|
Post by zimshan on Feb 2, 2006 23:56:42 GMT -5
I loved this episode. Loved it. It ranks right up there with Ahoy Mateys, Rat Saw God as one of the best this season. Oh, Pixi's happy again! Yes, I agree in thinking it's right up there with AM and RSG. Yea, apparently that's now canon. Duncan leaves and she reverts back. See, there's someone on that writing staff who doesn't like Duncan. But no matter. I'm just glad that she's finally back! Yea, I just read about this and all I can say is I'm so glad. Especially for that Duncan line because it was one of my favorite moments, but what were they thinking, not even referencing the Keith/Veronica trust break? I'm glad they came to their senses in time... Snap! Yes! That's a good word for it. This episode definitely reminded me just how much I've missed Weevil this year. Indeed a great use of the character. Though I'm now wondering where he goes from here. He's kind of in a dead lock, isn't he? Oh, yes. I'm quite sure it's way too sure for anything yet. I'm surprised that they did this much, this early. I really did not expect the coup to happen until the final stretch.
|
|
|
Post by zimshan on Feb 3, 2006 1:28:55 GMT -5
The Wallace hit and run thing wasn't nearly as hokey as I thought it would be and I think it played out in a fairly believable fashion. Plus, it gave me lots of Veronica and Wallace and I'm never complaining about that because I love those two friends. Yes, I was definitely all prepared to be annoyed this week by a stupid hit and run story but they definitely were able to keep it fresh while still grounded in reality. Aww, someone needs to start picking him up for school. I'd love if this whole thing lead to more Veronica and Weevil scenes. I do miss those. But Weevil without his motorcycle gang identity? Oh, this is going to be weird... Hmm. You know the thought didn't even occur to me that he figured it out. But now, I can see how it'd be read both ways. I guess I just would have thought he'd be more mad and confrontational if he ever found out. Yea, exactly. To me, that good ol' Veronica, hardened shell and all. I for one am glad to have her back. Ah, yea, I guess you're right. I think I just expected it would be alot worse, so I was surprised. Rob really doesn't like fallouts, does he? *nods head furiously* It amazed me that the very problem I had in DR they used AGAIN in the very next ep. Since it was on such a smaller scale, it didn't bother me as much, but I just don't understand why they can't make sure their twists aren't so deceptive. So that they make sense on first viewing and second. You're right, that scene in front of the Frat House just doesn' t jive, and it drives me nuts that it could have been fixed so easily.
|
|
|
Post by Lola m on Feb 3, 2006 8:32:57 GMT -5
I loved this episode. Loved it. It ranks right up there with Ahoy Mateys, Rat Saw God as one of the best this season. It felt like a Veronica Mars episode. The wit, the use of continuity (hello Lars - geez bested at karaoke again. Sorry about that), good use of all the characters: Dick - the smellologist line (hee, hee) Gia - not annoying but Lamb - you didn't pick up on the whole Daddy doesn't want Daughter to ride bus? Hello? Cliff - the married to a murderer line - Cliff, Cliff, Cliff - you are a master. Jackie - hello - not annoying and actually acting this time around. Nice job! The gal from Normal who was crushing on Wallace in Normal showing up as his date - I love the continuity fairy. **nods nods nods** The continuity, the way all the "minor" characters are used - one of my favorite things about VM and sooooo nice to see all these examples in this ep! Yep. I loved the subtlety of her taping, but not bugging the confessional. And the "starts out funny/slapstick, OMG I got caught, turns straightforwardly meaningful" conversation with the priest. Poor priest. Betrayed by his brothers just like Eli was betrayed by his gang brothers. They are smart adds - keeping emotional continuity. And I loved how Keith is all "maybe we were being too sophisticated/complex in thinking about this". Because we all did that too! We're all "what does the rat symbolize" and stuff until someone says "um, maybe it was just to stink up the bus so the rich kids got off". Felix's murder still very much up in the air. Did it even have anything to do with the whole drug dealing thing that lost Weevil control of the gang - or was it something completely else? Very sniff sniff. So perfect. Lots of fab stuff in this ep, that's for sure!
