Earth to Mars
Dec. 28th, 2007 06:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
blodeueddSometimes, I'm really not all that bright. After suffering for nearly a year because of my less-than-ideal computer set-up, I finally, in a flash of genius (while speaking to Anna, yesterday), thought that if I had no place to put my keyboard except on the floor or on my lap, maybe I should get a little table for it! Now my keyboard has its own little stand, and I'm only 100y poorer for it, not to mention that my back and wrists are already thanking me.
I'm drinking hot milk tea at the moment, and though I'm not usually one for product placements, I feel it my duty to announce that Lipton's Chiffon milk tea has officially unseated Royal Milk Tea (the one with the blue label, forget which company) as the best bottled milk tea out there. Chiffon is light, goes down smooth and, most importantly, is not too sweet, thus making it a perfect thirst-quencher drunk cold when it's hot out, and a perfect way to warm up for when it's slightly chilly, like today. *takes another sip* Yum.
Now, seeing as how I can type more comfortably, I think it's time I finally write about
I wrote some notes back when I finished watching this, just so I wouldn't forget what I wanted to say, so these will probably come off as disjointed -- what do you mean, like my other reviews?
Veronica Mars (second season):
After the incredible ride that was the first season, I was hardly expecting something as good for the second, and indeed, according to various people on the magical, mystical Intarweb, it was not to be. Still, it was a very enjoyable season, and I'm sure I speak for many when I say that I really wanted to slap Logan upside the head on a regular basis. Since he's the most interesting character on the show (along with Veronica, of course), it was depressing to see him revert to his original jackass persona. On the other hand, we got to see him team up with Weevil, which was perhaps my favourite part of the whole season. Both of the actors are great, and together they were ever better. In my little fantasy world, there's a spinoff show in which the dynamic duo join forces to -- er... party all night and blow shit up? Who cares, I'd watch it!
Wallace was still Wallace, and I'll always have a soft spot for him, but I was annoyed by Jackie, and not only because of her breathy, phony voice. It's not the actress's fault, really, it's that the writers couldn't seem to get a handle on her personality. One episode she was the snotty rich girl, the next she was the lonely outcast, the next she was the vixen; even the final revelations (that she had, indeed, been playing a role) weren't enough to justify the back-and-forth. No wonder Veronica didn't really warm to her, even after they bonded over Colin Firth! Also, regarding Wallace, I was sad that his mother's bad decisions ruined it for her and Keith (they were so good together!), though I liked the realistic way in which it played out, with Keith acting like a mature adult and breaking it off.
Following the trend of the first season, the finale once again showing us a character we knew to be at least slightly unstable turn into a mustache-twirling villain. I'd actually read about the dénouement before I'd seen any of the series, so in the back of my mind I knew it was Beaver, though I'd forgotten about it until the last episode, by which time it was getting obvious anyway. I thought the helicopter set-up was a little farfetched, especially on top of everything else he'd managed to do. And the revelation that he'd raped Veronica was doubly tragic, as Veronica had spent all this time thinking it was a closed chapter in her life. I ached for her, and I bow down to Kristen Bell for that scene. I was crying along with her.
It does raise the question, though, shouldn't both Duncan and Logan go get themselves tested?
As for Duncan, I think I like him more now than I did at first. He's still boring, compared to Logan, and not right for Veronica, but he did the honourable (though illegal) thing in taking care of his baby. His ordering the hit, on the other hand... Well, let's just say that I don't think he was wrong. Still, what was the deal with Meg? Are we to believe that they had unprotected sex? I'd like to think better of them than that, and that it was simply a case of birth control failing, but still...
Final verdict: not as good as the first season, but still damn good. Watch it.
Veronica Mars (third season):
Again, everything I'd read pointed to the fact that it was still a good show, but that the third season was not as good as the second. I'm glad that the writers chose for the mysteries to be unrelated to Veronica (mostly), because after her best friend's murder and a psycho blowing up a schoolbus full of her classmates, it would have been hard to suspend my disbelief. So it was more realistic, but it made it a bit hard to care, sometimes, since Veronica didn't have a personal stake in the outcome, unless it was her professional pride. However, I think they (the writers) really dropped the ball regarding the issues that did involve Veronica.
