The first season of Veronica Mars set a standard that the show simply couldn't live up to. It had an engaging, yet simple mystery. It had a shocking reveal without it cheating or making no sense. It integrated its characters in organic, natural ways. It was basically the pinnacle of what this show could be.
The first season is a bit difficult to write about, believe it or not. The next two seasons? I could write forever about them and their faults. In fact, I'm struggling mightily not mentioning problems that are only concerns in later seasons.
The first season stands out for a number of reasons. One, it has a very interesting high school as its setting with its caste system. Using high school as a way to talk about class isn't exactly new, but the show approaches it smartly and head on. It's most certainly something that the show missed when it moved to college in the third season.
Another thing that works is that it takes the time to make us care about the case and the people involved in the case. Lilly Kane was murdered. I'm not sure how they managed to stretch this storyline into a full season of episodes and never make it feel... stretched out, but they struck the right balance somehow. And it peaks at the right time with a finale that answers just about every question (with an annoying cliffhanger though).
One of the bigger problems in this season is that Duncan Kane is boring as shit. The actor, Teddy Dunn, just doesn't make him into an interesting character. I'm inclined to blame the actor, because he really should be more interesting than he comes across. And Dunn not really having done anything since then isn't really helping his case.
There are three actors though who steal the show: Kristen Bell, Enrico Colantoni, and Jason Dohring. The biggest sin of this show getting prematurely canceled is that the latter two haven't been able to shine like they should. Bell, obviously, blew up in a big way. She's clearly the star and she carries the show. Colantoni, as Keith Mars, is a close second, but only because he's not nearly in every scene as Veronica. I think Dohring gets better as it goes along, because he didn't really impress me in the early episodes, but he has since won me over. (Possibly his character just improved - a distinct possibility)
One of the strengths of this season that I don't think future seasons have is that every character feels well utilized. Wallace, who becomes virtually ignored, needs Veronica to adjust to a new school. Duncan, who's flat as a character, is at least relevant in this season. Weevil somehow seems better used in this season even though in the second season, he's a part of the larger arc. Basically, there's not really a character that feels pointless. Even the small side characters who become more relevant are used sparingly but used very well to give the school a real-world sense.
What did get slightly annoying was when the show tried to paint one of the main characters - Logan, Weevil specifically - as the bad guy. It's obvious that they aren't - it's even more obvious they aren't when all the clues point to them cause that's like a staple of this show. (I do kind of wish the easy answer was actually the easy answer one time) Also, Weevil is supposed to be a gang leader, but he's too lovable and innocent. I think he does one thing that would be qualified as immoral on screen. (and to be fair, it was a pretty bad thing although completely justified)
This season had some really great episodes. "Like a Virgin" is a strength highlighting the concern about what other people think about you and introducing a recurring Meg, a great character the show really should have treated better. "An Echoll's Family Christmas" is a really fun episode where they try and figure out who stole the money to a poker game and possibly my favorite of the whole series. Then the show finishes strong with "A Trip to the Dentist" and "Leave it to Beaver," answering all the questions that needed answering in a succinct fashion.
The first season is immensely enjoyable and if I sound more negative than I intend, I apologize. Clearly Rob Thomas knows what he is doing with this series. The only real weakness of this season is really Duncan Kane, just because he's so prominent and a character who I just don't care about even a little. (I also kind of wish the mother was given better treatment, although she seems clearly intended to be awful and she's in so little of the season, that it barely registers on my radar) Basically, the first season is the reason this show is so beloved. The show has one of the better characters in television history in Veronica Mars, a mystifying setting, and a genuinely great mystery - making the first season a must-watch.
Grade - A- (Duncan Kane knocks it from a straight A)
Playlist
1. "We Used to Be Friends" - The Dandy Warhols (because of course)
2. "Glacier" - James Vincent McMorrow
3. "Goes Black" - Big Ups
4. "Grand Union" - Arthur Beatrice
5. "No Below" - Speedy Ortiz
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