Veronica Mars - Definition

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

The show chronicles the adventures of Neptune High School student Veronica Mars, whose father Keith has become a private detective after being recalled from his elected position as Sheriff — mostly because Neptune residents weren't happy with his handling of the murder of Veronica's best friend, Lilly Kane, daughter of local software magnate Jake Kane and sister to Veronica's ex-boyfriend Duncan.

With the help of fellow outcast Wallace, Weevil the biker-with-a-heart-of-gold, and advice from Lily Kane, her dead best friend who appears in flashbacks — not to mention a degree of detective show voiceover that the genre's been missing since Spenser: For Hire, Mars helps either her dad, or her friends, while tracking down the bad guys with style.

Ratings and Reviews

The series is in its first season, but has been picked up for a full run, and despite low initial ratings, is receiving rave reviews. Like fellow young-girl-saves-the-world sophomore drama Joan of Arcadia, and the now retired Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Veronica Mars has received praise for its witty writing and strong female characters.

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 highschool, who also 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 is 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. There are also indications that Lilly's father may have been involved with her death; in Twin Peaks, Laura was murdered by her father while his body was under the control of another being.
• Veronica's glib wit and anti-establishment attitude draw comparisons to Buffy Summers of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Characters

Main Characters

• Kristen Bell - Veronica Mars
• Percy Daggs III - Wallace Fennel
• Teddy Dunn - Duncan Kane
• Jason Dohring - Logan Echolls
• Sydney Tamiia Poitier - Mallory Dent
• Francis Capra - Weevil
• Enrico Colantoni - Keith Mars

Recurring Guests

• Amanda Seyfried - Lilly Kane
• Aaron Ashmore - Troy Vandegraff
• Kyle Secor - Jake Kane
• Brandon Hillock - Deputy Sacks
• Lisa Thornhill - Celeste Kane
• Michael Muhney - Sheriff Don Lamb
• Corinne Bohrer - Lianne Mars
• Paula Marshall - Rebecca James
• Zac Henry - Mouth
• Brad Bufanda - Felix
• Duane Daniels - Vice Principal Clemmons
• Ryan Hansen - Dick Casablancas
• Harry Hamlin - Aaron Echolls
• Lisa Rinna - Lynn Echolls
• Tina Majorino - 'Mac' MacKenzie
• Alyson Hannigan - Trina Echolls

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. "Mars vs. Mars"
14. "Russkie Business"
15. "Betty and Veronica"
16. "Kanes and Abel's"
17. "Neptune Undercover"

External links

• Neptune High (http://neptune-high.net/)
• Neptune Site (http://neptunesite.com/)
• Veronica-Mars.org (http://veronica-mars.org/)
• Veronica Mars Online (http://www.veronicamarsonline.com/)
• Veronica Mars (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt412253/) at the Internet Movie Database
• Veronica Mars (http://www.upn.com/shows/veronica_mars/) at UPN
• Veronica Mars (http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/ShowMainServlet/showid-24272/) at TV Tome