Misplaced Pages

Driver Ed (Veronica Mars): Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 20:15, 10 November 2018 editMatt14451 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers9,904 editsm Fix to remove from Category:Pages using infobox television episode with incorrectly formatted episode listTag: AWB← Previous edit Latest revision as of 09:37, 19 November 2024 edit undoS.Morgenstern (talk | contribs)8 edits Shortened plot synopsis. 
(14 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Driver Ed (''Veronica Mars'')}}
{{Infobox television episode {{Infobox television episode
|title = Driver Ed
|series = ] |series = ]
|season = 2 |season = 2
Line 20: Line 18:
|next = ] |next = ]
|episode_list = List of Veronica Mars episodes |episode_list = List of Veronica Mars episodes
| season_article = Veronica Mars (season 2) | season_article = Veronica Mars season 2
}} }}


"'''Driver Ed'''" is the second episode of the ] of the American ] television series '']'', and the twenty-fourth episode overall. Written by ] and directed by ], the episode premiered on ] on October 5, 2005. "'''Driver Ed'''" is the second episode of the ] of the American ] television series '']'', and the twenty-fourth episode overall. Written by ] and directed by ], the episode premiered on ] on October 5, 2005.


The series depicts the adventures of ] (]) as she deals with life as a high school student while moonlighting as a ]. In this episode, Veronica is tasked with proving that the bus driver did not drive off the cliff in order to kill himself. Meanwhile, ] (]) starts a relationship with new student Jackie (]). The series depicts the adventures of ] (]) as she deals with life as a high school student while moonlighting as a ]. In this episode, Veronica tries to help a grieving family member rule out suicide, and Wallace (]) helps a transfer student. Later, a mayoral candidate asks Keith (]) to consider running for sheriff.


== Synopsis == == Synopsis ==
After the school bus crash, Veronica wonders what happened, learns that Meg is alive. Meanwhile, Jackie Cook comes up and angrily asks her for a coffee. The townspeople angrily question Sheriff Lamb (]), but he does not have any information. The bus driver's daughter, Jessie (]) asks Veronica to help her prove that the bus driver, Ed Doyle, didn't kill himself so the family can get insurance benefits. After Jessie punches another girl, Veronica agrees to help her. Woody Goodman (]) tells Keith (]) that he should run for sheriff. That night, Veronica and Keith watch the news, on which a convenience store clerk says that the bus driver was acting weird. Jackie has conflicts with her strict father, who is the baseball player from the previous episode. Jackie walks into class, and she and Wallace start flirting with each other. Logan (]) is carrying on his affair with Kendall (]). While they are having sex, Dick (]) and ] walk in with their father, Dick Sr. (]). However, they successfully cover the affair up, and Mr. Casablancas invites Logan to target practice. Jackie's car shows up with a mysterious scratch on it, and Wallace calls Veronica for help. Veronica talks to the convenience clerk who talked to the bus driver. Veronica asks for the last meal the bus driver had, which was a Slurpee and a bag of peanuts. Veronica notices a phone and thinks that the bus driver probably needed to get change to make a call. Veronica learns from Duncan (]) that Meg, the only survivor of the previous episode's school bus crash, is still in a coma. Sheriff Lamb (]) reveals to reporters that Ed Doyle, the bus driver, had previously attempted suicide. Doyle’s daughter, Jessie (]), asks Veronica to help prove that her father didn’t kill himself, and Veronica agrees after witnessing other students bullying Jessie. Woody Goodman (]) is running for the position of County Supervisor and asks Keith to run for sheriff. Veronica blames herself for Meg being on the bus and fights with Duncan. Logan (]) and Kendall (]) are nearly caught having sex by her step-children, Dick (]) and Beaver (]), and her husband, Dick Casablancas Sr. (]). Mr. Casablancas invites Logan to accompany him and Dick to a firing range. Wallace meets and is immediately attracted to Jackie Cook (]), a new student. He offers to help investigate when her father’s car is damaged by a hit-and-run driver. Veronica visits the convenience store clerk who was the last person to speak to Ed Doyle. She realizes that Doyle made a small purchase to get change for the store’s payphone.


Veronica goes to the Sheriff's department for access to the phone records. Wallace learns that a blonde driving a green car dented Jackie's car. Wallace investigates one of the suspects. Veronica talks to Jessie again, and she reveals that she learns that the bus driver made a call to someone named Cotter who lived in their apartment complex. Sheriff Lamb enters Jessie's house and says that he has a search warrant. Logan shoots at targets with Mr. Casablancas and Dick. Veronica talks to the Cotter family (Gregory Thirloway and ]), but they say that it was a wrong number. Sheriff Lamb found a suicide note saved on Ed Doyle's computer. Veronica uses phone records to learn that Ed Doyle made a call to his neighbors, Jeff and Carla Cotter (Gregory Thirloway and ]), but they tell her he called the wrong number. Sheriff Lamb enters Jessie’s home with a search warrant and finds a suicide note saved on Ed’s computer.


