Episode #03.15: Papa's Cabin
Original Air Date: February 27, 2007
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) (None)
Study Hall (Miscellaneous Plot Details)
Extra Credit (Clues to the Season Mystery Arcs)
History (Flashbacks)
Band Class (The Music of Veronica Mars)
Literature (LoVe Lines/In Memory/Quotable Quotes)
Social Science (In Reference To ... Pop Culture & The World)
Homeroom (On Second Viewing, Get a Clue)
Pep Squad Practice (Ambiguously (Or Not) Gay Logan Moments) (None)
Detention (While the Censors Were Out to Lunch ...) (None)
Philosophy (Unanswered Questions)
Principles of Democracy (Hindsight is 20/20) (None)
Extra Curricular Activities (Beyond the Broadcast) (None)
Role Call (Written/Compiled By ...)
Staff Grade: B
Membership Median Grade: C
Well, here we have the end to another mystery arc and for the first time, it's a let-down. Whatever problems viewers had with the rushed conclusions of Leave it to Beaver, Not Pictured and Spit & Eggs, one had to admit that they were dang exciting, suspenseful and left the audience with racing hearts and breathless with how well it all came together. Sadly, the same can so very much not be said for this conclusion. Which is a shame because -- for the first time since Lilly's death -- the mystery revolved around a character that many viewers loved and the beginning of the arc was quite intriguing. However, the interest just dissipated in the last few episodes and this oh, so lackluster finish does nothing to renew excitement in the whodunnit.
Of course, it doesn't help that there is actually no true motive for murder, there is little involvement with much of the cast and that the beginning of a new relationship {gag} is about as interesting as watching paint dry ... white paint at that. Wallace is once again barely onscreen, merely fulfilling his role as this season's exposition boy. Logan appears in the above zzzz's-inducing relationship in just a few short scenes. Mac ain't around, neither is Weevil, nor Dick. (And we could have used some of his lame-ass sophomoric humor this go-round.) Unfortunately, Parker is around. Shudder and snore. Lamb is, of course, dead, leaving Keith as the new Sheriff in town, but one who has NO problem with his daughter's illegal activities. Sigh. The only non-attendee of a cast member who causes joy is Piz.
The only true positives that can be found here are some of the moments between Keith and Veronica (especially the final scene); before the reveal, the Veronica/Tim sleuthing is amusing and the lone LoVe scene is ripe with subtext and allows some hope that their arc is not over. The mystery details do all fall into place, but it's just so bland and sits there. This is one Veronica Mars denouement episode that will not be remembered for very long.
Credited Cast Non-Appearance
Ryan Hansen - Dick Casablancas
Chris Lowell - Stosh "Piz" Piznarski
Tina Majorino - Cindy "Mac" Mackenzie
Michael Muhney - Sheriff Don Lamb
Francis Capra - Eli "Weevil" Navarro
Recurring Guest Stars (Previous Episode Appearances)
Ed Begley Jr. - Cyrus O'Dell
- Wichita Linebacker
- President Evil
- Hi, Infidelity
- Lord of the Pi's
- Spit & Eggs
Patrick Fabian - Professor Hank Landry
- Welcome Wagon
- Hi, Infidelity
- Of Vice and Men
- Spit & Eggs
- Show Me the Monkey
- Postgame Mortem
- Mars, Bars
Brandon Hillock - Deputy Sacks
- Season One Appearances
- Season Two Appearances
- Welcome Wagon
- President Evil
- Lord of the Pi's
- Spit & Eggs
- Show Me the Monkey
- Poughkeepsie, Tramps & Thieves
- Postgame Mortem
- Mars, Bars
James Jordan - Tim Foyle
- Welcome Wagon
- President Evil
- Hi, Infidelity
- Spit & Eggs
- There's Got to Be a Morning After Pill
Jaime Ray Newman - Mindy O'Dell
- President Evil
- Hi, Infidelity
- Spit & Eggs
- Show Me the Monkey
- There's Got to Be a Morning After Pill
- Postgame Mortem
- Mars, Bars
Guest Stars
Jesse James - J. D. Sansone
Dendrie Taylor - Mrs. Sansone
Who's Who in Neptune
J. D. Sansone - Teenager who knew Hank Landry and whose mother allegedly provided Landry's alibi.
Mrs. Sansone - J. D.'s mother, allegedly provided Hank Landry's alibi.
Highlights
Patrick Fabian (Hank Landry) - Before this episode, Patrick Fabian struck me as a one note actor. He played a kind of smooth unctuousness particularly well, but never went below the surface. This episode demands more of him, and he mostly delivers.
I think my favorite moment of Fabian's in the entire episode is this small one: When Sacks and the other cop come into Landry's classroom, he's so clearly flustered, he stops mid-sentence, blinks, and collects himself. It just feels so real. As for his "big" scene, I know some people felt uncomfortable with the intensity of Fabian's breakdown on the yacht. I found it a gusty, daring choice, raw and painful. The expulsion of breath after "she fell" and especially the way he bares his teeth in a mouth-stretching grimace, almost a rictus of death, as he gets caught on the words, "It was dark, I looked, but," it all feels painfully real. He killed his lover and he can't stand that it happened. He's literally choking on the words. Before this point, Fabian has only shown slight, momentary cracks in his suave faade, so I honestly didn't know that he could go this deep, become this vulnerable. That's not an easy thing. By bringing the character to his knees here, Fabian gives a memorable performance.
James Jordan (Tim Foyle) - At the beginning of the season, I was unsure about Rob Thomas' choice to reuse James Jordan, and especially uncertain whether Jordan would succeed in creating a different character from crazy Lucky the Neptune High janitor with PTSD. But by this episode, he has truly inhabited the distinctly unique Tim Foyle, the twitchy, overly cerebral TA who can at least temporarily outthink Veronica. James Jordan created a complete, well-thought characterization, and made his scenes in this episode a pleasure to watch.
His affect changes through the course of the episode, as well. At the beginning, he's fumbling and stumbling, his geeky nervousness evident in tics of speech, gestures (pushing his glasses up on his nose, adjusting his collar, etc.), and a whole lot of blinking. When he begins working with Veronica, his academic air is hilariously out of place in the field. But by the time they show Keith the photo from Landry's apartment, Tim is at ease with Veronica, and Jordan shows it in his comfortable delivery and overlapping dialogue with her. The final confrontation scene in the classroom is particularly pitch-perfect, with Jordan segueing from stiff professor to an absolute relish when he's describing how Landry committed the murder. When Veronica outs him, his twitchiness returns full force as he blinks and wraps his arms around himself in silent defeat.
I was glad to have the chance to rewatch Tim's scenes in this episode. James Jordan creates a complete character. I look forward to seeing what he does next, though I do hope it's not on this show; I'm not sure how many more disguises we can tolerate!
Lowlights
The Wig (Tim Foyle's Hair) - I'm sad to say that Wig is not nearly as nuanced a performer as James Jordan. Throughout the episode, it alternates between barely going through the motions or being completely over the top. In the jail cell, it sits there plastered to his head, as if saying, "Are we done with this scene yet? I want to go back to my trailer and be brushed and combed on my stand." I'm sorry, Wig, but you're being paid for this. Try to act professional. (Man, that's what you get for hiring non-speaking extras in major roles.)
In the scene when Tim hears Landry's conversation with Pepperdine, Jordan is acting with delicate, real emotion but the wig sprawls across his head like a dead animal. Doesnt even pretend to act concerned. Can I say? I truly hated Wig there. Ah, the less said about Wig's performance in the Sheriff's office scene, the better. Don't tell me I'm the only one who saw the wig pointing and giggling at Veronica behind her back? It looks like it's about to fall right off Jordan's head. Finally, in the office scene where Tim asks Veronica to be his TA, the wig finally gets to play to its strength. It sits there like a sodden lump on his head. It gives me the creeps, just as it should. Perfect acting job, Wig. (Hey, I can credit a good performance when I see one.)
What can I say about Wig's finale scene? In the classroom, while Tim is going through Veronica Interrogation Hell and James Jordan is giving a fascinating performance, the wig looks like a bad case of Helmet Head. It looks frozen in place, paralyzed by fear, or perhaps an overabundance of hair spray, it's hard to tell which. It's so stiff, Teddy Dunn could give it acting lessons. Goodbye Wig. I wish you well on your next gig. Take some acting lessons, or at least get yourself some hair relaxing gel.
Scene One: Judge Not ...
Believe it or not, I was actually very much looking forward to writing this analysis because the journey that I believe that Rob Thomas might be taking with Logan and Veronica once again made sense when these scenes were added to the course of their arc thus far. And in order to bring that all to bear, I'm including the Logan/Parker scenes in this write-up because they (especially one line in this first scene) really drove home for me where Logan's heart is ... and well, let's just state for the record that it ain't with Parker Lee. Not by a long shot. Also, these scenes clarify (for me) why Logan is rushing into this relationship.
I know that many (if not all?) viewers felt that the only point of Parker asking about his one class -- which he skipped -- was to show Parker realizing that Logan showed up on campus just to see her. However, I think that could have been achieved in a much less convoluted way because absolutely everything that we've been led to believe about both of these two characters is that they don't beat around the bush; they don't employ sly methods to ask for information. They just ask. So why offer this up to the audience in this round-about way? I think it all has to do with exactly why Logan is trying to jump into a relationship with someone who is not Veronica. And that there was deliberate phrasing: Someone who is NOT Veronica.
The little spiel about his class and the bite in his response really stood out to me because of the memory of the exchange we saw in Welcome Wagon, during the first food court date with Veronica we were privy to:
And as for Logan and Parker as a couple? Honestly, I don't see it. And, no, I'm not just saying this because I'm a crazy fangirl. I loved Veronica/Troy, believed that Logan/Hannah {{shudder}} did have chemistry and I bought a genuineness in both of those relationships (to varying degrees and for different reasons). However, this? Nuh uhn. Not buying. Let's ignore the fact that last week's scavenger hunt was ridiculously contrived and made no sense for any of the four characters but Parker. Let's ignore the fact that Jason Dohring and Julie Gonzalo have about a scintilla of chemistry. (I now believe that the 'sparks' that people saw in Hi, Infidelity came from the playful undertone that Dohring projected throughout the entire scene and that it was based solely on a deliberate attempt on Logan's part to affectionately get under Veronica's skin, thus the sparks actually came from the give-and-take of that relationship in retrospect.) Let's even ignore the fact that Logan who takes weeks, nay, months!, nay, forever, to get over Veronica is already cozying up to another girl.
No, let's ignore all of that and simply take into account that Gonzalo's Parker is showing about zero interest in Logan in a romantic sense. Hell, it's barely a friendly interest. There's just nothing there in how she looks at him, speaks to him, the body language is all wrong. Obviously, it makes me uncomfortable as a die-hard Logan/Veronica fan, but more than that it makes me uncomfortable because they just look and feel so wrong together.
Scene Two: Like Water off a Duck
Unless I'm completely crazy in what I saw in Logan's attitude about Parker, I do believe that one of two reasons that we saw this interaction was to set up that Logan is now following Veronica's modus operandi of getting over a relationship. The last couple of weeks whenever Logan's name came up, Veronica brushed it off, but it was clear that she was still upset about the relationship's end and wasn't pretending that all was fine and dandy. We even saw this in the last scene of Mars, Bars when Veronica was literally stopped in her tracks and reacted visibly to the sight of Logan eating with Parker.
Now, we are back to the Veronica-put-on that we're all used to when dealing with sorrow. She's doing the whole, 'I don't care' routine. You know, the one where she acts like everything is okay, so what's the big deal? That wall that Veronica has so carefully built is in her perfect position once more and she's as chipper as can be and concerns, even of the ex-boyfriend kind, are sliding off her back like water off a duck. Now, she's making a show of simply not caring because that might show a weakness. And Veronica Mars has learned to never show a weakness if she can help it.
The second point is that because of this conversation and the later one with Parker, she can no longer deny that there is something going on between the bubbly blonde and Logan. Try as she might to pretend she doesn't care about such a thing. (But she does. See Scene Five.)
Scene Three: I Haven't Got Time for the Pain
We know that Veronica saw Logan and Parker spending time together and looking comfortable doing so. We also know that Veronica was not happy upon witnessing it. Furthermore, we know that she knows it's not a one-time deal because Wallace saw them a second time and got the same vibe. So when Parker walks up to Veronica, looking uncomfortable and flat-out saying that she needs to discuss something 'weird' with her we know that Veronica knows exactly what Parker wants to talk to her about and she heads her off without giving the girl a chance. Clearly Veronica figures that the best way to avoid an issue she doesn't want to face is to, well, not even let the issue come up.
Scene Four: Eazy, Breezy, Beautiful Parker Lee
Again with the Logan/Parker scene analysis ... what the hell? I know! But the point of including these is because it's how Logan acts with her that I think we get our straws with which to stack. When he showed up and Parker was all moody, Logan didn't ask her what was wrong, he didn't show any concern for her really, he instead appeared slightly peeved that she wasn't her usual ebullient self. Does that sound like the Logan we know when in a relationship? Of course not. And why not? Because he wants the opposite of Veronica, not just the girl, but the relationship. He does not want to be judged; he does not want the moodiness, the funk, the drama. He just wants it light and casual ... no more epic. That's clearly what's he's signing on for here and if she isn't going to deliver, again, the getting is going to get gone.
And once more, we have Gonzalo in this scene just so off. She plays it as if the idea of actually dating Logan is such an odd choice for Parker, and furthermore, she's not really sure it's something she wants to do. And from Logan's end, he was bothered not that Parker was upset, but that Veronica was getting in the way of his move, move, moving on plans. Seriously. There was no connection between these two. At all. Like. AT. ALL.
Scene Five: Move, Move, Moving On ... Damnit!
And here is where I think the first Veronica/Wallace scene truly comes full-circle. Not only do we have Veronica "acting" as if it's all fine and dandy and coolio, but we have the same from Logan. Yes, from Logan. I do very much believe that one Mr. Logan Echolls has decided to take a page out of the 'Veronica Mars Guide to Dealing with Pain' handbook. When life hands you lemons, pretend you just don't care and throw 'em to the side of the road. Seriously. He was trying to act cool and all casual, just as she was. He oh, so casually acknowledged that it was weird -- which was Veronica's ding!ding!ding! word of the week in relation to Logan and Parker, so she knew what was coming -- what he wanted to talk to her about. However, he figured, as he stated oh, so casually, that since they were friends ...
Honestly, if it wasn't so painful, it'd be frickin' hysterical. It was all so over the top with the casual, which made it all so awkward and so, so, soooooooo uncomfortable. Now I know that some have claimed that they read no subtext from Kristen Bell and I'm frankly flummoxed at to how anyone could not see it. She played Veronica trying to hide her discomfort with a breezy air, but underneath you could see Panic! Do not speak! Pain is coming! written behind every word and sign of body language that she spoke and evidenced. Veronica was so trying to hold onto her casual, 'It's over, we're cool,' attitude and yet Bell managed to convey that under the surface it was pure torture for Veronica because, dagnabbitt!, if Logan wasn't playing that very same card and a helluva lot better than she. Not only was there discomfort underlying every bit of her reaction, but confusion as well. Veronica really, really didn't know what the heck to do. She doesn't want him dating Parker or anyone else. She wanted to throw a hissy fit; she wanted to stomp her feet and say 'no! you can't!,' but of course, she couldn't. Because Veronica broke up with him; she ended things; she said it was over for good and, damnit, if they were going to get back together, he had to come crawling on his knees. That's how it reads in the 'Veronica Mars Guidebook to Dating Logan Echolls.'
Ah, ah, ah, but Logan was now playing by a different book. He wasn't prostrate at her feet (as we saw in Post-Game Mortem). He was playing the adult, civil card (as we saw in Mars, Bars); he was playing it casual, calm, and move, move, moving on. And Veronica was flummoxed -- as flummoxed as was I at anyone not seeing the subtext screaming all over the screen. I mean, could her thumbs up, "good luck" have been any more awkward? Inappropriate? Completely un-Veronica Mars-like? Nope, not possible. She was like a whirling dervish thrown out of whirl. Girl was simply flummoxed and she did not know what to do. Which we saw run through into the beginning of the next scene. As she went into Tim's office, Bell's body language was superb in showing how that brief conversation with Logan had just pulled the rug out from under her. Her shoulders were bowed, there was a hesitancy to her walk, a slight dazed quality to her movement, her head downcast. And when she spoke to Tim, it was in barely-there monosyllabic responses until he talked about Landry's arrest surprising everyone. At that point, she finally really looked up, her eyes wide, a tinge of shock overlaying their blue and repeated that "yes, it had taken everyone by surprise," but it was crystal-clear that she was not referencing the professor's arrest, but instead was talking all about that little tete-a-tete with Logan in the hallway.
We know that Veronica had already been given not one, not two, but three heads-up on the likely occurrence of something going on with regards to Logan and Parker, so where was her surprise from? Well, I said it all above. The surprise came from the fact that Logan was no longer playing by the same rulebook. He was moving on (Damnit!), and he was sure as heck acting like he meant it and that completely floored the girl. And I believe that Bell delivered that beautifully. Kudos to her.
Now, on the other side of the door, I noted above how casual Logan played it all, but there were a couple of missteps that Dohring used to masterfully illustrate exactly where Logan's heart lie. And oh, how his final expression once Veronica was gone told so much in just a few seconds. First off, there was the whole last-name usage which was just so very awkward and so clearly Logan trying to be casual, as was Veronica's return volley attempt at banter ... however, that attempt led to the one genuine moment between the two. His comment on the nickname "Chuckles" not sticking was classic-Logan/Veronica dating banter, and even his voice changed just slightly with that added little imp of joy. Then, boom!, right after he said it, he looked away and there was a slight moment of 'ohshit!' on both their faces, echoed in the body language of both, before they slid quickly, if uneasily, out of their past relationship comfort zone and right back into the oh, so casual, 'just friends' vibe that was totally not working ... at all.
And then we get to the kicker, once Veronica gave her thumbs up (snerk!), and was out of sight, Logan's expression just .... dropped. And I've got to give kudos to Jason Dohring now, because he just nailed the moment. You could see so, so much in those couple of seconds that ended on a slight exhalation of breath. His determination to move on, his relief that his task was done, but mostly his pain that she didn't fight for him or them at all ... again, and the realization, yet again (I think we'll be getting a lot of these) that it's really over. (But it's so not.)
So for what it's worth, that's my take on these scenes, and on the Logan/Parker relationship at this point. I'm trying to have hope because I really CAN see a believable arc coming out of this. Even though I would have much preferred a different route, this does all make sense and everything that's happened from Welcome Wagon on does have a logical progression that can only help Logan and Veronica make it work in the long run. Their actions are actually in character for both. This week even gave logic to last week's whiplash-inducing characterization with regards to Logan.
However, we have a two-month break coming up and I presume Logan and Parker will have been dating during that period and it might change. As well, Veronica may get involved with Piz (I know, but they have been hinting at it all season long, grr!), and my fear that Bell's bias against Logan and pro-anyone not Logan will effect whatever the actual point of that potential relationship might be. Again, however, I've been mostly quite thrilled with her portrayal of Veronica and the subtext underlying those arc-related scenes this season (Of Vice and Men and There's Got to Be a Morning After Pill being the key offenders, but the script and/or direction was so bad in both cases, the blame can not even remotely be entirely lain at her feet.)
So who knows? Maybe it will all work out by episode 20. After all, I've long considered the Logan/Veronica arc THE season-long arc this year and it may not be a mystery but the culmination of seasons one and two season-long arcs hit with dizzying speed in the final episode, so there is definite hope. And with the kernels I picked out from these Logan/Veronica arc-related scenes going into the hiatus, I'm happy with the emotional beats. When you really sit down and look at the whole season thus far in terms of their interaction, it does all make sense in terms of them, their relationship and their characters and how the paths taken thus far can (and will) lead to the two finally getting it right down the road. It's not pretty, it's not fun and there are so many other, better, less painful ways I would have gone, but I do see a rhyme and a reason to this method of madness and until that's taken away from me, I'll hold onto it with all I've got and keep building that haystack of LoVe.
- Parker is lunching alone in the cafeteria when Logan approaches, all sunshine and roses. Parker asks Logan about his Econ class -- you know, the one they have on Tuesdays and Thursdays that talks about stuff like ... economics? -- but apparently Logan flaked. (No Veronica-esque lectures on educational responsibilities, please.) Despite the fact that Econ is his only class on campus that day, he decided to swing by anyway and grab a bite with his new friend, perky Parker. Isn't it nice that he's making new friends? Friends are good things to have. They are very friendly and supportive and without all that distracting chemistry or romantic undertones. Such a relief. Across the room Wallace spies all the friendliness happening between Logan and Parker. He pauses and puts on his concerned face, clearly filing away this information.
Shortly thereafter, while having a friendly lunch with his BFF, Wallace proves that (occasionally) he is the girl in their relationship when he feels compelled to reveal to Veronica that he saw Parker and Logan sharing lunch. Veronica's full of mock shock (hee!) that two people that know each other might be having lunch -- in the cafeteria, no less -- during lunch time! It's positively scandalous. Wallace is less blas about the whole thing than Veronica because to him it looked like they were "connecting." Veronica breezes that it's no big deal. I'm SO glad we can all be so grown up about this and not, you know, ACT LIKE WE'RE HEARTBROKEN OR ANYTHING. Oh, Veronica, you are just so mature! (Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!)
Except, of course, when she isn't. Parker pays a visit to her pal Veronica at the library later and hopes they can do a little catching up. Veronica seems game enough for a little girl-to-girl chit-chat until, of course, Parker mentions that what she really wants to talk about is the fact that she and Logan are now, kind of, you know, hanging out. Did you catch that folks? Hanging out. Not going out. Big difference you see because couples go out and friends only hang out. And in case I wasn't clear before, Logan and Parker are just friends. Either way, all of a sudden, Veronica can't stay and chat because she's on her way out the door. Clearly even the thought of Logan and Parker hanging out is troubling (as it should be!!!) and so Veronica is compelled to do what she does best when confronted with troubling emotional problems -- avoid and run, run and avoid.
After her non-talk with Veronica, Parker is lunching in the food court again, waiting for Logan. Who arrives looking all studious and stylish (and totally foxy, I feel compelled to add), super pleased with himself because he attended class today and he learned something! It's a big day for Logan. He comments to perky Parker that she's somewhat less perky and she admits that it is because she feels weird about the whole Veronica ... thing. Having a friend like Veronica in her life is important to her and ... you know. It's weird. Because even Parker realizes that Veronica -- despite all her "hey, we're all okay with this"-ness -- is going to be hurt by their hanging out. Not that she'll ever admit it, mind you. Logan understands and agrees, and leaves Parker to her musings. The look of sadness and acceptance on Logan's face, like he wouldn't want to hurt Veronica either, even after all the ways she's hurt him ... it just KILLS me. Damn you, Veronica!!!
Apparently Logan decides not to let this bump in the road derail his burgeoning friendship with Parker because he tracks Veronica down at school. He calls her "Mars," she calls him "Echolls" and they share extremely awkward banter about nicknames now that they are, you know, just friends. Which is why this conversation feels completely natural without any emotional discomfort at all. NOT. Anyway, Logan tells Veronica that he really wants to ask Parker out (as friends! Don't make me repeat myself!) and wanted to make sure Veronica was okay with it. I'm not even going to touch on all the reasons it is both maddening and annoying that Logan felt the need to ask her permission. I'm just not going to even think about opening that can of worms right now. Veronica can barely make eye contact, but tries to assure Logan in a voice that has gone quiet and shaky around the edges that it's fine with her, and thanks for asking. I'd be more upset if Veronica wasn't so clearly NOT okay with the thought of Logan asking Parker out (as FRIENDS dammit!) and if there wasn't so much emotion simmering beneath the surface of this seemingly inane conversation.
So where do we go from here? I don't know. But I do know that in order for our beloved couple to find their way back to one another and form a successful, healthy relationship (and yeah, I know this is noir, but a girl can dream, can't she?) they both have some serious work to do personally. Let's just hope that these steps will be the journeys that help them work through their problems and end up right where they belong -- in one another's arms, on a balcony or a beach or a driveway somewhere, crazy in love and kissing like mad. Until then, I'm gonna take a page out of Mac's book and hope that, in fact, prayer works.
- Drum roll, please! I have gathered you all here to tell you who the murderer is ... okay, so the parlor game reveal styles are a lot more fun in Agatha Christie's books than they are in Veronica Mars, but, hey, at least it's finally revealed. And it is something we've all been waiting for with bated breath ... or not.
We begin with Veronica entering her criminology class, feeling uncomfortable and musing on the subject of protocol. Namely, what is the correct behavior of a freshman, when the said freshman finds herself in a class taught by her favorite professor who may have murdered her favorite dean. Oh, and her father is a sheriff who's certain of the favorite professor's culpability. Does she continue to sit upfront in the kiss-ass section, or does she remove herself oh so subtly to the back, risking telegraphing to the professor her conviction of his guilt? Now, there's something that isn't covered in the freshman guidebook.
While Veronica contemplates her unsavory choices, Landry, the favorite professor/maybe killer, approaches her hoping she isn't relocating. Likewise, hoping that the things between them will in no way be affected by his newly found suspiciousness. Landry wants to keep things the way they have been between them prior to this. (By which he can only mean that he'll continue to pay her outlandish, wildly extravagant, and largely undeserved compliments and Veronica, in return, will continue to make uncomfortable faces at him and question his every motive.) And what do you know? Right on cue, he closes with an outlandish, wildly extravagant, and largely undeserved compliment. Apparently, a student like Veronica only comes once, maybe twice in a career. (I don't know about anyone else, but I am beginning to suspect that professor Landry spent most of his career teaching kindergarten rejects. There's no other explanation for his over-the-top appreciation of Veronica's, admittedly astute, but not all that remarkable understanding and skills.).
The genuflecting works: Veronica takes her usual seat, proving my point. After all, she, of all people, should know that Landry is good at manipulating women.
Speaking of Landry's women, Mindy O'Dell is at the sheriff's office, being, what else, interrogated. She is at the table and Keith, the acting sheriff, is pacing behind her, acting, well, like a sheriff. Namely, very much like the late sheriff Lamb: Being supercilious and jumping to conclusions on the basis of the circumstantial evidence. Mindy wants to know why she is still being questioned when they told her they found her ex-/maybe-late husband's (whose final fate we don't yet get to learn) fingerprints all over her other late husband's computer. The former was clearly unstable, and, what with the prints, isn't it what they in the sheriff's business call a smoking gun?
No, actually, Keith informs Mrs. O'Dell, that's what they in the sheriff's business consider a smoking pile of crap. Because the fine sentiment of "goodbye, cruel world" uses up eleven letters (ahem, actually, Keith, it uses eleven letters but twelve keys. Because, you know, of a comma. Unless whoever typed the note did not use one.). Steve Batando's prints are on every key of the key board. And there's also the small matter of the gloves found in the incinerator. Because if the killer bothered to wear gloves for the murder, why would he take them off to leave his prints all over the computer?
Mindy pleads that she didn't kill her husband. The plea falls on deaf ears, because Keith -- excuse me, Sheriff Mars -- is too busy disclosing all the evidence they've gathered so far. One: Mindy's claim of being alone with Landry at the Grand on the evening of the Dean's murder is contradicted by a witness who heard two men fighting in the room at midnight. Two: Mindy claims she never left the hotel, yet her car was checked out by a valet at 1:30 a.m. and returned an hour later. During which time a phone call was made between Mindy and Landry concerning the toothpaste preferences (and I still say that this has got to be the stupidest alibi ever). Three: Roughly half an hour after the car was returned, a student passing by the Dean's window heard a gunshot. Four: Toxicology report shows that poor Cyrus had a large dose of Xanax in his system. For which, admittedly, he had a prescription, but his assistant said he was out. However, the records show that the dutiful wife picked up a refill for him earlier that evening.
And for the closing number Keith adds one, two, three and four and -- shocker! -- it doesn't add up. Keith then informs the all-interrogated-out Mrs. O'Dell that he believes Hank Landry killed her husband. He also believes he can prove it (based on what exactly the Mrs. -- and us -- have to wonder?). His question to Mindy? Is she going to take the fall with Hank? (And, again, we are left wondering about what makes Keith think she shouldn't? For all his evidence, she can easily be culpable of the conspiracy.). Mindy cracks under Keith's stern death glare (no doubt lifted right out of the Sheriff Lamb School of Interrogation) and decides to come clean (or, you know, as clean as she gets). The man arguing with Landry in the room at midnight was -- to no one's surprise but Keith's -- Cyrus O'Dell. He was furious, says the sorrowful wife.
And we are treated to a flashback of Cyrus in the hotel room. It's that yellow tint that never fails to make me think of old photos, as if we are flashing back to the 1930's instead of, you know, two or so months ago. We see Hank Landry still in bed, Mindy dressed and pacing and Dean O'Dell waving a gun around like a crazy person. Landry, not bothering to get up, asks Cyrus to put the gun down so they can talk about this (right, because Cyrus showed up all drunk and with a gun so he can "talk" rationally). The Dean is offended to be called "Cyrus" by his rival, as if the fact that they share a woman confuses Landry into forgetting that the Dean is still his boss. To illustrate just how offended he is, the Dean pushes his wife out of the way and approaches the bed still waving a gun. He informs Hank that there's nothing to talk about and that Hank is done. And not just at Hearst. That the tenure, the fun of bedding impressionable students and easily charmed wives -- it's all over. Mindy reaches out to try and grab the gun, begging Cyrus to stop. End of flashback.
We are back with Mindy and Keith. Mrs. O'Dell is telling how Landry's career would have been completely over had the Dean got the chance to make good on his threat, because Cyrus had the power to ruin it for Hank in every reputable college in the country. Hank was freaking, apparently, so Mindy, out of the goodness of her heart (naturally), offered to go talk her husband down. She went to the house, but his car wasn't there, so she proceeded to the office.
And we have another flashback. The flashback yellow is made more so by the egg splatter on the Dean's window. As Mrs. O'Dell mentions in her voiceover, the egging of his office did not improve the poor man's mood. We see the Dean turn his head to the sound of someone entering, and saying those famous last words: "What are you doing here?" Mindy tells him she is here to ask him one more time to please be merciful. Awww, and I mean that. Not. And there goes the end of that flashback and we are back at the sheriff's department. And Keith wants to know if that's when Mrs. O'Dell gave her husband his Xanax.
And here's another one ... geez. Would it have killed them to combine the two? Dean's office, night ... again. Mindy's voiceover explains that she gave him the pills because she thought they would do him some good. We see Mindy handing her husband a bottle. Keith's voiceover challenges that it didn't so much do him good as left him completely helpless, especially considering he took three pills. We watch O'Dell pop them into the palm of his hand and toss them into his mouth. Mindy counters that she just gave the guy the bottle, but didn't count the dosage. A fine distinction considering we can see her watch the Dean chase the pills with the swig of alcohol. End of flashback.
Mindy's follow up defense is that she was only there for five minutes, her husband yelled, and she left. End of story. Not quite, according to Keith. Keith wants to milk the story. He wants to know what she told Landry. Nothing, says Mindy, because when she got back to the hotel, Landry wasn't there. Keith is curious as to why Mrs. O'Dell hired him in the first place if she knew Landry might have done the deed. She tells him that she knew her husband didn't kill himself and that she wanted to know who did, even if it were Hank. Keith reasonably points out that she provided Hank's alibi. She says that, until she learned about Landry's bloody clothes, she believed him to be innocent. But now that she doesn't believe so anymore, she is ready to testify that Hank was panicked and that he thought he was losing his career.