For instance, the second season ended with the murder of Aaron Echolls. Who is, as you may recall, Logan's father. And since Logan and Veronica are dating again by the time the third season starts, you'd think that this would affect them in some way, seeing as how I imagine the killer hasn't been identified, right? Wrong! We get a throwaway comment or two from Logan, to the effect that he's an actual orphan now, and that's it. O_O My only conclusion is that Veronica knows (or has guessed) who was responsible, and has completely ignored the fact, in order to protect Duncan in the last way she can, and that Logan is just glad that Lily has finally been avenged. I was expecting that investigation to be at least a minor thread throughout the season, running alongside the shorter story arcs, but I got a big fat nothing.
Another thing that puzzled me was the fallout, or lack thereof, after Sheriff Lamb's death. Since he'd been a presence in the series from the very beginning, I again expected more than what we got. And speaking of about-faces, what was up with trying to turn Dick Casablancas into a human being with actual feelings? And right at the end of the series, too? I'd come to feel a certain affection for him, he was just so ridiculously shallow, and him suddenly waking up to the fact that his father was on the lam, and that his younger brother had been a mass murderer and had committed suicide, was difficult to accept, especially coming out of the blue.
I was happy to see more of Mac this season; she deserved some good after the wringer she'd been through in the second. She's just so cute and geeky! I want a Mac of my own. 8D
Regarding the season's new characters, I had to keep from groaning when Veronica turned her attention to Piz. Good lord, Veronica, look at his hair! And he calls himself Piz! I understand that you can't deal with Logan anymore, but do you really have to turn to the next guy in line? I mean, Piz! And while we're on the subject, can't you go back to your shorter hair? You were so much cuter that way. And why does going to college suddenly mean you have to dress like a poupoune? Whither your fashion sense?
Parker was a character who grew on me, and it was interesting to see how she dealt with the rape, even though I was surprised at how quickly she decided to go after guys again. She was fun, though her hair grew awfully fast, don't you think? Either that, or she found the best wig ever.
I was really annoyed about how the feminist group was portrayed -- not that women never pretend to have been raped, and not that man-hating femenists don't exist, but I wish they could have made those characters more fleshed-out, and not just shrill stereotypes. On the other hand, I guess it sort of balanced out the completely one-dimensional frat boys and sorority sisters, but that's no excuse. When such a current issue is portrayed on television or on film, especially in a show that's usually quite well-written, it seems like double laziness on the part of the writers to take the easy way out, even if their point did seem to be that both sides were to blame in some way, even if one did it in reaction to what had happened first.
Final verdict: not as good as the second season, but not really bad -- just don't expect much resolution and if you don't want to see Veronica kiss someone who calls himself Piz, skip it.
And a few more thoughts:
One scene that stuck with me (it's from the first season, but it still illustrates what I like about Logan), was when -- actually, I don't even remember what the context was, I think it was when Veronica and Logan were secretly seeing each other, but that's unimportant -- Veronica was very upset about something and Logan immediately became furious at whoever had hurt her, demanding, "Tell me how I can make it better." I think that was the moment Jason Dohring completely won me over, perfectly projecting that intense desire to protect their womenfolk that good men have, that I've seen my father and brothers display for my mother and me. It went a good deal toward explaining just how broken up he was over Lily's death, even though it doesn't excuse his subsequent jackassery.
Also, and I think I forgot to mention this when I wrote about the first season, I had to chuckle when Keith finds Duncan in Cuba, and Duncan is reading The Globe and Mail. ^_^
When I watching the end of the first season, I had a thought regarding a complaint I've often heard, and often voiced myself, about how characters react in such situations. Why would Veronica, who's always been very smart and together, leave Aaron in the car and run off, instead of tying him up or bashing him on the head once more for good measure? In so many films, we see the (usually female) character stare at her (usually male) attacker, who's been knocked out and is now lying immobile on the floor, and instead of making sure he won't be getting up to chase her, she runs off, shrieking for help. When you're watching this, it seems so silly -- of COURSE he's going to come to, get up, and go after her! But if you were in that situation, do you really think you'd want to stick around? If you've just been scared out of your wits by this man, you'd want to get as far away as possible, wouldn't you? You'd probably be disgusted by the thought of touching him, and even more by the thought of actively doing violence to someone who's currently helpless, no matter what he has done, or was trying to do, to you. It's one thing to react defensively when someone is attacking you, but I imagine it's altogether different when you're shaking in the aftermath of the adrenaline surge, and every instinct you have is telling you to get away as quickly as possible.