Veronica comes back to the Cotter house and finds Mrs. Cotter. where Veronica voices her theory that Ed Doyle wasn't planning to kill himself, but he was actually going to leave his wife for Mrs. Cotter. Veronica is right, and Mrs. Cotter meets Jessie for the first time. Veronica reconciles with Duncan (]), and they have sex in a hotel room. When she is leaving, she notices Logan coming out of a room, which has Kendall in it. While picking up popcorn, Beaver finds a condom wrapper. Keith politely declines Woody's offer for the Sheriff run. Jessie tries to have Sheriff Lamb reopen the case to no avail, which Keith sees. Wallace successfully finds the person who dented Jackie's car. Keith tells Veronica that he is running for Sheriff after all. An unidentified dead body washes up on shore, and Sheriff Lamb and his assistants inspect the body. They find "Veronica Mars" written on his palm. Veronica visits Carla again and shares her theory that Ed’s note was actually meant to tell his wife he was leaving her. Carla reveals she and Ed were in love and assures Jessie that he would not have driven the bus off the cliff on purpose. Veronica reconciles with Duncan, and they have sex in his hotel room. She runs into Logan as he is leaving his and Kendall’s room. Beaver finds a condom wrapper in the Casablancas living room. Keith tells Woody he has decided not to run for sheriff but changes his mind after seeing Lamb refuse Jessie’s request to reopen her father’s case. Wallace identifies the hit-and-run driver as a reporter who was posing as a student to get information about the bus crash victims. Wallace gets her insurance information, and Jackie rewards him with a kiss. Sheriff Lamb inspects a dead body that has washed up on the beach and finds “Veronica Mars” written on the man’s palm.


== Cultural references == == Cultural references ==
A variety of cultural references are made in the episode:<ref name="Mars Investigations">{{cite web|url=http://marsinvestigations.net/episodes.php?id=202&type=cr|title=Driver Ed Cultural References|work=Mars Investigations: The (In)Complete Guide to Veronica Mars|accessdate=February 25, 2015}}</ref> A variety of cultural references are made in the episode:<ref name="Mars Investigations">{{cite web|url=http://marsinvestigations.net/episodes.php?id=202&type=cr|title=Driver Ed Cultural References|work=Mars Investigations: The (In)Complete Guide to Veronica Mars|access-date=February 25, 2015}}</ref>
*Veronica tells Jessie, "you must chill," referencing a line from '']''. *Veronica tells Jessie, "you must chill," referencing a line from '']''.
*The episode references "]". *The episode references "]".
*Veronica references a scene in '']''. *Veronica references a scene in '']''.
*The clerk calls Veronica ]. *The clerk calls Veronica ].
*Veronica jokingly tells Wallace to go on '']'' if she dies unexpectedly. *Veronica jokingly tells Wallace to go on '']'' if she dies unexpectedly.
*Cervando, the PCH biker who was stabbed, allegedly cried when he saw '']'' for the first time. *Cervando, the PCH biker who was killed in the bus crash, allegedly cried when he saw '']'' for the first time.
*Wallace references ]'s character in '']''. *Wallace references ]'s character in '']''.


== Arc significance == == Arc significance ==
*Meg Manning is only survivor of the bus crash, but she's in a coma. *Meg Manning is the only survivor of the bus crash, but she's in a coma.
*Ed, the bus driver, had a history of depression and Sheriff Lamb finds what appears to be a suicide note. Veronica tries to prove that he was leaving his wife, however, but Lamb doesn't listen and closes the bus crash case. *Ed, the bus driver, had a history of depression and Sheriff Lamb finds what appears to be a suicide note. Veronica tries to prove that he was leaving his wife, but Lamb doesn't listen and closes the bus crash case.
*Baseball team owner Woody Goodman is running for the position of Balboa County Supervisor—a position more commonly known as 'Mayor of Neptune' - and he wants Keith to run for Sheriff. After seeing Lamb refuse Jessie Doyle's pleas to reopen the bus crash case, Keith accepts. *Baseball team owner Woody Goodman is running for the position of Balboa County Supervisor—a position more commonly known as 'Mayor of Neptune' - and he wants Keith to run for Sheriff. After seeing Lamb refuse Jessie Doyle's pleas to reopen the bus crash case, Keith accepts.
*A dead body washes up on the shore. Sheriff Lamb searches it and finds written on its hand is the name "Veronica Mars." *A dead body washes up on the shore. Sheriff Lamb searches it and finds written on its hand is the name "Veronica Mars."


