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    The Definitive Ranking Of Important Characters On "Veronica Mars"

    A long time ago, we used to be controversial. Warning: spoilers ahead.

    Blue Profitt
    by Blue Profitt

    Community Contributor

    27. Woody Goodman

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Steve Guttenberg

    First Appearance: “Normal Is the Watchword” (2x01)

    Last Appearance: “Not Pictured” (2x22)

    Why He Worked: He furthered the hella epic plot of Season 2. How easy was it to fall for the idea that he was the one who blew up the bus? Very.

    Why He Didn’t: All the other reasons. Woody is a pervert, he’s creepy, and all around just the worst.

    26. Mercer Hayes

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Ryan Devlin

    First Appearance: “Wichita Linebacker” (3x03)

    Last Appearance: “Spit and Eggs” (3x09)

    Why He Worked: Mercer’s appearance resolved that unjust mystery from Season 2 episode “The Rapes of Graff.” You cheer when he gets his.

    Why He Didn’t: For crying out loud, he’s a rapist. Is there anything more wrong?

    25. Aaron Echolls

    Warner Bros. Entertainment

    Portrayed By: Harry Hamlin

    First Appearance: “Return of the Kane” (1x06)

    Last Appearance: “Not Pictured” (2x22)

    Why He Worked: You were probably extremely shocked when Aaron turned out to be Lilly’s killer. Even after his psychotic break on Trina’s boyfriend or hitting Logan with the belt, you probably thought he was going to turn around. But then he didn’t, and it was a shock. It’s been ten years, and you probably still hold your breath when you think about “Leave It to Beaver.”

    Why He Didn’t: He killed Lilly Kane and ruined everything.

    24. Jake Kane

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Kyle Secor

    First Appearance: “Pilot” (1x01)

    Last Appearance: “Weevils Wobble But They Don’t Go Down” (3x19)

    Why He Worked: You probably thought he killed his own daughter. Classic and effective red herring.

    Why He Didn’t: Jake was kind of a jerk, and he also turned out to be really, really boring.

    23. Tim Foyle

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: James Jordan

    First Appearance: “Welcome Wagon” (3x01)

    Last Appearance: “Papa’s Cabin” (3x15)

    Why He Worked: Tim is like Dwight Schrute if Dwight Schrute were insane. He’s a kiss-ass, and he’s creepy. You hate him. But hating him is a good thing because you’re supposed to. It means he’s written well. I must admit, I never pegged him for Dean O’Dell’s murder until the eleventh hour.

    Why He Didn’t: Because they’re played by the same actor, it’s easy to lump in Tim with Lucky the janitor at Neptune High. Also, aside from murdering the totally awesome dean, Tim is a huge jerk.

    22. Abel Koontz

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Christian Clemenson

    First Appearance: “Like a Virgin” (1x08)

    Last Appearance: “Rat Saw God” (2x06)

    Why He Worked: His name is a perfectly genius though apparent biblical metaphor, for one thing. He’s good as the fall guy and truly a sympathetic character. I hope he and his daughter are living it up in the afterlife.

    Why He Didn’t: His smile is so creepy the Grinch ran away.

    21. Gia Goodman

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Krysten Ritter

    First Appearance: “Normal Is the Watchword” (2x01)

    Last Appearance: “Not Pictured” (2x22)

    Why She Worked: Gia was nice enough, and she really did try to make an effort to befriend Veronica. That didn’t really work, but she tried!

    Why She Didn’t: As a character, Gia was a little bit of a snooze. Also, she was physically attracted to Dick. No.

    20. Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Kyle Gallner

    First Appearance: “M.A.D.” (1x20)

    Last Appearance: “Not Pictured” (2x22)

    Why He Worked: Rob Thomas is basically Edgar Allan Poe when he writes for Cassidy Casablancas. You know he’s a murderer and a rapist, and you sympathize with him. He gets in your head, and for a second, you don’t want him to jump. That’s some genius writing and portrayal. Why didn’t Thomas or Gallner win an Emmy for this?

