes.com, is considered one of the top overall web sites and the number one newspaper site. The current executive editor is Bill Keller, and notable columnists include Maureen Dowd, Thomas L. Friedman, John Tierney, William Safire and George Vescey.
The Times has withstood a number of controversies. One of these was an allegation that leading up to and during World War II the paper downplayed accusations that the Third Reich had targeted Jews for expulsion and genocide. Another charge was that the Times' coverage of the Soviet Union by correspondent Walter Duranty helped cover up the Ukrainian genocide by Joseph Stalin in the 1930's. One notable recent controversy was the 2003 admission that reporter Jayson Blair had committed journalistic fraud on multiple stories over the span of several years.
The Times is the recipient of ninety-four Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any newspaper, including a record seven in 2002.
Front page of The New York Times on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
Chicago/Chi Town/Windy City/City with Broad Shoulders (Referenced by Keith as he asks Alicia to accompany him to Chicago.)
Chicago is the largest city in Illinois, as well as the third-most populous city in the United States (over 2.8 million). It is referred to as the "Second City" (second to nation's capital Washington, D.C. in importance), the "Windy City," the "City of Big Shoulders," and "Chi-town." The city is located along the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. Chicago was founded in 1833 as a frontier town, and has since grown into one of the world's ten most influential cities. It is the financial, economic, and cultural capital of the Midwest, and is also recognized as a major center for transportation, business, and architecture.
Though there has been a decline in overall crime since the 1990s, the 1960s marked a period of intense gangland problems and saw a major rise in violent crimes. In 1974, with a population just over three million, the city had 970 murderers (resulting in a murder rate of 29:100,000). In 1992, the murder rate was 34:100,000. Chicago adopted crime-fighting techniques used by the NYPD and LAPD in 2004, and recorded a total of 448 homicides, the lowest on record since 1965. Organized crime has a long-standing place in Chicago's history, dating back to the 1910s, and boasting some of the most notorious crime lords and gangs, such as Al "Scarface" Capone and the Chicago Outfit, Bugs Moran, the Chicago Crime Syndicate, and the Chicago North Side Gang.
Chicago's theater scene is a major draw for aspiring actors, and is the birthplace of modern improvisation comedy. There is a major music scene in the city as well; it is the birthplace of the House music genre, had significant influences in Hip-Hop, and is home to a number of 90s Alternative, Punk, and Indie bands.
Kenny G ... (Referenced by Keith to Alicia in wondering if she has been turned off of Jazz.)
The name Kenny G has become synonymous with the contemporary jazz strains that many jazz purists love to hate. Born Kenneth Gorelick in Seattle in 1956, Kenny adopted the Kenny G stage name when he became a professional saxophonist at the age of 17 and started playing in Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra. In 1981, Kenny G was signed as a solo artist to Arista Records. An instrumentalist that departs from the jazz trend of improvisation, Kenny G's recordings have repeatedly made the pop charts. Kenny G's music is staple on adult contemporary and smooth jazz radio stations, contributing to his status as a household name.
In 1994, Kenny G won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for Forever in Love. In 1997, Kenny G earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for playing the longest note ever recorded on a saxophone - holding an E for over forty five minutes - a record he still holds. In 2003, Kenny G was named the 25th-highest selling artist in America by the RIAA with 47.5 million albums sold in the USA.
I'm Super (Thanks for Asking) / South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (Referenced by Veronica as Keith asks her if she's ok.)
The feature-length feature film, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, is based on Comedy Central's long-running, hilariously off-color, profane cartoon. Created by Trey Stone and Matt Parker, the animated show features four grade-schoolers with potty mouths.