Keith is marginally satisfied and lets her go, but not before delivering what has got to be the corniest (and rather the creepiest) speech in quite some time. He tells Mrs. O'Dell that he has known three men in her life and that two of them are now dead (that explains the fate of Steve!), and that the great state of California may see to the third. And that he wants her to reflect on that. (Hey, Keith, what's with the sermon? Since when are you a good judge of relationships?). And he also wants her not to leave town.
Next we rejoin professor Landry in the full swing of his lecture (and the speech he is giving is incredibly ironic. He talks of not presuming that the profiling should ever circumvent the work of analyzing of actual physical evidence. Hey, Veronica, are you listening? You really should. Take detailed notes while at it.). He is in his element, until he is interrupted by the sound of police radios and the site of deputy Sacks and other officers walking in. They just stand there and the good professor continues his lecture, though somewhat less jubilantly. The side door opens and Keith walks in. The lecture is clearly over, and Keith tells Landry quietly that he is giving him a chance to dismiss the class and be arrested in private. (Nice of you, Keith. And it would have meant something, if all the students didn't, you know, see a gazillion deputies and already realized what was going on). Landry does dismiss the class, managing a slight dig at Keith's "acting" sheriff status. You go, Hank! (Sigh, when did we start cheering against the Mars family?)
Oh and look, on the side of the classroom, there's Tim Foyle sitting quietly, like the ever-faithful shadow he is. He rises from his seat. Veronica, we can see, is also visibly perturbed by the turn of events.
And we are back at the sheriff's department, where Keith, being all official, is making Landry talk into a microphone. Landry is saying -- into a microphone -- that he is happy to have no lawyer present (why exactly he would wave his right to an attorney, never mind be happy about it, is beyond me! The guy is supposed to be a brilliant criminologist. Has he heard of due process?). Keith tells him Mindy has "flipped" on him. Landry isn't buying it. Keith informs him that the Dean's been killed at 3 a.m. and wants to know if Landry's sure he doesn't want a lawyer. Landry doesn't respond, but he seems still (inexplicably) sure.
However, he is somewhat perturbed when he finds out that Mindy told Keith her story. Clearly, her story is not the full story. The flashback Landry's having for our benefit tells his side.
Flashback. Neptune Grand, the Dean is going over his spiel of "no more bedding impressionable students and easily charmed wives." (And may I say that this is a bit rich coming from Mr. O'Dell who married his graduate student). The gun is loosely pointed at Landry, and Mindy reaches out to grab Cyrus's arm. She wants him (not unreasonably) to stop waving that thing around. Cyrus isn't budging, but instead tells her that she will find her stuff tomorrow morning on the lawn. And that he is sorry he didn't take his friends' advice not to marry her, but really glad he took their advice about the pre-nup (which, I'm guessing, does not favor Mindy). He then informs her that they -- much like Landry in academia -- are done. And that she will get nothing. End of flashback.
So, Landry points out, it appears that Mindy didn't go back to talk to her husband to save her lover, but rather went there to save herself. Keith stresses the fact that the Dean was murdered after the Mrs. had returned to the hotel. Landry offers up Batando. Batando won't do, says Keith, because a maintenance worker found something interesting while cleaning out the incinerator at Hearst. Namely, a bag containing a dress shirt and gloves. Landry's. Covered in O'Dell's blood. And the plot thickens.
This rocks Landry enough to let some of his cool veneer slip. He thinks about it for a moment and suggests that Mindy is setting him up. Keith isn't interested in Landry's theories. Mindy has an alibi and what he needs right now is to hear that Landry has one to offer, as well. He does, but it's near impossible to verify. Turns out, on the night in question he left the hotel and drove home alone, stopping at a convenience store for some cigs at around 3 a.m. He didn't charge them, and the store clerk didn't even look up from his little TV set. But wait! There was a witness of sorts. Cue another flashback.
Flashback. Landry walks out through the door of the store, opening up a pack of cigarettes. He hears a woman's voice. She asks if she can bum one of those. All we can see of her is part of her back and that she has shoulder-length hair of non-descript brownish color. Landry take a couple of cigs and offers them to her, telling her he doesn't really smoke. End of flashback.
All Landry can tell Keith about this mystery woman is that she was in her late thirties/early forties and was a brunette. What he can't tell the sheriff is how the Dean's blood ended up on his shirt. Keith suggests Landry find himself a really, really good lawyer. He also reminds Landry that he is a smart man, and, therefore, can see that there's a decent case against him. (And why would a smart man need a reminder that he is smart? Inquiring minds want to know).
Cut to later, and Tim, the faithful dog, comes to visit Landry in his cell. (You know, after the fugly Grand, that holding cell gets the most play on the show). Landry doesn't look so much happy to see his former star pupil and current TA as he looks resigned. "Tim. Of course. It's always Tim," is his warm greeting to the guy. If he is offended, the TA doesn't show it. Instead, he wants to know what's going on and if he can do anything for his teacher. There is, apparently. Two things. He needs Tim to find out who bugged his cell phone, and how long ago. Also, to find a needle in a haystack (by which he means a brunette in a convenience store).
And we are back with Veronica, working at a desk of Mars Investigations, using only a desk lamp. The rest of the office is suitably creepy and dark. (Because it's not as if it were located in a nightly deserted office building downtown. Who wouldn't want to sit alone in the relative dark in that place?). Sure enough, she can hear someone walking in with a flashlight that screams B&E. She quickly turns off the lamp, grabs her bag and goes out of the main office into the door leading to the hallway. She leaves the door ajar, and watches none other than Tim Foyle searching the drawers of Keith's desk. No longer spooked (and who would be, really, given the utterly ridiculous wig), she comes out and startles the would be burglar.
She, very naturally, wants to know what the hell he's doing. Tim asserts that he is trying to help Landry. By finding the phone bug the professor threw at Keith in the previous episode. Because the bug, Tim hopes, would lead to Mindy. How, Veronica (and the audience) wants to know. Tim displays his utter lack of PI knowledge by expressing belief that phone bugs have serial numbers. When Veronica ridicules him, he challenges her to tell him how she would do it. It's unclear how she would, because instead of answering she indulges in some more ridicule at Tim's expense. The guy grovels, naturally. He doesn't believe Landry's guilty and is desperate to do anything to help. He does believe Mindy is setting Landry up. Landry is a great man, and Tim the sycophant is going to do everything he can to help. The great man has an alibi. Sadly, sans credit card receipt -- which Veronica needlessly points out -- the alibi is useless. At which point Tim breaks out his trump: There's a woman with a heavy smoking problem and insomnia who can verify Landry's story. Tim ends his plea with a variation on "help me Obi, you are Landry's only hope." (Am I alone in being annoyed at this puffing of Veronica's already over-inflated ego and reinforcing her belief -- no matter how delusional -- that she is somehow the only hope of the downtrodden of the Neptune? Yeah, I didn't think so.) It seems the Wig is not good in the field (No! Shocker!). He is more of a thinker. (Heh.) Hence the need for Veronica's help in tracking down the alibi woman.
I'm guessing the thick buttering up worked, because we see Tim and Veronica -- the Uncomfortably Dynamic Duo -- at the convenience store questioning Randy the clerk. Veronica is holding up a rather "head shot" looking picture of Landry for identification. Randy doesn't identify him, not surprisingly. Veronica spots a surveillance camera and wants to know how long they keep the tapes. Turns out, it's not hooked up and just there for show. Tim is miffed and Veronica mockingly welcomes him to the "in the field" part of the job. While he is grumbling about the very reasonable possibility that the woman they are searching for may very well have been a one-time customer who simply drove through town on that day, two women enter the store.
"Ladies of the Evening" comes to mind when we look at them. One of whom is dressed, inexplicably, like a Catholic School Girl. An overgrown school girl that spent at least three years in each grade, but hey, if the skirt fits. Veronica wants to know if they are here shooting a Mtley Cre video. (Funny girl, that Veronica. I love it when she makes derogatory sexual comments to people. NOT.) Randy explains that Strip City is just across the street. (We will assume it's not an actual township but rather a joint). Three o'clock is the shift change.
Catholic School Girl is complaining to her companion about something as Veronica approaches. She shows them Landry's head shot and asks if they have seen the man. Eight weeks and two days ago, precisely, as Tim feels compelled to add. The strippers want to know who the mismatched pair might be and why are they bothering them with random questions. While Tim is about to come forth with the whole sordid story, Veronica affects an "undercover" persona. The picture is of her deadbeat dad, who left home without paying the rent. She is sure he had a valid reason, she wails as she makes the world's most unconvincing little girl lost face. Sure he has a valid reason, says the School Girl (apparently duly convinced by the floor show). Men are scum. Mystery solved. (Oh, Catholic School Girl, you have no idea how close you are to the truth in this particular case!).
She does take a good look at the picture. Not surprisingly, she doesn't remember Landry. Veronica tries to jog her memory by asking if she maybe bummed a cigarette off him. The CSG is offended. She doesn't think she looks as if she smoked. Tim thinks so, however, but the other stripper wisely explains to him that smoking is bad for your skin (she is the one who graduated high school, apparently). She also tells the Duo that they should try their luck the next day. Tory will be on, and she smokes like a big, old slutty chimney (I didn't know chimneys had sexual appetites. Go figure.). Speaking of slutty, we are back with Mindy O'Dell. She is sitting at a desk with someone called Nick DiCintio (we are assuming the guy is an insurance adjuster), signing legal documents. Once done, she gets an envelop from Nick with the Regency Life Insurance check. The Regency is very sorry for her loss. To the tune of a considerable sum of money, it would appear, because once Mindy looks inside the envelope, she let's Nick know that their condolences mean a lot. We follow the inconsolable widow to the pier, where she meets with a boat salesman. She is interested in buying a boat. A specific one, as she points at a large, white and shiny.
Next we are back with Veronica, carrying a box of donuts into the sheriff's department (good one, V. Let's reinforce those stereotypes some more). She tries to tempt Sacks with the offer of a jelly-filled one. Sacks is weary, because she has fooled him many times before, including in the matter of jelly donuts. However, he opens the box to examine the contents, and, while he's at it, Veronica sneaks open one of the desk drawers and pulls out a file. Landry's file, apparently. Which she knew would be there. Which means Keith either reinstated the same filing system he had the last time he was sheriff, or all cops are just that predictable. (Predictable or not, it's clear the security here is just as much of a joke as it ever was during Lamb's rein. Ah, Keith, how you do disappoint me these days. Sigh.).
Cut to a moment later and Veronica walks into Keith's office where he is working at his desk. Keith asks his progeny is she is in trouble. Never an unreasonable assumption with Veronica. She tries to deflect his concern with the flattery (she thinks he looks very convincing behind that desk.). She says she likes it better when they are not civilians (and yet, how ironic is it that she just broke the law a minute ago? Uhm, Veronica, unless you plan to be exactly the kind of not-civilian Lamb was -- ignoring the rules and circumventing responsibilities when it suits you -- I suggest you start liking it less). Keith ignores her pointless babbling and cuts right to the chase. He wants to know why she has Landry's file. (Good one, Keith. You are able to recognize it from a closed folder? But you aren't intending to punish or even admonish your daughter for what has to be a criminal offense? Just checking.).
She tells her benevolent father that she believes in Landry's alibi. Daddy disagrees on account of bloody clothes and Mindy's testimony. Veronica is still convinced that things for Landry will look up once she finds his alibi. (It's nice to see Veronica putting so much faith in someone she knows to be a very good liar. Where, I wonder, this beautiful faith goes when she chooses not to trust those nearest and dearest to her?). Keith, who has clearly lost all ability to parent, actually tacitly allows this farce. He just doesn't want his little girl to be crushed later on. He wants her to at least consider the possibility that Landry may be guilty. (Touching concern, Keith. I'm shedding tears here. Yeah.).
At this point Keith gets a disturbing phone call from the DA. Mindy O'Dell, it would appear, is missing. The "don't leave town" from Keith has clearly gone right over her head. (Aw, Keith! Does anyone listen to you these days? Backup?).
And we are back to the outside of the convenience store. Veronica is munching on a 3 a.m. snack (she is lucky she's 19 and doesn't have to watch out for these things yet), Tim is sipping from a large cup. (It's a weirdly companionable scene, given the fact that he has, hitherto, been overtly resentful toward her, and she -- overtly contemptuous of him. Ah, the bonding over the mutual love of proving yourself in the right! There's nothing like it.). Tim is musing why the sheriff still hasn't let the innocent Landry go in view of Mindy's defection. Isn't it all the proof they need? Apparently it's no proof at all, given that Mindy's alibi for the night still holds. No matter what kind of pills she has fed her late husband and how that makes her look like she set him up to be killed.
They canvas the topic of Batando and how he could have been bought. Or, Tim points out, it could have been anyone. Everyone, he says, hated the Dean. Not everyone, sighs Veronica longingly (and really, how can you hate a guy who writes such glowing letters of recommendation?). The convo is interrupted by what Veronica cleverly and oh so funnily calls "Strippers Ahoy." (Seriously, someone needs to do something about Veronica's humor these days. It's getting creepier. She is starting to resemble Dick.). Two women approach the store. One has blonde hair and she throws a cigarette down and steps on it. Tim points at her and bets that this is the elusive Tory. Veronica calls him a thinker and wants to see how he does in the field. Tim heads for the store to do some "fielding," and Veronica dawdles.
We switch momentarily to Keith walking into Veronica's empty bedroom, checking the time, and dialing his phone. Veronica, still outside the store, picks up her cell. Her greeting to the concerned parent? "If you are wondering where I am, I'm hanging out outside a convenience store eating corn nuts and watching strippers." (Now, I know that this kind of behavior is pretty much a given for her these days, but couldn't she have -- I don't know -- left a note for her dad? And what the hell happened to Keith Mars of Welcome Wagon? The one who called his daughter at midnight, making sure she was safely at home and not doing anything untoward? I know, I know, a lobotomy will do that to a guy.). All Keith wants to know now is if she's doing drugs (and this quip would have been funnier, if he really didn't have any cause for concern. You know, if it weren't 3 a.m. and he knew where she was.).
So they chit chat, because, clearly, Keith isn't at all worried. He tells his daughter conversationally that Mindy definitely split town. Shipped her kids off to Surrey, England, to her parents and split. Which, Veronica points out, shouldn't be a problem for Keith, what with him being so convinced Landry did it. Keith parries with "no comment" and wants to know when his dutiful angel of a child is planning on coming home. Veronica is working hard on her next funny, funny quip when she notices a woman, a brunette with a cigarette, approaching the store. So, she blows off her long-suffering father with the lame excuse of being out of corn nuts and accosts the lady. She shows her the picture of Landry. Apparently, Landry is memorable. Because the brunette sure does remember him from a few months ago. Him and his good deed of giving her a cigarette.
Next, sure enough, the lady is encased in a chair at the sheriff's department, answering Keith's questions. Yes, she saw Hank Landry on the night of December 10th. Yes, she bummed a cigarette from him. Yes, she can remember some guy she met in a parking lot two months ago, if the guy looked like someone she just broke up with and it freaked her out. Yes, she is sure she saw him at exactly 3:30 a.m., because that's about time her shift ends. Keith is skeptical, and she goes on the defensive. She is only here because they said the guy was in trouble. She doesn't care if she's believed or not. Keith isn't happy, but he lets Landry go, anyway.
We follow Landry out of the main office where he is greeted by his cheerleading posse: Tim and Veronica. (See, kids, what a few judiciously applied over-the-top complements will get you? That's right, a get-out-of-jail-free card!). He thanks them and wishes he can reward them with a grade higher than A (hey, Hank, you can always hook them up with some wildly inappropriate internships! Just a suggestion.). Tim informs him that Mindy's disappeared. And Veronica adds that they think there's a chance she's working with Steve Batando. (And at this point the audience is going: Hey! Why the present tense? Didn't you just tell us earlier that Batando was dead?).
Landry can hardly stand there long enough to genuflect profusely, so he runs out leaving the Disturbing Twins standing there contemplating the next step. Veronica astutely points out that her dad isn't just going to leave it at that. Tim stresses the need to find the tapes (I'm guessing by "the tapes" he means whatever recordings were made on Landry's bugged phone). He thinks that if Mindy worked with Batando, it was Steve who planted the bug and kept the tapes as an insurance policy in case things went bad. How the hell could someone like Steve Batando get close enough to bug Landry's phone Tim doesn't seem to contemplate at all. And Tim, if you are going with the Evil Mindy theory, isn't it easier and more logical to assume she was the one planting the bug, given that she actually spent a lot of time with Landry? Veronica doesn't seem to notice any logical fallacies here, and, instead muses that they probably still have Batando's keys in evidence. When Tim wonders if there were any way to get them, Veronica just mocks his words. Of course there is a way to steal evidence from this sheriff's department! (And she makes me cringe and lose that much more respect for her. Hey, V, this is your father you are making a fool out of now. Lamb is dead. You are not scoring points anymore. Get with the program!).
Veronica walks to one of the deputy's desks, grins like a maniac to a passing officer, picks up the phone, but instead of dialing, reaches into the desk and grabs the keys to, presumably, the evidence room. She puts them into her bag (while the audience weeps at the sad irony of it all).
And then we are off to the Batando residence. Which is relatively okay-looking for the domicile of a guy who had to steal from his ex to make ends meet. It's positively cozy, actually. There's a computer, which Tim is inspecting while wearing rubber gloves. He tells Veronica there's nothing there as she stares at his gloved hands. Apparently gloves are so pass as the B&E fashion statement. Wear long sleeves and use them to violate people's privacy without leaving a trace. It's less creepy that way, says Veronica (because the mere fact of B&E does not already put you into the creepy category. It's the gloves, people!).
She looks around for the illicit recordings, stops at a bookcase crammed with CDs. A bit later she and Tim -- who is still wearing gloves, I might add. While Veronica isn't even using her sleeves! -- are sitting on the floor and going through a bunch of disks. Veronica quips that she didn't know Knight Ranger had this many albums. Tim gets up and walks to the entertainment center housing a bunch of DVDs. He examines the bottom shelf, while Veronica cleverly wants to know if Batando has a copy of A Bug's Life (Seriously, somebody, send the girl to a comedy rehab!). Tim, ever the methodical, scans the top shelf next, and finds that Batando owned a copy of T.A.P.S.. Why that should be the one to draw TA's attention, I'm sure I don't know. But he opens it, and, bingo, there's a burned disk inside marked 11/26-12/26.
A few moments later they have the disk in the computer. It shows a list of mp3 files by date and time. They listen to the one marked 12/10 1:30 a.m., the night of the murder. It's phone conversation that was supposed to be about tooth paste, but, in reality is a back-and-forth between Landry and Mindy, where Landry is trying to convince his lover to not confront her very much drunk and very much armed husband. She wants to; she doesn't mean to let him take everything. Landry promises to take care of it all, but doesn't elaborate on how he plans to do that. Mindy isn't convinced and says she can't risk it. End of call.
Veronica's curiosity isn't satisfied by just one phone call, though. She wants to listen to another. The date and time of the call? 12/10 17:35 p.m. (Which makes no sense at all in view of the later revelations, because, if that's the correct date -- and not, say 12/09 -- then the Dean should have died in the early hours of December 11th. It'll all be explained later. For now I just have to say: One more continuity flop from the cracker jack team of Veronica Mars!). They listen to it, and it's a call to Landry from a Bob Reid of Pepperdine Law School. They've got a job application from Tim Foyle and he had listed Hank Landry as a reference. So, Bob wants to know what the good professor has to say about his TA.
What Landry has to say makes Tim crawl into his skin and Veronica wish she was somewhere else entirely. Namely, that Tim, while being loyal and hardworking, is also a kiss-ass, and a linear thinker with no imagination. So, basically, while Landry thinks they could do worse, he also thinks that at Pepperdine, they could certainly do better. (And while I don't necessarily disagree with Landry's assessment, I've got to wonder why the guy would just do that to someone who -- whatever his shortcomings -- has been a loyal and useful TA and clearly was led to believe he'd get a good reference.). Veronica makes some kind of a comforting overture, but Tim will have none of her pity. It doesn't matter, he says. It does, of course, and one cannot help but feel for the guy.
We relocate again to watch Keith on the phone playing "the buck stops over there" game with -- I presume -- the DA. He explains that none of this would have happened if a judge had granted him the warrant to tap Landry's phone. Likewise, allowed for the ankle tracker. With that parting shot, Keith hangs up and asks the harassed Sacks if he's heard from the airports. L.A.X. has apparently responded, but they are still waiting to hear from John Wayne. Veronica shows up at this moment and uses the opportunity to offer a lame John Wayne impersonation (personally, I liked her Clint Eastwood much better). Other than the comedy routine, she is here to bring her father the disk she pilfered illegally from Batando's place. (Yeah, they are all about the proper procedure at the Balboa County Sheriff's department. And somewhere in the sky, Lamb is laughing his ass off.).
Veronica assures her father that she really, really doesn't think Landry's guilty, and that she really, really thinks Mindy is. It doesn't matter what she thinks, her father replies, because the main concern now is to find the innocent Landry, who, it would seem, has disappeared, as well. Cut to Mindy on her newly acquired boat, sleeping. She wakes up to the sound of the boat's engine starting. Disturbed, she gets up the stairs to the top of the boat, where she sees Hank Landry at the helm. It's an uncomfortable reunion at best. Landry congratulates her on getting the boat she always wanted, but we can tell there won't be any balloons and Hallmark cards here.
And we cut again to Veronica. She is working in the library, putting the books away. And listening for what appears to be hours to the recordings of Landry's phone calls on her iPod, in hopes of finding something, anything that would connect him and Mindy to the Dean's death and/or the place they might now be. She stops when she hears something that may be relevant. It's Landry and Mindy talking about something called Papa's cabin. Landry coos about not wanting to sneak around and how they both need to get away for a week. To a place he calls Papa's cabin. Mindy agrees that it would be great. Veronica calls Tim and tells him about it. She wants to know if Landry had a father or grandfather with a cabin. Tim doesn't know. They agree to meet and go to Landry's house (to which Tim still has the keys) and search for any signs of a getaway spot.
And we are off to another illegal entry. Veronica is lounging on Landry's couch, going through his photo album, discovering that it's true what they say about future murderers: They play with dinosaurs and have cuddly old grandpas! The cuddly old grandpa picture catches her interest. It's an elderly man standing in front of a cabin. There's a van parked nearby. Veronica calls Tim's attention to it. He comes with the picture of his own: Mindy and Landry standing in front of what looks like a wooden bar, with a man serving them drinks. There are framed photos behind the bar. The duo examines the two photos, trying to figure out if that's the same place, only remodeled.
Tim's got something else to offer: He found a disposable cell phone in Landry's office trash. Veronica is intrigued and hits redial, while instructing Tim to get a pen and a piece of paper. When someone picks up on the other end, she puts on her best sunny voice and pretends to be from a radio station, informing the person they just won a new iPod. All they need to do to claim the prize is to give their name and home address. The unsuspecting schmuck does just that and Veronica writes it all down.
Not wasting any time, Tim and Veronica are seen next standing in the hallway in front of a door of an apartment. Veronica knocks and the door is opened by a teenager. She introduces herself to the kid as Ms. Crockett and Tim as Mr. Tubbs. (And the audience groans at seeing a wonderful Logan memory from the Ruski Business thus sullied.). They are here conducting an official investigation. Veronica wants to know how the kid knows Hank Landry. From juvie board, it turns out. The guy and his buddies got nabbed stealing cough syrup from a drug store (say what? Couldn't they at least have tried to get caught stealing something respectable? Like beer from Sack 'n Pack?). As he tells his sob story, a woman's voice calls him out to do homework. A woman pulls back the door and, surprise, it's the same one from the convenience store. Landry's alibi.
Cut again to the sheriff's department, where Keith, Tim and Veronica are discussing this latest turn of events. The stripper woman was, apparently, blackmailed. Landry was on the juvie board overseeing her son, who was one strike away from foster care (ah, shouldn't it be the other way around? They don't take kids away from mothers because the kids misbehave, do they? They tend to do that if mothers are the ones misbehaving. Weird.). So, when Hank called the other day threatening to take the son off probation unless she provided the alibi, she obliged. Thus Landry's still gone, Keith's busy, and he wants the Annoying Twins to just disappear for a while. The duo, however, has other plans. They produce the two photos they found in Landry's home.
In what is by now a not at all surprising move, Keith doesn't even think of questioning the clearly illegal search instituted in the matter, but simply examines the ill-gotten booty. The three of them start brainstorming. Landry had a grandfather whom he addressed as "papa," says Tim. Papa Landry lives in Florida, supplies Veronica. The photo does not look like Florida, observes Keith. It looks like the mountains, namely, aspen trees, claims Veronica (as we shudder at the word "aspen."). Those are particularly quaking aspens, clarifies Tim (who is just a fount of knowledge!). Which means the place in the picture must be in the western mountains. And on the other picture, it's possible to make out the license plate on papa's van: navy letters on white. Which are the most common plate colors, points out Tim. Could be anywhere: Virginia, Alabama, Illinois, Kansas. No, says Veronica, don't forget the quaking aspens. It's Western U.S., so Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, Utah, or California.
Impressed with themselves and their knowledge of states and random greenery, the duo forgets Keith, who, in the meantime, studies the picture closely. Veronica is trying to convince Tim that California is all wrong, because it has red letters on its license plates. So does Washington. Not on endangered animal specialized plates, Tim announces triumphantly. He grabs the picture, pointing at something on the van's plate that may or may not be an image of a whale. Or it could be a lake, says Veronica, as in crater lake, a specialized Oregon plate.
While the audience is at a loss as to why anyone in their right mind would have all this information at their fingertips, Keith breaks up the orgy of license plate knowledge with an interesting announcement. "Papa" could very well refer to Ernest Hemingway. He holds up the picture to a thankfully silenced Tim and Veronica, pointing out a framed photo behind Mindy and Landry: Ernest "Papa" Hemingway. Keith goes to the computer, fires up PlanetZowie and types in "Papa's cabin." The first entry is "Papa's Cabin, Cabo San Lucas. Unwind at the hideaway once beloved by Ernest Hemingway." So much for the geek license plate war.
And we are off to Cabo San Lucas where Papa's Cabin is a beachside bar. Keith, accompanied by the local police chief, drive up. They quickly find out that Landry didn't rent a room, just paid to moor the boat. The boat in question, called Anna Grace, is floating slightly in the distance. The police boat approaches it, and Keith and the gang board it. They take out their guns and proceed with caution. They shouldn't have bothered. When they see Landry, he is a wreck: Drunk, weepy and exhausted. He also has a deep cut above his eye. His greeting to the sheriff is the by now familiar claim that he didn't kill the Dean. Keith gently points out that, in view of this little excursion to Mexico, such a statement is hard to believe. Landry says Mindy did it. And set him up. And that he tried to cover for her, put it on Batando, what with the keyboard. And it might have worked, too, but for the fact that Keith took over as sheriff.
Keith brushes off the flattery and wants to know where Mindy might be. Hank shakes. He didn't mean for it to happen. It was an accident. He just wanted to talk. But she didn't think he would be fine with just talking. She thought he came there to kill her. So, naturally, they fought, and, well, Mindy took a nosedive overboard. It was dark. Hank tried to look, but ... it was an accident. And Hank is sobbing. And then we are mercifully taken off to the much less disturbing view: Mindy's dead body has washed up on the beach, where it's being stared at by little boys with surfing boards. Lovely.
We are back with Veronica, who is sitting in Tim's office. (Nice to see those two crazy kids back in College. Maybe they can learn something. One can hope.). Tim is embarrassed and slightly giddy. He has been asked to teach the freshly arrested Landry's class until they find a replacement. And since Veronica is such a star pupil, he wants her to be his TA. (Can freshmen even be TA's, star pupils or not? Did Landry teach any upper classmen besides Tim? I find it hard to believe there was no one else there from, say, advanced criminology class, qualified to make copies and collect tests from students). Veronica is flattered, promptly forgetting that this is the guy she generally has such disdain for.
And they are in class, teaching. Tim writes "Opportunity, Motive, Mental State" on the board. Veronica is passing out papers. Tim informs the class that Professor Landry is no longer with them (ah, Tim? The guy isn't dead!), so he'll be the instructor for the time being. Veronica takes a seat in the back (I guess she isn't nearly as intent on being the apple of Tim's eye as she was with Landry). She looks through a newspaper (it's always important to bring some light reading to a class). The headlines scream "Professor arrested in murder of Hearst Dean, Wife -- Affair alleged between Professor Landry and Dean's wife, possible motive." (Don't you just love headline sound bites? Poetry!).
In the meantime Tim is having trouble getting on with the lecture. The students want to know what happened in the Dean's case. They have a point here. This is a criminology class. A crime has been committed by their criminology professor. What could be more educational? Tim, who seems to thrive on the attention, relents. Let's discuss this case, he says, almost giddy. Landry kills O'Dell. Was it a crime of passion? Was it premeditated? What do we know? What we know is that Landry and the Dean's wife had an affair and got caught. They were threatened with ruin, so the motive is pretty much a classic. The opportunity? One of the "perfect murder" papers, Tim winks at Veronica. It's a great cover up. The Dean was drunk, upset, and armed. A good way to introduce a fake suicide. Tim runs of with his mouth, clearly enjoying himself. While Veronica in the back is getting more and more uneasy.
The thing about murder, Tim says, is that once a perp starts improvising, he becomes sloppy. And Landry had to improvise, once the bloody clothes he thought he incinerated turned up unharmed. So he first tries to frame Batando, and when that doesn't work, he has to fake an alibi. Tim goes into the details of how Landry, once arrested, had to call a woman whose son he oversaw on the juvenile probation board. And it might have worked, if the disposable phone he used had not been found.
At this point Veronica raises her hand (how very model student of you, V!). She is perplexed as to how Landry managed to call and blackmail the stripper woman from his cozy holding cell? And throw the disposable phone into a trash can AT HOME. While sitting in the cell! Tim is temporarily stomped, but recovers with the suggestion that, at this point, Landry and Mindy were still collaborating, and that it was Mindy who called the woman. Veronica points out that it was a male voice on the phone. Well, then Landry called earlier in anticipation of his arrest. Remember, at this time Landry knew his crime had been exposed, says Tim. He knew Mindy was under investigation. He knew she shipped her kids off to England.
Veronica looks really struck. While Tim is waxing poetic on how Landry had guessed that Mindy had turned on him, Veronica is horrified to take her cell phone apart and find a bug. Tim continues with a comment that something like eighty percent of the evidence in this case has been obtained outside the "usual" police protocol (thank you, show, for acknowledging your own gaps in logic), Veronica once again raises her hand. She wants to know how Tim knows that Mrs. O'Dell had sent her kids to England. Tim can't answer that. Veronica proceeds, now facing him in the aisle between the rows of seats, that whoever bugged Landry's phone knew that the Dean caught Mindy and Landry at the hotel, and that the Dean was drunk in his office. Tim thinks that if she is suggesting that Batando did this, then it's entirely possible. Veronica interrupts with the idea that it is also possible that this person would have also heard that Landry shot down Tim's chances at Pepperdin.
At this point Tim knows it's over, but he continues to struggle on. Veronica points out that he couldn't have heard her dad telling her about Mindy's kids and England, because he was inside the convenience store talking to a stripper. The only way he would know that is if he bugged her phone. At which point she shows him the bug she just found.
And then she does her indignant Miss Marple: Tim bugged Landry's phone. Tim bugged her phone. He knew Landry shot down his application. He knew Landry's been caught by the drugged out and drunk Dean. He had access to Landry's clothes. He murdered Dean O'Dell to destroy Landry. Because Landry used him and betrayed him. And when Landry mentioned an alibi, Tim faked one to further dig Landry into a hole. But no worries. Landry is sure to change his mind about Tim not being that smart. Tim, however, is too busy proving Landry's point, because it's clear that his brain has shut down. It's a poor stare down contest between the righteously indignant Veronica and rather flustered Tim.