    Why He Didn’t: Good Lord, he killed like a dozen people in a bus crash, blew up a plane, and raped Veronica! That episode probably still haunts you!

    19. Dick Casablancas

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Ryan Hansen

    First Appearance: “Credit Where Credit’s Due” (1x02)

    Last Appearance: “The Bitch Is Back” (3x20)

    Why He Worked: Dick was excellent comic relief because he was, well, you know. Even though he was a jackass, he had to pay for the consequences of his actions, which makes him a redeemable, three-dimensional character.

    Why He Didn’t: He contributed to his brother’s mental state, and though he felt extreme guilt, we didn’t even explore it. That could have been so good. We just ran out of time.

    18. Sheriff Don Lamb

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Michael Muhney

    First Appearance: “Pilot” (1x01)

    Last Appearance: “Mars, Bars” (3x14)

    Why He Worked: As an antagonist, Lamb kills. He’s such an imbecile that you love him, and you hate him. How did someone that dumb and that rude get elected sheriff? I guess that’s Neptune for you.

    Why He Didn’t: As an antagonist, Lamb kills. You wanted him dead at times… and then he died. That just felt wrong and unsettled. Also, people who would have never been elected sheriff: him.

    17. Vinnie Van Lowe

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Ken Marino

    First Appearance: “Kanes and Abel’s” (1x17)

    Last Appearance: “Weevils Wobble But They Don’t Go Down” (3x19)

    Why He Worked: Vinnie is funny, especially when he transposes the first names of Hall and Oates. Like Veronica said, he’s actually a decent P.I.

    Why He Didn’t: He’s not very trustworthy, and he’s a whiner. Good God, if you want your sandwich to be right, just order it yourself! Also, he’s the Michael Scott of being the sheriff… meaning totally unqualified.

    16. Clarence Wiedman

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Christopher B. Duncan

    First Appearance: “Drinking the Kool-Aid” (1x09)

    Last Appearance: “Not Pictured” (2x22)

    Why He Worked: He killed Aaron Echolls because Aaron Echolls needed to be dead. He does his job, and he does it well. He’s a way cooler red herring than Jake Kane or Abel Koontz.

    Why He Didn’t: He’s scary as hell to begin with. He’s a stalker… no, he’s not! He’s a murderer… no, he’s not! Well, he is. But you know.

    15. Lilly Kane

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Amanda Seyfried

    First Appearance: “Pilot” (1x01)

    Last Appearance: “Leave It to Beaver” (1x20)

    Why She Worked: She kind of anchors the whole plot. You can’t have Veronica Mars without Lilly Kane. She’s also an awesome connection to Veronica’s dynamic arc, showing us who our protagonist used to be.

    Why She Didn’t: Lilly Kane works for all the reasons, but as far as her moral character, well, she’s a little bit mean, isn’t she?

    14. Parker Lee

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Julie Gonzalo

    First Appearance: “Welcome Wagon” (3x01)

    Last Appearance: “The Bitch Is Back” (3x20)

    Why She Worked: Parker embodied the sympathy of the first arc in Season 3. She turned out to be a really good friend to both Mac and Veronica, and she was just a really sweet, brave character.

    Why She Didn’t: There’s nothing really wrong with Parker (even though her romance with Logan felt a little awkward), but it would have been nice to have her for longer.

    13. Duncan Kane

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Teddy Dunn

    First Appearance: “Pilot” (1x01)

    Last Appearance: “Not Pictured” (2x22)

    Why He Worked: While not a fan favorite character, it’s hard to deny that Duncan is a well-written character. He’s a good brother to Lilly even after her death, and he’s a pretty decent boyfriend to Veronica once he finds out they’re not characters in a Greek tragedy. Also, in the first season when you can’t tell whether or not he’s 100% sinister, that’s a pretty cool performance. I think Duncan is doing well in Australia with baby Lilly.

    Why He Didn’t: Eh, Duncan is a little sinister. He slept with Veronica when neither of them could really give consent, he kidnapped his own kid, and he never really has to pay for any of the consequences of his actions. We’re just supposed to think Duncan is totally the good guy, but that’s not entirely true.