The plot of the film involves a couple of Canadian comic actors being sentenced to execution for their profane hit, Asses of Fire. This sets off a nation-wide assault on obscenity. Terrence and Phillip are scheduled to be executed at the end of a U.S.O. show being hosted by Big Gay Al, a flamboyantly homosexual character familiar to series fans. The children, Stan and Kyle, join in an organized rescue of their favorite television actors and find themselves needing to stall for time, so they get the audience to join them in urging Big Gay Al to sing a song for everyone. Enjoying the spotlight, Al sings a song he wrote about the war -- one that highlights his signature catch phrase, "I'm super" -- cigarette in hand, costume changes galore, surrounded by male dancers and ending with Big Gay Naked Al.
While incredibly hilarious and raunchy, the film is quite the brilliant satire on censorship in the United States. Despite being animated, the film is NOT meant for children -- and it says so on the DVD cover!
Lyrics to "I'm Super":
- Bombs are flying
People are dying
Children are crying
Politicians are lying too.
Cancer is killing
Texaco's spilling
The whole world's gone to hell
But how are you?
I'm super
Thanks for asking
All things considered
I couldn't be better I must say
I'm feeling super
No, nothing bugs me
Everything is super when you're
Don't you think I look cute in this hat
I'm so sorry
Mr. Cripple
But I just can't feel too bad for you right now.
Because I'm feeling
So insanely super
That even the fact that you can't walk
Can't bring me down
- He's super
Thanks for asking
All things considered
He couldn't be better he must say
I'm super
No, nothing bugs me
Everything is super when you're
Don't you think I look cute in this hat
These little pants, this matching tie
That I got at Vogue
I'm super
- In the barracks and the trenches as well
Stick 'em up.
- Big Gay Al says do ask do tell
Diddles
- Yes he's super and he's proud to convey
OK
- Everything is super when you're gay!
When you're gay!
Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that produces an intense sensation of euphoria when swallowed or snorted. Users become addicted to meth quickly and tend to use more of it with increasing frequency. The negative side effects to the central nervous system are depression, aggressiveness, insomnia and paranoia. Meth use increases heart rate and blood pressure and can result in stroke, cardiovascular collapse, organ damage and death.
In the United States, the illegal manufacturing of methamphetamine is punishable from ten years to life in prison. The sale of ingredients used in meth production is also heavily monitored. In March of 2006, President Bush signed the Combat Meth Act, which limited the sale of ephedrine, the base ingredient of meth, to 3.6 grams per day, and customers must provide identification and sign a sales log. The manufacturing of meth in labs is highly dangerous, and there have been many cases of lab explosions to prove it. Meth labs have been found in garages, barns, apartments, etc.
King Kong ... (Referenced during Keith and Veronica's talk.)
What began as an answer to the success of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World, King Kong has inspired almost a dozen movies and a Saturday morning cartoon. The original movie version of King Kong was released in 1933. The latest version of the movie will hit theaters at the end of 2005, as directed by Peter Jackson.
King Kong was written by Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace and tells the story of an island populated by dinosaurs, and of course, a huge silverback gorilla. Filmmaker Carl Denham heads to the remote Skull Island to capture Kong, a huge creature the locals hold at bay with a giant barrier, keeping the beast locked in his primordial jungle.
Ann Darrow and John "Jack" Driscoll get caught up in the adventure, as Ann is captured by Kong and taken into the interior of his island home. Jack leads the rescue mission to bring her back. On the way, the explorers are attacked by various types of dinosaurs. Eventually, they capture the gorilla and take him back to civilization, where Kong meets his end on the Empire State Building. The film went down in history as one of the great film adventures to be produced in that time period, and is considered a classic today.
Jimmy Choo ... (Referenced as part of Kendall's spending habits.)
Jimmy Choo is a Chinese designer based in England. Born Jimmy Chow in Penang, Malaysia to a family of shoe makers, Jimmy's name was spelled incorrectly on his birth certificate, resulting in the now well-known name of Jimmy Choo. Choo created his first shoe at the tender age of 11, and studied at the former Cordwainers' Technical College, now known as the London College of Fashion.
