Case File #42: Look Who's Stalking

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JenniferH	Case File #42: Look Who's Stalking	Lead	[-]
Posts: 7896 (04/25/06 14:25:54) A-Dohring Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None Episode #02.20: Look Who's Stalking Original Air Date: April 25, 2006 Written by: John Enbom Directed by: Michael Fields Report Card (Capsule Episode Review) Yearbook (Recurring & Guest Stars/Character Statistics) Drama Club (Performances: Highlights and Lowlights) Chemistry (The Analysis of LoVe Scenes) Journalism (The Mystery of the Week) Study Hall (Miscellaneous Plot Details) Extra Credit (Clues to the Season Mystery Arcs) History (Flashbacks) (None) Band Class (The Music of Veronica Mars) Literature (LoVe Lines/In Memory/Quotable Quotes) Social Science (In Reference To ... Pop Culture & The World) Homeroom (On Second Viewing, Get a Clue) Pep Squad Practice (Ambiguously (Or Not) Gay Logan Moments) (None) Detention (While the Censors Were Out to Lunch ...) (None) Philosophy (Unanswered Questions) Principles of Democracy (Hindsight is 20/20) Role Call (Written/Compiled By ...) Grade: A- Membership Grade: A (83.3% / 48 votes) Look Who's Stalking is yet another strong episode; it succeeds in delivering further information about the season mystery arc, offers a mystery of the week that ties in (how we don't know yet) to that arc and also canonizes, once and for all, the "epic love story" that is Logan and Veronica. With outstanding performances from credited and recurring cast, a strong script, this episode is both hilarious (think elevator) and heartbreaking (think elevator) and everything in between. Credited Cast Non-Appearance Francis Capra - Eli "Weevil" Navarro Kyle Gallner - Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas Teddy Dunn - Duncan Kane Recurring Guest Stars (Previous Episode Appearances) Ian Brininstool Rodney Goodman - Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner Charisma Carpenter Kendall Casablancas - Normal is the Watchword - Driver Ed - Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang - Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner - Ahoy Mateys - Donut Run - The Quick and the Wed - Nevermind the Buttocks Jonathan Chesner Corny - Season One Appearances - Blast From the Past - Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough - Versatile Toppings Max Greenfield Leo D'Amato - Season One Appearances - Normal is the Watchword - One Angry Veronica Steve Guttenberg Woody Goodman - Normal is the Watchword - Driver Ed - Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner - One Angry Veronica - Plan B Adam Hendershott Butters Clemmons - Normal is the Watchword - Ahoy Mateys - Nevermind the Buttocks James Jordan Lucky - I Am God Tina Majorino Mac - Season One Appearances - Green-Eyed Monster - Ahoy Mateys - My Mother, The Fiend - Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough - Versatile Toppings - Plan B - Nevermind the Buttocks Michael Muhney Sheriff Lamb - Season One Appearances - Driver Ed - Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang - Green-Eyed Monster - Blast from the Past - Rat Saw God - Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner - Donut Run - Rashard and Wallace Go to White Castle - Versatile Toppings - The Quick and the Wed - The Rapes of Graff - Plan B Amanda Noret Madison Sinclair - Season One Appearances - Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner - Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough - Versatile Toppings - The Rapes of Graff Kathleen Parker Ms. Stewart/Journalism Teacher - Season One Appearances - Driver Ed - I Am God Steve Rankin Lloyd Blankenship - Season One Appearances - One Angry Veronica Krysten Ritter Gia Goodman - Normal is the Watchword - Rat Saw God - Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner - Plan B - Nevermind the Buttocks Jeffrey D. Sams Terrance Cook - Normal is the Watchword - Driver Ed - Blast From the Past - Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough - Versatile Toppings Martin Yu Mr. Wu - Season One Appearances - Blast from the Past - Plan B - I Am God Guest Stars Mel Fair Doctor Who's Who in Neptune Doctor Veronica's doctor whom informed her that she had contracted the STD, chlamydia. Highlights Jason Dohring & Kristen Bell (Logan Echolls & Veronica Mars) - Webster's Collegiate dictionary defines epic as extending beyond the usual or ordinary. Logan describes his impression of his relationship with Veronica as epic. And this word could be used to described the superlative acting performances delivered by Jason Dohring and Kristen Bell in Look Who's Stalking. Hundreds of words and phrases have been typed or printed on the internet this week about their performances: Aching, heartbreaking, pain-filled, giddy, flirtatious, longing, hopeful, angsty, intense -- the list goes on and on of the emotions that were so masterfully displayed on our television sets. I can't improve on any of these lists. This episode wasn't perfect, however, it achieved perfection in those moments when Dohring and Bell were interacting. It was mesmerizing; it was masterful. It was acting on every possible level, using every nuance of vocal inflection, body movements and facial expression to convey what Logan and Veronica were feeling. Their performances were enthralling. The final scene was heartbreaking, yet I was unable to look away. There aren't enough words and so, as I rewatch their final scenes yet again, I'll just sit in silence and let the emotions fill my heart. Tina Majorino (Cindy 'Mac' Mackenzie) - Tina Majorino delivers another delightful performance here. She dominated every moment of her screen time from her exuberant "Prayer Works!" at the announcement of the cancellation of the prom to the joint "Thank God" as she and her switched at birth partner Madison exit the elevator. Majorino also sparkled in her reluctant dance with Butters, and her continual threats to Veronica for placing her in that position in the first place were completely giggle-inducing. An excellent portrayal by an experienced actress hitting every note correctly. More Mac Attack ... please! Scene One: Marshmallows and Promises This scene is a lesson in chemistry if ever I saw one. Honestly, Logan and Veronica were discussing an ex-boyfriend of hers and said ex-boyfriend's sex life -- which (unfathomably) included Veronica. There were some gentle, witty insults thrown in both directions. There were lies. And yet, this ranks up there as one of the sweetest, most adorable LoVe scenes ever and no, it's not because we are so starved for LoVe moments. (Although, we are.) It's because of the chemistry and the utterly adorable back-and-forth rhythm delivered by Jason Dohring and Kristen Bell. Saccharine-filled dialogue, sweet smiles, soft eyes this is schmoop. This is the stuff that when put on a screen makes most viewers hit the REM cycle except when it's delivered by two actors with enormous chemistry. Jason Dohring and Kristen Bell have that enormous chemistry. They make even schmoop hot and sexy and combustible. The soft, glowing eyes are wonderful and adorable, the sweet words (even couched in quips and wit and sarcasm) are funny and aww-inspiring. The hesitant, yet real smiles are enough to make a shipper's heart go pitter-patter. Yet, none of those things induce more than 'They're cute' (or a rolling of the eyes in some cases) unless the two actors involved have supernova chemistry. When they do have such chemistry -- which takes mundane moments, plot-driven conversations and elevates them to a must-watch category schmoop, as described above, just about makes one swoon, their heart melt, their squeals become high-pitched and puts said schmoop on constant loop for sheer enjoyment value. This scene was all sexually combustible schmoop because of the supernova chemistry between Dohring and Bell. There really is no one word that can completely convey what happens when these two are given material that allows that chemistry to flow. All anyone can say is that it makes watching them an absolute, giddy joy. There were so many individual moments in this scene to love and adore. And it all started from the get-go. The camaraderie as Veronica came to him, the "reading" of Veronica's face (which continued in a cute, if slightly overused motif throughout the two-and-a-half-minute (!) scene), the back and forth banter between the two that was funny with a gentle groove. And it made sense. Logan has been increasingly falling into the schmoopy role with Veronica the last couple of episodes, so his sweetness flowed perfectly from previous scenes. Veronica's ... not so much. However, when you take into account that she was asking Logan for something and rather unnerved by what (and why) she was asking him, it, again, makes sense that Veronica would approach him with a softer touch. And, of course, we've seen time and time again this season that when she lowers her guard with Logan, the feelings she still has for him become much easier to read. And such was the case here. Because she started out on an even, joking, almost-flirtatious note, Logan took the opportunity to go even further with it. The soft smiles, puppy-dog eyes, schmoopy voice, continued reminder that he thinks of her were all clear-cut signals that he's still head over heels. And that observation was most obvious in his voice, facial expression and body language, especially (for the schmoop factor) the "marshmallows and promises" line. Intended as a gently, sarcastic quip or not, the reading of it made the subtext so clear that he really felt that way about her, thought that romantically about her. Starting with "well, there was this one girl ..." he turned completely toward her, leaning against the side of the locker and his voice went into full schmoopy mode. And after Veronica pointed out that Promises was the name of her perfume, you could hear his exhalation alongside his happy smile at her acknowledging that he still remembered that detail about her. It was unfettered and open, the kind of smile that we haven't seen from Logan towards Veronica in a long, long time. Then there was the sweetness in his commentary on her left-field questions, as if it was one of her little quirks that he found endearing. And then the lying. Who would have ever thought that lying could be so adorable and sexy? But it was. As she gave her reason for asking this left-field question, she was lying, he knew she was lying, she knew that he knew she was lying and through it all, they just stood there half-smiling, looking deeply into one another's eyes, just holding the gaze. And Logan realized that whatever her reason, it was important enough to ask him and so he dropped the quipping and brief, gentle interrogation and just told her simply what she wanted. Because he lurves her! (I can't help it! Hey, give me credit; I waited this long before saying it when it's just screaming throughout the entire scene!!) Back to the body language, perhaps because of the smiling and soft eyes, and locked gazes, maybe it had more to do with the nature of the conversation, whatever the reason, Veronica was now on a mission to get away, break the mood and vamoose. Thus 'the high school is almost over and I don't have to see these people (read: you) ever again.' And here comes that body language. Before this comment, there was a loose quality to his stillness; without moving, Dohring was able to convey a sudden stiffness to Logan's stance now. (I honestly do not know how he does it, but I am continually amazed at his talent.) Also, for the first time in the conversation, Logan turned away from her and as he spoke in response, you could practically hear his "Don't go! I don't wanna lose you!" in his body language, in his vocal intonation. A lot of commentary has been made of Logan holding onto the invitation to the point where Veronica had to grab it from him and I think the reason that has stuck out so much ties into the above paragraph. As he asked her to the 'alterna-prom,' he was still looking into the locker as if he couldn't begin the question while looking at her. And once he did turn to her, he then had his gaze locked upon her as if willing her to accept. Holding onto the invitation was the doubt that she wouldn't do so. Instead of answering right away, we had some more lovely little banter that highlighted the wonderful rhythm that these two actors have. Like the screwball, romantic comedies of the 40's, these two are able to deliver this dialogue in a fast-paced, quippy style that just takes one's breath away with delight. Then once again, Logan fell back into serious, schmoopy mode, still wanting an answer to his alterna-prom invite which showed just how very much he wanted her to say 'yes,' how important it was to him. There was a sincerity there that he didn't even try to disguise. But, as always, Veronica was not ready to go there. Whereas Logan reverted to earnestness, Veronica headed back on the jokey-jokey train, pulling the "what face am I wearing?" shtick. His responding laugh was gentle and seemingly more directed at himself in a shade a tad close to self-pity, which was further enforced by his head down, trying-to-not-sound-disappointed-but-clearly-so voice. And even though he continued to play along, his body language, hell, his entire presence screamed 'Please, let me go somewhere and cry now,' until Veronica gave him an opening -- which I don't think she intended, I really think she was just looking for an excuse. Of course, Veronica looking for an excuse that wouldn't hurt Logan's feelings for essentially turning down his request that she be his prom date is a step way, way, way in the right direction on the road to LoVe. And instead of taking his further pushing -- even when he slipped a classist insult her way, and don't think she didn't catch it, because she did and was not happy -- as an invitation to rebuff him coolly, she still left the door open. Why? A couple of reasons, I think. Some of the bigger picture variety and some in the little details. First of all, as has been pointed out elsewhere, Logan seemed to realize mid-classist-insult what he was doing (note the drop of his eyes and slight change in his tone), but he was too far into the comment to derail it and I think that Veronica picked up on that, took into account that she'd been baiting him (albeit sweetly -- for her to him) the entire time and this was his first hit. As for the bigger picture -- clearly, the feelings are still there. Veronica would truly have to be a moron with less working brain cells than Dick Casablancas to not realize that there is still something very much there. And, while I questioned her mental capability last week (what with the lack of realization that Logan is hot -- which I eventually put down to the fact that Veronica was just a liar, liar, pants on fire), really, it's been proven time and time again that Veronica Mars is one smart cookie. And she may run, run, run from the truth within herself that she doesn't want to face, but she can't run forever and the last couple of weeks have slowed her down immeasurably. She may have been thinking of his words, even without realizing it: Logan: So we should savor our remaining moments ... There is a very good possibility that they will rarely, if ever, see one another again after high school. And that possibility somewhere inside has got to have woken up another, bigger possibility that Veronica isn't ready for yet. She could, they could maybe do something to make sure that said possibility doesn't happen. However, still, Veronica is not there ... yet, but she's thinking about it. Whether she'll admit it or not, her open-door policy in this scene made it perfectly clear that for the first time in a long time, she's thinking about it. Because she lurves him. Scene Two: The Comfort Zone Considering the scene before this and the following scenes, it's easy enough to forget this one ... even if, prior to episode 17 of this season, this would be one of those scenes we cherished. It was a scene that gave us hope. Of course, amidst the marshmallows and promises, the "epic" love story and shutting elevator doors, the simple pleasure of that hope rather seemed insignificant. I don't think that is the case. It was a short scene and nothing big happened, but I really enjoyed it for two reasons: The interaction between Logan and Veronica and their responses to one another. Logan was clearly annoyed by the fact that Veronica had invited "whomever," but his annoyance came across as more of the 'oh well' variety. He wasn't really upset, he didn't make any nasty quips and even his "did it ever occur to you that might not have meant it?" seemed more throwaway. It was rather like a, Oh, that Veronica. Figures. I imagine that if he'd been annoyed with her while they were dating, his attitude would have been similar. And that's what I liked about the scene -- it came across more like a couple having a slight difference of opinion. As Logan was oh so casually expressing his lack of appreciation for the Corny invite, Veronica was half-grinning/half-smirking. She was amused, but not in a malicious way, but rather in a mischievous fashion. Yes, yes, yes, we got a little clue as to the mystery with Logan recognizing the drawing, but it was their interaction that made this scene so enjoyable as a LoVe fan. And even how that information came about was delivered in the same fashion. Proof that Logan was just mildly annoyed by the Corny invite, he just moved on and the two felt comfortable discussing why the portrait was familiar to him. She asked him about it, he wasn't belligerent in response, just didn't want to go there. She asked again and she wasn't belligerent in pushing, just curious and knowing him well enough to know that a little prod wouldn't upset him. And it didn't. He clearly wasn't happy with the reminiscence, but he wasn't bothered by telling her. There was simply a comfort level to their interaction that we hadn't seen in a long while. It was nice. Scene Three: Here's Looking at You, Kid A small scene, but cute none-the-less. We get to see Logan, looking like Bogey in Casablanca, greeting his guests, one of whom is Veronica in a lovely, strapless black gown. Their interaction is interesting in that Veronica's near-non-sequitur about Mac played almost as if she wasn't sure what to say. The delivery and facial expression actually reminded me of the opening scene in Hot Dogs at the locker when she first turned and saw Logan there. Much like the reason behind her response towards Logan then, the same can be said here. Veronica knows that there has been another shift in the dynamic of their relationship, but she's not quite how to deal with it. And so she paints an overly bright smile on her face and discusses matters of no relevance to the two of them. It's one of her mechanisms of denial. As for Logan, he's firmly in the adoration stage. The way his eyes glow when she steps fully into view, the softness of his expression, the sweet adulation of his smile mark Logan as well beyond any form of denial. He's accepted that he is still completely head over heels for Veronica and is pretty much incapable of hiding it, let alone denying it. And, of course, we mustn't forget the final moments of this scene. Logan giving Veronica's form a once over as she walks away in appreciation. It is a breath of fresh, funny lust that is the what will likely be the last touch of lightness that these two see in connection with one another for a bit 'o time, I'm thinking. Scene Four: Your Inner Mind So Inexpressible In the first of two scenes what we are given is undeniable canon that Logan and Veronica are the 'one true pairing' of this show. Honestly, you can't get much more canon than one half of a couple declaring their love story "epic" (unless you get the other half, who happens to be the titular character, insinuate some truth to that claim -- which just happens to take place in the following scene). The fact that all but one of Logan's definitions of epic has indeed already come to pass confirms that notion. (Their love story has not yet spanned continents ... yet being the key word. Give it time.) After all, lives ruined? Veronica's -- or so she thought -- after Duncan's dumping and Lilly's death. Check. Aaron standing trial for statutory rape, attempted murder and murder. Double check. Keith, Lianne, Jake, Celeste, Lynn all suffering the aftereffects of Lilly's murder -- which in many ways was the turning point in Logan and Veronica's relationship (mere friendship to the much stronger emotion of hate) which inevitably led to the twist of love. Triple check. Bloodshed? Lilly's bloody skull. Check. The sheets in the guestroom at Shelly Pomroy's party. Double check. Logan's beating on the Coronado Bridge. Triple check. Epic? Check. Check. Check. Definitely epic. And despite the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the more often than not offs of the ons and offs, there is still a tremendous sense of victory in the acknowledgement that, yes, Logan and Veronica are it. That is, of course, just the big picture of this scene. The particulars, the details are what viewers immediately caught and lingered over. And