    12. Jackie Cook

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Tessa Thompson

    First Appearance: “Driver Ed”

    Last Appearance: “Not Pictured” (2x22)

    Why She Worked: Jackie is a good person. Really, she is. She makes mistakes, but she’s got a good heart. She’s also crazily clever and brave, which makes her an admirable character.

    Why She Didn’t: She kind of broke Wallace’s heart and lies a lot. But those are redeemable traits. The real problem with Jackie is that she was written out of the series much too soon.

    11. Meg Manning

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Alona Tal

    First Appearance: “Like a Virgin” (1x08)

    Last Appearance: “I Am God” (2x18)

    Why She Worked: Oh, Meg. She’s really nothing but a sweetheart, and it’s totally genuine. Meg shows you that it’s cool to be kind, and it’s OK to be scared sometimes. She’s also extremely courageous when she tries to expose her abusive parents. Damn, Meg. Awesome.

    Why She Didn’t: It was uncool that Meg was cruel to Veronica in “Normal Is the Watchword,” but again, the real issue here is that SHE DIED. Unfair.

    10. Hank Landry

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Patrick Fabian

    First Appearance: “Welcome Wagon” (3x01)

    Last Appearance: “Papa’s Cabin” (3x15)

    Why He Worked: Personal note – I blame Hank Landry for my ridiculously frequent tendencies to crush on cute men with doctorates. But objectively, Hank works because he’s so smart and because he’s the most endearing red herring the show ever saw. You really, really don’t want him to be guilty, but at the same time, it really, really looks like he did it.

    Why He Didn't: It felt like his character arc petered out before it could really begin, but then again, so did the whole third season.

    9. Dean Cyrus O'Dell

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Ed Begley, Jr.

    First Appearance: “Wichita Linebacker” (3x03)

    Last Appearance: “Papa’s Cabin” (3x15)

    Why He Worked: Dean Cyrus O’Dell is a treasure and a gift to this world. He’s funny, he’s loving and lovable, and he gives a damn about his job. He also gives a damn about his family, even when they give him hell. His letter of recommendation for Veronica moved me to actual tears, and he didn’t deserve to die the way he did.

    Why He Didn’t: At times, he could be a little anti-feminist, which isn’t cool.

    8. Cliff McCormack

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Daran Norris

    First Appearance: “Pilot” (1x01)

    Last Appearance: “I Know What You’ll Do Next Summer” (3x18)

    Why He Worked: No recurring character got a laugh out of you more than Cliff. He’s not good at his job, and at the same time, he’s totally rad at his job. He’s a good friend to the Mars family even after their reputation goes to hell, and he’s the voice of Cosmo on The Fairly Odd Parents, so, I mean.

    Why He Didn’t: I couldn’t stop picturing him as Cosmo from The Fairly Odd Parents.

    7. Stosh "Piz" Piznarski

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Chris Lowell

    First Appearance: “Welcome Wagon” (3x01)

    Last Appearance: “The Bitch Is Back” (3x20)

    Why He Worked: Seriously, can I have one? Piz is musical, sweet, and witty. He crushes on Veronica for months, but he isn’t a possessive, creepy stalker about it. He’s the perfect “stable” boyfriend, like Riley Finn from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, only not awful. Love Piz.

    Why He Didn’t: There’s nothing really wrong with Piz. He’s a little awkward, but that’s okay. Oh, and he did beat up Logan, but Logan started it. I’m drawing a blank.

    6. Cindy "Mac" Mackenzie

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Tina Majorino

    First Appearance: “Like a Virgin” (1x08)

    Last Appearance: “The Bitch Is Back” (3x20)

    Why She Worked: Mac is the perfect friend for Veronica. She’s quiet yet sassy, and she’s smart without making other people look dumb. Mac is perfect for mystery-solving, but she’s more than just a cerebral person. Her emotional depth is rather remarkable, as she managed to come back from almost being killed by her first boyfriend. She’s easy to admire because of her smarts and her loyalty.

