Veronica Mars felt refreshing back in 2004. Not only was the layered, neo-noir storytelling appealing, the series acknowledged pressing social issues which were not on most people’s radars. Other teen dramas back then didn’t dive deeply into topics that actually pertained to teens and college students.
Veronica Mars tackled matters that mattered. However, that’s not to say the show always handled these conversations perfectly. For every generation of television, there’s an awareness of how things used to be and how things are now. So in an effort to learn, here are ten things from classic Veronica Mars that have not aged well.
Positive Trans Representation
In Veronica Mars‘ first season’s “Meet John Smith”, Veronica helps a classmate find his father he’s never met before. In the end, they learn the client’s father has transitioned. The son calls her a “circus freak,” and a non-trans actress plays the woman. It’s an unusual situation from a time when conversations about trans people weren’t as common as they are today.
In addition, the trans character in season 2’s “Ain’t No Magic Mountain High Enough” acts as a punchline. There, Beaver and Mac hire a transgender escort as part of a mean-spirited prank on Dick during a school carnival.
Not Believing The Victim
Veronica’s flaws make her an interesting character. And her refusal to believe a classmate’s accusations in season 1’s “Mars vs. Mars” remains one of her biggest flubs. In the episode, a well-liked teacher (Adam Scott) is accused of having an illicit affair with a student (Leighton Meester).
Yet Veronica is adamant her peer is lying. Why? Because the accuser is the school’s biggest gossip. Veronica was half right, though, as Meester’s character was seeking justice on her friend’s behalf. In the end, there was a lesson for Veronica — she had to learn to believe victims even if they’re not perfect.
Race
Veronica Mars‘ tendency to underline racism and prejudice makes it innovative. Its namesake defended racially profiled characters. On the other hand, the show mishandled characters of color. Veronica’s best friend Wallace was just a means to an end; he only boosted Veronica’s stories or help solved her cases. Their one-way friendship was at least acknowledged.
Then there’s Jackie. The character went from spoiled 09er to former addict and teen mom in a matter of episodes. One can’t also forget Logan’s casual prejudice towards Weevil and his biker friends. The writers abandoned this in later seasons, but it’s hard to forget.
Anti-LGBT Moments
In the season 1 episode “M.A.D.”, Veronica’s classmate Carmen is being blackmailed. Her prejudiced boyfriend Tad has a video clip — where Carmen performed a lewd act with a Popsicle — which he threatens to share if she ever breaks up with him.
A gay peer named Seth then helps Veronica and Carmen blackmail Tad. It’s one of the messier case stories in the series because the “heroes” weaponize this prejudice for personal gain. And Veronica doesn’t have a problem with it. She even seems enthusiastic about releasing the tape of Tad and Seth. The show struggled with positive queer representation in general.
Veronica’s Own Victimization
Veronica’s own assault is the other recurring mystery in season one. At a party, Veronica is drugged and later sexually assaulted. There is more than one assailant. Veronica often asks other students about the details of the party as her memory is understandably fuzzy. Sheriff Lamb doesn’t believe her; no surprise.
Everyone else is unwilling to help. Even plain rude when Veronica approaches them. On top of that, Veronica overlooks the fact that she was still technically taken without her consent after initially learning the identity of her assaulter. The writers in turn “forgive” the crime because Veronica was personally familiar with the person who assaulted her.
Deputy Leo
Veronica has at least four romantic interests in the first season. There’s Logan Echolls, Duncan Kane, and Troy Vandegraff. And lest we forget the oh-so creepy Deputy Leo D’Amato (Max Greenfield). Veronica was using Deputy Leo in her quest to solve Lilly’s murder.
Somewhere along the way, she developed feelings for him. They began to date for a short while before Veronica realized she liked someone else. Greenfield is charming, but Leo is not. The guy is in his very twenties and yet he wants to date an underage high school student. How exactly was Keith okay with this?
Veronica’s Need For Revenge
Veronica was a very human character. She wasn’t magnanimous or wholly benevolent. She acted out when someone wronged her or her loved ones. Her Neptune reputation as a vengeance type was getting around, too. People were afraid of Veronica, and no one could blame them.
She took things to an extreme level. Her behavior can be likened to retribution, but it was excessive nonetheless. Veronica was becoming a vigilante because she was now people’s judge and jury. Wallace and Meg called her out on this need for revenge. The former even had to talk her down when Jackie pranked her.
Veronica and Logan
It’s almost sacrilegious for a fan to dislike Veronica and Logan. But this couple’s original relationship has not aged well whatsoever. The main problem is they’re toxic when together. Most of their relationship consisted of arguments or the casting of aspersions.
Veronica held Logan’s past against him; Logan resented Veronica’s distrustful nature. In high school, Logan was a prejudiced bully who staged bum fights. He constantly harassed Veronica before dating her. This type of relationship is simply unhealthy. Dating Logan made Veronica unhappy until she suddenly craved him all over again. Nothing changed, and they were back at square one.
Shaming The Actions of Consenting Adults
Mac and Veronica insulted Mac’s roommate Parker because she had been sexiling Mac. In the season 3 premiere, Mac can’t bear to enter her own room where Parker is supposedly entertaining yet another gentleman guest. But they need some tickets inside the room.
Veronica fetches them while ignoring whatever else is happening in the dark. As it turns out, Parker was being taken without their consent. What’s problematic here isn’t entirely what Veronica did or didn’t do when she went into Mac’s room. It’s her and Mac’s behavior towards Parker. Had they not done that, maybe Veronica would’ve reacted differently in the room.
The Hearst Assaults
First off, Veronica Mars should be commended for broaching campus assault so vocally. This problem wasn’t getting proper attention. Where the show failed was how it depicted these acts. For one thing, having female students fake incidents to get rid of the fraternities left a sour taste in many mouths.
This feeds into the misconception that women lie about such things to get what they want. To add insult to injury, the same women ended up assaulting a man as a form of revenge. Of all the glaring problems in season 3, the way that they handled stories was the worst.
