Fumoffu and LENGTHY Veronica Mars spec

[dangermousie]

I am reading the guidebook for Japan in preparation for my trip, and it's making me despair, as a month wouldn't be enough to see everything I want to see, and we only have a bit over a week. Also, one of my closest friends in going to be in Japan in June for two and a half weeks (she is visiting her sister who is working as a doctor in Tokyo) and I wish she and I could have been visiting at the same time.

I also watched some more of FUMOFFU and it continues to be gut-bustingly hilarious. Sousuke/Kaname are hitting all my OTP kinks. They have the humor and the romance and the cluenessness and the hot and the angst and heavy metal armor. What more could you want? And I love that the show keeps showing that they are totally right for each other. I watched the ep where she went out on a date with a former crush (and poor Sousuke was so completely unhappy and flustered and didn't know why. It was adorable). And the crush thought she was too outspoken and her words really did get them in trouble. Sooner or later, they would have broke up because she was too in your face (and also, the date, while a nice guy, had no firepower to back Chidori's forcefullness). While Sousuke takes her in-your-facedness completely in stride and can definitely protect her. The bit where he wants to rescue her during the date, but the friend says Chidori would be even more mad, so he steals the carnival costume and rescues her that way, is hilarious and adorable. And of course Chidori realizes who it is, and she is so touched and of course, the 'real' date goes nowhere. And she finds the dejected Sousuke (still in costume) and she pretends she doesn't know who it is and tells him she went on a date and it didn't work. And that there is this guy who asked her how she was feeling today and it made her happy (aka Sousuke). And she touches his costume paw and walks off. It's adorable.

That's the thing. Sousuke might be clueless to compliments or even his own feelings, but there is no question he is there for her when it counts. See the bit where she is freaking out that he doesn't notice her new bikini, but the ep ends up with him braving attackers etc to 'rescue' her. And then, he picks her up in his arms and jumps over a cliff and they float off into the sunset on a mini hot-air-baloon and he tells her he came because he was concerned for her, and she realizes (once again), that his exasperating "I am from weird world" behavior aside, he really really cares for her, even though he can't show it normally. I love them. But I would love for them to finally kiss. Please. Save me from misery.

Oh, and I am still thinking about the latest episode of Veronica Mars. I am back on the rabid badwagon, which is too, too sad. I am also beginning to think about the endgame, as far as the mystery is concerned.



First off, L/V. I've rewatched the dance a little too much for it to be healthy. But I love it. The way Logan stills when Veronica (very awkwardly) puts her arms around his neck. It's clear he was just expecting snark or just to stand there. The way they are so uncomfortable but then slowly begin to sort of melt into each other. The way they stand still for a moment, not dancing at all. The way his hands are so light and uncertain on her waist. Whoa. Evil, evil RT! After over 10 happy eps of not being a shipper, I am back into the fold. Baaaaaad.

And here comes my thought on this season's mysteries. Well, largely it's my husband's thoughts (because, heeee, he likes VM).

He thinks that this year's mastermind is Beaver. And after a nice and long discussion, here is my (or our) hypothethis.

Beaver really acts like someone who's been sexually abused. The fact that a boy doesn't want to sleep with a girl, might, in other circumstances, indicate that he is gay and just not interested in girls. But this isn't the case here. If he was gay and trying to conceal it, he would not only TRY to get laid, as opposed to freezing up when the topic comes up, but also, he wouldn't date the nerdy computer genius Mac, dating of whom gives him no coolness points, and in fact makes his brother mock him. He'd date one of the vapid 09er girls. Cassidy clearly likes Mac. He asked her out on dates despite her lack of popularity (and they are dating), and just look at the two of them dancing and tell me he isn't really crushing on her.

But the thing with him is, once you get to a certain point, it's like hitting a wall. And that point comes up whenever sex (potential sex) is involved. And it's more than simple "I am not ready and I might be embarassed" reaction. It's waaaay more extreme and absolute than that.