Wow, having my keyboard like this is SO MUCH BETTER! I could type all day!
I'm drinking hot milk tea at the moment, and though I'm not usually one for product placements, I feel it my duty to announce that Lipton's Chiffon milk tea has officially unseated Royal Milk Tea (the one with the blue label, forget which company) as the best bottled milk tea out there. Chiffon is light, goes down smooth and, most importantly, is not too sweet, thus making it a perfect thirst-quencher drunk cold when it's hot out, and a perfect way to warm up for when it's slightly chilly, like today. *takes another sip* Yum.
Now, seeing as how I can type more comfortably, I think it's time I finally write about
I wrote some notes back when I finished watching this, just so I wouldn't forget what I wanted to say, so these will probably come off as disjointed -- what do you mean, like my other reviews?
Veronica Mars (second season):
After the incredible ride that was the first season, I was hardly expecting something as good for the second, and indeed, according to various people on the magical, mystical Intarweb, it was not to be. Still, it was a very enjoyable season, and I'm sure I speak for many when I say that I really wanted to slap Logan upside the head on a regular basis. Since he's the most interesting character on the show (along with Veronica, of course), it was depressing to see him revert to his original jackass persona. On the other hand, we got to see him team up with Weevil, which was perhaps my favourite part of the whole season. Both of the actors are great, and together they were ever better. In my little fantasy world, there's a spinoff show in which the dynamic duo join forces to -- er... party all night and blow shit up? Who cares, I'd watch it!
Wallace was still Wallace, and I'll always have a soft spot for him, but I was annoyed by Jackie, and not only because of her breathy, phony voice. It's not the actress's fault, really, it's that the writers couldn't seem to get a handle on her personality. One episode she was the snotty rich girl, the next she was the lonely outcast, the next she was the vixen; even the final revelations (that she had, indeed, been playing a role) weren't enough to justify the back-and-forth. No wonder Veronica didn't really warm to her, even after they bonded over Colin Firth! Also, regarding Wallace, I was sad that his mother's bad decisions ruined it for her and Keith (they were so good together!), though I liked the realistic way in which it played out, with Keith acting like a mature adult and breaking it off.
Following the trend of the first season, the finale once again showing us a character we knew to be at least slightly unstable turn into a mustache-twirling villain. I'd actually read about the dénouement before I'd seen any of the series, so in the back of my mind I knew it was Beaver, though I'd forgotten about it until the last episode, by which time it was getting obvious anyway. I thought the helicopter set-up was a little farfetched, especially on top of everything else he'd managed to do. And the revelation that he'd raped Veronica was doubly tragic, as Veronica had spent all this time thinking it was a closed chapter in her life. I ached for her, and I bow down to Kristen Bell for that scene. I was crying along with her.
It does raise the question, though, shouldn't both Duncan and Logan go get themselves tested?
As for Duncan, I think I like him more now than I did at first. He's still boring, compared to Logan, and not right for Veronica, but he did the honourable (though illegal) thing in taking care of his baby. His ordering the hit, on the other hand... Well, let's just say that I don't think he was wrong. Still, what was the deal with Meg? Are we to believe that they had unprotected sex? I'd like to think better of them than that, and that it was simply a case of birth control failing, but still...
Final verdict: not as good as the first season, but still damn good. Watch it.
Veronica Mars (third season):
Again, everything I'd read pointed to the fact that it was still a good show, but that the third season was not as good as the second. I'm glad that the writers chose for the mysteries to be unrelated to Veronica (mostly), because after her best friend's murder and a psycho blowing up a schoolbus full of her classmates, it would have been hard to suspend my disbelief. So it was more realistic, but it made it a bit hard to care, sometimes, since Veronica didn't have a personal stake in the outcome, unless it was her professional pride. However, I think they (the writers) really dropped the ball regarding the issues that did involve Veronica.
