The Wrath of Con: Veronica Mars, Episode 1.04

I was watching my recently purchased brand-new, Season 1 DVDs and I have to say that on rewatch, The Wrath of Con is really one of my all-time favorite VM episodes. The MotW is fun enough, with the highlight being the "nerdy" party and Veronica dressing like an anime girl with the gamers' tongues hanging out, but what really got me is the underlying story, as Veronica remembers the Homecoming she went to with Duncan, Lilly, and Logan and the memorial fountain dedication for Lilly.

Because (even though I now know it was false), you get the sense that, at least in retrospect, it seemed like a golden time for Veronica, a time before the fall. She was a happy girl with a loving, handsome boyfriend (and this is probably he only episode I find Duncan smokin' hot in, in those flashbacks), and a fun and feisty best friend. And you get to see Logan the way he was, and he isn't nasty, or mean, or lashing out: he is just a fun, nice guy who comes across so very young. Duncan is not a zombie, and a severely screwed up one at that, he is just a sweet guy in love. Your heart just breaks for all of them, knowing what's in store. And true, there all these cracks underneath the surface: Veronica's Mom is already cheating with Duncan's Dad. Logan's father is still abusing him, and has for years. Lilly is a slutty cheat. Veronica's naivete is bound to get shot down sooner or later. But still, it's Lilly's death that exposes everything, that brings it to the fore.

And this, perhaps more than any other episode, shows why people loved Lilly. Because, knowing what I know now, I think Lilly was a horrible person. But watching her here, I can't help but be drawn to her, to her magnetism, and passion for life, and irrespressible fun. She is irresistable, and you get why Veronica misses her so desperately, why Logan could believe his horrible life was OK as long as he had her (I really do think he transferred all his need for love and hope of happiness onto her, which is why he snapped so badly when she died), why Jake and Duncan feel so empty.

That scene with Logan's video? It almost makes me cry, especially when Jake breaks down, because he misses his daughter, and Duncan's mask cracks. You really get the feeling of how much Lilly's death left such a hole, and you get a sense of all these people truly bereaved, how Lilly, and Logan, and Duncan, and Jake truly miss her, and feel incomplete. And I love that almost shy look Logan gives when the video starts into the "homecoming" part: you don't see him vulnerable much, but he is very vulnerable in this episode, and how fitting that he and Veronica have their tentative truce because she knows he misses Lilly and I think, despite his anger at her, he knows she misses Lilly too. I think it makes them remember their friendship.

This was actually the first episode where I thought there was a lot more to Logan than the pushing-your-buttons, spoiled snark. The bit where he offers to do Lilly's memorial video? It's to help Duncan who is clearly unhappy to do it (and what's with Jake asking him to do it), but also because he is lonely and he desperately misses Lilly and that's a chance to reconnect. And on some level, I think it's so fitting that his and Veronica first moment of reconnection is over their shared grief.

Also, that scene where Lilly kisses him to annoy her parents further? The highly nervous look on his face? Priceless. Another universe from Logan of the Pilot when all his walls are up. And you know, Duncan pre-Lilly's death is such a sweet guy also: he and Veronica were adorable. You really do see in this episode how much Lilly's death destroyed Duncan, and Logan, and Veronica.

Last point: I always adored Troy. A pity about the drugs, because I thought he was cute and funny and issue-free. Oh well :)

The Wrath of Con: Veronica Mars, Episode 1.04

I was watching my recently purchased brand-new, Season 1 DVDs and I have to say that on rewatch, The Wrath of Con is really one of my all-time favorite VM episodes. The MotW is fun enough, with the highlight being the "nerdy" party and Veronica dressing like an anime girl with the gamers' tongues hanging out, but what really got me is the underlying story, as Veronica remembers the Homecoming she went to with Duncan, Lilly, and Logan and the memorial fountain dedication for Lilly.

Because (even though I now know it was false), you get the sense that, at least in retrospect, it seemed like a golden time for Veronica, a time before the fall. She was a happy girl with a loving, handsome boyfriend (and this is probably he only episode I find Duncan smokin' hot in, in those flashbacks), and a fun and feisty best friend. And you get to see Logan the way he was, and he isn't nasty, or mean, or lashing out: he is just a fun, nice guy who comes across so very young. Duncan is not a zombie, and a severely screwed up one at that, he is just a sweet guy in love. Your heart just breaks for all of them, knowing what's in store. And true, there all these cracks underneath the surface: Veronica's Mom is already cheating with Duncan's Dad. Logan's father is still abusing him, and has for years. Lilly is a slutty cheat. Veronica's naivete is bound to get shot down sooner or later. But still, it's Lilly's death that exposes everything, that brings it to the fore.