The Jimmy Choo company was founded in 1996 by Tamara Mellon, a high-end fashion retailer wowed by the exceptional style and quality of Choo's designs. Jimmy Choo is famous for their expensive, hand-made shoes and handbags. The self-described company philosophy is to create exclusive shoes and accessories that are both luxurious and practical for every occasion while also distinctively Jimmy Choo. A pair of Jimmy Choos generally retails for upwards of $300, usually in the $500 - $800 dollar range.
Unicorns ... (Referenced by Veronica when she 'confesses' to Keith that girls love them.)
The unicorn is a legendary creature usually depicted with the body of a horse, but with a single -- usually spiral -- horn growing out of its forehead. In fact, the name "unicorn" is derived from the Latin word for horn, cornus. The unicorn is a mystical creature whose blood and horn supposedly have magical healing properties.
Though the modern popular image of the unicorn is sometimes that of a horse differing only in the horn, the traditional unicorn is actually way, way less pretty. It has a billy-goat beard, a lion's tail and cloven hooves, which distinguish him from a horse. Less My Pretty Pony, more hell-beasty. Despite their unconventional appearance, unicorns have been described as "the only fabulous beast that does not seem to have been conceived out of human fears. In even the earliest references he is fierce yet good, selfless yet solitary, but always mysteriously beautiful."
In medieval lore, the alicorn, the spiraled horn of the unicorn, is said to be able to heal and neutralize poisons. The unicorn is also generally a symbol of innocence. It is said that the unicorn can only be tamed or ridden by a virgin woman.
Dolce and Gabbana ... (Referenced as part of Kendall's spending habits.)
Dolce & Gabbana S.p.A. is a high-end fashion company founded by designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana in 1980. Dolce & Gabbana is organized into two central brands: 'D&G' and 'Dolce & Gabbana.' 'D&G' is generally the more casual lines with cheaper prices, while 'Dolce & Gabbana' is focused on haute couture and expensive price tags. Since their first collection showing and boutique opening in Milan in 1986 and 1990 respectively, Dolce and Gabbana have opened stores in major cosmopolitan cities across the world, kicking off their first US store in Houston in 1995.
Still based in Milan, Dolce & Gabbana are very popular designers for the Hollywood set; Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, Kylie Minogue and others are frequent customers. The private side of Dolce and Gabbana became public in early 2005, when the duo officially announced their romantic separation after nineteen years as a couple. The company has remained intact and Dolce and Gabbana continue to design together.
Sri Lanka (Referenced by Veronica as she ponders a girl's love for pricey convertibles.)
Known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean," The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean, located approximately thirty-one kilometers south of India. It has a geographic area of 65,610 sq km and a population of approximately 20,743,000 people. The nation is separated into eight provinces: Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Western.
The island was originally settled by the Sinhalese in late 6th century B.C., with kingdoms eventually arising in the cities of Anuradhapura (200 B.C. - A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (1070-1200). During the 14th century, the Tamil kingdom was established when a South Indian dynasty seized power in the northern region. Occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch in the 17th century, the island previously known by many names, including Serendib, became the British crown colony Ceylon in 1802. Independence came to the nation on February 4, 1948 and the island's name was changed in 1972 to Sri Lanka, Sanskrit for "venerable Lanka" -- Lanka being an ancient name of the island.
Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist nation. The two main cultures found on the island are the Sinhalese and the Tamils. In 1983, an ethnic war erupted between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists. After twenty years of warfare, a formal cease-fire was negotiated in 2002 between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, although the violence has not discontinued completely.
Sinhala and Tamil are the official national languages. The national form of currency is the Sri Lankan rupee. The capital is located in Colombo, however the city of Sri Jayewardenapura-Kotte is the legislative capital. Since November 2005, the Sri Lankan president has been Mahinda Rajapakse. The president is elected by a popular vote for a six-year term.
