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dangermousieAnd we come to one of my Top 10 VM eps, "An Echolls Family Christmas."
I must admit, the fake-drunken, singing Duncan is fun (though Donut, don't ogle your friend's Mom in front of his face, shouldn't you know it would bug him? Weevil shows more understanding than you!).
And of course, the contast between Keith and Veronica, having a loving if shabby and home-made xmas what with putting V's homemade ornaments on the tree and the giant orchastrated, impersonal production Lynn Echolls puts on. The whole ep is about appeareances versus reality really. The apparance Aaron gives off of being a devoted husband (I do think Lynn didn't know about the serial infidelity before this and this is what pushed her over the edge), and his lying even when he doesn't need to, to Keith (how indicative of his sheer rotten core, just as you see him having no problem making small talk with Jake and Celeste. And boy, do I feel sorry for Jake) versus a reality of him being an ultimate slut-bag (four women in the same night?). The reality of Sean being a butler's son versus his pretense of being rich.
There is further dysfunction in the family: witness how quietly horrified Logan is about his mother showing off for his friends or how Sean's barb about Connor being the son Aaron never had hits home and draws blood. Because that is the saddest thing, IMO. Twisted as the feeling is, Logan can't help but love his father (witness his horrified face as he dials 911. He is only a kid after all), and that's why all the Aaron-related stuff fucks him up so badly. And oh, the irony of Keith being the one to save Aaron's life.
There is the bit with Duncan and Logan 'break up' and how badly it affects Logan facade or not, and it's such a lovely foreshadowing of early S2. Duncan is pretty judgmental and jumped to conclusions double fast, didn't he? And of course, this time, with 44 eps of VM under my belt, it's even more evident that the thief could never be Logan because the boy is, with all his flaws, not a liar, never a liar. And scamming someone of money is the last thing he'd ever do. If he wants to do something, you know it, sometimes much too loud. In S2, he only does the Hannah thing out of sheer desperation and even then, he breaks it down by liking her. So yeah, not underhanded at all. Also, not subtle :P
There is also that little bit with Lynn and Keith which subtly reiterates the point that Logan and Veronica used to hang out and that Logan has changed a lot since Lilly's death. And I love Logan's grin as it proves V is good at cards. Actually, this whole ep bristles with L/V chemistry. The scene in the guesthouse is just...I could rewatch the snark and the fun forever.
Also, Ho!Yay continues like mad. Weevil to Logan (re: cigar): "You seem pretty comfortable with that thing in your mouth." Indeed. And Duncan and Logan in the identical underwear (DID they call each other?) And Logan to Weevil: "If you are asking me to the Prom, the answer is still no." love my show.
Also, how funny is that when Connor is stripped, he checks his own reflection in the glass.
Silence of the Lamb is not a huge favorite, but I love the interplay between Keith and Lamb (all those zingers) and we meet Deputy Leo for the first time. But I especially love the Mac/Madison switched at birth stuff, continuing the theme of families we choose versus blood families.
I must admit, the fake-drunken, singing Duncan is fun (though Donut, don't ogle your friend's Mom in front of his face, shouldn't you know it would bug him? Weevil shows more understanding than you!).
And of course, the contast between Keith and Veronica, having a loving if shabby and home-made xmas what with putting V's homemade ornaments on the tree and the giant orchastrated, impersonal production Lynn Echolls puts on. The whole ep is about appeareances versus reality really. The apparance Aaron gives off of being a devoted husband (I do think Lynn didn't know about the serial infidelity before this and this is what pushed her over the edge), and his lying even when he doesn't need to, to Keith (how indicative of his sheer rotten core, just as you see him having no problem making small talk with Jake and Celeste. And boy, do I feel sorry for Jake) versus a reality of him being an ultimate slut-bag (four women in the same night?). The reality of Sean being a butler's son versus his pretense of being rich.
There is further dysfunction in the family: witness how quietly horrified Logan is about his mother showing off for his friends or how Sean's barb about Connor being the son Aaron never had hits home and draws blood. Because that is the saddest thing, IMO. Twisted as the feeling is, Logan can't help but love his father (witness his horrified face as he dials 911. He is only a kid after all), and that's why all the Aaron-related stuff fucks him up so badly. And oh, the irony of Keith being the one to save Aaron's life.
There is the bit with Duncan and Logan 'break up' and how badly it affects Logan facade or not, and it's such a lovely foreshadowing of early S2. Duncan is pretty judgmental and jumped to conclusions double fast, didn't he? And of course, this time, with 44 eps of VM under my belt, it's even more evident that the thief could never be Logan because the boy is, with all his flaws, not a liar, never a liar. And scamming someone of money is the last thing he'd ever do. If he wants to do something, you know it, sometimes much too loud. In S2, he only does the Hannah thing out of sheer desperation and even then, he breaks it down by liking her. So yeah, not underhanded at all. Also, not subtle :P
There is also that little bit with Lynn and Keith which subtly reiterates the point that Logan and Veronica used to hang out and that Logan has changed a lot since Lilly's death. And I love Logan's grin as it proves V is good at cards. Actually, this whole ep bristles with L/V chemistry. The scene in the guesthouse is just...I could rewatch the snark and the fun forever.
Also, Ho!Yay continues like mad. Weevil to Logan (re: cigar): "You seem pretty comfortable with that thing in your mouth." Indeed. And Duncan and Logan in the identical underwear (DID they call each other?) And Logan to Weevil: "If you are asking me to the Prom, the answer is still no." love my show.
Also, how funny is that when Connor is stripped, he checks his own reflection in the glass.
Silence of the Lamb is not a huge favorite, but I love the interplay between Keith and Lamb (all those zingers) and we meet Deputy Leo for the first time. But I especially love the Mac/Madison switched at birth stuff, continuing the theme of families we choose versus blood families.
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no subject
Date: 2006-06-29 12:20 pm (UTC)Your post just made me realize something else about this episode. There's a nice contrast between Veronica/Keith and Sean as far as reality too. The former accept their position in life and try to make the best out of it whereas Sean does everything he can to maintain the facade that he's in the same position. All just highlighting that it is character much more than your position in life that really matters.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-29 03:13 pm (UTC)That's a really neat point about Sean, and I haven't thought about it before at all!
There is also the fact that Logan actually takes back a person vey easily if they indicate they want to be taken back (with Duncan at the end) which I think it kinda a foreshadowing of his Veronica dating pattern.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-29 09:11 pm (UTC)I love that little moment. It's kind of mirrored later when Aaron is driving V home in 120, and he says that Logan "used to be such a good kid."
Duncan also references it in this ep, when he says Logan has been going over to the dark side, bit by bit. I love those little subtle character moments.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-29 09:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-30 07:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-01 08:39 am (UTC)And now i have a question, silly one, but it has been on me mind for so long. How exactly did Veronica figure out it was Sean? I mean, i saw the episode thousands of times, i pretty much understand all the words (i'm telling this just because English isn't my first language) and i still don't get it. Maybe there's something in the meaning i don't get?
Other than that, the ep is wonderful, and it's my favourite in s1, i think. I especially enjoy the end - No, Veronica, there is no Sante Claus - just because it sound so sad, and yeah, realistic.
Two phrases which i remember so clearly - *my friend* Veronica Mars and V as in *virgin*. That just sounds so... you know:)
no subject
Date: 2006-07-01 04:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-02 06:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-03 06:48 pm (UTC)