Veronica Mars, everybody's favorite teenage private investigator, is back in action. After an abrupt and unsatisfying series finale to the cult television hit aired 6 years ago on the CW, both series creator Rob Thomas and star Kristen Bell have been working hard to resurrect the show.
On March 13, Thomas and Bell's, along with every other Veronica Mars' fans, dream came true as a Kickstarter was launched to raise a money for the production of Veronica Mars: The Movie. The catch being that in order for the film to begin production in the summer they had to raise $2 million. Nearly 11 hours after Entertainment Weekly's Jeff Jensen broke the story that morning the campaign had reached their goal amount. Now, ten days later the film's Kickstarter campaign has raked in over $3.4 million, with 21 more days left on the ticker.
As for the film itself, Rob Thomas revealed in an interview with Huffington Post staff writer Chris Harnick what Veronica has been up to since we saw her walk into the rain in the season 3 finale:
In the nine years that have taken place in her life since then, she has not worked a case. In fact, she transferred from Hearst College to Stanford and then from Stanford to Columbia Law School and, as we see her again, she's starting to interview for jobs at big law firms in New York. She just got out of Columbia. We learn that not only has she not worked a case since then, she's not seen Logan since then. She's certainly kept up with Wallace [Percy Daggs III] and Mac [Tina Majorino] and she sees her dad [Keith played by Enrico Colantoni] as much as she can, but for the most part, she's put Neptune in the rear view mirror. There's something around page 10 of the movie that's going to bring her back to Neptune.
Also a reveal is that the plot of the film will revolve around Veronica's "10-year high school reunion" as it allowed him "a graceful way to include as many of the cast members as possible."
In honor of Veronica Mars: The Movie and its long and bumpy road to production, I have compiled the 11 best episodes of Veronica Mars, a list of Veronica's Best One-Liners, and as a second part to this post, a list of recognizable stars that had a guest spot on the series.
Top Eleven Best Episodes of Veronica Mars
Pilot - Season 1
Summary: Although it is very rare for a "pilot" episode of a television series makes the list of top episodes, the Veronica Mars "pilot" is just one of those exceptions to the norms of the television world. In the "pilot" viewers are immersed into the world of a not-so-average teen who has been dethroned from popularity, abandoned by her mother, working with her ex-sheriff father at his private investigation firm Mars Investigations, all while trying to solve the murder of her best friend and ex-boyfriend's sister Lily Kane (Amanda Seyfried).
Why It Makes The List: First off, it is a brilliant and engaging pilot. It is also a well thought-out and brilliantly written "pilot" episode viewers get a good idea on what is to come in the series, and get their first glimpse of just how crazy brilliant this cult TV show really is.
Most Memorable Line: Veronica Mars (Voiceover) - "Want to know how I lost my virginity? So do I."
You Think You Know Somebody - Season 1
Summary: Things are starting to look up for Veronica Mars; however when her boyfriend, Troy (Aaron Ashmore), Luke and Logan take a little trip to Tijuana things start to take a turn for the worse. During the course of Veronica's investigation into finding Troy's stolen car she discovers a few things about his past.
Why It Makes The List: The best thing about this episode is that the smart and sleuthing ways of Veronica Mars are exposed to viewers, along with a further look into the brilliance of the writing of the series. Also, what isn't better than a twist ending you never see coming?
Most Memorable Line: Veronica Mars (Voiceover) - "You know those people who can predict when change is coming in their life? I'm not one of them. Change has a way of just walking up and punching me in the face."
Hot Dog - Season 1
Summary: There is a dognapper afoot in Neptune, and out favorite spunky teen PI is on the case. After one of Veronica's shy classmates, Mandy's, dog gets goes missing she enlists Veronica's help to find her dog; however what at first seems like a simple missing dog case turns into a hunt to end a ring of dognappings.
Why It Makes The List: The greatest thing about this episode is that we see Veronica not only stands up for her unpopular classmate, but also goes above and beyond the call of duty (Mars-style) to crack the case and get her dog back. Also, Alyson Hannigan makes a guest appearance as Logan's sister Trina Echolls, an appearance that makes audiences warm up to Aaron Echolls (Harry Hamlin) a little more. However, the main reason this episode is on the list is because Veronica's soft side makes an appearance, because after all she is a marshmallow.
Most Memorable Line: Veronica Mars - "If you want people to leave you alone, Mandy, or better yet, treat you with respect, demand it. Make them."