== Music == == Music ==
In addition to the series' theme song, "]", by ], the following songs can be heard in the episode:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://veronicamusic.blogspot.com/2005/10/episode-2-2-driver-ed.html|title=The Music Of Veronica Mars: Episode 2-2: Driver Ed|work=Mars Investigations: The (In)Complete Guide to Veronica Mars|accessdate=February 25, 2015}}</ref> In addition to the series' theme song, "]", by ], the following songs can be heard in the episode:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://veronicamusic.blogspot.com/2005/10/episode-2-2-driver-ed.html|title=The Music Of Veronica Mars: Episode 2-2: Driver Ed|work=Mars Investigations: The (In)Complete Guide to Veronica Mars|access-date=February 25, 2015}}</ref>
*"The Minor Waltz" by ] *"The Minor Waltz" by ]
*"]" by ] *"]" by ]
*"On Your Porch" by ] *"On Your Porch" by ]
*"Little Miss Get Around" by Lukewarm Freeda *"Little Miss Get Around" by Lukewarm Freeda
*"]" by ] *"]" by ]


== Production == == Production ==
]), a series regular for the show's second season.]] ]), a series regular for the show's second season.]]
The episode features a ] appearance by ], who plays the store clerk Duane Anders in the episode. Smith rose to fame for his 1994 ] ] '']'', which he wrote, directed, and starred in as ].<ref name="Mars Investigations" /> Other one-episode guest stars in the episode are ] and ].<ref name="TV.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/news/the-veronica-mars-season-2-dossier-episodes-1-4-28943/|title=The Veronica Mars Season 2 Dossier: Episodes 1-4|work=]|last=Peterson|first=Price|date=June 22, 2012|accessdate=February 22, 2015}}</ref> The episode features a ] appearance by ], who plays the store clerk Duane Anders in the episode. Smith rose to fame for his 1994 ] ] '']'', which he wrote, directed, and starred in as ].<ref name="Mars Investigations" /> Other one-episode guest stars in the episode are ] and ].<ref name="TV.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/news/the-veronica-mars-season-2-dossier-episodes-1-4-28943/|title=The Veronica Mars Season 2 Dossier: Episodes 1-4|work=]|last=Peterson|first=Price|date=June 22, 2012|access-date=February 22, 2015}}</ref>
"Driver Ed" also marks the first appearance of Jackie Cook (]), who is a series regular for the show's second season. She would later become known for her roles in '']'', '']'', and '']''. In the latter, she co-starred with Veronica Mars cast member ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uptownmagazine.com/2015/01/tessa-thompson-interview/|title=All Eyes On: Tessa Thompson|work=Uptown Magazine|last=Ford|first=Tracey|date=January 21, 2015|accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> Another first appearance which takes place in this episode is that of Dick Casablancas, Sr. (]). The episode was written by regular writer ] and directed by ], marking Ruggiero's eighth writing credit for the series<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/people/diane-ruggiero/|title=Diane Ruggiero|work=]|accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> as well as Marck's fifth directing credit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/people/nick-marck/|title=Nick Marck|work=]|accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> "Driver Ed" also marks the first appearance of Jackie Cook (]), who is a series regular for the show's second season. She would later become known for her roles in '']'', '']'', the ] and '']''. In the latter, she co-starred with Veronica Mars cast member ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uptownmagazine.com/2015/01/tessa-thompson-interview/|title=All Eyes On: Tessa Thompson|work=Uptown Magazine|last=Ford|first=Tracey|date=January 21, 2015|access-date=February 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402102325/http://uptownmagazine.com/2015/01/tessa-thompson-interview/|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Another first appearance which takes place in this episode is that of Dick Casablancas, Sr. (]). The episode was written by regular writer ] and directed by ], marking Ruggiero's eighth writing credit for the series<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/people/diane-ruggiero/|title=Diane Ruggiero|work=]|access-date=February 26, 2015|archive-date=March 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322223912/http://www.tv.com/people/diane-ruggiero/|url-status=dead}}</ref> as well as Marck's fifth directing credit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/people/nick-marck/|title=Nick Marck|work=]|access-date=February 26, 2015|archive-date=January 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128115038/http://www.tv.com/people/nick-marck/|url-status=dead}}</ref>


== Reception == == Reception ==
Line 67: Line 65:
=== Ratings === === Ratings ===