And this, perhaps more than any other episode, shows why people loved Lilly. Because, knowing what I know now, I think Lilly was a horrible person. But watching her here, I can't help but be drawn to her, to her magnetism, and passion for life, and irrespressible fun. She is irresistable, and you get why Veronica misses her so desperately, why Logan could believe his horrible life was OK as long as he had her (I really do think he transferred all his need for love and hope of happiness onto her, which is why he snapped so badly when she died), why Jake and Duncan feel so empty.

That scene with Logan's video? It almost makes me cry, especially when Jake breaks down, because he misses his daughter, and Duncan's mask cracks. You really get the feeling of how much Lilly's death left such a hole, and you get a sense of all these people truly bereaved, how Lilly, and Logan, and Duncan, and Jake truly miss her, and feel incomplete. And I love that almost shy look Logan gives when the video starts into the "homecoming" part: you don't see him vulnerable much, but he is very vulnerable in this episode, and how fitting that he and Veronica have their tentative truce because she knows he misses Lilly and I think, despite his anger at her, he knows she misses Lilly too. I think it makes them remember their friendship.

This was actually the first episode where I thought there was a lot more to Logan than the pushing-your-buttons, spoiled snark. The bit where he offers to do Lilly's memorial video? It's to help Duncan who is clearly unhappy to do it (and what's with Jake asking him to do it), but also because he is lonely and he desperately misses Lilly and that's a chance to reconnect. And on some level, I think it's so fitting that his and Veronica first moment of reconnection is over their shared grief.

Also, that scene where Lilly kisses him to annoy her parents further? The highly nervous look on his face? Priceless. Another universe from Logan of the Pilot when all his walls are up. And you know, Duncan pre-Lilly's death is such a sweet guy also: he and Veronica were adorable. You really do see in this episode how much Lilly's death destroyed Duncan, and Logan, and Veronica.

Last point: I always adored Troy. A pity about the drugs, because I thought he was cute and funny and issue-free. Oh well :)

The Wrath of Con: Veronica Mars, Episode 1.04

I was watching my recently purchased brand-new, Season 1 DVDs and I have to say that on rewatch, The Wrath of Con is really one of my all-time favorite VM episodes. The MotW is fun enough, with the highlight being the "nerdy" party and Veronica dressing like an anime girl with the gamers' tongues hanging out, but what really got me is the underlying story, as Veronica remembers the Homecoming she went to with Duncan, Lilly, and Logan and the memorial fountain dedication for Lilly.

Because (even though I now know it was false), you get the sense that, at least in retrospect, it seemed like a golden time for Veronica, a time before the fall. She was a happy girl with a loving, handsome boyfriend (and this is probably he only episode I find Duncan smokin' hot in, in those flashbacks), and a fun and feisty best friend. And you get to see Logan the way he was, and he isn't nasty, or mean, or lashing out: he is just a fun, nice guy who comes across so very young. Duncan is not a zombie, and a severely screwed up one at that, he is just a sweet guy in love. Your heart just breaks for all of them, knowing what's in store. And true, there all these cracks underneath the surface: Veronica's Mom is already cheating with Duncan's Dad. Logan's father is still abusing him, and has for years. Lilly is a slutty cheat. Veronica's naivete is bound to get shot down sooner or later. But still, it's Lilly's death that exposes everything, that brings it to the fore.

And this, perhaps more than any other episode, shows why people loved Lilly. Because, knowing what I know now, I think Lilly was a horrible person. But watching her here, I can't help but be drawn to her, to her magnetism, and passion for life, and irrespressible fun. She is irresistable, and you get why Veronica misses her so desperately, why Logan could believe his horrible life was OK as long as he had her (I really do think he transferred all his need for love and hope of happiness onto her, which is why he snapped so badly when she died), why Jake and Duncan feel so empty.

That scene with Logan's video? It almost makes me cry, especially when Jake breaks down, because he misses his daughter, and Duncan's mask cracks. You really get the feeling of how much Lilly's death left such a hole, and you get a sense of all these people truly bereaved, how Lilly, and Logan, and Duncan, and Jake truly miss her, and feel incomplete. And I love that almost shy look Logan gives when the video starts into the "homecoming" part: you don't see him vulnerable much, but he is very vulnerable in this episode, and how fitting that he and Veronica have their tentative truce because she knows he misses Lilly and I think, despite his anger at her, he knows she misses Lilly too. I think it makes them remember their friendship.