And then remember that flashback in ATttD. When Dick brought Beaver to the room with unconscious Veronica for the boy to sleep with her. And Beaver instead waited for his brother to leave, and then pulled Veronica's skirt down, ran out and was sick on Carrie Bishop's shoes. Now, not wanting to sleep with an unconscious girl does not, in itself, prove anything, except for the fact that he isn't a scumbag rapist. But throwing up? Isn't it a bit extreme? It made me think. What if you take someone who's been sexually abused (though I doubt Dick knows anything, if Cassidy really is a victim) and tell him "here, you can abuse someone in your turn." That could totally make someone sick.

OK. Fine. Poor sweet Cassidy (who, nontheless, gives a pretty odd vibe very often. Something is seriously wrong with that boy. And I am not talking just "my father prefers my idiot brother" wrong) was possibly sexually abused. But what does it have to do with the season's mysteries?

Well, the big theme running through this season is real estate speculation. Real estate fraud of Big Dick (Cassidy and Dick's Dad). Cassidy's own real estate dealings. Incorporation by Mayor Woody that would drive the prices of the areas outside the incorporated territory sharply down and so on.

And we already saw that Big Dick isn't above using family members to further his dealings. He used Kendall to transmit money to the assessor for a pay-off. What if he used Cassidy to sweeten the pot for Woody? It's clear after 2.17 that Woody likes members of same sex. And, considering he was coming on to Logan, it's clear he likes them young. I am not saying that Big Dick sent Cassidy there all tied up for the Mayor to have his way. But if Woody came on to the boy, and stuff happened (Logan is clearly tough enough to tell the Mayor to go take a hike if the Mayor tried anything more. But Cassidy is a lot more easily intimidated. And younger. And smaller), I can see Big Dick thinking "this is the cost of doing business" and ignoring it.

OK. Now let's think about something else. Cassidy is, if nothing else, very smart. They keep emphasizing. What if the pay-off for his keeping quiet about Woody's preferences is his getting on the ground floor of whatever scheme Woody is running (real-estate related), Or, even, what if the scam, whatever it is, is actually Cassidy's. And he is pushing Woody into it? Woody doesn't seem to be brainy (and hey, looking at Gia, lack of brains runs in the family). That would also explain Cassidy's indifference to Kendall saying she might try to cheat him. He's got 'friends' in high places who could restrain her.

What kind of scam are they running, btw? There is a number of scams it could be. For example, a real estate scam could be this way: Cassidy is buying all the properties on the 'wrong' (not to be incorporated) part of town, for very depressed prices, because everyone is expecting the values to plummet after incorporation. Then, Woody cancells incorporation at the last moment, and all the prices go way up, and Cassidy could sell for a huge profit.

What does that have to do with the bus crash, then? I think, the bus crush was a Fitzpatrick thing (for whatever reason. To get rid of Cervando etc). I think Woody brought in Fitzpatricks to help him deal with more unsavory elements of the plan (he really isn't too bright, is he?) Alternatively, he could have been trying to get rid of Cassidy and it didn't work because of the limo.

The above would also explain why Cassidy got really upset when Mac told him she talked to Veronica. He was unhappy before (and, honestly, Mac, the crowded lunch period is not the time to discuss your boyfriend's sexual shortcomings. Though of course, she is freaking out herself because she thinks it's about her lack of attractiveness), but he only became livid when Veronica was brought up. I think it's because he doesn't want her to look into the whole situation too closely.

Then, we have the fact that Cassidy seems to be very effective about getting even (see re: Dick). Heck, maybe he even orchestrated getting rid of Big Dick. And he has a very unemotive facade, in many ways.

This could (and likely is) a completely cracktastic theory, but I just wanted to get it out there.

Comments

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

I've realized that FMP is one of the few anime that really could be turned into a movie and work (sans the metal armor part). Most anime are far too detailed to be turned into movies, but FMP works even if you leave out some stuff because the basic theory of the show works.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yup. It would make a pretty great sci-fi movie. Or even a TV show. Argh, they need to do that.

