Veronica Mars 2.02 'Driver Ed'

This episode is a return to form, and features the intelligent story-telling that I’ve come to expect from the series. Following on from the disastrous ending of the premiere, this hour tackles the dramatic fallout of it and the emotional effect that it’s had on Veronica.

In ‘Driver Ed’, Veronica helps the daughter of the bus driver who was driving the bus the day of the crash help prove he didn’t commit suicide. Wallace helps a new student when her car is damaged by another student who refuses to be identified.

The great thing about Lilly’s murder was that there were so many different ways in which the mystery could unfold, and there were a number of different clues that were presented throughout the year. The bus crash, similar to her killing, has a myriad of different aspects to it that all provide equally entertaining exploration. This episode focuses on the immediate aftermath, and the first person who was given immediate blame for the crash. The hour cleverly investigates the effect that the ordeal has on the family of the driver and how it changes the way that those people are treated within the community.

One of the major selling points of the first season was the writers’ clever way of tying in Veronica’s stand-alone cases with the major emotional drama that she faces in her life. Here, the discovery of Ed’s failed attempt at romance is what spurns her to follow her heart, which leads her into Duncan’s bed. He’s not the most interesting guy, what you see is pretty much what you get, but seeing Veronica back together with him it’s pretty obvious what she liked about him, he was normal; which is what Veronica is desperately trying to achieve after the turbulent year that she’s had.

Along with her big epiphany, we also see how badly this disaster has affected Veronica. Obviously this is a far “bigger” incident that Lilly’s murder, but the effect it had on her was far and away more substantial. Even so, there is still a major incentive in this for Veronica to seek justice, now that Meg’s life hangs in the balance. [Highlight for spoilers through 2.11] Obviously it doesn’t turn out particularly well for her, but by the time she meets her end, we’ve already learnt enough to continue the investigation.

We’re still seeing a number of plots introduced last week, like Logan’s affair, continue to unfold but we’ve yet to see anything come of them but this is Neptune so you just know it will end in tears. The chilling cliff-hanger boasts the depth and captivation that this season’s big mystery can provide and once again, I’m sold on another year with Mars Investigations.

9/10