This was actually the first episode where I thought there was a lot more to Logan than the pushing-your-buttons, spoiled snark. The bit where he offers to do Lilly's memorial video? It's to help Duncan who is clearly unhappy to do it (and what's with Jake asking him to do it), but also because he is lonely and he desperately misses Lilly and that's a chance to reconnect. And on some level, I think it's so fitting that his and Veronica first moment of reconnection is over their shared grief.

Also, that scene where Lilly kisses him to annoy her parents further? The highly nervous look on his face? Priceless. Another universe from Logan of the Pilot when all his walls are up. And you know, Duncan pre-Lilly's death is such a sweet guy also: he and Veronica were adorable. You really do see in this episode how much Lilly's death destroyed Duncan, and Logan, and Veronica.

Last point: I always adored Troy. A pity about the drugs, because I thought he was cute and funny and issue-free. Oh well :)

Cornucopia of Movies: What to do, what to do

As of today, there are six movies in the theater I want to see. When am I ever going to get the time? :)

(and non VM people breathe a sigh of relief):

Here they are in order of my wanting to see them:

1. Green Street Hooligans: A movie with Charlie Hunnam (drool, drool, drool) and Eljah Wood (fangirl squee) as football hooligans? Yes please. Plus, I love the poster in the metro station. And who says advertising doesn't work. Especially when said advertising is Charlie Hunnam (who should be forced to reproduce for the good of human race) and Elijah Wood (who I adore, even if it's in "give him soup and blankets" kinda way), looking all grimy, violent, and intense. I mean, it's Nicholas Nickleby and Frodo kicking ass!

2. Proof: I love the concept of it: a mathematician's daughter trying to deal with the fear of going insane, some love stuff, and oh yeah, a mathematical proof. It's such an intelligent play and I just want to see something that really makes me think and feel at the same time.

3. Elizabethtown: And speaking of Lord of the Rings alums. It's Orlando! With an American accent. The movie itself looks really nice and cute and funny, and hey, even if it sucks, the eye candy will compensate.

4. Wallace and Gromit: This is more of Husband's thing than mine, but how can you dislike claymation? Come on, it's like killing puppies.

5. Everything is Illuminated: Frodo searching for his Ukranian roots? Sounds good to me. Not good enough for me to have seen it for the couple of weeks it's already out, but still, on the see list. Any hope that his Ukranian roots will include the football hooligan Charlie Hunnam?

6. In Her Shoes: Not much interest in chick flicks, but I read the book and didn't hate it (didn't love it either) and it's playing right next door.

I think I'll move into a movie theater.

Cornucopia of Movies: What to do, what to do

As of today, there are six movies in the theater I want to see. When am I ever going to get the time? :)

(and non VM people breathe a sigh of relief):

Here they are in order of my wanting to see them:

1. Green Street Hooligans: A movie with Charlie Hunnam (drool, drool, drool) and Eljah Wood (fangirl squee) as football hooligans? Yes please. Plus, I love the poster in the metro station. And who says advertising doesn't work. Especially when said advertising is Charlie Hunnam (who should be forced to reproduce for the good of human race) and Elijah Wood (who I adore, even if it's in "give him soup and blankets" kinda way), looking all grimy, violent, and intense. I mean, it's Nicholas Nickleby and Frodo kicking ass!

2. Proof: I love the concept of it: a mathematician's daughter trying to deal with the fear of going insane, some love stuff, and oh yeah, a mathematical proof. It's such an intelligent play and I just want to see something that really makes me think and feel at the same time.

3. Elizabethtown: And speaking of Lord of the Rings alums. It's Orlando! With an American accent. The movie itself looks really nice and cute and funny, and hey, even if it sucks, the eye candy will compensate.

4. Wallace and Gromit: This is more of Husband's thing than mine, but how can you dislike claymation? Come on, it's like killing puppies.

5. Everything is Illuminated: Frodo searching for his Ukranian roots? Sounds good to me. Not good enough for me to have seen it for the couple of weeks it's already out, but still, on the see list. Any hope that his Ukranian roots will include the football hooligan Charlie Hunnam?

6. In Her Shoes: Not much interest in chick flicks, but I read the book and didn't hate it (didn't love it either) and it's playing right next door.

I think I'll move into a movie theater.

