Season 1, Episode 5
Date of airing: October 26, 2004 (UPN)
Nielsen ratings information: 2.73 million viewers, 1.7 rating/2 share in Households, 1.2 rating/3 share with Adults 18-49
Written by: Dayna Lynne North
Directed by: Nick Gomez
”Can you just tell me it's another reason, like a crappy one? Your being a good father isn't really something I can bitch about to my girlfriends over margaritas.”
VERONICA MARS, the murder-mystery private-eye high school drama set in a rich San Diego neighborhood, also has stereotypical soap opera storylines. Or at least it's what the show is about to have, judging by how Lianne reacted to Veronica dating Duncan in the flashbacks. One bad, worrying face of Lianne's, and suddenly I'm thinking that Duncan may be more than just a Kane kid – if Lianne was already worried about her daughter dating the Kane boy, it can only mean potential incest. VERONICA MARS, the show that probably just introduced a plot in which Veronica and Duncan, former lovers, are related by blood.
Troy has been a solid boyfriend to Veronica these past few episodes, giving her an opportunity to forget all about Duncan, get distracted from her best friend's murder, and experience what life is like when your heart belongs to someone else. How interesting then that Troy was written as the villain in this episode, and shipped off to boot camp, as if the character was suddenly kicked out of the show for whatever reason. Maybe Aaron Ashmore was always destined to be in four episodes of the show, but maybe something else transpired behind the scenes that necessitated the removal of Veronica's boyfriend.
Although I don't think it's the latter, because the story of Veronica and Keith checking upon the other's love interest made for interesting conflict material between father and daughter, and that is a story you don't just bring as a last resort because you needed to fill the episodes due to an actor leaving the show. Plus, Veronica and Keith should have conflicts more often in the show – they are way too good as a team that it could get boring quickly, there needs to be drama in their story to keep the show fresh, and the viewers engaged.
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| The most drama-free break-up of drama TV shows. |
