Veronica Mars 3.18 - "I Know What You’ll Do Next Summer"
Airdate: May 15th, 2007

Do you get the feeling things in Neptune are winding down? Everyone’s positioned to move on to his or her respective positions for the summer. Maybe the never-ending summer? We’ll find out any minute now whether the show is kaput, fast-forwarded, or coming back for sophomore year.

[Editor’s Note: CW announced Thursday, after Sierra’s review was submitted, that Veronica Mars has been canceled. We will, of course, complete the season review with the series finale next week. - Editor]

As for now, Veronica got the FBI internship. Like there was ever any doubt (OK, I didn’t think she’d go so mainstream, but what else is there for a star PI to do?). Piznarsky has a few radio internships to choose from, and, be-smitten as he is, might choose based on V’s coordinates (pathetic, yes, but haven’t we all make bad choices in the name of love?). Wallace is off to Africa, perhaps in a sort of Dave Chappelle-style find-myself-and-escape-Veronica’s-annoying-requests-for-help way.

Logan and Dick’s South American surfing trip is off, thanks to Mr. Enron Casablancas’ return. But would it really have been any fun with Parker along? She’s a cool chick and all, but there’s half a cup of airhead in her wholesome white-flour-free recipe. Now that I think about it, maybe she really is perfect for Logan. He’s not the brightest bulb in the Daffodil patch himself, or at least he doesn’t reveal depth much (unless you count shrugging your shoulders and pouting).

Speaking of depth, Keith nailed it when he remarked on Piz’s interest in things other than surf conditions. As sickly sweet as the Pizzer is, he’s the kind of guy you’re supposed to date in college -- the one who opens your mind and shows you there’s more to men than hunky good looks and a nice car. Even if he’s no roller coaster ride, Veronica.

Dick revealed a giant flicker of feeling beneath the frat boy exterior. Loved the shove of fake congrats he gave his dad � a macho version of collapsing in a puddle of tears for all the pain and suffering dad caused. Reminding us how dad and Dick would compete to make Beav cry brought back a flurry of compassion for the schoolboy killer. And with it a layer of depth a show like Veronica Mars doesn’t get enough credit for.

Credit or no credit, Mac and Max are a wonder couple. Maybe they should get their own show. Nerds in Love, or something. I’m so glad they’re both getting properly laid. And props to Mac for setting limits. Many a girl has failed a semester when love and sex have intervened. And she was rightfully concerned about her man’s future prospects. Some day (maybe next season, in fact) she’ll be a vice president at Google and he’ll be a white collar criminal � not terribly romantic.

Let’s talk mystery. The case of the would-be child soldier fraud was not a real case. It was an extended public service message done with the same cloying message-heavy blah-blah that last week’s Middle Eastern patriot storyline attempted. Nothing wrong with finding subject matter in timely issues, of course, but this was done with very little imagination. Are the writers giving up already?

The reunion between father and son was touching, for sure. But Veronica should have just left the room, don’t you think? Let the people have their privacy, please. Instead she stood there welling up, feeling proud of herself, I guess.

As for the rest of Neptune’s population � not sure what they’re thinking if Vinnie Van Lowe is a serious mayoral contender, but his character is amusing enough to make me happy for the contest. Even if it does seem a little thrown in at the last minute. And the Fitzpatricks just confuse me, frankly. But I guess there needs to be a big bad criminal element to fall back on when the biker gangs go soft.

Next week is the big two-hour finale and by then we’ll know where this ship is heading. I’ll follow where she leads, matey. Just make the wrap-up good for us fans, OK?

iTunes Links

Veronica Mars - Series
Veronica Mars - Season 3
This Episode - "I Know What You’ll Do Next Summer"

Vern Seward is a writer who currently lives in Orlando, FL. He’s been a Mac fan since Atari Computers folded, but has worked with computers of nearly every type for 20 years.