'Veronica Mars': No one shot the sheriff
Sure I expect upheavals and reversals on Veronica Mars, but I certainly didn't see Keith's (Enrico Colantoni) reinstatement as sheriff coming.
Perhaps I kind of liked thinking of him as the rebel, a PI who doesn't have to play by the police's rules. But I think part of me actually never considered that Lamb would die. I'm going to miss his puffed-up incompetence and resistance to all things Mars. RIP Lamby.
Anyway, Keith's new status gives a nice foreboding touch to the action to come, as if only as a serious law man will Keith be able to solve the Dean O'Dell murder case. And now that they've nicely set up Prof. Landry as a cunning criminal mastermind (whether he's innocent or guilty) the denouement promises to be engrossing.
At least they wrapped up that two-parter mystery about Coach Barry's death. Somehow, finding out that he offed himself was anticlimactic, especially with the Creutzfeldt-Jakob making the whole thing feel like one of those inevitable Greek tragedies ... only without the incest.
I have to say I was impressed with Josh's ingenuity with the peanut allergy escape scheme. He's a little extreme though judging by how he jacked up Mason and threw him in the trunk of a car. That's pretty hard core, but I guess fitting for a kid who will flee the country while he's a wanted man in order to ensure his family's financial security.
Despite all this heaviness, Veronica still found time to give us some laughs while she was in the clink. I only wish that most of these scenes weren't already spoiled in promos. The push-ups, lame tattoo and cornrows were a nice touch, but I have to say my favorite parts were having Logan snap her picture behind bars and Keith looking bemused before admitting, "I thought this sight would be more traumatic for me, but ..."
And then there's Veronica's pals. After a contrived, bonding, adventure-filled scavenger hunt with Parker and new lovebirds Mac and Bronson (whose name I completely forgot and had to look up. It just doesn't sound right), Logan actually smiles companionably at Parker.
Uh oh. How fickle the heart is. I can hear the outrage from the 'shippers now. How can LoVe not prosper? Well, it doesn't look like Veronica is too comfy with the idea of her ex hanging out with Parker either. Where's Piz when you need him?
Oh, and how can I forget? Mac and her man hook up. It's nice to see someone having a positive sexual relationship on the show without the drama. Of course, it's early yet.
So here a few new twists in the O'Dell murder:
- Mindy picked up the dean's Xanax prescription the night he died. She claims that she scarfed a few herself to deal with his apparent suicide (ah, why is she now calling it that when she had hired -- and then fired -- Keith to prove it was a murder?)
- Someone not of the Mars bloodline bugged Landry's cell phone.
- Apparently, because of the Clippers game, all programs are shifted an hour back, which means that the all-important Space Ghost episode used to establish time of death was actually one hour later. This is after the car was returned to the Neptune Grand valet.
- Steve Botando's fingerprints were found on the dean' s keyboard. Later, we see Botando trying to find something at the O'Dell residence, just before he's shot.
- Bloody gloves and a shirt monogrammed with "HRL" (Hank Landry) are found stuffed in the grate of an old furnace at school.
Does having Landry or Mindy be guilty seem too neat for you? Who wants to revive the Goth son-as- killer theory? What do you think about the Logan-Parker combo?
Am I the only one doubting the death of Lamb. I mean, he was very involved in the episode, but it didn't give me the feeling of being resolved. While Lamb is an ***, he was never an actual villian... just a bumbling, over inflated idiot and as such I feel he should have gotten the opportunity to redeem himself. After Wallace called him out about the Wizard comments, I though there would be some closer before his death, but there wasn't. I could definatley see the death being somewhat faked, and he is possibly undercover or something. One day he will be in a situation to save Veronica, and that will redeem him in her eyes, even though she can't tell anyone... seem plausible? Maybe I am just unwilling to let my favorite anti-Mars character go... either way-shocker.
I was so sure it was Sachs wearing the red shirt last night.
Does Sheriff Keith have any responsibility to reveal what private eye Keith learned about Barry's suicide?
O.K. - last week Logan could barely get out of bed due to his depression about splitting up with Veronica. This week, the freeze between them seems to be finally thawing. So now, after one fun day, he's making googly eyes at Parker? Boy, he moved on fast. Also, didn't Parker's head get shaved not too long ago? If that's a wig she's wearing, how did it stay on when she swam to get the balloon. Either that or she has the fastest growing hair ever. I don't like it this Parker and Logan thing. Plus, a school sponsered peppy Valentines Day scavenger hunt seems so un-Mac like, and knowing other PETA like people in college - probably un-Bronson like as well.
Finally - As a mother, I'd definately want my oldest son around after my husband killed himself, rather than the insurance money. Especially as it seems she still hasn't heard from her son.
O.K. - last week Logan could barely get out of bed due to his depression about splitting up with Veronica. This week, the freeze between them seems to be finally thawing. So now, after one fun day, he's making googly eyes at Parker? Boy, he moved on fast. Also, didn't Parker's head get shaved not too long ago? If that's a wig she's wearing, how did it stay on when she swam to get the balloon. Either that or she has the fastest growing hair ever. I don't like it this Parker and Logan thing. Plus, a school sponsered peppy Valentines Day scavenger hunt seems so un-Mac like, and knowing other PETA like people in college - probably un-Bronson like as well.
Finally - As a mother, I'd definately want my oldest son around after my husband killed himself, rather than the insurance money. Especially as it seems she still hasn't heard from her son.
I was so sure it was Sachs wearing the red shirt last night.
Does Sheriff Keith have any responsibility to reveal what private eye Keith learned about Barry's suicide?
Hey rookie,
How about a **SPOILER ALERT** at the top of the article? Thanks for ruining what was going to be a fun night of tivo. Idiot.
I liked that Lamb didn't redeem himself before he died. I think those real-life twists is a big part of what works so well about VM. Besides, I had no idea anyone was getting shot, so it would have ruined it for me.
Also, "I... smell... bread?" That was freaking great. And I loved how he shot the mirror - kind of a reference to how he was always shooting himself in the foot.
Logan's snap back into reality? A little quick, but better than more excessive brooding. Besides, it's Logan, so you know it doesn't mean anything's resolved. And I've been ***uming he'd eventually hook up with Parker since she first showed up - between V, Lily, and even Madison, the guy clearly digs blondes. I don't particularly love it, but it should make for some good drama.
Now that Keith is sheriff again, I think he should rehire Leo.
Mandy, remember that we never saw Meg's death either, but that also seems to have been "real". At first I found that a little odd, but since then I've come to like how in the world of VM, we mostly discover things in the same way that Veronica or Keith do, and it would seem odd if Keith was hanging around Lamb's bedside waiting for him to kick the bucket.
PS -- the off-screen deaths could also have something to do with the stinginess of the WB/CW toward this show, which verges on the criminal.
Gonna have to stick up for my co-worker here: It's the established practice of this blog that we recap shows after they air, and nothing is off limits. If you don't want to be spoiled, wait till after you watch to read the blog.