In its original broadcast, the episode received 2.73 million viewers, ranking 106th of 155 in the weekly rankings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=101105_07|title=Weekly Program Rankings|work=]|accessdate=February 27, 2015}}</ref> In its original broadcast, the episode received 2.73 million viewers, ranking 106th of 155 in the weekly rankings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=101105_07|title=Weekly Program Rankings|work=]|access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref>


=== Reviews === === Reviews ===


Price Peterson of '']'' wrote that "Driver Ed" was "another great episode that continued increasing the soapier aspects of the show. I especially appreciated that Wallace took the reins on his own investigation…I love that the big mystery is unfolding in the present-tense rather than in flashbacks."<ref name="TV.com" /> Rowan Kaiser, writing for '']'', gave a mostly positive review, writing that "it's good to see having moments of pure goodness in this episode."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/veronica-mars-driver-ed-cheatty-cheatty-bang-bang-64771|title=Review: Veronica Mars: "Driver Ed" / "Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang"|work=]|last=Kaiser|first=Rowan|date=November 11, 2011|accessdate=February 27, 2015}}</ref> Price Peterson of '']'' wrote that "Driver Ed" was "another great episode that continued increasing the soapier aspects of the show. I especially appreciated that Wallace took the reins on his own investigation…I love that the big mystery is unfolding in the present-tense rather than in flashbacks."<ref name="TV.com" /> Rowan Kaiser, writing for '']'', gave a mostly positive review, writing that "it's good to see having moments of pure goodness in this episode."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/veronica-mars-driver-ed-cheatty-cheatty-bang-bang-64771|title=Review: Veronica Mars: "Driver Ed" / "Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang"|work=]|last=Kaiser|first=Rowan|date=November 11, 2011|access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref>


Conversely, '']'' gave the episode a "B-".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/veronica-mars/driver-ed/|title=Veronica Mars Driver Ed Recap|work=]|date=October 4, 2005|accessdate=February 27, 2015}}</ref> Conversely, '']'' gave the episode a "B−".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/veronica-mars/driver-ed/|title=Veronica Mars Driver Ed Recap|work=]|date=October 4, 2005|access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref>


== References == == References ==
Line 79: Line 77:


== External links == == External links ==
{{wikiquotepar|Veronica Mars#Driver Ed}} {{wikiquote|Veronica Mars#Driver Ed}}
*{{IMDB episode|0739522}} *{{IMDb episode|0739522}}
* at Mars Investigations * at Mars Investigations


Line 86: Line 84:


] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 09:37, 19 November 2024

2nd episode of the 2nd season of Veronica Mars
"Driver Ed"
Veronica Mars episode
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 2
Directed byNick Marck
Written byDiane Ruggiero
Production code2T7202
Original air dateOctober 5, 2005 (2005-10-05)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Normal Is the Watchword" 		Next →
"Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang"
Veronica Mars season 2
List of episodes

"Driver Ed" is the second episode of the second season of the American mystery television series Veronica Mars, and the twenty-fourth episode overall. Written by Diane Ruggiero and directed by Nick Marck, the episode premiered on UPN on October 5, 2005.

The series depicts the adventures of Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell) as she deals with life as a high school student while moonlighting as a private detective. In this episode, Veronica tries to help a grieving family member rule out suicide, and Wallace (Percy Daggs III) helps a transfer student. Later, a mayoral candidate asks Keith (Enrico Colantoni) to consider running for sheriff.

Synopsis

Veronica learns from Duncan (Teddy Dunn) that Meg, the only survivor of the previous episode's school bus crash, is still in a coma. Sheriff Lamb (Michael Muhney) reveals to reporters that Ed Doyle, the bus driver, had previously attempted suicide. Doyle’s daughter, Jessie (Ari Graynor), asks Veronica to help prove that her father didn’t kill himself, and Veronica agrees after witnessing other students bullying Jessie. Woody Goodman (Steve Guttenberg) is running for the position of County Supervisor and asks Keith to run for sheriff. Veronica blames herself for Meg being on the bus and fights with Duncan. Logan (Jason Dohring) and Kendall (Charisma Carpenter) are nearly caught having sex by her step-children, Dick (Ryan Hansen) and Beaver (Kyle Gallner), and her husband, Dick Casablancas Sr. (David Starzyk). Mr. Casablancas invites Logan to accompany him and Dick to a firing range. Wallace meets and is immediately attracted to Jackie Cook (Tessa Thompson), a new student. He offers to help investigate when her father’s car is damaged by a hit-and-run driver. Veronica visits the convenience store clerk who was the last person to speak to Ed Doyle. She realizes that Doyle made a small purchase to get change for the store’s payphone.

