Do you know what one of the best TV shows of all time is? Veronica Mars (at least, season one). I've watched the series (...at least, season one) probably a dozen times. I've listened to podcasts. I was part of the crowdfunding to create the movie. I've read the books! Did you know there are books?!

So I'm going to go ahead and consider myself a Veronica Mars expert, and I'm on a mission to answer the burning question: what's the best episode of Veronica Mars?

With the input of my daughter, I've created a rating rubric. It goes as follows:

Character Appearances

Points are awarded for my favorite characters, which are, ipso facto, the best characters: Lilly, Logan, Dick, Beaver, Mac, Vinnie van Lowe, and Cliff. Half points go to Backup, Corny, and Aaron Echolls. However, points are deducted for appearances of the legitimately worst characters: Troy and Jackie.

Guest Stars

Occasionally an episode will get a point for a particularly notable guest star (like someone who later became famous).

Plot Relevance

Does the episode move the main arc of the season forward? Does it have important character development or information? Points out of five.

Story Quality

How good is the mystery of the week? Points out of five

Iconic Lines & Memes

Points awarded for... well, iconic lines and memes.

Cringe

Points deducted for things that make me cringe.

That's how the scoring works. But some of the most memorable things in Veronica Mars are the classic early-2000s clothes and songs. Therefore each episode will also feature an Outfit of the Episode and Song of the Episode. 

And because this was clearly a show written for Millenials by Gen X creators, there will also be an Ananchronistic Reference of the Episode.

So that's how it's going to work! I'll be going through the episodes in chronological order, and at the end of season on I will present the final rankings!