|
|
|
Post by Lola m on Feb 3, 2006 8:35:11 GMT -5
And everyone was in fine form. Veronica was snarky, witty, sneaky - ahhh she's back, she's back. See - she just needed to be DeDuncanized. Loved her apology to the statue in the church, her lines to the priest (good use of scripture to underline where the path of vengeance can lead), her alibi for God if asked and the fact that she did draw the line at bugging the confessional because I knew this was coming and thought it was over the line. Filming without the dialogue - much less intrusive and I for one was happy about the compromise. Her scene with Weevil and Logan - also excellent. Yes - you could see the lightbulb go off over her head during the song Veronica but that's okay, I've been waiting for it so long that I don't mind. Just a little FYI - parts of this episode were rewritten recently. The lines about Logan missing Duncan were added and the lines about Keith trusting Veronica were added. This has been confirmed by several sources who have seen the script. I for one was happy to see them added. Logan and Weevil's scenes this week had snap and energy. Loved it. And Weevil - best episode he has had in a long, long time. Excellent job - loved the layering of plot twists one on top of the other. The mysteries are back!!!! Finally!!!!! Keith being all bad ass - and huge, huge props to set designer Rick for the use of the book "Those who Trespass". Nice! I for one was of the camp that the rat was about the smell so I'm happy to see this confirmed. I am also in the camp that I don't think this is the final reveal about Felix's murder. Thumper didn't actually confirm he killed Felix - I still think there is more to come. Weevil getting off the bus the next day - sniff, sniff. Excellent scene. My only complaint was the huge anvil from last week's Donut Run of the Big deputy working at a club has dropped and we don't have to keep watching the skies for it. Could that have been more obvious? I also like the weaving of the rich/poor themes into the story with Uncle Rucker pulling the power strings over Wallace intermixed with revelations that the rich were pulled from the bus over the poor. Great episode. Hee - I'm going to do my happy dance again. Oh how I missed my show during the Yawnness of One Angry Veronica and Donut Run. Glad you're happier this week. My only disagreement is minor. I'm not sure how else they could have played the "Big Deputy" bit. They needed a bouncer at the club who would go along with Veronica's plan. They hadn't established anyone as having that job in the past. So, I saw it as a necessary plot point. Now, I'll agree the set-up last week seemed heavy-handed at the time, leaving one with a, "Let me just be the first to say, Huh?" feeling over why the scene existed. But I suspect that when a person pulls out their S2 DVD's and watches the episodes without a week intervening it'll play better. A season of VM is like a novel. Put a book on a shelf for a week between chapters and it doesn't feel the same as if you blaze through it. I think you're very right about this "feeling" differently when watched all in one swoop. Still, I can't help but think that if they'd introduced bouncer guy a few eps earlier - maybe used him as an extra background guy a few times - given him the odd one line here or there . . . Well, it would have been less anvil-like.
|
|
|
Post by Lola m on Feb 3, 2006 8:45:38 GMT -5
I loved this episode. It was fun, it was fast-moving, and we got SO MUCH INFORMATION. Information that is playing merry hob with my crackpot theory on who murdered Felix but I'm not complaining. However, we learned so much and we still have ten episodes to go that I'm positive a lot of things are going to turn out to be red herrings. Oh yeah! Plus, there's the whole concept of how this may or may not link up with the bus crash. You put your finger right on my thoughts. The hit and run idea seemed like it was a bit over the top. But then the way Wallace reacted, with Rashard being a friend and how things were all mixed up with being loyal to your friend but needing to do the right thing and complex feelings about his dad, etc. And all the stuff with Rashard's uncle and how he's not totally a bad guy, just real controling and sure he's right all the time, but he's still family and honestly thinks he's looking out for Rashard when really he's not . . . It was more subtle and less one-note than I thought it would be. Oh, I loved all the little undercurrents in that scene. I mean, yes funny and snarky banter, but also lots of small emotional moments. Yes, at first I was kind of "why isn't he doing something about last week", but then I realized he's hurt down deep. And also, of course, he loves her so much. The pain and anger is down under there and will surface at times during the season, I'm sure. And you put it well when you talked about the stiffness between them. They're each trying to pretend there wasn't this big thing, but they know it's there. **nods** Fits with the other examples of group versus individual that we had in the ep - like Wallace at the party and the Fitzpatricks' and the priest brother.