Sri Lanka is the leading exporter of tea and cinnamon and its major industries include the processing and export of rubber, tea, spices, textiles and apparels. The main sport of interest is cricket and the sport is so popular, in fact, that businesses usually shut down when there is a big cricket match being televised.
Two historical facts of interest: Sri Lanka is the first Asian country to have a female monarch (Queen Anula, 47-42 B.C.) and the first country in the world to have a female Prime Minister (Sirimavo Bandaranaike, 1960).
Malibu Barbie ... (Referenced by Veronica when trailing Kendall.)
First appearing in 1971, Malibu Barbie also marked the first time the doll stared straight ahead instead of glancing demurely to the side. Introduced in 1959 at the New York Toy Show, Barbie was a fashion doll unlike any of her time. Long limbed, shapely and beautiful, she stood only 11" tall.
1971-1976 was considered the "Malibu Era" when Barbie's friends included Fluff, Tiff, Steffi, Kelley, Cara, Curtis and Ginger. Barbie has undergone a lot of changes over the years and has managed to keep up with current trends in hairstyles, makeup and clothing. She is a reflection of the history of fashion since her introduction to the toy market. Barbie has a universal appeal and collectors both young and old enjoy time spent and memories made with their dolls.
The Atkins Diet ... (Referenced by Veronica when trailing Kendall.)
Somewhat controversial, the Atkins Diet (named after its programmer, Dr. Robert Atkins) is a low-carb diet based on the theory that overweight people eat too many carbohydrates. Our bodies burn both fat and carbohydrates for energy, but carbs are used first. By drastically reducing carbs and eating more protein and fat, our bodies naturally lose weight by burning stored body fat more efficiently. Recent studies seem to show that those on the plan lose weight at a greater rate than traditional diets without serious effects on health. However, the Atkins restrictions (eliminating potatoes, pasta and sweets from their diets on a permanent basis) can be very difficult for some people.
New York (Referenced by Veronica as she thinks about Jackie.)
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.
Pride and Prejudice ... (Referenced by Wallace as an alternative to either the book (boo!) or the CliffsNotes (boo!!) version of Jane Austen's P&P.)
Jane Austen novel, published in 1813. The book follows the headstrong character, Elizabeth Bennett, the second of five sisters, as she makes her way through romantic entanglements, false assumptions, and bad first impressions to find love with Mr. Darcy, the rude, snobbish, arrogant antagonist (Does this scenario sound familiar to anyone else?).
CliffsNotes (Referenced by Wallace as he tells Jackie he has them for Pride and Prejudice.)
Often incorrectly called CliffNotes, these are a series of pamphlets used as study aids to help students understand various literary works including novels, plays, poetry and essays. CliffsNotes offer a biography of the author, discuss the time during which the work was written, summarize the plot and characters, and explores the themes and symbols contained within the work.
Supporters say that they help increase understanding of the works, while detractors say that they let students avoid reading the actual works. The company has expanded its range to other courses such as math, government, sciences, languages and grammar.
William S. Burroughs ... (Referenced by Jackie during lunch.)
American novelist, essayist, and social critic. Born February 5, 1914 in St. Louis, Missouri. He died August 2, 1997, in Lawrence, Kansas. Burroughs lived a very adventurous life, during which he spent time traveling through Europe, befriended Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsburg, became addicted to morphine, grew marijuana in Texas, fled to Mexico after being suspected of marijuana delivery, accidentally shot and killed his common-law wife during a drunken game of "William Tell," traveled through South America looking for a drug called Yage to cure his opiate addiction, and joined and then left the Church of Scientology.
In his writings, Burroughs used many of his own life experiences as inspiration. He is known for using surreal imagery, experimenting with structure, and employing a strong satirical voice. His most famous work is the novel Naked Lunch. Born out of his opiate addiction acquired during time spent in Morocco, the novel was an amalgamation of various fragmented hallucinatory writings. It is part experimental fiction, part science fiction, filled with disturbing, bizarre, and obscene images.
