Asking the Wrong Questions 30Nov06 | Boom Goes the Dynamite: Scattered Veronica Mars Thoughts:
upon conclusion of first third of season 2 (the rapist arc)
When I first heard about Veronica Mars, I was intrigued by the notion of a character who was a victim of rape but for whom that victimhood was not a defining characteristic yes, but the show's writers went too far in sidelining the storyline. I don't think so. After bringing up her rape in the pilot, Veronica proceeded to ignore it completely until an accident of fate provided her with the opportunity to solve it--this while constantly referencing the other traumatic events in her life and obsessively investigating not only Lilly's murder but also Lianne's disappearance and Duncan's odd behavior. As much as I liked "A Trip to the Dentist" as a piece of storytelling, there's no denying that it prioritizes its noir-inspired message--that Veronica was raped not by a person but by a social class and a mindset--over any sort of engagement with the issue of sexual assault and its resultant trauma. that's ok with me, don't have to show the same trauma always. it's not the same for everyone. I liked the Salon season rvwer's comments about the rape.

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eventually, when watching more of season 1 & maybe season 2, may want to look more at all her vm posts : Asking the Wrong Questions: veronica mars
well 7/11/07 (month later) turns out I am not especially taken with her assessments

Saturday, October 08, 2005
quote from Joss Whedon, at EW:
At the center of it all is Veronica herself. Bell is most remarkable not for what she brings (warmth, intelligence, and big funny) but for what she leaves out. For all the pathos of her arc, she never begs for our affection. There is a distance to her, a hole in the center of Veronica's persona. Bell constantly conveys it without even seeming to be aware of it. It's a star turn with zero pyrotechnics, and apart from the occasionally awkward voice-over, it's a teeny bit flawless

esp earliest post, as 2nd season about to commence:
Monday, September 19, 2005 Dear Rob Thomas: A Veronica Mars Wish List

and, about 2nd season:
Thursday, May 18, 2006 The Girl Detective On Her Second Outing: Scattered Veronica Mars Thoughts

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also, reminder that there's this to read:
In These Times - June 2006: Veronica Mars, Class Warrior

I'm tired now and also being somewhat careful out of preference to watch season 1 without knowing what happens