We end it all at the Mars' residence. The TV is on and an anchor woman informs us that Tim was arrested and promptly confessed to the murder of Dean O'Dell. And the suitably reflexive Veronica's voiceover tells us that downside of justice is that, while feeling good, it doesn't change anything. The Dean is still dead, apparently, despite the killer being in jail. (Wow. Profound, Veronica! Now, can you tell us something along the lines of bad things happening to good people and the truth setting everyone free? I guess you really do have that Platitude-a-Day calendar, after all.).
She asks Keith, as an afterthought, about what's going to happen to Landry. Well, daughter, here's how it works: He killed Mindy, he confessed, he goes to jail. End of story. End of the investigation. End of what has got to be the least satisfying case arc in Veronica Mars history. And it had some stiff competition from the raging, rape-faking feminazis and the bus load of kids no one cared about much.
The questions abound. Tim Foyle, it would appear, has decided at some point to tape his mentor's phone conversations just because. And heard something that upset him very much. Namely, that his mentor does not think very highly of him. And wouldn't give him the ringing endorsement that Tim felt he deserved. So, his retaliation idea is to kill the Dean? And hope for ... what exactly? That the local hapless law enforcement will see beyond a fake suicide? That six weeks later the Dean's widow would hire a PI? Who, in turn, would convince the completely-satisfied-with-the-suicide-theory sheriff to reopen the investigation? That the incinerator would not be used for two and a half months? And that ... oh, come on!!! The whole thing is so utterly unsatisfying and absurd! Supposedly brilliant Landry acts like a moron. Supposedly innocent Mindy acts like a criminal. Supposedly cagey Tim leaves such obvious openings for Veronica. And supposedly weary and mistrustful Veronica gets played by an inferior mind?
Then there's the small matter of time-line not working out. The phone call from Pepperdine is recorded on December 10th, at 5:35 p.m. The Dean was killed on December 10th, at approximately 3:00 a.m. Which means the Dean was murdered BEFORE Landry shot down Tim's chances for a job. Before Tim learned about it. Before he had any reason for planning an elaborate revenge! So, what, another continuity flop? Like Veronica's December rape taking place in June now? Or Madison's rite-of-fall birthday migrating to February? I am confused!
The motive for murder is ludicrous in an of itself. Why the Dean? Why not Mindy? It's far easier to make Landry look culpable of that. As a motive for murder this is a step above "I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die." As a well-thought out plan, it sucks. It doesn't even answer for the supposedly linear thinking Tim possesses. The execution is cumbersome and relies heavily on such improbable set of circumstances and coincidences. So many things had had to happen by chance for his plan to work, it's unbelievable to me that he had expected it to work at all.Oh, and still beyond all of this, it must be said: Tim's wig is still the biggest crime on this show.
So, there you have it, folks. Six weeks of drudgery, one good, interesting new character sacrificed. For this? I suppose the single silver lining is that it is, well and truly, over.
Flashback 1. Cyrus in the hotel room with Mindy and Landry. His version. (Read detailed breakdown.)
Flashback 2. The Dean in his office, someone comes in. (Read detailed breakdown.)
Flashback 3. Dean's office. Night. (Read detailed breakdown.)
Flashback 4. Cyrus in the hotel room with Mindy and Landry. Her version. (Read detailed breakdown.)
Flashback 5. Landry's alibi. (Read detailed breakdown.)
"A Night" (Harlem Shakes")
Scene: What does Wallace spy with his little eye? Logan and a blonde who is not Veronica enjoying lunch a little too much.
LoVe Lines
Logan: Mars! (Comes around a corner and starts walking in step with her.)
Veronica: We're on a last name basis now? We skipped right over androgynous nicknames?
Logan: (Smiling.) I tried calling you "Chuckles" but it didn't stick. (At Veronica's face.) You know, some people are afraid of you.
Veronica: Huh. So, what's up, Echolls?
Logan: Nothing, just, uh (He brushes her arm and stops walking, she turns around.) ... uh, I wanted to ask you about something, you know, it's kind of weird, but (Looking down at his feet.) ... you know, I was thinking about asking Parker out, and (Meeting her eyes again.) ... I wanted to make sure it was cool with you.
Tim: (Logan and Veronica are stopped outside his office.) Veronica! Are you coming in?
Veronica: (Jaw still dropped a little from Logan's question, turns to Tim.) Yeah, uh, one second. (Turning back to Logan.) Of course. Thank you for asking.
Logan: (Shrugging.) Sure, I mean, we're friends.
Veronica: (Nodding, slight smile, not meeting his eyes.) Yeah. (Both chuckle softly, smile awkwardly. Veronica indicates Tim's office.) See ya. (Overselling it with a thumbs up, no less.) And good luck!
In Memory
(Mindy's Version)
Landry: Put the gun down now, Cyrus. Let's talk about this.
Dean O'Dell: (Sarcastically.) Oh, "Cyrus!" Oh, we're on a first-name basis now! (Getting angry.) I can see how you might be confused ...
Mindy: Cyrus ...
Dean O'Dell: (Ignoring her.) ... about our relationship what with you sleeping with my wife and all. But let me remind you -- I'm your boss.
Landry: Please -- put the gun down and then we'll talk!
Mindy: Cyrus, Cyrus, please!
Dean O'Dell: There's nothing to talk about. You're done, Hank. And I don't mean just at Hearst, I mean everywhere. No more tenure, no more happy days in academia bedding impressionable students and easily charmed wives.
(Landry's Version)
Dean O'Dell: (To Landry.) ... no more happy days of academia bedding down impressionable students and easily charmed wives.
Mindy: Cyrus, if you'll just put the gun away --
Dean O'Dell: (Turning his wrath on his faithless wife.) And you! You'll find your things on the lawn tomorrow morning, OK? I'm so sorry I didn't take my friends' advice about marrying you but thank god I took their advice about a prenup. We are done and you get nothing! You hear me? NOTHING!
Quotable Quotes
Veronica Mars Voiceover: So here's something the Freshmen guide book failed to address: Your father is acting Sheriff. He thinks your favorite professor may have murdered your favorite Dean. So where do you sit in class? Up front now seems awkward, but isn't the seat in the back like hanging an "I think you're guilty" sign?
Mindy: This doesn't make sense, Keith.
Keith: Sheriff Mars, actually. I am acting Sheriff now so, sorry.
Mindy: Okay, Sheriff. Why am I still here being questioned by you in that tone of voice?! You said that you found my ex-husband's fingerprints all over Cyrus' computer keyboard. Steve was clearly unstable. You found his prints on the keyboard. Isn't that what you people call a "smoking gun?"
Keith: "Goodbye, cruel world." That sentiment uses eleven letters. Unstable ex-husband Steve's prints are on every key on the keyboard. And of course there's the matter of the gloves found in the incinerator. Did the killer bother to wear gloves for the murder only to take them off and leave prints all over the computer? So, no, that's not what we call a smoking gun.
Keith: I believe Hank Landry killed your husband, Mrs. O'Dell. I believe I can prove it. My question to you is this: Are you gonna take the fall with him?
Veronica: (Upon finding Tim skulking about at Mars Investigations.) What the hell are you doing?
Tim: I, uh, I'm --
Veronica: Formulating a lie, realizing it's futile, begrudgingly telling the truth?
Veronica: (Noticing Tim's latex gloves.) Nice gloves. You headed to the parlor to strangle Colonel Mustard after this?
Tim: (Whispering.) We're breaking and entering. I can't leave prints.
Veronica: Use your sleeve. It's less creepy.
Veronica: (Sitting on the floor with Tim opening all the CD cases.) I didn't know Night Ranger had this many albums. (Tim chuckles, then walks over to the entertainment center.)
Tim: Well, there are all these DVDs.
Veronica: Does he have A Bug's Life?
Tim: Noooo. (Sighs. Then spots a likely suspect among the cases.) But he does have T.A.P.S.
Keith: You talk to the airports?
Sachs: LAX, yeah, but I'm still waiting to hear from John Wayne.
Veronica: (Ambling in doing a horrible John Wayne mime and vocal impression.) And you're not gonna pilgrim, 'cause what I am (Changes back to her real voice.) is dead.
Parker: Hey.
Veronica: Hey.
Parker: Long time no see!
Veronica: Yeah. What's up?
Parker: Nothing. (Looking somewhat troubled and nervous.) No, it's just, ah ... it's kinda weird. Um, I don't know if, if you know, but um ... Logan and I, we're sort of ... I don't know ... hanging out?
Veronica: Actually, Parker, I'm just running out. Is it okay if we catch up later?
Parker: Yeah ... okay. (Note: Neither looking "okay" at all)
Veronica Mars Voiceover: So I guess it's true -- little future murderers play with dinosaurs like everyone else. And have cuddly old grandpas.
Tim: (Looking at Butando's computer, he whispers) There's nothing here. (Veronica looks at Tim's hands with a mixture of puzzlement and disgust.) What?
Veronica: Nice gloves. You headed to the parlor to strangle Colonel Mustard after this?
Tim: We're breaking and entering I can't leave prints!
Veronica: Use your sleeve! (She demonstrates a move that's akin to Logan's patented woobie-sleeves-over-hands maneuver, minus the sadness and dispair) It's less creepy. (She takes a gander around the apartment) So where else would you hide illicit....(Spots a cabinet full of hundreds of CD cases) ... recordings?
____________________________________
Veronica: (Sitting on the floor with Tim opening all the CD cases) I didn't know Night Ranger had this many albums. (Tim chuckles, then walks over to the entertainment center)
Tim: Well, there are all these DVDs.
Veronica: Does he have A Bug's Life?
Tim: Noooo. (Sighs. Then spots a likely suspect among the cases) But he does have T.A.P.S. (Opens the case and shows Veronica the blank CD marked 11/26 12/26).
____________________________________
Keith: You talk to the airports?
Sachs: LAX, yeah, but I'm still waiting to hear from John Wayne.
Veronica: (Ambling in doing a horrible John Wayne mime and vocal impression) And you're not gonna pilgrim, 'cause what I am (Changes back to her real voice) is dead.
____________________________________
Parker: (Approaching Veronica at the library info desk) Hey.
Veronica: Hey.
Parker: Long time no see!
Veronica: Yeah. What's up?
Parker: Nothing. (Looks somewhat troubled and nervous) No, it's just, ah...it's kinda weird. Um, I don't know if, if you know, but um...Logan and I, we're sort of ... I don't know... hanging out?
Veronica: Actually, Parker, I'm just running out. Is it OK if we catch up later?
Parker: Yeah...OK. (Neither looking OK at all)
____________________________________
Veronica Mars Voiceover: So I guess it's true - - little future murderers play with dinosaurs like everyone else. And have cuddly old grandpas.
Veronica: Brewer Landry. Lives in Florida. (Veronica shows Keith the picture of Landry's papa.)
Keith: (Holding the photo.) This doesn't look like Florida.
Veronica: (Taking the photo from Keith.) Looks like the mountains. Those are aspen trees --
Tim: (Tim nabs the photo.) Quaking aspens, so western mountains
Veronica: (Veronica takes the photo back, points at bottom corner.) And on this one you can actually make out the license plate on this truck. Navy letters on white.
Tim: The most common pattern, so it could be anywhere. Virginia, Alabama, Illinois, Kansas ... (Keith nods along.)
Veronica: (Rolling her eyes.) Quaking aspens. Western U.S.
Tim: Okay, so Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, Utah, or California.
Veronica: California has red state letters, so does Washington!
Tim: (Keith picks up the second photo.) Not on the endangered animal specialized list -- (Tim grabs the photo for closer inspection.) and that could be a whale --
Veronica: (Veronica snatches it back.) Or a lake, as in Crater Lake, a specialized Oregon plates.
Keith: (Pointing at framed picture in his photo.) Or Papa could be Ernest Hemmingway.
Tim: Another interesting thing about this case, is once a perpetrator starts improvising (Dropping to a stage whisper.) the sloppier his work becomes.
Veronica: (to Tim, icily.) Bet he'll change his mind about you not being that smart.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: The one big downside of justice -- it feels good, but it doesn't change anything. The killer's in jail, but the dean is still dead, which remains, fundamentally, unfair.
Veronica: Man! You get everyone to confess.
Keith: I think it's the uniform. Do you have anything to confess?
Veronica: Yes. You embarrass me.
Keith: (About the news broadcast.) Turn that off, will you? (Veronica complies.) You know I don't like you exposed to all this crime and violence. It's gonna warp your mind. (The two start to eat dinner in silence, Keith studies Veronica for a moment.) Who am I kidding? (He clicks the TV back on, Veronica smiles and peeks around his shoulder to watch.)
Papa's Cabin ... (Referenced by the episode title.)
The 'Papa' here is Ernest Hemingway and the cabin refers to the one in which he is said to have written his classic tale of a fisherman, The Old Man and the Sea ... in Cabo sure enough, but not Cabo San Lucas in California, rather Cabo Blanco in the Piura region in the province of Palera in northern Peru. Cabo Blanco is a fishing village that lies ninety-six miles north of the city of Piura and takes its name from the light coloured nearby mountains. To get to Cabo Blanco, surfers (or, back in the 1950's and 1960's, fishermen -- who traveled there to hunt big marlin; it's reported that Papa caught a seven-hundred pound marlin!) need to take the winding paved road that runs from the town of El Alto, located at the North Pan-American Highway.
Cabo Blanco is widely held to feature the best left-breaking wave in Peru. A rapid and short wave (which makes a quick take-off obligatory) and one of the best tubes in the country. The wave can reach a height of twelve feet!, although normally it ranges from seven to ten feet. In 1979, Peruvian surfer Gordo Barreda discovered the wave when he visited the village to check the surf in the area. The wave is a hollow powerful left and is reckoned the "Peruvian Pipeline," referring to the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii. The wave breaks over sand and rock, with the sand building up through summer and being washed away progressively by winter swells. The wave inspires a kind of fanaticism among surfers. Hey! Keith may not have been the only one who caught this sneaky tidbit, as Cabo Blanco is a mecca for surfing, young Mr. Echolls might have picked up on it himself. Yet another reason that Veronica made a mistake in breaking up with Logan (again!).
Smoking Gun (Phrase) ... (Referenced by Mindy while Keith interrogates her.)
Basically, the phrase means "incontrovertible proof." In other words, dude, you're so guilty, it's not even funny. 'The chaplain stood with a smoking pistol in his hand,' wrote A. Conan Doyle in the short Sherlock Holmes story, The Gloria Scott, written in 1894. Such a stance is generally considered suggestive of obvious (sometimes too obvious) guilt.
A good example of the use of the phrase occurred during the Watergate investigation, Nixon defenders insisted that while much impropriety could be observed, no proof of presidential obstruction of justice, ie., there was no smoking gun, had been found. As history will tell, they spoke too soon. When a tape was released on June 23, 1972, Nixon's accusers had their smoking gun. H. R. Haldeman was shown on the tape to have said to the President that "the FBI is not under control" and that the CIA could be used to block the FBI investigation. When Haldeman said, "And you seem to think the thing to do is to get them the FBI to stop?" Nixon replied, "Right, fine."
Representative Barber Conable, a conservative Republican, said that the evidence on the June 23 tape "looked like a smoking gun." The term, which had been bandied about for months, was now widely quoted and within days the President resigned, and the simile's incontrovertible-evidence meaning was reinforced. (or so said William Safire in his Safire's New Political Dictionary published in 1993.
The phrase is similar to 'caught red-handed," but the distinction lies in the use of the word "smoking." The origin of caught red-handed derives from the phrase "to be taken with red hand" which in ancient times referred to a murderer caught with his hand still red with the victim's blood. The use of 'red hand' in this phraseology goes back to fifteenth century Scotland and Scottish law. Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe has the first recorded use of 'taken red-handed' for someone apprehended in the act of committing a crime. Not long after, the expression became more common as 'caught red-handed.'"
However, as mentioned above, the distinction between the two phrases in the modern sense revolves around the fact that the gun is "smoking" which means it was just fired, therefore red-handed could have to do with being in the wrong place at the wrong time, handling a recently deceased individual. And therein lies the "incontrovertible" part of the phrase's meaning, because if one had not fired, but had instead just picked up the gun, it would not still be smoking.
Goodbye Cruel World ... (Referenced by Keith while he interrogates Mindy.)
"Goodbye, cruel world" is a stock suicide message used in literature, lyrics, films, and, sometimes in real life. It's difficult to trace the exact origins of the phrase, or say who used it first. There are several notable instances. There's a book by Kurt Vonnegut called Mother Night, written in 1961; the second to last sentence in which is "Goodbye, cruel world." It is also the title of a song by Pink Floyd from their groundbreaking album The Wall:
Finally, apparently the use of this particular cliche in Dean O'Dell's murder (and, it would follow, Veronica's paper) is an in-joke. Ed Begley Jr. (our Dean) has appeared in the film Batman Forever, playing the Riddler's boss. The Riddler murdered him, leaving a fake suicide note that read "Goodbye, cruel world." Clearly Veronica (and the VM writing staff) watches too many movies ... and just as clearly, Tim Foyle took Veronica's paper much too much to heart.
California ... (Referenced by Keith when he leaves Mindy to arrest Landry, also by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
California is the thirty-first state in the United States and spans the southern half of the Pacific Coast. It is the largest state in population (thirty-seven million) and the third largest in area (158,402 square miles). California is home to several significant economic regions such as Hollywood, the California Central Valley, Silicon Valley, and the Wine Country. It is also home to several important cities and towns (Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, etc).
The name is believed to be a derivation of the mythical paradise of Calafia portrayed in Amadis de Guala, a sixteenth century Spanish romance by Garci Rodriguez de Montalvo. Others believe the name to be a play on the Spanish words for "hot as an oven;" "cali" meaning "hot" and "fornus" meaning oven.
Different regions of California have very different climates, depending the latitude and proximity to the coast. Most of the state has a Mediterranean climate, with rainy winters and dry summers. 60.5% of the population speaks English, 25.8% speak Spanish, 2.6% speak Chinese, and the rest speak Tagalog, Vietnamese, or some other language. The languages of the indigenous people number more than one hundred, making California one of the most linguistically diverse areas in the world.
Xanax (Referenced by Keith while he interrogates Landry.)
Xanax is the extended-release formulation of alprazolam and was introduced in 2001 and the preferred form of the drug. Alprazolam is a short-acting drug in the benzodiazepine class used to treat anxiety disorders and as an adjunctive treatment for depression.
Alprazolam was originally marketed as an atypical benzodiazepine, but only classified for use treating anxiety neurosis. Researchers later speculated, however, that alprazolam could be studied for serotonergic effects. On October 20, 1976, Dr. Guy Chouinard was the first to conduct a clinical trial of alprazolam in panic disorder. Patients diagnosed with panic disorder were included among participants in the study. Fifty patients were given either the alprazolam or a placebo during an eight-week double-blind controlled study. Results proved that both somatic and psychic anxiety was decreased significantly in those who took the alprazolam, compared to the placebo.
Needle in a Haysack ... (Referenced by Landry when Tim visits his jail cell.)
Simply put, the reference to a search for a needle in haystack means that one is attempting the near impossible search for something. After all, the likelihood of finding something so tiny as a needle in a haystack is enormously difficult and, as stated, near impossible without pulling your hair out in the process.
The first use of this expression -- and therefore, its likely origin -- is by the writer Miguel de Cervantes (of Don Quixote fame). In part three, chapter ten of that very book, Don Quixote might "as well look for as needle in a bottle of hay." Huh? You may be thinking. What's a bottle of hay (?) got to do with a haystack? Well, an old alternative for haystack was actually a 'bottle of hay.' Why? Because 'bottle' is an old word for a bundle of hay, taken from the French word botte, meaning bundle. Brewer (1870-94 dictionary and revisions) lists the full expression: 'looking for a needle in a bottle of hay' -- which tells us that the term was first used in this form, and was later adapted during the 1900's into the modern form.
Mtley Cre ... (Referenced by Veronica when she asks the clerk about the strippers.)
Mtley Cre is a popular American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. The band is made up of Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, and Vince Neil. The group is considered one of the most successful American heavy metal and hard rock bands, having sold over forty-two million albums worldwide and twenty-four million records in the United States alone. Their ninth studio album is due to be released sometime in 2007.
Mtley Cre was formed in California during 1981, after bassist Nikki Sixx left the band London which he had started in 1979 after he was fired from Blackie Lawless' band Sister. Drummer Tommy Lee had previously played in a band called Suite 19 with vocalist/guitarist Greg Leon. Sixx, Lee and Leon started rehearsing but Leon decided not to continue, and the bassist and drummer looked for new members. Sixx and Lee met guitarist Mick Mars -- at that time still performing in blues based heavy metal acts under his name Bob Alan Deal -- through an ad in The Recycler reading "Loud, rude, aggressive guitarist available." When they first met Mars, Sixx's first reaction was, "I can't believe it! Here's another one like us!"
After famously playing the US Festival, and with the aid of the new medium of MTV, the band found rapid success in the United States. They were also known as much for their backstage groupie antics, outrageous clothing, extreme high-heeled boots, heavy make-up, and seemingly endless abuse of alcohol and drugs as for their music. Their mixture of heavy metal and glam rock stylings produced several massive-selling albums during the 1980's, including Shout at the Devil, Theater of Pain and Girls, Girls, Girls.
The band has also had their share of scrapes with the law and life. In 1984, Neil wrecked his car on his way to the liquor store. He was in a head-on collision, and his passenger, Hanoi Rocks drummer Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley, was killed. Neil, charged with a DUI and vehicular manslaughter, was sentenced to thirty days in jail -- although he only spent eighteen days. Ah, celebrity. Playboy wives, affairs, drugs, rehab, break-ups, make-ups, commercial successes and failures followed before the four original members came together and announced a reunion tour which began February 14, 2005, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
A 2001 autobiography entitled The Dirt told their full story. The book made the top ten on the New York Times best-seller list, and spent ten weeks there. It also introduced the band to a whole new generation of fans. The Dirt has become a sacred text and "bible" for rockers all over the world and is set to become a major motion picture through Paramount Pictures and MTV Films.
Gilmore Girls ... (Referenced by Veronica when Wallace attempts un-girlish girl talk.)
An hour-long American television dramedy, Gilmore Girls has been on the air for seven years (with a possible eighth season on the horizon). The show premiered in October of 2000 on the WB network (it moved to the CW network in September of 2006, when the WB and UPN merged), to so-so ratings, but in its second season started gaining numbers, becoming one of the WB's biggest hits. Its jump to the CW has continued this trend, with Gilmore Girls one of the few successes on the new network.
Amy Sherman-Palladino created the show and served as its executive producer with husband Daniel Palladino until the end of the sixth season. David S. Rosenthal, the current executive producer of the show, took over as show-runner in the wake of the Palladinos' departure. The show follows single mother Lorelai Victoria Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and her daughter Lorelai Leigh "Rory" Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, which is located approximately thirty minutes from Hartford. The series explores family, friendship, generational divides, and American class issues.
Graham and Bledel in Season 1 (2000) and Season 7 (2006) promotional images.
While, generally a critical success all-around (with especial kudos for star, Graham), Gilmore Girls is best known for its intricate, extremely fast-paced dialogue, with many dashes of modern pop culture references thrown in. It also has specific perspectives on social class, represented most regularly by Lorelai's sometimes contentious relationships with her wealthy upper class parents. The show's wit and character-based humor have won it a loyal following of both critics and viewers. The switch in executive producers has caused some dissatisfaction with the fanbase however, this despite the fact that the Palladinos' last year on the show was not as well-received as earlier seasons either.
Corn Nuts ... (Referenced by Veronica 3 A.M. stripper-huntin' snack.)
Albert Holloway invented corn nuts in 1936. He originally sold them to taverns as a beer snack, calling them Brown Jug Toasted Corn. He later renamed his product CornNuts. He also learned of a giant breed of corn grown in Cusco, Peru, and began to make his product using this variety's giant kernels. His research eventually led to a hybrid Cusco corn which could be grown in the climate conditions of the United States.
Today, CornNuts is part of Planters, a subsidiary of Kraft Foods. It is sold in six flavors: Original, Barbeque, Nacho Cheese, Chile Picante, Salsa Jalisco and Ranch. Simply put, Corn nuts are a snack food made soaking whole corn in water for three days, then boiling them in oil until they are hard and brittle.
Surrey, England ... (Referenced by where Mindy O'Dell sent her kids.)
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Berkshire, Greater London, Hampshire, Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex. The county town is Guildford. It is divided into eleven boroughs and districts: Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Guildford, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Tandridge, Waverley, Woking. The county has a population of approximately one million people. Due to its proximity to London there are many commuter towns and villages in Surrey, the population density is high and the area is more affluent, on average, than other parts of the UK. Surrey is the most densely populated shire county in England, and the most densely populated ceremonial county after London, the metropolitan counties and Bristol. Much of the north-east of the county forms part of the Greater London Urban Area, but is excluded from the political Greater London.
Surrey contains a good deal of mature woodland and it is the most wooded county in Great Britain, with 22.4% coverage compared to a national average of 11.8%. As such, it is one of the few counties to not include new woodlands in their strategic plans. Box Hill -- a well known beauty spot close to the southern outskirts of London, named after the box trees which can be found on its steep southern and western flanks -- has the oldest untouched area of natural woodland in the United Kingdom, one of the oldest in Europe.
The Old Fort, Box Hill Road, Box Hill, Tadworth, Surrey
Much of Surrey is in the Green Belt and is rolling downland, the county's geology being dominated by the chalk hills of the North Downs. Agriculture not being intensive, there are many commons and access lands, together with an extensive network of footpaths and bridleways including the North Downs Way, a scenic long-distance path. Accordingly, Surrey provides much in the way of rural leisure activities, with a very large horse population.
Colonel Mustard / Clue ... (Referenced by Veronica when she pokes fun at Tim's plastic gloves.)
Clue is a detective board game created by Anthony Pratt, a solicitor's clerk from Birmingham, England, in 1944 where it is known as Cluedo. Manufactured by Parker Bros, now a part of Hasbro, in 1948, in the United States it is known as Clue. It was also made into a 1985 movie starring Martin Mull, Eileen Brennan, Christopher Lloyd, Leslie Ann Warren, Madeline Kahn, Tim Curry and Michael McKean. Clue is a classic whodunit mystery surrounding the murder of Mr. Boddy (Mr. Black in the the British Cluedo). There are six suspects (e.g. Professor Plum, Miss Scarlett), six possible murder weapons and nine rooms (such as the kitchen, conservatory or study) in which the shocking act may have taken place.
Players are dealt character, weapon and location cards after one card from each category is removed and placed in a confidential file. Players must then move through the rooms on the board and determine the who, what and where of the crime by making accusations, and asking other players to disprove the suppositions by showing any of the cards accused. Once a player knows what cards the other players are holding they will know what cards are in the secret file.
The Colonel's character varies depending on where you are from. In British CLUEDO, he has always been portrayed as a dashing ladies man, who often has both Mrs. Peacock and Miss Scarlett vying for his attention. In the U.S, however Colonel Mustard has aged over the last decade making him an daft old man! No matter where you live, the Colonel is a retired military man. As for the Colonel's motive for killing poor old Mr.Boddy (or Dr. Black in the United Kingdom CLUEDO) it is often because of a bad investment he's gone into with the deceased. Another popular motive is that Mustard is madly in love with Mrs. Peacock and kills his host for some sort of wrongdoing aimed at her.
A Bug's Life ... (Referenced by Veronica when she and Tim search Batando's apartment for a tape of the recordings.)
Yet another Pixar classic, A Bug's Lifewas produced by Pixar Animation Studios, a division of Walt Disney pictures, which released this computer-animated film in conjuntion with Buena Vista Distribution on November 14, 1998. This is the second feature film from the Disney/Pixar family, after the immensely critical and box-office success, Toy Story. The film tells the tale of an oddball individualist ant with grandiose dreams of help that often do more harm than good, who hires what he thinks are "warrior bugs" -- but in actuality are (not very good) circus performers -- to fight off greedy grasshoppers who demand payment in fruit/nuts.
The film was directed by John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton, written by Stanton, Don McEnery & Bob Shaw from a story by Lasseter, Stanton and Joe Ranft. Some of the vocal power behind the bugs include Dave Foley (formerly of News Radio as the titular bug, Flik, Kevin Spacey as the big bad grasshopper, Hopper, Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, The New Adventures of the Old Christine, as the 'love interest,' Princess Atta. Other actors supplying their voices include Denis Leary (Rescue Me), Phyllis Diller, David Hyde-Pierce (Frasier, Broadway's Monty Python's Spamalot), Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond), Bonnie Hunt, Madeline Kahn and a young Hayden Panettiere pre-Heroes.
The film, while delightful, is not all that original (despite the number of writers who came up with the story). It is a parody of Aesop's fable of The Ant and the Grasshopper, with a nod to the underrated (and frickin' hysterical comedy), Three Amigos!, which features out-of-work actors (as opposed to the circus performer bugs) defending a town while thinking they're merely giving a performance. And of course, Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai -- as well as the Hollywood remake, The Magnificent Seven, is brought to mind. In that film, Japanese (Mexican in Seven) villagers hiring a rag-tag group of swordsmen (in Seven, it was gunfighters) to fight off rampaging bandits.
The animated film made $162 million dollars in its U.S. theatrical run, easily covering its estimated production costs of $45 million and (like most children's fare) has done exceedingly well on DVD. A few notes of trivia:
Taps is a 1981 dramatic film, starring Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn (his film debut), Tom Cruise, Ronny Cox and George C. Scott, directed by Harold Becker. Hutton was nominated for a Golden Globe award in 1982 for his role in the film. The screenplay by Robert Mark Kamen, James Lineberger and Darryl Ponicsan is based on the novel Father Sky by Devery Freeman. The film's tagline is: This school is our home, we think it's worth defending.
The original DVD cover, and the 25th Anniversary issue that the foiled Tim finds.
In the film, when an exclusive military school is threatened with demolition by a rapacious real-estate company, the students, headed by Timothy Hutton, take drastic action. Utilizing every bit of military know-how at their disposal, the boys take over the school, arm themselves to the teeth, and prepare to do battle against the "invading" developers. General George C. Scott, the head of the academy, tries to quell the rebellion, but soon he too is swept up by the students' to-the-death determination when the Army is called in to rout the boys.
Pepperdine University (Referenced by Tims application, for which Landry gave him a poor recommendation)
Pepperdine University is located in the attractive Malibu Canyon, has a beachfront view of the Pacific Ocean and a rather deceptively laid-back atmosphere. In fact, if one absolutely must get a job in tight-ass, conservative, stifling academia, Pepperdine is certainly the way to go. At least the view is pretty.
Touted as one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation, it is, however, a coveted spot not only for its aesthetic attributes. Pepperdine is a Christian university with emphasis on Christian values. It is affiliated with the Church of Christ, of which its founder George Pepperdine was a lifelong member. The Universitys motto is "Strengthening Lives for Purpose, Service, and Leadership." (Ahem, I am beginning to see why professor Landry was so reluctant to recommend one Timothy Foyle for a job there.).
It's an independent, medium-sized university that enrolls a little over eight thousand students. Schools of Pepperdine include Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences (there's a College of Letters? Is that like a correspondence school?), Graziadio School of Business and Management (campus located in West Los Angeles at the Howard Hughes Center. Hmm, maybe that's where Logan would do his postgraduate degree.), Graduate School of Education and Psychology, School of Law, and School of Public Policy. They are mostly located on the University's eight-hundred and thirty-acre campus. Classes are taught in Malibu and at six graduate campuses in Southern California. There are also international campuses in Germany, England, Italy and Argentina.