Naked Lunch became the subject of a 1966 Massachusetts Supreme Court case that made room in obscenity laws to allows for artistic merit. In addition to a number of other novels, essays, and short stories, Burroughs also released spoken word recordings that included collaborations with Sonic Youth, R.E.M., and Kurt Cobain and made numerous cameo appearances in various films and videos, including a U2 music video.
Colin Firth ... (Referenced as a reason to watch Pride & Prejudice by Wallace to Jackie.)
British actor, known for portraying the earnest, yet endearing, Englishman. Firth is probably most recognized for playing the character of Mark Darcy in the Bridget Jones movies. He has starred in over fifty films, among them, Love Actually, Girl With the Pearl Earring, What a Girl Wants, Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient, and, of course, the much acclaimed BBC version of Pride and Prejudice.
iPod Shuffle ... (Referenced as the "Bug holder of choice" as Veronica's choice of surveillance of Kendall.)
Younger, and significantly less expensive, sibling of the iPod mp3 player. The iPod shuffle can hold up to 240 downloaded songs at any given time. Songs are easily uploaded as the device plugs right into a computer's flash drive. But, the real cache of the shuffle lies in its song randomization process, in which the song order can be manipulated or "shuffled."
Dog Racing (Referenced by Dick as he and Mr. Pope discuss the stock market game.)
While not the only breed involved with dog racing, the most common and popular competitive events involve greyhounds. The dogs run on a circular track, chasing an artificial rabbit until the fastest dog crosses the finish line. As with horse racing, parimutuel betting is a key attraction to the sport.
The modern form of greyhound racing emerged in 1912 when, wishing to stop the killing of the jack rabbits historically used as bait, Owen Patrick Smith invented mechanical rabbits to be used as the lures. In 1926, greyhound racing was introduced to the U.K. to great success. Currently, all but a few states in the U.S. have banned greyhound racing. Where allowed, it is strictly regulated by the state government due to the gambling factor.
Warren Buffett ... (Referenced by Mr. Pope in the second FBLA meeting.)
Born Warren Edward Buffett August 30, 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska. He married Susie Thompson in 1952 with whom he had three children. Susan left him in 1977 to live on her own, and she set him up with a waitress, Astrid Menks, whom he currently lives with. Nicknamed the "Oracle of Omaha," Buffett is an investor and businessman with an estimated net worth of $40 billion as of 2005.
Forbes ranks him as the second-richest person in the world, behind only Bill Gates. He attended the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania for two years before returning home to Omaha where he graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He did his graduate studies at Columbia, where he was mentored by Ben Graham. After completing his studies, Buffett returned home to work at his father's brokerage house and eventually moved to New York to work for Ben Graham.
In 1956 he created a partnership called Buffett Associates, Ltd. Over the next 10 years the partnership earned 1,156% profit. In 1969 he liquidated the partnership and became Chairman of the Board of Berkshire Hathaway. Berkshire's first big investment was purchasing See's Candies for $25 million. Berkshire continued to grow. Buffett helped rebuild GEICO, which eventually became a full subsidiary of Berkshire. Buffett also loaded up on Coca-Cola stock, eventually owning 7% of the company.
T- bills ... (Referenced as Mr. Pope's investment of choice.)
T- bills (Treasury bills) are a type of government bond that are heavily traded on the secondary market. They mature in one year or less and do not pay interest prior to maturity. Treasury bills are considered by many the most risk free investment. They are commonly issued with maturity dates of 4 weeks, 91 days, and 182 days. T-bills are sold weekly at an auction held on Mondays with banks and financial institutions being the largest purchasers. They are quoted for purchase and sale in the secondary market on an annualized percentage yield to maturity.
The SWAN 40 ... (Referenced when Mr. Pope discusses his dreams for retirement.)