|
|
|
Post by Lola m on Feb 3, 2006 8:46:49 GMT -5
Zimshan - I will comment on your comment but I have to run off to work right now!!
|
|
|
Post by Rob on Feb 3, 2006 11:18:53 GMT -5
I liked it. Had no serious problems with anything...which is nice. I completely agree with Rae with regard to characters being used to manipulate the audience. That Wallace/Veronica scene outside the frat house was completely unnecessary, other than to discuss their differences in skin color. "One of us doesn't blend in." Har. If they just omit that silly gag, everything else works better. Sort of. Jackie's appearance didn't fool me in the least. It'd be asking a bit much to believe Jackie appeared on the scene with Rashard at random. Having said that, an awful lot of this plan was contingent upon Wallace being able to act convincingly right after a tricky, emotional scene with Rashard. Talk about switching gears in a hurry. In that way, I liked this episode a lot - they continue to demonstrate just how much Wallace has benefited from his relationship with Veronica. The drive-thru surveillance tape was totally his idea...and although the plan to steal Uncle Rucker's phone clearly came from Veronica, it was Wallace who had to make it work. I can't imagine he would've been able to pull this off during early Season 1. In other words, he's learning to be devious and underhanded, but only when no other alternative is apparent. Regardless of Veronica's continued (and accurate) advice to the contrary, Wallace stubbornly gave Rashard two chances to do the right thing on his own. Whenever possible, Wallace still chooses to confront evil with good...which is why Veronica has benefited so much from HIM. My only current wish would be to somehow involve Wallace in the main Season 2 mysteries. I think he's proven to be bright enough to be a useful contributor again, if Veronica chose to share. Perhaps the arrest of Jackie's father will serve to get Wallace into the main mix. As to the main mystery itself? I'm utterly confuzzled after the Curly Moran beating at the hands of Weevil. How does Weevil know Curly? Well, I suppose we're not supposed to know that yet. Really liked Weevil and Logan undercover at Java the Hut. Could they have looked any sillier? Funny stuff, Veronica's amusement at their cloak & dagger efforts. Also liked Veronica drawing the line at bugging a confessional. Great continuity with the Karaoke, also. Poor bastard keeps get upstaged by professionals. Maybe a new venue would be in order.
|
|
|
Post by raenstorm on Feb 3, 2006 12:53:54 GMT -5
Re: Weevil beating up Curly
If I were a betting girl, I'd say that Weevil didn't dismiss the anonymous call that he got as easily as he pretended he did to Veronica. He may have gone after Curly after getting the call and ended up trying to beat the information out of him? That's how he knew that there was no truth to it?
Or, he's not giving V all the info he got from Curly because then he'd have to admit he did have contact with him right before he was murdered and that's why he told her that the phone call was nothing and didn't make sense.
|
|
|
Post by zimshan on Feb 3, 2006 13:48:55 GMT -5
My only current wish would be to somehow involve Wallace in the main Season 2 mysteries. I think he's proven to be bright enough to be a useful contributor again, if Veronica chose to share. Perhaps the arrest of Jackie's father will serve to get Wallace into the main mix. Ah, there's an interesting thought. I'll be over here crossing my fingers. Because Wallace really needs to start getting into the season thick of it. It was sad how periphery he had to be last year....
