This is the funniest episode this show ever produced. Even though it focuses on a heavy topic - Veronica helping someone to get through what she had to face alone when her Dad was the man facing public scrutiny – it’s the amazing quips, put-downs and snark that shine through; a striking example of how strong this show’s writing could be, even in the face of a standard, and seemingly dried up idea.
From her instant sarcasm in the face of the stolen money box, to the amazing finale when Ronnie ousts the mousy Ms. Hauser for funnelling away her own cut of the school trip money, Ain’t No Magic Mountain High Enough’ goes from strength to strength, with a script the flows so easily and quickly that you find yourself being sucked in by what, at first glance, appears to be one of the show’s most basic plots. It’s a testament to how talented and intelligent this show’s writing was that it could accomplish something so wonderful with the most basic of ideas.
Elsewhere, Keith and Terence’s interaction almost mirrors Veronica and Jackie’s interaction. Just as Veronica helps Jackie in the face of the same hostility she once faced when her father was framed for a crime he didn’t commit, so does Keith for Terrence, to save his old sporting heroes reputation. They serve as a minor distraction to the more bubbling high school drama going on, but it’s the touch of darkness that this episode needed to remain a strong chapter in this season’s story.
It’s hard to rag on this episode at all, but Logan and Hannah’s overly-cutesy flirting was annoying and way dragged out, and that’s before the needless belligerence between him and Veronica. It’s all a little too much, but it all makes more sense later on this season, so it has to be forgiven.
Logan’s B-plot aside, Ain't No Magic Mountain... is one of this show’s strongest episodes, and as an example of the show’s unbelievably funny dialogue and astute TV writing it’s pure gold.
10/10
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