[80sfiend.livejournal.com]

Your theory isn't cracktastic at all..I've thought that Beaver was behind the bus crash for awhile now too but I didn't have a motive...and after the Woody/Logan scene and the Mac/Beaver stuff, I also think that Beaver was molested by Woody. But I think it was when he was little. Remember how Woody was a little league coach? And the pictures on the wall during the stalker video are of little league teams...so yes, I think your theory is entirely plausible. Either Beaver set up the bus crash to frame Woody and get revenge, or Woody was trying to off Beaver so that he wouldn't be able to mess up his plans. Here's the theory I posted about Beaver on March 17th if you want to check that out:http://community.livejournal.com/veronica_mars/892805.html#cutid1

I'd change some stuff in it in regards to motive etc...now that new info/clues have been revealed, but still, I think it's a good theory. :)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I like your theory. And you are right, I'd forgotten Woody was a Little League coach, so (if Cassidy was on the team), he could have molested him. It does seem that he likes his 'partners' a bit more grown up than a Little Leaguer, though. I mean, Logan's 18, but there is a huge diff between 18 and 11 as far as appeal.

[queenmargot.livejournal.com]

I like this too, and remember Gia told Lamb that her father told her not to take the bus home.

[girlintheattic.livejournal.com]

I think your ideas about Cassidy and the abuse are very interesting. It wouldn't surprise me if you're onto something there... One thing that puzzles me? His 'revenge' on Dick. Within the context of his potential sexual abuse it seems odd that he would choose to punish his brother with some kind of sexual humiliation - or maybe it makes sense? Hmm. Anyway, interesting stuff!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Well, sexual humiliation is different: Dick is clearly conscious and willing. And, of course, his abuse (if any) could tie to his thinking that sexually humiliating someone is the most effective thing. Sort of spread the misery around and be generous with pushing off your issues on others (I know you aren't into anime, but this sort of behavior really reminds me of the Big Bad of "Fushigi Yuugi" who was sexually abused when he was younger).

[emily-anne.livejournal.com]

Beaver really acts like someone who's been sexually abused.

That was my thought exactly when I watched the episode. There's been a lot of speculation on other boards (TWoP in particular) about him being gay but that just doesn't seem right, for the reasons you give. Plus, if they were going to reveal that he's gay, they missed an ideal opportunity in Versatile Toppings to at least drop some hints about it. His pissed off insistence to Mac that he "knows what he's doing" is another hint for me that he's been sexually abused in some way.

But Cassidy being the mastermind/big bad or involved in the bus crash at all? I don't know. The thing with Aaron being the murderer last season was that he was introduced as being psychotic and violent right from the start and then his connections to Lily and his motive were unravelled slowly. It made perfect sense in hindsight. With Cassidy, sure he's a smart guy and he definitely takes no prisoners, but for him to be capable of something as awful as that would come way too far out of left field for my liking and I don't think that's how the VM writers work. And what good would it do him to kill all those people?

Alternatively, he could have been trying to get rid of Cassidy and it didn't work because of the limo.

I can't remember the exact details of this (I need to download and rewatch the first eps of the season) but didn't Woody encourage Gia to go in the limo? He must have known that Cassidy would go in it too, so the bus crash can't have been meant for him.

I do wonder if Cassidy perhaps knows or at least suspects more about the circumstances of the bus crash than he's letting on, but I think it's going too far to say he was involved.

Cassidy is buying all the properties on the 'wrong' (not to be incorporated) part of town, for very depressed prices, because everyone is expecting the values to plummet after incorporation. Then, Woody cancells incorporation at the last moment, and all the prices go way up, and Cassidy could sell for a huge profit.

But then why the worried face when the teacher explained what would happen to the house prices after incorporation? I don't know enough about real estate to offer any more speculation than, if there is a scam then he's trying to ruin/expose/get revenge on Woody.

