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How, you ask, can a television show continue to shock our socks off without us ever getting wise to it? The answer is really quite simple - excellent writing. Last night's episode of Veronica Mars was one of the best hours of television that I have seen in sometime. This show manages to take episodes where the sole purpose is to set up storylines for future episodes and turn them into first rate outings in their own right (contrast Desperate Housewives' set-up episode from a couple of weeks ago, which was slow, or even last night's Lost, which I'll get to later). First, I was thinking during Veronica and Duncan's "break up" scene that the whole thing was feeling a little forced and out of the blue, but I quickly dismissed it when Veronica's wallowing montage took over. In fact, I forgot all about how forced the entire thing felt until we learned that it was all a set-up! I definitely didn't see the big twist coming, and when it did, I thought maybe it was all just a dream sequence. Creator/Executive Producer Rob Thomas wrote and directed this episode, and he sure pulled the wool over my eyes! I loved the return of Vinnie Van Lowe and his eventual involvement with Veronica and Duncan's plans. His scenes with Veronica were hysterical! Speaking of hysterical, Sheriff Lamb's ego deflation was priceless. I loved how Veronica played to his ego and sent him to Mexico with Duncan secretly in his trunk thinking that he had scored some huge tip that would lead him straight to Duncan and win the praise of the visiting FBI. The irony that he was actually taking Duncan safely across the border was just too clever! So, the big question is, what will become of Duncan now that he and baby Lilly are living the fugitive life in Mexico? To answer a question from yesterday's comments section, I have not heard anything about Teddy Dunn (Duncan) leaving the show. I would imagine that he will continue to be a part of the show somehow, but you never know what to expect from Veronica Mars. Speaking of which, it seems that Wallace has gotten himself into a bit of a bind back in Chicago. He should have gone to the police right after his star teammate was involved in the hit and run, and now it seems that the entire thing is going to come back to get him. If you saw the preview for next week's episode, then you know that best-selling author Stephen King can now be added to the list of Veronica's famous fans. In a column for Entertainment Weekly, he says, "I can't take my eyes off the damn thing." All I can say is, welcome back Veronica Mars!
If last night's Veronica Mars was the pinnacle of greatness, then last night's Lost fell severely short. It was a rare moment of mediocrity from a show that always seems to bring its "A" game. I was interested to learn more about Charlie's past, but the flashbacks were not too revealing. I really hope that Charlie stays off the heroin, but the possibility for him to relapse is still there because Locke didn't destroy the remaining stash, and Charlie could have another supply stashed somewhere else on the island for all we know. The interesting storyline of the evening was also the one that was barely visited - Hurley and Libby. Beyond their cute interaction was an underlying question of whether or not they knew each other from before the island. Libby seemed to panic a bit when Hurley made the suggestion, and then quickly dismissed it as nothing more than a brief encounter when Hurley stepped on her foot as they boarded the plane. The question is, is there something to Hurley's assertion that they met before beyond the chance meeting and toe-stepping on the plane? We know that Hurley spent some time in a mental hospital, and Libby told us that she is a mental health professional, so is it possible their paths have intertwined and Libby is upset because she may not be what she's claiming to be? And what's up with the newer looking washer and dryer that Libby pointed out? The computer is from the early 80s, but the washer and dryer are like a million times nicer and newer than my 2003 models? There's obviously something to this new bit of information, but trying to figure it out is an impossible task.
About Last Night... Fox easily dominated the first hour of the night with more American Idol auditions, followed by CBS comedies Still Standing and Yes, Dear and ABC comedies George Lopez and Freddie. At 9, ABC took over with Lost, followed by CBS's Criminal Minds and Fox's Bones. UPN's Veronica Mars, with the faltering South Beach as its lead-in, landed in last behind a Beauty and the Geek rerun. The final hour of the night went to CBS's CSI: NY, followed by NBC's Law & Order (r) and ABC's Invasion. For more on last night's ratings, visit Zap2it.
~Primetime Pass~
@8 p.m. - The remaining seven teams compete in the paso doble and the foxtrot on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Over on the WB, Smallville celebrates its 100th episode with a shocking death.
@9 p.m. - Faye Dunaway guest stars as a former showgirl as the team goes into the world of old world Las Vegas on CBS's CSI. Over on NBC, Earl tries to cross #18 ("told an inappropriate story at Hank Lange's birthday party") off his list on My Name is Earl. Fox's The O.C. shows Kaitlin's true colors as she begins to stir up trouble.
@10 p.m. - The team searches for a missing middle school teacher and a student who may be having an inappropriate relationship together on CBS's Without a Trace.
QUICK CUTS
*And finally, more television shows are heading to iTunes. MTV's Laguna Beach and Beavis and Butt-head, Comedy Central's South Park (seasons 1 & 2) and Drawn Together, Nickelodeon's Spongebob Squarepants and The N's South of Nowhere will be available for download for $1.99 an episode beginning today. Comedy Central will also premiere a new episode of Drawn Together on iTunes January 30th before it hits the television airwaves. That episode will be available for free for one week. The latest crop of shows now offered on iTunes joins popular ABC, NBC and Disney Channel programs already offered through the popular music download service.
That's all for today. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for CSI (Faye Dunaway - hype or hyper-awesome guest star?) and Without a Trace (please don't be too ripped from the headlines, please don't be too ripped from the headlines...). Plus, all the latest television news!
Don't forget to help Veronica Mars with the $4,000 Shower Campaign! Click HERE for details
2 comments:
That is just so cool about Stephen King being a big fan of VM!
ER was a repeat tonite so I decided to watch Without A Trace. It was excellent! I'm really glad I watched it!
Wow, Stephen King being a fan of Veronica Mars is great! I'm glad WaT turned out to be good. And about ER... haven't watched the last episodes, but what else can they possible do on that show? They've gone through every possible situation, I think. I still continue to enjoy it though. What a nerd I am. You'd think I'd quit seeing dr stuff at home at least.
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