Cornucopia of Movies: What to do, what to do

As of today, there are six movies in the theater I want to see. When am I ever going to get the time? :)

(and non VM people breathe a sigh of relief):

Here they are in order of my wanting to see them:

1. Green Street Hooligans: A movie with Charlie Hunnam (drool, drool, drool) and Eljah Wood (fangirl squee) as football hooligans? Yes please. Plus, I love the poster in the metro station. And who says advertising doesn't work. Especially when said advertising is Charlie Hunnam (who should be forced to reproduce for the good of human race) and Elijah Wood (who I adore, even if it's in "give him soup and blankets" kinda way), looking all grimy, violent, and intense. I mean, it's Nicholas Nickleby and Frodo kicking ass!

2. Proof: I love the concept of it: a mathematician's daughter trying to deal with the fear of going insane, some love stuff, and oh yeah, a mathematical proof. It's such an intelligent play and I just want to see something that really makes me think and feel at the same time.

3. Elizabethtown: And speaking of Lord of the Rings alums. It's Orlando! With an American accent. The movie itself looks really nice and cute and funny, and hey, even if it sucks, the eye candy will compensate.

4. Wallace and Gromit: This is more of Husband's thing than mine, but how can you dislike claymation? Come on, it's like killing puppies.

5. Everything is Illuminated: Frodo searching for his Ukranian roots? Sounds good to me. Not good enough for me to have seen it for the couple of weeks it's already out, but still, on the see list. Any hope that his Ukranian roots will include the football hooligan Charlie Hunnam?

6. In Her Shoes: Not much interest in chick flicks, but I read the book and didn't hate it (didn't love it either) and it's playing right next door.

I think I'll move into a movie theater.

Thought on Logan's self-destructive acting out

And yes, I know no one has any interest. But at least this time it's brief.

I keep thinking that Logan's self-destructive behavior stems from the same place as his designed-to-provoke comments do. It proves to him he matters. It means people notice him, even if they only notice him to hurt him or lash back at him, or whatever. If Big Dick notices him by getting him for screwing his wife, at least it means he notices Logan exists. He keeps provoking Weevil all through S1, Veronica throughout, because he wants their reaction. He hates most being invisible, unimportant. Watch him push Duncan's buttons in this week's episode until he gets that outburst. He doesn't care if the reaction is negative, as long as it's there. In fact, I am sure the self-loathing part of him craves the negative reaction. He just wants to register (and it's interesting that the one time we see him drop the "push buttons" act was when he was dating Veronica, because yes, then he knew he was visible and important to someone without having to go to the unpleasantness place). Logan can deal with hate. He can't take indifference.

I really do think it has a lot to do with Aaron, and not just because Aaron and Lynn's parenting gave him the self-esteem issues so he always needs external validation. If you think about it, Aaron was a largely absent father, and considering how self-absorbed he was, I think the most attention he ever paid to Logan was during the abuse. So we have a situation where Logan's (rather natural) craving for attention ended up being mixed up with all sorts of fucked-up stuff. It would be so simple if Logan just hated Aaron, but the problem is that there is love in there too, however screwed up and poisoned. Just watch him act out after Lynn's death. He is pushing all the buttons he can as if he is almost asking for a beating (and watch him with Big Dick at the gun range, the way he is acting is once again, as if he is missing and trying to re-enact the Aaron-Logan dynamic, with BD=Aaron, only this time Logan's cheating with his SO). Because the sad thing is, the guy is very neglected, and he just wants to connect, even if it's dysfunctional. I bet one of Aaron's little justifications was "I beat you because I care about what you do. If I didn't care at all, I'd let everything slide", so in some perverse way, the fact that the person hurts you=you are important to them, is really stuck in Logan's mind (even if you are only important as someone to hate).

Thought on Logan's self-destructive acting out

And yes, I know no one has any interest. But at least this time it's brief.

I keep thinking that Logan's self-destructive behavior stems from the same place as his designed-to-provoke comments do. It proves to him he matters. It means people notice him, even if they only notice him to hurt him or lash back at him, or whatever. If Big Dick notices him by getting him for screwing his wife, at least it means he notices Logan exists. He keeps provoking Weevil all through S1, Veronica throughout, because he wants their reaction. He hates most being invisible, unimportant. Watch him push Duncan's buttons in this week's episode until he gets that outburst. He doesn't care if the reaction is negative, as long as it's there. In fact, I am sure the self-loathing part of him craves the negative reaction. He just wants to register (and it's interesting that the one time we see him drop the "push buttons" act was when he was dating Veronica, because yes, then he knew he was visible and important to someone without having to go to the unpleasantness place). Logan can deal with hate. He can't take indifference.