Of course it could just be that I love The Beav too much to want him to be evil!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't think The Beav is evil. Nor do I think he is responsible for the bus crash. I think the crash is purely the Fitzpatrick fun (though I guess Cassidy could be indirectly responsible because he is the one who got Woody involved in the real estate spec and Woody brought in the Fiztpatricks, blah blah blah). I agree, I don't think he is a cold-blooded psycho.

why the worried face when the teacher explained what would happen to the house prices after incorporation

Hmmmm. Puzzling. I need to rewatch that ep. Memory is not so good any more :)

I really do hope he wasn't sexually abused, because I do like the boy. Barring aby revelations of his being Teh Ebil Bus Crasher (which I think are unlikely), he is the only decent member of the Casablancas family.

[jack-vegas.livejournal.com]

I think maybe you have something with Big Dick offering up Cassidy for the mayor.

I remember what he told logan in the episode where they went shooting.
"When I'm at work, family doesn't exist. sounds harsh? Well when I'm at home, work doesn't exist"

or a long those lines. i can't be certain i have it exactly right but that was the gist of it.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yup, I remember that quote. Big Dick doesn't strike me as someone who'll let the family sentiment prevent him from getting ahead. And then there is the fact that he feels such a contempt for Beaver, in the first place (could be as a result of his knowledge of the abuse, or the reason for his not caring in the first place).

I may be crazy

[(Anonymous)]

But how could the Beav kill those kids...I just don't believe it.
He was the one that finally told VM about Logan leaving Mexico early.
He was the one who could not molest an unconscious Veronica.
He was the one that could not look VM in the eye when Logan lied about what he, Dick and Cassidy were going to do with all that gasoline.

Re: I may be crazy

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I don't think Beaver is responsible for the bus crash (except indirectly, by getting Woody involved in his schemes, and then Woody using the Fitzpatricks) but I do think he is connected to the mysteries somehow.

[thekatebeyond.livejournal.com]

I don't find this theory any more cracktastic than... well, the actual storylines. :-)

I agree that it seems much more likely that Cassidy was molested than for him to be gay, for the reasons you very clearly define. It's a very interesting idea about Cassidy and Woody. The way Woody was feeling Logan up did seem too blatantly weird to be meaningless in the grand scheme of things. And I seem to remember that there was something a while back that made me think Woody's relationship with his son was a little sketchy - though now I can't think what that was. (But now I'm thinking maybe Woody and Meg's dad should get together and go bowling.)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

The way Woody was feeling Logan up did seem too blatantly weird to be meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

Yup. And it WAS in the same ep where we found out about Cassidy's hang-ups.

Yes, I agree, the way he reacted to his son was really odd. The son was all quiet and clearly cowed (though I think even more by his mother). The whole behavior of that little kid reminded me of the way Logan was with Aaron at the second half of "Return of the Kane," where he was clearly unreasoningly terrified out of his wits.

[danceswithwords.livejournal.com]

I've seen the theory of Woody as child molester, and likely molester of Beaver, floating around lately and I think it's quite plausible. On top of the points you've already made about Beaver's behavior, Woody's relationship with his own son has some pretty strange dynamics and is very different from his relationship with Gia--Gia seems pretty well adjusted, while the son, who we really only got glimpses of, seemed terrified and withdrawn, and there was some weird triangulation between Woody, the son, and the mother.

I still go back and forth on whether Beaver understood the implications of incorporation on real estate values. It's possible that he did. But if he didn't, and Woody molested him when he was younger, he might have a powerful well of hidden animosity against him. Hm.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Woody's relationship with his own son has some pretty strange dynamics and is very different from his relationship with Gia--Gia seems pretty well adjusted, while the son, who we really only got glimpses of, seemed terrified and withdrawn, and there was some weird triangulation between Woody, the son, and the mother.


That's true. The very weird family dynamics remind me a bit of the Echolls family dynamics last year. Only worse, because Logan is in his late teens and the Goodman son is a little kid.