|
|
|
Post by Lola m on Feb 3, 2006 20:40:01 GMT -5
After one long day... Here's my immediate reactions LJ post that turned out ALOT longer than it should have. I wasn't going to even post it here because it was so insanely long, and I didn't want to gum up the thread, but see as how you guys are only on page 3? What happened to everyone last night? I apologize in advance for the flailing nature of this post. I'm just REALLY happy about this one and have lost all ability to communicate in full coherency... VM - 2x12 - ‘Rashard and Wallace Go to White Castle‘ as I promise never to make fun of White Castle ever againOH.MY.GOD. That was just…DAMN. I’m sorry, but how on earth did this ep ROCK SO DAMN HARD?!?! I’m trying to put in words exactly how completely AWESOME it was and am failing miserably! ENBOM? IS THE HERO TO END ALL HEROES! Because WHOA. Could it have been any more excellent? I really need to stop having expectations for an ep because this was NOTHING like what I thought. My expectations were, well, I wasn't expecting much at all. I was thinking it’d be one of those average, mediocre eps. But WHOA. Did they prove me wrong. Seriously, I am loving Enbom so hard right now! You want me to count the number of times I had to pause because I was in utter shock? Where I just sat there mouth gaping open staring at my paused TV screen. Good God, I love that. THIS is why I love my television. THIS is why I love my show. OMG. That script? It was SO plotty! I know!! Lovely plottyness in even the smallest scenes!! Yes! Yes! Loved how that stuff that was meaningful in its own right in the original ep was used to perfection here! Complete continuity porn! I was soooo happy. ;D **snicker** I found it really interesting that he did his evidence stealing once again around the bus crash. Like stealing the rat from the bus itself. He really really knows that Lamb and company aren't going to solve this one. It's not in their interest to do so. Just how "not in their interest" we have yet to see. I hadn't thought of it that way before, but it's a good way of putting it. I mean, any previous suspects have either been immediately eliminated (like the bus driver) or vague and unnamed. Re-involving (possibly) Mrs. Dumas was a stroke of genius. Because it muddies the waters even more! Was it really a "rich kids versus poor kids" thing? Sooo happy to finally have even the most slimly connected evidence of Woody's involvement! Truly dancing the dance of "we knew it, we knew it, we knew it"! ;D And opens up ideas like - was it really the Fitzpatricks, but not over drugs. Over their sister seeing someone they didn't like! Or, did Molly tell family secrets to Felix that they didn't want known. Or . . . Well, or a lot of different possibilities. I knew something would happen but I was totally surprised not only by the speed with which it happened but also the extent of it. To have the whole gang turn on him? That they all were going behind his back? Woah! How long has Thumper been working to overthrow him? How responsible was Thumper for Felix's brother's disappearance? Oh wow. I hadn't thought of this that way either! Both Logan and Weevil are in the "Veronica" spot this season. Which is why they've been able to work so (relatively) well together. For all their mutual hostility, they actually do understand a bit of what the other is going through, deep down underneath. Interesting idea, that it was Thumper who might have killed Curly . . . **nods vigorously** **joins you in the five year old corner, giggling** Really, I couldn't have written it better myself. ;D Disappointed me at first too. Then, I thought . . . oh, they are both so in denial and paddling hard under the waterline. Trying to act like things are fine, but . . . I was very nicely surprised by the resolution of Wallace's story. Very nicely surprised. How about both? ;D Seriously, that line just really hit me when I watched. Oh what a lovely analogy! Plus, you have the whole connotatoin of "a knife in the back" - like the way that the gang turned on Weevil. **nods nods nods** Oh you clever clever girl!! #claps# Wonderful wonderful spilling of thoughts, Zimshan!!
|
|
|
Post by Michelle on Feb 4, 2006 18:00:43 GMT -5
Random thoughts on this ep, semi-organized. The main theme of the show seemed to be trust and betrayal: - Veronica has to earn her father's trust back
- Wallace trusts Veronica with his future
- Jackie has to earn Wallace' and Veronica's trust back
- Weevil is betrayed by his fellow gang members
- Wallace is betrayed by his friend Rashard
The other theme was guilt and penance: - Wallace feels guilt over not immediately doing the right thing and reporting the hit & run
- Veronica feels guilt over bugging the confessional and not always doing things on the up & up, "God-wise" (Fr. Pat advises, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.")
- The Murrays reconciled, which Keith guesses is due to the mystery of love, but Veronica says, "A million dollar 'sorry-I-banged-the-maid' ring would be mine."
Things I loved: - Frances Capra's line reading of "Because that would be bad" then sipping his coffee
- Kristen Bell's line reading of "I'm going straight to hell" in the confessional
- Keith saying that he'd listen to Bad Company while he waited for Inga to pull his files. Rock on, Keith. Rock on.