I really do think it has a lot to do with Aaron, and not just because Aaron and Lynn's parenting gave him the self-esteem issues so he always needs external validation. If you think about it, Aaron was a largely absent father, and considering how self-absorbed he was, I think the most attention he ever paid to Logan was during the abuse. So we have a situation where Logan's (rather natural) craving for attention ended up being mixed up with all sorts of fucked-up stuff. It would be so simple if Logan just hated Aaron, but the problem is that there is love in there too, however screwed up and poisoned. Just watch him act out after Lynn's death. He is pushing all the buttons he can as if he is almost asking for a beating (and watch him with Big Dick at the gun range, the way he is acting is once again, as if he is missing and trying to re-enact the Aaron-Logan dynamic, with BD=Aaron, only this time Logan's cheating with his SO). Because the sad thing is, the guy is very neglected, and he just wants to connect, even if it's dysfunctional. I bet one of Aaron's little justifications was "I beat you because I care about what you do. If I didn't care at all, I'd let everything slide", so in some perverse way, the fact that the person hurts you=you are important to them, is really stuck in Logan's mind (even if you are only important as someone to hate).

Thought on Logan's self-destructive acting out

And yes, I know no one has any interest. But at least this time it's brief.

I keep thinking that Logan's self-destructive behavior stems from the same place as his designed-to-provoke comments do. It proves to him he matters. It means people notice him, even if they only notice him to hurt him or lash back at him, or whatever. If Big Dick notices him by getting him for screwing his wife, at least it means he notices Logan exists. He keeps provoking Weevil all through S1, Veronica throughout, because he wants their reaction. He hates most being invisible, unimportant. Watch him push Duncan's buttons in this week's episode until he gets that outburst. He doesn't care if the reaction is negative, as long as it's there. In fact, I am sure the self-loathing part of him craves the negative reaction. He just wants to register (and it's interesting that the one time we see him drop the "push buttons" act was when he was dating Veronica, because yes, then he knew he was visible and important to someone without having to go to the unpleasantness place). Logan can deal with hate. He can't take indifference.

I really do think it has a lot to do with Aaron, and not just because Aaron and Lynn's parenting gave him the self-esteem issues so he always needs external validation. If you think about it, Aaron was a largely absent father, and considering how self-absorbed he was, I think the most attention he ever paid to Logan was during the abuse. So we have a situation where Logan's (rather natural) craving for attention ended up being mixed up with all sorts of fucked-up stuff. It would be so simple if Logan just hated Aaron, but the problem is that there is love in there too, however screwed up and poisoned. Just watch him act out after Lynn's death. He is pushing all the buttons he can as if he is almost asking for a beating (and watch him with Big Dick at the gun range, the way he is acting is once again, as if he is missing and trying to re-enact the Aaron-Logan dynamic, with BD=Aaron, only this time Logan's cheating with his SO). Because the sad thing is, the guy is very neglected, and he just wants to connect, even if it's dysfunctional. I bet one of Aaron's little justifications was "I beat you because I care about what you do. If I didn't care at all, I'd let everything slide", so in some perverse way, the fact that the person hurts you=you are important to them, is really stuck in Logan's mind (even if you are only important as someone to hate).

Weird hair and Odder Ornaments: Taj Mahal

Yes, Bollywood has finally made a movie about Taj Mahal, or the love affair that led to it, precisely. The movie probably won't be earth-shattering, but with the sets and costumes and me being a sucker for period, I am definitely seeing it.

Here are some stills, involving elaborate head-dresses, romance-novel poses, and more jewelry than in Tiffanys:

( Pictures here )

Weird hair and Odder Ornaments: Taj Mahal

Yes, Bollywood has finally made a movie about Taj Mahal, or the love affair that led to it, precisely. The movie probably won't be earth-shattering, but with the sets and costumes and me being a sucker for period, I am definitely seeing it.

Here are some stills, involving elaborate head-dresses, romance-novel poses, and more jewelry than in Tiffanys:

( Pictures here )

Weird hair and Odder Ornaments: Taj Mahal

Yes, Bollywood has finally made a movie about Taj Mahal, or the love affair that led to it, precisely. The movie probably won't be earth-shattering, but with the sets and costumes and me being a sucker for period, I am definitely seeing it.

Here are some stills, involving elaborate head-dresses, romance-novel poses, and more jewelry than in Tiffanys:

( Pictures here )