The day the CW killed Veronica Mars (no spoilers)
Today the CW officially cancelled the best show on television (understandably, some would say, due to abysmally low ratings). There lingers a chance that the series might be revitalized in a different form, but the hammer has officially fallen. Veronica Mars is unceremoniously over.
Season 3 was the first (and last) season of the show to air on the fledgling CW network. It took a different approach to storytelling than seasons 1 and 2, featuring two separate mystery arcs and a number of one-episode mysteries, rather the season-long affairs for which the show had become known and loved. Despite the change, season 3 works as excellent, intriguing television. The writing is witty and the acting in sharp, as before.
The creator of the show, Rob Thomas, once heard the series described as "Chinatown meets Heathers." That's a perfect description. I would say it also owes heavily to Twin Peaks. Chinatown happens to be my all-time favorite movie. I'm a noir junky, and...
Regardless of a mixed season, S3 DVD delivers on extras (finally!)
Heads-up: This review is for the S3 DVD set as a DVD set, and not an editorial about the quality of Season 3. (For the record, I'd give most S3 episodes a solid 4-stars) This review is more for the VM fans who don't need to be "sold" on the series, but are deciding whether to shell-out $45 for the DVDs, given that the last 2 DVD sets were pretty skimpy on the extras.
The Season 3 DVD set, while it still doesn't have commentaries (not everyone is as chatty as Matt Groening and Co., I guess), it finally includes a few substantial behind-the-scenes extras, most notably, a 90-minute (or so) discussion with Rob Thomas, who walks us through clips and explains his choices. Very episode commentary-like, just more efficient-- you go through a lot of good clips from the whole season.
Chapters from the RT commentary I especially liked were on favorite guest characters, favorite pairings (Veronica and her dad; VM and Logan; VM and Duncan was not included here,...
Third season not a charm
While the first season of Veronica Mars will always be one of my favorite seasons of any show, the latter years just cannot compete. I found the second season too convoluted, and I thought Veronica's likability was starting to fade. The third season, however, is much too simplified. And the worst offense? Veronica Mars, the title character, becomes a complete Mary-Sue. Her sleuthing skills are nowhere near the vicinity of season one, yet everyone falls in love with her and superior "gift." Her college professor wants to vouch for her for an FBI internship, and the college dean writes a glowing letter of recommendation. She's able to stay on top of her college grades while working cases and cooking dinner for her father, and she requires no time or adjustment to do so. And not only does she have Logan Echolls madly in love with her and willing to do anything to protect her, but now we have the annoying character of Piz (Wallace's college roomie) following after her...
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