- Lars singing "All Out Of Love." Awww yeah....Air Supply!
Things I didn't love: - Veronica's line: "We're on our way and everything is going perfect." I'm not a grammar nazi, but shouldn't she have said perfectly? No Kane Scholarship for you, Veronica.
Things that made me go hmmmm: - Rashard says to Wallace: "You gotta try to rat me out like that?"
- Uncle Monte says to Wallace: "He's a good boy with a lot on his mind and he doesn't need a little rat like you messing with his head."
Was Wallace ever supposed to be on the bus that crashed? Or is this just a coincidence? Roundup of what Keith discovered by listening to the tapes: - Dick--knew Curly, thinks the "guy's a trip." Decided to get the limo because of the bad smell
- Cass--knew Curly, but claims not to know him very well, as his father only took Dick along when he went to Symbolic Motors. Also claims that it was Dick's idea to get the limo. (Now, Dick may not be complicated, but I think Cass certainly is.)
- Gia--knew Curly from when he worked on her Fiat. Her father insisted she not take the bus home, and so she went along with guys who got the limo.
A nice, solid episode!
|
|
|
Post by SpringSummers on Feb 4, 2006 18:16:22 GMT -5
S'cubies!! Veronica Mars fans! My review is now available for your enjoyment!This week's Veronica Mars episode was entitled Rashard & Wallace go to White Castle, grabbing this Columbus girl's attention immediately. White Castle is headquartered in Columbus, and just the mention of them has always given me that home town feel, way down in my gut! And if any of you have ever had those tiny burgers, you know of what I speak. But I guess the title is based on a forgettable movie called Harold & Kumar go to White Castle. It was so forgettable, I don't even mention it in my review! BUT, I mention a lot of other stuff, as always. So go take a look by heading for the S3 website at www.soulfulspike.com, or to go directly to the review ( RASHARD & WALLACE GO TO WHITE CASTLE: Ratburgers to go), simply click on the pic, below: Got any beefs, or comments after you read it? Let me know by joining the VM discussion. Bon appetit!
|
|
|
Post by Reetta on Feb 4, 2006 18:18:22 GMT -5
Damned, I used to get my post(s) done by Friday afternoon. Now it is always the weekends at the earliest.
White Castle – I was thinking more of what Corny said in Clash of the Tritons.
I have now watched the episode four times and I’m back to my rambler days. Good, solid, decent episode. That’s the way I like it. This episode was sharp as a knife. A cutting edge episode. A German nutgasm. OK, enough with the bad puns, but there will lots of squeeing and flailing and everything else you’d expect after an episode like this in the next few paragraphs.
I found all the three storylines equally interesting (even if I don’t talk a lot about Keith’s investigating the bus crash storyline). Wallace and Veronica BFF moments were perfect; I couldn’t have asked for more (well, there was that one scene outside the frat party that was a little weird but not talking about it right now). Veronica was more friendly towards Logan. Weevil and Logan were effectively snarky and I adored Francis Capra’s comedic talent in this episode (I do sometimes think he overacts a bit but he was solid here). I most definitely have a newfound (re-found?) interest in Francis Capra. If they thought that they needed to re- sell the Logan and Weevil working together storyline, this episode completely did it. I love the puns in the episode titles. In addition, we got real, actual, unbiased flashbacks. I think it is now safe to say that I am officially in love with Enbom/Kretchmer.
If you are judged by the company you keep, the things are not looking bright for our friends here. You might be a member of a group of people who make questionable choices but when the push comes to shove, are you still one of them or are you not (as Weevil once asked)? I guess the question is: What kind of man were you planning on being? We all make our individual choices. Wallace has to re-evaluate some of his decisions in this episode, and even Hector hesitates for the slightest moment at the end as for whether to help Weevil or not. Self-quest is what it is. And a question of whether you can believe in the rules. All groups of people have some sort of rules. You can either keep up with them or make up your own rules. Wallace and Rashard talk about the rules of the game (and their friendship), as do Weevil and the rest of the PCHers. All the games also have rules. Lies will always come out in the end, the blackmailing will end, but the question is: Are you strong enough to endure the pressure?
