Veronica Mars - Case File 1-15: "Ruskie Business" (Episode Discussion) - Page 2

Sunnyolaf · 02-22-2005, 10:59 PM

It sounds like I missed a real good episode. I'm a little ticked because this is the second time they have aired a basketball game instead of the show where I live.

UnsilentMajorty · 02-22-2005, 11:16 PM

All good comments

Mr.Simpactico

Veronica was supposed to be Madonna. Specifically, from "Desparately Seeking Susan". You know? The original, blonde, pop-diva that Brittney Spears will never hold a candle too?

What I liked about the '80s Dance was that they used REAL '80s music (Cyndi Lauper; The Eurythmics) and not cheap cover tracks or instrumentals. I thought that "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin would have been a perfect "coincidence" when she and Deputy Leo kissed since you could hear music from the gymn echoing through the halls.

(You can tell what Decade I grew up in

).

Duncan Lost His Way...

I am surprised that Duncan has been "toned down". Specifically, since they revealed something signifigant in the last episode -- That he and Abel Koontz have the same Physician and exactly what Duncan's condition is.

However, I think this is intentional because this is such a huge enssemble cast when you get right down to it that there are going to be times when certain characters have to take the backseat to others if only for storylines if not actual caset airtime.

Speaking of storylines, it is obvious they may be setting him up as the killer because the more distant Veronica becomes from Duncan, the easier it will be to reveal him (if it is true) since they will have (supposedly) distanced the audience from him as well to lessen their empathy for his character if it turns out to be him.

(I honestly think making him the killer would be a cop-out in a lot of ways. However, I can also agree that if he is the killer, getting rid of him won't be that hard now that we have such a developed cast of characters to draw upon in his absence if we get a second season).

Meg and Duncan... Came out of nowhere.

I too thought her secret admierer would be a female as well... But since this is 2005, that is not really "shocking" anymore, so I knew it had to be a guy. By the way, that sketch of Teddy Dunn was horrible. I honestly thought it was someone else when they showed it briefly as Veronica and Meg walked out the door.

Russian Mafia Bride

This wasn't such a surprise. The big clue that gave it away was the fact that the "bride" didn't think twice about paying $250 a day for Mars' services.

Most mail-order-brides have almost nothing but the clothes on their back when they get over here (and in fact, are in debt to the Russian mob and the whole White-Slavery thing), so I immediately knew she had to be connected and not be a real "bride". I think this was intentional on the writers behalf and I applaud them for this kind of writing because it assumes the audience is smart enough to pick up on subtle nuances like this and isn't stupid like a lot of other shows are.

Alyson Hannigan

Cameo for Sweeps. Nothing more. She could come back for a few more episodes/scenes just to give her character a little more background, but in the grand scheme of things her being in Neptune doesn't really figure into any of the major plots or subplots at this point.

Did you also notice Zachary Tye Bryant as well? Talk about your Buffy casting couches

A Barstowe Brawl

Can you say, ambush? I think HE was making the calls.

It looks like Clearance is running outside to alert his men... But I doubt this is going to turn into some "Desperado" (Bar) shootout since Veronica doesn't carry a gun and I doubt Lianne is armed, let alone capable of defending herself in that state.

However, did it ever occur to anyone WHY he was there since Lianne was in what amounts to a drunken stupor? I smell cohersion, aka a meeting, since there is no reason for him to watch her in that kind of state.

All in all, I liked the episode, but thought the ending stumbled a bit with all the dance subplots and didn't really get back in the groove until Veronica arrived in Barstowe.

1/2 out of five.

SpySyd · 02-23-2005, 09:32 AM

This has got to be one of my fav,if not my fav episode

-1.Logan touching Veronica's arm.He's falling for her,I tell you.

-2.Duncan joking about Logan asking her out at the dance.

-3.Trina thinking V&L may be an item.

-4.Logan crying in Veronica's arms

It's all pointing in the same direction!!!!!Who cares about Leo?

I miss sheriff Lamb!

