They said it was good, but I refused to believe. I paid little heed to its praise, and discarded it as nothing but a “teen drama meets cheesy Nancy Drew detective” show. I eventually grew interested enough, but lacked the courage to actually give it a chance. I need a little extra incentive. And so, when Loki whole.heartedly recommended it to me, I finally gave in, and decided to check out Veronica Mars. And a wise choice it was, because Veronica owns!
The show centers on Veronica Mars - Captain Obvious to the rescue! - , a 17 year old social outcast in the fictional city of Neptune, California, working part-time for her father - a private detective -, officially as an assistant, but unofficially as a investigator.
But hold on, we’re forgetting something important here, namely the background story! Because the background story practically defines the plot of the first season.
Six months prior to the premiere, Veronica Mars’ life collapsed when her best friend and daughter of the most powerful man in Neptune, is found brutally murdered. Keith Mars - local sheriff and Veronica’s father - accuses Lilly’s father of the deed, resulting in the Mars family’s near destruction. Veronica’s mother abandons them, Keith loses his job and Veronica loses her friends.
Fast-forward to present day, the supposed murderer - Abel Koontz - awaits his fate on death row, Veronica is a constant target for abuse and ridicule, and the remainders of the Mars family continues to be friendless.
Neptune appears to have moved on from the Lily Kane tragedy, but there is something rotten in the city of Neptune! New evidence begin to surface that casts doubt on the guilt of Abel Koontz. Naturally, Veronica take interest in the case, and begins to unravel all the dirty little secrets.
This is the premise of the first season of Veronica Mars.
The show focuses on Veronica’s struggles and social life at Neptune high, her investigations at her behest of her father’s, or - what remains - of - her friends, and the Lilly Kane murder mystery. The show follows a 1 case per episode pattern, with every episode - as far as I remember - tying into the overall season plot.
I compared the show’s structure to “Dexter” in this post, a comparison I still stand by. Though Veronica’s narrations are unquestionably lighter than Dexter’s.
The show can also be compared to “Buffy” - as evident from the title of this post -, in terms of main character, humour, style and dialogue.
Both shows maintains a witty dialogue, as well as a similar, very geeky humour - which I absolutely love - . Also, I somehow felt there was a tad similar dynamic amongst both main characters’ circle of friends.
The show features several interesting character, especially Veronica Mars played by Kristen Bell, who practically makes this show, and is reason enough to watch the series. She’s funny, smart, attractive and she’s got an iron will.
But don’t worry, there are other as well, such as Keith Mars portrayed by Enrico Colantoni, who - in my opinion - fits perfectly in the role of Veronica’s father. Logan Echolls is also a funny character, despite the fact that he’s a complete douche. Weevil was pretty cool as well.
I liked the concept of the medicated Duncan Kane, through the other aspects of the character was mediocre at best.
Clarence Wiedman was also pretty interesting, despite his limited screen-time.
I think the show’s main strengths is its main character, dialogue and its fast paced, often geeky humour - Which I, again, absolutely love - . That, and a strong season plot, interlinked with individual cases for each episodes.
Veronica Mars is very well produced, featuring a decent score and an intro that really got stuck in my head. Seeing as this is public television, there is no profanity, nudity or graphic violence, but these are not things I missed from this show - well, perhaps the profanity.
My main gripes with this show is my disagreement with the execution of some of the content, and a season finale that - in my opinion - somewhat that failed to satisfy.
The finale does not not weigh the show down much, though, as Veronica mars does not rely as much on the murder mystery as, say, “Dexter”. And the overall quality of the show remains very solid.
Anyway, that concludes my attempt at a review of this superb TV-show. I apologise for delaying this post, mys only excuse is that I’m a slacker of th worst sort.
And, in an attempt to rate:
9/10
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