For instance, the second season ended with the murder of Aaron Echolls. Who is, as you may recall, Logan's father. And since Logan and Veronica are dating again by the time the third season starts, you'd think that this would affect them in some way, seeing as how I imagine the killer hasn't been identified, right? Wrong! We get a throwaway comment or two from Logan, to the effect that he's an actual orphan now, and that's it. O_O My only conclusion is that Veronica knows (or has guessed) who was responsible, and has completely ignored the fact, in order to protect Duncan in the last way she can, and that Logan is just glad that Lily has finally been avenged. I was expecting that investigation to be at least a minor thread throughout the season, running alongside the shorter story arcs, but I got a big fat nothing.
Another thing that puzzled me was the fallout, or lack thereof, after Sheriff Lamb's death. Since he'd been a presence in the series from the very beginning, I again expected more than what we got. And speaking of about-faces, what was up with trying to turn Dick Casablancas into a human being with actual feelings? And right at the end of the series, too? I'd come to feel a certain affection for him, he was just so ridiculously shallow, and him suddenly waking up to the fact that his father was on the lam, and that his younger brother had been a mass murderer and had committed suicide, was difficult to accept, especially coming out of the blue.
I was happy to see more of Mac this season; she deserved some good after the wringer she'd been through in the second. She's just so cute and geeky! I want a Mac of my own. 8D
Regarding the season's new characters, I had to keep from groaning when Veronica turned her attention to Piz. Good lord, Veronica, look at his hair! And he calls himself Piz! I understand that you can't deal with Logan anymore, but do you really have to turn to the next guy in line? I mean, Piz! And while we're on the subject, can't you go back to your shorter hair? You were so much cuter that way. And why does going to college suddenly mean you have to dress like a poupoune? Whither your fashion sense?
Parker was a character who grew on me, and it was interesting to see how she dealt with the rape, even though I was surprised at how quickly she decided to go after guys again. She was fun, though her hair grew awfully fast, don't you think? Either that, or she found the best wig ever.
I was really annoyed about how the feminist group was portrayed -- not that women never pretend to have been raped, and not that man-hating femenists don't exist, but I wish they could have made those characters more fleshed-out, and not just shrill stereotypes. On the other hand, I guess it sort of balanced out the completely one-dimensional frat boys and sorority sisters, but that's no excuse. When such a current issue is portrayed on television or on film, especially in a show that's usually quite well-written, it seems like double laziness on the part of the writers to take the easy way out, even if their point did seem to be that both sides were to blame in some way, even if one did it in reaction to what had happened first.
Final verdict: not as good as the second season, but not really bad -- just don't expect much resolution and if you don't want to see Veronica kiss someone who calls himself Piz, skip it.
And a few more thoughts:
One scene that stuck with me (it's from the first season, but it still illustrates what I like about Logan), was when -- actually, I don't even remember what the context was, I think it was when Veronica and Logan were secretly seeing each other, but that's unimportant -- Veronica was very upset about something and Logan immediately became furious at whoever had hurt her, demanding, "Tell me how I can make it better." I think that was the moment Jason Dohring completely won me over, perfectly projecting that intense desire to protect their womenfolk that good men have, that I've seen my father and brothers display for my mother and me. It went a good deal toward explaining just how broken up he was over Lily's death, even though it doesn't excuse his subsequent jackassery.
Also, and I think I forgot to mention this when I wrote about the first season, I had to chuckle when Keith finds Duncan in Cuba, and Duncan is reading The Globe and Mail. ^_^
When I watching the end of the first season, I had a thought regarding a complaint I've often heard, and often voiced myself, about how characters react in such situations. Why would Veronica, who's always been very smart and together, leave Aaron in the car and run off, instead of tying him up or bashing him on the head once more for good measure? In so many films, we see the (usually female) character stare at her (usually male) attacker, who's been knocked out and is now lying immobile on the floor, and instead of making sure he won't be getting up to chase her, she runs off, shrieking for help. When you're watching this, it seems so silly -- of COURSE he's going to come to, get up, and go after her! But if you were in that situation, do you really think you'd want to stick around? If you've just been scared out of your wits by this man, you'd want to get as far away as possible, wouldn't you? You'd probably be disgusted by the thought of touching him, and even more by the thought of actively doing violence to someone who's currently helpless, no matter what he has done, or was trying to do, to you. It's one thing to react defensively when someone is attacking you, but I imagine it's altogether different when you're shaking in the aftermath of the adrenaline surge, and every instinct you have is telling you to get away as quickly as possible.
Wow, having my keyboard like this is SO MUCH BETTER! I could type all day!
