New chance for young detective on campus ontv
TV Goddess
Published: September 28, 2006
Last Modified: September 28, 2006 at 06:28 AM
"Veronica Mars" is back!
It returns Tuesday in that coveted post-"Gilmore Girls" slot on the CW. But it also appears to be back on track in terms of content and story arcs.
After that disappointing second-season finale -- to end what was building to and what could have been quite an exceptional season -- it's nice to see Veronica and the gang in fine form again as they begin college.
Many shows suffer when their high school characters head to college, but not this time. Veronica makes new friends (Wallace's roommate, Piz, even has the makings of a future love interest) in Tuesday's season premiere, and the "big mystery" is introduced -- although that mystery will be smaller this time, since this season will include three small mysteries instead of one giant one. Hopefully, new viewers will take the bait and the critical and cult favorite will survive.
Here's where the beloved teenage sleuth stands: "Veronica Mars" was the lowest-rated show from last season to be renewed. The CW saw its potential, and particularly the potential for a "Veronica"-"Gilmore" pairing, so it got a reprieve. But it's a pretty weak lifeline: If the show's numbers don't tick up substantially in the first 13 episodes, it's gone.
Those who haven't watched before should remember that this series wraps up its mysteries nearly completely before a season ends -- unlike certain other serial dramas about castaways on ABC -- so you can tune into a new season of "Veronica Mars" even if you haven't seen what came before.
When we left off, Veronica (Kristen Bell) was waiting at the airport for her father, Keith (Enrico Colantoni). He was delayed by a visit from Kendall Casablancas (Charisma Carpenter), who had a mysterious proposition for him in the form of a "Pulp Fiction"-esque briefcase. One of Kendall's stepsons had just been revealed as the bad guy behind the bus crash, and she was set up to make a fortune off of her real estate business with him.
In other story lines, Veronica reunited with her on-and-off boyfriend, Logan (Jason Dohring), after he saved her life from the aforementioned stepson, Beaver. The big mysteries of last season were wrapped up, but viewers were left to wonder all summer why Keith missed such an important date -- a trip to New York -- with his daughter.
In an earlier episode, we found out about a rapist at Hearst College (where Veronica and her friends are going this season) that wasn't solved. Count on that mystery to return this season, along with Kendall and her mysterious briefcase.
Beyond that, viewers are on their own. They won't want to miss a minute of this premiere -- or any other episode, each one part of an intricate solution to the big mystery.
This noir take on the teen drama doesn't just provide better mystery and suspense than any other program on television -- those new serial kidnapping dramas and "Lost" included -- but it also provides some of the best characters and dialogue anywhere on any screen.
Fans of mystery should certainly watch but so should fans of quality writing and character development. Excluding one pretty glaring character assassination at the end of Season 2, "Veronica Mars" is as good as it gets.
• TV reviewer and Portland, Ore.-based freelance journalist DeAnn Welker can be reached at deann@tvgoddess.com. To read more of her TV ramblings, visit www.tvgoddess.com.
Lost
8 p.m. Wednesday, ABC: Arguably no other series' return has been more eagerly anticipated by its fans, and it's finally time to find out ... well, probably nothing. But there might be a few clues here and there. At least there won't be any repeats this season, so the mystery-solving can move forward.
Men in Trees
8 p.m. Friday, ABC: Since Marin has moved to Alaska, rumors start circulating in her home city of New York that she's dead. Of course they would go there. But Anne Heche can somehow make even the most ludicrous story lines adorably funny in this lovely new dramedy.
Everybody Hates Chris
6 p.m. Sunday, CW: Whoopi Goldberg guest stars in the second-season premiere, but the star, as always, is Tyler James Williams as Chris. This time, he has his very awkward first date.
The Nine
9 p.m. Wednesday, ABC: This might be the perfect companion to follow "Lost." It isn't quite as complicated, but it has a mysterious element to keep astute viewers watching. This could be the season's breakout hit, thanks especially to that lead-in.
Dexter
9 p.m. Sunday, Showtime: Half the cast of HBO's gone-but-not-forgotten "Oz" joins the astounding Michael C. Hall from HBO's recently departed "Six Feet Under" for this entertaining series about an enchanting -- and ethical -- serial killer. And, oh yeah, he also happens to be a crime fighter in his day job.
-- DeAnn Welker
Veronica Mars
airs at 8 p.m. Tuesdays on the CW, Channel 3.
Web: www.cwtv.com/shows/veronica-mars
Showtime
Michael C. Hall