A Trip To The Dentist - Season 1
Summary: Ever since the pilot episode both Veronica and viewers have been itching to find the answer as to who raped Veronica at Shelly Pomroy's party, this episode provides both parties with some much needed answers. The episode consists of Veronica piecing together the testimony from many of the party attendees about her actions, ultimately leading her to piece together the puzzle of that fuzzy night.
Why It Makes The List: This episode is a shining example of truly amazing television writing. It takes audiences through the night of the party through everyone's eyes, while also putting the viewers in Veronica's shoes as they learn what happened as she does. From one story to another, the anticipation builds in your gut to find out the truth behind what really happened to Veronica that night. Evoking feelings like these in viewers takes some serious skill.
Most Memorable Line: Veronica Mars - "I'm just thinking of all the ways I can destroy you."
Leave It To Beaver - Season 1
Summary: The first season finale is one action-packed and thrilling television episode. Going into this episode there are still multiple suspects that could have killed Lily Kane, but as the episode continues more and more facts and discoveries come to light and just when you think everyone is safe and the happy ending is near, things take a turn for the worst. In the final tumultuous fifteen minutes the mystery behind the murder of Lily Kane ultimately culminates in a thrilling finale that leaves audiences breathless.
Why It Makes The List: Besides being a thoroughly thrilling finale, this episode answers many burning questions posed at the start of the series and does so in an utterly shocking way. The season took audiences in several directions, showed them several possible suspects, however the one who is truly responsible is someone you would never have guessed nor suspected. Now, keeping audiences that far into the dark throughout a whole season is a difficult task, one that Veronica Mars mastered with ease.
Most Memorable Line: Lily - "Don't forget about me, Veronica."
Nobody Puts Baby In A Corner - Season 2
Summary: Duncan goes through Meg's hard drive and finds out that one of the kids she has been babysitting is being abused. In order to find the kid in question and rescue him/her from the abusive situation, Veronica takes over Meg's babysitting duties. Despite many surprising and disturbing babysitting jobs, Veronica finds that this issue hits much closer to home with Meg.
Why It Makes The List: This is the first episode where audiences begin to feel sympathy towards Sheriff Lamb. Up until this episode, Lamb was the horrible Sherrif that not only took Keith's job, but neglected to help Veronica after she reported her sexual assault; however in this episode viewers get to see the soft side to Lamb and the reason why he is so uncaring and mean. This episode marks a huge turning point in viewer's feelings towards Lamb and Michael Muhney nails this pivotal moment in his characters arc.
Most Memorable Line: Sheriff Lamb: "It's funny: I heard my father give that exact speech once."
Donut Run - Season 2
Summary: All is not well in paradise...with Meg passing on and leaving Duncan with a baby girl, Veronica is feeling a little neglected. After a very public break-up Duncan runs away with the baby, leaving Veronica to get arrested as an accomplice to Duncan's "kidnapping." With the Sheriff's department, FBI, and Vinnie Van Lowe grilling Veronica and endlessly hunting down Duncan, the twist that comes a three quarters of the way into the episode is more unexpected than ever. Then again, this is Veronica Mars, always expect the unexpected.
Why It Makes The List: The writing of this episode is beyond phenomenal, as three quarters of the way into the episode everything the viewer knew, or thought they knew, changes. The acting is amazing as the audience never suspects a thing when watching the episode, which makes the twist that much more surprising. Since this episode serves as a huge turning point for many characters and the climax for several story lines, it could not be anything less than brilliant. And once again, the Veronica Mars writers do not disappoint.
Most Memorable Line: Sheriff Lamb - "Before we go in there, you should probably know something about Veronica Mars. We need to be careful with this one. She's...slippery."
I Am God - Season 2
Summary: Haunted by the ghosts of her dead classmates, Veronica investigates the bus crash within her dreams hoping subconsciously she can solve the mystery. However, she realizes that the meanings behind some of her departed classmates' words to her are not as simple as they first seem, prompting Mars to do some of her famous sleuthing that she does so well.
Why It Makes The List: This episode is memorable for many reasons, one being that it is brilliantly shot as the director has there be a significant difference between the dream sequences and the sequences happening in real time. However, the dream sequences are not too surreal as to take us out of the episode, if fact it has the opposite affect as it draws the audience further in and makes them feel as though they are on the bus with Veronica. The other reason this episode is fantastic is because the writing is brilliant, there is so much foreshadowing in the dialogue between Veronica and her classmates, that makes watching this episode after the season 2 finale makes it even more thrilling and compelling.