Pepperdine was established in 1937 by George Pepperdine, a Christian businessman and founder of the Western Auto Supply Company. He opened it as a Christian liberal arts college amidst the Great Depression. On September 21, 1937, students began studying on a newly built campus in Los Angeles, and by April 6, George Pepperdine College (as it was first called) was fully accredited by the Northwest Association.
George Pepperdine, as a very wealthy and successful man, thought it his duty to give something back. "I consider it wrong to build up a great fortune and use it selfishly," he said. His two-fold objective for the college was "to provide first-class, fully accredited academic training in the liberal arts," and to build "in the student a Christ-like life, a love for the church, and a passion for the souls of mankind." (Hey, Veronica can go there to have epiphanies!). At first, Pepperdine was a small, mostly undergraduate college.
It achieved its University status in 1970 when it added graduate and professional schools. An inventor, Frank R. Seaver, left the University money in his will, but it was his widow, Blanche E. Seaver, who gave large donations that enabled the school to expand into Malibu in 1971. Later, in 1975, the Malibu campus was named the Frank R. Seaver College, and has become the main undergraduate school of the University.
In the1980's, Pepperdine became known as one of the leading centers of conservative politics, attracting conservative-leaning professors from UCLA and USC. Pepperdine faculty have included such prominent conservatives as Ben Stein (eek!), Kenneth Starr (oy! The guy is the current Dean of the School of Law! No wonder Tim was looking for a job there! It must be a haven for the judgmental and the uptight!), Arthur Laffer, and, currently, Daniel Pipes. (Im guessing, Hank Landry was friends with other faculty members).
The Princeton Review listed Pepperdine as one of colleges with "Dorms Like Palaces" in 2004 and 2007, and as number one under "Most Beautiful Campuses" in 2006 and 2007. Because of its Christian affiliation the assumption is that the University produces a religious and politically conservative atmosphere. However, students from all religious and political backgrounds can be found on campus. US News & World Reports has ranked Pepperdine as the 54th best national university for undergraduate education, its law school is rated 87th among the top 100 law schools in the country by the same publication, and the Straus Institute has appeared as number one in the field of dispute resolution. The Graziadio School of Business and Management has been consistently ranked by BusinessWeek as having one of the world's Top 25 Executive MBA programs, and US News & World Report has ranked the Graziadio School's Fully-Employed MBA program in the world's Top 30 and its Full-Time MBA program in the world's Top 100. Financial Times magazine has ranked the Graziadio School's EMBA in the world's Top 65.
So, a small part of me can see why Tim was suitably pissed to not be recommended for a job here. But I still say with all my heart: Dean ODell died for this?
Los Angeles International / LAX (Referenced by Sacks as Keith checks up on Landry's disappearance.)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the primary airport for Los Angeles, California. Its located in southwestern Los Angeles Westchester neighborhood, not far from the downtown.
LAX is the worlds fifth-busiest airport by passenger traffic (more than sixty million), sixth-busiest by cargo. It serves eighty-seven domestic and sixty-nine international destinations in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Its most prominent airlines are United, American and Sounthwestern. The airport occupies about 3,425 acres of the city on the Pacific coast.
The site for the airport was selected in 1928 by the Los Angeles City Council, amounting to six hundred and thirty acres in the southern part of Westchester. The wheat, barley and lime bean fields were converted into dirt landing strips without any terminal. It was named Mines Field after William W. Mines, the real estate agent who brokered the deal. Hangar number 1, the first structure, was built in 1929 and is now a historic landmark. Mines Field was opened as the official Los Angeles airport in 1930 and was purchased by the city as a municipal airfield in 1937. In 1941 it was renamed Los Angeles Airport, and in 1949 renamed yet again Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Before the 1930's, airports used a two-letter abbreviation based on the local weather station. Therefore, at the time, the letters LA served as the designation for the Los Angeles International Airport. However, with the rapid growth in the aviation industry, the designations expended to three letters, and LA became LAX. "X" does not have any specific meaning, but rather indicates a blank letter or empty space in the code.
At first, the airport in its entirety was located east of Sepulveda Boulevard. In 1953 a tunnel was completed so it could expand westward to meet the Pacific Ocean, and that Sepulveda Boulevard would pass underneath the airports runways. The distinctive "Theme Building" was constructed in 1961. It resembles a flying saucer and houses a restaurant with a spectacular view of the airport. The place, called "Encounter Restaurant," is suspended between the intersecting "legs" of the "saucer." In 1992, the building was designated a cultural and historical monument, and a $4 million renovation with "retro-futuristic" (heh, isn't that a contradiction in terms?) interior and lighting designed by Walt Disney Imagineering was completed in 1997.
The first jet service took place at LAX in 1959, connecting Los Angeles and New York. The first wide-bodied jets appeared in 1970, when TWA flew Boeing 747s. The new $123 million Tom Bradley International Terminal was opened in 1984. In 1996 a new $29 million 277-foot tall air traffic control tower was constructed. In 2006, the airport announced a $503 million renovation project of the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Projected improvements include installing new paging, air conditioning and electrical systems, along with new elevators, escalators, baggage carousels and digital signs automatically updating flight information.
LAX has nine passenger terminals arranged in a "U" shape, also called a horseshoe. Additionally, there are two million square feet of cargo facilities and a heliport operated by Bravo Aviation. Terminal 1 houses Southwest Airlines and US Airways. Terminal 2 serves Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air Mobility Command, Air New Zealand, Aviacsa (Leon, Monterrey), Avianca (Bogota), Hawaiian Airlines, KLM (Amsterdam), Northwest Airlines, TACA (Guatemala City, San Salvador), Lacsa (San Jose, CR) and Virgin Atlantic (London). Terminal 3 is the home of AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, ATA Airlines (Honolulu, Kahului), Frontier Airlines, Republic Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines and WestJet (Calgary). Terminal 4 is occupied by American Airlines, its offshoot American Eagle and Qantas (Sydney). Terminal 5 is for Aerolitoral (Culiacan, Hermosillo, La Paz, Monterrey), Aeromexico, Air Jamaica, Delta Air Lines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines. Aeromexico also takes up space in Terminal 6, along with Continental Airlines, Copa Airlines (Panama City), Delta, SkyWest and United Airlines. Terminal 7 belongs entirely to United Airlines, as does Terminal 8.
And, last, but not least, Tom Bradley International Terminal is taken by Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airways (Tokyo), Asiana Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong), China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Copa Airlines, El Al (Tel Aviv), EVA Al (Taipei-Taiwan), Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lan Airlines (Santiago de Chile), Lan Peru, LTU International (Dusseldorf), Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Mexicana, Philippine Airlines, Quantas (Australia), Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, TACA (San Salvador) and Thai Airway International.(And I am tired just typing this).
John Wayne Airport... (Referenced by Sacks as Keith checks up on Landry's disappearance.)
John Wayne Airport is located in Orange County, California, between the cities of Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Irvine. Originally named Orange County Airport, the county Board of Supervisors renamed it in 1979 to honor the actor John Wayne, who resided on Lido Island in nearby Newport Harbor and died that year. The airport serves both general and commercial aviation needs for the area. The main runway, at 5,701 feet, is one of the shortest of any major airport in the United States, effectively restricting use to aircraft no larger than a Boeing 757.
The airport is fourteen miles from Orange County's signature attraction, the Disneyland Resort. By contrast, Los Angeles International Airport is thirty-five miles from Disneyland. A statue of the airport's namesake welcomes passengers passing through the arrivals area on the lower level.
Click on the image for a bigger
version of Wayne's statue.
Although, it does not offer international destinations, the Associated Press calls it the John Wayne International Airport. To find out more information, check out the official website for the airport.
John Wayne... (Referenced by Veronica by impersonation when she walks into the courthouse.)
John Wayne, born on May 26, 1907 and died on June 11, 1979, was born Marion Robert Morrison. Popularly known as the "Duke," he was an iconic, Academy Award winning, American film actor whose career began in silent movies in the 1920's and became a major star in the 1940's through the 70's. The actor was well-known (and often imitated) for his distinctive voice and walk. Featured heavily in Westerns and World War II epics, Wayne also made a wide range of films from various genres, biographies, romantic comedies, police dramas, and more.
Wayne in Red River (1948) and Big Jake (1971)
The Duke epitomized rugged individualistic masculinity, and has become an enduring American icon. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Wayne among the Greatest Male Stars of All Time, ranking at No. 13. A Harris Poll released in 2007 placed Wayne at No. 3 among America's favorite film stars, the only deceased star on the list and the only one who had appeared on every year's version of the poll.
Wayne died of stomach cancer in 1979, and was interred in the Pacific View Memorial Park cemetery in Corona del Mar. He requested his tombstone read, "Feo, Fuerte y Formal" a Spanish epitaph meaning he was ugly, strong, and had dignity. However, the grave, unmarked for twenty years, now is marked with a quotation from his 1971 Playboy interview: "Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday."
iPod... (Referenced by Veronica when she redials the disposable cell phone.)
The iPod is a brand of handy-dandy portable media players designed and marketed by Apple Computer. The full-sized model stores media on an internal hard drive, while the smaller iPod nano and iPod shuffle use flash memory. Like many digital audio players, iPods can also serve as external data storage devices. Apple chose to focus its development on the iPod's simple user interface and its ease of use, rather than on technical capability.
As of 2006, the hip lineup consists of the fifth generation iPod that plays videos; the smaller, second generation iPod nano; and the display-less iPod shuffle. These models were updated in 2006.
Crocket & Tubbs / Miami Vice... (Referenced by Veronica when she and Tim meet with the person called from the phone.)
The two lead characters from NBC's hit television series, Miami Vice, which aired for five seasons from 1984 through 1989. The character of Detective James "Sonny" Crockett (played by Don Johnson) became a Miami police detective after a tour in Vietnam. Crockett was partnered with the character Detective Ricardo Tubbs (played by Philip Michael Thomas), a former New York police detective that moved to Miami to go after the man that killed his brother. The two partners worked undercover together to fight crime on the streets of Miami. The Miami Vice series is known for being a big influence on 80's fashion, particularly defining a style for men, making pastel colors popular as well as popularizing the "T-shirt under the jacket" look.
Florida... (Referenced as Landry's grandfather's home.)
Located in the southeastern United States, most of the state of Florida is a large peninsula with the Gulf of Mexico on its west and the Atlantic Ocean on its east. It has a warm and humid subtropical climate and as such as known as an ideal retirement place. It was named by Juan Ponce de Leon, who landed on the coast on April 2, 1513, during Pascua Florida (Spanish for "Flowery Easter," referring to the Easter season). Florida's economy relies heavily on tourism. The capital is Tallahassee and the largest city is Jacksonville. The largest metropolitan area and major cultural center of the state is Miami.
Quaking Aspens ... (Referenced by Veronica when her and Tim try to get clues from the pictures.)
Quaking aspen trees (Populus tremuloides), with their golden-yellow fall foliage, are perhaps the dominant fall foliage tree of western North America. It is from this fall foliage standout that the ski resort of Aspen, Colorado derives its name. In the Rocky Mountains there are stands of quaking aspen trees that stretch for miles, their autumn gold perhaps punctuated here and there by an evergreen or two, as if for contrast. Quaking aspens are closely related to poplar trees, such as Lombardy poplar trees.
The origin of the name, "quaking" lies in the fact that the foliage of aspens shimmers or "quakes" when there is a breeze. This quality is due to the trees' flattened petioles, or leaf stalks. It's a poetic picture to imagine: A crisp blue sky, golden aspens and an autumn breeze, all working in concert to mimic the sun, shimmering across the deep blue seas.
As if their fall foliage weren't enough of a contribution, quaking aspens also have a lovely, whitish bark. Aspens usually reach a height of twenty to fifty feet with a spread of ten to thirty feet. Plant them in full sun and in rich, well-drained soil. Like their willow-family relative, the pussy willow, quaking aspen trees bear catkins in the spring. Quaking aspens have a wider range than any other tree of North America. They are absent from the Southeast in the U.S., but are found from Newfoundland and Alaska in the North as far south as central Mexico. But their greatest concentration is in Canada and the northern U.S.
Quaking aspens are quick to spread into disturbed areas, such as areas devasted by fire. "Quick" is the salient term here for the landscaper, since quaking aspens are a good choice when you want a tree with some height, and you need it fast! However, the reason aspens take over a disturbed area so quickly is that they are invasive. Their powerful root systems will push up suckers everywhere. So be forewarned: You wouldn't want to plant this tree around pipes, for instance. (Source: Fall Foliage of Quaking Aspen Trees by David Beaulieu.)
Virginia... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
The Commonwealth of Virginia is a state in the Southern United States. Named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was known as the Virgin Queen, this commonwealth was one of the thirteen colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution. Virginia was the first part of the Americas to be continuously inhabited by British colonists from its founding as a European colony up to the American Revolution. It included area explored by the 1584 expedition of Sir Walter Raleigh along the coast of North America, and at one time it also included Bermuda (or Virgineola). The London Virginia Company became incorporated as a joint stock company by a proprietary charter drawn up on April 10, 1606. The charter granted lands stretching from approximately the 34th parallel (North Carolina) north to approximately the 45th parallel (New York) and from the Atlantic Ocean westward (although the Third Charter of 1612 extended its boundaries far enough across the Atlantic to incorporate Bermuda, which the company had been in possession of since 1609). The capital is Richmond and the most populous city is Virginia Beach.
Virginia is known as the "Mother of Presidents." because it is the birthplace of eight U.S. presidents (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson), exceeded by no other state. Most of the United States' early presidents were from the state. Virginia has also been known as the "Mother of States." because portions of the original Colony subsequently became Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and West Virginia as well as some portions of Ohio. Additionally, most of what is now Wisconsin and Michigan was also briefly claimed by Virginia during the Revolutionary War.
Alabama... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
Alabama is a state located in the Southern United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. The twenty-second state admitted to the Union, Alabama seceded from the union in 1861 to become part of the Confederate States of America. Following the Civil War and Reconstruction, Alabama was re-admitted to the union in 1868.
Until World War II, Alabama, like many Southern states, remained mired in poverty. In the following years, Alabama would emerge as a growing economic power as the economy of the state transitioned from agriculture to diversified interests in heavy manufacturing, mineral extraction, education, and high technology. Today, the state is heavily invested in the aerospace, education, health care, banking, and various heavy industries including automobile manufacturing and mineral extraction.
Alabama is known as The Heart of Dixie and the Yellowhammer state. The capital is Montgomery and the largest city is Birmingham.
Illinois... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
Illinois is a state of the United States of America located in the Midwest; it was the twenty-first state admitted to the Union. The state is the most populous in the Midwest, and the fifth most populous in the nation. Illinois is known for its large and diverse population; its balance of rural areas, small industrial cities, vast suburbs and a great metropolis, its highly diverse economic base, and its central location that has made it a transportation hub for one hundred and fifty years. It is this mixture of factory and farm, of urban and rural, that makes Illinois a microcosm of the United States.
About two thousand Native American hunters and a small number of French villagers inhabited the area at the time of the American Revolution. American settlers began arriving from Kentucky in the 1810's; they achieved statehood in 1818. Yankees arrived a little later and dominated the north, founding the future metropolis of Chicago in the 1830's. The coming of the railroads in the 1850's made highly profitable the rich prairie farmlands in central Illinois, attracting large numbers of immigrant farmers from Germany and Sweden. Northern Illinois provided major support for Illinoisans Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant during the American Civil War. By 1900, factories were being rapidly built in the northern cities, along with coal mines in central and southern areas. This industrialization attracted large numbers of immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe, and also led to the state's material contribution as a major arsenal in both world wars. In addition to immigrants from other countries, large numbers of blacks left the cotton fields of the South to come to Chicago, where they developed a famous jazz culture.
The state is named for the Illinois River which was named by French explorers after the indigenous Illiniwek people, a consortium of Algonquian tribes that thrived in the area. The word Illiniwek means "tribe of superior men."
Kansas... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
The State of Kansas, in the Midwestern United States, is named after the Kansas River that flows through it, which got its name from the Siouan word Kansa meaning "people of the south wind." It is also home to the geographical center of the contiguous United States. Nicknamed The Sunflower State, Kansas has an estimated total population of 2,688,418. Its capital city is Topeka, while the largest individual city is Wichita and the Kansas City metropolitan area has the most population. State symbols include the sunflower (flower), American buffalo (animal), cottonwood (tree) and Western Meadowlark (bird). The state song is "Home on the Range."
Most of Kansas was acquired by the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Southwest Kansas was part of Spain, Mexico, and the Republic of Texas until the end of the Mexican-American War. Kansas was part of the Missouri Territory, and in 1827 Fort Levenworth became the first permanent settlement of white Americans in the future state. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 established the Kansas Territory, which included much of western Colorado. During the 1850's the territory became known as Bleeding Kansas when a hotbed of violence and chaos as abolitionists and pro-slavery settlers came there to determine if it would become a free state. In 1861 Kansas officially joined the Union as a free state, and following the Civil War the population grew as immigrants began to turn the prairie into farmland.
Kansas' economy is largely agricultural and industrial. The state leads the nation in wheat production and overall is one of the most productive agricultural states. Other agricultural products include cattle, sheep, cotton, corn and salt. Indistrial products include transportation equipment, food processing, chemical producs, machinery, petroleum and mining. Major employers in the state include Sprint Nextel, Cessna, Goodyear Tire and Rubber, Payless Shoes and Boeing.
Oregon... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Oregon borders the Pacific Ocean on the west, Washington on the north, Idaho on the east, and California and Nevada on the south. The Columbia and Snake Rivers form, respectively, much of its northern and eastern borders. Between two north-south mountain ranges in western Oregon -- the Pacific Coast Range and the Cascade Mountain Range -- lies the Willamette Valley, the most densely populated and agriculturally productive region of the state.
Oregon has one of the most diverse landscapes of any state in the U.S. It is well known for its tall, dense forests; its accessible, scenic Pacific coastline; and its rugged, glaciated Cascade volcanoes. Other areas include semiarid scrublands, prairies, and deserts that cover approximately half the state in eastern and north-central Oregon.
The origin of the state's name is something of a mystery. The earliest known use of this proper noun was in a 1765 petition by Major Robert Rogers to the Kingdom of Great Britain. The petition referred to Ouragon and asked for money to finance an expedition in search of the Northwest Passage. In 1766, Rogers commissioned Jonathan Carver to lead such an expedition and in 1778, Carver used Oregon to label the Great River of the West in his book Travels Through the Interior Parts of North America. The poet William Cullen Bryant took the name from Carver's book and used it in his poem Thanatopsis to refer to the recent discoveries of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which helped establish it in modern use.
In 2001, archaeologist Scott Byram and David G. Lewis published an article in the Oregon Historical Quarterly arguing that the name Oregon came from the word oolighan, referring to grease made from fish, which was and is a highly prized food source for Native Americans of the region. Allegedly, those trade routes brought the term eastward. Another theory was put out in yet another article for the Oregon Historical Quarterly in 2004 in which Professor Thomas Love and Smithsonian linguist Ives Goddard argue that Rogers chose the word based on exposure to either of the Algonquian words wauregan and olighin, both meaning "good and beautiful."
Oregon's population in 2000 was 3,421,399, a 20.4% increase over 1990. The Census Bureau estimated Oregon's population to have reached 3,594,586 by 2004.
Washington... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The state is named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. Washington was carved out of the western part of Washington Territory and admitted to the Union as the 42nd state in November 11, 1889. In 2006, the Census Bureau estimated the state's population at 6,395,798. Residents are called "Washingtonians" (emphasis on the third syllable, pronounced as tone). Washington is often called Washington state to distinguish it from Washington, D.C., the nation's capital.
Washington's climate varies greatly from west to east. A mild oceanic climate (also called "marine west coast climate") predominates in western Washington, and a much drier climate prevails east of the Cascade Range. Major factors determining Washington's climate include the large semi-permanent high pressure and low pressure systems of the north Pacific Ocean, the continental air masses of North America, and the Olympic and Cascade mountains.
Wisconsin... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.) (Jennifer)
Wisconsin is a state in the United States, and is located in the Great Lakes region. The capital of the state is Madison, and its current governor is Jim Doyle. Bordered by the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois, as well as Lakes Michigan and Superior, Wisconsin has been part of United States territory since the end of the American Revolution; the Wisconsin Territory (which included parts of other current states) was formed on July 3, 1836. Wisconsin ratified its constitution March 13, 1848 and was admitted to the Union on May 29, 1848 as the thirtieth state.
Wisconsin's economy was originally based on farming (especially dairy), mining, and lumbering. In the 20th century, tourism became important, and many people living on former farms commuted to jobs elsewhere. Large-scale industrialization began in the late 19th century in the southeast of the state, with the city of Milwaukee as its major center. In recent decades, service industries, especially medicine and education, have become dominant. Wisconsin's landscape, largely shaped by the Wisconsin glaciation of the last Ice Age, makes the state popular for both tourism and many forms of outdoor recreation.
Since its founding, Wisconsin has been ethnically heterogeneous, with Yankees being among the first to arrive from New York and New England. They dominated the state's heavy industry, finance, politics and education. Large numbers of European immigrants followed them, including Germans, mostly between 1850 and 1900, Scandinavians and smaller groups of Belgians, Dutch, Swiss, Finns, Irish and others; in the 20th century, large numbers of Poles and African-Americans came, settling mainly in Milwaukee.
Today, 42.6% of the population is of German ancestry, making Wisconsin one of the most German-American states in the United States. Numerous ethnic festivals are held throughout Wisconsin to celebrate its heritage.
Utah... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
Utah is a U.S. state located in the western United States. It was the 45th state admitted to the union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 88% of Utah's 2,500,000 people, known as "Utahns," live in an urban concentration with Salt Lake City as the center, known as the Wasatch Front. In contrast, vast expanses of the state are nearly uninhabited, making the population the sixth most urbanized in the U.S. The name "Utah" is derived from the Ute Indian language, meaning "people of the mountains."
Utah is known for its geological diversity ranging from snowcapped mountains to well-watered river valleys to rugged, stony deserts. Meanwhile, Utah is also known for being one of the most religiously homogeneous states in the Union, with approximately 62% of its inhabitants claiming membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which greatly influences Utahn culture and daily life.
The state is a center of transportation, information technology and research, government services and mining as well as a major tourist destination for outdoor recreation. Utah has a long tradition of resourcefulness and hard work, as reflected in its state motto, Industry. St. George, Utah was the fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States from 2000-2005 with Utah being the sixth fastest growing state overall in 2006.
Crater Lake... (Referenced by Veronica when her and Tim try to get clues from the pictures.)
A crater lake is a lake that forms in volcanic calderas or craters after the volcano has been inactive for some time. Some crater lakes are acidic, however, some lakes' water remains fresh. Some also have geothermal activity, especially if the volcano is merely dormant rather than extinct.
A well-known crater lake, which bears the same name as the geological feature, is Crater Lake of Crater Lake National Park, in Oregon. It is formed in the caldera of Mount Mazama. Isolated from rivers and streams, it therefore has no inflow or outflow at the surface, and hence no pollution from river input. It is fed by melting snow. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States with a depth of 1949 feet.
Crater Lake in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.
It should be noted, however, that the name "Crater Lake" is a misnomer. The geologic feature that forms after a volcano expends itself and collapses is refered to as a caldera.
Ernest Hemingway / Papa... (Referenced by Keith when he interrupts Veronica and Tim's brainstorm session over the license plate.)
Ernest Hemingway was born in 1899 near Chicago, Illinois. He published his first work at the age of seventeen and went on to be considered one of America's greatest authors. In 1918 he volunteered to be an ambulance driver for the American Red Cross and was able to write about the war from first hand experience in the novel A Farewell to Arms.
Traveling the world, Hemingway made a name for himself as a prominent member of the expatriate community living in Paris, later chronicled in The Sun Also Rises. By 1926 the novel had propelled him to critical and financial success. He returned to the United States to settle in Florida, which would figure as a backdrop in The Old Man and the Sea. After it was published he was awarded the Pulitzer Award for Literature.
His private life did not mirror the success of his publishing career. Papa, as he was lovingly called by generations of readers, was married four times. He suffered from depression and paranoia and committed suicide in 1961.
Cabo San Lucas... (Referenced by the city with Papa's cabin.)
Cabo San Lucas, popularly known as just Cabo, is a small city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, in the municipality of Los Cabos in the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Although humans have lived on the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula for thousands of years, including the region of Cabo San Lucas, it was not until the beginning of the 20th century that a fishing village began to develop in that area. In 1917, an American company built a floating platform to catch tuna, and ten years later founded the Compaa de Productos Marinos, S.A., which gave rise to the village.
It is quickly becoming a high-end holiday destination with a number of resorts and timeshare clubs appearing along the coast between San Lucas and San Jos del Cabo. The warmth of the waters at Cabo San Lucas, the beauty of its beaches, the abundance of sport fish, and other qualities are what motivated it's popularity among both foreign and Mexican vacationers to spend their vacations in large-scale tourist developments there, starting from 1974 when the Mexican government created the infrastructure to turn Cabo San Lucas into one of the most attractive centers for tourism in Mexico. It has a great variety of sites of interest, including the distinctive landmark, El Arco de Cabo San Lucas (known as El Arco), a rock formation at the southern tip of the city. Many claim that it looks like a Triceratops taking a drink of water.
El Arco de Cabo San Lucas a.k.a. El Arco.
Cabo San Lucas also has the largest Marlin tournament in the world, with a $1,000,000 jackpot. In the winter, pods of whales can be observed in the ocean. They bear their calves in the warm waters there. Another attraction came about in 1990 when California based Rocker Sammy Hagar of Van Halen fame, opened his own nightclub and restaurant, The Cabo Wabo Cantina with the three other members of Van Halen. In the mid-1990's, he bought out the other owners and assumed complete ownership of the club. To this day, it is one of the most popular attractions in Cabo San Lucas. He is known to play live at the club at least once a year with his band, The Wabos on his birthday, October 13th, and shows often include many famous guests and friends from the music industry.
Cabo San Lucas and San Jos del Cabo are served by Los Cabos International Airport. The town is also a popular port of call for many cruise ships. Its raucous party atmosphere and San Jose's laid-back colonial style are bridged by a golf course- and resort-studded Tourist Corridor that stretches between the twin towns in twenty miles of pristine white sand beaches and craggy coves. Exclusive hotels and gated residential communities attracting a wide clientele of rich and famous weave seamlessly amid this wonderous landscape and comprise this region known as "the Corridor." Many of these properties, which are considered some of Latin Americas top resorts, have become havens to Hollywood stars, Fortune 500 C.E.O.s and even the U.S. president during the 2002 Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC).
Read all about Cabo at the city's official website, Cabo San Lucas - All About Cabo.
Mexico... (Referenced by where Keith finds Landry.)
Mexico is a country located in North America, approximately 753,665 square miles in size, bordered at the north by the United States, and at the south with Guatemala and Belize in Central America. It is the northernmost and westernmost country in Latin America, and with a population of 106.5 million, Mexico is also the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world. The official name is Estados Unidos Mexicanos, which translates as the United Mexican States. The term State of Mexico (Estado de Mexico) does not refer to the country, but only to one state within Mexico, located near the center of the country adjacent to the Federal District.
U.S. citizens have been known to cross the border into Mexico to evade U.S. authorities and skip tracers. Most often, these individuals cross the border into Tijuana due to its proximity to the world's busiest border crossing. What is interesting is that criminals continue to cross into Mexico to evade criminal prosecution despite the extradition treaty that has been in place between the U.S. and Mexico since 1980.
According to EscapingJustice.com, the Treaty provides for extradition of a party who has been charged with or found guilty of an offense committed in the United States, who has fled to Mexico. An offense is extraditable if it is a crime in both countries and punishable by incarceration for a period of one year or more. The Extradition Treaty further provides that where the offense for which extradition is sought is punishable by death, extradition may be refused unless assurances are given that the death penalty shall not be imposed, and if imposed, shall not be executed.
San Diego... (Referenced by the newscaster about the business man found dead.)
It is believed that the first humans settled in the San Diego area some 20,000 years ago, along the coast, and 12,000 years ago in the desert area. However, it was in 1542 that Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed from Mexico into the Bay and claimed the area for Spain, naming it San Miguel. At the time, there were 20-30 thousand of the Kumeyaay tribe living there. In 1602, explorer Sebastian Vizcaino arrived on his ship, San Diego, and named the area for the Spanish Catholic saint, San Diego de Alcala. Then, in 1769, the first of a chain of twenty-one missions along the California coast was founded by Father Junipero Serra and the California Governor Gaspar de Portola. It was built on Presidio Hill and named Mission San Diego de Alcala. The first colonists arrived in 1774, and San Diego came under Mexican rule in 1821 when Mexico won its independence from Spain. Following that, in 1848, a treaty ending the war between the U.S. and Mexico set the official international border and declared San Diego an American city. Two years later, San Diego County was created and the City of San Diego was incorporated.
Today, with a population of around 1.25 million, San Diego is the second largest city in California and the seventh largest in the nation. According to the San Diego city website, more than 96 percent of the residents are employed, with a median family income of almost $40,000. The top industries are manufacturing, defense, tourism, and agriculture, with an additional focus on biotechnology/biosciences, electronics manufacturing, software, telecommunications, financial and business services, and defense and space manufacturing.
Located only seventeen miles from the Mexican border, with seventy miles of coastline and an overall land area of 342.4 square miles, San Diego is also home to many popular tourist attractions, such as Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, Legoland California, and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Races. Professional sports teams include the San Diego Chargers (football), the Padres (baseball), and the Gulls (hockey). In addition to ten community colleges located throughout the county, the city is also home to San Diego State, the largest California State University campus, and the University of California, San Diego.
- I think I have to start doing this for each episode. And the Worst Line of the Episode Award goes to ... Sheriff Mars!! For this gem: "You've known three men in your life, Mrs. O'Dell." I guess we're meant to assume that by "known," he means 'in the biblical sense,' and by "life," he means 'that he's aware of, since he's met her' -- otherwise, how presumptuous! (Keith would like to thank the Academy, his momma, and John Enbom for this award.)
- Landry hearts unicorns.
- How come a supposedly brilliant profiler -- with books and national acclaim under his belt -- was unable to read people closest to him? Namely, how is that Hank Landry trusted his life and freedom -- not to mention his body and his daily existence respectively -- to Mindy O'Dell and Tim Foyle? Was Landry a Dr. Phil kind of specialist? All show and no substance? Is that why he was so impressed with Veronica? Because his standards were so low?
- Why did Mindy try to leave town, when she specifically was told not to? She wasn't guilty, she didn't get arrested, she got her check. There was no reason for her to skip until the trial was over. Why expose yourself to more suspicions?
- How could Tim have possibly counted on that incinerator to not be used for months? Or on the investigation being reopened, once the Dean's death was deemed a suicide? As plans go, his sucked majorly.
- When and how did Tim manage to bug Veronica's phone? Did she ever let it out of her hands? Clearly it was before they started hanging out at convenience store at 3 a.m., because he was able to record her conversation with Keith regarding Mindy's children. So, when and how did Miss Mars let her guard down enough for Tim to perform the bugging?
- Who's going to take over teaching criminology? Will Veronica still be the T.A.?
- Was Bonnie lying about going to see Tim after he freaked out on her at the Pi Sig party the night the dean was killed? How did that work out?
