I could be wrong here, but I think most fans of Veronica Mars felt that season three was clearly its weakest. For me, in fact, the third season was so disappointing that I wasn't going to even bother completing my DVD collection for the series.Now that I've gotten to take an early look at the Veronica Mars season three DVD set, I'm going to say that if you were also thinking of not grabbing this set, you may want to reconsider.
As for the episodes themselves, there's nothing new here. There's no episode-specific commentary that I could find when perusing a few of the DVDs. The gold in this set lies in the bonus DVD, which is filled with extras that fans for the series have been itching for. Let's go through each of those a bit.
Rob Thomas and Dan Etheridge (supervising producer) host one of the features on this disc, titled 'Going Undercover with Rob Thomas'. It seems pretty clear that this portion was recorded before the show's fate was known, which was sad when hearing the enthusiasm in both their voices.
By the way, does anyone else thing Rob Thomas sounds a lot like Joss Whedon?
In the 'Undercover' feature are some smaller featurettes:
Main Titles: Why did they change?
Basically because they were in college and things were a bit too ... schooly, they went with a more serious tone. Back when the new credits were revealed, I remember there was a lot of hubbub going on about them. Now that seems to insignificant.
Rob's Directing Experience
Rob mentions some of what he considers his best work. He was happiest with the scene in 'Spit & Eggs' when the rapist, Mercer, enters his latest victim's dorm room, Veronica then getting the upper hand. Definitely creepy and contained 20+ setup shots.
Favorite Guest Star Moments
Rob and Dan discuss some of their favorite guest star moments, including Darren Norris as Cliff the lawyer, Adam Rowes (Mac's boyfriend, the cheating aide), Ryan Hansen and how he was cast as Dick (how was he a guest star?), Patrick Fabian (Prof. Landry), Ken Marino (Vinnie Van Lowe) and Paul Rudd. Interesting note: Paul Rudd was originally considered to play Vinnie Van Lowe when the series started.
Veronica Mars: Mean Girl
The guys discuss briefly how fans felt Veronica was meaner in season three. A very short and sorta pointless featuerette.
The politics of Veronica Mars
They discuss the heat they god over the RU486 (morning after pill) issues in one episode. They also discuss the feminist characters of the Lilith House and the animal testing featured in one episode.
Favorite Veronica & Logan Moments
Pretty self explanatory, as is ...
Favorite Veronica & Keith Moments
One not that made it obvious this was recorded before the show's fate was know is that Rob mentions that Kendall is dead "unless a writer pitched [him] the right storyline."
Do Overs?
Shots not working out as well as planned. Stories not going over very well, like the bone marrow kidnapping story.
Highlights
Episodes that meant the most to Rob, including 'Poughkeepsie, Tramps and Thieves', 'Mars, Bars' (Note: Mac was originally set to hook up with a professor in this episode!), 'Of Vice and Men', Show Me the Monkey' and 'Postgame Mortem' (remember the scene with the little girl in the elevator?)
Whew! That's quite a few featurettes. Now onto the rest of the features:
Season 4 Presentation
Finally we all get to see the 12-minute "episode" that was created as a redirection for the show, to pitch to networks. Personally, I'm glad this didn't fly. I mean seriously, does that image above do anything for you? I love that this was included on the DVD, but it would only have worked as a completely different show, not a continuation of Veronica Mars. Some interesting notes: Walton Goggins of The Shield plays Veronica's boss at the bureau, and the episode featured profanity, which leads me to think they pitched this to cable TV.
Pitching Season 4
Rob and Dan discuss the season 4 pitch episode again, which had some interesting commentary though I'm not sure why they played the whole episode out again. Originally this new season would have been a season 7 or 8, not a 4, but they had to do something drastic. They did this all within a few days and, as you'll see when you watch it, were going for a Grey's Anatomy-like feel, the office romance with drama. They really just wanted to do whatever they could to keep the show alive.
Webisode Gallery
Lots of fun goodies here, including a ... strange Ryan Hansen interview a "Hanging with Hansen - Trailer Tour",a Veronica Mars Hearst College New Set Tour, a VERY fast 30+ second set tour and, the best part, a Kristen Bell/Chris Lowell interview ... with each other. Here's a highlight image:
Deleted Scenes
a few short scenes from 'Wichita Linebacker', 'Charlie Don't Surf', 'Hi, Infidelity', 'Of Vice and Men', 'Show Me the Monkey', 'Postgame Mortem', 'Debasement Tapes' and 'The Bitch is Back', including commentary.
Gag Reel
Some great scenes of the cast goofing off, though I have to imagine there's a lot more than this that goes on.
So, there you have it. The DVD goes on sale in stores Tuesday. Like I said, for the bonus DVD alone, I recommend this set to complete the very short three seasons this show lasted. I'd love to hear what the rest of you think of that season 4 pitch episode.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-21-2007 @ 12:51PM
Travis Bell said...