The people you surround yourself are more or less your real family. All the families and “families” in this episode have different kinds of members in them. Yet there is something that pulls them together and something that keeps them together. To which extent can you trust them? How well do you know them to be able to believe in the things they could do? Wallace mentions the single most important person in Rashard’s life (his uncle, who makes most of his decisions for him), Molly talks about the different people in her family. Her family includes twelve hoodlums and one priest. The importance of knowing someone; right down to the heart and core, is emphasized in this episode. Really, why else would we hear a list of all of Wallace’s characteristics etc.? In this episode, Wallace is characterized as honest, innocent and moral. At the beginning of the episode, Wallace has got himself in some very bad company. By the end of the episode, our faith in Wallace is restored, even though some people still might think that they don’t like him. His situation is sort of like Veronica’s, of course, and even though your tormentors always have a way of finding you, the real question is: How well do you know the people around you? There are more parallels between the Wallace storyline and the Weevil/Logan/PCHers storyline than one might think at first. Veronica questions his priorities when it comes to valuing his friendship with Rashard, Weevil and Molly also have a significant conversation about Felix. How well did Weevil know Felix and how well did Molly know him? Do family and its characteristics matter in such cases?
Others might feel threatened if you are someone playing in their turf, and they might do everything they can to put you out of the game. It’s true with Wallace and it’s true with Weevil. This might all end up being a blaming game if you do not do anything about it yourself. Gambling and games are mentioned many times in this episode. I’m not entirely convinced if I yet believe that Thumper killed Felix… though it certainly looks that way. The less sure you are about yourself and your own ambitions, the more you need to gamble in order to try to secure your place in a group, and the more other people can play with your insecurities. Thumper does not strike me as the leader type, and he doesn’t seem like much of a planner, or even a decision-maker. Consequently, he has to resort to blackmailing and/or threats, and as we have seen he is also more than ready to put the blame on other people in many cases (I am obviously talking about the bridge flashbacks in Ahoy, Mateys). With Felix’s connection to Molly, he might not have wanted to do something to cover up a thing or another for Thumper, assuming that the PCHers were already dealing with the Fitzpatricks at the time of the bridge scene. Also, almost all of Thumper’s actions are directed to diverting the attention away from himself. Unlike Weevil, who is determined to find the truth even if it means being buddy-buddy with the former enemy, Thumper also usually asks other people to do his dirty business for him. He has to force other people to stay quiet, and doing so he is more and more dependent on other people. This is no good as a long-term strategy.
Rashard is not used to making decisions himself, and that is what lands him in a predicament. Wallace, however, decides that he has to do the right thing. Paying someone off usually comes to bite you in the ass sooner or later. It always requires strength of character to do the right thing. As Veronica says, it “is always an uncomfortable moment to see the façade to come off on a supposedly good person”. Wallace is a good person. Still. And no one can blame Weevil for weakness of character.
None of the PCHers can actually be characterized as paragons of honesty but never did I think that they’d all be on it. I suspected few of them might be. Working with the enemy. Selling out their brothers.
Not sure if any of that made any sense (I am not nearly awake enough to be able to determine that right now). Oh well, moving on. At least Logan’s still got the suite. I really like the Weevil/Logan scene there. Both of their scenes actually, I only have a hard time deciding which one I like more. Weevil looks really bored in the Neptune Grand scene. Hee. Logan has definitely not been focused on anything lately and Weevil’s calling him on it. This happens both at the Grand and in Java the Hut.
The make-the-karaoke-machine-wanna-kill-itself-Veronica-I-need-a-favor- night was a total “Where was I again?” scene. They mentioned Logan’s less than pleased attitude with Duncan’s disappearance. The dialogue in that scene had me rolling on the floor, and there was singing. Granted, it was bad. But there was singing about Veronica. Now, I’d like to see Logan singing to Veronica. And with the events of this episode, might not be as impossible as it sounds. Where was I again?