- Did Tim have some sort of revenge worked out for Bonnie since she also used and betrayed him? He had obviously been planning this thing with Landry for a while. He had the phone bugged before the call from Pepperdine, tipped Veronica off about the affair early on in the school year. He was just waiting for an opportunity to set up Landry, so ... did he really forgive Bonnie, or was he just 'keeping his enemies closer?'
holly96 (Holly): Yearbook; Literature
JaneDtwo: Extra Credit
JenniferH: Report Card; Chemistry; Literature; Social Science
samwg (Shannon): Literature; Homeroom; Philosophy
secret and lie: Drama Club
SeluciaV (Alli): Study Hall; Literature
Original Air Date: February 27, 2007
Written by: John Enbom
Directed by: Michael Fields
Staff Grade: B
Membership Median Grade: C
Well, here we have the end to another mystery arc and for the first time, it's a let-down. Whatever problems viewers had with the rushed conclusions of Leave it to Beaver, Not Pictured and Spit & Eggs, one had to admit that they were dang exciting, suspenseful and left the audience with racing hearts and breathless with how well it all came together. Sadly, the same can so very much not be said for this conclusion. Which is a shame because -- for the first time since Lilly's death -- the mystery revolved around a character that many viewers loved and the beginning of the arc was quite intriguing. However, the interest just dissipated in the last few episodes and this oh, so lackluster finish does nothing to renew excitement in the whodunnit.
Of course, it doesn't help that there is actually no true motive for murder, there is little involvement with much of the cast and that the beginning of a new relationship {gag} is about as interesting as watching paint dry ... white paint at that. Wallace is once again barely onscreen, merely fulfilling his role as this season's exposition boy. Logan appears in the above zzzz's-inducing relationship in just a few short scenes. Mac ain't around, neither is Weevil, nor Dick. (And we could have used some of his lame-ass sophomoric humor this go-round.) Unfortunately, Parker is around. Shudder and snore. Lamb is, of course, dead, leaving Keith as the new Sheriff in town, but one who has NO problem with his daughter's illegal activities. Sigh. The only non-attendee of a cast member who causes joy is Piz.
The only true positives that can be found here are some of the moments between Keith and Veronica (especially the final scene); before the reveal, the Veronica/Tim sleuthing is amusing and the lone LoVe scene is ripe with subtext and allows some hope that their arc is not over. The mystery details do all fall into place, but it's just so bland and sits there. This is one Veronica Mars denouement episode that will not be remembered for very long.
Credited Cast Non-Appearance
Ryan Hansen - Dick Casablancas
Chris Lowell - Stosh "Piz" Piznarski
Tina Majorino - Cindy "Mac" Mackenzie
Michael Muhney - Sheriff Don Lamb
Francis Capra - Eli "Weevil" Navarro
Recurring Guest Stars (Previous Episode Appearances)
Ed Begley Jr. - Cyrus O'Dell
Patrick Fabian - Professor Hank Landry
Brandon Hillock - Deputy Sacks
James Jordan - Tim Foyle
Jaime Ray Newman - Mindy O'Dell
Guest Stars
Jesse James - J. D. Sansone
Dendrie Taylor - Mrs. Sansone
Who's Who in Neptune
J. D. Sansone - Teenager who knew Hank Landry and whose mother allegedly provided Landry's alibi.
Mrs. Sansone - J. D.'s mother, allegedly provided Hank Landry's alibi.
Highlights
Patrick Fabian (Hank Landry) - Before this episode, Patrick Fabian struck me as a one note actor. He played a kind of smooth unctuousness particularly well, but never went below the surface. This episode demands more of him, and he mostly delivers.
I think my favorite moment of Fabian's in the entire episode is this small one: When Sacks and the other cop come into Landry's classroom, he's so clearly flustered, he stops mid-sentence, blinks, and collects himself. It just feels so real. As for his "big" scene, I know some people felt uncomfortable with the intensity of Fabian's breakdown on the yacht. I found it a gusty, daring choice, raw and painful. The expulsion of breath after "she fell" and especially the way he bares his teeth in a mouth-stretching grimace, almost a rictus of death, as he gets caught on the words, "It was dark, I looked, but," it all feels painfully real. He killed his lover and he can't stand that it happened. He's literally choking on the words. Before this point, Fabian has only shown slight, momentary cracks in his suave faade, so I honestly didn't know that he could go this deep, become this vulnerable. That's not an easy thing. By bringing the character to his knees here, Fabian gives a memorable performance.
James Jordan (Tim Foyle) - At the beginning of the season, I was unsure about Rob Thomas' choice to reuse James Jordan, and especially uncertain whether Jordan would succeed in creating a different character from crazy Lucky the Neptune High janitor with PTSD. But by this episode, he has truly inhabited the distinctly unique Tim Foyle, the twitchy, overly cerebral TA who can at least temporarily outthink Veronica. James Jordan created a complete, well-thought characterization, and made his scenes in this episode a pleasure to watch.
His affect changes through the course of the episode, as well. At the beginning, he's fumbling and stumbling, his geeky nervousness evident in tics of speech, gestures (pushing his glasses up on his nose, adjusting his collar, etc.), and a whole lot of blinking. When he begins working with Veronica, his academic air is hilariously out of place in the field. But by the time they show Keith the photo from Landry's apartment, Tim is at ease with Veronica, and Jordan shows it in his comfortable delivery and overlapping dialogue with her. The final confrontation scene in the classroom is particularly pitch-perfect, with Jordan segueing from stiff professor to an absolute relish when he's describing how Landry committed the murder. When Veronica outs him, his twitchiness returns full force as he blinks and wraps his arms around himself in silent defeat.
I was glad to have the chance to rewatch Tim's scenes in this episode. James Jordan creates a complete character. I look forward to seeing what he does next, though I do hope it's not on this show; I'm not sure how many more disguises we can tolerate!
Lowlights
The Wig (Tim Foyle's Hair) - I'm sad to say that Wig is not nearly as nuanced a performer as James Jordan. Throughout the episode, it alternates between barely going through the motions or being completely over the top. In the jail cell, it sits there plastered to his head, as if saying, "Are we done with this scene yet? I want to go back to my trailer and be brushed and combed on my stand." I'm sorry, Wig, but you're being paid for this. Try to act professional. (Man, that's what you get for hiring non-speaking extras in major roles.)
In the scene when Tim hears Landry's conversation with Pepperdine, Jordan is acting with delicate, real emotion but the wig sprawls across his head like a dead animal. Doesnt even pretend to act concerned. Can I say? I truly hated Wig there. Ah, the less said about Wig's performance in the Sheriff's office scene, the better. Don't tell me I'm the only one who saw the wig pointing and giggling at Veronica behind her back? It looks like it's about to fall right off Jordan's head. Finally, in the office scene where Tim asks Veronica to be his TA, the wig finally gets to play to its strength. It sits there like a sodden lump on his head. It gives me the creeps, just as it should. Perfect acting job, Wig. (Hey, I can credit a good performance when I see one.)
What can I say about Wig's finale scene? In the classroom, while Tim is going through Veronica Interrogation Hell and James Jordan is giving a fascinating performance, the wig looks like a bad case of Helmet Head. It looks frozen in place, paralyzed by fear, or perhaps an overabundance of hair spray, it's hard to tell which. It's so stiff, Teddy Dunn could give it acting lessons. Goodbye Wig. I wish you well on your next gig. Take some acting lessons, or at least get yourself some hair relaxing gel.
Scene One: Judge Not ...
Believe it or not, I was actually very much looking forward to writing this analysis because the journey that I believe that Rob Thomas might be taking with Logan and Veronica once again made sense when these scenes were added to the course of their arc thus far. And in order to bring that all to bear, I'm including the Logan/Parker scenes in this write-up because they (especially one line in this first scene) really drove home for me where Logan's heart is ... and well, let's just state for the record that it ain't with Parker Lee. Not by a long shot. Also, these scenes clarify (for me) why Logan is rushing into this relationship.
I know that many (if not all?) viewers felt that the only point of Parker asking about his one class -- which he skipped -- was to show Parker realizing that Logan showed up on campus just to see her. However, I think that could have been achieved in a much less convoluted way because absolutely everything that we've been led to believe about both of these two characters is that they don't beat around the bush; they don't employ sly methods to ask for information. They just ask. So why offer this up to the audience in this round-about way? I think it all has to do with exactly why Logan is trying to jump into a relationship with someone who is not Veronica. And that there was deliberate phrasing: Someone who is NOT Veronica.
The little spiel about his class and the bite in his response really stood out to me because of the memory of the exchange we saw in Welcome Wagon, during the first food court date with Veronica we were privy to:
- Veronica: Wallace says you're in his sociology class.
Logan: Really? I haven't seen him.
Veronica: Maybe because you haven't showed up for class.
Logan: Well, that's certainly one possibility.
Quote:And I do believe that this is now extending to a possible future relationship as well. He is not going to be judged; he is not going to be found wanting and if Parker doesn't realize that from the get-go, well, then this getting any going anywhere.
... when Veronica latched onto something else "bad" that Logan did and used it as justification to dump all over him and them again -- this time leaving her in the position of power -- maybe there was a part of himself, some measure of self-esteem that kicked in and said: Enough is enough!
And as for Logan and Parker as a couple? Honestly, I don't see it. And, no, I'm not just saying this because I'm a crazy fangirl. I loved Veronica/Troy, believed that Logan/Hannah {{shudder}} did have chemistry and I bought a genuineness in both of those relationships (to varying degrees and for different reasons). However, this? Nuh uhn. Not buying. Let's ignore the fact that last week's scavenger hunt was ridiculously contrived and made no sense for any of the four characters but Parker. Let's ignore the fact that Jason Dohring and Julie Gonzalo have about a scintilla of chemistry. (I now believe that the 'sparks' that people saw in Hi, Infidelity came from the playful undertone that Dohring projected throughout the entire scene and that it was based solely on a deliberate attempt on Logan's part to affectionately get under Veronica's skin, thus the sparks actually came from the give-and-take of that relationship in retrospect.) Let's even ignore the fact that Logan who takes weeks, nay, months!, nay, forever, to get over Veronica is already cozying up to another girl.
No, let's ignore all of that and simply take into account that Gonzalo's Parker is showing about zero interest in Logan in a romantic sense. Hell, it's barely a friendly interest. There's just nothing there in how she looks at him, speaks to him, the body language is all wrong. Obviously, it makes me uncomfortable as a die-hard Logan/Veronica fan, but more than that it makes me uncomfortable because they just look and feel so wrong together.
Scene Two: Like Water off a Duck
Unless I'm completely crazy in what I saw in Logan's attitude about Parker, I do believe that one of two reasons that we saw this interaction was to set up that Logan is now following Veronica's modus operandi of getting over a relationship. The last couple of weeks whenever Logan's name came up, Veronica brushed it off, but it was clear that she was still upset about the relationship's end and wasn't pretending that all was fine and dandy. We even saw this in the last scene of Mars, Bars when Veronica was literally stopped in her tracks and reacted visibly to the sight of Logan eating with Parker.
Now, we are back to the Veronica-put-on that we're all used to when dealing with sorrow. She's doing the whole, 'I don't care' routine. You know, the one where she acts like everything is okay, so what's the big deal? That wall that Veronica has so carefully built is in her perfect position once more and she's as chipper as can be and concerns, even of the ex-boyfriend kind, are sliding off her back like water off a duck. Now, she's making a show of simply not caring because that might show a weakness. And Veronica Mars has learned to never show a weakness if she can help it.
The second point is that because of this conversation and the later one with Parker, she can no longer deny that there is something going on between the bubbly blonde and Logan. Try as she might to pretend she doesn't care about such a thing. (But she does. See Scene Five.)
Scene Three: I Haven't Got Time for the Pain
We know that Veronica saw Logan and Parker spending time together and looking comfortable doing so. We also know that Veronica was not happy upon witnessing it. Furthermore, we know that she knows it's not a one-time deal because Wallace saw them a second time and got the same vibe. So when Parker walks up to Veronica, looking uncomfortable and flat-out saying that she needs to discuss something 'weird' with her we know that Veronica knows exactly what Parker wants to talk to her about and she heads her off without giving the girl a chance. Clearly Veronica figures that the best way to avoid an issue she doesn't want to face is to, well, not even let the issue come up.
Scene Four: Eazy, Breezy, Beautiful Parker Lee
Again with the Logan/Parker scene analysis ... what the hell? I know! But the point of including these is because it's how Logan acts with her that I think we get our straws with which to stack. When he showed up and Parker was all moody, Logan didn't ask her what was wrong, he didn't show any concern for her really, he instead appeared slightly peeved that she wasn't her usual ebullient self. Does that sound like the Logan we know when in a relationship? Of course not. And why not? Because he wants the opposite of Veronica, not just the girl, but the relationship. He does not want to be judged; he does not want the moodiness, the funk, the drama. He just wants it light and casual ... no more epic. That's clearly what's he's signing on for here and if she isn't going to deliver, again, the getting is going to get gone.
And once more, we have Gonzalo in this scene just so off. She plays it as if the idea of actually dating Logan is such an odd choice for Parker, and furthermore, she's not really sure it's something she wants to do. And from Logan's end, he was bothered not that Parker was upset, but that Veronica was getting in the way of his move, move, moving on plans. Seriously. There was no connection between these two. At all. Like. AT. ALL.
Scene Five: Move, Move, Moving On ... Damnit!
And here is where I think the first Veronica/Wallace scene truly comes full-circle. Not only do we have Veronica "acting" as if it's all fine and dandy and coolio, but we have the same from Logan. Yes, from Logan. I do very much believe that one Mr. Logan Echolls has decided to take a page out of the 'Veronica Mars Guide to Dealing with Pain' handbook. When life hands you lemons, pretend you just don't care and throw 'em to the side of the road. Seriously. He was trying to act cool and all casual, just as she was. He oh, so casually acknowledged that it was weird -- which was Veronica's ding!ding!ding! word of the week in relation to Logan and Parker, so she knew what was coming -- what he wanted to talk to her about. However, he figured, as he stated oh, so casually, that since they were friends ...
Honestly, if it wasn't so painful, it'd be frickin' hysterical. It was all so over the top with the casual, which made it all so awkward and so, so, soooooooo uncomfortable. Now I know that some have claimed that they read no subtext from Kristen Bell and I'm frankly flummoxed at to how anyone could not see it. She played Veronica trying to hide her discomfort with a breezy air, but underneath you could see Panic! Do not speak! Pain is coming! written behind every word and sign of body language that she spoke and evidenced. Veronica was so trying to hold onto her casual, 'It's over, we're cool,' attitude and yet Bell managed to convey that under the surface it was pure torture for Veronica because, dagnabbitt!, if Logan wasn't playing that very same card and a helluva lot better than she. Not only was there discomfort underlying every bit of her reaction, but confusion as well. Veronica really, really didn't know what the heck to do. She doesn't want him dating Parker or anyone else. She wanted to throw a hissy fit; she wanted to stomp her feet and say 'no! you can't!,' but of course, she couldn't. Because Veronica broke up with him; she ended things; she said it was over for good and, damnit, if they were going to get back together, he had to come crawling on his knees. That's how it reads in the 'Veronica Mars Guidebook to Dating Logan Echolls.'
Ah, ah, ah, but Logan was now playing by a different book. He wasn't prostrate at her feet (as we saw in Post-Game Mortem). He was playing the adult, civil card (as we saw in Mars, Bars); he was playing it casual, calm, and move, move, moving on. And Veronica was flummoxed -- as flummoxed as was I at anyone not seeing the subtext screaming all over the screen. I mean, could her thumbs up, "good luck" have been any more awkward? Inappropriate? Completely un-Veronica Mars-like? Nope, not possible. She was like a whirling dervish thrown out of whirl. Girl was simply flummoxed and she did not know what to do. Which we saw run through into the beginning of the next scene. As she went into Tim's office, Bell's body language was superb in showing how that brief conversation with Logan had just pulled the rug out from under her. Her shoulders were bowed, there was a hesitancy to her walk, a slight dazed quality to her movement, her head downcast. And when she spoke to Tim, it was in barely-there monosyllabic responses until he talked about Landry's arrest surprising everyone. At that point, she finally really looked up, her eyes wide, a tinge of shock overlaying their blue and repeated that "yes, it had taken everyone by surprise," but it was crystal-clear that she was not referencing the professor's arrest, but instead was talking all about that little tete-a-tete with Logan in the hallway.
We know that Veronica had already been given not one, not two, but three heads-up on the likely occurrence of something going on with regards to Logan and Parker, so where was her surprise from? Well, I said it all above. The surprise came from the fact that Logan was no longer playing by the same rulebook. He was moving on (Damnit!), and he was sure as heck acting like he meant it and that completely floored the girl. And I believe that Bell delivered that beautifully. Kudos to her.
Now, on the other side of the door, I noted above how casual Logan played it all, but there were a couple of missteps that Dohring used to masterfully illustrate exactly where Logan's heart lie. And oh, how his final expression once Veronica was gone told so much in just a few seconds. First off, there was the whole last-name usage which was just so very awkward and so clearly Logan trying to be casual, as was Veronica's return volley attempt at banter ... however, that attempt led to the one genuine moment between the two. His comment on the nickname "Chuckles" not sticking was classic-Logan/Veronica dating banter, and even his voice changed just slightly with that added little imp of joy. Then, boom!, right after he said it, he looked away and there was a slight moment of 'ohshit!' on both their faces, echoed in the body language of both, before they slid quickly, if uneasily, out of their past relationship comfort zone and right back into the oh, so casual, 'just friends' vibe that was totally not working ... at all.
And then we get to the kicker, once Veronica gave her thumbs up (snerk!), and was out of sight, Logan's expression just .... dropped. And I've got to give kudos to Jason Dohring now, because he just nailed the moment. You could see so, so much in those couple of seconds that ended on a slight exhalation of breath. His determination to move on, his relief that his task was done, but mostly his pain that she didn't fight for him or them at all ... again, and the realization, yet again (I think we'll be getting a lot of these) that it's really over. (But it's so not.)
So for what it's worth, that's my take on these scenes, and on the Logan/Parker relationship at this point. I'm trying to have hope because I really CAN see a believable arc coming out of this. Even though I would have much preferred a different route, this does all make sense and everything that's happened from Welcome Wagon on does have a logical progression that can only help Logan and Veronica make it work in the long run. Their actions are actually in character for both. This week even gave logic to last week's whiplash-inducing characterization with regards to Logan.
However, we have a two-month break coming up and I presume Logan and Parker will have been dating during that period and it might change. As well, Veronica may get involved with Piz (I know, but they have been hinting at it all season long, grr!), and my fear that Bell's bias against Logan and pro-anyone not Logan will effect whatever the actual point of that potential relationship might be. Again, however, I've been mostly quite thrilled with her portrayal of Veronica and the subtext underlying those arc-related scenes this season (Of Vice and Men and There's Got to Be a Morning After Pill being the key offenders, but the script and/or direction was so bad in both cases, the blame can not even remotely be entirely lain at her feet.)
So who knows? Maybe it will all work out by episode 20. After all, I've long considered the Logan/Veronica arc THE season-long arc this year and it may not be a mystery but the culmination of seasons one and two season-long arcs hit with dizzying speed in the final episode, so there is definite hope. And with the kernels I picked out from these Logan/Veronica arc-related scenes going into the hiatus, I'm happy with the emotional beats. When you really sit down and look at the whole season thus far in terms of their interaction, it does all make sense in terms of them, their relationship and their characters and how the paths taken thus far can (and will) lead to the two finally getting it right down the road. It's not pretty, it's not fun and there are so many other, better, less painful ways I would have gone, but I do see a rhyme and a reason to this method of madness and until that's taken away from me, I'll hold onto it with all I've got and keep building that haystack of LoVe.
- Parker is lunching alone in the cafeteria when Logan approaches, all sunshine and roses. Parker asks Logan about his Econ class -- you know, the one they have on Tuesdays and Thursdays that talks about stuff like ... economics? -- but apparently Logan flaked. (No Veronica-esque lectures on educational responsibilities, please.) Despite the fact that Econ is his only class on campus that day, he decided to swing by anyway and grab a bite with his new friend, perky Parker. Isn't it nice that he's making new friends? Friends are good things to have. They are very friendly and supportive and without all that distracting chemistry or romantic undertones. Such a relief. Across the room Wallace spies all the friendliness happening between Logan and Parker. He pauses and puts on his concerned face, clearly filing away this information.
Shortly thereafter, while having a friendly lunch with his BFF, Wallace proves that (occasionally) he is the girl in their relationship when he feels compelled to reveal to Veronica that he saw Parker and Logan sharing lunch. Veronica's full of mock shock (hee!) that two people that know each other might be having lunch -- in the cafeteria, no less -- during lunch time! It's positively scandalous. Wallace is less blas about the whole thing than Veronica because to him it looked like they were "connecting." Veronica breezes that it's no big deal. I'm SO glad we can all be so grown up about this and not, you know, ACT LIKE WE'RE HEARTBROKEN OR ANYTHING. Oh, Veronica, you are just so mature! (Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!)
Except, of course, when she isn't. Parker pays a visit to her pal Veronica at the library later and hopes they can do a little catching up. Veronica seems game enough for a little girl-to-girl chit-chat until, of course, Parker mentions that what she really wants to talk about is the fact that she and Logan are now, kind of, you know, hanging out. Did you catch that folks? Hanging out. Not going out. Big difference you see because couples go out and friends only hang out. And in case I wasn't clear before, Logan and Parker are just friends. Either way, all of a sudden, Veronica can't stay and chat because she's on her way out the door. Clearly even the thought of Logan and Parker hanging out is troubling (as it should be!!!) and so Veronica is compelled to do what she does best when confronted with troubling emotional problems -- avoid and run, run and avoid.
After her non-talk with Veronica, Parker is lunching in the food court again, waiting for Logan. Who arrives looking all studious and stylish (and totally foxy, I feel compelled to add), super pleased with himself because he attended class today and he learned something! It's a big day for Logan. He comments to perky Parker that she's somewhat less perky and she admits that it is because she feels weird about the whole Veronica ... thing. Having a friend like Veronica in her life is important to her and ... you know. It's weird. Because even Parker realizes that Veronica -- despite all her "hey, we're all okay with this"-ness -- is going to be hurt by their hanging out. Not that she'll ever admit it, mind you. Logan understands and agrees, and leaves Parker to her musings. The look of sadness and acceptance on Logan's face, like he wouldn't want to hurt Veronica either, even after all the ways she's hurt him ... it just KILLS me. Damn you, Veronica!!!
Apparently Logan decides not to let this bump in the road derail his burgeoning friendship with Parker because he tracks Veronica down at school. He calls her "Mars," she calls him "Echolls" and they share extremely awkward banter about nicknames now that they are, you know, just friends. Which is why this conversation feels completely natural without any emotional discomfort at all. NOT. Anyway, Logan tells Veronica that he really wants to ask Parker out (as friends! Don't make me repeat myself!) and wanted to make sure Veronica was okay with it. I'm not even going to touch on all the reasons it is both maddening and annoying that Logan felt the need to ask her permission. I'm just not going to even think about opening that can of worms right now. Veronica can barely make eye contact, but tries to assure Logan in a voice that has gone quiet and shaky around the edges that it's fine with her, and thanks for asking. I'd be more upset if Veronica wasn't so clearly NOT okay with the thought of Logan asking Parker out (as FRIENDS dammit!) and if there wasn't so much emotion simmering beneath the surface of this seemingly inane conversation.
So where do we go from here? I don't know. But I do know that in order for our beloved couple to find their way back to one another and form a successful, healthy relationship (and yeah, I know this is noir, but a girl can dream, can't she?) they both have some serious work to do personally. Let's just hope that these steps will be the journeys that help them work through their problems and end up right where they belong -- in one another's arms, on a balcony or a beach or a driveway somewhere, crazy in love and kissing like mad. Until then, I'm gonna take a page out of Mac's book and hope that, in fact, prayer works.
- Drum roll, please! I have gathered you all here to tell you who the murderer is ... okay, so the parlor game reveal styles are a lot more fun in Agatha Christie's books than they are in Veronica Mars, but, hey, at least it's finally revealed. And it is something we've all been waiting for with bated breath ... or not.
We begin with Veronica entering her criminology class, feeling uncomfortable and musing on the subject of protocol. Namely, what is the correct behavior of a freshman, when the said freshman finds herself in a class taught by her favorite professor who may have murdered her favorite dean. Oh, and her father is a sheriff who's certain of the favorite professor's culpability. Does she continue to sit upfront in the kiss-ass section, or does she remove herself oh so subtly to the back, risking telegraphing to the professor her conviction of his guilt? Now, there's something that isn't covered in the freshman guidebook.
While Veronica contemplates her unsavory choices, Landry, the favorite professor/maybe killer, approaches her hoping she isn't relocating. Likewise, hoping that the things between them will in no way be affected by his newly found suspiciousness. Landry wants to keep things the way they have been between them prior to this. (By which he can only mean that he'll continue to pay her outlandish, wildly extravagant, and largely undeserved compliments and Veronica, in return, will continue to make uncomfortable faces at him and question his every motive.) And what do you know? Right on cue, he closes with an outlandish, wildly extravagant, and largely undeserved compliment. Apparently, a student like Veronica only comes once, maybe twice in a career. (I don't know about anyone else, but I am beginning to suspect that professor Landry spent most of his career teaching kindergarten rejects. There's no other explanation for his over-the-top appreciation of Veronica's, admittedly astute, but not all that remarkable understanding and skills.).
The genuflecting works: Veronica takes her usual seat, proving my point. After all, she, of all people, should know that Landry is good at manipulating women.
Speaking of Landry's women, Mindy O'Dell is at the sheriff's office, being, what else, interrogated. She is at the table and Keith, the acting sheriff, is pacing behind her, acting, well, like a sheriff. Namely, very much like the late sheriff Lamb: Being supercilious and jumping to conclusions on the basis of the circumstantial evidence. Mindy wants to know why she is still being questioned when they told her they found her ex-/maybe-late husband's (whose final fate we don't yet get to learn) fingerprints all over her other late husband's computer. The former was clearly unstable, and, what with the prints, isn't it what they in the sheriff's business call a smoking gun?
No, actually, Keith informs Mrs. O'Dell, that's what they in the sheriff's business consider a smoking pile of crap. Because the fine sentiment of "goodbye, cruel world" uses up eleven letters (ahem, actually, Keith, it uses eleven letters but twelve keys. Because, you know, of a comma. Unless whoever typed the note did not use one.). Steve Batando's prints are on every key of the key board. And there's also the small matter of the gloves found in the incinerator. Because if the killer bothered to wear gloves for the murder, why would he take them off to leave his prints all over the computer?
Mindy pleads that she didn't kill her husband. The plea falls on deaf ears, because Keith -- excuse me, Sheriff Mars -- is too busy disclosing all the evidence they've gathered so far. One: Mindy's claim of being alone with Landry at the Grand on the evening of the Dean's murder is contradicted by a witness who heard two men fighting in the room at midnight. Two: Mindy claims she never left the hotel, yet her car was checked out by a valet at 1:30 a.m. and returned an hour later. During which time a phone call was made between Mindy and Landry concerning the toothpaste preferences (and I still say that this has got to be the stupidest alibi ever). Three: Roughly half an hour after the car was returned, a student passing by the Dean's window heard a gunshot. Four: Toxicology report shows that poor Cyrus had a large dose of Xanax in his system. For which, admittedly, he had a prescription, but his assistant said he was out. However, the records show that the dutiful wife picked up a refill for him earlier that evening.
And for the closing number Keith adds one, two, three and four and -- shocker! -- it doesn't add up. Keith then informs the all-interrogated-out Mrs. O'Dell that he believes Hank Landry killed her husband. He also believes he can prove it (based on what exactly the Mrs. -- and us -- have to wonder?). His question to Mindy? Is she going to take the fall with Hank? (And, again, we are left wondering about what makes Keith think she shouldn't? For all his evidence, she can easily be culpable of the conspiracy.). Mindy cracks under Keith's stern death glare (no doubt lifted right out of the Sheriff Lamb School of Interrogation) and decides to come clean (or, you know, as clean as she gets). The man arguing with Landry in the room at midnight was -- to no one's surprise but Keith's -- Cyrus O'Dell. He was furious, says the sorrowful wife.
And we are treated to a flashback of Cyrus in the hotel room. It's that yellow tint that never fails to make me think of old photos, as if we are flashing back to the 1930's instead of, you know, two or so months ago. We see Hank Landry still in bed, Mindy dressed and pacing and Dean O'Dell waving a gun around like a crazy person. Landry, not bothering to get up, asks Cyrus to put the gun down so they can talk about this (right, because Cyrus showed up all drunk and with a gun so he can "talk" rationally). The Dean is offended to be called "Cyrus" by his rival, as if the fact that they share a woman confuses Landry into forgetting that the Dean is still his boss. To illustrate just how offended he is, the Dean pushes his wife out of the way and approaches the bed still waving a gun. He informs Hank that there's nothing to talk about and that Hank is done. And not just at Hearst. That the tenure, the fun of bedding impressionable students and easily charmed wives -- it's all over. Mindy reaches out to try and grab the gun, begging Cyrus to stop. End of flashback.
We are back with Mindy and Keith. Mrs. O'Dell is telling how Landry's career would have been completely over had the Dean got the chance to make good on his threat, because Cyrus had the power to ruin it for Hank in every reputable college in the country. Hank was freaking, apparently, so Mindy, out of the goodness of her heart (naturally), offered to go talk her husband down. She went to the house, but his car wasn't there, so she proceeded to the office.
And we have another flashback. The flashback yellow is made more so by the egg splatter on the Dean's window. As Mrs. O'Dell mentions in her voiceover, the egging of his office did not improve the poor man's mood. We see the Dean turn his head to the sound of someone entering, and saying those famous last words: "What are you doing here?" Mindy tells him she is here to ask him one more time to please be merciful. Awww, and I mean that. Not. And there goes the end of that flashback and we are back at the sheriff's department. And Keith wants to know if that's when Mrs. O'Dell gave her husband his Xanax.
And here's another one ... geez. Would it have killed them to combine the two? Dean's office, night ... again. Mindy's voiceover explains that she gave him the pills because she thought they would do him some good. We see Mindy handing her husband a bottle. Keith's voiceover challenges that it didn't so much do him good as left him completely helpless, especially considering he took three pills. We watch O'Dell pop them into the palm of his hand and toss them into his mouth. Mindy counters that she just gave the guy the bottle, but didn't count the dosage. A fine distinction considering we can see her watch the Dean chase the pills with the swig of alcohol. End of flashback.
Mindy's follow up defense is that she was only there for five minutes, her husband yelled, and she left. End of story. Not quite, according to Keith. Keith wants to milk the story. He wants to know what she told Landry. Nothing, says Mindy, because when she got back to the hotel, Landry wasn't there. Keith is curious as to why Mrs. O'Dell hired him in the first place if she knew Landry might have done the deed. She tells him that she knew her husband didn't kill himself and that she wanted to know who did, even if it were Hank. Keith reasonably points out that she provided Hank's alibi. She says that, until she learned about Landry's bloody clothes, she believed him to be innocent. But now that she doesn't believe so anymore, she is ready to testify that Hank was panicked and that he thought he was losing his career.
Keith is marginally satisfied and lets her go, but not before delivering what has got to be the corniest (and rather the creepiest) speech in quite some time. He tells Mrs. O'Dell that he has known three men in her life and that two of them are now dead (that explains the fate of Steve!), and that the great state of California may see to the third. And that he wants her to reflect on that. (Hey, Keith, what's with the sermon? Since when are you a good judge of relationships?). And he also wants her not to leave town.
Next we rejoin professor Landry in the full swing of his lecture (and the speech he is giving is incredibly ironic. He talks of not presuming that the profiling should ever circumvent the work of analyzing of actual physical evidence. Hey, Veronica, are you listening? You really should. Take detailed notes while at it.). He is in his element, until he is interrupted by the sound of police radios and the site of deputy Sacks and other officers walking in. They just stand there and the good professor continues his lecture, though somewhat less jubilantly. The side door opens and Keith walks in. The lecture is clearly over, and Keith tells Landry quietly that he is giving him a chance to dismiss the class and be arrested in private. (Nice of you, Keith. And it would have meant something, if all the students didn't, you know, see a gazillion deputies and already realized what was going on). Landry does dismiss the class, managing a slight dig at Keith's "acting" sheriff status. You go, Hank! (Sigh, when did we start cheering against the Mars family?)
