a pointless blog
gathering moss
Troy continues to tank the ratings.
1.3 Meet John Smith
Score: 7
Characters: 1
Troy (-1)
Logan (+.5)
Dick (+.5)
Lilly (+1)
Logan and Dick are barely in the episode, so they can't get full points.
Plot relevance: 4/5
The Duncan-Veronica-Troy triangle fulfills its purpose of ramping up the tension between Duncan and Veronica. Duncan decides to go cold turkey off his antidepressants and starts acting manic (bursting into Summer Lovin' before jumping off a bleacher) and hallucinating (a gory-headed Lilly who swans in to call Duncan "donut" for not figuring that the story of her murder doesn't add up). While he's detoxing, Duncan flirts with Veronica and doesn't object when a nurse calls Veronica his girlfriend. But he gets freaked out by the side effects, goes back on the meds, and starts giving her the cold shoulder again. At the end of the episode, Veronica is closing in on her missing mother's whereabouts, but hasn't caught up with her yet.
Story quality: 4/5
The mystery of the week is "what happened to Justin's dad." At first, it's just a ruse Justin makes up to spend time with Veronica--he believes his dad is dead. But then Veronica's machinations work too well, and they learn that he's still alive and track him down. Surprise, Justin's dad is now Julia. In a boring subplot, Keith decides to start dating Veronica's high school counselor.
This episode handles the issue of Justin's dad being trans fairly well, considering its era. (By contrast, there's an absolutely terrible episode featuring a trans woman in season two.) I think they really missed an opportunity to have Justin's dad played by a trans woman. I'm certain that a trans actress who could convincingly pass as a cis woman existed at the time and they could have found her if they tried hard enough, but that wasn't a priority in the 2000s.
What I do like about their handling of it is that
Julia appears to be in a loving relationship and have a good, stable, happy life
Justin says "You're a woman" when he realizes Julia is his dad.
When Justin calls his dad a "circus freak" (bad look, Justin, but I recognize you were under duress in the moment) Veronica interrupts, almost in a reprimand.
Veronica treats Justin's dad being a trans woman as much less important than the fact that Justin's dad makes an effort to be in Justin's life.
Justin realizes Veronica is right and accepts his dad's overtures.
Iconic lines/memes: 3
Part of me is proud, and... let's just leave it at that.
Veronica: You know, Dad, I'm old school. An eye for an eye. Keith: I think that's actually Old Testament.
Clue in, doughnut. I say this to Duncan pretty much every time he's on screen.
Cringe: -5
I will be cruising the marina in my dad's Sabre 386. That's a luxury sailboat. Troy is the grossest.
Oh woah woah woah. I said impressionable, not YOU. You know, you might want to check your ego at the door there, missy. Classic neg. For some reason Veronica smiles like she's enchanted by it.
I would have expected sex, had that worked. Honestly do these lines work on anyone?? Apparently they work on Veronica, judging by her enthusiastic response.
And a good night to you, madam. Troy immediately goes into angry Nice Guy mode when Veronica dodges his kiss.
It's about time. She's in fucking tears because she can't find her mom, and your only response to her coming to you for comfort is that she made you wait too long. FUCK ALL THE WAY OFF, TROY.
Outfit of the episode:
At the video store: double mini buns, layered tank tops under a jean jacket, the iconic double necklace, and, for a fun little kick, some bubblegum.
Song of the episode:
Edge of the Ocean by Ivy, which plays as Veronica is driving Duncan to the hospital and he asks her if she remembers how things "used to be" and she shoots him down. Haunting yet optimistic, one of my favorite vibes. Honorable mention to Rock and a Hard Place, a trip-hop bop that plays as each of the storylines wraps up.
Anachronistic reference of the episode:
Mix tape - Wallace immediately interprets Justin's CD (the new 311's on there, haha) as a sign that he has a crush, and he's 100% correct. But no one was actually making them on tape by the late 90s. Like Justin, we burned them on cds. I'm skeptical that, in 2004, Wallace would think of it as a "mix tape."