“He ate your peanut butter and now you are not speaking”. Hee. Followed by,“If we are seen together, that would be bad”. I love FC’s delivery of the lines. Hee. And the face. Hee. Double hee.
“Can you just once save my ass without a comment?” That almost sounded like an apology. Hell, I’d believe anything that man says when he uses that voice. Where was I?
As I said, I’d like to see Veronica be more friendly towards Logan and she’s at least willing to help. Maybe progress was made.
Other things:
One of the most powerful moments in the episode was the one with no dialogue. It was a short scene but Weevil riding the bus to school at the end just told so much about where he is right now.
What’s up with the jealousy thing with the random customers in Java the Hut? I don’t get it. I guess those two guys (Rick and Lawrence, I think) might look a bit alike. That’s about the triangle? Is one of them wearing a green shirt and the other a blue one? I assume Weevil and Logan just got that man singing as for not to make anyone suspicious of their discussion with Veronica. Other than that, I’ve got nothing.
Jackie was ok in this episode. I’ve never been strongly opposed to her though.
In an episode shock full of hee moments, they even managed to include those into the flashbacks. “I’m not, like, a professional smellologist”. I’ve always been a fan of the flashbacks, but these were really decent ones. Informational and funny.
Off to read the other reactions…
ETA: ...and Spring's review.
ETA2: Bear in mind, I haven't actually seen some of the early S2 episodes. I've just read the transcripts and watched some of the clips. That's why I had no idea that was Lars.
|
|
|
Post by SpringSummers on Feb 4, 2006 18:28:11 GMT -5
I liked it. Had no serious problems with anything...which is nice. I completely agree with Rae with regard to characters being used to manipulate the audience. That Wallace/Veronica scene outside the frat house was completely unnecessary, other than to discuss their differences in skin color. "One of us doesn't blend in." Har. If they just omit that silly gag, everything else works better. Sort of. Jackie's appearance didn't fool me in the least. It'd be asking a bit much to believe Jackie appeared on the scene with Rashard at random. I like that line about "if God asks, I was with you." Also - the whole ep had many examples of fitting in and being left out, and this was one more - the 1 priest among twelve hoods, the poor kids/rich kids, the micks/spics, the black/white, the male/female. Jackie makes a point of calling Wallace "one of the good ones," and Veronica tells him that he's one person she believes is NOT corrupt, deep down inside. Wallace is definitely the . . . moral center of the show, and we see him "do the right thing" here. In a much less "heavy-handed" way, this is Wallace's Zeppo episode - he, on his own, makes a difficult and adult decision, and takes a significant step toward manhood. I loved that scene with Logan, Weevil & Veronica also. They were all three so great in it. And Kristen just made me laugh with her "horse's ass" question. Perfect.
|
|
|
Post by Michelle on Feb 4, 2006 19:16:07 GMT -5
Spring, you did it again! Great review! You peel back the layers and find all the important connections.
In Rob Thomas' world, exploring the difference between right and wrong is such a slippery slope, because in his universe it seems that almost no one is *really* good, and those who are considered bad might just have a good side to them after all. (I'm thinking of Logan and Weevil here)
I was really concerned that this ep would show some weaknesses in Wallace's character, and I'm happy to be wrong about that. He drives his own car, and he almost always knows when to listen to his head and heart. That was evident in early Season 1, when he told Veronica, "You should hear what other people say about you," but he never hesitated about being her friend. In fact, he is the one who continually sought her out when she still had her emotional walls up. I guess the only character flaw Wallace has is how he always tries to see the positive side to everything: he claims Rashard is "cool" and he thinks it's "good" when Cliff tells him he has 5 days to surrender or clear his innocence. But then again, he is definitely cautious about letting Jackie back into his life, so he's not a total Pollyanna.
I really enjoyed how you listed all the ways Veronica has come into her own as well. She realizes that revenge is not the answer (remember when she wanted to play the audio of Jackie's dad being blackmailed at the school dance?). She knows helping others is more productive than drowning her sorrows in German Chocolate Nutgasm cake. She will overcome evil with good.
Now, they need to devote an episode (at least!) to Logan's path to manhood. Here's hoping.
|
|