Veronica Mars 3.13 - "Postgame Mortem"
Airdate: February 13th, 2007

Don't underestimate the healing power of children. Just a whiff of their unsullied outlook on life is all it takes to make a fresh start. We should have known when Devil Dick's whispers in Logan's ear didn't pull him out of his hole that it would take the innocence of an angel to set him right again. How sweet...in a cloying, obvious sort of way.

I'm still wondering if Veronica even listened to the entire pathetic voice mail that Logan left on her phone. I'm thinking not, since she'd be hard pressed to resist his abject shame and loose hanging heart. Then again, if the Super Hits 98 dedication didn't reveal the extent of Logan's sad sackery and lure her back for a forgiveness reunion, then nothing will. Yeah, right. Something will. We just have to get a little closer to the end of the Dead Dean mystery first before Veronica's attention can wind up back at the Neptune Grand.

Back to Dick for a second. As truly horrifying as he is - like someone I would want a permanent restraining order against - he's become the comedy highlight lately. How can you argue with a man who seeks a divorce because his wife's toes don't measure up to his idea of non-freakishness? You just can't. Which is funny.

Nice to see Wallace again, however briefly. And Weevil keeps making his momentary appearances. One thing about the Weev. I've been harshing on him lately because he's become such a downright dweeb, but looking back at season one I'm remembering that he was never that tough to begin with. This idea of him as a sexy bad boy gang leader was true for a second - when he pulled up to Veronica's car with his posse in the first episode - but quickly faded away. What tough guy would have written Lilly secret love letters and then admitted it to the guidance counselor?

Back when he was playing poker at Logan's house in season one and the money that he just won disappeared, Weevil got mad. But did he start swinging, or pull out his knife, or trash the place? No. He made the guys strip down to their boxers and then made some vague threat. Later he started stealing their stuff, which was pretty crafty, yes, but tough? No.

So while Logan's lonely heart was being healed by gentle coaxing from tweendom, another Hearst staffer is murdered. It's a dangerous place, evidently. This sunny California utopia must be atop a hell hole for all these murders and (sorta)rapes and bus bombs and child molesting mayors to congregate in one place. Unfortunately, the fact that the basketball coach is killed delivers zero emotional resonance.

And while Veronica does have a habit of falling for guys during an investigation, what's the appeal of Coach Jr.? Love the creepy moment where Veronica stands at the cliff looking down at the ocean with Josh behind her. Will he push her? Just a tilt of the camera angle offers the momentary threat, and introduces suspicion. Well done.

For some reason this coach murder will extend into another episode. Unless it's tied to the Dead Dean, this seems rather inexcusable. As for the DD mystery, we're definitely digging a little deeper now. So deep that I'm starting to get confused.

OK, the Volvo has eggshell in the windshield, which means it was on campus the night of the murder and Nish egged it. That takes Nish off the hook (and probably the rest of the gang o' feminists). The car was gone from the Neptune Grand during the time period when the Dean was killed. Neither Missy nor Landry cop to taking the car. Two men were arguing in Missy and Landry's room, though Missy knows nothing about this. Good dental hygiene is very important to Missy and Landry, even in the middle of the night (which gives her a reason for being out of the room during the two-men-argument). So, we don't know who the mystery man in the hotel room is. And we don't know why Missy and Landry would want to watch Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang in the wee hours of the morning. Aren't they tired?

Is this the slow loop back to last episode's nudge in the direction of Dead Dean's stepson as the prime suspect? We should never underestimate the power of children to heal, or kill, I suppose.

iTunes Links

Veronica Mars - Series
Veronica Mars - Season 3
"Postgame Mortem"