it all started from the get-go. As Veronica watched Wallace and Jackie depart, Logan was in the background watching her, drinking from his champagne bottle, looking away, fingers mussing up his already-ruffled locks in indecision, in anxiety. Looking away and then looking back at her, it was clear from Jason Dohring's body language and facial expression that Logan had been building up his courage to speak to her. Possibly, he had been storing up such courage since their conversation at his locker. And as he moved in front her, passively blocking her way, it was obvious that he didn't quite have all the courage he needed yet. Going for a quip that did not glaringly reveal his own state of mind, he stepped closer to the edge after her response, but was still unable to fully face her as he opened up for the first time in a long time to her. Annnddd, Veronica quipped back. Logan: Alone again? Veronica: Naturally. Logan: I, Uh -- I know the feeling. Veronica: You? Host of the greatest private replacement prom ever? I'm sure you could have your pick of bimbos. Watching Kristen Bell's face, though, there was a slight downturn in her expression revealing that even this comment said as a joke was not one Veronica was happy with. As she looked about the room at the "bimbos," one imagined for a moment that Veronica felt a twinge of jealousy at where her imagination briefly led. The look on Logan's face was entirely different. There was almost a measuring quality as he looked at her, the slightest bit of a smile on his face that at first glance came across as a contented drunk. However, on closer reflection, one could surmise that Logan was formulating a plan, taking direction from her opening to tell her the state of his heart now. But proof that the two were not even remotely on the same page, Veronica was back to the almost-tentativeness nature of their in between interaction -- the mode of eyes flitting back and then away, the non sequitur dangled of a sudden, inconsequential conversation all bespeaking of that place the two inhabit when they aren't hating or loving each other. Logan was not having any of that, though. He's in the 'loving' stage and the combination of the end of senior year, the simple fact of Veronica's presence, the champagne he's been downing for some time (judging by his disheveled appearance) have all at last come together and given him the courage he needed to lay his heart out and firmly upon his sleeve once more. Which he certainly did. It was not the most heartfelt declaration of love ever -- the word "love" wasn't even used, and it wasn't even as fervently romantic as we've heard Logan with Veronica in the past. Instead, it was a mix of heart, desperation, hope and disappointment all delivered in layer upon magnificent layer by Jason Dohring. Heart because he was fully wearing his heart on his sleeve, even without fully saying the words he told her that she broke his heart, that he loved her, that even after all of this time, he was still longing for her in his life ... in a good way. Desperation because of the large amount of alcohol he'd consumed, the rush of words falling over themselves, throwing everything but the kitchen sink (the nature of their love story, the passage of time, mistakes of the past and apologies directed) at her in an effort to just connect. Hope simply because he was opening up to her, he was laying himself bare ... not to apologize (this is Logan Echolls, he isn't going to apologize unless he thinks there is something he'll get in return), but in the hope that the apology would give him Veronica's affections back in return. And, of course, ultimately disappointment because underlying every word, every look her way, every movement he made was the knowledge that she would most likely reject him. Which she certainly did. Well, that's how he, no doubt, took it, but I didn't read it as Veronica actually rejecting Logan, but more rejecting her own feelings for him. She has been fighting a losing battle frankly in denying that she is still crazy about him. Even during the bitterest period between these two this past year, she has still felt most strongly about any and everything that has to do with him. Nothing and no one has riled her, provoked her, got her emotions so fully and completely engaged as has Logan Echolls. And she's been ignoring that call to him from the moment she broke his heart, denying that he was even all that heartbroken (and getting it on with uberslut, Kendall, snarking nastily towards her, hooking up with the Pink Pastel certainly helped prove that theory). However, the last couple of weeks, month or so, has weakened that denial. The snark between them has fallen into a gentle banter more teasing than cantankerous, their eyes have begun to linger and soften and Logan has, of course, surrendered into full-on schmoop mode more than once in her presence of late and we all saw last year how heady a schmoopy Logan was to Veronica's senses. Oh, and then there was the dance. Let us not underestimate that dance. Actually being in his arms in an intimate fashion again, more than anything, no doubt, set those old feelings anew surging through her and she's just been fighting that rising flood ever since. And now we have Logan sitting here, pouring his heart out, as sincere as she's ever seen him, looking into her eyes, every inch of him verily sobbing with his love for her and oh, she tried to fight the pull. Yes, she succeeded in the end, but it wasn't just as he was moving in to kiss her that she began fighting. From the moment he straddled that bench and informed her of his heartbreak over her, Veronica Mars was fighting that pull, that rush of emotion that Logan always brings forth in her. Note how Kristen Bell played the scene: She looked at him, not believing him and then looked away, now simply not wanting to believe him, because to believe him would put her that much closer to falling into the lovely abyss of Logan Echolls. And she does not want to fall. There was a point where the barest of a smile began to play on her lips, not in joy, but rather in an almost embarrassed disbelief that she was thinking for even a moment that this was real, he meant this, and then the smile faded almost as quickly as it appeared because she did believe. She had no choice to do so. Oh and once she did believe, the struggle now became -- as evident in Bell's eyes, facial expression and body language -- about keeping herself upright. Her eyes fell, she looked away, gently worried her bottom lip, her body shifting slightly and every time she was drawn back to his voice or to his very presence. She would fight the fight again, looking away and then back, unable to not do so. She tried to interfere, lighten the mood, stop the intensity that was rolling off of him in waves, her words semi-joking, but the tone, despite the attempt, failing to show even a hint of humor. She wanted him to stop, be quiet, and keep this door closed. It was closed, you could see in every fiber of her being crying out that the door was closed. It was closed. She even rolled her eyes, looking away, not able to look at him. She couldn't look at him. And when he spoke once more, refusing to let his comments lose the strength of his love he was trying to imbue within them: Logan: No one writes songs about the ones that come easy. Veronica gave up the ghost. The fake smile that remained simply slipped from her lips and a pensive sorrow clouded her features. He wasn't giving up, he was pushing this, forcing her to face this ... face him. Body language came out again, showing her nervousness as she shifted again, brushing her hair back before she once again turned to look at him and looked him right in the eye. Now, he was done speaking, it was just his eyes that were doing the talking as he scooted closer to her. There was a hopeful smile on his face before the smile faded as she looked away again and then back to him. His head dropped and the confusion that he was doing this now danced across her face before flowing into trepidation. When Logan looked back up at her, his hand reaching out for her, so gently, so tentatively, yet surely caressing her skin, cupping her face, that trepidation took on a whole new level of anxiety, fear, want, not-want. Once more, Veronica looked away, a heavy sigh released from her as if in an attempt to release the tension that coiled tightly around them. As he leaned in closer once more she looked at him one final time, he locked his eyes on her as if trying to hold her, keep her there, and let him in by the power of his gaze. And there were a few seconds where it appeared as if he had succeeded, her eyelids fluttered, but didn't close, her lips parted, but did not touch his and in that moment before sight was lost and they reconnected in a kiss, Veronica the fighter fought back. It wasn't a rousing victory, but more a desperate retreat. Her voice shook, her entire being was suffused with emotion, but Veronica did retreat. The door may be opened -- wide open in fact -- but she was not ready to cross the threshold and so Logan was left sitting alone again ... naturally. Scene Five: The Morning After Wouldn't you know it? Veronica was finally ready to acknowledge the open door and she was actually ready to walk across the threshold and fate stepped in the form of champagne and Kendall Casablancas. The champagne knew naught what it was doing, but Kendall chose to be a slut. Damn her. And damn Logan for allowing the slut into his hotel room and (sigh) presumably his bed. Again. Logan, Logan, Logan. I'd want to slap him if he wasn't so damn hot. Sigh. Check out those hipbones. Ahem. No, he should still be slapped ... but, it's not as if his actions don't make a sad sort of sense. Let's go back a bit, shall we? The last time we saw Logan, his heart had just been soundly handed back to him once more by Miss Veronica Mars. And the boy looked devastated. And he'd already been drinking; I don't think anyone would consider it even the slightest bit of fanwanking to assume that he continued drinking after her departure. Right? Right. Flash forward to the following morning and Veronica was taking that long walk down the hallway to the Neptune Grand presidential suite. Her nerves were showing up already even before she got to Logan's door. Fists clenching, her form tense, that anxiety was even more apparent once she stood at her destination, pausing before knocking. She even flat-out started to turn away, but her courage -- which clearly took a much shorter period of time to reach maximum level than did Logan's, but hey, she knew he was in love with her, he was jumping without a net -- propelled her to face the door once more and this time she knocked. Echoing the praise from the scenes above, Kristen Bell once again did a wonderful job with body language. There was no doubt in any viewer's mind how difficult this was for Veronica. How unsure of herself she was, but also how very badly she wanted this. And this would be not losing Logan. Speak of the devil ... Looking entirely too sexy for words, even with dang messy bed-head, Logan opened the door wearing nothing but his tuxedo pants from the night before and boy, did he look out of it. Overwhelmed by either the fact that she was actually doing this or the utter lusciousness of near-naked Logan (or a combination thereof), Veronica missed the tell-tale signs of a hang-over and instead launched right away into her clearly practiced spiel. Essentially broken down, she wasn't ready to jump wholeheartedly into a relationship with him yet. but she didn't want to lose him either and therefore did want to hang out after graduation to see where their "epic" story -- yes, she used his word, which must have meant that somewhere inside of her, she wanted to believe it was the case as well -- took them. And the crowd sang hallelujah! With the exception of a few dreamy smiles and lusty words and voiceovers, the shippers have never had undeniable proof positive that Veronica lurves Logan as we have had on countless occasions from Logan regarding Veronica. No, it wasn't a declaration of love, but considering Veronica's state of mind and the state of their relationship the last year, it was tantamount to some pretty heavy feelings she was acknowledging that she had for him. Hallelujah! We sang and all wanted to ignore the sinking feeling in our collective guts as Logan just stood there, looking utterly (deliciously) befuzzled. And we realized at the same time that Veronica realized that ... he doesn't remember. Handel's chorus died down across the country and that sinking feeling morphed into anguished denial. And it hadn't even gotten to the ~~best~~ worst part yet. First we had to watch as Veronica's face blanched, humiliation rife upon every line because he didn't remember. She finally took the chance, took the plunge and decided to make a go with him. No, she didn't actually say that, but she meant it. We all know she meant it. And Logan, who had been ready for this moment for the last month or so, was at a loss and outside of miserable moments from his childhood and a few choice events last year, was now in a situation that he would have done anything to be out of it, judging by his expression. Which, honestly, seemed a tad too horrified for just a drunken memory loss -- he knew that whatever he said last night, he felt still now the morning after and even if he didn't remember the words he used then, he could easily repeat some approximation thereof with little difficulty. What was overloaded in the department of difficulty, however, was getting rid of Kendall ... whose voice suddenly rang out and whose body slid up behind his, possessively placing her arms around his naked waist (as if we didn't hate her enough!) and resting her chin on his shoulder. Logan, Logan, Logan. You dumbass! Yes, I understand where this came from. He'd put his heart out there on numerous occasions for Veronica in the past and for whatever reason, she had run, run, run away. Why would he think for even a moment that this time would be any different? Why not drown his broken heart in booze and bimbos? (We'll just ignore and hope that Veronica eventually does too the fact that Logan claimed he no longer went the bimbo route ... the previous night.) Why not? Well, the why would be because he's standing there looking at a thoroughly miserable and heartbroken Veronica. Damn. I can't say enough about Kristen Bell's performance in this scene, especially once the full effect of his drunken amnesia and Kendall hanging all over him took hold. She was trying not to cry, trying not to show her hurt, humiliation and desperately wanting to fall apart, only her pride not letting her do so and all of that was conveyed in those few moments before she turned to leave just in Bell's facial expression and body language. All the while, Logan just stood there, shell-shocked, not moving, not saying anything. But honestly, what could he say? He fucked up. Royally. And as Veronica turned down the hallway, tears beginning to form, her body shaking as she strode away, Logan finally made an attempt. Stepping forward, he followed her, trying to explain, but her anger came out now in the bitterly-bitten "Stop." And he did because, what could he do? He fucked up. Royally. So again, he just stood there watching her walk away from him. Getting onto the elevator, she pushed hard at the button, her figure stiff with pain. And just before the doors slid shut, she gave one silent shake of her head, looking directly at him and all of the devastation and heartbreak that had been on Logan's face the night before was now mirrored on Veronica's. Poor Veronica. Veronica is in the journalism room looking at photo proofs when Gia approaches and asks if Veronica's ever been stalked. Veronica answers in the affirmative and all LoVe shippers cheer that perhaps Veronica has finally acknowledged the ick factor of Duncan's 'full court press' over the summer. Gia begs Veronica to give her some tips because she's pretty sure she's being stalked too. Veronica, clearly not feeling Gia's pain, gives snarky advice like dance in front of the window in your underwear with the curtains open, and make any dates with chat-room friends in an abandoned rail car down by the riverside. Gia, clearly missing the fact that Veronica is being both mean and sarcastic, clarifies that she needs tips from the super-sleuth on how to catch the guy. She goes on to tell Veronica about this uniquely non-descript car that has been following her around. Veronica wonders aloud why on earth anyone would want to stalk Gia. Gia, again missing the insult, speculates that it may stem from an unfortunate karaoke incident from the previous week. Apparently, Ms. Gia sang "Can't Get You Out of My Head" at karaoke the previous week and dedicated it to a table full of what she thought were cute guys. Problem was, when she actually looked at the tables' occupants with her actual eyes, she discovered that they were dweeby Pan High guys. And not even cute nerdy ones! No, they were creepy, stalker-type geeks. I hate it when that happens! Gia pleads with Veronica to do some P.I. thing and help her. Veronica, clearly seeing the merits of having a marker with the daughter of the most powerful man in Neptune, agrees to help. She tells Gia to come over to her apartment after school. Veronica makes a quick stop at the office and asks Keith if she can borrow the remote cameras. She tries to give him her staple "it's for a school project" answer, but Keith, in one of my favorite Keith moments ever, sing-songs "I don't believe you!" Veronica confesses that she's helping a friend track down a potential stalker, and Keith muses that he liked the lie better than the truth. Huh, that's new. Back at chez Mars, Veronica and Gia are in Veronica's bedroom looking at the feed from the remote cameras that Veronica has placed on the roof of the building. Further proof that Veronica cannot, in fact, escape Tom Cruise, Gia makes a Mission Impossible reference about Veronica's super spy skills that involves a comment about Tom hanging from the ceiling by cables. Thanks, Gia. Veronica didn't really need that additional fodder for her nightmares. Within moments, the uniquely non-descript car pulls to the curb outside Veronica's building. As Gia exclaims again about how non-descript the vehicle is, Veronica pulls a rabbit out of her proverbial hat and tells Gia that the car is a 2002 silver Galant. Now, my mind's got a pretty endless capacity for useless information, but having that kind of data at your fingertips is just downright scary. The WTF look that Gia throws Veronica's way indicates that she too finds it bizarre. Gia, in a less than diabolical fashion, suggests that they order the driver a pizza to freak him out. Veronica, being truly diabolical, has other plans in mind. She zooms the camera on the license plate and clicks over to Netflix to check her rental queue (Ha!), I mean over to privateeyez.com and plugs in the stalker's plates. The listing that comes up is for one Leonardo D'Amato. Rhu-rho! Gia wonders what kind of freak has a name like that. Veronica, somewhat chagrined, tells her the name is Greek-Italian, and the gent happens to be her ex. Veronica meets the aforementioned ex, looking pretty studly I must say, at the Hut for some coffee the next day. They share small talk and Leo reveals that like any disgraced lawman, he's now in private security. He also tells Veronica that he was really surprised to hear from her because he was pretty sure he'd fallen off her radar. Veronica reminds him that her radar is vast. Leo smiles, looking just a little hopeful, and asks her how her love life is. She admits that it's terrible (and whose fault is that missy?!?!), and Leo chuckles and admits that his love life is terrible too. At that moment, Gia stalks across the Hut to stand behind Veronica as she asks Leo if the state of his love life has driven him to stalk Ms. Goodman. Leo shakes his head and marvels that Veronica hasn't changed a bit. He tells her that he isn't stalking Gia, he's her personal security detail -- she's a job. Apparently the Woodster hired Leo's firm to have a few guys keep an eye on Gia. Veronica wants more details from Leo about why Woody ordered the security detail, but Leo has none to offer. He's a minion and the boss man doesn't share those kinds of details with him. He speculates that there was probably some kind of threat, but he doesn't really know. Even though he's pretty sure he knows the answer, he asks Veronica if this is the only reason she called. Veronica reluctantly agrees, and Leo takes it in stride. He tells Veronica it was good to see her anyway, and bids both gals adieu. Gia sits down in Leo's empty seat and seems puzzled that Veronica ever dated Leo. In what might be considered the greatest display of observational skills Gia will ever hope to make, she comments that Leo is kind of cute in a tough, mumbly sort of way. HA! Gia continues to puzzle over why her father would have ordered a security detail, and wonders aloud if it has anything to do with that 'thing' with Veronica's dad. When Veronica makes a confused face, Gia shows her the Neptune paper featuring a story and