Veronica Mars 1.5 FAQ

What’s it called?
“You Think You Know Somebody.”

Who’s responsible?
Teleplay is credited to Dayna Lynne North (Showtime’s “Soul Food”).

What does TV Guide say?
“Troy’s car is stolen from a diner after he, Logan and Logan’s pal Luke return from a trip to Tijuana. Afraid to tell his dad, Troy turns to Veronica for help. Luke, too, turns to Veronica for help – the thief took with him the steroids Luke was smuggling across the border. Also: Veronica learns that her dad and Ms. James, the school counselor, are dating, and she discovers a safe-deposit key her mother left behind.

What does UPN say?
Veronica continues to secretly investigate her mother’s whereabouts, leading her to stumble on a secret Lianne Mars was keeping.

”Afraid to tell his dad?” Dad doesn’t notice the empty spot in the driveway?
Dad isn’t due back in Neptune for five days.

The late Lilly Kane is pretty! Is she back this week?
No flashbacks this week with the fabulous Lilly. But there are enormous compensations.

Are they keeping the name of the actress who plays Lilly Kane secret as a kind of gimmick?
In no way. Amanda Seyfried (“Mean Girls”) plays the late Lilly Kane. When her flashbacks appear, she’s listed in the credits.

Is Veronica’s new boyfriend, as the promos suggest, evil? This is the pretty boy Keith Mars caught booking a room at the Four Seasons for prom, right?
“It’s for you,” Keith tells Veronica at one point this week. “It’s everything you may or may not want to know about Troy.”

How does Veronica react to dad’s dating? Relief or horror?
“You know those people who can predict when change is coming in their lives?” asks young Veronica. “I’m not one of them. Change has a way of just walking up and punching me in the face.”

What’s in the safety-deposit box?
Photographs. Old ones. Of a key player. And stupid Herc can’t figure out why they’re in there.

Is Veronica’s mom like Racer X? Is she secretly trying to protect her daughter by solving Lilly Kane’s murder?
Last week I was certain this was the case. Now I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m more determined than ever to learn.

Do we learn this week whether Jake Kane killed his own daughter?
The tale of Lilly Kane fades into the background this week. One senses that this very complex series threatens to evolve into one of the most compellingly complex TV hourlongs ever forged. How many more cards can creator Rob Thomas possibly have up his sleeve?

How does Veronica’s Sisconian badocity manifest itself this week?
Repeatedly.

The big news?
Looks like this is the last week for at least one key player.

What’s good?
The twists, the turns, the boundless unpredictability. The attention lavished on the story of Lianne Mars, which turns out to be every bit as compelling as that of Lilly Kane’s. The fascinating flashbacks with dreamy Corinne Bohrer generally, and “Oo. I think he’d rather be dating Kenny Houseman” in particular. Kristen Bell’s timing generally, but her reading of “You’re sweating on me” in particular. Paula Marshall. The Scooby banter. “Dude, where’s your car?” “Speaking for the women of America? Good plan.” “You’d think if Hell froze over it’d be on the news!” “What guy?” “You didn’t give Backup human food did you?” “I chalked her nerves up to the vodka, but I think she really was scared.” “He’s important to you, isn’t he?” “Miss Banks. Have you decided which parent you’re going to live with after the divorce? And if I may, a follow up. Can you believe your father’s choice of mistresses?” “First name.” “If she were a criminal, you’d make a couple grand tracking her down and have her back in a week.” “Just pull the Band-Aid off.” “Your being a good father isn’t really something I can bitch about to my girlfriends over margaritas.”

What’s not so good?
Ratings are up, but ratings need to be upper. This is "Cutter's Way" for the 21st century. What's it doing on television??

How does it end, spoiler-boy?
“Veronica, listen to me. I know you have a million questions but everything will make sense when the time is right, I promise. I’ll be in touch soon. Trust me, okay? I love you. And could you tell your tahter I said ‘Happy Birthday’?

Herc’s rating for “Veronica Mars” 1.5?

****

The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
***** better than we deserve
**** better than most motion pictures
*** actually worth your valuable time
** as horrible as most stuff on TV
* makes you quietly pray for bulletins

Veronica Mars 1.4 – 7 p.m. Tuesday. MTV.
Veronica Mars 1.5 – 9 p.m. Tuesday. UPN.

I am – Hercules!!

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