    Why She Didn’t: A lot of the scenes where Mac is emotionally deep were deleted, and if they’d made it into the real episodes, that would help my case a little more.

    5. Eli "Weevil" Navarro

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Francis Capra

    First Appearance: “Pilot” (1x01)

    Last Appearance: “The Bitch Is Back” (3x20)

    Why He Worked: Somebody needs to wrap Weevil Navarro in big blankets. Even when he misbehaved, he thought he was trying to justify some moral cause, but he just got burned, anyway. He’s a real sweetie underneath his tough exterior, and he proves to be a friend to Veronica even though he probably wouldn’t admit it. Out of all the principal characters, Weevil has the greatest capacity to love, and that’s remarkable to see.

    Why He Didn’t: Weevil was not on this show often enough. That just wasn’t fair.

    4. Keith Mars

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Enrico Colantoni

    First Appearance: “Pilot” (1x01)

    Last Appearance: “The Bitch Is Back” (3x20)

    Why He Worked: I toyed with making Keith number 3 on this list, but he and the real number 3 are pretty much tied. Keith is the ultimate dad. His most moving scene is in “Leave It to Beaver” when he fights Aaron Echolls to get to Veronica, trapped in the fridge. That’s love and dedication, and it’s something all men can learn from. He’s also insanely clever and good at his job, and his job isn’t easy.

    Why He Didn’t: Keith got into some bad behavior, like sleeping with Harmony when she was still married. Sometimes, it could be annoying when he pulled the dad card, but I get it.

    3. Wallace Fennel

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Percy Daggs III

    First Appearance: “Pilot” (1x01)

    Last Appearance: “The Bitch Is Back” (3x20)

    Why He Worked: The PERFECT best friend for Veronica. Wallace is loyal, intelligent, determined, and courageous. I still get chills when I think about how he stood up to Lucky in the almost school shooting. He’s sweet and always looking out for the ones he loves. Often, he’s objective in spats between his friends. Wallace wears the title of “peacemaker” really well.

    Why He Didn’t: It felt a lot like Wallace was just Veronica’s sidekick sometimes, when he could have been so much more. I also need to know more about what happened that night in Chicago.

    2. Logan Echolls

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Jason Dohring

    First Appearance: “Pilot” (1x01)

    Last Appearance: “The Bitch Is Back” (3x20)

    Why He Worked: Everyday, I’m irrationally angry because Logan Echolls is a character I did not write. He’s so compelling. He’s evil, but he’s straight-up saintly. He’s psychotic, but he’s the sanest person in the room. His courage knows no bounds and sometimes slips into foolhardiness, but Logan always thinks he’s doing the right thing. There is no challenge he will not accept. When he screws up, he pays for it, and he knows what he’s done wrong. He isn’t immune to the system, it’s just that the system often works in his favor. While only the second best character of the series, it’s almost without denial that Dohring is the best actor on the show. I’m not just curious about why the guy didn’t win an Emmy. I want to know why he doesn’t have a Golden Globe.

    Why He Didn’t: Logan often did things that weren’t easy to redeem. He could get a little like Spike from Buffy when it came to loving Veronica, and that’s creepy. But Logan’s flaws are what make him such a damn good character, and he never feels out of place. Only one character could ever surpass him.

    1. Veronica Mars

    Warner Bros. Television

    Portrayed By: Kristen Bell

    First Appearance: “Pilot” (1x01)

    Last Appearance: “The Bitch Is Back” (3x20)

    Why She Worked: She’s the titular character, so you can’t have a show without her. Also, who are you if you didn’t see this coming? Veronica is totally badass and an excellent female role model. She shows you that smart doesn’t only mean having the best grades and being at the top of your class. That’s a skill you need if you want to help people. She’s independent, she’s dogged, and watching her grow is just freaking beautiful. If you live your life with the badassedness of Veronica Mars, you’ll go far.

    Why She Didn’t: There’s no show without Veronica Mars. As for flaws, she’s a little too independent and maybe a little closed-off, but who cares? She makes this show and is the queen of everything.

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