lots of photos regarding Keith's involvement with a drunken girl. Veronica is stunned. Gia shows up at Veronica's house later that night clearly agitated. She tells Veronica that after their meeting with Leo, she went to her dad's office to ask about the security. He told her that it was just basic election precaution, but agreed to pull the security detail since it was freaking her out so much. All was hunky-dory until Gia got home and found an unlabeled DVD at the house. Veronica pops it into her computer and the DVD appears to be home shot footage of Gia at one of her brother's soccer games. The videographer is clearly focused on Gia, who is clearly unaware that she's being filmed. The camera focuses on her face, and slowly pans her body from head to toe. Gia's freaked out, and Veronica doesn't blame her -- this is pretty creepy stuff. The next day Veronica tracks Gia down in the journalism room. She pops the stalker DVD back in and shows Gia the interesting thing she discovered on the disc that just might give them the break they've been looking for. As the camera follows Gia's brother down the field, it passes over several other family members standing on the sidelines. One woman is also videotaping the game, and it appears that based on the direction of her camera, she may have caught the stalker on tape. Gia knows the woman and Veronica tasks her with getting a hold of that tape. Gia shows up at Veronica's with the video tape in hand, clearly pleased with her own sneaky methods for obtaining it. They pop it in the player and watch the action unfold. After a few minutes, something catches Veronica's eye and she rewinds the video slowly until she finds what she's looking for: A clear shot of our stalker. The camera he's holding obscures his face, and the distance makes details hard to determine. However, there is one clue they can see clearly -- the bright green Neptune High letterman's jacket our stalker is sporting. They continue to watch the tape and the next time the camera pans over the area where our stalker had been standing, he's fled the scene. Veronica watches the tape carefully and notices a red pick-up truck in the parking lot behind the soccer field. She quickly realizes that the disappearance of the truck coincides with the disappearance of our stalker. Snap! So now all they have to do is find the varsity letterman who drives a red pick-up and they'll have their stalker. After school, Veronica wanders the parking lot looking for the red pick-up. She's already checked the vehicles registered on the student parking permit list, and has come up empty. However, based on the embarrassing wealth some of the students possess, it is entirely possible that someone traded up for a new ride that isn't listed, so she'll just have to keep looking. Gia approaches and Veronica tells her that she isn't having any luck finding the truck or the stalker, but Gia interrupts that she doesn't care about that. Veronica is confused until Gia pulls out a copy of the newspaper and blows up at Veronica for what Keith is doing to Woody. Veronica tries to explain, but Gia won't have it. In a moment that eerily mimics an early season one flashback with Logan and Veronica, Gia asks "what is wrong with you people?" That night, after learning of the defeat of the incorporation plan, Veronica asks Keith for help with something. Keith, clearly delighted to think about something other than Woody Goodman and his sordid affairs, gladly agrees. As long as it's not physics or chemistry. Or math. Or English. Actually, he's hoping she needs help with P.E. because he was always good at that. Hee! Instead, Veronica pops in the video Gia gave her that shows the stalker. She tells Keith, who is now resigned to the fact that he can't escape Woody in his professional life, about Gia's situation and points out the videographer/stalker on the tape. Keith feels a little dj vu and goes and gets his copy of the video delivered to Woody in Plan B. He tells Veronica how the video arrived the previous month, and that they speculated it was from an angry citizen against incorporation. Veronica tells Keith that this is the same reason Woody gave Gia about her need for a security detail. Keith goes on to tell her that he realized that theory was wrong when he determined that the video had been shot months before the incorporation plan had been announced. No sooner had he come to that conclusion than Woody pulled him off the case because the former gardener had confessed out of the blue. So what does all this mean, Veronica wants to know. Keith speculates that Woody's scared of something, but he's lying about it -- and it's serious. Keith tells Veronica to leave her tape with him and stay far, far away from this mess. For once, Veronica agrees without argument. The following night Veronica is lingering at school even though her contributions to the paper are complete. She's been waiting for Gia to finish so that she can try to talk to her about what she knows about Woody. Gia's apparently very involved in what she's writing and hasn't budged from her computer station. Veronica tries to extend an olive branch, but Gia's still royally pissed and totally blows Veronica off. Since Veronica realizes that strangling Gia would be counterproductive, she decides her only option is to give up. As she walks out of the journalism room, Veronica passes Lucky who is buffing the hallway floor. They exchange odd first-name greetings as Veronica heads out the door. Crossing the nearly empty parking lot, Veronica finally spies the red pick-up truck that she's been looking for. It's parked in the maintenance spot and all of the sudden, the pieces fall into place. Veronica calls Keith and leaves him a detailed message. She swears that she really was leaving the whole Gia mess alone, but it literally popped up right in front of her. She's figured out that Lucky, the janitor, is the stalker and she's understandably worried because Gia's in the building with him. She pleads with Keith to call her back soon. Loathe to leave Gia alone with her stalker, Veronica heads back into school. Lucky's no longer in the hallway, and the journalism room is dark and locked. Veronica hears laughter down the hall and is off, with taser in hand, to investigate. Through the partially opened door to Lucky's office, she can see Gia chatting it up with Lucky. Lucky is telling Gia stories of his time in Kuwait and Iraq, clearly trying to use the same 'I took shrapnel in the ass for America' ploy on Gia that he tried on Meg. He shows off an ugly scar on his left side and talks about his 'souvenirs' from the war. He begins to wax philosophical on how the whole world is freaky, and Gia's too distracted by his crazy talk to notice Veronica flailing her arms madly in the hallway in an attempt to get her attention. Gia is apparently as oblivious to Lucky's escalating crazy factor as she is to Veronica's attempts to get her attention because she starts talking about doing a human interest story on Lucky for the Navigator. I'm sorry -- moron says what? When Gia does finally spot Veronica, she either ignores or misses completely that Veronica is trying to be unobtrusive and just blurts out "what do you want?" Veronica's got no choice but to join the crazy train now. As she enters the room, Lucky seems thrilled that she's decided to join them. He asks her if she wants to see something freaky in a manner that is, in and of itself so freaky that he practically has 'nutjob in a bush' flashing in neon on his forehead. Lucky seems to take Veronica's lack of response as a yes, and starts digging through his drawers. Desk drawers, that is. Veronica manages to get Gia across the room to tell her that Lucky is Mr. Red Pickup Stalker boy. Before Gia can respond or Veronica can come up with a plan, Lucky finds his 'freaky' item -- a curved, lethal looking knife with a serrated edge that is so large, it looks like it was created for gutting something along the lines of a wooly mammoth. Lucky ups the eek factor in freaky when he shares that he picked it up in the war -- off an Iraqi corpse. As he approaches with the big knife, Veronica grabs Gia's hand and tells him that although the knife is really cool and stuff, they need to go. Lucky seems agreeable enough to that, but starts wielding the knife in a manner that causes Veronica and Gia to jump back about five feet. Then Lucky makes a cryptic comment that he knows her dad -- although which dad, he doesn't say. All of the sudden, Lucky flips the ginormously scary knife in his hands effortlessly, and I get a very bad feeling. But before Veronica can say "get the hell away from me you, freak show," Keith flies through the door and tackles Lucky to the ground. Super Dad to the rescue! Keith's got one knee in Lucky's back and is cuffing him. Veronica smartly moves the knife, which had been knocked out of Lucky's hand during the fall, and puts it out of Lucky's reach. Keith begins interrogating Lucky -- what were you doing? Why were you following Gia? After a string of nonsense and a few "screw you's," Lucky blurts out that 'he' deserved it. In that context, I guess we have to assume he's talking about Woody. Which also answers the question about which girl's father he knows. Before Lucky can say anything else illuminating or incriminating, Sheriff Lamb arrives on the scene, gun drawn, and tells everyone to freeze. Clearly his puny brain is unable to process the scene quickly enough to determine that Keith has everything under control. Lamb reminds Keith that when he calls the Sheriff's department, he doesn't need to show up too. He then goes on to tell Keith to leave because it is a law enforcement matter now. We can all imagine how little comfort his declaration affords all involved parties. Lamb asks Keith about the evidence he has on Lucky, and Keith tells him that Lucky all but confessed right then. He's sure if they get him in an interrogation room for an hour, they can break him and get the info they need. Lamb cuts him off and tells him that they'll be handling it now so he should just go. Keith looks at Veronica, tells her to have a good time at her party and not to wait up because he could be home late. And without any further ado, Keith handcuffs himself to Lucky -- and tosses the key down the drain in the nearby utility sink. In the holding cell at the Sheriff's department, Keith tries to get Lucky to open up about his comments that Woody deserved it. He wonders aloud if Woody did something to Lucky, or to someone that Lucky knows. Lucky turns as if to speak, but at that moment, Lamb enters the cell and begins trying to unlock the cuffs. Alas, none of the keys on the ring appear to fit Keith's mystery cuffs. Lamb, agitated as always, cracks "what are you looking at, nutjob?" Keith tells Lamb to take it easy on Lucky, but Lamb corrects Keith's assumption when he says "I wasn't talking about him." Lucky giggles as Lamb lets himself out of the cell, and tells Keith he doesn't think Lamb likes him. Truer words were never spoken. Later that night, Keith continues to try to get Lucky to talk about his grudge against the mayor. Why does Lucky want to hurt him, scare him? Keith tells Lucky that he's not a great fan of Woody's policies either and that gets Lucky's attention. Policies? Lucky all but spits out that he doesn't give a flying fig about Woody's politics. The problem is that everyone thinks that Woody's this great, swell guy (I wouldn't say that, Lucky), but that isn't what he is at all. Keith senses that they are on the verge of a breakthrough and softly asks Lucky to tell him what Woody is. As Lucky leans over to tell Keith the truth, Lamb, with his typically abysmal timing, opens the cell and stops the conversation dead. Lamb tells Keith that he might want to apologize to Sacks, who just spent the last hour with his arm down the drain. Apparently, they have successfully rescued the key to the handcuffs thanks to Sacks' long arms and determination. Keith is released from the cuffs and he approaches Lamb to beg for just a few more minutes with Lucky because he's sure Lucky was just about to open up. Unfortunately, Lamb doesn't have that option because Meg's father has just paid Lucky's bail, and he's free to go. Okay, I know Lucky helped the guy move an air-conditioner, but that seems pretty weird. Lamb and Keith share a look that says that they both find it extremely weird too. Lamb notes that Mr. Manning seems to have a soft spot for weirdos. - Oh, the sweet, sweet irony. Could we have predicted so many weeks ago when we were writhing in agony over the distasteful display that was Veronica and the Donut that we would be here today? In the opening scene of Look Who's Stalking, Veronica learns from her doctor that she has contracted Chlamydia. That's right kids -- Veronica got VD (the ailment) as a consequence of, well, VD (the ship-wreck). Never let it be said that the writers on Veronica Mars don't have a sense of humor, or that they don't read the message boards. Later at school, Veronica muses about how to equate her current STD dilemma with grandma's old proverb about making lemonade from life's lemons. She heads over to her locker where her BFF and his reformed Paris-bound girlfriend are being all giggly and gropey, and begs them to please get a room. In Australia. Wallace grins and explains that he and Jackie are just practicing for prom. Veronica cocks an eyebrow over Wallace's enthusiasm for the event, and Jackie takes the blame for turning him into 'Prom Zombie.' Apparently she and Wallace have decided to just give in and go the whole nine yards on the prom clich's: The tux, slinky dress, the limo, lobster dinner, all of it. They reason that since it only happens once, why not go all out? Oddly enough, Mac can actually answer that rhetorical question. Mac, still clearly cranky, snarks 'because no one sold you as an indentured servant to Butters.' Veronica tries again to apologize, explaining that she didn't think that Butters would really go through with it. Only our sweet little Mac's been having quite a time of it lately in the relationship department, and the Butters thing is bitter frosting on an unpleasant cake. There will be no grace for Veronica anytime soon from this hacker. Mac continues to expound on the horror that is her prom date with Butters: He's picking her up in a Hummer limousine, they are having dinner on a replica pirate ship, and she's pretty sure he's hired a zeppelin for the ride home. HA! Mac goes on to tell Veronica that she's gonna fill her box up with rocks, get a good hold on Veronica's ankle, and go up .... Before Mac can finish her threat of bodily harm, principal Clemmons interrupts over the school P.A. system that due to a significant number of alcohol violations on the senior trip, the prom has been cancelled. There is a hue and a cry from the students, particularly Wallace and Jackie who are now seeing their night of love, crepe paper and fairy dust go down the tubes. However, one member of our little bunch is elated at this turn of events. Mac Attack looks like Christmas has come early and cheers the cancellation, affirming that "Yes, prayer works!" Later that afternoon, Veronica approaches Logan in the hallway with an uncharacteristically friendly "How's it going?" Logan, immediately on full-alert, comments that based on the 'I'd rather be making out with a broken bottle' face Veronica's sporting (and, hey -- OUCH!) they are about to engage in a very awkward conversation. Veronica corrects Logan and tells him that she's actually wearing her 'I'd rather be spelunking' face, and snarks that it's like he doesn't know her at all. Au contraire, Veronica -- au contraire. They reach Logan's locker and he prompts Veronica to ask whatever it is she needs to ask. The first words out of her mouth make us all cringe when she asks Logan if he remembers Duncan. I know we all wish we could forget Duncan, and considering how Logan feels about Veronica, I'm guessing he wishes he could forget about the guy too. However, good sport that he is, Logan affirms that he does remember old blue-eyes, yeah. Veronica then asks, in a reliably awkward fashion, if Duncan was with -- you know, "with" -- anyone other than Meg. Logan takes a deep breath and turns towards Veronica, leaning against the locker. He grins and tells her that there was this one girl -- blonde, petite. Veronica smiles as Logan goes into full shmoop mode, closes his eyes briefly and softly says that this girl smelled of marshmallows and promises as all fangirls swoon. Veronica smiles more and says, with adorable faux innocence, that "Promises" is the name of her perfume! Logan grins even harder and for a moment, his cheeks look like they might actually burst from his happiness. The moment passes and Logan comments that although he's pretty immune to Veronica's 'left-field' questions (and how cute is that), he's gonna bite on this one. He then asks, in a glorious bit of alliteration, what does Veronica care "what Duncan did when Duncan did do dudettes?" Veronica clearly isn't going to share the news she got from the doc that morning, and instead tells him that it's for a college application. It's obvious that Logan knows she's lying, and that Veronica knows that Logan knows, and yet they both let it go in an effort to keep the peace. Because they luuuuurrrvvvveeee each other. Logan answers that he's only aware of Veronica and Meg, and then goes on to say that Duncan didn't talk about his sex life much. Veronica makes a face at that comment that seems to indicate that she doesn't find it surprising that he didn't talk about his sex life much because sex with Dullnut the boy wonder wasn't worth mentioning. Or maybe we're just fanwanking. For now, let us just assume that this is the truth of the matter. Trying to move past the awkward conversation, Veronica comments that she's going to miss these moments. When Logan asks her where she's going, Veronica reminds him that this is high school. It lasts only four years and when it is over, as it will be for them all-too-soon, that the people you've been seeing every day vanish from your life and you never have to see them again. Logan turns back to his locker, clearly trying to hide how disturbing the thought of his world sans Veronica is, and states that, in that case, they should savor their remaining moments. He tells Veronica that she should come to alterna-prom (the 'with me' is strongly implied, even if neither of them outwardly acknowledge it). When Veronica indicates that she has no idea what he's talking about, Logan brandishes a formal invitation. Veronica pries the invitation out of his hands and reads the details. Apparently Logan is throwing a private prom, complete with formal wear and a lack of rules, at his suite at the Neptune Grand as an alternative to the recently cancelled prom. Veronica marvels that the rich kids are really something: Their drunken behavior gets the real prom cancelled and then they use their inherited wealth to throw a private prom. Logan looks a bit chagrined and tells her that it sounds unjust when she says it, which contradicts the glamorous sound it has when he says it. Logan asks again if Veronica will come to his prom, trying hard to mask his desperation. Veronica pauses and then makes one of her inscrutable faces in response. Logan tries not to sound disappointed when he says that her face says she'd rather be spelunking. Veronica, very exasperated, tells him that it's not her spelunking face. She continues to gesticulate at her face wildly hoping he'll catch on, but he's too busy grinning at how adorable she is to actually think of a witty response. She gives up and reminds him that she was giving him her 'I'd rather be strapped down on an anthill' face, and moans that he's really lost it. She takes one last look at the invite and tells Logan that she was planning to spend that night consoling Jackie and Wallace in their heartbreak over the prom he and the drunk '09ers got cancelled. Logan tells her she can bring them along ('cause he and Wallace are buddies now, yay!), she can bring along anyone she wants. He all but says 'you can invite the whole damn school if you'll just agree to show up.' In an effort to cover up how much he luuuuuurrrrrrrvvves her, Logan falls back on one of his classist remarks, but his heart isn't in it. Veronica tells him she'll think about it, and heads off. At school a couple of days later, Jackie and Wallace are at lunch discussing ideas for possible romantic dates as a make-up for the prom that they will be missing. Jackie vetoes (and who could blame her) a night at the batting cages for its inherent lack of romance. She wants to wear her pretty dress and encourages him to think fancy. Jackie mentions that she's visiting her dad after school, and Wallace wonders how things are going. Surprisingly well, apparently, all things considered. Jackie and Terrance are talking now and Jackie, for the first time in her life, feels like one of her parents has time for her. Veronica approaches, and in a stealthy manner that would make Bond proud, tells Wallace and Jackie that the senior memories they once thought lost can, in fact, be reclaimed. She shows them the alterna-prom invite and gives them