Oh and look, on the side of the classroom, there's Tim Foyle sitting quietly, like the ever-faithful shadow he is. He rises from his seat. Veronica, we can see, is also visibly perturbed by the turn of events.
And we are back at the sheriff's department, where Keith, being all official, is making Landry talk into a microphone. Landry is saying -- into a microphone -- that he is happy to have no lawyer present (why exactly he would wave his right to an attorney, never mind be happy about it, is beyond me! The guy is supposed to be a brilliant criminologist. Has he heard of due process?). Keith tells him Mindy has "flipped" on him. Landry isn't buying it. Keith informs him that the Dean's been killed at 3 a.m. and wants to know if Landry's sure he doesn't want a lawyer. Landry doesn't respond, but he seems still (inexplicably) sure.
However, he is somewhat perturbed when he finds out that Mindy told Keith her story. Clearly, her story is not the full story. The flashback Landry's having for our benefit tells his side.
Flashback. Neptune Grand, the Dean is going over his spiel of "no more bedding impressionable students and easily charmed wives." (And may I say that this is a bit rich coming from Mr. O'Dell who married his graduate student). The gun is loosely pointed at Landry, and Mindy reaches out to grab Cyrus's arm. She wants him (not unreasonably) to stop waving that thing around. Cyrus isn't budging, but instead tells her that she will find her stuff tomorrow morning on the lawn. And that he is sorry he didn't take his friends' advice not to marry her, but really glad he took their advice about the pre-nup (which, I'm guessing, does not favor Mindy). He then informs her that they -- much like Landry in academia -- are done. And that she will get nothing. End of flashback.
So, Landry points out, it appears that Mindy didn't go back to talk to her husband to save her lover, but rather went there to save herself. Keith stresses the fact that the Dean was murdered after the Mrs. had returned to the hotel. Landry offers up Batando. Batando won't do, says Keith, because a maintenance worker found something interesting while cleaning out the incinerator at Hearst. Namely, a bag containing a dress shirt and gloves. Landry's. Covered in O'Dell's blood. And the plot thickens.
This rocks Landry enough to let some of his cool veneer slip. He thinks about it for a moment and suggests that Mindy is setting him up. Keith isn't interested in Landry's theories. Mindy has an alibi and what he needs right now is to hear that Landry has one to offer, as well. He does, but it's near impossible to verify. Turns out, on the night in question he left the hotel and drove home alone, stopping at a convenience store for some cigs at around 3 a.m. He didn't charge them, and the store clerk didn't even look up from his little TV set. But wait! There was a witness of sorts. Cue another flashback.
Flashback. Landry walks out through the door of the store, opening up a pack of cigarettes. He hears a woman's voice. She asks if she can bum one of those. All we can see of her is part of her back and that she has shoulder-length hair of non-descript brownish color. Landry take a couple of cigs and offers them to her, telling her he doesn't really smoke. End of flashback.
All Landry can tell Keith about this mystery woman is that she was in her late thirties/early forties and was a brunette. What he can't tell the sheriff is how the Dean's blood ended up on his shirt. Keith suggests Landry find himself a really, really good lawyer. He also reminds Landry that he is a smart man, and, therefore, can see that there's a decent case against him. (And why would a smart man need a reminder that he is smart? Inquiring minds want to know).
Cut to later, and Tim, the faithful dog, comes to visit Landry in his cell. (You know, after the fugly Grand, that holding cell gets the most play on the show). Landry doesn't look so much happy to see his former star pupil and current TA as he looks resigned. "Tim. Of course. It's always Tim," is his warm greeting to the guy. If he is offended, the TA doesn't show it. Instead, he wants to know what's going on and if he can do anything for his teacher. There is, apparently. Two things. He needs Tim to find out who bugged his cell phone, and how long ago. Also, to find a needle in a haystack (by which he means a brunette in a convenience store).
And we are back with Veronica, working at a desk of Mars Investigations, using only a desk lamp. The rest of the office is suitably creepy and dark. (Because it's not as if it were located in a nightly deserted office building downtown. Who wouldn't want to sit alone in the relative dark in that place?). Sure enough, she can hear someone walking in with a flashlight that screams B&E. She quickly turns off the lamp, grabs her bag and goes out of the main office into the door leading to the hallway. She leaves the door ajar, and watches none other than Tim Foyle searching the drawers of Keith's desk. No longer spooked (and who would be, really, given the utterly ridiculous wig), she comes out and startles the would be burglar.
She, very naturally, wants to know what the hell he's doing. Tim asserts that he is trying to help Landry. By finding the phone bug the professor threw at Keith in the previous episode. Because the bug, Tim hopes, would lead to Mindy. How, Veronica (and the audience) wants to know. Tim displays his utter lack of PI knowledge by expressing belief that phone bugs have serial numbers. When Veronica ridicules him, he challenges her to tell him how she would do it. It's unclear how she would, because instead of answering she indulges in some more ridicule at Tim's expense. The guy grovels, naturally. He doesn't believe Landry's guilty and is desperate to do anything to help. He does believe Mindy is setting Landry up. Landry is a great man, and Tim the sycophant is going to do everything he can to help. The great man has an alibi. Sadly, sans credit card receipt -- which Veronica needlessly points out -- the alibi is useless. At which point Tim breaks out his trump: There's a woman with a heavy smoking problem and insomnia who can verify Landry's story. Tim ends his plea with a variation on "help me Obi, you are Landry's only hope." (Am I alone in being annoyed at this puffing of Veronica's already over-inflated ego and reinforcing her belief -- no matter how delusional -- that she is somehow the only hope of the downtrodden of the Neptune? Yeah, I didn't think so.) It seems the Wig is not good in the field (No! Shocker!). He is more of a thinker. (Heh.) Hence the need for Veronica's help in tracking down the alibi woman.
I'm guessing the thick buttering up worked, because we see Tim and Veronica -- the Uncomfortably Dynamic Duo -- at the convenience store questioning Randy the clerk. Veronica is holding up a rather "head shot" looking picture of Landry for identification. Randy doesn't identify him, not surprisingly. Veronica spots a surveillance camera and wants to know how long they keep the tapes. Turns out, it's not hooked up and just there for show. Tim is miffed and Veronica mockingly welcomes him to the "in the field" part of the job. While he is grumbling about the very reasonable possibility that the woman they are searching for may very well have been a one-time customer who simply drove through town on that day, two women enter the store.
"Ladies of the Evening" comes to mind when we look at them. One of whom is dressed, inexplicably, like a Catholic School Girl. An overgrown school girl that spent at least three years in each grade, but hey, if the skirt fits. Veronica wants to know if they are here shooting a Mtley Cre video. (Funny girl, that Veronica. I love it when she makes derogatory sexual comments to people. NOT.) Randy explains that Strip City is just across the street. (We will assume it's not an actual township but rather a joint). Three o'clock is the shift change.
Catholic School Girl is complaining to her companion about something as Veronica approaches. She shows them Landry's head shot and asks if they have seen the man. Eight weeks and two days ago, precisely, as Tim feels compelled to add. The strippers want to know who the mismatched pair might be and why are they bothering them with random questions. While Tim is about to come forth with the whole sordid story, Veronica affects an "undercover" persona. The picture is of her deadbeat dad, who left home without paying the rent. She is sure he had a valid reason, she wails as she makes the world's most unconvincing little girl lost face. Sure he has a valid reason, says the School Girl (apparently duly convinced by the floor show). Men are scum. Mystery solved. (Oh, Catholic School Girl, you have no idea how close you are to the truth in this particular case!).
She does take a good look at the picture. Not surprisingly, she doesn't remember Landry. Veronica tries to jog her memory by asking if she maybe bummed a cigarette off him. The CSG is offended. She doesn't think she looks as if she smoked. Tim thinks so, however, but the other stripper wisely explains to him that smoking is bad for your skin (she is the one who graduated high school, apparently). She also tells the Duo that they should try their luck the next day. Tory will be on, and she smokes like a big, old slutty chimney (I didn't know chimneys had sexual appetites. Go figure.). Speaking of slutty, we are back with Mindy O'Dell. She is sitting at a desk with someone called Nick DiCintio (we are assuming the guy is an insurance adjuster), signing legal documents. Once done, she gets an envelop from Nick with the Regency Life Insurance check. The Regency is very sorry for her loss. To the tune of a considerable sum of money, it would appear, because once Mindy looks inside the envelope, she let's Nick know that their condolences mean a lot. We follow the inconsolable widow to the pier, where she meets with a boat salesman. She is interested in buying a boat. A specific one, as she points at a large, white and shiny.
Next we are back with Veronica, carrying a box of donuts into the sheriff's department (good one, V. Let's reinforce those stereotypes some more). She tries to tempt Sacks with the offer of a jelly-filled one. Sacks is weary, because she has fooled him many times before, including in the matter of jelly donuts. However, he opens the box to examine the contents, and, while he's at it, Veronica sneaks open one of the desk drawers and pulls out a file. Landry's file, apparently. Which she knew would be there. Which means Keith either reinstated the same filing system he had the last time he was sheriff, or all cops are just that predictable. (Predictable or not, it's clear the security here is just as much of a joke as it ever was during Lamb's rein. Ah, Keith, how you do disappoint me these days. Sigh.).
Cut to a moment later and Veronica walks into Keith's office where he is working at his desk. Keith asks his progeny is she is in trouble. Never an unreasonable assumption with Veronica. She tries to deflect his concern with the flattery (she thinks he looks very convincing behind that desk.). She says she likes it better when they are not civilians (and yet, how ironic is it that she just broke the law a minute ago? Uhm, Veronica, unless you plan to be exactly the kind of not-civilian Lamb was -- ignoring the rules and circumventing responsibilities when it suits you -- I suggest you start liking it less). Keith ignores her pointless babbling and cuts right to the chase. He wants to know why she has Landry's file. (Good one, Keith. You are able to recognize it from a closed folder? But you aren't intending to punish or even admonish your daughter for what has to be a criminal offense? Just checking.).
She tells her benevolent father that she believes in Landry's alibi. Daddy disagrees on account of bloody clothes and Mindy's testimony. Veronica is still convinced that things for Landry will look up once she finds his alibi. (It's nice to see Veronica putting so much faith in someone she knows to be a very good liar. Where, I wonder, this beautiful faith goes when she chooses not to trust those nearest and dearest to her?). Keith, who has clearly lost all ability to parent, actually tacitly allows this farce. He just doesn't want his little girl to be crushed later on. He wants her to at least consider the possibility that Landry may be guilty. (Touching concern, Keith. I'm shedding tears here. Yeah.).
At this point Keith gets a disturbing phone call from the DA. Mindy O'Dell, it would appear, is missing. The "don't leave town" from Keith has clearly gone right over her head. (Aw, Keith! Does anyone listen to you these days? Backup?).
And we are back to the outside of the convenience store. Veronica is munching on a 3 a.m. snack (she is lucky she's 19 and doesn't have to watch out for these things yet), Tim is sipping from a large cup. (It's a weirdly companionable scene, given the fact that he has, hitherto, been overtly resentful toward her, and she -- overtly contemptuous of him. Ah, the bonding over the mutual love of proving yourself in the right! There's nothing like it.). Tim is musing why the sheriff still hasn't let the innocent Landry go in view of Mindy's defection. Isn't it all the proof they need? Apparently it's no proof at all, given that Mindy's alibi for the night still holds. No matter what kind of pills she has fed her late husband and how that makes her look like she set him up to be killed.
They canvas the topic of Batando and how he could have been bought. Or, Tim points out, it could have been anyone. Everyone, he says, hated the Dean. Not everyone, sighs Veronica longingly (and really, how can you hate a guy who writes such glowing letters of recommendation?). The convo is interrupted by what Veronica cleverly and oh so funnily calls "Strippers Ahoy." (Seriously, someone needs to do something about Veronica's humor these days. It's getting creepier. She is starting to resemble Dick.). Two women approach the store. One has blonde hair and she throws a cigarette down and steps on it. Tim points at her and bets that this is the elusive Tory. Veronica calls him a thinker and wants to see how he does in the field. Tim heads for the store to do some "fielding," and Veronica dawdles.
We switch momentarily to Keith walking into Veronica's empty bedroom, checking the time, and dialing his phone. Veronica, still outside the store, picks up her cell. Her greeting to the concerned parent? "If you are wondering where I am, I'm hanging out outside a convenience store eating corn nuts and watching strippers." (Now, I know that this kind of behavior is pretty much a given for her these days, but couldn't she have -- I don't know -- left a note for her dad? And what the hell happened to Keith Mars of Welcome Wagon? The one who called his daughter at midnight, making sure she was safely at home and not doing anything untoward? I know, I know, a lobotomy will do that to a guy.). All Keith wants to know now is if she's doing drugs (and this quip would have been funnier, if he really didn't have any cause for concern. You know, if it weren't 3 a.m. and he knew where she was.).
So they chit chat, because, clearly, Keith isn't at all worried. He tells his daughter conversationally that Mindy definitely split town. Shipped her kids off to Surrey, England, to her parents and split. Which, Veronica points out, shouldn't be a problem for Keith, what with him being so convinced Landry did it. Keith parries with "no comment" and wants to know when his dutiful angel of a child is planning on coming home. Veronica is working hard on her next funny, funny quip when she notices a woman, a brunette with a cigarette, approaching the store. So, she blows off her long-suffering father with the lame excuse of being out of corn nuts and accosts the lady. She shows her the picture of Landry. Apparently, Landry is memorable. Because the brunette sure does remember him from a few months ago. Him and his good deed of giving her a cigarette.
Next, sure enough, the lady is encased in a chair at the sheriff's department, answering Keith's questions. Yes, she saw Hank Landry on the night of December 10th. Yes, she bummed a cigarette from him. Yes, she can remember some guy she met in a parking lot two months ago, if the guy looked like someone she just broke up with and it freaked her out. Yes, she is sure she saw him at exactly 3:30 a.m., because that's about time her shift ends. Keith is skeptical, and she goes on the defensive. She is only here because they said the guy was in trouble. She doesn't care if she's believed or not. Keith isn't happy, but he lets Landry go, anyway.
We follow Landry out of the main office where he is greeted by his cheerleading posse: Tim and Veronica. (See, kids, what a few judiciously applied over-the-top complements will get you? That's right, a get-out-of-jail-free card!). He thanks them and wishes he can reward them with a grade higher than A (hey, Hank, you can always hook them up with some wildly inappropriate internships! Just a suggestion.). Tim informs him that Mindy's disappeared. And Veronica adds that they think there's a chance she's working with Steve Batando. (And at this point the audience is going: Hey! Why the present tense? Didn't you just tell us earlier that Batando was dead?).
Landry can hardly stand there long enough to genuflect profusely, so he runs out leaving the Disturbing Twins standing there contemplating the next step. Veronica astutely points out that her dad isn't just going to leave it at that. Tim stresses the need to find the tapes (I'm guessing by "the tapes" he means whatever recordings were made on Landry's bugged phone). He thinks that if Mindy worked with Batando, it was Steve who planted the bug and kept the tapes as an insurance policy in case things went bad. How the hell could someone like Steve Batando get close enough to bug Landry's phone Tim doesn't seem to contemplate at all. And Tim, if you are going with the Evil Mindy theory, isn't it easier and more logical to assume she was the one planting the bug, given that she actually spent a lot of time with Landry? Veronica doesn't seem to notice any logical fallacies here, and, instead muses that they probably still have Batando's keys in evidence. When Tim wonders if there were any way to get them, Veronica just mocks his words. Of course there is a way to steal evidence from this sheriff's department! (And she makes me cringe and lose that much more respect for her. Hey, V, this is your father you are making a fool out of now. Lamb is dead. You are not scoring points anymore. Get with the program!).
Veronica walks to one of the deputy's desks, grins like a maniac to a passing officer, picks up the phone, but instead of dialing, reaches into the desk and grabs the keys to, presumably, the evidence room. She puts them into her bag (while the audience weeps at the sad irony of it all).
And then we are off to the Batando residence. Which is relatively okay-looking for the domicile of a guy who had to steal from his ex to make ends meet. It's positively cozy, actually. There's a computer, which Tim is inspecting while wearing rubber gloves. He tells Veronica there's nothing there as she stares at his gloved hands. Apparently gloves are so pass as the B&E fashion statement. Wear long sleeves and use them to violate people's privacy without leaving a trace. It's less creepy that way, says Veronica (because the mere fact of B&E does not already put you into the creepy category. It's the gloves, people!).
She looks around for the illicit recordings, stops at a bookcase crammed with CDs. A bit later she and Tim -- who is still wearing gloves, I might add. While Veronica isn't even using her sleeves! -- are sitting on the floor and going through a bunch of disks. Veronica quips that she didn't know Knight Ranger had this many albums. Tim gets up and walks to the entertainment center housing a bunch of DVDs. He examines the bottom shelf, while Veronica cleverly wants to know if Batando has a copy of A Bug's Life (Seriously, somebody, send the girl to a comedy rehab!). Tim, ever the methodical, scans the top shelf next, and finds that Batando owned a copy of T.A.P.S.. Why that should be the one to draw TA's attention, I'm sure I don't know. But he opens it, and, bingo, there's a burned disk inside marked 11/26-12/26.
A few moments later they have the disk in the computer. It shows a list of mp3 files by date and time. They listen to the one marked 12/10 1:30 a.m., the night of the murder. It's phone conversation that was supposed to be about tooth paste, but, in reality is a back-and-forth between Landry and Mindy, where Landry is trying to convince his lover to not confront her very much drunk and very much armed husband. She wants to; she doesn't mean to let him take everything. Landry promises to take care of it all, but doesn't elaborate on how he plans to do that. Mindy isn't convinced and says she can't risk it. End of call.
Veronica's curiosity isn't satisfied by just one phone call, though. She wants to listen to another. The date and time of the call? 12/10 17:35 p.m. (Which makes no sense at all in view of the later revelations, because, if that's the correct date -- and not, say 12/09 -- then the Dean should have died in the early hours of December 11th. It'll all be explained later. For now I just have to say: One more continuity flop from the cracker jack team of Veronica Mars!). They listen to it, and it's a call to Landry from a Bob Reid of Pepperdine Law School. They've got a job application from Tim Foyle and he had listed Hank Landry as a reference. So, Bob wants to know what the good professor has to say about his TA.
What Landry has to say makes Tim crawl into his skin and Veronica wish she was somewhere else entirely. Namely, that Tim, while being loyal and hardworking, is also a kiss-ass, and a linear thinker with no imagination. So, basically, while Landry thinks they could do worse, he also thinks that at Pepperdine, they could certainly do better. (And while I don't necessarily disagree with Landry's assessment, I've got to wonder why the guy would just do that to someone who -- whatever his shortcomings -- has been a loyal and useful TA and clearly was led to believe he'd get a good reference.). Veronica makes some kind of a comforting overture, but Tim will have none of her pity. It doesn't matter, he says. It does, of course, and one cannot help but feel for the guy.
We relocate again to watch Keith on the phone playing "the buck stops over there" game with -- I presume -- the DA. He explains that none of this would have happened if a judge had granted him the warrant to tap Landry's phone. Likewise, allowed for the ankle tracker. With that parting shot, Keith hangs up and asks the harassed Sacks if he's heard from the airports. L.A.X. has apparently responded, but they are still waiting to hear from John Wayne. Veronica shows up at this moment and uses the opportunity to offer a lame John Wayne impersonation (personally, I liked her Clint Eastwood much better). Other than the comedy routine, she is here to bring her father the disk she pilfered illegally from Batando's place. (Yeah, they are all about the proper procedure at the Balboa County Sheriff's department. And somewhere in the sky, Lamb is laughing his ass off.).
Veronica assures her father that she really, really doesn't think Landry's guilty, and that she really, really thinks Mindy is. It doesn't matter what she thinks, her father replies, because the main concern now is to find the innocent Landry, who, it would seem, has disappeared, as well. Cut to Mindy on her newly acquired boat, sleeping. She wakes up to the sound of the boat's engine starting. Disturbed, she gets up the stairs to the top of the boat, where she sees Hank Landry at the helm. It's an uncomfortable reunion at best. Landry congratulates her on getting the boat she always wanted, but we can tell there won't be any balloons and Hallmark cards here.
And we cut again to Veronica. She is working in the library, putting the books away. And listening for what appears to be hours to the recordings of Landry's phone calls on her iPod, in hopes of finding something, anything that would connect him and Mindy to the Dean's death and/or the place they might now be. She stops when she hears something that may be relevant. It's Landry and Mindy talking about something called Papa's cabin. Landry coos about not wanting to sneak around and how they both need to get away for a week. To a place he calls Papa's cabin. Mindy agrees that it would be great. Veronica calls Tim and tells him about it. She wants to know if Landry had a father or grandfather with a cabin. Tim doesn't know. They agree to meet and go to Landry's house (to which Tim still has the keys) and search for any signs of a getaway spot.
And we are off to another illegal entry. Veronica is lounging on Landry's couch, going through his photo album, discovering that it's true what they say about future murderers: They play with dinosaurs and have cuddly old grandpas! The cuddly old grandpa picture catches her interest. It's an elderly man standing in front of a cabin. There's a van parked nearby. Veronica calls Tim's attention to it. He comes with the picture of his own: Mindy and Landry standing in front of what looks like a wooden bar, with a man serving them drinks. There are framed photos behind the bar. The duo examines the two photos, trying to figure out if that's the same place, only remodeled.
Tim's got something else to offer: He found a disposable cell phone in Landry's office trash. Veronica is intrigued and hits redial, while instructing Tim to get a pen and a piece of paper. When someone picks up on the other end, she puts on her best sunny voice and pretends to be from a radio station, informing the person they just won a new iPod. All they need to do to claim the prize is to give their name and home address. The unsuspecting schmuck does just that and Veronica writes it all down.
Not wasting any time, Tim and Veronica are seen next standing in the hallway in front of a door of an apartment. Veronica knocks and the door is opened by a teenager. She introduces herself to the kid as Ms. Crockett and Tim as Mr. Tubbs. (And the audience groans at seeing a wonderful Logan memory from the Ruski Business thus sullied.). They are here conducting an official investigation. Veronica wants to know how the kid knows Hank Landry. From juvie board, it turns out. The guy and his buddies got nabbed stealing cough syrup from a drug store (say what? Couldn't they at least have tried to get caught stealing something respectable? Like beer from Sack 'n Pack?). As he tells his sob story, a woman's voice calls him out to do homework. A woman pulls back the door and, surprise, it's the same one from the convenience store. Landry's alibi.
Cut again to the sheriff's department, where Keith, Tim and Veronica are discussing this latest turn of events. The stripper woman was, apparently, blackmailed. Landry was on the juvie board overseeing her son, who was one strike away from foster care (ah, shouldn't it be the other way around? They don't take kids away from mothers because the kids misbehave, do they? They tend to do that if mothers are the ones misbehaving. Weird.). So, when Hank called the other day threatening to take the son off probation unless she provided the alibi, she obliged. Thus Landry's still gone, Keith's busy, and he wants the Annoying Twins to just disappear for a while. The duo, however, has other plans. They produce the two photos they found in Landry's home.
In what is by now a not at all surprising move, Keith doesn't even think of questioning the clearly illegal search instituted in the matter, but simply examines the ill-gotten booty. The three of them start brainstorming. Landry had a grandfather whom he addressed as "papa," says Tim. Papa Landry lives in Florida, supplies Veronica. The photo does not look like Florida, observes Keith. It looks like the mountains, namely, aspen trees, claims Veronica (as we shudder at the word "aspen."). Those are particularly quaking aspens, clarifies Tim (who is just a fount of knowledge!). Which means the place in the picture must be in the western mountains. And on the other picture, it's possible to make out the license plate on papa's van: navy letters on white. Which are the most common plate colors, points out Tim. Could be anywhere: Virginia, Alabama, Illinois, Kansas. No, says Veronica, don't forget the quaking aspens. It's Western U.S., so Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, Utah, or California.
Impressed with themselves and their knowledge of states and random greenery, the duo forgets Keith, who, in the meantime, studies the picture closely. Veronica is trying to convince Tim that California is all wrong, because it has red letters on its license plates. So does Washington. Not on endangered animal specialized plates, Tim announces triumphantly. He grabs the picture, pointing at something on the van's plate that may or may not be an image of a whale. Or it could be a lake, says Veronica, as in crater lake, a specialized Oregon plate.
While the audience is at a loss as to why anyone in their right mind would have all this information at their fingertips, Keith breaks up the orgy of license plate knowledge with an interesting announcement. "Papa" could very well refer to Ernest Hemingway. He holds up the picture to a thankfully silenced Tim and Veronica, pointing out a framed photo behind Mindy and Landry: Ernest "Papa" Hemingway. Keith goes to the computer, fires up PlanetZowie and types in "Papa's cabin." The first entry is "Papa's Cabin, Cabo San Lucas. Unwind at the hideaway once beloved by Ernest Hemingway." So much for the geek license plate war.
And we are off to Cabo San Lucas where Papa's Cabin is a beachside bar. Keith, accompanied by the local police chief, drive up. They quickly find out that Landry didn't rent a room, just paid to moor the boat. The boat in question, called Anna Grace, is floating slightly in the distance. The police boat approaches it, and Keith and the gang board it. They take out their guns and proceed with caution. They shouldn't have bothered. When they see Landry, he is a wreck: Drunk, weepy and exhausted. He also has a deep cut above his eye. His greeting to the sheriff is the by now familiar claim that he didn't kill the Dean. Keith gently points out that, in view of this little excursion to Mexico, such a statement is hard to believe. Landry says Mindy did it. And set him up. And that he tried to cover for her, put it on Batando, what with the keyboard. And it might have worked, too, but for the fact that Keith took over as sheriff.
Keith brushes off the flattery and wants to know where Mindy might be. Hank shakes. He didn't mean for it to happen. It was an accident. He just wanted to talk. But she didn't think he would be fine with just talking. She thought he came there to kill her. So, naturally, they fought, and, well, Mindy took a nosedive overboard. It was dark. Hank tried to look, but ... it was an accident. And Hank is sobbing. And then we are mercifully taken off to the much less disturbing view: Mindy's dead body has washed up on the beach, where it's being stared at by little boys with surfing boards. Lovely.
We are back with Veronica, who is sitting in Tim's office. (Nice to see those two crazy kids back in College. Maybe they can learn something. One can hope.). Tim is embarrassed and slightly giddy. He has been asked to teach the freshly arrested Landry's class until they find a replacement. And since Veronica is such a star pupil, he wants her to be his TA. (Can freshmen even be TA's, star pupils or not? Did Landry teach any upper classmen besides Tim? I find it hard to believe there was no one else there from, say, advanced criminology class, qualified to make copies and collect tests from students). Veronica is flattered, promptly forgetting that this is the guy she generally has such disdain for.
And they are in class, teaching. Tim writes "Opportunity, Motive, Mental State" on the board. Veronica is passing out papers. Tim informs the class that Professor Landry is no longer with them (ah, Tim? The guy isn't dead!), so he'll be the instructor for the time being. Veronica takes a seat in the back (I guess she isn't nearly as intent on being the apple of Tim's eye as she was with Landry). She looks through a newspaper (it's always important to bring some light reading to a class). The headlines scream "Professor arrested in murder of Hearst Dean, Wife -- Affair alleged between Professor Landry and Dean's wife, possible motive." (Don't you just love headline sound bites? Poetry!).
In the meantime Tim is having trouble getting on with the lecture. The students want to know what happened in the Dean's case. They have a point here. This is a criminology class. A crime has been committed by their criminology professor. What could be more educational? Tim, who seems to thrive on the attention, relents. Let's discuss this case, he says, almost giddy. Landry kills O'Dell. Was it a crime of passion? Was it premeditated? What do we know? What we know is that Landry and the Dean's wife had an affair and got caught. They were threatened with ruin, so the motive is pretty much a classic. The opportunity? One of the "perfect murder" papers, Tim winks at Veronica. It's a great cover up. The Dean was drunk, upset, and armed. A good way to introduce a fake suicide. Tim runs of with his mouth, clearly enjoying himself. While Veronica in the back is getting more and more uneasy.
The thing about murder, Tim says, is that once a perp starts improvising, he becomes sloppy. And Landry had to improvise, once the bloody clothes he thought he incinerated turned up unharmed. So he first tries to frame Batando, and when that doesn't work, he has to fake an alibi. Tim goes into the details of how Landry, once arrested, had to call a woman whose son he oversaw on the juvenile probation board. And it might have worked, if the disposable phone he used had not been found.
At this point Veronica raises her hand (how very model student of you, V!). She is perplexed as to how Landry managed to call and blackmail the stripper woman from his cozy holding cell? And throw the disposable phone into a trash can AT HOME. While sitting in the cell! Tim is temporarily stomped, but recovers with the suggestion that, at this point, Landry and Mindy were still collaborating, and that it was Mindy who called the woman. Veronica points out that it was a male voice on the phone. Well, then Landry called earlier in anticipation of his arrest. Remember, at this time Landry knew his crime had been exposed, says Tim. He knew Mindy was under investigation. He knew she shipped her kids off to England.
Veronica looks really struck. While Tim is waxing poetic on how Landry had guessed that Mindy had turned on him, Veronica is horrified to take her cell phone apart and find a bug. Tim continues with a comment that something like eighty percent of the evidence in this case has been obtained outside the "usual" police protocol (thank you, show, for acknowledging your own gaps in logic), Veronica once again raises her hand. She wants to know how Tim knows that Mrs. O'Dell had sent her kids to England. Tim can't answer that. Veronica proceeds, now facing him in the aisle between the rows of seats, that whoever bugged Landry's phone knew that the Dean caught Mindy and Landry at the hotel, and that the Dean was drunk in his office. Tim thinks that if she is suggesting that Batando did this, then it's entirely possible. Veronica interrupts with the idea that it is also possible that this person would have also heard that Landry shot down Tim's chances at Pepperdin.
At this point Tim knows it's over, but he continues to struggle on. Veronica points out that he couldn't have heard her dad telling her about Mindy's kids and England, because he was inside the convenience store talking to a stripper. The only way he would know that is if he bugged her phone. At which point she shows him the bug she just found.
And then she does her indignant Miss Marple: Tim bugged Landry's phone. Tim bugged her phone. He knew Landry shot down his application. He knew Landry's been caught by the drugged out and drunk Dean. He had access to Landry's clothes. He murdered Dean O'Dell to destroy Landry. Because Landry used him and betrayed him. And when Landry mentioned an alibi, Tim faked one to further dig Landry into a hole. But no worries. Landry is sure to change his mind about Tim not being that smart. Tim, however, is too busy proving Landry's point, because it's clear that his brain has shut down. It's a poor stare down contest between the righteously indignant Veronica and rather flustered Tim.
We end it all at the Mars' residence. The TV is on and an anchor woman informs us that Tim was arrested and promptly confessed to the murder of Dean O'Dell. And the suitably reflexive Veronica's voiceover tells us that downside of justice is that, while feeling good, it doesn't change anything. The Dean is still dead, apparently, despite the killer being in jail. (Wow. Profound, Veronica! Now, can you tell us something along the lines of bad things happening to good people and the truth setting everyone free? I guess you really do have that Platitude-a-Day calendar, after all.).
She asks Keith, as an afterthought, about what's going to happen to Landry. Well, daughter, here's how it works: He killed Mindy, he confessed, he goes to jail. End of story. End of the investigation. End of what has got to be the least satisfying case arc in Veronica Mars history. And it had some stiff competition from the raging, rape-faking feminazis and the bus load of kids no one cared about much.