Oh and the 'undercover' scene!I adored how Logan totally followed her on that one

FAIT_Accompli · 02-23-2005, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpySyd

-4.Logan crying in Veronica's arms

By far one of the most powerful Veronica Mars acting moments.

Jason was just so impressive. All hopes of his mother being alive have pretty much been shattered, and his knees just ... buckled beneath him, as if he couldn't stand anymore. I thought Kristen did a great job of portraying Veronica's shock and sympathy and confusion all in one facial expression. And Jason Dohring ... again ... wow.

And I'd write something more in depth, but I have a bus to catch in ... oh, about a minute! So I'll return later today with something more concrete. Because I have a lot to say about this episode.

And I'm going to pretend I didn't see that Britney Spears dig. Ahem.

GenL · 02-23-2005, 09:58 AM

I just want to say- Yowza! Who doesn’t Kristen Bell have chemistry with?? When Logan was actually talking to Veronica in the hallway I was floored. I mean, acknowledging her existence in public? Then, he touched her arm and said thanks! I was all swooney!

Then, Veronica went and talked to Duncan and I thought it was sweet and was desperately hoping that they weren’t related because I love them together. They are sweet, fun and comfortable together.

Back to Logan, the first hotel scene cracked me up with the wedding book. “She’s a keeper”. Again- swooney. When Logan broke down in tears and Veronica was hugging him I was really sad but also excited that they were hugging.

I don’t really like Leo, but again- chemistry! I think they could put a shoebox in the room with Veronica and we would all be saying “Veronica and shoebox= L-O-V-E”.

I don’t think Logan is going to just forgive Veronica so easily. As a matter of fact I think he is going to bounce back to being a complete *ss because Veronica saw him vulnerable. I don’t think he likes it when people see him like that.

At first I was upset about Duncan and Meg. However, I am rethinking that. I think that both Veronica and Duncan need to move on. I started thinking about how good it is for Duncan to get back to “normal”. Plus, if they are brother and sister it would be less icky if they both had moved on.

I feel really badly about Logan. I guess his mother really is dead. When the last shred of hope left him and he broke down and started crying I thought my heart would break. What an awesome acting job. I really hope they get rid of Leo and start moving in the Veronica/Logan direction. I mean, keep Leo around because an insider at the police department would be helpful, but keep him as a friend.

Also- I was totally wrong about Alyson Hanigan’s guest appearance. The preview they showed made her look like she was being friendly to Veronica, but she wasn’t. I loved seeing Alyson play someone not so sweet. I think I read that she may be back, so I really hope so.

I feel bad for Logan, now he has no one- except Veronica.

fleurdelune · 02-23-2005, 11:13 AM

I loved this episode. All of the Logan and Veronica scenes were amazing. They truly made my day! When Logan thanked V in the middle of the hallway and touched her arm, I was squeeing. The fiancé thing was really funny and V kissed his cheek!!!! I loved him calling her "sugarpuss" and saying that "she's a keeper". So great! Did Trina think that L/V were an item? I think so, but I don't remember. V now knows that Logan was abused by his dad. I think this is important for their relationship because no one else knows about this other than Trina, who doesn't belive it, L's dad and now deceased mother. Logan also showed V his vulnerability which is a huge step for them. They were definitely on the road to becoming closer in this episode. The scene where Logan fell apart in her arms was truly moving. It was so emotional and was so well done. Both Kristen and Jason an amazing job last night. The rest of the episode was pretty good. I don't mind Duncan with Meg and I think that he should be moving on. Anything to get him away from Veronica although I am biased. V and Leo are not my cup of tea, just because Leo's a bit bland and his character is pretty 2-D. He's pretty much just the love interest. That scene at the end with drunk Logan was also pretty good. V seemes to leave the dance in order to help him. Logan kept asking who Leo was and he seemed annoyed with him, maybe even a teensy bit jealous although my memory is pretty bad. Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me. I could just have wanted to see something that wasn't there! If anyone know where I can get any clips from this episode, mostly the Logan/Veronica scenes, it would be much appreciated!