the scoop on the event. Jackie gets all excited that formal wear is on the menu, which appears to have Wallace excited too. Veronica begs him not to give the 'tux speech' again where he fancies that his stunning good looks will make the aforementioned secret agent look like 'Cletus the slack-jawed yokel.' Mac then comes over to join the table and spies the invite. As Corny hovers in the background, clearly soaking up every word of the conversation, Mac gets that slightly nauseous, slightly panicked look on her face that says that perhaps she'd rather be making out with a broken bottle. She begs everyone to tell her that Butters knows nothing of this private prom. Before anyone can answer, Corky pops up and asks if someone said something about an 'alterna' event of some sort while helping himself to the prom invite. Veronica only smirks. The following day at school, Logan and Dick are swaggering down the hall discussing their dates for the alterna-prom. Dick says that after considering all his options, he's decided to go stag -- why narrow his options? Logan is fluent in Dick-speak and surmises that he was shot down. Without skipping a beat, Dick confirms that it's like a conspiracy. Logan muses that it's good thing they are graduating because they've reached that point where every girl in school knows Dick -- implying that what those girls know is to stay far, far away. Dick, ever uncomplicated, dismisses the high school crowd as his past and tells the world to bring on the sorority girls. They don't even talk about Logan's date because we all know he's going stag too in the hope that some divine force will smile upon him and Veronica will attend the alterna-prom and make his senior dreams complete. At that moment, Corny runs up to Logan and Dick and puts a hand on each of their shoulders. He asks if they need him to bring anything to the big event, because if there is one thing he's good at, it's pot luck. Dick plays stupid and asks Corny what event he's talking about. Alterna-prom of course! Corny goes on to say that he makes killer brownies -- the secret is in the butter. I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that he's referring to some kind of 'herbal' butter. Dick looks stunned and annoyed, while Logan's face reflects that he's realized exactly who to thank for Corny being invited. The next afternoon in study hall, Veronica's working on a project for her dad, and Mr. Wu is fabulous! and disapproving because she's doing clerical work instead of studying. Logan arrives in a tardy fashion and shares snark with Mr. Wu. Veronica comments that perhaps Logan can get on Mr. Wu's good side by inviting him to his "bitchin' party." Speaking of the alterna-prom, Logan tells Veronica about his conversation with Corny and how the school's infamous pothead offered to bring dessert to the party. Veronica grins like a demon and reminds him that he told her she could invite whomever she wanted. Logan grouses that she should have realized that he didn't mean it. But rather than getting angry, he lets it go because Veronica's coming to the prom (!) -- and (say it with me now) because he luuurrrvvveeesss her. Alterna-prom night has finally arrived, and the kids of Neptune high are pouring into the elevator at the Neptune Grand. Dick, sporting a tux and carrying his party pig of liquor on one shoulder, gives Madison, pretty in pink, the once over, completely oblivious to her annoyed eye rolling. As the doors begin to shut, Veronica, beguilingly beautiful in black, stops them and hops on, with Wallace, Jackie, wonderful in white, Mac, ravishing in red, and Butters in tow. Veronica tries to tell Mac that she looks really beautiful -- and she does, in scarlet velvet and silver satin opera gloves -- but she wants Veronica to stop distracting her while she continues to plot ways to kill her and make it look like an accident. At the last moment, Corny, wearing a tuxedo t-shirt and a top hat, and a couple of other people hop on the elevator too, filling the car to capacity with an unusual mix of Neptune students that wouldn't be caught dead together under normal circumstances. The doors close and an uncomfortable silence reigns as the elevator slowly climbs to the penthouse. Madison moans that this is the longest elevator ride ever. Butters, sporting a black zoot suit with crimson accents and feathered fedora, says if she thinks this is long, just wait for the space elevator. The other occupants turn their collective bewildered gazes in Butters' direction in perfect synchronization. Butters goes on to tell them about the space elevator's 100 mile cable and how it is currently under construction, reminding them that when it's done, it will be really long elevator ride. Mac snarks, "Still not as long as this one." The bell rings signaling their arrival, and as the elevator doors part, switched at birth enemies Mac and Madison exit at precisely the same moment, exclaiming in stereo, "Thank GOD." Priceless! Logan, rocking his prom in a Bogey-esque white tux, greets the new comers and welcomes them to the party. He and Dick exchange handshakes, and Logan tells him he has only one request -- that they make senior memories. Dick chortles and tells Logan that is precisely why he brought the party pig, and they toast the night, bottle to snout. Dick heads off into the party, immediately macking on the first girl to cross his line of sight. Logan greets new buddy Wallace, looking as handsome as he promised in his tux, while Jackie, in a classy column of shirred ivory, follows behind. Mac and Butters are next, and Mac looks horrified as Butters attempts to do some move that I can only speculate was supposed to be some form of dancing. It's hard to be sure. Mac states loudly and clearly that she needs a drink -- the "right now before I kill you" is clearly implied. Lagging behind, all on her lonesome, is Logan's very own dream of marshmallows and promises. Veronica smiles in greeting and attempts to explain Mac's crankiness away by telling Logan that she just had dinner on a pirate ship. Logan grins, but is clearly so taken with Veronica's appearance that he can't even speak. He chuckles a bit as she walks by him into the thick of the party, his eyes following her every move like a caress. As she passes from sight, he blows out a deep breath, and we all sigh because we know she has literally taken his breath away. We pan the prom and see Jackie and Wallace sharing a sweet slow dance, and then move over to where Mac is dancing stiffly and angrily with Butters. He tells Mac that he's not stupid and that he knows that it's weird to force someone to go to prom with you. Mac then asks the obvious question -- if he knew it was weird, why did he do it? Butters tells Mac that he was just being true to himself, because he's pretty weird. And he thought Mac just might understand because she's a little weird too. Before Mac can kill him with a death glare, Butters assures her that "weird" was a compliment. Mac takes this all in and grudgingly returns the compliment -- kind of -- by telling Butters that he's really, REALLY weird. Veronica gives her the thumbs up over Butters' shoulder, and Mac gives her the glare of "I'm totally still pissed at you" softened by just the hint of a smile. Mac takes a deep breath and willingly goes back into Butters' arms for more dancing. Over at the bar, Veronica watches as Dick and his party pig attempt to score with Madison. Dick gives a spiel about how senior year is almost over and after a month, they might never see each other again. And never is a really long time -- like forever, only worse. Without sparing him a glance, Madison tells Dick in exasperated tones that she's not going to sleep with him. Nor is she going to go fool around in the bathroom for old times sake, despite his reminders about how long never is. Veronica steps forward in an uncharacteristic display of support and tells Dick to leave Madison alone, before she has to call the law. And then we see the delicious twinkle in Veronica's eye that tells us things are about to get really good. She goes on to tell Dick that he should be careful because the law comes down really hard. Has Madison heard that? Madison looks distinctly uncomfortable, clearly afraid that Veronica might know about her and Lamb, and tries to deflect with a comment about Veronica being there alone since Duncan ran away. Veronica turns that one right around on her too, when she says, "you mean when he took it on the lam(b)?" with a decided emphasis on the last word. In what may be the funniest scene on Veronica Mars ever, Veronica goes on to cleverly and diabolically torture Madison about her secret relationship with the Sheriff by asking her if she can imagine what it's like "being on the lam(b)?" Veronica speculates with a sharp gleam in her eye that you'd probably want to close your eyes and pray for it all to end. You'd have the cops crawling all over you, right? Bwahahahahahahahaha! Madison's looking a bit like a deer in the headlights, makes some lame excuse about going to say hi to Gia, and bolts. Dick shrugs off Madison's rejection and moves right into hitting on Ronnie, showing exactly how much he's had to drink and how few working brain cells he actually has left by asking her what she thinks the odds are of them hooking up that night. I know, I know -- he's stupid. Try not to hold it against him. Veronica tells him that oddly enough she has those odds right here, and mimes pulling a card out of the bodice of her dress while Dick attempts to sneak a look at her cleavage. Apparently, the imaginary odds say a googolplex to one and Dick takes this as a positive sign -- because that means there's a chance! He tells her he'll send a bartender over to check on her later and heads back into the party. Veronica spots Gia across the room about to take a sip from the champagne that Madison gave her. Veronica, having icky flashbacks to another party where Madison shared her beverage and a whole lot more, walks over and snatches the glass out of Gia's hand, saving her a 'trip to the dentist.' Gia thanks her for the gesture, and for saving her at school earlier. She also sincerely apologizes for the things she said to Veronica about her dad, but Veronica shrugs it off as no big deal. She excuses herself when she spots Jackie and Wallace canoodling across the room. Veronica crosses to them and reminds them that she told them to get a room. Wallace shuts her up but good when he shows her the card key and tells her he already got a room, thank you very much. And on that note, Wallace tells Veronica it is up to her to represent the lower-middle class at the Neptune alterna-prom and heads for the door. Veronica, bewildered and slightly panicked, says that they can't just leave her there! But Wallace and Jackie have private plans of their own and they don't plan to wait any longer. Veronica rolls her eyes as they depart and heads back across the room where she runs into a drunk and disheveled Logan drinking directly from a champagne bottle. Logan comments that she's alone again, and Veronica agrees, "naturally." Logan, after executing a flawless twirl into an arm over the head lean, tells Veronica that he knows how she feels. Veronica teases that as the host of the greatest private replacement prom ever, she's certain he could take his pick of the bimbos. They pause in their banter as Veronica closes her eyes to enjoy the dulcet tones of Mike Doughty's "I Hear the Bells," while Logan cannot help but be mesmerized by her inaccessible moony face and inexpressible inner mind. Veronica smiles and says softly how much she likes this song, and sits on some kind of bench or table, as Logan straddles the bench next to her. He tells her that he's surprised that as a keen observer of the human condition, she can't see through people better than that. Veronica looks puzzled and Logan clarifies that bimbos aren't him anymore. Veronica asks him what he's like now and he grins -- he's, you know, tortured. But then his voice softens and his tone gets a little sad as he adds that he's been that way ever since he got his heart broken. Veronica, trying to keep things light says, somewhat apologetically, that Hannah really did a number on him. Logan shakes his head and says out loud what we've known all along -- he's not talking about Hannah. Veronica glances at him with confusion that slowly turns to surprise when his unwavering stare reveals that he means exactly what she thinks he means -- that it was Veronica who broke his heart. Logan takes a deep breath, completely serious now, and tells Veronica that he always thought their story was epic. As the rest of the prom fades insignificantly into the background he explains that he thought their story would span continents and years, lives in ruin, bloodshed -- you know, EPIC. His voice gets a little sadder as he reminds her that summer is almost here, and soon she'll be going away and then things will be ... over. Veronica, clearly taken aback, tries to speak, but Logan cuts her off. As his eyes and voice fill with tears he gives her a heartfelt apology for the things that happened last summer. He scoots closer to her, getting even more emotional and tries to tell her that he'd do everything differently if he could do it over, but in his desperation, words are beginning to fail him. Veronica, trying to avoid the intensity of the conversation, looks away and asks if he really thinks that love should be as hard as something that involves bloodshed and ruined lives. He smiles a sad smile and reminds her that no one writes songs about the easy ones. They stare at each other in silence for a few moments and we collectively hold our breath as time seems to almost grind to a halt. The look of utter longing on Logan's face as he reaches out to touch Veronica's cheek is heartbreaking. She sucks in her breath, and looks away at anything but him, trying to run from the look in his eyes, and the emotions and confusion rolling inside her. Logan scoots closer again and softly turns her to face him. He leans in, his fingers caressing her skin delicately, lovingly and you can see the swelling of emotion in Veronica's eyes as their lips move closer. All of the sudden, Veronica gasps as her head catches up with her racing heart, and, in typical Veronica fashion, she runs away from Logan and the intensity of her feelings for him. LoVe fans around the globe yell, scream, holler and throw things at the TV in an outpouring of disappointment and incredulity. As we watch our fragile hopes for a LoVe reunion crumble (again), poor Logan is left alone (again), looking devastated and heartbroken. Wallace and Jackie have sex in their hotel room. We don't see it, but we see enough to get the gist, in a horribly misplaced and unnecessary scene that interferes with our Logan and Veronica emotional rollercoaster. If you can, save yourself the trouble and just skip it. Veronica is up early the next morning, and heads over to the Neptune Grand. She paces for a few moments in the hallway outside of Logan's door before gathering her courage and knocking. We hear movement inside the room as someone stumbles to the door. Logan opens the door, looking disheveled, hung-over, and dammit, sexy as all hell in nothing but his tuxedo pants. Our hopes begin to swell again, because for the first time EVER, Veronica has come back to Logan after running away. Veronica takes a deep breath and begins by saying that she's sorry for the way she ran out the night before. Logan looks understandably confused as Veronica tells him that she just needed to collect her thoughts and really think about the things he said the previous evening. Logan goes to speak, but this time Veronica won't let him. She's clearly been practicing this speech and she's determined to get it all out. And here we are again, collectively holding our breath, as Veronica says out loud what we've all been hoping to hear her say (well, kind of) -- she doesn't want to lose Logan from her life either. She's not saying she's ready to dive back into anything, but after graduation she wants them to make an effort to see each other and see where things go. Logan is still looking confused and incredulous as Veronica continues with a sweet smile that she remembers what he said about their relationship being epic. In a complete reversal of the previous evening, Logan still isn't saying anything, but a myriad of emotions race over his features. Confusion, incredulity, elation -- and then something darker as he leans his head against the door with an expression that says loud and clear, "OH NO." He struggles for words and our hearts collectively sink as Veronica realizes that things have just taken another turn for the worse. Now our hearts collectively break a little as Logan tells Veronica that last night was kind of a blur. The heartbreak becomes horror only moments later as we hear Kendall's voice from inside the suite; the wicked wench comes up behind him and see her wrap her arms around Logan from behind while sneering at Veronica from over his shoulder. LoVe fans around the globe yell, scream, holler and throw things at the TV in a second, and perhaps even more intense, outpouring of disappointment and incredulity. Veronica looks devastated and is trying with all of her might not to cry. Logan looks like he doesn't even know what to do, but he knows that no matter what he says or does that it will only make things worse. Veronica turns to leave and Logan follows her into the hallway, calling after her that whatever he said, he wants her to know -- but Veronica cuts him off. She's too hurt and angry to hear him tell her that even if he doesn't remember, he meant it. At least, that is what we all think he would have said, what we hope he would have said, if she'd let him complete the thought. As we watch our fragile hopes for a LoVe reunion crumble (AGAIN!), it is Veronica who is left alone this time looking heartbroken and devastated. Veronica steps into the elevator as the tears start to flow. She finally gathers the courage to turn and face Logan who can do nothing but stare at her helplessly as the doors close between them. I don't know about anyone else, but I was sobbing at this point, railing at the fates for robbing Logan and Veronica (and us!) of our happiness -- AGAIN. Rob Thomas, you have exactly two weeks to fix this -- and when I say fix I mean 'FIX' -- and give your most devoted fans what they want. Or else. - Keith gets a strange phone call at home from the Woodster, clearly asking for help. Keith hightails it to the Camelot where he finds Woody standing in slacks and a wife beater over a rumpled bed. In that rumpled bed is a pretty brunette in skimpy black lingerie that is either dead or really, really unconscious. Woody pleads with Keith that it isn't what it looks like. Yeah, right! Even Woody realizes how stupid that protest is and recants that okay, maybe it is what it looks like. Sensible Keith, reticent to jump to any hasty conclusions, asks Woody to elaborate once he's determined that the poor girl still has a pulse. Apparently the young lady is a staffer on the Neptune Incorporation campaign. The previous evening she and Woody had a few drinks and one thing lead to another ... Woody speculates that the girl must have mixed those drinks with some kind of pills. He sits heavily on the end of the bed, seemingly very shaken. I marvel at yet another gross misunderstatement as he mutters something about this not being a 'proud moment' for him. Ya think? Woody goes on to say that he needs help to 'take care of this.' Before he can finish speaking, Keith is shaking his head. He reminds Woody that he's on retainer to help Terrance, not to help Woody clean up these kinds of personal messes. Woody continues to whine about how bad this will be if he tries to deal with it himself. How the papers and news shows will be full of tawdry headlines about the mayor and his booze-hound, pill-popping mistress. Keith, still shaking his head, reluctantly agrees to help get her to the hospital -- but that's it. He wants it made very clear that this is not the type of thing he normally does and this offer of assistance is a one-shot deal. Woody accepts gratefully. Woody plays lookout as Keith carries the girl to his car, rushing across the parking lot in an effort to avoid being seen. They get her buckled in to the front seat and Woody thanks Keith profusely for his assistance and tells him that he owes him one. Oh, Woody, I'm thinking 'one' is no where near good enough for this kind of service. Keith just shakes his head some more and pulls out of the parking lot. The next afternoon, Keith storms into Woody's office and all but throws the newspaper in his face. Woody is barely off the phone before Keith is all up in his grill, pissed as hell that after helping him with his little problem, Woody had the audacity to pin the episode with the drunk staffer on Keith. Woody tries to placate Keith, but it's pretty clear that a mouth full of platitudes and a firm hand shake just aren't gonna cut it this time. Keith goes on to quote the article which says that Woody's office confirmed that Keith was investigating a leak and had plied the staffer with alcohol to get her to talk. The