So I've been on a Twin Peaks binge since we began it in class- I only just found out who killed Laura Palmer! And it's begun to remind me of my favorite show from last year, Veronica Mars. The similarities are mostly contained to the excessive detective work, however there are elements of the supernatural in this teen/murder mystery/sassy comedy.
The premise of Veronica Mars' is a teenage girl living in Southern California solves mysteries using the resources of her detective father. Sounds like Nancy Drew, no? But this blonde sleuth isn't as wholesome as her 60s counterpart, full of sarcastic insights and bitter world views. Each season (well the first 2, CW forced them to change the format in the third- which is why it's bad) has a central mystery that Veronica is working to solve. Through each episode she is set up to aid a classmate or one of her father's clients in solving their cases. These cases often lead Veronica to learn something new about the main mystery.
What Veronica often learns has to do with the seedy underside of her high class home town of Neptune. Like in the innocent lumber village of Twin Peaks, Neptune seems innocent enough on the outside, however replace cozy suburbs with McMansions. But no one is what they seem, from Veronica's pill popping, cult joining classmates to their high class parents squandering money and beating their children. Often those we think are the wrongdoers, like the motorcycle gang leader, Weevel are actually the most supportive people in town; akin to Donna's misperception of the innocent Harold. On the flip-side, those we least expect are often the ones causing the most harm, like the Christian parents who lock their daughter in a closet and Josie who burns down her own mill.
As for Supernatural elements, Veronica Mars mainly shows this in the first
season when dealing with the death of her best friend Lily Kane. Lily's death is the catalyst in Veronica's change from average high schooler to super sleuth. Her determination to find Lily's true killer is often obstructed by her own classmates or disapproving town-members. However, Veronica often visits Lily in her dreams, similar to Cooper's meetings in the Red Lodge or with the Giant. Lily always encourages Veronica to continue her search, leading her to put the puzzle pieces of Lily's death together. Lily's brother Duncan is also subjected to hallucinations and dreams of his dead sister. His family being the leading opposer to the idea that Lily's killer has not been caught, dismisses Veronica (and her detective/former sheriff father's) beliefs. After speaking with his recently deceased sister, she explains that the killer has not been found and the logic of the Mars investigators makes sense.
Finally, also in similar fashion to Twin Peaks, Veronica Mars was cancelled well before it's time, giving fans no comprehensive conclusion to all the mysteries poured into the show. With as loyal a cult following we can only hope that Veronica's Lily Kane mystery will live on with Laura Palmer. And we may get to see more of Mars creator Rob Thomas, as he has just signed on to EP the remake of that other hit 90s show 90210!
In other supernatural news- you can check out Veronica Mars' star Kristen Bell in the up coming Fanboys movie (about a bunch of Star Wars fans trying to sneak on to George Lucas' ranch), a role that scored her a cover with Geek magazine!
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