As Veronica Mars says to her best pal, Wallace Fennel when he complains to her that she didn't call him back. So we enter the second season of this ridiculously addictive and excellently acted show where things have changed a bit in the summer as the students of Neptune High are seniors, getting that itch to go to college and continue their spoiled ways at a higher learning institute.

We see now that Veronica has changed her stripes and is now a waitress at a coffeehouse named Java the Hutt, clever huh? She has sworn off sleuthing around and is trying to lead a normal life, dating Duncan Kane again (God knows why, this dude is about as lifeless as a rock; I never understood this match, Veronica is way too energetic and fiery for someone so apathetic to everything) after dumping Logan Echolls during the summer, and being back in with the rich kids. She's not buddy-buddy as she once was since her reputation for snooping precedes her, but at least now she is not looked down upon as before. Of course, this doesn't play too well with her other friends, especially Weevil, the motorcycle gang leader of the PCHers. But despite some peoples' pleas, she doesn't return to the private investigating until her best bud Wallace tests positive for the sticky-icky and is kicked off the basketball team. There was no way she could try to help her friend out of trouble and takes the case; this subsequently sets off her sleuthing ways again.

The steroid case is just a tip of the iceberg though, as Veronica encounters two major cases on the year that are played on throughout the season. The first is a horrific bus crash that kills eight students, along with the bus driver. One of Veronica's former friends, Meg Manning (Alona Tal), who she is desperately trying to reconcile with is killed in the crash, so of course she is trying to figure out what happened. There are so many twists and turns to this case, that it had my head swimming trying to figure out who did what and the motivations behind it. The writers do an excellent job of weaving a bunch of plotlines together to make the climax interesting, if not a bit implausible, but it's alright, I forgive them for a slight twist that didn't really have me believing it.

The other case is the mysterious death of a PCHer, whom the gang accuses Logan of killing since he was found with bloody knife in his hand. This mystery also weaves a tangled web of lies and deceit as Veronica tries to figure out what happened. But in this case, Logan himself partners with Weevil after the gang leader becomes convinced of Logan's innocence in the matter and they try to find the truth. The hilarity of the rich, snotty Logan working with the tough, street-smart Weevil makes for some interesting situations, including both not wanting to be seen with one another.

Another side-plot that is introduced is the Casablanca brothers, Dick (Ryan Hansen), the biggest jerk-off you'll meet (next to Logan; surprise that they are best of buds), and the younger Cassidy, aka, "Beaver," (Kyle Gallner,). They have to deal with their hot and slutty stepmom, Kendall (Charisma Carpenter) who is Kanye West's best gold-digger of them all. You would also never guess who she is banging behind Richard's (David Starzyk) back! Haha, I shall not divulge that, but it shouldn't be that hard to figure out in reality.

The writers even manage to get Wallace into a relationship with a girl named Jackie Cook (Tessa Thompson), albeit one that is laced with a bit of deception and her arrogant ways really get on Veronica's nerves and they clash on multiple occasions. This intertwines on a part of the season in which Wallace's birth father shows up and he unexpectedly leaves Neptune for awhile and returns midway through the season. On a side-note from Wallace's relationship, I have always wondered why the writers never explored the possibility of Mr. Fennel and Ms. Mars hooking up. They are in such close proximity to each other that it's almost impossible not to see that there could be a spark between them, but Wallace somehow manages never to delve into that realm. Believe me, that's probably the most unrealistic thing of this entire show! A dude DOES NOT hang out with a girl that much, especially one of Kristen Bell's beauty, and doesn't want to get naked in the sheets. Just saying, that's highly unlikely for any red-blooded male to do. Ok, enough of my exposition, back to the show.....

Of course, there is still the dynamic and personal relationship that Keith and Veronica have; he still runs Mars Investigations and has some strange cases of his own to deal with. I still marvel at Bell's and Colantoni's chemistry; if you would not know any better, you would think they are father and daughter in real life! He also plays a crucial role in helping Veronica solve the bus crash near the end of the season.

Look for the hilarious episode "Versatile Toppings" in which ex-Laguna Beach star, Kristin Cavallari plays, what else, a lesbian cheerleader. There are definitely multiple standout episodes in the season that have multiple plotlines but manage to also tie into the two lead mysteries as well. This intricate writing really got me into the season and I finished these DVD's on two days, one shorter then the previous one! (Yeah, I know what you are thinking: Does this dude ever work??? Haha, yeah, but I occasionally have the two or three-day weekends). The excellent writing and acting yet again shine bright and I'm again going to say how disappointed that this series hasn't been continued. When there are so much sh*t shows on the air nowadays, it's refreshing to see something this witty and intelligent; too bad it couldn't have continued to air.





Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older