article then made it sound as if Woody had been the one to intercede and put a stop to Keith's interrogation techniques. Woody tries to say that he didn't have any choice -- who knew the manager had a camera? -- but that too much was riding on the Incorporation campaign to risk the exposure. Keith grits his teeth and tells Woody that he wants Woody to be clear on one thing: He is voting AGAINST incorporation. And after dropping that bombshell, Keith gathers his pride and shows himself out. Back at the Mars Investigations office the following afternoon, Keith's sitting down with Lloyd Blankenship for a one-on-one about the article and Keith's involvement with Woody Goodman. He tells Lloyd, off the record, that he's not saying he never worked for Woody. What he is saying, however, is that he never investigated any leaks and he certainly didn't ply a staffer with alcohol to do it! Lloyd quietly, but bluntly tells Keith that he might want to put that out there -- on the record. Lloyd goes on to say that the paper had Woody on a conference call and the mayor, off the record, of course, put the entire thing on Keith's head. He even went so far as to imply that he caught Keith taking advantage of the drunk staffer, Jennifer Stansfield. Keith tells Lloyd that if he doesn't believe him to just talk to Ms. Stansfield -- she'll tell him what really happened. Lloyd says that they'd love to talk to her, but after Keith dropped her off at the E.R. and before she was treated, she disappeared and now no one can find her. The following morning Keith is looking for his morning papers, only to discover that Veronica has gotten to them first. She comments that they are just full of tawdry stories (hee!) including one the previous day that said he got a girl drunk. Which she so clearly doesn't believe. Keith teases Veronica and asks her why she doesn't think a cute girl would have a few drinks with him. Veronica raises an eyebrow and tells him that she just read that she didn't in this morning's paper. As she bites into her peanut butter toast, Veronica tells Keith to enjoy his headlines -- she's off to vote. Keith unfolds the paper and we get a close-up of two different stories. The first, by Lloyd, is entitled "Neptune Vote on Incorporation Too Close To Call," and the second, also by Lloyd, reads "Private Eye Contradicts Supervisor's Story: Goodman Paid Escort From Campaign Funds." Way to hit him where it hurts, Keith. Take that Mr. Goodman! At the polling center, Veronica prepares to vote on special ballot measure #51: Should Neptune consolidate its wealth and exclusivity at the expense of the poor and the unglamorous? In a word, Veronica goes with a resounding "No." That night the channel five newscaster confirms that the majority of Neptune agreed with Veronica and voted against the incorporation of the city. The vote was apparently decided by a three point margin. The newscaster goes on to mention that the recent scandals surrounding Woody's office were definitely a contributing factor to the defeat of the incorporation plan. Veronica, clearly pleased, says that she guesses this means the city has to keep them. Keith agrees because, after all, "what's a yacht without barnacles?" - Lianne's mother, "Grandma Reynolds," is dead. - Leo drives a 2002 silver Mitsubishi Galant, license #IOU875 - According to his DMV registration, Leo's birthdate is 06/14/1983. - Rodney Goodman is #7 on his soccer team. - Lucky has a Neptune letterman's jacket. - The Mars family gets both The Neptune Register and The San Diego Dispatch delivered to their apartment. - Keith enters the Mars Investigations office and walks over to Veronica's desk where he opens up a cardboard box. Inside is a stack of paper -- all bearing the sketch of a man's face. Turning his head towards his office, Keith notices a pair of decidedly female legs, belonging to some mystery woman sitting in a chair in his office. He asks if there is something he can help her with. Answering him with the advice that he should really keep his office locked, Kendall stands up and leans in the doorway. Yes, the gams belong to femme fatale Kendall/Priscilla and I must agree with her advice. Keith really should keep his office locked. And, if possible, erect some mystical barrier to keep gold-digging tramps like Kendall out. His daughter would probably appreciate it. In a tone leaving no doubt she means business, Kendall demands her hard drive back. Keith, not one to be cowed by femme fatale/gold-digger types, shrugs off her suggestion. Kendall goes on to insist that her "friend" saw him take it from her apartment. Keith asks if that friend was Liam, you know, the drug dealer who tried to shoot him? Kendall coolly says there was an intruder in her house and her friend simply feared for his life. Keith is curious if her husband knew that she kept her own place, did some time in jail, and that she's not even really who she claims to be. He left out "sleeps around with high school boys," but I guess if Keith were to list all of "Kendall's" indiscretions, we'd have a much longer episode on our hands. So Kendall ignores the question and tells him that she won't press charges against him if the hard drive reappears by Friday. She then hands him a shipping box with a pre-addressed label attached that includes her address as both the sender and the destination, leaving no paper trail to connect it to Keith. Just as Kendall starts to exit, Veronica enters and greets her with a fake smile. Kendall addresses Veronica as "Little Miss Teen Getaway" and explains that she and Keith were just dealing with a little "trouble." Veronica, as musical theater literate as her once and future (you heard me!) boyfriend, takes this opportunity to launch into a slightly revised lyrical moment from The Music Man. "Like Trouble with a capital 'T'? That rhymes with 'C,' that stands for C --" Unfortunately, Keith cuts her off before she can call Kendall a c ---, well, use your imagination. You've got the first letter and Kendall's personality as your clues. Veronica feigns innocence and insists she was only going to say "cute." Nobody buys it, so Keith consoles her that Ms. C was just leaving. And so she does, not a moment too soon. - When Veronica asks to borrow some surveillance equipment, Keith suggests she can earn it by sending a copy of the mystery man sketch to everyone on their business contact sheets to see if anyone can find him. He gives the box to her and she questions who the charming fellow is. Keith explains that this is the guy who hired the escort to steal Cliff's briefcase. After a little "poor Cliff" moment from Veronica, Keith has a little "poor me" moment because it seems that Cliff won't shut up about the incident. Aww, poor Cliff. In Mr. Wu's study hall, Veronica is carrying out her P.I. assignment instead of studying. Poor Mr. Wu. Will no one every follow the rules of study hall? Apparently not as she ignores the fabulous Wu and instead carries on stuffing envelopes with the sketch of Keith's mystery man. Logan -- sitting next to his once and future (you heard me!) girlfriend -- notices and asks what it is. She says it's just work stuff for her dad and then notices the serious look on Logan's face. Why is he asking? He says it's nothing; he just looks like the guy his dad shared a cell with. Veronica is surprised ... and intrigued. - A recovering Terrence awakens in his hospital bed to find Keith sitting in the chair beside him. Terrence is surprised to see him and Keith explains that the hospital is finally allowing non-family visitors, so he thought he'd drop by to find out what the hell Terrence thought he was doing breaking into the Dumas family home. Terrence's excuse is that Leslie claimed she was writing a tell-all about his gambling debts and his throwing of the playoff game. When he became the lead suspect in the bus crash, he was worried her parents would find what Leslie had written, so he broke in through their unlocked garage. (Does no one lock their doors anymore? With gold-diggers and baseball players waltzing in left and right, people should really be more cautious.) Keith points out what an idiotic idea it was, which Terrence really can't deny. He wasn't responsible for the bus crash, but he will be ruined if it comes out that he threw the playoff game. A cheerful Jackie arrives, carrying a vase of flowers and a stack of sports magazines. Terrence also looks really happy to see her. She announces that it's Club House gossip time, Terrence's favorite time of the day. Keith says he'll be in touch and asks Jackie to keep her dad out of trouble. When Keith leaves, Jackie kisses her dad on the forehead. They seem closer than ever before. Too bad it took an accusation of mass murder and a bullet to make it happen. Later, Jackie is sitting next to her dad on his hospital bed as they look through a magazine. She's showing him the slinky Gucci knockoff dress she's going to be wearing to prom. He's surprised because he thought the prom was canceled. She explains that it's a replacement prom and that she's going with Wallace who's been bragging about how hot and irresistible he's going to be in his tux. Full of fatherly concern, Terrence warns her to be careful. She tells him to relax, but he's worried that she's falling for Wallace. Jackie agrees that she likes him and then asks if Terrence is giving her fatherly advice. He says he's trying and she assures him he's doing pretty well for a novice. She likes Wallace, but since she's leaving for Paris soon, they have no illusions about the future of their relationship. Keith opens the morning San Diego Dispatch and is met with the headline "Cook threw championship game. Woman killed in bus crash accused Hall of Fame hopeful of fixing ALCS." Looks like the Dumas family may have found Leslie's tell-all, as Terrence had feared they would. Outside Terrence's hospital room, Jackie reads the same headline. A nurse tells her she can go in now. Jackie puts on a cheery face, tucks the paper under her arm and bids her father a good morning. "Women's Wear" (Daniel May) Scene: The longest elevator ride in Neptune ... or, erm California ... United States? North America? Earth? The Universe? Well, Butters did mention the space elevator. "Talk to Me" (Paul Taylor & Randi Soyland) Scene: Logan is the host with the most as he greets guests from the Party Pig to the Girl of his Dreams -- and {{sigh}} looks incredibly handsome as he does so {{sigh}}. "I Hear the Bells" (Mike Doughty) Scene: LoVe -- joyful and triumphant ... or sigh not. "All My Life" (DJ Harry) Scene: Wallace and Jackie get it on. Yawn. LoVe Lines Veronica: Hey. How's it going? Logan: Oh, this is gonna be good. Veronica: What? Logan: You have that 'I'd rather be making out with a broken bottle' look. Which, if history serves, means you're about to say something awkward. Veronica: This? (Gestures to her face) This is my 'I'd rather be spelunking' look. It's like you don't know me at all. Veronica: So, you remember Duncan. Logan: Right, blue eyes? Veronica: Right. Logan: Yes. Veronica: You wouldn't happen to know if he was with, and by with I mean "with," ah, someone other than Meg? Logan: (Turns to face Veronica with a schmoopy expression.) Well, there was this one girlshe was, ah, blonde, petite. (Closes his eyes briefly.) Smelled of marshmallows and Promises. Veronica: Promises? Logan: (Softly) Yeah. Veronica: (With faux incredulity.) That's the name of my perfume! (Logan grins.) Logan: You know, generally speaking, I've kind of grown immune to your left field questions. But I'm gonna bite on this one. What do you care who Duncan did when Duncan did do dudettes? Veronica: Would you believe it's for a college application? Weird, huh? Veronica: Well, I'm gonna miss these moments. Logan: You goin' somewhere? Veronica: Oh -- you see this? (Gestures to the hallways and classrooms.) This is high school. We're here for four years and then we move on. And all these people you see everyday vanish from your life and you never have to think about them again. Logan: So, we should savor our remaining moments. You should come to alterna-prom. Veronica: I don't know what that is. (Logan brandishes an invitation that Veronica snatches and reads.) Wow. You and your drunk '09er buddies get the prom cancelled, and then use your inherited wealth to throw a private prom. Logan: When you say it like that it sounds unjust. Veronica: How does it sound when you say it? Logan: Glamorous. So, you comin'? (Veronica makes an unhappy face and gestures to it) What? (Trying to hide his disappointment) You'd rather be spelunking? Veronica: No, I'd rather be ... (Continues to gesture at her face while Logan shakes his head in confusion.) .., strapped down on an anthill. (Exasperated) Man, you've really lost it. I was going to console Jackie and Wallace that night -- you got their prom cancelled, remember? Logan: Well, bring 'em along. Bring whomever. We with our inherited wealth don't mind as long as you bathe and keep your hands off the silver. Veronica: I'll consider it. Veronica: (Talking about Mr. Wu.)Why don't you invite him to your bitchin' party? Logan: Speaking of my bitchin' party -- a funny thing happened. That stoner dude, Corny -- whom I don't recall inviting -- offered to bring dessert. (Veronica smiles.) Exactly how many losers are now coming to my party? Veronica: You said 'invite whoever.' Logan: Didn't it occur to you that I might not have meant it? (Logan looks at the sketch on Veronica's desk and makes a strange face.) What is that? Veronica: Just some work stuff for my dad. (Logan keeps staring and Veronica notices.) Why? Logan: (In a small voice.) Nothin'. It just looks like the guy my dad shared his cell with. (Veronica looks like bells are ringing all through that head of hers.) Logan: (Steps in front of Veronica.) Alone again? Veronica: Naturally. Logan: (Turns and leans against wall.) I, uh, I know the feeling. Veronica: (Teasingly) You? Host of the greatest private replacement prom ever? I'm sure you could have your pick of the bimbos. (Listens intently to the music.) I really like this song. (Sits.) Logan: You know I'm surprised, Veronica. (Turns and straddles the bench next to Veronica.) And as a keen observer of the human condition I thought you saw through people better than that. Bimbos? That's ... not me anymore. Veronica: So, what are you like now? Logan: You know, tortured. Ever since I had my heart broken. Veronica: (Smiles ruefully, looks down.) Hannah really did do a number on you, huh? Logan: (Looking down) C'mon, you know I'm not really talking about Hannah. (Looks back up at Veronica pointedly. She looks back at him curiously, realizes he's referring to her.) Logan: (Exhales.) I thought our story was epic, you know? You and me. Veronica: Epic how? Logan: (Takes a chug of champagne.) Spanning years and continents, lives ruined, and blood shed. Epic. (Pauses, they gaze at each other.) But summer's almost here, and we won't see each other at all. Then you'll leave town, and then ... (Smiles, shakes head sadly.) ... it's over. Veronica: (Wondering where this is coming from.) Logan ... Logan: (Emotionally) I'm sorry. About last summer. You know, if I could do it over ... (He is close to crying, scoots closer.) Veronica: (Deflecting the intensity.) Come on, ruined lives, bloodshed? Do you really think a relationship should be that hard? Logan: (His voice is thick with unshed tears.) No one writes songs about the ones that come easy. Veronica thinks about that. Logan scoots even closer, gazes at her intently. Veronica looks away nervously, then looks back at him. Logan reaches out and touches her face, Veronica's breath catches, she looks away and takes a deep breath. Logan turns her face back to him, and slowly leans in to kiss her. Veronica seems caught up in the moment, about to give in. Veronica: (Suddenly.) I have to go. I have to go. (Hurrying away, she leaves Logan all by himself.) Logan: Hello. Veronica: First let me say that I'm sorry for running out last night like I did. I ... was a bit overwhelmed. I needed to collect my thoughts, think about what you said. Logan: Veronica ... Veronica: Let me just get this out. I don't want to lose you from my life either. I'm not saying I'm ready to ... dive back into anything, but ... after graduation let's make it a point to see each other, see where that takes us. Remember what you said about our relationship being epic. (Off Logan looking stricken, trying to remember.) Oh, God. Logan: Last night was kind of a blur. Kendall: (From off screen.) Is that our room service? (Appears in doorway behind Logan.) No, just Veronica Mars. What a disappointment. (Speaking to Logan.) Come on, let's get you cleaned up. Bye, Veronica. (Goes back into suite.) Logan: Look, whatever I said I ... (Veronica starting to cry, shakes her head and starts walking away. Logan follows her out into the hallway.) You should know -- Veronica: (Bitterly cutting him off.) Stop. (Veronica continues to the elevator, Logan watching her strickenly. In the elevator, Veronica looks back at him tearfully, shakes her head just as the elevator door closes.) Quotable Quotes Veronica Mars Voiceover: So, my Grandma Reynolds was always saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." I wish she was still alive, because I'd really like to ask what she suggests for when life gives you chlamydia. Veronica: (Approaching a cuddly Jackie and Wallace.)Please. Get a room. In Australia. Wallace: Hey, we're practicing for the Prom. Veronica: What debutante bit you and turned you into a prom zombie? Jackie: (Waving hand.) We just gave in. The whole nine yards. The ridiculous dress, the tux, the lobster dinner, limo. I mean it happens, once why not go all out? Mac: (Approaching group.) Because no one sold you as an indentured servant to Butters. Veronica: Mac, I didn't think he'd actually -- Mac: He's picking me up in a Hummer limousine, we're having dinner on a replica pirate ship, and I suspect he's hired a Zeppelin for the ride home. I'm going to fill my pockets with rocks, get a good grip on your ankles, and I'm going to drop off the top of a mountain. Principal Clemmons (Speaking over PA System) Attention students: Due to a significant number of alcohol violations on the senior trip. This year's prom has been cancelled. Mac: Yes, prayer works! Gia: Hey, have you ever been stalked? Veronica: As a matter of fact -- Gia: Because someone's stalking me. I was hoping you might have some tips or something. Veronica: Dancing around in your underwear with the curtains open is always good. And if you're in chat rooms, and they suggest meeting face to face, do it in an abandoned railroad car down by the riverside. Gia: No, no, no, for catching the guy. I keep seeing his car following me around. Veronica: Can you describe it? Gia: It's totally nondescript. I mean, that's what's so unique about it. Veronica: Mrs. C! I trust you're well. Kendall: Oh, if it isn't little Miss Teen Getaway! Your dad and I were just dealing with a little trouble. Veronica: Like trouble with a capital T, that rhymes with C, that stands for -- Keith: Veronica! Veronica: (Shrugging with feigned innocence.) I was gonna say cute. Veronica: Cameras are on the roof. So, if this guy followed you here, we should be able to spot him. Gia: Wow! How Mission Impossible. I feel like at any moment Tom Cruise is gonna dangle from the ceiling on cables. Veronica: (Looking up at the ceiling.) Great. Now I won't be able to sleep. I hope he doesn't try to marry me. Gia: There, that's the car! Isn't it totally nondescript?! Veronica: That's a 2002 Silver Gallant. Gia: Leonardo D'Amato? God, what kinda loser is that?! Veronica: Greek-Italian. I used to go out with him. Gia: (To Veronica about Leo.) You went out with him? He's cute in a tough, mumbly kind of way. Gia: Is the lunch lady who does body building human interest? Veronica: Human? Maybe. Interest? No. Keith: Look, off the record, Lloyd. It's not that I never worked for Woody, but I never investigated any leaks and I never used a bottle of scotch to question a campaign staffer! Lloyd: Then you might wanna put that out there on the record. Jackie: The prom is canceled and you want to take me to a batting cage instead? Wallace: Yeah. It's for the so-casual-it's-super-romantic thing. Jackie: That's not a thing. That's male wishful thinking. Keith: (To Terrance.) So when you're accused of taking out a busload of kids to off your lover, you decide your best move is to break in to her parents' house? Veronica: I wanted to see what it was like. Getting your news off the ground. And the stories -- so tawdry. There was one yesterday about you getting a girl drunk. I can't believe it. Keith: What? You don't think a girl would have a few drinks with me? Veronica: So, I'm stuck on something and hoped you could help me. Keith: Absolutely. Unless it's physics or chemistry. Or math. Or English. P.E. I was good at P.E. Logan: (To Dick.) Who are you taking to alterna-prom? Dick: Well, I considered a lot of chicks and then finally I figured I'd just go stag. I mean it's not the prom, it's the alterna-prom. Why narrow my options? (Logan is staring at Dick, unconvinced.) Logan: Shot down, huh? Dick: It's like a conspiracy! Logan: Yeah, it's a good thing we're graduating. Sounds like you've hit the point where every girl in school knows you. Dick: Bring on the sorority girls! Corny: Dudes! You need me to bring anything to the big bash? (Corny puts a hand on Dick and Logan's shoulders; They stare at him like he's speaking Swahili.) 