The SWAN 40 is a type of sailboat, designed by German Frers for Nautor of Finland, that enjoyed a very successful production run from 1990 to 2000. Fast and comfortable with a fiberglass hull and a single diesel engine, the SWAN 40 was heralded as the best in performance-oriented SWAN's with its manageable size that, like her larger sisterships, could also be safely cruised and raced in "offshore" conditions. A total of 58 SWAN 40's were built, retailing for approximately $350,000.
Although the original SWAN 40 is no longer manufactured by Nautor, the company continues to construct new SWAN 40' to 160' yachts.
Nurse Ratchett ... (Referenced by Logan in the nurse's office after the fight with Duncan.)
Nurse Ratchett is a character in the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest directed by Milos Forman and released to theaters in 1975. It was based on a character from the novel by Ken Kesey. The part was played by actress Louise Fletcher who won an Academy Award for her performance.
Nurse Ratchett is a sadistic, domineering bureaucratic authoritarian who continually clashes with free-spirited inmate McMurphy (played by Jack Nicholson). Constantly observing and quietly plotting, she eventually shames a young inmate into committing suicide leading McMurphy to attack and attempt to strangle her. Although she triumphs over McMurphy in the end, the seed of rebellion he plants leads to freedom for some of the other inmates.
Paris (Referenced by Veronica as she mentally ticks off Jackie's pre-Neptune adventures.)
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."
Cub Scouts ... (Referenced by Veronica when detailing Logan's childhood history between Dick and Logan during their fight.)
Sector of the National Boy Scouts of America, designed for younger boys, ages 7-10 years old. Much like the boy scouts, cub scouts earn badges as they engage in a variety of activities that introduce them to nature, safety, and environmental issues.
I Love Lucy ... (Referenced by Logan's "I got some 'splainin' to do" during his fight with Veronica.)
Sitcom based on the comedy of Lucille Ball and, her then husband, Desi Arnaz. The show's plot often revolved around one of Lucy's elaborate, though not entirely thought-through, plans. When she was inevitably caught by or found out by her husband, Lucy had a lot of explaining to do, or as the Cuban born Arnaz said "a lot of 'splainin' to do," in his thick native accent. The show broke through social, racial, and gender barriers and made Lucille Ball both a household name and a comedic icon. It ran from 1951-1957, spawned two spin- offs, Lucy in Connecticut and The Lucy and Desi Comedy Hour, and continues to entertain new audiences in perennial syndication.
- Veronica's "Eggscellent" -- for the second time!
- Keith's very adorable King Kong impersonation.
- Someone needs to have their Photoshop taken away. The picture of Aaron and Curly is terrible.
- Dick looks wicked hot in the black shirt during the FBLA meeting.
- Tessa Thompson does a very good English accent.
- Charisma's hysterical move it along hand gesture and face.
- Charisma does have an awesome ass.
- Apparently the karaoke scene was supposed to represent the Veronica/Duncan/Logan triangle.
- Speaking of the karaoke scene, the Love Hurts dude who sucked up so much airtime did so for a reason. The singer is Courtney Taylor-Taylor, lead singer of The Dandy Warhols, the band who does the theme song, We Used to Be Friends, for the show.
- Veronica has elephants behind her head in the confrontation scene.
- Parallels between plot of Pride and Prejudice and the Logan/Veronica/Duncan triangle.
- The Long Haul was directed by John Enbom, one of the writers of this episode.
- How Logan and Duncan suffered any injuries other than slightly stinging hands and raw scalps is a mystery. Someone else certainly must have come along and inflicted the wounds we saw in the nurse's office because their hand-slapping attempt at a "fight" surely couldn't have done the damage.
- Speaking of the nurse's office -- while awaiting treatment, Logan treated us to a lovely limp wrist more suited for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy than Veronica Mars.
- Imitating Veronica's role as his guardian angel, Logan's attempt at a halo using his (extremely tiny) towel managed to, well, add to this episode's ambiguously gay list.