Veronica uses phone records to learn that Ed Doyle made a call to his neighbors, Jeff and Carla Cotter (Gregory Thirloway and Kristin Dattilo), but they tell her he called the wrong number. Sheriff Lamb enters Jessie’s home with a search warrant and finds a suicide note saved on Ed’s computer.

Veronica visits Carla again and shares her theory that Ed’s note was actually meant to tell his wife he was leaving her. Carla reveals she and Ed were in love and assures Jessie that he would not have driven the bus off the cliff on purpose. Veronica reconciles with Duncan, and they have sex in his hotel room. She runs into Logan as he is leaving his and Kendall’s room. Beaver finds a condom wrapper in the Casablancas living room. Keith tells Woody he has decided not to run for sheriff but changes his mind after seeing Lamb refuse Jessie’s request to reopen her father’s case. Wallace identifies the hit-and-run driver as a reporter who was posing as a student to get information about the bus crash victims. Wallace gets her insurance information, and Jackie rewards him with a kiss. Sheriff Lamb inspects a dead body that has washed up on the beach and finds “Veronica Mars” written on the man’s palm.

Cultural references

A variety of cultural references are made in the episode:

Arc significance

  • Meg Manning is the only survivor of the bus crash, but she's in a coma.
  • Ed, the bus driver, had a history of depression and Sheriff Lamb finds what appears to be a suicide note. Veronica tries to prove that he was leaving his wife, but Lamb doesn't listen and closes the bus crash case.
  • Baseball team owner Woody Goodman is running for the position of Balboa County Supervisor—a position more commonly known as 'Mayor of Neptune' - and he wants Keith to run for Sheriff. After seeing Lamb refuse Jessie Doyle's pleas to reopen the bus crash case, Keith accepts.
  • A dead body washes up on the shore. Sheriff Lamb searches it and finds written on its hand is the name "Veronica Mars."

Music

In addition to the series' theme song, "We Used to Be Friends", by The Dandy Warhols, the following songs can be heard in the episode:

Production

"Driver Ed" features the first appearance of Jackie Cook (Tessa Thompson), a series regular for the show's second season.

The episode features a special guest-starring appearance by Kevin Smith, who plays the store clerk Duane Anders in the episode. Smith rose to fame for his 1994 black-and-white comedy film Clerks, which he wrote, directed, and starred in as Silent Bob. Other one-episode guest stars in the episode are Ari Graynor and Miko Hughes. "Driver Ed" also marks the first appearance of Jackie Cook (Tessa Thompson), who is a series regular for the show's second season. She would later become known for her roles in For Colored Girls, Selma, the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Dear White People. In the latter, she co-starred with Veronica Mars cast member Kyle Gallner. Another first appearance which takes place in this episode is that of Dick Casablancas, Sr. (David Starzyk). The episode was written by regular writer Diane Ruggiero and directed by Nick Marck, marking Ruggiero's eighth writing credit for the series as well as Marck's fifth directing credit.

Reception

Ratings

In its original broadcast, the episode received 2.73 million viewers, ranking 106th of 155 in the weekly rankings.

Reviews

Price Peterson of TV.com wrote that "Driver Ed" was "another great episode that continued increasing the soapier aspects of the show. I especially appreciated that Wallace took the reins on his own investigation…I love that the big mystery is unfolding in the present-tense rather than in flashbacks." Rowan Kaiser, writing for The A.V. Club, gave a mostly positive review, writing that "it's good to see having moments of pure goodness in this episode."

Conversely, Television Without Pity gave the episode a "B−".

References

  1. ^ "Driver Ed Cultural References". Mars Investigations: The (In)Complete Guide to Veronica Mars. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  2. "The Music Of Veronica Mars: Episode 2-2: Driver Ed". Mars Investigations: The (In)Complete Guide to Veronica Mars. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  3. ^ Peterson, Price (June 22, 2012). "The Veronica Mars Season 2 Dossier: Episodes 1-4". TV.com. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  4. Ford, Tracey (January 21, 2015). "All Eyes On: Tessa Thompson". Uptown Magazine. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  5. "Diane Ruggiero". TV.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  6. "Nick Marck". TV.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  7. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  8. Kaiser, Rowan (November 11, 2011). "Review: Veronica Mars: "Driver Ed" / "Cheatty Cheatty Bang Bang"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  9. "Veronica Mars Driver Ed Recap". Television Without Pity. October 4, 2005. Retrieved February 27, 2015.

External links

Veronica Mars
Episodes
Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4 
Related
Categories: