DVD Review: Veronica Mars: Season 1

In the wealthy, seaside community of Neptune, California, the rich and powerful make the rules. Unfortunately for them, there’s Veronica Mars, a smart, fearless 17-year-old apprentice private investigator dedicated to solving the town’s toughest mysteries. Veronica used to be one of the popular girls, but it all came crumbling down around her after her best friend, Lilly, was murdered, and her then-sheriff father, Keith, was removed from office for naming Lilly’s rich father as the lead suspect. During the day, Veronica must negotiate high school like any average teenage girl. But at night, she helps with her father’s struggling, new private investigator business–and what she finds may tear the town of Neptune apart at the seams.

Review:
Street smart with heart. In the wealthy, seaside community of Neptune, California, the rich and powerful make the rules. Unfortunately for them, there’s Veronica Mars, a smart, fearless 17-year-old apprentice private investigator dedicated to solving the town’s toughest mysteries. Veronica used to be one of the popular girls, but it all came crumbling down around her after her best friend, Lilly, was murdered, and her then-sheriff father, Keith, was removed from office for naming Lilly’s rich father as the lead suspect. During the day, Veronica must negotiate high school like any average teenage girl. But at night, she helps with her father’s struggling, new private investigator business–and what she finds may tear the town of Neptune apart at the seams.

I will go on record as stating that Veronica Mars is far and away the best television series of 2004. The series begins in the aftermath of her best friend’s death, her sheriff father being fired for wrongfully (or so it seems) accusing Lilly’s father of murdering her, her mother skipping town- needless to say, her entire life had been turned upside down. Which leaves her and her father, Keith Mars, head of Mars Investigations attempting to pick up the pieces and build a new life together. I would say that it’s the smartest high school drama since Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I believe it surpasses that mark. If you’ve read any reviews, or heard anyone talking about the show, you’ve probably heard the Nancy Drew comparisons- well, they’re pretty spot on. In the first few episodes, you find that every person at Neptune High is well aware of the details of Lilly Kane’s murder, her father’s accusations and his ousting as sheriff; then, of course as high school gossip goes, rumors start flying and Veronica’s reputation becomes quite infamous- the not-so-good kind of infamy.

As the season progresses, tho, Veronica becomes the go-to girl if you need help digging up dirt on your parents or if you’re being harassed by a disgruntled ex, and she’s even approached by the school administration from time to time to do a little digging. I must commend the creative team of Veronica Mars for taking some of the seemingly transparent, shallow, and obnoxious characters exhibited early on in the season, giving them depth and making them very likable, integral parts of the web that is spun throughout the season. There begin to be so many plot twists, with new evidence being brought to light, and every time you think you have it figured out, the story takes a sudden turn and a whole new set of possibilities is presented.

The DVDs are addictive; highly addictive. So, if you find yourself one Friday evening with nothing to do, and would like a way to easily kill a weekend, the first season of Veronica Mars DVD set is probably the way to go. Once you put in that first disc, there will be no turning back, and you won’t want to. And on Sunday night when you’ve managed to watch an entire 22 episode season in one sitting, you’ll be dying to know what happens at the beginning of season 2. It’s must-see TV of the highest order. I can only hope that Veronica Mars has a long an fruitful run and the creative team behind this gem can manage to keep the magic that is beautifully orchestrated in season 1.

Review by Emma Loggins

Grade: A+++
Staff Favorite

Official site: http://www.VeronicaMarsDVD.Com
Buy on Amazon: Veronica Mars: Season 1

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