I agree that it doesn't sound like "fast-forwarding" Veronica Mars would have worked BUT I do have to disagree with you (and others I am sure) that season 3 was that bad.
Honestly, I loved seeing Veronica finally grown up and Kristen being able to play a character that was atleast clos(er) to her real age.
At the end of the day though, I guess ratings trump everything and we can all remember the amazing show that was Veronica Mars.
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10-21-2007 @ 1:47PM
sam said...
For the 800 millionth time. RU486 and the morning after pill are two completely different things. The morning after pill is just a concentrated dose of birth control pills that prevents fertilization/implantation (preventing pregnancy). It can only be taken within 72 hours of the sexual activity to be effective.
RU486 is an abortifacient. It induces a chemical abortion, and requires a prescription.
This sort of obfuscation between the two drugs is exactly what anti-choicers encourage and exploit. Please correct this entry.
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10-21-2007 @ 3:01PM
Fred said...
I guess I'm in a minority, but I thought season 3, minus some stumbles, was the strongest of the three. I definitely preferred it to the overly ambitious, sometimes convoluted and muddled second season.
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10-21-2007 @ 3:18PM
SJ said...
I was really disappointed in season 3...and I watched all 3 seasons back to back (1-2 episodes a day) over the summer.
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10-21-2007 @ 5:48PM
Tim said...
CW has made the same problems as Fox did with Firefly and broadcasting companies are going to continue doing with good shows. The dry period of episodes during the season, the changes in direction and the late notification of cancellation all hinder the vision and plotlines of the writers and directors. The third season I agree was the worst by far, I think their choice to try and create 3 storyline arcs instead of 1 interspersed one didn't work, 2 maybe, but 3 just made Hearst College seem too over-populated with criminals. Not to mention the terrible incorporation of Weevil into the stories, he was such a good character before this season.
Glad they didn't manage to successfully pitch that fourth season, I thought the show was great but that kind of change just wouldn't have worked out. Oh and whoever said the second season was overly ambitious and convoluted should remember that the plot of the first jumped and turned in every episode, and it wasn't until the second last one that we had any idea Aaron Echolls was even involved, much the same as the case was with Beaver.
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10-21-2007 @ 10:19PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
If Season 3 of VM had been any worse it would have been called CSI. Seriously, bad. The writing was off, the format sucked and the new characters (save for Ed Begley and the crim prof) were horrible.
The most egregious part of Season 3: Piz. Piz, that mangina was so awful every time he appeared on screen his potent estrogen content caused male viewers to grow temporary jugs.
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10-21-2007 @ 10:21PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
on what planet was Season 2 convoluted? Really? Do people pay any attention while watching a show or reading a book? Season 2 stands as proof that some producers/writers trust that audiences are intelligent enough to follow multiple threads at once. Given all the griping about VM's season 2, I guess the producers/writers were wrong and most people DO want simplistic CSI-like fodder.
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10-22-2007 @ 11:11AM
Ian said...
I just starting watching the 3rd season, which I already paid for through iTunes, and I love it so far. Those extra features sound nice enough to make me purchase the actual DVD set as well.
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10-22-2007 @ 12:36PM
Veronica said...
I don't think Season 3 was as bad as some people around here do, but it definitely wasn't as good as the first two. It got much better after the whole rape storyline wrapped up, and the final two episodes were in par with just about any episode from seasons one and two.
I am saddened by the fact that Veronica Mars is no longer with us though, it would've been best if they let it go on in college though. I remember the first year Buffy went to college and a lot of people saying that it was the worst season yet (although it had some of the best episodes, Hush and the This Year's Girl and Who am I two parter), but then in season 5 the writers found their footing, and the show improved. So I think Veronica Mars might have enjoyed the same fate had it been renewed.
I would've also watched the FBI fast-forward, but only if they found a way to have Keith, Logan and Mac come back. (Something like: Keith moved to VA with Veronica after loosing the election, Mac is a computer wiz at the bureau, and Logan works for a Lobbyist in DC or something....)
Anyway, enough rambling, I'll go order my season 3 DVD.
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10-22-2007 @ 9:17PM
samantha said...
wahhhhhhhhhhhh. I miss veronica.
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10-23-2007 @ 12:50PM
Tom said...
I liked season 2 except for the last episode. In season 1, I was, that makes some sense, I should have seen that coming with Aaron. Season 2 it didn't make sense it was Beaver. Why would he kill his classmates? They hadn't disclosed what happened in all those years so it wasn't to shut them up. I could see him killing the Mayor.
I also don't get the Mr. Kane hated Veronica. If I though my son killed my daughter, it would be so horrific. Anyone who provided my son was innocent (even if only to me), I would be so grateful to. Love the show and can't wait to see the extra disc.
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5-31-2008 @ 2:49AM
Kirsty said...
I really enjoyed all 3 seasons and am not so happy that the series has had to end. Very enjoyable show that will be sadly missed........I WANT MORE!!!!!
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