VM 3x17: Debasement Tapes
First off: I love Paul Rudd. He was great in Clueless and really funny on Friends and anything with him in it is automatically better just due to his presence. So although the resolution of the mystery being just switched bags was a bit too simple, I don't really care because Paul Rudd made the story so entertaining. Actually, I really liked this episode. I think it's been the best since Spit and Eggs, and certainly an improvement over last week. It was quippy and cute and I loved the return of Leo and Vinnie. I'm not sure it would realistically be possible to have Leo join the force again after stealing the tapes, which I think is a felony, but hey - he did the wrong thing for the right reason. He had good intentions. Compared to some of the corruption in Neptune, his crime barely registers, so I can easily overlook it if it means we get Leo back. Yay, Leo!
The idea of a band being called My Pretty Pony amuses me. I can't see anyone taking them seriously. But I guess there are worse names. Rainbow Butt Monkeys, that's a pretty bad one. If it was intended to be a reference to My Little Pony then I love that. And did you notice, the last song in the show was by a band named Sparklehorse? I'm pretty sure that was a My Little Pony. Add in Veronica's My Little Pony tatoo from 'Mars, Bars' and we've got a bit of a theme going here. (Hey, here's a bit of trivia: you know Josh Schwartz, the creator of The OC? Well, his dad created the toy! Cool, huh?)
I guess the band was supposed to be something like Oasis, at least in terms of the Beatles influence Keith and Desmond were discussing. Except there were more than two of them and no one died, so....that's not so apt.
Other observations:
- Names Desmond called Piz: Pez, Fez, Pus, Fax, Buzz and Bizen. Hee. Hey dude, with a name like that, you have to expect some mocking. (Even if he went by Stosh instead of Piz, that's just as bad.)
- It was great to see Wallace and Veronica just hanging out again, watching TV. It was almost like old times.
- I can't believe Dick ran over his own foot. He's such a moron. A funny moron, but still. And now I know what "ghost riding the whip" is. This is a real thing, you guys. It didn't just come from the demented mind of Dick Casablancas. People jump out of a moving car and dance on or around it while trying not to get killed in the process. See, who says TV isn't educational? I've learned so much from this show.
- Another great elevator scene between Logan and Veronica. I just wish it'd been longer. It occurred to me after watching this that a fair amount of their time has been spent in this elevator. Think about it: there was the Donut Run stuff, the post prom breakdown, Logan and that little girl pledging his love to a confused Veronica, and then Logan appearing while Veronica and Piz were kissing. And it's a confined space, so it's not like they can go anywhere; they're kind of forced to interact. I just find it interesting. I'll have to do a picspam some time.
- Who would have thought seeing Logan and Mac together would work? But they were cute, and so was Mac and Max. At least they showed us Mac breaking up with Bronson, but I think she could have found a better way to do it. It was a pretty short explanation.
- I have to say, I kind of like how Veronica is bothered by how Piz is acting kind of nonchalant about things. He's not going to chase her down, and that bugs her. It doesn't mean he's not interested, but it's enough to intrigue Veronica. I don't think she's ever had a boyfriend who hasn't fallen at her feet before, so her having pursue someone for a change is new to her.
I don't know what to make of the recent news Ausiello reported. Look, I can put up with a lot of stuff, but changing the show's name? I just can't imagine it being called anything else. Whatever they pick is going to be inferior. Different name + different characters = different show. Period. Wouldn't it be easier to just start from scratch with a new show instead of trying to shoehorn this ridiculous FBI concept into an existing show? It's not like The CW has much new stuff coming out, so they could do it. Maybe cancel Veronica Mars and give Kristen the lead in a new show, if they must. I don't know. Something tells me I'm going to be a nervous wreck this week until the announcement is made.