- While Mr. Pope was obviously alluding to his dream yacht, Logan's "Didn't plug her right the first time, huh?" was a clear, if vulgar, reference to Duncan's lack of sexual prowess.
- Where is Veronica going to go to college now that her nest egg is gone? With Keith's book, is she eligible for financial aid?
- Who is Veronica's guidance counselor? Is Miss James still there pining for Keith?
- Veronica picked her extra curricular activity because her boyfriend was a member? Who is this girl? Would you jump off a bridge just because he did? Quick Donut, jump, let's see if she follows.
- Dick is in the Future Business Leaders of America? Wasn't there some sort of prerequisite to join the organization? Like having a brain or the ability to read. (Oh Dick, I joke because I care.)
- Why is Dick being a dick to Veronica again? Did Logan tell him that Veronica is sleeping with Duncan?
- Who else feels sorry for Cassidy? He is so much nicer than his brother and his father just won't give him the time of day.
- Is Cassidy worried for his father or worried that Kendall is spending his inheritance?
- Even with a prenup, Kendall is sleeping with Logan? He must be extraordinary in bed, because otherwise she is the dumbest person on the planet.
- How does Beaver know Kendall's schedule? And is that her every day schedule because, dayum, I want that life.
- How long had Sacks been waiting for Veronica? If it was that important, why didn't Lamb have her pulled out of school?
- What was Weevil's earring doing outside the bar? Was he the one who beat Curly to death?
- How often does the FBLA meet? Because it is hard to tell the passage of time this episode, but it seems like they are meeting daily.
- Was Moran at the memorial because he felt badly for killing all those innocent people? If he didn't want anyone to die, why crash the bus in the first place?
- Did Moran know who Veronica was? Did he recognize her at the memorial?
- Why would Lamb think that earring was Veronica's? It seems like too much bling for our girl. And why would he think she would be at a biker bar? And does he really think that she beat someone to death? I could see him thinking she could annoy someone to death, but a 5'1" teenager is not going to bludgeon a 6-foot-plus biker to death.
- Did Lamb even consider the possibility that Veronica was the target of the bus crash? She was supposed to be on the bus, after all. And, she makes for a terrible suspect in Curly's death, so I would like to think that he considered other angles. No? Oh well, I was just hoping that he was vaguely qualified for his job. Again, good thing he's pretty.
- Why did Lamb hand Veronica the case file? Shouldn't he have just given her a picture?
- Was Alicia hesitant to go to Chicago because she was worried that she would run into someone who knows her? Did she used to live there? Also, was she worried about the publicity if Keith ran for Sheriff spilling over to her? How much more scrutiny could it be from dating the man who helped bring down Aaron Echolls?
- After everything they have been through, why is Veronica lying to Keith again? Never a good plan.
- How did Veronica's name not wash off Curly's hand while he was in the water?
- How did Veronica know about Chicago? She wasn't in the room when he asked Alicia.
- The gym let Veronica stroll in with a camera and no change of clothes? Boy, their security sucks.
- Did she really say tawdry? It pains me that Veronica says that word with no Cliff around. That is his word. She should not be able to steal it. And for the record, bring back Cliff!
- Why do Kendall and Mr. Montana meet at the gym if they are going to take the same car to the motel? Plus, he is just going to have to drop her back at the gym later. At some point isn't the valet going to notice that she is coming and going a lot?
- Why are Duncan, Veronica, Jackie and Wallace all taking the same English class? As students in competition for Valedictorian, wouldn't Veronica and Duncan be in an AP class, or at least an Honors class?
- How did Veronica miss that they had swapped gym bags? And why do it at the gym? They had plenty of time in the hotel room for any switching that was necessary.
- Why did Duncan stop in the middle of the classroom to ask Veronica what was on her mind? Wouldn't they have had more privacy in the hallway?
- Why did Logan get up and move so that they could sit together? Duncan could have easily pulled another chair over for himself.
