Veronica Mars

Veronica Mars is a television program on the UPN network. It premiered in North America on September 22, 2004. The series was created by Rob Thomas. The theme song for the show is "We Used to Be Friends" by The Dandy Warhols.

Summary

Set in the fictional town of Neptune, California, Veronica Mars deals with the fallout a year after the death of Lilly Kane, Veronica's best friend and sister of her ex-boyfriend, Duncan. Veronica's father, Keith, was the sheriff at the time, and went after Lilly's father, Jake Kane, who is a rich software magnate. The town backed Jake and Keith was voted out of office in a recall election. After her father's embarrassment, Veronica went to a party with the in-crowd she was now being shunned from, and was raped. Then her mom, Lianne, left home. Veronica's old life was shattered.

Now Veronica is helping with her dad's private investigator business, as well as cracking cases of her own at school. Other characters include Wallace Fennel, the new kid, who is introduced to Veronica taped to a flagpole, Eli 'Weevil' Navarro, leader of the P.C.H. Biker Gang who gives Veronica perspective as well as a few favors, and Logan Echolls, the snotty son of a famous movie actor who has his own family issues underneath his hard surface.

Ratings and Reviews

The series' first season rated low, consistently last in its time slot, however its strong fan base, and regular critical praise for its witty writing and strong female characters, were enough to convince UPN to renew the show for a second season.

Comparisons and References

• Veronica's character is often compared to Chloe Sullivan from Smallville, a similarly inquisitive girl who investigated mysterious goings on at their high school, who sports a similar hairstyle, attire, and laptop. Fans of the show dismiss this comparison as superficial.
• Lilly Kane's role is often compared to Laura Palmer of Twin Peaks, a girl who was also murdered under mysterious circumstances, and whose murder investigation uncovered dark secrets in her past. Like Laura, Lilly only appears in flashbacks or dream sequences, although the show is far less mystical than Twin Peaks. Just as Laura Palmer was murdered by her father – whil under the control of another being -, early indications seemed to point to Lilly's father as her killer. Lilly also was seeing at least three different men, similar to Laura. However, Lilly's killer was eventually revealed to be her ex-boyfriend's father.
• Veronica's glib wit and anti-establishment attitude draw comparisons to Buffy Summers of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Coincidentally, or perhaps non-coincidentally, Alyson Hannigan made two guest appearances in the first season of Veronica Mars.

Characters

Main Characters

• Kristen Bell – Veronica Mars
• Percy Daggs III – Wallace Fennel, her best friend.
• Teddy Dunn – Duncan Kane, her former boyfriend.
• Jason Dohring – Logan Echolls, his best friend; Lilly's ex-boyfriend.
• Francis Capra – Weevil, school bad-boy, lover of Lilly.
• Enrico Colantoni – Keith Mars, Veronica's father, former Sheriff.
• Sydney Tamiia Poitier – Mallory Dent (Season One), school teacher.

Sydney Tamiia Poitier was initially a main cast member, but she was quickly written out as the producers decided to focus more on the mystery element, and found her to be a peripheral character. Miss Dent was later revealed to be on "maternity leave" from the school, and was briefly replaced by a new teacher (Joey Lauren Adams).

Recurring Guests

• Amanda Seyfried – Lilly Kane, deceased best-friend of Veronica and girlfriend to Logan.
• Corinne Bohrer – Lianne Mars, Veronica's mother.
• Kyle Secor – Jake Kane, Lilly's father.
• Lisa Thornhill – Celeste Kane, Lilly's mother.
• Michael Muhney – Sheriff Don Lamb
• Duane Daniels – Vice Principal van Clemmons
• Max Greenfield – Deputy Leo D'Amato
• Alyson Hannigan – Trina Echolls, Logan's sister.
• Harry Hamlin – Aaron Echolls, Logan's father.
• Lisa Rinna – Lynn Echolls, Logan's mother (deceased).
• Christian Clemenson – Abel Koontz, Lilly's alleged killer.
• Tina Majorino – Cindy 'Mac' MacKenzie, school computer expert.
• Paula Marshall – Rebecca James, school guidance counsellor.
• Christopher B. Duncan – Clarence Wiedman, head of security at Kane software.
• Erica Gimpel – Alicia Fennel, Wallace's mother

Minor Recurring Guests

• Brandon Hillock – Deputy Sacks
• Daran Norris – Cliff McCormack, DA.
• Brad Bufanda – Felix Toombs
• Jonathan Chesner – Corny
• Patrick Wolff – Hector
• Aaron Ashmore – Troy Vandegraff,
• Ryan Hansen – Dick Casablancas
• Amanda Noret – Madison Sinclair
• Alona Tal – Meg Manning
• Lefty – Backup – The Mars' dog

Episodes

Season 1 (2004)

1. "Pilot"
2. "Credit Where Credit's Due"
3. "Meet John Smith"
4. "The Wrath of Con"
5. "You Think You Know Somebody"
6. "The Return of the Kane"
7. "The Girl Next Door"
8. "Like a Virgin"
9. "Drinking the Kool-Aid"
10. "An Echolls Family Christmas"
11. "Silence of the Lamb"
12. "Clash of the Tritons"
13. "Lord of the Bling"
14. "Mars vs. Mars"
15. "Ruskie Business"
16. "Betty and Veronica"
17. "Kanes and Abel's"
18. "Weapons of Class Destruction"
19. "Hot Dogs"
20. "M.A.D."
21. "A Trip to the Dentist"
22. "Leave it to Beaver"

External links

• Neptune High
• Neptune Site
• Veronica-Mars.org
• Veronica Mars Online
• Veronica Mars at the Internet Movie Database
• Veronica Mars at UPN
• Veronica Mars at TV Tome
• Veronica Mars at Television Without Pity
• Mars Investigations: A Beginner's Guide to Veronica Mars