The questions abound. Tim Foyle, it would appear, has decided at some point to tape his mentor's phone conversations just because. And heard something that upset him very much. Namely, that his mentor does not think very highly of him. And wouldn't give him the ringing endorsement that Tim felt he deserved. So, his retaliation idea is to kill the Dean? And hope for ... what exactly? That the local hapless law enforcement will see beyond a fake suicide? That six weeks later the Dean's widow would hire a PI? Who, in turn, would convince the completely-satisfied-with-the-suicide-theory sheriff to reopen the investigation? That the incinerator would not be used for two and a half months? And that ... oh, come on!!! The whole thing is so utterly unsatisfying and absurd! Supposedly brilliant Landry acts like a moron. Supposedly innocent Mindy acts like a criminal. Supposedly cagey Tim leaves such obvious openings for Veronica. And supposedly weary and mistrustful Veronica gets played by an inferior mind?
Then there's the small matter of time-line not working out. The phone call from Pepperdine is recorded on December 10th, at 5:35 p.m. The Dean was killed on December 10th, at approximately 3:00 a.m. Which means the Dean was murdered BEFORE Landry shot down Tim's chances for a job. Before Tim learned about it. Before he had any reason for planning an elaborate revenge! So, what, another continuity flop? Like Veronica's December rape taking place in June now? Or Madison's rite-of-fall birthday migrating to February? I am confused!
The motive for murder is ludicrous in an of itself. Why the Dean? Why not Mindy? It's far easier to make Landry look culpable of that. As a motive for murder this is a step above "I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die." As a well-thought out plan, it sucks. It doesn't even answer for the supposedly linear thinking Tim possesses. The execution is cumbersome and relies heavily on such improbable set of circumstances and coincidences. So many things had had to happen by chance for his plan to work, it's unbelievable to me that he had expected it to work at all.Oh, and still beyond all of this, it must be said: Tim's wig is still the biggest crime on this show.
So, there you have it, folks. Six weeks of drudgery, one good, interesting new character sacrificed. For this? I suppose the single silver lining is that it is, well and truly, over.
Flashback 1. Cyrus in the hotel room with Mindy and Landry. His version. (Read detailed breakdown.)
Flashback 2. The Dean in his office, someone comes in. (Read detailed breakdown.)
Flashback 3. Dean's office. Night. (Read detailed breakdown.)
Flashback 4. Cyrus in the hotel room with Mindy and Landry. Her version. (Read detailed breakdown.)
Flashback 5. Landry's alibi. (Read detailed breakdown.)
"A Night" (Harlem Shakes")
Scene: What does Wallace spy with his little eye? Logan and a blonde who is not Veronica enjoying lunch a little too much.
LoVe Lines
Logan: Mars! (Comes around a corner and starts walking in step with her.)
Veronica: We're on a last name basis now? We skipped right over androgynous nicknames?
Logan: (Smiling.) I tried calling you "Chuckles" but it didn't stick. (At Veronica's face.) You know, some people are afraid of you.
Veronica: Huh. So, what's up, Echolls?
Logan: Nothing, just, uh (He brushes her arm and stops walking, she turns around.) ... uh, I wanted to ask you about something, you know, it's kind of weird, but (Looking down at his feet.) ... you know, I was thinking about asking Parker out, and (Meeting her eyes again.) ... I wanted to make sure it was cool with you.
Tim: (Logan and Veronica are stopped outside his office.) Veronica! Are you coming in?
Veronica: (Jaw still dropped a little from Logan's question, turns to Tim.) Yeah, uh, one second. (Turning back to Logan.) Of course. Thank you for asking.
Logan: (Shrugging.) Sure, I mean, we're friends.
Veronica: (Nodding, slight smile, not meeting his eyes.) Yeah. (Both chuckle softly, smile awkwardly. Veronica indicates Tim's office.) See ya. (Overselling it with a thumbs up, no less.) And good luck!
In Memory
(Mindy's Version)
Landry: Put the gun down now, Cyrus. Let's talk about this.
Dean O'Dell: (Sarcastically.) Oh, "Cyrus!" Oh, we're on a first-name basis now! (Getting angry.) I can see how you might be confused ...
Mindy: Cyrus ...
Dean O'Dell: (Ignoring her.) ... about our relationship what with you sleeping with my wife and all. But let me remind you -- I'm your boss.
Landry: Please -- put the gun down and then we'll talk!
Mindy: Cyrus, Cyrus, please!
Dean O'Dell: There's nothing to talk about. You're done, Hank. And I don't mean just at Hearst, I mean everywhere. No more tenure, no more happy days in academia bedding impressionable students and easily charmed wives.
(Landry's Version)
Dean O'Dell: (To Landry.) ... no more happy days of academia bedding down impressionable students and easily charmed wives.
Mindy: Cyrus, if you'll just put the gun away --
Dean O'Dell: (Turning his wrath on his faithless wife.) And you! You'll find your things on the lawn tomorrow morning, OK? I'm so sorry I didn't take my friends' advice about marrying you but thank god I took their advice about a prenup. We are done and you get nothing! You hear me? NOTHING!
Quotable Quotes
Veronica Mars Voiceover: So here's something the Freshmen guide book failed to address: Your father is acting Sheriff. He thinks your favorite professor may have murdered your favorite Dean. So where do you sit in class? Up front now seems awkward, but isn't the seat in the back like hanging an "I think you're guilty" sign?
Mindy: This doesn't make sense, Keith.
Keith: Sheriff Mars, actually. I am acting Sheriff now so, sorry.
Mindy: Okay, Sheriff. Why am I still here being questioned by you in that tone of voice?! You said that you found my ex-husband's fingerprints all over Cyrus' computer keyboard. Steve was clearly unstable. You found his prints on the keyboard. Isn't that what you people call a "smoking gun?"
Keith: "Goodbye, cruel world." That sentiment uses eleven letters. Unstable ex-husband Steve's prints are on every key on the keyboard. And of course there's the matter of the gloves found in the incinerator. Did the killer bother to wear gloves for the murder only to take them off and leave prints all over the computer? So, no, that's not what we call a smoking gun.
Keith: I believe Hank Landry killed your husband, Mrs. O'Dell. I believe I can prove it. My question to you is this: Are you gonna take the fall with him?
Veronica: (Upon finding Tim skulking about at Mars Investigations.) What the hell are you doing?
Tim: I, uh, I'm --
Veronica: Formulating a lie, realizing it's futile, begrudgingly telling the truth?
Veronica: (Noticing Tim's latex gloves.) Nice gloves. You headed to the parlor to strangle Colonel Mustard after this?
Tim: (Whispering.) We're breaking and entering. I can't leave prints.
Veronica: Use your sleeve. It's less creepy.
Veronica: (Sitting on the floor with Tim opening all the CD cases.) I didn't know Night Ranger had this many albums. (Tim chuckles, then walks over to the entertainment center.)
Tim: Well, there are all these DVDs.
Veronica: Does he have A Bug's Life?
Tim: Noooo. (Sighs. Then spots a likely suspect among the cases.) But he does have T.A.P.S.
Keith: You talk to the airports?
Sachs: LAX, yeah, but I'm still waiting to hear from John Wayne.
Veronica: (Ambling in doing a horrible John Wayne mime and vocal impression.) And you're not gonna pilgrim, 'cause what I am (Changes back to her real voice.) is dead.
Parker: Hey.
Veronica: Hey.
Parker: Long time no see!
Veronica: Yeah. What's up?
Parker: Nothing. (Looking somewhat troubled and nervous.) No, it's just, ah ... it's kinda weird. Um, I don't know if, if you know, but um ... Logan and I, we're sort of ... I don't know ... hanging out?
Veronica: Actually, Parker, I'm just running out. Is it okay if we catch up later?
Parker: Yeah ... okay. (Note: Neither looking "okay" at all)
Veronica Mars Voiceover: So I guess it's true -- little future murderers play with dinosaurs like everyone else. And have cuddly old grandpas.
Tim: (Looking at Butando's computer, he whispers) There's nothing here. (Veronica looks at Tim's hands with a mixture of puzzlement and disgust.) What?
Veronica: Nice gloves. You headed to the parlor to strangle Colonel Mustard after this?
Tim: We're breaking and entering I can't leave prints!
Veronica: Use your sleeve! (She demonstrates a move that's akin to Logan's patented woobie-sleeves-over-hands maneuver, minus the sadness and dispair) It's less creepy. (She takes a gander around the apartment) So where else would you hide illicit....(Spots a cabinet full of hundreds of CD cases) ... recordings?
Veronica: (Sitting on the floor with Tim opening all the CD cases) I didn't know Night Ranger had this many albums. (Tim chuckles, then walks over to the entertainment center)
Tim: Well, there are all these DVDs.
Veronica: Does he have A Bug's Life?
Tim: Noooo. (Sighs. Then spots a likely suspect among the cases) But he does have T.A.P.S. (Opens the case and shows Veronica the blank CD marked 11/26 12/26).
Keith: You talk to the airports?
Sachs: LAX, yeah, but I'm still waiting to hear from John Wayne.
Veronica: (Ambling in doing a horrible John Wayne mime and vocal impression) And you're not gonna pilgrim, 'cause what I am (Changes back to her real voice) is dead.
Parker: (Approaching Veronica at the library info desk) Hey.
Veronica: Hey.
Parker: Long time no see!
Veronica: Yeah. What's up?
Parker: Nothing. (Looks somewhat troubled and nervous) No, it's just, ah...it's kinda weird. Um, I don't know if, if you know, but um...Logan and I, we're sort of ... I don't know... hanging out?
Veronica: Actually, Parker, I'm just running out. Is it OK if we catch up later?
Parker: Yeah...OK. (Neither looking OK at all)
Veronica Mars Voiceover: So I guess it's true - - little future murderers play with dinosaurs like everyone else. And have cuddly old grandpas.
Veronica: Brewer Landry. Lives in Florida. (Veronica shows Keith the picture of Landry's papa.)
Keith: (Holding the photo.) This doesn't look like Florida.
Veronica: (Taking the photo from Keith.) Looks like the mountains. Those are aspen trees --
Tim: (Tim nabs the photo.) Quaking aspens, so western mountains
Veronica: (Veronica takes the photo back, points at bottom corner.) And on this one you can actually make out the license plate on this truck. Navy letters on white.
Tim: The most common pattern, so it could be anywhere. Virginia, Alabama, Illinois, Kansas ... (Keith nods along.)
Veronica: (Rolling her eyes.) Quaking aspens. Western U.S.
Tim: Okay, so Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, Utah, or California.
Veronica: California has red state letters, so does Washington!
Tim: (Keith picks up the second photo.) Not on the endangered animal specialized list -- (Tim grabs the photo for closer inspection.) and that could be a whale --
Veronica: (Veronica snatches it back.) Or a lake, as in Crater Lake, a specialized Oregon plates.
Keith: (Pointing at framed picture in his photo.) Or Papa could be Ernest Hemmingway.
Tim: Another interesting thing about this case, is once a perpetrator starts improvising (Dropping to a stage whisper.) the sloppier his work becomes.
Veronica: (to Tim, icily.) Bet he'll change his mind about you not being that smart.
Veronica Mars Voiceover: The one big downside of justice -- it feels good, but it doesn't change anything. The killer's in jail, but the dean is still dead, which remains, fundamentally, unfair.
Veronica: Man! You get everyone to confess.
Keith: I think it's the uniform. Do you have anything to confess?
Veronica: Yes. You embarrass me.
Keith: (About the news broadcast.) Turn that off, will you? (Veronica complies.) You know I don't like you exposed to all this crime and violence. It's gonna warp your mind. (The two start to eat dinner in silence, Keith studies Veronica for a moment.) Who am I kidding? (He clicks the TV back on, Veronica smiles and peeks around his shoulder to watch.)
Papa's Cabin ... (Referenced by the episode title.)
The 'Papa' here is Ernest Hemingway and the cabin refers to the one in which he is said to have written his classic tale of a fisherman, The Old Man and the Sea ... in Cabo sure enough, but not Cabo San Lucas in California, rather Cabo Blanco in the Piura region in the province of Palera in northern Peru. Cabo Blanco is a fishing village that lies ninety-six miles north of the city of Piura and takes its name from the light coloured nearby mountains. To get to Cabo Blanco, surfers (or, back in the 1950's and 1960's, fishermen -- who traveled there to hunt big marlin; it's reported that Papa caught a seven-hundred pound marlin!) need to take the winding paved road that runs from the town of El Alto, located at the North Pan-American Highway.
Cabo Blanco is widely held to feature the best left-breaking wave in Peru. A rapid and short wave (which makes a quick take-off obligatory) and one of the best tubes in the country. The wave can reach a height of twelve feet!, although normally it ranges from seven to ten feet. In 1979, Peruvian surfer Gordo Barreda discovered the wave when he visited the village to check the surf in the area. The wave is a hollow powerful left and is reckoned the "Peruvian Pipeline," referring to the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii. The wave breaks over sand and rock, with the sand building up through summer and being washed away progressively by winter swells. The wave inspires a kind of fanaticism among surfers. Hey! Keith may not have been the only one who caught this sneaky tidbit, as Cabo Blanco is a mecca for surfing, young Mr. Echolls might have picked up on it himself. Yet another reason that Veronica made a mistake in breaking up with Logan (again!).
Smoking Gun (Phrase) ... (Referenced by Mindy while Keith interrogates her.)
Basically, the phrase means "incontrovertible proof." In other words, dude, you're so guilty, it's not even funny. 'The chaplain stood with a smoking pistol in his hand,' wrote A. Conan Doyle in the short Sherlock Holmes story, The Gloria Scott, written in 1894. Such a stance is generally considered suggestive of obvious (sometimes too obvious) guilt.
A good example of the use of the phrase occurred during the Watergate investigation, Nixon defenders insisted that while much impropriety could be observed, no proof of presidential obstruction of justice, ie., there was no smoking gun, had been found. As history will tell, they spoke too soon. When a tape was released on June 23, 1972, Nixon's accusers had their smoking gun. H. R. Haldeman was shown on the tape to have said to the President that "the FBI is not under control" and that the CIA could be used to block the FBI investigation. When Haldeman said, "And you seem to think the thing to do is to get them the FBI to stop?" Nixon replied, "Right, fine."
Representative Barber Conable, a conservative Republican, said that the evidence on the June 23 tape "looked like a smoking gun." The term, which had been bandied about for months, was now widely quoted and within days the President resigned, and the simile's incontrovertible-evidence meaning was reinforced. (or so said William Safire in his Safire's New Political Dictionary published in 1993.
The phrase is similar to 'caught red-handed," but the distinction lies in the use of the word "smoking." The origin of caught red-handed derives from the phrase "to be taken with red hand" which in ancient times referred to a murderer caught with his hand still red with the victim's blood. The use of 'red hand' in this phraseology goes back to fifteenth century Scotland and Scottish law. Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe has the first recorded use of 'taken red-handed' for someone apprehended in the act of committing a crime. Not long after, the expression became more common as 'caught red-handed.'"
However, as mentioned above, the distinction between the two phrases in the modern sense revolves around the fact that the gun is "smoking" which means it was just fired, therefore red-handed could have to do with being in the wrong place at the wrong time, handling a recently deceased individual. And therein lies the "incontrovertible" part of the phrase's meaning, because if one had not fired, but had instead just picked up the gun, it would not still be smoking.
Goodbye Cruel World ... (Referenced by Keith while he interrogates Mindy.)
"Goodbye, cruel world" is a stock suicide message used in literature, lyrics, films, and, sometimes in real life. It's difficult to trace the exact origins of the phrase, or say who used it first. There are several notable instances. There's a book by Kurt Vonnegut called Mother Night, written in 1961; the second to last sentence in which is "Goodbye, cruel world." It is also the title of a song by Pink Floyd from their groundbreaking album The Wall:
- Goodbye cruel world
I'm leaving you today
Goodbye
Goodbye
Goodbye
Goodbye all you people
There's nothing you can say
To make me change
My mind
Goodbye.
Finally, apparently the use of this particular cliche in Dean O'Dell's murder (and, it would follow, Veronica's paper) is an in-joke. Ed Begley Jr. (our Dean) has appeared in the film Batman Forever, playing the Riddler's boss. The Riddler murdered him, leaving a fake suicide note that read "Goodbye, cruel world." Clearly Veronica (and the VM writing staff) watches too many movies ... and just as clearly, Tim Foyle took Veronica's paper much too much to heart.
California ... (Referenced by Keith when he leaves Mindy to arrest Landry, also by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
California is the thirty-first state in the United States and spans the southern half of the Pacific Coast. It is the largest state in population (thirty-seven million) and the third largest in area (158,402 square miles). California is home to several significant economic regions such as Hollywood, the California Central Valley, Silicon Valley, and the Wine Country. It is also home to several important cities and towns (Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, etc).
The name is believed to be a derivation of the mythical paradise of Calafia portrayed in Amadis de Guala, a sixteenth century Spanish romance by Garci Rodriguez de Montalvo. Others believe the name to be a play on the Spanish words for "hot as an oven;" "cali" meaning "hot" and "fornus" meaning oven.
Different regions of California have very different climates, depending the latitude and proximity to the coast. Most of the state has a Mediterranean climate, with rainy winters and dry summers. 60.5% of the population speaks English, 25.8% speak Spanish, 2.6% speak Chinese, and the rest speak Tagalog, Vietnamese, or some other language. The languages of the indigenous people number more than one hundred, making California one of the most linguistically diverse areas in the world.
Xanax (Referenced by Keith while he interrogates Landry.)
Xanax is the extended-release formulation of alprazolam and was introduced in 2001 and the preferred form of the drug. Alprazolam is a short-acting drug in the benzodiazepine class used to treat anxiety disorders and as an adjunctive treatment for depression.
Alprazolam was originally marketed as an atypical benzodiazepine, but only classified for use treating anxiety neurosis. Researchers later speculated, however, that alprazolam could be studied for serotonergic effects. On October 20, 1976, Dr. Guy Chouinard was the first to conduct a clinical trial of alprazolam in panic disorder. Patients diagnosed with panic disorder were included among participants in the study. Fifty patients were given either the alprazolam or a placebo during an eight-week double-blind controlled study. Results proved that both somatic and psychic anxiety was decreased significantly in those who took the alprazolam, compared to the placebo.
Needle in a Haysack ... (Referenced by Landry when Tim visits his jail cell.)
Simply put, the reference to a search for a needle in haystack means that one is attempting the near impossible search for something. After all, the likelihood of finding something so tiny as a needle in a haystack is enormously difficult and, as stated, near impossible without pulling your hair out in the process.
The first use of this expression -- and therefore, its likely origin -- is by the writer Miguel de Cervantes (of Don Quixote fame). In part three, chapter ten of that very book, Don Quixote might "as well look for as needle in a bottle of hay." Huh? You may be thinking. What's a bottle of hay (?) got to do with a haystack? Well, an old alternative for haystack was actually a 'bottle of hay.' Why? Because 'bottle' is an old word for a bundle of hay, taken from the French word botte, meaning bundle. Brewer (1870-94 dictionary and revisions) lists the full expression: 'looking for a needle in a bottle of hay' -- which tells us that the term was first used in this form, and was later adapted during the 1900's into the modern form.
Mtley Cre ... (Referenced by Veronica when she asks the clerk about the strippers.)
Mtley Cre is a popular American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. The band is made up of Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, and Vince Neil. The group is considered one of the most successful American heavy metal and hard rock bands, having sold over forty-two million albums worldwide and twenty-four million records in the United States alone. Their ninth studio album is due to be released sometime in 2007.
Mtley Cre was formed in California during 1981, after bassist Nikki Sixx left the band London which he had started in 1979 after he was fired from Blackie Lawless' band Sister. Drummer Tommy Lee had previously played in a band called Suite 19 with vocalist/guitarist Greg Leon. Sixx, Lee and Leon started rehearsing but Leon decided not to continue, and the bassist and drummer looked for new members. Sixx and Lee met guitarist Mick Mars -- at that time still performing in blues based heavy metal acts under his name Bob Alan Deal -- through an ad in The Recycler reading "Loud, rude, aggressive guitarist available." When they first met Mars, Sixx's first reaction was, "I can't believe it! Here's another one like us!"
After famously playing the US Festival, and with the aid of the new medium of MTV, the band found rapid success in the United States. They were also known as much for their backstage groupie antics, outrageous clothing, extreme high-heeled boots, heavy make-up, and seemingly endless abuse of alcohol and drugs as for their music. Their mixture of heavy metal and glam rock stylings produced several massive-selling albums during the 1980's, including Shout at the Devil, Theater of Pain and Girls, Girls, Girls.
The band has also had their share of scrapes with the law and life. In 1984, Neil wrecked his car on his way to the liquor store. He was in a head-on collision, and his passenger, Hanoi Rocks drummer Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley, was killed. Neil, charged with a DUI and vehicular manslaughter, was sentenced to thirty days in jail -- although he only spent eighteen days. Ah, celebrity. Playboy wives, affairs, drugs, rehab, break-ups, make-ups, commercial successes and failures followed before the four original members came together and announced a reunion tour which began February 14, 2005, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
A 2001 autobiography entitled The Dirt told their full story. The book made the top ten on the New York Times best-seller list, and spent ten weeks there. It also introduced the band to a whole new generation of fans. The Dirt has become a sacred text and "bible" for rockers all over the world and is set to become a major motion picture through Paramount Pictures and MTV Films.
Gilmore Girls ... (Referenced by Veronica when Wallace attempts un-girlish girl talk.)
An hour-long American television dramedy, Gilmore Girls has been on the air for seven years (with a possible eighth season on the horizon). The show premiered in October of 2000 on the WB network (it moved to the CW network in September of 2006, when the WB and UPN merged), to so-so ratings, but in its second season started gaining numbers, becoming one of the WB's biggest hits. Its jump to the CW has continued this trend, with Gilmore Girls one of the few successes on the new network.
Amy Sherman-Palladino created the show and served as its executive producer with husband Daniel Palladino until the end of the sixth season. David S. Rosenthal, the current executive producer of the show, took over as show-runner in the wake of the Palladinos' departure. The show follows single mother Lorelai Victoria Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and her daughter Lorelai Leigh "Rory" Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, which is located approximately thirty minutes from Hartford. The series explores family, friendship, generational divides, and American class issues.
Graham and Bledel in Season 1 (2000) and Season 7 (2006) promotional images.
While, generally a critical success all-around (with especial kudos for star, Graham), Gilmore Girls is best known for its intricate, extremely fast-paced dialogue, with many dashes of modern pop culture references thrown in. It also has specific perspectives on social class, represented most regularly by Lorelai's sometimes contentious relationships with her wealthy upper class parents. The show's wit and character-based humor have won it a loyal following of both critics and viewers. The switch in executive producers has caused some dissatisfaction with the fanbase however, this despite the fact that the Palladinos' last year on the show was not as well-received as earlier seasons either.
Corn Nuts ... (Referenced by Veronica 3 A.M. stripper-huntin' snack.)
Albert Holloway invented corn nuts in 1936. He originally sold them to taverns as a beer snack, calling them Brown Jug Toasted Corn. He later renamed his product CornNuts. He also learned of a giant breed of corn grown in Cusco, Peru, and began to make his product using this variety's giant kernels. His research eventually led to a hybrid Cusco corn which could be grown in the climate conditions of the United States.
Today, CornNuts is part of Planters, a subsidiary of Kraft Foods. It is sold in six flavors: Original, Barbeque, Nacho Cheese, Chile Picante, Salsa Jalisco and Ranch. Simply put, Corn nuts are a snack food made soaking whole corn in water for three days, then boiling them in oil until they are hard and brittle.
Surrey, England ... (Referenced by where Mindy O'Dell sent her kids.)
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Berkshire, Greater London, Hampshire, Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex. The county town is Guildford. It is divided into eleven boroughs and districts: Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Guildford, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Tandridge, Waverley, Woking. The county has a population of approximately one million people. Due to its proximity to London there are many commuter towns and villages in Surrey, the population density is high and the area is more affluent, on average, than other parts of the UK. Surrey is the most densely populated shire county in England, and the most densely populated ceremonial county after London, the metropolitan counties and Bristol. Much of the north-east of the county forms part of the Greater London Urban Area, but is excluded from the political Greater London.
Surrey contains a good deal of mature woodland and it is the most wooded county in Great Britain, with 22.4% coverage compared to a national average of 11.8%. As such, it is one of the few counties to not include new woodlands in their strategic plans. Box Hill -- a well known beauty spot close to the southern outskirts of London, named after the box trees which can be found on its steep southern and western flanks -- has the oldest untouched area of natural woodland in the United Kingdom, one of the oldest in Europe.
The Old Fort, Box Hill Road, Box Hill, Tadworth, Surrey
Much of Surrey is in the Green Belt and is rolling downland, the county's geology being dominated by the chalk hills of the North Downs. Agriculture not being intensive, there are many commons and access lands, together with an extensive network of footpaths and bridleways including the North Downs Way, a scenic long-distance path. Accordingly, Surrey provides much in the way of rural leisure activities, with a very large horse population.
Colonel Mustard / Clue ... (Referenced by Veronica when she pokes fun at Tim's plastic gloves.)
Clue is a detective board game created by Anthony Pratt, a solicitor's clerk from Birmingham, England, in 1944 where it is known as Cluedo. Manufactured by Parker Bros, now a part of Hasbro, in 1948, in the United States it is known as Clue. It was also made into a 1985 movie starring Martin Mull, Eileen Brennan, Christopher Lloyd, Leslie Ann Warren, Madeline Kahn, Tim Curry and Michael McKean. Clue is a classic whodunit mystery surrounding the murder of Mr. Boddy (Mr. Black in the the British Cluedo). There are six suspects (e.g. Professor Plum, Miss Scarlett), six possible murder weapons and nine rooms (such as the kitchen, conservatory or study) in which the shocking act may have taken place.
Players are dealt character, weapon and location cards after one card from each category is removed and placed in a confidential file. Players must then move through the rooms on the board and determine the who, what and where of the crime by making accusations, and asking other players to disprove the suppositions by showing any of the cards accused. Once a player knows what cards the other players are holding they will know what cards are in the secret file.
The Colonel's character varies depending on where you are from. In British CLUEDO, he has always been portrayed as a dashing ladies man, who often has both Mrs. Peacock and Miss Scarlett vying for his attention. In the U.S, however Colonel Mustard has aged over the last decade making him an daft old man! No matter where you live, the Colonel is a retired military man. As for the Colonel's motive for killing poor old Mr.Boddy (or Dr. Black in the United Kingdom CLUEDO) it is often because of a bad investment he's gone into with the deceased. Another popular motive is that Mustard is madly in love with Mrs. Peacock and kills his host for some sort of wrongdoing aimed at her.
A Bug's Life ... (Referenced by Veronica when she and Tim search Batando's apartment for a tape of the recordings.)
Yet another Pixar classic, A Bug's Lifewas produced by Pixar Animation Studios, a division of Walt Disney pictures, which released this computer-animated film in conjuntion with Buena Vista Distribution on November 14, 1998. This is the second feature film from the Disney/Pixar family, after the immensely critical and box-office success, Toy Story. The film tells the tale of an oddball individualist ant with grandiose dreams of help that often do more harm than good, who hires what he thinks are "warrior bugs" -- but in actuality are (not very good) circus performers -- to fight off greedy grasshoppers who demand payment in fruit/nuts.
The film was directed by John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton, written by Stanton, Don McEnery & Bob Shaw from a story by Lasseter, Stanton and Joe Ranft. Some of the vocal power behind the bugs include Dave Foley (formerly of News Radio as the titular bug, Flik, Kevin Spacey as the big bad grasshopper, Hopper, Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, The New Adventures of the Old Christine, as the 'love interest,' Princess Atta. Other actors supplying their voices include Denis Leary (Rescue Me), Phyllis Diller, David Hyde-Pierce (Frasier, Broadway's Monty Python's Spamalot), Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond), Bonnie Hunt, Madeline Kahn and a young Hayden Panettiere pre-Heroes.
The film, while delightful, is not all that original (despite the number of writers who came up with the story). It is a parody of Aesop's fable of The Ant and the Grasshopper, with a nod to the underrated (and frickin' hysterical comedy), Three Amigos!, which features out-of-work actors (as opposed to the circus performer bugs) defending a town while thinking they're merely giving a performance. And of course, Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai -- as well as the Hollywood remake, The Magnificent Seven, is brought to mind. In that film, Japanese (Mexican in Seven) villagers hiring a rag-tag group of swordsmen (in Seven, it was gunfighters) to fight off rampaging bandits.
The animated film made $162 million dollars in its U.S. theatrical run, easily covering its estimated production costs of $45 million and (like most children's fare) has done exceedingly well on DVD. A few notes of trivia:
- The film's original title was Bugs; it was changed so as to not compete (even more so) with Antz, another buggy computer-animated film released around the same time.
- The film's title is a play on the Charlie Chaplin's 1918 silent film A Dog's Life.
- The two mosquitoes trapped in the light of the bug-zapper are voices by the directors: Andrew Stanton says "Harry, no, don't look at the light!" and John Lasseter says "I can't help it ... it's so beautiful!"
Taps is a 1981 dramatic film, starring Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn (his film debut), Tom Cruise, Ronny Cox and George C. Scott, directed by Harold Becker. Hutton was nominated for a Golden Globe award in 1982 for his role in the film. The screenplay by Robert Mark Kamen, James Lineberger and Darryl Ponicsan is based on the novel Father Sky by Devery Freeman. The film's tagline is: This school is our home, we think it's worth defending.
The original DVD cover, and the 25th Anniversary issue that the foiled Tim finds.
In the film, when an exclusive military school is threatened with demolition by a rapacious real-estate company, the students, headed by Timothy Hutton, take drastic action. Utilizing every bit of military know-how at their disposal, the boys take over the school, arm themselves to the teeth, and prepare to do battle against the "invading" developers. General George C. Scott, the head of the academy, tries to quell the rebellion, but soon he too is swept up by the students' to-the-death determination when the Army is called in to rout the boys.
Pepperdine University (Referenced by Tims application, for which Landry gave him a poor recommendation)
Pepperdine University is located in the attractive Malibu Canyon, has a beachfront view of the Pacific Ocean and a rather deceptively laid-back atmosphere. In fact, if one absolutely must get a job in tight-ass, conservative, stifling academia, Pepperdine is certainly the way to go. At least the view is pretty.
Touted as one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation, it is, however, a coveted spot not only for its aesthetic attributes. Pepperdine is a Christian university with emphasis on Christian values. It is affiliated with the Church of Christ, of which its founder George Pepperdine was a lifelong member. The Universitys motto is "Strengthening Lives for Purpose, Service, and Leadership." (Ahem, I am beginning to see why professor Landry was so reluctant to recommend one Timothy Foyle for a job there.).
It's an independent, medium-sized university that enrolls a little over eight thousand students. Schools of Pepperdine include Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences (there's a College of Letters? Is that like a correspondence school?), Graziadio School of Business and Management (campus located in West Los Angeles at the Howard Hughes Center. Hmm, maybe that's where Logan would do his postgraduate degree.), Graduate School of Education and Psychology, School of Law, and School of Public Policy. They are mostly located on the University's eight-hundred and thirty-acre campus. Classes are taught in Malibu and at six graduate campuses in Southern California. There are also international campuses in Germany, England, Italy and Argentina.
Pepperdine was established in 1937 by George Pepperdine, a Christian businessman and founder of the Western Auto Supply Company. He opened it as a Christian liberal arts college amidst the Great Depression. On September 21, 1937, students began studying on a newly built campus in Los Angeles, and by April 6, George Pepperdine College (as it was first called) was fully accredited by the Northwest Association.