- Did Veronica tell Duncan about seeing Logan at the Neptune Grand or did Duncan assume he was talking about Shelly's party with the plugging crack?
- How did Duncan and Logan not get expelled for fighting? Where is Van when you need him?
- Are Duncan and Logan going to kiss and make up?
- Why does Logan say that Veronica would have been impressed? She was right there when the fight started. How did she not end up in the hall? For that matter why wasn't Dick there taking bets? See if Weevil had been there, he would have covered the line with just the FBLA members.
- Is Jackie going to spend all season driving a wedge between Veronica and Wallace? Because that would suck.
- Why does Veronica keep touching Duncan's wrapped hand? I mean it is better than her hanging on him, but only barely. And it is not like his promising future as a concert pianist is over. He has some scraped knuckles, get over it.
- Is that Duncan's same hotel room from Driver Ed? I don't remember seeing the sofa and the bed was directly opposite the door, which I don't see. Maybe Duncan finally figured out he had a crappy room and got it changed?
- Does Duncan have ear wax problems?
- How often do Kendall and Mr. Montana exchange pleasantries while violating several SEC regulations? Isn't twice in one week a little bit excessive?
- Couldn't there have been another Sandpiper Hotel that actually was worth $60 million?
- Keith and Alicia left all three of the kids alone while they went to Chicago? Who was the designated adult?
- Since Keith is virtually assured of winning in the election, what will happen to the detective agency? Can Veronica run it alone? I bet Beaver would make a handy assistant or receptionist.
- What is a minibar martini?
- What the hell is up with Alicia? And she is so not a Cher.
- How many people are staying on the third floor? And how did the front desk clerk figure out which guest the guy was looking for without a name or room number?
- What is the deal with the musical interlude? Love may hurt, but I would have rather had action I cared about. When did this turn into Charmed or One Tree Hill?
- Why did Jackie bring random dude to the Hut when she knew that Veronica was working?
- Why did Cassidy leave the pictures on Veronica's computer? It only would have taken a second to delete the file. Why did he want her to know that Logan was banging Kendall?
- Why did Cassidy wait all weekend to confront his Dad with the pictures? I would have thought that he would have had at least one opportunity before Monday afternoon.
- What is going to happen to Dick and Kendall now that the SEC is snooping around?
- How did Logan's room get trashed?
- Alicia's on the run and has a listed number? And when did you ever see a complete phone book at a payphone? And since the room was reserved in Keith's name how did the guy get Alicia's, complete with last name?
- Why doesn't Logan lock his doors?
- How does Logan pay for the keep and maintenance on that house?
- Logan was a cub scout?
- Why are Aaron's things still on the wall and photos still in the house? If Logan hates him, why make the house a shrine to his image? On that subject, How hard for Veronica was it to be in Logan's house? Maybe Veronica broke up with Logan because after a summer in the Echolls house she was tired of seeing Aaron every day.
- How is Logan's relationship with Dick and Beaver going to change now that they know he was banging Kendall?
- What is wrong with Veronica? Seriously. She was in Logan's hall hundreds of times during the summer, which means she spent a lot of time in the palatial mansion without any adult supervision. In all that time, Logan never got past second base? Those two had chemistry so combustible they almost caught the girl's bathroom on fire and yet he got no action? That smacks of something more serious than maidenly virtue. What was causing Veronica to hold back so severely?
- Why take out a whole bus of people to get to Veronica? If Curly worked at a garage the LeBaron could have been tampered with or Veronica could have met with an accident. Sending a bus over a bridge seems a little extreme. And is Aaron planning from jail? If so who is his accomplice on the outside who took care of Curly when he failed? Or was that Weevil's handiwork?
- Did Aaron also arrange for Felix's murder to frame Logan?
- How bad does Beaver feel now that his father is a fugitive?
- Did Big Dick know about Kendall and Logan?
- Why didn't the SEC guys stop the employees from shredding the documents?
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