I am – Hercules!!

For those who missed Thursday’s news, “Veronica Mars” is cancelled; tonight brings its last two episodes. There’s talk that Veronica herself might pop up in a new CW project about the FBI academy, but I sense not a lot of us are holding our breaths..

Tonight’s installments are titled “Weevils Wobble But They Don’t Fall Down” and “The Bitch Is Back.” The CW says:

Weevil (Francis Capra) is arrested for selling fake debit cards to Hearst students, but claims he is being framed because of his criminal background, and asks Veronica (Kristen Bell) to clear his name. On Piz's (Chris Lowell) radio show, Keith (Enrico Colantoni) debates Vinnie (guest star Ken Marino, "Reno 911") about the upcoming election, while a tipsy Dick (Ryan Hansen) apologizes to Mac (Tina Majorino) for the way he has treated her in the past. Veronica and Piz make up after their argument about spending their summer apart, and a mysterious sex tape of the two finds its way to the internet. Jason Dohring, Percy Daggs and Julie Gonzalo also star. Jason Bloom directed the episode written by Phil Klemmer.

Furious that Logan (Jason Dohring) attacked Piz (Chris Lowell), Veronica (Kristen Bell) tells Logan she wants nothing to do with him. Parker (Julie Gonzalo) confronts Logan about still having feelings for Veronica, while Piz assures Veronica that he had nothing to do with the sex video. Veronica, with Weevil's (Francis Capra) help, investigates how the tape originated and discovers a person from her past is linked to The Castle and pays them a visit. With the re-election campaign nearing, Keith (Enrico Colantoni) steps in to protect Veronica. Percy Daggs, Ryan Hansen and Tina Majorino also star. Michael Fields directed the episode written by Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero.

Does Thomas build in a cliffhanger? Will corrupt Fitzpatrick stooge Vinnie Van Lowe replace Keith? Will Logan Echolls open up a south-of-the-border Burrito shop with Duncan Kane? Does Veronica break up with Stosh, citing cookie-dough-like qualities? Will Mac/Max find life beyond Thunderdome?

These final five episodes have, as promised, been going forward without an overarching mystery, and I can’t say I miss that mystery very much. All the recent installments have been rich with continuity, what with Veronica’s new careers and the romantic travails of the college kids and the big race for sheriff. (And it’s been big fun seeing Keith taking charge of Balboa County - again and for the first time.)

Seasons one and two both ended with Veronica facing deadly menace, first in the form of murderous movie star Aaron Echolls, then via abused homosexual rapist Cassidy “Beaver” Casablancas. Who, if anyone, will she contend with tonight? (Is “The Bitch is Back’s” title a clue? Could it be an altered, gun-waving Lianne Mars or Trina Echolls or Kendall Casablancas?)

Bandwidth. Predictions. Reactions.

8 p.m. Tuesday. The CW.

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Unauthorized Investigations Into Veronica Mars
By Rob Thomas

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