[kabutar.livejournal.com]

they would have broke up because she was too in your face (and also, the date, while a nice guy, had no firepower to back Chidori's forcefullness

So I have no clue what fandom you're talking about XD But this is totally a big selling point (or non selling point!) for me with a ship. If one of them can't match the other... they're not going anywhere. You cant have a compelling relationship with one person stomping all over the other XD

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's a huge selling point for me too, to have both parties be on an equal playing field. It's silly if one of them can walk all over the other in some way.

[redrogue9.livejournal.com]

Fumoffu
The scene where Sousuke is on the roof, yelling FUMO!!, is one of the hilarious moments of the series. I love it so much. I don't know if you watch the ep with the horse, but I loved the part where they were communicating with each other and Chidori hits over the head.

Veronica Mars
Your cracktastic theory totally makes sense and I will cry is it actually turns out to be true. I like Beaver way too much.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Nope, haven't gotten to the horse bit. Sousuke only saying "Fumo" was hilarious.

And yeah, I like Cassidy too.

[musiclily88.livejournal.com]

This is probably the best and most coherent speculation involving Beaver and Woody and the sexual abuse thing-- especially because it involves Big Dick (whether he allowed it or mentioned it first, whatever) and the fact that Logan is tough enough to fight back if Woody came onto him more forcefully.

You also pointed out good reasons why Beaver probably ISN'T gay-- which I hadn't previously heard someone do. Your reasoning makes a lot of sense.

As for Mac dealing with the whole thing during lunch: bad move on her part, though I do understand that she needed to say SOMETHING. I don't think she should have mentioned Veronica to him at all-- for one, it's bringing someone else into their sex lives (which is creepy in itself), and we as viewers know about his encounter with Veronica at Shelley's party.

Overall, this makes so much sense it's scary. I almost don't want to examine it too closely-- I like Cassidy so much! I don't think he's behind the bus crash, but I definitely agree that he has major issues.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I like Cassidy so much!

So do I. I will be quite sad if it does turn out he's been abused (not only does no kid deserve that, I like Cassidy in and of himself as well), but the scary thing is, I could see it making perfect sense.

I don't think she should have mentioned Veronica to him at all-- for one, it's bringing someone else into their sex lives (which is creepy in itself), and we as viewers know about his encounter with Veronica at Shelley's party.

Yes. Even if Cassidy's problem was nothing than a bit of insecure nerves, he would have gotten immensely upset that his gf shared his problems with another girl. Guys are (understandably) sensitive on the topic. And if he really WAS abused, than this is an extra extra sore point with him. And yes, the fact of Shelley's party is an extra wrench in the works. For all her knows, Veronica told Mac about it. Though the conversation goes South pretty badly, I actually don't blame Mac. She is trying, and after all, she doesn't have any experience, and she is young, and she is unsure, and she really likes Beaver.

the fact that Logan is tough enough to fight back if Woody came onto him more forcefully.

Yes. Logan is no push-over. He even fought back (verbally) with his father, and that was his long-term abuser and he knew how snark might very well end.

I think Woody's patheticness really comes through in that scene. What did he think was going to happen? Not only was Logan going to spontaneously discover that "Gee. I like men now, all of a sudden" but he was also going to discover "and I like them middle-aged and paunchy." I mean, really. That trying to pick up Logan so crudely really showcased the guy's really strong tastes.

[dmhawkeye.livejournal.com]

you make some really interesting points, some which i never though of.
i agree that i think Beav is up to no good in SOMETHING, but i doubt hes the ringleader villain of this season.
and woody liking boys? i didnt quite see that.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

and woody liking boys? i didnt quite see that.

To me, he came across as hitting on Logan. But YMMV.

[muffinkath7.livejournal.com]

It sounds perfectly plausible to me, and fits with something I was talking to angela_o last night. I do think that Woody abused Beav, but I don't think Big Dick let it happen. I think he might have coached him in little league or something (Angela suggested that this was why the team pics were emphasized on Wednesday, to remind people that Woody coached).

I would not be surprised if this all turned out accurate.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

The coaching thing does make a lot of sense. It would certainly give Woody a lot of access to victims.