George Pepperdine, as a very wealthy and successful man, thought it his duty to give something back. "I consider it wrong to build up a great fortune and use it selfishly," he said. His two-fold objective for the college was "to provide first-class, fully accredited academic training in the liberal arts," and to build "in the student a Christ-like life, a love for the church, and a passion for the souls of mankind." (Hey, Veronica can go there to have epiphanies!). At first, Pepperdine was a small, mostly undergraduate college.
It achieved its University status in 1970 when it added graduate and professional schools. An inventor, Frank R. Seaver, left the University money in his will, but it was his widow, Blanche E. Seaver, who gave large donations that enabled the school to expand into Malibu in 1971. Later, in 1975, the Malibu campus was named the Frank R. Seaver College, and has become the main undergraduate school of the University.
In the1980's, Pepperdine became known as one of the leading centers of conservative politics, attracting conservative-leaning professors from UCLA and USC. Pepperdine faculty have included such prominent conservatives as Ben Stein (eek!), Kenneth Starr (oy! The guy is the current Dean of the School of Law! No wonder Tim was looking for a job there! It must be a haven for the judgmental and the uptight!), Arthur Laffer, and, currently, Daniel Pipes. (Im guessing, Hank Landry was friends with other faculty members).
The Princeton Review listed Pepperdine as one of colleges with "Dorms Like Palaces" in 2004 and 2007, and as number one under "Most Beautiful Campuses" in 2006 and 2007. Because of its Christian affiliation the assumption is that the University produces a religious and politically conservative atmosphere. However, students from all religious and political backgrounds can be found on campus. US News & World Reports has ranked Pepperdine as the 54th best national university for undergraduate education, its law school is rated 87th among the top 100 law schools in the country by the same publication, and the Straus Institute has appeared as number one in the field of dispute resolution. The Graziadio School of Business and Management has been consistently ranked by BusinessWeek as having one of the world's Top 25 Executive MBA programs, and US News & World Report has ranked the Graziadio School's Fully-Employed MBA program in the world's Top 30 and its Full-Time MBA program in the world's Top 100. Financial Times magazine has ranked the Graziadio School's EMBA in the world's Top 65.
So, a small part of me can see why Tim was suitably pissed to not be recommended for a job here. But I still say with all my heart: Dean ODell died for this?
Los Angeles International / LAX (Referenced by Sacks as Keith checks up on Landry's disappearance.)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the primary airport for Los Angeles, California. Its located in southwestern Los Angeles Westchester neighborhood, not far from the downtown.
LAX is the worlds fifth-busiest airport by passenger traffic (more than sixty million), sixth-busiest by cargo. It serves eighty-seven domestic and sixty-nine international destinations in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Its most prominent airlines are United, American and Sounthwestern. The airport occupies about 3,425 acres of the city on the Pacific coast.
The site for the airport was selected in 1928 by the Los Angeles City Council, amounting to six hundred and thirty acres in the southern part of Westchester. The wheat, barley and lime bean fields were converted into dirt landing strips without any terminal. It was named Mines Field after William W. Mines, the real estate agent who brokered the deal. Hangar number 1, the first structure, was built in 1929 and is now a historic landmark. Mines Field was opened as the official Los Angeles airport in 1930 and was purchased by the city as a municipal airfield in 1937. In 1941 it was renamed Los Angeles Airport, and in 1949 renamed yet again Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Before the 1930's, airports used a two-letter abbreviation based on the local weather station. Therefore, at the time, the letters LA served as the designation for the Los Angeles International Airport. However, with the rapid growth in the aviation industry, the designations expended to three letters, and LA became LAX. "X" does not have any specific meaning, but rather indicates a blank letter or empty space in the code.
At first, the airport in its entirety was located east of Sepulveda Boulevard. In 1953 a tunnel was completed so it could expand westward to meet the Pacific Ocean, and that Sepulveda Boulevard would pass underneath the airports runways. The distinctive "Theme Building" was constructed in 1961. It resembles a flying saucer and houses a restaurant with a spectacular view of the airport. The place, called "Encounter Restaurant," is suspended between the intersecting "legs" of the "saucer." In 1992, the building was designated a cultural and historical monument, and a $4 million renovation with "retro-futuristic" (heh, isn't that a contradiction in terms?) interior and lighting designed by Walt Disney Imagineering was completed in 1997.
The first jet service took place at LAX in 1959, connecting Los Angeles and New York. The first wide-bodied jets appeared in 1970, when TWA flew Boeing 747s. The new $123 million Tom Bradley International Terminal was opened in 1984. In 1996 a new $29 million 277-foot tall air traffic control tower was constructed. In 2006, the airport announced a $503 million renovation project of the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Projected improvements include installing new paging, air conditioning and electrical systems, along with new elevators, escalators, baggage carousels and digital signs automatically updating flight information.
LAX has nine passenger terminals arranged in a "U" shape, also called a horseshoe. Additionally, there are two million square feet of cargo facilities and a heliport operated by Bravo Aviation. Terminal 1 houses Southwest Airlines and US Airways. Terminal 2 serves Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air Mobility Command, Air New Zealand, Aviacsa (Leon, Monterrey), Avianca (Bogota), Hawaiian Airlines, KLM (Amsterdam), Northwest Airlines, TACA (Guatemala City, San Salvador), Lacsa (San Jose, CR) and Virgin Atlantic (London). Terminal 3 is the home of AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, ATA Airlines (Honolulu, Kahului), Frontier Airlines, Republic Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines and WestJet (Calgary). Terminal 4 is occupied by American Airlines, its offshoot American Eagle and Qantas (Sydney). Terminal 5 is for Aerolitoral (Culiacan, Hermosillo, La Paz, Monterrey), Aeromexico, Air Jamaica, Delta Air Lines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines. Aeromexico also takes up space in Terminal 6, along with Continental Airlines, Copa Airlines (Panama City), Delta, SkyWest and United Airlines. Terminal 7 belongs entirely to United Airlines, as does Terminal 8.
And, last, but not least, Tom Bradley International Terminal is taken by Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airways (Tokyo), Asiana Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong), China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Copa Airlines, El Al (Tel Aviv), EVA Al (Taipei-Taiwan), Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lan Airlines (Santiago de Chile), Lan Peru, LTU International (Dusseldorf), Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Mexicana, Philippine Airlines, Quantas (Australia), Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, TACA (San Salvador) and Thai Airway International.(And I am tired just typing this).
John Wayne Airport... (Referenced by Sacks as Keith checks up on Landry's disappearance.)
John Wayne Airport is located in Orange County, California, between the cities of Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Irvine. Originally named Orange County Airport, the county Board of Supervisors renamed it in 1979 to honor the actor John Wayne, who resided on Lido Island in nearby Newport Harbor and died that year. The airport serves both general and commercial aviation needs for the area. The main runway, at 5,701 feet, is one of the shortest of any major airport in the United States, effectively restricting use to aircraft no larger than a Boeing 757.
The airport is fourteen miles from Orange County's signature attraction, the Disneyland Resort. By contrast, Los Angeles International Airport is thirty-five miles from Disneyland. A statue of the airport's namesake welcomes passengers passing through the arrivals area on the lower level.
Click on the image for a bigger
version of Wayne's statue.
Although, it does not offer international destinations, the Associated Press calls it the John Wayne International Airport. To find out more information, check out the official website for the airport.
John Wayne... (Referenced by Veronica by impersonation when she walks into the courthouse.)
John Wayne, born on May 26, 1907 and died on June 11, 1979, was born Marion Robert Morrison. Popularly known as the "Duke," he was an iconic, Academy Award winning, American film actor whose career began in silent movies in the 1920's and became a major star in the 1940's through the 70's. The actor was well-known (and often imitated) for his distinctive voice and walk. Featured heavily in Westerns and World War II epics, Wayne also made a wide range of films from various genres, biographies, romantic comedies, police dramas, and more.
Wayne in Red River (1948) and Big Jake (1971)
The Duke epitomized rugged individualistic masculinity, and has become an enduring American icon. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Wayne among the Greatest Male Stars of All Time, ranking at No. 13. A Harris Poll released in 2007 placed Wayne at No. 3 among America's favorite film stars, the only deceased star on the list and the only one who had appeared on every year's version of the poll.
Wayne died of stomach cancer in 1979, and was interred in the Pacific View Memorial Park cemetery in Corona del Mar. He requested his tombstone read, "Feo, Fuerte y Formal" a Spanish epitaph meaning he was ugly, strong, and had dignity. However, the grave, unmarked for twenty years, now is marked with a quotation from his 1971 Playboy interview: "Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday."
iPod... (Referenced by Veronica when she redials the disposable cell phone.)
The iPod is a brand of handy-dandy portable media players designed and marketed by Apple Computer. The full-sized model stores media on an internal hard drive, while the smaller iPod nano and iPod shuffle use flash memory. Like many digital audio players, iPods can also serve as external data storage devices. Apple chose to focus its development on the iPod's simple user interface and its ease of use, rather than on technical capability.
As of 2006, the hip lineup consists of the fifth generation iPod that plays videos; the smaller, second generation iPod nano; and the display-less iPod shuffle. These models were updated in 2006.
Crocket & Tubbs / Miami Vice... (Referenced by Veronica when she and Tim meet with the person called from the phone.)
The two lead characters from NBC's hit television series, Miami Vice, which aired for five seasons from 1984 through 1989. The character of Detective James "Sonny" Crockett (played by Don Johnson) became a Miami police detective after a tour in Vietnam. Crockett was partnered with the character Detective Ricardo Tubbs (played by Philip Michael Thomas), a former New York police detective that moved to Miami to go after the man that killed his brother. The two partners worked undercover together to fight crime on the streets of Miami. The Miami Vice series is known for being a big influence on 80's fashion, particularly defining a style for men, making pastel colors popular as well as popularizing the "T-shirt under the jacket" look.
Florida... (Referenced as Landry's grandfather's home.)
Located in the southeastern United States, most of the state of Florida is a large peninsula with the Gulf of Mexico on its west and the Atlantic Ocean on its east. It has a warm and humid subtropical climate and as such as known as an ideal retirement place. It was named by Juan Ponce de Leon, who landed on the coast on April 2, 1513, during Pascua Florida (Spanish for "Flowery Easter," referring to the Easter season). Florida's economy relies heavily on tourism. The capital is Tallahassee and the largest city is Jacksonville. The largest metropolitan area and major cultural center of the state is Miami.
Quaking Aspens ... (Referenced by Veronica when her and Tim try to get clues from the pictures.)
Quaking aspen trees (Populus tremuloides), with their golden-yellow fall foliage, are perhaps the dominant fall foliage tree of western North America. It is from this fall foliage standout that the ski resort of Aspen, Colorado derives its name. In the Rocky Mountains there are stands of quaking aspen trees that stretch for miles, their autumn gold perhaps punctuated here and there by an evergreen or two, as if for contrast. Quaking aspens are closely related to poplar trees, such as Lombardy poplar trees.
The origin of the name, "quaking" lies in the fact that the foliage of aspens shimmers or "quakes" when there is a breeze. This quality is due to the trees' flattened petioles, or leaf stalks. It's a poetic picture to imagine: A crisp blue sky, golden aspens and an autumn breeze, all working in concert to mimic the sun, shimmering across the deep blue seas.
As if their fall foliage weren't enough of a contribution, quaking aspens also have a lovely, whitish bark. Aspens usually reach a height of twenty to fifty feet with a spread of ten to thirty feet. Plant them in full sun and in rich, well-drained soil. Like their willow-family relative, the pussy willow, quaking aspen trees bear catkins in the spring. Quaking aspens have a wider range than any other tree of North America. They are absent from the Southeast in the U.S., but are found from Newfoundland and Alaska in the North as far south as central Mexico. But their greatest concentration is in Canada and the northern U.S.
Quaking aspens are quick to spread into disturbed areas, such as areas devasted by fire. "Quick" is the salient term here for the landscaper, since quaking aspens are a good choice when you want a tree with some height, and you need it fast! However, the reason aspens take over a disturbed area so quickly is that they are invasive. Their powerful root systems will push up suckers everywhere. So be forewarned: You wouldn't want to plant this tree around pipes, for instance. (Source: Fall Foliage of Quaking Aspen Trees by David Beaulieu.)
Virginia... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
The Commonwealth of Virginia is a state in the Southern United States. Named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was known as the Virgin Queen, this commonwealth was one of the thirteen colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution. Virginia was the first part of the Americas to be continuously inhabited by British colonists from its founding as a European colony up to the American Revolution. It included area explored by the 1584 expedition of Sir Walter Raleigh along the coast of North America, and at one time it also included Bermuda (or Virgineola). The London Virginia Company became incorporated as a joint stock company by a proprietary charter drawn up on April 10, 1606. The charter granted lands stretching from approximately the 34th parallel (North Carolina) north to approximately the 45th parallel (New York) and from the Atlantic Ocean westward (although the Third Charter of 1612 extended its boundaries far enough across the Atlantic to incorporate Bermuda, which the company had been in possession of since 1609). The capital is Richmond and the most populous city is Virginia Beach.
Virginia is known as the "Mother of Presidents." because it is the birthplace of eight U.S. presidents (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson), exceeded by no other state. Most of the United States' early presidents were from the state. Virginia has also been known as the "Mother of States." because portions of the original Colony subsequently became Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and West Virginia as well as some portions of Ohio. Additionally, most of what is now Wisconsin and Michigan was also briefly claimed by Virginia during the Revolutionary War.
Alabama... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
Alabama is a state located in the Southern United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. The twenty-second state admitted to the Union, Alabama seceded from the union in 1861 to become part of the Confederate States of America. Following the Civil War and Reconstruction, Alabama was re-admitted to the union in 1868.
Until World War II, Alabama, like many Southern states, remained mired in poverty. In the following years, Alabama would emerge as a growing economic power as the economy of the state transitioned from agriculture to diversified interests in heavy manufacturing, mineral extraction, education, and high technology. Today, the state is heavily invested in the aerospace, education, health care, banking, and various heavy industries including automobile manufacturing and mineral extraction.
Alabama is known as The Heart of Dixie and the Yellowhammer state. The capital is Montgomery and the largest city is Birmingham.
Illinois... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
Illinois is a state of the United States of America located in the Midwest; it was the twenty-first state admitted to the Union. The state is the most populous in the Midwest, and the fifth most populous in the nation. Illinois is known for its large and diverse population; its balance of rural areas, small industrial cities, vast suburbs and a great metropolis, its highly diverse economic base, and its central location that has made it a transportation hub for one hundred and fifty years. It is this mixture of factory and farm, of urban and rural, that makes Illinois a microcosm of the United States.
About two thousand Native American hunters and a small number of French villagers inhabited the area at the time of the American Revolution. American settlers began arriving from Kentucky in the 1810's; they achieved statehood in 1818. Yankees arrived a little later and dominated the north, founding the future metropolis of Chicago in the 1830's. The coming of the railroads in the 1850's made highly profitable the rich prairie farmlands in central Illinois, attracting large numbers of immigrant farmers from Germany and Sweden. Northern Illinois provided major support for Illinoisans Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant during the American Civil War. By 1900, factories were being rapidly built in the northern cities, along with coal mines in central and southern areas. This industrialization attracted large numbers of immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe, and also led to the state's material contribution as a major arsenal in both world wars. In addition to immigrants from other countries, large numbers of blacks left the cotton fields of the South to come to Chicago, where they developed a famous jazz culture.
The state is named for the Illinois River which was named by French explorers after the indigenous Illiniwek people, a consortium of Algonquian tribes that thrived in the area. The word Illiniwek means "tribe of superior men."
Kansas... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
The State of Kansas, in the Midwestern United States, is named after the Kansas River that flows through it, which got its name from the Siouan word Kansa meaning "people of the south wind." It is also home to the geographical center of the contiguous United States. Nicknamed The Sunflower State, Kansas has an estimated total population of 2,688,418. Its capital city is Topeka, while the largest individual city is Wichita and the Kansas City metropolitan area has the most population. State symbols include the sunflower (flower), American buffalo (animal), cottonwood (tree) and Western Meadowlark (bird). The state song is "Home on the Range."
Most of Kansas was acquired by the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Southwest Kansas was part of Spain, Mexico, and the Republic of Texas until the end of the Mexican-American War. Kansas was part of the Missouri Territory, and in 1827 Fort Levenworth became the first permanent settlement of white Americans in the future state. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 established the Kansas Territory, which included much of western Colorado. During the 1850's the territory became known as Bleeding Kansas when a hotbed of violence and chaos as abolitionists and pro-slavery settlers came there to determine if it would become a free state. In 1861 Kansas officially joined the Union as a free state, and following the Civil War the population grew as immigrants began to turn the prairie into farmland.
Kansas' economy is largely agricultural and industrial. The state leads the nation in wheat production and overall is one of the most productive agricultural states. Other agricultural products include cattle, sheep, cotton, corn and salt. Indistrial products include transportation equipment, food processing, chemical producs, machinery, petroleum and mining. Major employers in the state include Sprint Nextel, Cessna, Goodyear Tire and Rubber, Payless Shoes and Boeing.
Oregon... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Oregon borders the Pacific Ocean on the west, Washington on the north, Idaho on the east, and California and Nevada on the south. The Columbia and Snake Rivers form, respectively, much of its northern and eastern borders. Between two north-south mountain ranges in western Oregon -- the Pacific Coast Range and the Cascade Mountain Range -- lies the Willamette Valley, the most densely populated and agriculturally productive region of the state.
Oregon has one of the most diverse landscapes of any state in the U.S. It is well known for its tall, dense forests; its accessible, scenic Pacific coastline; and its rugged, glaciated Cascade volcanoes. Other areas include semiarid scrublands, prairies, and deserts that cover approximately half the state in eastern and north-central Oregon.
The origin of the state's name is something of a mystery. The earliest known use of this proper noun was in a 1765 petition by Major Robert Rogers to the Kingdom of Great Britain. The petition referred to Ouragon and asked for money to finance an expedition in search of the Northwest Passage. In 1766, Rogers commissioned Jonathan Carver to lead such an expedition and in 1778, Carver used Oregon to label the Great River of the West in his book Travels Through the Interior Parts of North America. The poet William Cullen Bryant took the name from Carver's book and used it in his poem Thanatopsis to refer to the recent discoveries of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which helped establish it in modern use.
In 2001, archaeologist Scott Byram and David G. Lewis published an article in the Oregon Historical Quarterly arguing that the name Oregon came from the word oolighan, referring to grease made from fish, which was and is a highly prized food source for Native Americans of the region. Allegedly, those trade routes brought the term eastward. Another theory was put out in yet another article for the Oregon Historical Quarterly in 2004 in which Professor Thomas Love and Smithsonian linguist Ives Goddard argue that Rogers chose the word based on exposure to either of the Algonquian words wauregan and olighin, both meaning "good and beautiful."
Oregon's population in 2000 was 3,421,399, a 20.4% increase over 1990. The Census Bureau estimated Oregon's population to have reached 3,594,586 by 2004.
Washington... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The state is named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. Washington was carved out of the western part of Washington Territory and admitted to the Union as the 42nd state in November 11, 1889. In 2006, the Census Bureau estimated the state's population at 6,395,798. Residents are called "Washingtonians" (emphasis on the third syllable, pronounced as tone). Washington is often called Washington state to distinguish it from Washington, D.C., the nation's capital.
Washington's climate varies greatly from west to east. A mild oceanic climate (also called "marine west coast climate") predominates in western Washington, and a much drier climate prevails east of the Cascade Range. Major factors determining Washington's climate include the large semi-permanent high pressure and low pressure systems of the north Pacific Ocean, the continental air masses of North America, and the Olympic and Cascade mountains.
Wisconsin... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.) (Jennifer)
Wisconsin is a state in the United States, and is located in the Great Lakes region. The capital of the state is Madison, and its current governor is Jim Doyle. Bordered by the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois, as well as Lakes Michigan and Superior, Wisconsin has been part of United States territory since the end of the American Revolution; the Wisconsin Territory (which included parts of other current states) was formed on July 3, 1836. Wisconsin ratified its constitution March 13, 1848 and was admitted to the Union on May 29, 1848 as the thirtieth state.
Wisconsin's economy was originally based on farming (especially dairy), mining, and lumbering. In the 20th century, tourism became important, and many people living on former farms commuted to jobs elsewhere. Large-scale industrialization began in the late 19th century in the southeast of the state, with the city of Milwaukee as its major center. In recent decades, service industries, especially medicine and education, have become dominant. Wisconsin's landscape, largely shaped by the Wisconsin glaciation of the last Ice Age, makes the state popular for both tourism and many forms of outdoor recreation.
Since its founding, Wisconsin has been ethnically heterogeneous, with Yankees being among the first to arrive from New York and New England. They dominated the state's heavy industry, finance, politics and education. Large numbers of European immigrants followed them, including Germans, mostly between 1850 and 1900, Scandinavians and smaller groups of Belgians, Dutch, Swiss, Finns, Irish and others; in the 20th century, large numbers of Poles and African-Americans came, settling mainly in Milwaukee.
Today, 42.6% of the population is of German ancestry, making Wisconsin one of the most German-American states in the United States. Numerous ethnic festivals are held throughout Wisconsin to celebrate its heritage.
Utah... (Referenced by Tim when he and Veronica try to get clues from the pictures.)
Utah is a U.S. state located in the western United States. It was the 45th state admitted to the union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 88% of Utah's 2,500,000 people, known as "Utahns," live in an urban concentration with Salt Lake City as the center, known as the Wasatch Front. In contrast, vast expanses of the state are nearly uninhabited, making the population the sixth most urbanized in the U.S. The name "Utah" is derived from the Ute Indian language, meaning "people of the mountains."
Utah is known for its geological diversity ranging from snowcapped mountains to well-watered river valleys to rugged, stony deserts. Meanwhile, Utah is also known for being one of the most religiously homogeneous states in the Union, with approximately 62% of its inhabitants claiming membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which greatly influences Utahn culture and daily life.
The state is a center of transportation, information technology and research, government services and mining as well as a major tourist destination for outdoor recreation. Utah has a long tradition of resourcefulness and hard work, as reflected in its state motto, Industry. St. George, Utah was the fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States from 2000-2005 with Utah being the sixth fastest growing state overall in 2006.
Crater Lake... (Referenced by Veronica when her and Tim try to get clues from the pictures.)
A crater lake is a lake that forms in volcanic calderas or craters after the volcano has been inactive for some time. Some crater lakes are acidic, however, some lakes' water remains fresh. Some also have geothermal activity, especially if the volcano is merely dormant rather than extinct.
A well-known crater lake, which bears the same name as the geological feature, is Crater Lake of Crater Lake National Park, in Oregon. It is formed in the caldera of Mount Mazama. Isolated from rivers and streams, it therefore has no inflow or outflow at the surface, and hence no pollution from river input. It is fed by melting snow. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States with a depth of 1949 feet.
Crater Lake in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.
It should be noted, however, that the name "Crater Lake" is a misnomer. The geologic feature that forms after a volcano expends itself and collapses is refered to as a caldera.
Ernest Hemingway / Papa... (Referenced by Keith when he interrupts Veronica and Tim's brainstorm session over the license plate.)
Ernest Hemingway was born in 1899 near Chicago, Illinois. He published his first work at the age of seventeen and went on to be considered one of America's greatest authors. In 1918 he volunteered to be an ambulance driver for the American Red Cross and was able to write about the war from first hand experience in the novel A Farewell to Arms.
Traveling the world, Hemingway made a name for himself as a prominent member of the expatriate community living in Paris, later chronicled in The Sun Also Rises. By 1926 the novel had propelled him to critical and financial success. He returned to the United States to settle in Florida, which would figure as a backdrop in The Old Man and the Sea. After it was published he was awarded the Pulitzer Award for Literature.
His private life did not mirror the success of his publishing career. Papa, as he was lovingly called by generations of readers, was married four times. He suffered from depression and paranoia and committed suicide in 1961.
Cabo San Lucas... (Referenced by the city with Papa's cabin.)
Cabo San Lucas, popularly known as just Cabo, is a small city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, in the municipality of Los Cabos in the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Although humans have lived on the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula for thousands of years, including the region of Cabo San Lucas, it was not until the beginning of the 20th century that a fishing village began to develop in that area. In 1917, an American company built a floating platform to catch tuna, and ten years later founded the Compaa de Productos Marinos, S.A., which gave rise to the village.
It is quickly becoming a high-end holiday destination with a number of resorts and timeshare clubs appearing along the coast between San Lucas and San Jos del Cabo. The warmth of the waters at Cabo San Lucas, the beauty of its beaches, the abundance of sport fish, and other qualities are what motivated it's popularity among both foreign and Mexican vacationers to spend their vacations in large-scale tourist developments there, starting from 1974 when the Mexican government created the infrastructure to turn Cabo San Lucas into one of the most attractive centers for tourism in Mexico. It has a great variety of sites of interest, including the distinctive landmark, El Arco de Cabo San Lucas (known as El Arco), a rock formation at the southern tip of the city. Many claim that it looks like a Triceratops taking a drink of water.
El Arco de Cabo San Lucas a.k.a. El Arco.
Cabo San Lucas also has the largest Marlin tournament in the world, with a $1,000,000 jackpot. In the winter, pods of whales can be observed in the ocean. They bear their calves in the warm waters there. Another attraction came about in 1990 when California based Rocker Sammy Hagar of Van Halen fame, opened his own nightclub and restaurant, The Cabo Wabo Cantina with the three other members of Van Halen. In the mid-1990's, he bought out the other owners and assumed complete ownership of the club. To this day, it is one of the most popular attractions in Cabo San Lucas. He is known to play live at the club at least once a year with his band, The Wabos on his birthday, October 13th, and shows often include many famous guests and friends from the music industry.
Cabo San Lucas and San Jos del Cabo are served by Los Cabos International Airport. The town is also a popular port of call for many cruise ships. Its raucous party atmosphere and San Jose's laid-back colonial style are bridged by a golf course- and resort-studded Tourist Corridor that stretches between the twin towns in twenty miles of pristine white sand beaches and craggy coves. Exclusive hotels and gated residential communities attracting a wide clientele of rich and famous weave seamlessly amid this wonderous landscape and comprise this region known as "the Corridor." Many of these properties, which are considered some of Latin Americas top resorts, have become havens to Hollywood stars, Fortune 500 C.E.O.s and even the U.S. president during the 2002 Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC).
Read all about Cabo at the city's official website, Cabo San Lucas - All About Cabo.
Mexico... (Referenced by where Keith finds Landry.)
Mexico is a country located in North America, approximately 753,665 square miles in size, bordered at the north by the United States, and at the south with Guatemala and Belize in Central America. It is the northernmost and westernmost country in Latin America, and with a population of 106.5 million, Mexico is also the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world. The official name is Estados Unidos Mexicanos, which translates as the United Mexican States. The term State of Mexico (Estado de Mexico) does not refer to the country, but only to one state within Mexico, located near the center of the country adjacent to the Federal District.
U.S. citizens have been known to cross the border into Mexico to evade U.S. authorities and skip tracers. Most often, these individuals cross the border into Tijuana due to its proximity to the world's busiest border crossing. What is interesting is that criminals continue to cross into Mexico to evade criminal prosecution despite the extradition treaty that has been in place between the U.S. and Mexico since 1980.
According to EscapingJustice.com, the Treaty provides for extradition of a party who has been charged with or found guilty of an offense committed in the United States, who has fled to Mexico. An offense is extraditable if it is a crime in both countries and punishable by incarceration for a period of one year or more. The Extradition Treaty further provides that where the offense for which extradition is sought is punishable by death, extradition may be refused unless assurances are given that the death penalty shall not be imposed, and if imposed, shall not be executed.
San Diego... (Referenced by the newscaster about the business man found dead.)
It is believed that the first humans settled in the San Diego area some 20,000 years ago, along the coast, and 12,000 years ago in the desert area. However, it was in 1542 that Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed from Mexico into the Bay and claimed the area for Spain, naming it San Miguel. At the time, there were 20-30 thousand of the Kumeyaay tribe living there. In 1602, explorer Sebastian Vizcaino arrived on his ship, San Diego, and named the area for the Spanish Catholic saint, San Diego de Alcala. Then, in 1769, the first of a chain of twenty-one missions along the California coast was founded by Father Junipero Serra and the California Governor Gaspar de Portola. It was built on Presidio Hill and named Mission San Diego de Alcala. The first colonists arrived in 1774, and San Diego came under Mexican rule in 1821 when Mexico won its independence from Spain. Following that, in 1848, a treaty ending the war between the U.S. and Mexico set the official international border and declared San Diego an American city. Two years later, San Diego County was created and the City of San Diego was incorporated.
Today, with a population of around 1.25 million, San Diego is the second largest city in California and the seventh largest in the nation. According to the San Diego city website, more than 96 percent of the residents are employed, with a median family income of almost $40,000. The top industries are manufacturing, defense, tourism, and agriculture, with an additional focus on biotechnology/biosciences, electronics manufacturing, software, telecommunications, financial and business services, and defense and space manufacturing.
Located only seventeen miles from the Mexican border, with seventy miles of coastline and an overall land area of 342.4 square miles, San Diego is also home to many popular tourist attractions, such as Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, Legoland California, and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Races. Professional sports teams include the San Diego Chargers (football), the Padres (baseball), and the Gulls (hockey). In addition to ten community colleges located throughout the county, the city is also home to San Diego State, the largest California State University campus, and the University of California, San Diego.
- I think I have to start doing this for each episode. And the Worst Line of the Episode Award goes to ... Sheriff Mars!! For this gem: "You've known three men in your life, Mrs. O'Dell." I guess we're meant to assume that by "known," he means 'in the biblical sense,' and by "life," he means 'that he's aware of, since he's met her' -- otherwise, how presumptuous! (Keith would like to thank the Academy, his momma, and John Enbom for this award.)
- Landry hearts unicorns.
- How come a supposedly brilliant profiler -- with books and national acclaim under his belt -- was unable to read people closest to him? Namely, how is that Hank Landry trusted his life and freedom -- not to mention his body and his daily existence respectively -- to Mindy O'Dell and Tim Foyle? Was Landry a Dr. Phil kind of specialist? All show and no substance? Is that why he was so impressed with Veronica? Because his standards were so low?
- Why did Mindy try to leave town, when she specifically was told not to? She wasn't guilty, she didn't get arrested, she got her check. There was no reason for her to skip until the trial was over. Why expose yourself to more suspicions?
- How could Tim have possibly counted on that incinerator to not be used for months? Or on the investigation being reopened, once the Dean's death was deemed a suicide? As plans go, his sucked majorly.
- When and how did Tim manage to bug Veronica's phone? Did she ever let it out of her hands? Clearly it was before they started hanging out at convenience store at 3 a.m., because he was able to record her conversation with Keith regarding Mindy's children. So, when and how did Miss Mars let her guard down enough for Tim to perform the bugging?
- Who's going to take over teaching criminology? Will Veronica still be the T.A.?
- Was Bonnie lying about going to see Tim after he freaked out on her at the Pi Sig party the night the dean was killed? How did that work out?
- Did Tim have some sort of revenge worked out for Bonnie since she also used and betrayed him? He had obviously been planning this thing with Landry for a while. He had the phone bugged before the call from Pepperdine, tipped Veronica off about the affair early on in the school year. He was just waiting for an opportunity to set up Landry, so ... did he really forgive Bonnie, or was he just 'keeping his enemies closer?'
holly96 (Holly): Yearbook; Literature
JaneDtwo: Extra Credit
JenniferH: Report Card; Chemistry; Literature; Social Science
samwg (Shannon): Literature; Homeroom; Philosophy
secret and lie: Drama Club
SeluciaV (Alli): Study Hall; Literature