Most Memorable Line: Veronica - "You can take the girl out of the trash, but you can't take the trash out of the girl. Oh, the time and effort she's saved me."
Happy Go Lucky - Season 2
Summary: Graduation day is nearing for Neptune High, yet things seem more sinister than ever. As recently fired Neptune High janitor Tommy "Lucky" Dohanic (James Jordan) decides to go postal one afternoon in the cafeteria and the Aaron Echolls trail is getting closer to its verdict, things are chaotic in Neptune. While no one at Neptune High was injured in Lucky's outburst, new facts surrounding the bus crash do come to light, a light that shines quite harshly on Neptune Mayor Woody Goodman (Steve Guttenberg). Toggling between the new findings in the bus crash case and the Aaron Echolls trail, this episode begins ending the plot line from the first season while also getting closer to ending the plot line of the second season.
Why It Makes The List: Besides being a pivotal episode to the plot of the second season, this episode also balances both the culmination of the first season's plot with rising action of the second season's plot. With added heated courtroom testimony and arguments, along with some good ole Veronica Mars sleuthing this episode gives audiences just what they are looking for and a little bit more.
Most Memorable Line: Wallace - "I just wanted to say...it was worth getting taped to a pole."
Not Pictured - Season 2
Summary: This is the end beautiful friends, all the action and mystery of the second season comes to an end in this mind-blowing and thrilling finale. Just like in the first season, the writers keep you in the dark about who is really responsible for the bus crash until the very end. However, once the identity of the person responsible for so many tragedies is revealed, the surprises do not stop coming. Hold on tight for one electrifying season finale.
Why It Tops The List: Not only does this episode solve all the mysteries from the second season, it also solves a few from the first season, allowing Veronica Mars (both the character and the series) grow up and leave high school behind for the third season. Aside from, once again, neatly blending the culmination of plot points from season 1 and season 2, this episode is just an all-around action-packed, heart-stopping ending to a great season of television.
Most Memorable Line: Principal Clemmons - "I can't decide if my life is going to be easier or more difficult with you gone."
Spit & Eggs - Season 3
Summary: Dean O'Dell's plan to shut down the Greek system in attempt to cease the sexual assault ring on campus goes awry, thus calling our favorite teenaged PI into action. Veronica along with her dotting friends go to the first party since the Greek system's reinstatement to look for suspicious activity and to catch the Hearst rapist once and for all. After all the chaos of the episode, one mystery is solved while the mystery that is prominent throughout rest of season arises.
Why It Tops The List: In season three things changed for both Veronica Mars the person and the show, however this episode brings the show back to its roots. Full of action, mystery, heart-stopping moments, and great writing; "Spit & Eggs" is the strongest episode of the third season as it reminds fans why they fell in love with this show in the first place.
Most Memorable Line: Keith Mars - "Your ride back to Neptune is here, boys. I suggest you don't give me any more reason to shoot you."
The Best of Veronica's One-Liners
"Life's a bitch until you die." - Pilot (Season 1)
"Hello, boys. Let me guess what you're thinking: paybacks are a bitch." - The Wrath of Con (Season 1)
"I guess we're not going to that rave in the desert. But I do have a pretty good idea where you can stick these." - Return of Kane (Season 1)
"Kimmy, why do you insist on pissing me off?" - Like A Virgin (Season 1)
"Tell me where to put your Father of the Year trophy. 'Cause there's someplace I'd like to put it." - Mars vs. Mars (Season 1)
"Shut up! If I want you to speak, I'll wave a snausage over your nose." - Hot Dogs (Season 1)
"It's all fun and games until one of you gets my foot up your ass." - M.A.D. (Season 1)
"I'm just thinking of all the ways I can destroy you." - A Trip to the Dentist (Season 1)
"So are you going to tell me why I'm here, or should I just sit back and enjoy your impression of a mildly constipated David Caruso?" - Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang (Season 2)
"I hope we're still friends after I taser you." - Debasement Tapes (Season 3)
"I know. I'm gonna run him over with my "karma."" - The Bitch is Back (Season 3)
"Could you put your head up your ass before they stuck the egg in there or is this new?" - The Bitch is Back (Season 3)
"After all these years, do you not instinctively fear me? Maybe you should write yourself a note." - The Bitch is Back (Season 3)