Cruel Irony · 02-23-2005, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpySyd

I miss sheriff Lamb!

...What?

Are we thinking of the same Lamb?

*Kristi* · 02-23-2005, 01:59 PM

So last nights episode was the first I've ever seen and it was really good but I'm a little confused. Could someone explain what's been going on to me? Please

-Kristi

SpySyd · 02-23-2005, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruel Irony

...What?

Are we thinking of the same Lamb?

I think we are

Come on....it's so funny to see him get his a$$ kicked everytime Veronica's around.I dig that.

***Lizzie*** · 02-23-2005, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Kristi*

So last nights episode was the first I've ever seen and it was really good but I'm a little confused. Could someone explain what's been going on to me? Please

-Kristi

Yay! A new fan!

You can always read the recaps at televisionwithoutpity to get caught up.

Also, here's a little thing a fan wrote up that'll give you some of the basics: Watch VM!

Hope this helps!

karester · 02-23-2005, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnsilentMajorty

By the way, that sketch of Teddy Dunn was horrible. I honestly thought it was someone else when they showed it briefly as Veronica and Meg walked out the door.

Yeah I was sitting in front of the tv trying to figure it out. That did not look like Duncan at all to me.

GenL · 02-23-2005, 05:03 PM

I agree. I only knew it was Duncan because that is the only person it could be that would cause Veronica to look that sad and want to hide the picture.

Also, I meant to say earlier that I was surprised it was Duncan because I couldn't picture him saying "UR so kewl" or whatever to anyone. I realize that they are in high school, but it seemed off character.

alli balli · 02-23-2005, 05:28 PM

I managed to watch the new ep today, so yay (I work on Tuesdays now and lately I've had to wait quite a long time before getting around to watching.) I really really liked this one.

The Russian plot: Uhh, if the Witness Protection Program is so bad that a teenage girl (albeit a very, very clever/well-connected one) can find a guy in the span of 3 or 4 days, it needs some major improvements.

Leo, I'm kind of eh on. He's really cute. But...how old is he? How old is Veronica? I always thought she was probably a junior in high school. They actually don't appear to have much age difference but when I think about how old he could be I get a little squicked.

Can I just say I loved Logan acknowledging Veronica in the school and being nice, and then crying at the hotel.

Aww. More scenes with them please. I would hate to see them hook up in a lovey-dovey sort of way, but anything else would be awesome.

I guess Duncan is disposable, but I still like him. I think he's sweet, and I think he and Veronica together are cute. I don't really get how having epilepsy would figure into murdering someone...I thought epileptics had seizures. How would that result in the murder of his sister?

I was disappointed with the Alyson Hannigan appearance. I always loved her on BtVS but couldn't really figure out what she was going for here. Like when she told Veronica they should hang out. I'm guessing it was supposed to be sarcastic but she didn't really play it that way. I dunno. I just didn't think Aly was very good.

This is probably just me and the fact that I hardly remember anything from the beginning of the season, but who the hell was that guy watching Veronica and her mom in the bar?

mr.simpatico · 02-23-2005, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alli balli

Leo, I'm kind of eh on. He's really cute. But...how old is he? How old is Veronica? I always thought she was probably a junior in high school. They actually don't appear to have much age difference but when I think about how old he could be I get a little squicked.

I think Leo is supposed to be a just few years out of HS himself. At least I think there was something mentioned earlier about him being a few years ahead of VM in school. It makes it less squicky but not by much IMO - he should at least wait till she graduates.

Quote:

This is probably just me and the fact that I hardly remember anything from the beginning of the season, but who the hell was that guy watching Veronica and her mom in the bar?

That was Jake Kane's (Duncan's dad) head of Security or something. Veronica had run ins with him earlier.

alli balli · 02-23-2005, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.simpatico

That was Jake Kane's (Duncan's dad) head of Security or something. Veronica had run ins with him earlier.

Oh okay. Thanks!

I was watching it with my mom and when you see that guy at the end you're obviously supposed to recognize him, but we were just like "...Huh?"