Since Kristen Bell is determined to make more of the cult noir drama, we put together a wish list of all the things we’d like to see in the prospective revival.
In case you haven’t heard, Kristen Bell really wants to make more Veronica Mars. As she told IndieWire, she doesn’t care how long it takes, she will revisit the titular wise cracking sleuth, making a Murder, She Wrote reference to boot.
Hopefully we won’t have to wait another 40-odd years to return to Neptune, California. Bell herself is thinking of ways to balance more Veronica Mars with her current gig on NBC’s existential comedy The Good Place. The Frozen actress mentioned that she wouldn’t be able to work on two series at the same time: they’d have to complete more Mars in another format, like a miniseries. Hey, a miniseries sounds great to us! The sooner the better.
If Bell gets her way (and our prayers are answered) and we get a Veronica Mars revival, here are five things we want to see:
Logan the Terrible
Not that I’m endorsing dating a jerk, but Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring) is never more interesting than when he is acting like an entitled brat. He’s like an amalgam of Gilmore Girls‘ Jess and Logan, except actually appealing. And the acid-tongued banter between Veronica and Bad Logan never gets old — it’s part screwball comedy, part Sam and Diane, and part Veep. We didn’t get enough of Bad Logan in the 2014 movie, so let’s bring him back for the new series.
A nod to the true crime fad
Since Veronica Mars is built around the heroine’s adventures as a private eye, the revival needs a central case. I’d like to vote for one that explicitly or implicitly references pop culture’s recent fascination with true crime and true crime parodies (American Crime Story, Making a Murderer, The Jinx, American Vandal, Trial & Error and so on.).
Mars could take a real crime and put its own narrative spin on it a la ACS or it could even experiment with its own form and feature talking head “interviews” with Veronica and those who helped her work the case. Better yet, maybe Veronica could moonlight as a consultant on a true crime series?
Neptune’s political climate
One of the major themes throughout the original Veronica Mars and the movie is class and how it influences everything. In Neptune you’re either rich or you work for the rich. Given our current political landscape, show creator Rob Thomas has plenty of material to explore in the potential revival. Many of Neptune’s working class citizens are also people of color or immigrants or children of immigrants. How have they been affected by the current administration’s xenophobia and racism? What do they have to say about police brutality, Black Lives Matter, and #TakeAKnee?
I’m also certain that both the rich and non-rich characters would have opinions on healthcare and tax reform. There’s no way Veronica or Mac (Tina Majorino) skipped the Women’s March. Finally, considering the series and film’s frequent conversations about consent and women’s autonomy, the new Veronica Mars could create a really interesting story about or connected to Hollywood’s sexual harassment problem.
More to do for Wallace and Mac
Veronica’s sidekicks, Wallace (Percy Daggs III) and Mac, barely had an arc in the 2014 film. While Wallace was originally introduced in the series as Veronica’s best friend and partner in crime-solving, his role became smaller and smaller as the series went on. Originally a guest star, Mac’s role grew but never really rose above supporting character status.
Which is a shame, because these two characters are fun and give Bell a really interesting dynamic to play off of. So, if a Veronica Mars revival is imminent, Wallace and Mac should do more than force Veronica to attend their high school reunion.
Good Place cameos
Jameela Jamil (Tahani) as a Neptune one percenter. William Jackson Harper (Chidi) as a crime journalist. Manny Jacinto (Jason) as a teacher at Veronica’s old high school. D’Arcy Carden (Janet) as a rival private eye. Ted Danson (Michael) as Logan’s grandpa.
There. Half of the new Veronica Mars script is already written.
Next: Why Peri Gilpin’s Broad City guest turn is so perfect
It will most likely be awhile before we catch up with Veronica and company, but you can watch new episodes of The Good Place Thursdays on NBC.