'Cause if there's one thing I know how to do it's potluck. Dick: Uh ... (Looks at Logan, then tries to smoothly smile away the comment.) Which big bash is that? Corny: Alterna-prom. (Flicking excited glances between Logan and Dick's horrified faces.) I made these killer brownies. The secret: It's all in the butter. (Logan looks away from Corny, thinking hard about all the ways he could punish Veronica ... he smiles.) Gia: (Yelling at Veronica about Keith.) So now he's saying that it was my dad in that motel and he was sleeping with a hooker he paid in campaign money?! Veronica: My dad didn't get that woman drunk that's all he said. Gia: I just don't get you people! (Gia throws down the newspaper she's holding.) I just don't! (She storms away leaving Veronica feeling history repeating.) Veronica: (Veronica hears the news saying that the bid for incorporation failed.) So Neptune has to keep us? Keith: What's a yacht without barnacles? Mr. Wu: (Veronica is folding up letters with the sketched portrait her dad gave her.) Ms. Mars, what do you think you're doing? Veronica: Just some clerical business. Mr. Wu: This is study hall. If you wanted clerical hall, you should have signed up for clerical hall. (There's a sound by the door and Mr. Wu looks up in glee to find his next snark victim) Mr. Echolls! So glad you could join us ... (as he walks to his desk) late. Logan: (Sitting down beside Veronica.) And that is what happens when you never get ... laid. Jackie: Relax, dad. I learned about the birds and the bees the hard way, remember? Jackie: Wait. Are you like trying to give me fatherly advice or something? Terrence; Trying. How am I doing? Jackie: Not bad. For a novice. Gia: I'm really busy right now. Veronica Mars Voiceover: So, since strangling her would be counter-productive that only leaves giving up. Veronica: Have taser, will travel. Gia: Wow ... was that freaky? Lucky: Was it freaky? (Laughing.) You want to see freaky? (He lifts the side of his shirt away from his hip revealing a large rectangular scar.) That's a road side bomb. (Gia leans closer to look.) BOOM! (Gia gasps and lurches back at the outburst.) Mm-hmmm. That was freaky. (He laughs and holds his hands up in a shot gun posture.) You know ... the insurgency, always leaving us presents. (Veronica is desperately trying to signal Gia who doesn't see her. Lucky leans on a desk and speaks philosophically.) But you know, the whole world is freaky. Dick: (To Madison) Flying solo, tonight? Ditto. Just me and the party pig. Veronica: Mac you really do ... Mac: Don't distract me. I'm plotting how to kill you and make it look like an accident. Madison: God, longest elevator ride ever. Butters: Wait for the space elevator ... (Everyone stares at him like he has grown a second head.) There designing it now. A huge elevator on a hundred mile carbon polymer cable that goes all the way to space. That will be a long elevator ride. Mac: (Glaring at Veronica.) Still not as long as this one. (The elevator stops at penthouse and doors ding open.) Mac and Madison: (In unison.) Thank God! Logan: Hey welcome, so tonight there is only one thing I ask of you ... make senior memories. Dick: Ahhhh ... that's why I brought the party pig. (Turning away and addressing a random partier.) Better watch yourself, Danielle, here comes me and my hog. Sooouuuuwwweee! Mac: I need a drink. Veronica: (To Logan.) Mac just had dinner on a pirate ship! Lamb: What are you looking at, nut job? Keith: Cut him some slack, Don. Lamb: I wasn't talking to him, Keith. Lucky: I don't think he likes you. Veronica: (Approaching Dick and Madison.) Leave her alone, Dick. You don't want to make her have to call the law. 'Cause I hear the law really comes down hard. Have you heard that? Madison: So, I guess you're here alone, since Duncan, like, ran away, or whatever. Veronica: You mean, took it on the lam? 'Cause I can't imagine what that's like. Can you? Being on the lam? Think you'd just want to close your eyes and pray for it all to end. You'd have the cops crawling all over you. Right? What do you think Madison? Madison: There's Gia. (Quickly taking off.) Dick: What does Madison care about Gia, Ronnie? What do you think the odds are of me and you hooking up by the end of the night? Veronica: I happen to have them right here. (Pulling imaginary notecard from dress.) They are a googolplex to one. Dick: Right on. So I'll send over a bartender and check back in with you later. (Calling across the room.) Hey, Shelly, speaking of pork, want to meet my hog? Look Who's Talking ... (Referenced by the episode title.) Amy Heckerling (Fast Times at Ridgemont High) wrote and directed this hit 1989 comedy, in which Kirstie Alley plays Mollie, a single accountant having an affair with one of her married clients, Albert (George Segal). When she becomes pregnant, Albert refuses to leave his wife and take responsibility for their child. As she goes into labor, Mollie is rushed to the hospital by taxi driver James (John Travolta), who falls for both Mollie and baby Mikey. The twist in this popular comedy is that a good deal of the film is told through baby Mikey's thoughts, as voiced by Bruce Willis. This begins as Mikey is born and continues as he watches and comments on his mother's friendship and budding romance with James. Two unfortunate sequels (Look Who's Talking Too and Look Who's Talking Now) followed due to the film's success. The former, released in 1990, featured Rosanne as toddler Mikey's baby sister, Julie. The latter introduced talking pet dogs, voiced by Danny DeVito and Diane Keaton. Chlamydia ... (Referenced by the doctor as Veronica's VD.) Okay, kids -- get ready to learn probably more than you ever wanted to know about chlamydia. After this, I expect that you'll be able to ace Ms. Hauser's health class final. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial STD in the U.S., and is caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can damage a woman's reproductive organs. Even though symptoms of chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur "silently" before a woman ever recognizes a problem. An estimated 2.8 million Americans are infected with chlamydia each year. Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Chlamydia is known as a "silent" disease because about three quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within one to three weeks after exposure. (I guess Veronica really was symptom free then.) If untreated, chlamydial infections can progress to serious reproductive and other health problems with both short-term and long-term consequences. Like the disease itself, the damage that chlamydia causes is often "silent." In women, untreated infection can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which occurs in up to 40% of women with untreated chlamydia. PID can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. The damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus). Women infected with chlamydia are up to five times more likely to become infected with HIV, if exposed. Complications among men are rare. Infection sometimes spreads to the epididymis (a tube that carries sperm from the testis), causing pain, fever, and, rarely, sterility. Chlamydia can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth. In pregnant women, there is some evidence that untreated chlamydial infections can lead to premature delivery. Babies who are born to infected mothers can get chlamydial infections in their eyes and respiratory tracts. Chlamydia is a leading cause of early infant pneumonia and conjunctivitis in newborns. As it seems likely that Rob Thomas is setting us up to discover that sweet Meg is the carrier of this lovely disease, I thought it was worth mentioning. 'Life gives you lemons, you make lemonade' ... (Referenced by Veronica in her voiceover about sayings her grandmother shared.) "If life gives you lemons, you make lemonade" is an adage which means make the most of what you have. Another interpretation is that if life deals you a sour blow, use it to make a sweet ending to your story. There isn't an original origin of this phrase, but it is believed to have originated in the 1970's. It has similarities to phrases such as "play the cards you're dealt" and to a certain extent "every cloud has a silver lining." For the purposes of Veronica's query, I'll offer a response: If life gives you chlamydia, don't make lemonade ... make a doctor's appointment. Australia ... (Referenced by Veronica to Wallace and Jackie as to the location they can get a room.) Australia is an island country located in the southern hemisphere between the Indian and South Pacific oceans. Most people claim Australia was discovered in 1770 by Captain James Cook but that isn't true. Discounting the fact that the French and Dutch were the first European nations to land there, indigenous Australians -- or aboriginals -- had already inhabited the land for over 20,000 years. When Britain "settled" in Botany Bay, Australia became a penal colony of Britain -- essentially an arid prison. It remains an international joke to label Australia "a nation of criminals" but Australians usually believe their ingrained disrespect for authority makes them laid back, easy going people. The six separate colonies federated in 1901, creating a Federation called The Commonwealth of Australia. At that time the national anthem changed from God Save the Queen to Advance Australia Fair. The nation is made up of six states (Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania) and two territories (Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory). The A.C.T. came into being when Australia couldn't decide if Sydney (in NSW) or Melbourne (in Victoria) had more claim to the "capital" title. Thus a territory was created halfway between the two cities where the capital of Australia -- Canberra -- was made. Australia has established itself as a powerful nation after becoming one of the fastest growing economies in the 1990s. After several waves of post-war migrants, Australia has become a multicultural country with a population of just over 20,000,000 people. Australia has invested a lot of time into becoming a nation that represents freedom and essential human rights; they have signed more United Nations treaties than any other nation (not that international law means much). Their current Prime Minister is John Howard from the Australian Liberal Party. Prom Zombie ... (Referenced by Veronica questioning what exactly the lovey-dovey, Prom-obsessed Wallace and Jackie have become.) Zombie Prom is a 1950s horror comic book brought to life as a musical comedy film. It is a campy, rollicking, romp through America's "Atomic Age" and the "Golden Age" of horror comic books. Here's the story ... Set in the fabulous '50s, this is the tale of a sweet teenage girl named, Toffee (a Gidget-type) and her "rebel without a cause" boyfriend, Jonny. The two meet at Enrico (!) Fermi High School and fall in love, but the principal, Miss Deliah Strict (Stalin in pumps and a dress!) intervenes, persuading the indecisive young Toffee to break up with Jonny. Tortured by the betrayal, Jonny drives his motorcycle to the nearby Francis Gary Powers Nuclear Power Plant and flings himself into a nuclear cooling tower! Guilt ridden and alone, Toffee mourns the loss of her love, until one day when Jonny returns, risen from the dead as a teenage nuclear zombie! The mass of decomposing flesh professes his love and tells Toffee that he wants her back. He plans to clean up his act, finish school and take her to the senior prom -- if she'll have him. Toffee is racked with indecision, but worst of all Miss Strict refuses to allow "zombie scum" in her fine institution. She clearly states that "The satanic walking dead are strictly prohibited at Enrico Fermi High." She even threatens to cancel the senior prom if anyone is caught supporting the "cadaver's cause." As crisis takes hold of the school, the following questions are raised - Will Toffee take Jonny back? Will Miss Strict let Jonny come back and finish school, or will she cancel Senior Prom, ruining the most important night in the lives of the students of Enrico Fermi High!? Zombie Prom was written by the writing team of Dana P. Rowe (music) and John Dempsey (book and lyrics) in 1993, who are also responsible for The Fix and The Witches of Eastwick. After an opening run in Florida, Zombie Prom was taken to New York City and produced in workshop at the Lawrence A. Wein Center in February and March of 1995. The following year, the show opened Off-Broadway on Tuesday, April 9, 1996 in New York City at the Variety Arts Theatre. To hear a song from the musical click and download the zipped file here: (This is a recorded version of a 16 or 17 year-old Justin Guarini (of American Idol fame) and Erin Frederick from a high school production of the play singing "Voice in the Ocean" -- Jonny's rise from the "dead.") Indentured servitude ... (Referenced by Mac complaining about what Veronica did to her, re: Butters and the prom.) An indentured servant is a laborer under contract to work (for a specified amount of time) for another person or a company/corporation, often without any monetary pay, but in exchange for accommodation, food, other essentials, training, or passage to a new country. After working for the term of the contract (traditionally seven years) the servant was then free to farm or take up trade of his own. The term comes from the medieval English "indenture of retainer" -- a contract written in duplicate on the same sheet, with the copies separated by cutting along a jagged (toothed, hence the term "indenture") line so that the teeth of the two parts could later be refitted to confirm authenticity. They were also used to make the labor-intensive cash crop tobacco in the 17th century. There have been multiple occasions where indentured servitude has been abused. An example would be wherein an indentured servant needs goods or services not available or supplied at a cost within the terms of the indenture finds that to obtain such goods or services requires the period of their indenture to be extended. In these circumstances, the system can represent a form of unfree labor. Poor Mac, all this pain just to spy on her ex-boyfriend. After this week's alterna-prom, that girl has paid in full any debt due to "Butter's Interstellar Incorporated" and should have a little something on credit in the "Veronica Favor and Trust Bank." Hummer Limousine ... (Referenced by Mac as Butters' suggested mode of transportation to the prom.) In 1979, AM General began preliminary design work on the M998 Series High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, pronounced Humvee), a 1.25-ton truck intended to replace the M151 and other light tactical vehicles. The U.S. Army awarded AM General a prototype contract in 1981 and the development and operational testing was conducted over a five-month period in 1982. In March 1983, AM General won an initial $1.2 billion contract to produce 55,000 Humvees to be delivered in five basic models and 15 different configurations over a five-year period. The Army subsequently increased their order by over 15,000 additional vehicles, raising the total contract order to 70,000 Humvees valued at $1.6 billion. Humvees feature full-time four-wheel drive, independent suspension, steep approach and departure angles, 60 percent grade ability and 16 inches of ground clearance. Humvees are currently in use by the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy at locations throughout the United States and overseas. In 1992, AM General began production of versions of the Humvee, called the HUMMER, for civilian use. Known as "the world's most serious 4x4," the vehicle has found favor with commercial users who appreciate the value of HUMMER's long life and amazing performance, and individuals who seek the ultimate in toughness and mobility. A line of Hummer limousines has also made its way into the marketplace. Some of the longer stretch Hummer limos can seat up to 26 people and while they're not the most elegant looking of limos, many are virtual party buses. Some common features are hard wood floors, plasma televisions, multiple bar areas, mirrored ceilings (Butters!!), karaoke machines, lightning disks, and strobe lights. Is it any wonder Butters was unable to resist their allure? Zeppelin ... (Referenced by Mac as she complains to Veronica that she fears Butters has hired one for the ride home from prom.) A Zeppelin is a dirigible, or a rigid airship, that is built with an aluminum alloy skeleton, made of rings and longitudinal girders. Within are several separate balloon "cells" containing hydrogen. Power is derived from multiple internal combustion engines that are mounted in nacelles and connected to the skeleton. Steering is performed by adjusting and reversing the engine thrust, as well as using its rudder and fins. A compartment for passengers and crew is built into the bottom of the frame. Today, most rigid airships are unofficially referred to as "zeppelins." In 1898, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, having observed the use of balloons during the Franco-Prussian and American Civil Wars, founded the Gesellschaft zur Frderung der Luftschiffahrt to build the first Zeppelin airship. The ship was based on the design of David Schwarz and, in 1900, the first flight of the LZ1 (Luftschiff Zeppelin) lasted 18 minutes. Unable to convince investors to fund the project, the Count was forced to disassemble the prototype and close his company. Eventually, aviation enthusiasts gave his idea another chance. The LZ2 followed, but was damaged during a storm and then in 1908, the LZ3 became the first successful Zeppelin, drawing the German military's interest. They bought the LZ3, renamed it Z I and used it as a school ship until decommissioning it in 1913. In 1908, the LZ4 attempted to perform a 24 hour trip, but was forced down during a storm, resulting in a fire that burned the ship down. One of the crash witnesses gathered donations from the crowd and the take was enough to enable von Zeppelin to found the Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH and continue with production. In the years that followed, Zeppelins were used for both passenger transport and military operations. The DELAG (Deutsche Luftschiffahrts-AG) purchased many Zeppelins and became arguably the first commercial airline. During World War I, the ships were used for reconnaissance and as bombers. 88 Zeppelins were built during the war, but 60 were lost. Germany's eventual defeat put an end to Zeppelin construction, as the Allies demanded the ships as war reparations. Count von Zeppelin's successor, Hugo Eckener, wasn't ready to give up on the business and built the American ship LZ126, which crossed the Atlantic to Lakehurst, New Jersey. Renamed "USS Los Angeles", President Calvin Coolidge dubbed it "the angel of peace." In 1928, the Graf Zeppelin became the largest to be built, 236.6 m in length with a volume of 105,000 M3. The following year, partially sponsored by William Randolph Hearst, the Graf Zeppelin circumnavigated the globe in less than 22 days. During the next few years, Zeppelins were used for regular transatlantic passenger flights. The business was once again overshadowed by politics as the Nazi dictatorship formed their own airline to use Zeppelins to display the swastika and tour Germany, playing propaganda speeches from the air. Due to a military embargo, the LZ129 "Hindenburg" was filled with flammable hydrogen instead of helium and upon its 1937 landing in Lakehurst, the tail of the ship caught on fire (for undetermined reasons) and the entire ship burst into flames within seconds, killing 36 people. Between this disaster and the political climate, the Zeppelin business was unable to recover. Eventually, in the 1990s, the Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH once again began the construction of airships, now called the Zeppelin NT. The new ships are smaller than the original Zeppelins with only semi-rigid designs and are mostly used for joyrides, research flights and advertising. Film at 11 ... (Referenced by Woody freaking out to Keith about the press coverage should he be found with the unconscious woman.) Originating in television news broadcasting due to the traditional timeslot for U.S. local news broadcast being 11:00 pm, the phrase "Film at 11" often follows a promotion for the newscast highlighting breaking and/or sensational news pieces. These days, one can hear the phrase delivered in an ironic fashion as it comments on mundane events suggesting the earth-shattering nature of such happenings in a sarcastic bent, highlighting the ridiculousness and/or unimportance of the information. In a more general (but less common) usage, "Film at 11" means that more information will follow in the future. 'Can't Get You Outta My Head' ... (Referenced by Gia as the song she to the cute guys you turned out to be dweebs.) "Can't Get You Outta My Head" is a song by Australian artist, Kylie Minogue and released in 2001 on her album Fever. The song quickly became her most popular single ever, selling over one million copies in the U.K. alone and remaining in the top 75 charts for over 25 weeks. It became number one in every European country except for Finland. The song was released in the U.S. in 2002, and its European popularity helped overcome a U.S. snub that has stopped her CDs being sold in the nation since the 1980s. The irony of the song is that the title is eerily appropriate. Though it was popular everywhere, it was quickly voted most annoying song on several polls because once you hear it, you can't get the song out of your head all day. It's also very appropriate to use this song in an episode about stalking. Here are the lyrics: La la la La la la la la La la la La la la la la I just can't get you out of my head Boy your loving is all I think about I just can't get you out of my head Boy it's more than I dare to think about La la la La la la la la I just can't get you out of my head Boy your loving is all I think about I just can't get you out of my head Boy it's more than I dare to think about Every night Every day Just to be there in your arms Won't you stay Won't you lay Stay forever and ever and ever and ever La la la La la la la la La la la La la la la la I just can't get you out of my head Boy your loving is all I think about I just can't get you out of my head Boy it's more than I dare to think about There's a dark secret in me Don't leave me locked in your heart Set me free Feel the need in me Set me free Stay forever and ever and ever and ever La la la La la la la la La la la La la la la la I just can't get you out of my head I just can't get you out of my head I just can't get you out of my head ... "With a capital T, and that rhymes with P, and that stands for..." / The Music Man ... (Referenced by Veronica to Kendall as she leaves Mars Investigations.) A musical with music and lyrics by Meredith Wilson (story by Meredith Wilson and Franklin Lacey), The Music Man opened on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre on December 19, 1957. The Music Man takes place in River City, Iowa, where "Professor" Harold Hill, a traveling salesman, rolls in to town. Hill sells musical instruments and pretends that he will teach youngsters to play and then form a band. Local librarian and piano teacher Marian Paroo sees through him. Having won over both the town officials (by forming them into a barbershop quartet), the ladies of the town (by encouraging them to put on a concert), and Marian herself (by showing kindness to her young brother), Hill decides to stay in town and face the music, and the town forgives him. One of the most popular songs is "Ya Got Trouble," in which Harold Hill convinces the townspeople that pool is a danger to the community and they must do something to keep the young people moral. The chorus: Trouble, oh we got trouble, Right here in River City! With a capital "T" That rhymes with "P" And that stands for Pool, That stands for pool. We've surely got trouble! Right here in River City, Right here! Gotta figger out a way To keep the young ones moral after school! Trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble ... Veronica is riffing on this during this exchange with Kendall: Veronica: Mrs. C., I trust you're well. Kendall: Oh, well if it isn't Little Miss Teen Getaway. Your dad and I were just dealing with a little trouble. Veronica: Like, Trouble? With a capital "T" that rhymes with "C" that stands for -- Keith: Veronica! Veronica: I was gonna say "cute." Sure you were, Veronica. Kyle Minogue ... (Referenced by Veronica when telling Keith about Gia's karaoke adventures.) Kylie Minogue is often considered to be Australia's version of Madonna. She started her career in 1987 with the album Kylie featuring her re-make of The Locomotion which became a worldwide hit single. Since then she has continued to reinvent herself and her music in order to survive internationally for almost twenty years. Kylie Minogue is also the only artist -- besides Madonna - to have U.K. number one hits in the eighties, nineties and new millennium. Hence, the Madonna comparisons. Kylie started the trend in Australian music to use the soapie Neighbours as an introduction to the European market in order to launch her music career. She was followed over a decade later by the likes of Natalie Imbruglia and Delta Goodrem. (I'm convinced people only watch Neighbours to play Spot The Future Pop Star.) When Kylie's second album Enjoy Yourself fell flat in the U.S., Geffen Records decided to stop releasing her albums despite her European, Asian and Australasian popularity. It wasn't until Kylie's 2001 On a Night Like This Tour became the most successful arena tour by a female artist EVER that U.S. record companies started to rethink releasing Minogue's music. Can't Get You Outta My Head from the album Fever became number one in almost every European country in 2001 and that's when Parlophone records decided to "risk it" and release her album Fever in the U.S. (2002). Not only did the album get rave reviews and sell well, but Kylie was rewarded by a country that had snubbed her for fifteen years with a Grammy win in the category of Best Dance Recording for her song "Come Into My World." She has collaborated with some of the best in the music industry, including Nick Cave (The Wild Rose), Robbie Williams (Kids) and Justin Timberlake (remember that famous ass grab at the British music awards '03?). But apart from her music Minogue has acted (badly) in several movies, including: Mortal Kombat and Moulin Rouge as the Green Fairy. She also has her own lingerie and clothing lines. And yes, Madonna has worn a 'Kylie' shirt when she performed at the European Music Awards once. We get it, they like each other. Mission Impossible/Dangling from Cables Scene ... (Referenced by Gia about Veronica's techno stuff for investigating.) Mission Impossible (1996) is a film based on a television series set in the spy world. The film is directed by Brian De Palma and stars Tom Cruise and Jon Voight. Cruise plays a spy who gets framed as a mole in the C.I.A. and must team up with criminals in order to find the real mole and clear his own name. In one memorable scene Cruise breaks into a building by being lowered from ceiling cables. When Ving Rhames accidentally loses control of the cables, Cruise is lowered too far and has to acrobatically stop himself from touching (or sweating) on the floor to prevent security being alerted about his presence. The scene is easily recognized in parody form, much like The Matrix fight sequences. One memorable parody can be found in Shrek 2 when Pinocchio uses his strings to dive into a cell and save Shrek, getting himself all tangled up in the process. Tom Cruise ... (Referenced by Gia about Veronica's techno stuff for investigating.) Tom Cruise was born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV in 1962. His earliest ambition was to become a priest (which is funny considering his future) but when he reached high school he discovered his love for acting. Born on July 3rd, 1962, in Syracuse, NY, Cruise moved to New York City in 1980, holding down odd jobs until his first movie break with a minor role in 1981's Endless Love. His fame continued to grow, followed by such hits as Top Gun (1986), Rain Man (1988), Mission Impossible (1996), Jerry Maguire (1996), etc. As one of Hollywood's most powerful and popular actors, Cruise continues to star as the lead in movies to this day, his most recent being the blockbuster War of the Worlds (2005). He's been married three times. His first wife was Mimi Rogers who he left in 1990 for Nicole Kidman. His second marriage was arguably more successful: They adopted two children (Isabella and Connor) and had an intensely private personal life for ten years until they divorced in 2001. One of the reasons for their divorce was that Nicole (a Catholic) had problems with how intense Tom was becoming about his religion, Scientology (which he converted to in 1990 because he claimed it cured his dyslexia). Strangely, this intensely private man all of a sudden became a lover of all things media when he started his relationship with his third -- and current -- wife, Katie Holmes (see the graphic I got from this blog because it amused me so). TomKat -- as they are called -- have become a media tycoon's wet dream ever since Tom jumped up and down on Oprah's couch shouting madly that he was in lurrrrrvvvee. Debate sprung up about whether they were really in love, if Katie was just knocked up or if it was all a publicity stunt to sell Batman Begins (her summer flick) and Missing Impossible: III (his summer flick). The most obvious sticking point became clear when Katie said in an interview that she used to have a crush on Tom when she was little and even had a Top Gun poster on her wall. The age gap seemed larger because Holmes is most famous for her role in the teen series Dawson's Creek. The gap is probably the most normal part of their relationship considering the fact the media's most recent TomKat discussions were about whether or not Scientology would let Katie have drugs for the pain of pregnancy. And we care ... why? (See sweetiepie1019's list 'o reasons why ...) Ah, there IS no people like show people. Mitsubishi Galant (Referenced as the car Leo is driving while working undercover protecting Gia.) Manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors since 1969, the Galant is a mid-size vehicle available in a 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan, and a 4-door station wagon. It is comparable to the Ford Fusion, the Toyota Camry, the Nissan Altima, and the Pontiac G-6. Since it's introduction in 1969, the Galant has gone through nine generations of design, and over twenty different models sold in the U.S., Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The 2002 model featured on the show is from the last production year of the eighth-generation, which were powered by an enlarged 2.5 litre V6 twin turbo. The car could be had with either a conventional 5-speed manual or advanced, self-learning 5-speed tiptronic semi-automatic transmission known as "INVECS-II." Netflix Queue (Referenced by Veronica as what she is doing online rather than looking up the license plate of Gia's stalker vehicle.) Netflix is the first and largest major online DVD rental service, offering flat rate rental-by-mail to customers in the United States. Headquartered in Los Gatos, California, it has amassed a collection of over 60,000 titles, and has around 5 million subscribers. When a subscriber creates an account with Netflix, they are afforded the opportunity to browse the entire catalog and create an ordered list, called a rental queue, of DVDs to rent. As Veronica mentioned, the subscriber has the ability to arrange the list of the DVDs in the queue to determine the order in which the DVDs will be delivered. The DVDs are delivered individually by way of the U.S. Postal Service from an array of 39 regional warehouses in 28 states. A subscriber keeps a rented DVD as long as desired, but has a limit on the number of DVDs that can be checked out at any one time. To rent a new DVD, the subscriber mails the previous one back to Netflix in a prepaid mailing envelope. Upon receipt of the disc, Netflix ships the next disc in the subscriber's rental queue. Spelunking ... (Referenced by the actual face Veronica was making (as opposed to the making out with a broken bottle and OUCH!) Spelunking is the exploration and exploring of caves. Mark Twain in the novel Innocents Abroad stated "Cave is a good word... The memory of a cave I used to know was always in my mind, with its lofty passages, its silence and solitude, its shrouding gloom, its sepulchral echoes, its fleeting lights, and more than all, its sudden revelations..." Hmmmm, this doesn't suggest Veronica's mind to me or the upcoming flirtation she indulges in with Logan. I have to wonder why the word spelunking popped into Veronica's mind there. Wait -- it is a good description of the incomprehensible place we know of as Duncan's personality. And she was asking about Duncan's sexual conquests. Dear Duncan, You know I'm not a fan but seriously if thoughts of being with you bring thoughts of silence and gloom to Veronica, I would like to gift you with this subscription to Cosmopolitan. Please read thoroughly - paying particular attention to the How To articles. Sincerely, a concerned viewer. James Bond ... (Referenced by Wallace about his tux .) James Bond is a fictional British spy, created by author Ian Fleming. The character, a smooth ladies man and fearless agent, went on to become the focal point of several novels, twenty major motion pictures, video games, comics, and parodies (Austin Powers). In the films, several actors have played the role over the years including Sean Connery, Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan. To this day the Bond stories continue to draw the interest, and revenue, of audiences. Cletus ... (Referenced by Wallace about how he won't look in his tux.) Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel, voiced by Hank Azaria, is a character on the long-running animated TV show "The Simpsons". Introduced in the season five episode "Bart Gets an Elephant", Cletus is a stereotypical hillbilly or "redneck." As such, Cletus generally sports a traditional redneck wifebeater tank top that exposes a snake and skull tattoo on his left arm, has weird hair and only a few teeth. Cletus, whose given name is either Spuckler or Del Roy (he's been listed as both, so there is some confusion), gained his nickname when Lisa complained about "slack-jawed yokels" gawking at Bart's elephant, Stampy -- Cletus was the aforementioned yokel doing the gawking. As he was once introduced in song, complete with a follow-the-bouncing-ball: Some folk'll never eat a skunk and then again some folk'll, like Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel! Most folk'll never lose a toe but then again some folk'll, like Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel! Cletus has 26 children: Tiffany, Heather, Cody, Dylan, Dermot, Jordan, Taylor, Brittany, Wesley, Rumer, Scout, Cassidy, Zoe, Chloe, Max, Hunter, Kendall, Caitlin, Noah, Sascha, Morgan, Kyra, Ian, Lauren, Q-bert, Phil, as well as a wife, Brandine, who may or may not be his sister. Cletus and Brandine also have a daughter named Condolleezza Marie, who was somehow switched with a bag of sugar that Homer had been carrying around for a week. They also have a daughter named Rubella Scabies, whose middle name was supplied by Lisa when she was trying out for the annual spelling bee. Willie Randolph (Referenced by Jackie to Terrance when giving him the latest sports news on a hospital visit.) Willie Larry Randolph, born July 6, 1954 in Holly Hill, South Carolina, is the current manager of the New York Mets and was a second baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets between 1975 and 1992. Randolph was known as a top lead-off man, a skilled bunter, and a patient hitter who drew over 80 walks 7 times, and was selected for 6 All Star games over the span of his career. He was also an outstanding defensive player, known especially for his ability to turn the double play. However, he never received the Gold Glove, which was perennially awarded to his more acrobatic contemporaries Frank White and Lou Whitaker. From March 4th, 1986 until July 12th 1989, Randolph served as co-captain of the Yankees, along with Ron Guidry, and as sole captain until October 2nd, 1989. Randolph was a coach for the New York Yankees for 11 seasons. In 2004, Randolph was named the manager for the Mets beginning with the 2005 season. Randolph earned his first win as a manager on April 10, 2005 in a 6-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves. The win halted a five game losing streak to start the 2005 season. He then guided the Mets to 5 straight victories, giving the Mets their first six game winning streak since August of 2003. Randolph ended his first season as manager of the 2005 Mets with a 83-79 record, the first time the franchise has finished over .500 since 2001. That record got them a tie for third place in the National League East. Letterman Jacket ... (Referenced by Veronica as what the stalker is wearing while filming Gia at the game.) A letter jacket is a jacket traditionally worn by high school and college students in the United States to represent school and team pride. It is usually made of wool and leather, with the wearer's name stitched on the breast, and the sport(s) and/or activities(s) in which the wearer participates stitched on one arm (sometimes referred to as "Varsity Jackets"). A letterman, in U.S. sports, is a high school or college athlete who has met a specified level of participation on a varsity athletic team. Letter jackets are usually produced in the school colors. The letter jacket derives its name from the letter or letters on its left breast, which are almost always the initials of the high school or college the jacket came from. For example, a letter jacket from Jersey High School would have a large J on the left breast. The term comes from the practice of awarding each such participant a cloth "letter", which is usually the school's initial or initials, for placement on a "letter sweater" or "letter jacket" intended for the display of such an award. In some instances, the sweater or jacket itself may also be awarded, especially for the initial award to a given individual. In order to distinguish "lettermen" from other team participants, schools often establish a minimum level of participation in a team's matches in order for a letter to be awarded. A common threshold in football and basketball is participation in a set level, often half, of all quarters in a season. (To meet this standard in a ten game season, one would have to have participated in at least twenty of the forty quarters played.) In individual sports such as tennis and golf, the threshold for lettering is generally participation in one half or sometimes one third of all matches contested. Frequently, other members of the team who fail to meet requirements for a letter are awarded a certificate of participation or other award considered to be of lesser value than a letter. This term is not gender-specific; a qualifying participant in women's basketball or other women's sports is properly referred to as a letterman, as would be a qualifying female participant on a co-educational sports team. In recent decades this concept has been extended to other competitions which are not technically sports, and "letters" are now often awarded for participation in events such as band and debate. Gucci ... (Referenced by Jackie about the dress knockoff while hanging out with her dad at the hospital.) Gucci or more specifically the House of Gucci is an Italian haute couture establishment. It was founded by Guccio Gucci (1881-1953) in Florence in 1921. It began as a small, family-owned saddlery and leather goods store but by the 1960's it had become a fashion icon with it's famous GG logo (Guccio Gucci's initials), the Flora silk scarf (worn prominently by Hollywood actress Grace Kelly), and the Jackie O. shoulder bag, made famous by Jackie Kennedy, the wife of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Gucci remained one of the premier luxury goods establishments in the world until the late 1970s, when a series of disastrous business decisions and family quarrels brought the company to the verge of bankruptcy. After a series of upheavals in management, public share offerings and takeovers, Gucci is once again receiving critical acclaim. Creative designer Frida Giannini's Spring 2006 collection was lauded for its color and energy, recreating the buzz around the company's ready-to-wear. Birds and the Bees (Referenced by Jackie as she tells her dad she learned about them the hard way.) "The birds and the bees" is a commonly used phrase that refers to parents' bumbling attempts to educate their children about sex. Typically, squeamish parents will use metaphors from nature to explain the symbolic aspects of sex, but fail to offer any biological explanations or insightful information for their child. For example, in the movie Now and Then, the character Chrissy asks her mother about sex and is answered with the following: "All women have a garden, and a garden needs a big hose to water it ... or a small hose ... as long as it works." Paris (Referenced by Jackie as she tells her dad Wallace knows she's going to France.) 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." Have Gun, Will Travel ... (Referenced by Veronica as she waits for Keith to come help her rescue Gia and decides "Have taser, will travel" when he takes too long to get there.) Have Gun, Will Travel was a hit CBS television series that aired from 1957-1963 and starred Richard Boone as Paladin, a gentleman gunslinger for hire in the post-Civil War West. Self-named after the officers of Charlemagne's medieval court, Paladin was a former Army officer and West Point graduate. What mostly set him apart from other fictional Wild West gunfighters was that Paladin was richly educated -- as knowledgeable in ancient history and classic literature as he was proficient with his custom-made six-shooter. Residing at the Carlton Hotel in San Francisco, Paladin charged a steep $1,000 for his services. His calling card, as well as his weapons, sported the image of a white knight chess piece. The card's inscription: "Have Gun, Will Travel...Wire Paladin, San Francisco." Responses to his offer were delivered to Paladin by the hotel's Chinese bellhop, Hey Boy (Kam Tong). Dressing himself all in black, rather than the usual hero's white attire, he would carry out his mission using his intellect and insight to outwit his enemies, killing only as a last resort. The show's theme song, "The Ballad of Paladin", sung by Johnny western, became a hit single in the early 1960s. In addition, a successful radio series produced 106 episodes from 1958-1960. The phrase itself is often paraphrased frequently in film, television and novel form. In fact, it was the inspiration for the spoiler forum title of this board, "Have Spoilers, Will Speculate." Kuwait/Iraq ... (Referenced by Lucky talking to Gia in the journalism room after school hours.) Kuwait or Kowait, is an independent sheikhdom with an estimated population of 2,336,000. It is 6,177 sq mi, NE on the Arabian peninsula, at the head of the Persian Gulf. Kuwait is bounded by Saudi Arabia on the south and by Iraq on the north and west. The capital is Al-Kuwait, or Kuwait, a modern city. The capital's port, Mina al-Ahmad, is a trade center with shipyards and oil refineries. The population is predominantly Arab; however, somewhat more than half the population are non-Kuwaitis. Native Kuwaitis have an extremely high per capita income, pay no taxes, and enjoy numerous social services. Since the development of the oil industry, large numbers of foreigners have found employment in Kuwait. The country is a monarchy governed under a constitution promulgated in 1963. The sheikh, the hereditary monarch of the Mubarak line of the ruling al-Sabah family, serves as head of state. A prime minister is appointed by the sheikh to head the government; until 2003 the prime minister traditionally was the crown prince. The unicameral national assembly has 50 members who are elected by popular vote. There are no official political parties, although several political groups act as de facto parties. Administratively, the country is divided into five governorates. Kuwait has the third largest oil reserves in the world after Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The main concession for oil exploitation was held by a joint British-American firm until 1974, when Kuwait took control of most of the operations; it had previously retained a large part of the oil profits. Much of the profits have been devoted to the modernization of living conditions and education in the country. As a side note: One of the Urban Dictionary definitions for "Kuwait" is, having or giving off heat and/or causing a burning or hotness. Example sentence relevant to Veronica Mars: Logan Echolls and Veronica Mars create some serious kuwait. As for Iraq: The Republic of Iraq is a Middle Eastern country in southwestern Asia encompassing most of Mesopotamia as well as the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range and the eastern part of the Syrian Desert. It shares borders with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the west, Syria to the northwest, Turkey to the north, and Iran (Persia) to the east. Baghdad is the nation's capital. There are several suggestions for the origin of the name of Iraq; one dates back to the Sumerian city of Uruk (or Erech). Another suggestion is that Iraq comes from the Aramaic language, meaning "the land along the banks of the rivers." Iraq was first widely introduced into the casual discussion in the United States during The Gulf War (often referred to as "Desert Storm") in 1991. Since then, the U.S. has been in and out of various battles and skirmishes with leaders and factions of religion in the country. Today, the United States (as led by the Bush Administration) is at war with Iraq with over 2,000 U.S. soldiers having already lost their lives. As to why we are at war with Iraq -- you'll have to check with our President -- his reasons vary depending on how much truthful information has made its way to the public. Party Pig ... (Referenced by Dick as he carries and drinks from it during the party.) The Party Pig, Dick's date to the alterna-prom, is a self-contained reusable beer dispenser capable of holding 2.25 gallons of beer. Manufactured by Quoin for direct sale to craft brewers and homebrew supply shops, the Pig is made up of an amber PET plastic bottle with a valve attached for dispensing. A carrying strap and support tray are included for easy transport. Once beer and priming sugars have been poured into the Pig, a non-reusable pressure pouch is placed inside the bottle to float in the beer. The dispensing valve is then attached to the bottle and, using a pump, the bottle is then pressurized to 10-15 pounds per square inch. This activates the pouch, whose purpose it is to keep the beer fresh and carbonated. The pouch contains food grade chemicals that mix to produce carbon dioxide, which maintains the pressure in the bottle as the beer is dispensed. The gas remains in the pouch, but does not contact the beer, so there is no impact to the beer's flavor. It's probable that its porcine name comes from its resemblance to a headless, tailless, legless pig. Space Elevator ... (Referenced by Butters in the crowded Grand Neptune elevator when commentary is offered regarding the length of the elevator ride.) A hypothetical structure that serves to transport materials from a planet's surface into space itself, the space elevator has had several different conceptual designs proposed all sharing the same mission: Replace rocket propulsion with the traversal of a fixed structure using a mechanism similar to an elevator. Other designations include beanstalks, space bridges, space lifts, space ladders or orbital towers, but space elevator is the most commonly-known name -- owing, no doubt, to the fact that essentially the structure would simply be that -- an elevator into space. Googolplex ... (Referenced by Veronica in relation to the (extremely low) odds Dick has at scoring with her.) In mathematics, the googolplex is a very, and by very I mean very, large number. However in order to understand the googolplex, one must first understand the googol. A googol is the number 10100 which is the digit 1 followed by one hundred zeros. For visual purposes, 1 googol = 10100 =10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. Now a googolplex is even larger than the googol. A googolplex is the digit 1 followed by a googol zeros (think 1010,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000). In simpler terms, Dick may as well give up his dream at ever getting the chance to fool around with Veronica. Sorry Dick, better stick with your party pig! 'Alone Again? Naturally' ... (Referenced by Logan and Veronica at the alterna-prom.) Written by Gilbert O'Sullivan in 1972, "Alone Again (Naturally)" is the Irish singer-songwriter's most famous song, depressingly morose though it is. The song spent six weeks at #1 on the Billboard charts. It also can be heard on the Virgin Suicides soundtrack, which Veronica was listening to in Donut Run. Read the lyrics and listen to the melody here. - Back to back, we had Keith telling Woody that him owing Keith was a good thing and then Veronica telling Gia, Woody's daughter, that her owing Veronica was a good marker. - Mac really attracts the younger fellas, doesn't she? Beaver's a junior and Butters is only a sophomore. - "I don't believe you." Keith's sing-song recitation of the line was hilarious! - The fact that Logan used "blue eyes" to describe Duncan is amusing because that is quite possibly the ONLY memorable thing about him. Okay, I suppose Logan could have said "sister-fucker," but you can't say "fucker" on network television. - As Logan discussed how he knew that Duncan was "getting some" (and eww!), he did an adorable nose scrunch. - Yes, yes, I know that this is fanwanking, but until proven otherwise, I'm going to enjoy this as proof that yes, indeed, the Donut couldn't find his way around a bed properly even if he were dipped in chocolate icing. As Logan commented that DK didn't talk about his sex life, Veronica slightly rolled her eyes, looking away as if "yeah, not much to talk about there." Hey, works for me! Anything that seemingly disses the Donut boy, I take wholeheartedly as a diss ... especially if it comes from Veronica. - Logan's reference about Veronica smelling like "marshmallows" is a nice throwback to the Pilot where Wallace called Veronica a "marshmallow." (A description that has been used often to describe the character in fandom since.) - The cover of the alterna-prom invite with the word "prom" enclosed in a circle with a line through it. - Veronica's replacement of "cute" for a different four-letter word that begins with "c" that we were all thinking of is a little throwback to the unaired section from the Pilot where Logan was carving "c - u " into the hood of Veronica's car with the tire iron when Weevil stopped him with the comment, "Yeah, I think she's cute too." Considering the timeframe, we all know that "cute" is not the word that Logan was carving. Hmm, in a rather sick way, yet another similarity between Logan and Veronica. - Gia described Leo as "mumbly." That is one description that 99% of the Veronica Mars viewership attributes (often) to Leo. - Keith's casual recitation of the school subjects he didn't do well in ... so cute! - Mr. Wu. One scene, still, he's just awesome. Martin Yu does a wonderful job with how he uses elocution and the phrasing of his lines. Talk about making the most of a very little. - Speaking of ... Mr. Wu paused right before he offered that Logan was "late." Logan commented then that Wu's attitude is what happened when you didn't get -- same pause that Wu used -- "laid." Nice bit of symmetry there by Jason Dohring. - The pan of Kendall's legs in Keith's office at Mars Investigations. It was similar to the reveal of the Russian mobster's legs in Ruskie Business offering a nod to the noir elements of the show. It also brought to mind Lynn's reveal as she walked into Keith's office in An Echolls Family Business. - Madison and Mac said, in the exact same tone, "Thank God" when the elevators opened. Considering Madison was raised by Mac's biological mother, that tends to blur the lines between nature over nurture. - Logan is wearing a rose in his lapel. How dashing! - Veronica grabbed the drink that Gia got from Madison right before she drank it, remembering Madison's little trick of taking "a trip to the dentist." - Instead of just sitting on the bench where Veronica was, Logan ahem, straddled it. Mmhmm, yum. - Perhaps owing a smidgeon to Veronica's reaction, the first part of Logan's speech to Veronica was essentially a more heartfelt, less Dickish wording of what Dick had said to Madison (his ex) earlier -- which Veronica had overheard. - The Little League trophies and former Little League team photographs in Woody's office. - Veronica's Cliff-like utterance of "tawdry." - Just before Veronica gets to Logan's door in the final scene, in the right hand corner you can see a black bra hanging from some raised bit of architecture. (Not to mention the mess of other clothing and debris on the floor.) - After all the earlier banter about Logan being unable to read Veronica's facial expressions, I think there's no doubt how accurately he can read it in that final scene. - Was Woody's indiscretion with the campaign worker real or part of a plot against Keith? It seemed odd and out of the blue. With the timing of it being right after Keith's mixed it up with Liam, could Woody -- like every other shady character in town -- be affiliated with the Fitzpatricks and/or Kendall? - Did contracting Chlamydia from Duncan finally alter Veronica's perception of Boy Wonder? - From whom did Duncan catch Chlamydia? - What specifically caused Veronica to return to the Neptune Grand? - How did Kendall end up at the Neptune Grand? Did Logan call her or did she just show up? - Did Logan and Kendall actually have sex? - What was Lucky going to tell Keith about Woody? - Is Madison still conducting her clandestine affair with Lamb? - In the final scene, what was Logan going to say to Veronica before she told him to stop? - Like Keith asked, did Big Dick know about Kendall's second home? - What did Jackie mean when she said she "learned the birds and the bees the hard way?" - Why did Veronica casually acknowledge Lucky by name as if she knew him? She needed Logan to tell her who she was a few episodes ago. - Where does one purchase a "party pig?" - Why did Meg Manning's father bail Lucky out of jail? - Who leaked the newspaper article about Terrance Cook throwing the championship baseball game? - Since the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant model does not vary significantly in body shape or design from other eighth-generation models (see Social Science entry), how on earth was Veronica able to determine, based on that crappy video footage, what year the car was? - The man whom hired Sugar Jones to steal Cliff's briefcase is Aaron Echolls' former cellmate. - Logan's feelings for Hannah were clearly insignificant, considering the dismissive nature with which he treated Veronica's comment. Hee! holly96 (Holly): Literature; Social Science JenniferH: Report Card; Chemistry; Band Class; Social Science; Homeroom; Principles of Democracy Katrina: Literature; Social Science Iluvyoubearymuch (Kathryn): Literature; Homeroom; Philosophy; Principles of Democracy Pixigal (Gerrie): Drama Club; Social Science PolarTruckin (Belinda): Literature; Social Science; Homeroom ramwitz (Margarita): Yearbook; Social Science; Homeroom SeluciaV (Alli): Journalism; Study Hall; Literature; Social Science; Philosophy Tar Frimmer (Joanne): Extra Credit; Literature; Social Science; Study Hall; Homeroom; Philosophy
kdeweb	Re: Case File #42: Look Who's Stalking	#1	[-]
Posts: 376 (04/29/06 23:33:36) Logan\|Sex&Snark Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Jennifer, you did such an amazing job on the Chemistry section. I am in tears after reading your analysis of their train of thought throughout their scenes together. I should be going to bed and getting some sleep about now. But I am going to get up and go watch 'Look Who's Stalking' yet again. I know I have been quite critical of Ms. Mars this week. But it is very slanted due to the fact that I have been rewatching this season from the first episode. I agree that Veronica has been in absolute denial as to her feelings for Logan. And she is at the point where it is physically painful for her to supress them. I only hope that she is able to overcome her hurt and anger over the booty call and gets to the point that Logan is now at. He has forgiven her for how she treated him all year. *Quote:* He's accepted that he is still completely head over heels for Veronica and is pretty much incapable of hiding it, let alone denying it. I only hope she does it quickly so that we can get some more schmoopy LoVe scenes before the vast wasteland known as summer and no new VM arrives. My LiveJournal (www.kdeweb.com)
Vicki	Re: Case File #42: Look Who's Stalking	#2	[-]
Posts: 107 (04/30/06 06:34:10) Logan\|Sex&Snark Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	*Quote:* Logan, Logan, Logan. You dumbass! Gee, my thoughts exactly. The very same words I nearly shouted at the TV screen while watching the episode. The only thing that stopped me was my mom in the room next door. *Quote:* The Music Man takes place in River City, Indiana, where "Professor" Harold Hill, a travelling salesman, rolls in to town. Only because I'm a nerd, and I've been in the show (plus I went to see my best friend in it last night)...The Music Man takes place in River City, Iowa. Although, it's easy to get confused, since there are songs both called, Iowa Stubborn, and Gary, Indiana. So I could easily see the mix-up. *Quote:* How did Kendall end up at the Neptune Grand? Did Logan call her or did she just show up? I wondered the same thing. It amazes me how she always manages to show up at the very worst possible times. *Quote:* Logan's feelings for Hannah were clearly insignificant, considering the dismissive nature with which he treated Veronica's comment. Hee! One word for that one: YAY! -------------------- varsityletter icons I think when they start shipping your girlfriends off, you're officially a bad boy.
sweetiepie1019	Re: Case File #42: Look Who's Stalking	#3	[-]
Posts: 892 (04/30/06 15:36:35) LoVe Addicted Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Found it! Wow, I feel so cool, being quoted. I couldn't read the whole thing, though I did read a lot, and skimmed through the rest, and may I say, I have MAJOR respect for you all. I can barely write an English paper, never mind that sort of thing every week. You seriously rock! Madison was on top of her game that night. Or, really, the writers were having some fun screwing with her. The second one, I think. A lot of people are screwing with Madison lately, huh? Sorry, I couldn't resist. This episode has led me to a conclusion that I've been avoiding for a while now. To quote Lamb, "Veronica Mars is smarter than me." While this was always a given, I just really got that if I were in the same school as V and Logan, they would probably regard on Madison-intelligence level. How did I come to this depressing conclusion? I was watching Gia, and realized that she is me. I know. How sad is that? Though I do give myself enough credit to know how to describe a silver car, anyway. And my skirt has never been that short in my life. Still. I'm quite sad. I was always hoping I was at least at Mac's level, minus the comp smarts. It's time to face the truth, however. I. Am. Gia. Sorry, I'm really done now. Awesome stuff, guys!
JenniferH	Re: Case File #42: Look Who's Stalking	#4	[-]
Posts: 7896 (04/30/06 15:41:06) A-Dohring Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	You actually have Belinda to thank for the quoting. She wrote up the TomKat part of the social science and added "and we care ... why?" This immediately made me think of that thread and your list and I just HAD to link to it, LOL! Tomorrow is another day ... My LJ
sweetiepie1019	Re: Case File #42: Look Who's Stalking	#5	[-]
Posts: 892 (04/30/06 17:47:30) LoVe Addicted Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	holds up Aaron's Oscar Thank you, everyone. I'd like to think Belinda for putting together the Tom Cruise reference. Your name is the same as the crazy chick in VM. You're cooler than her, though. And not crazy. Sorry, off topic. You rock! Also, I'd like to thank Jennifer H. I mean, it's obvious you're cool, because we have the same name. But you've become that much cooler in my eyes because you saw potential in my list, and you posted it. And finally, I have to thank Tom Cruise. If you weren't such a Scientology-lovin' freak, I'd have no list to write. Your craziness inspires us all. I'll pray that you get some help real soon. As Mac says, "Prayer works!" glances down at Oscar Ok, seriously, who left blood on my Oscar! Oh, God, Donut! Donut, did you do this to my Oscar? You'd think spreading VD everywhere you go would be enough for you, but no ... Ok, SWEAR TO GOD, I'm done now! It popped into my head and I just couldn't help myself. hangs head I really do love these breakdowns. When my exams are over in a couple weeks, if you guys need help, I will totally do whatever you ask. Man, am I power-mad or what? Just from having one post. You probably shouldn't let me do any more ... Ah, well. The offer stands.
katrina	Re: Case File #42: Look Who's Stalking	#6	[-]
Posts: 684 (04/30/06 19:25:49) LoVe Addicted Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	sweetiepie1019, Bwah! That acceptance speech....was hilarious! Kat :)
sweetiepie1019	Re: Case File #42: Look Who's Stalking	#7	[-]
Posts: 892 (04/30/06 19:30:19) LoVe Addicted Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Aw, thanks. Look! I'm all blushing. I must add to my first post: Is Madison really on top of her game? Sorry. I'm shutting up now. Really. Truly. I am. blinks innocently I shouldn't drink so much damn coffee ...
PolarTruckin	Re: Case File #42: Look Who's Stalking	#8	[-]
Posts: 1737 (07/24/06 23:58:48) A-Dohring Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I was just rewatching the locker scene from this episode and noticed that the Alterna Prom was held on Friday, May 13th. Black Friday. Eeeek. Monsters really do crawl into your bed on Black Friday. No wonder thinks went bad for LoVe, can't they pick a nice day . . . like Good Friday to make their grand declarations? Not that I'm superstitious whistles B xx ((\| Slightly Askew \| My LiveJournal \|))

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Case File #42: Look Who's Stalking

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