‘Veronica Mars’ is Your Crazy, Sexy, Cool Noir Binge of the Summer

I’ll admit it: I’m a full-fledged “Marshmallow,” which as all true Veronica Mars fans know is the term of endearment affectionally used to describe the show’s passionate fanbase. I watched the original series when it aired from 2004-2007 on UPN and The CW; I own the DVDs, and when I had the opportunity to write my very own TV show I said “I want Dick Casablancas as the lead!”

During its initial run, Rob Thomas’ mordant mystery-noir series about an intrepid teen private eye (Kristen Bell) with an indefatigable thirst for justice earned its loyal audience by possessing a suave, seemingly effortless swagger. It was a show that embraced the relatable plight of the underdog as the sharp writing, charming cast, and enthralling whodunits combined to deliver the type of beloved series that engendered deep, abiding devotion.

As a long-time fan, I had one simple question about the forthcoming Hulu revival: Could Veronica Mars Season 4 live up to the show’s formidable legacy? In a word, absolutely.

If you’re a fan of the original series, you’re going to love the new season of Veronica Mars. The new eight-episode offering is impressive in that it’s a love letter to diehard fans but still inclusive enough to be enjoyed by outsiders. You don’t have to catch up on the first three seasons (which are streaming on Hulu) and the movie (which is available on HBO) to understand Season 4, but doing so will increase your entertainment by about 25%.

If you simply don’t have the time for a full Veronica Mars binge-session, Hulu released a helpful three-minute recap of Seasons 1-3:

The new season centers on a string of mysterious bombings that take place over Neptune’s spring break. With countless lives lost and the town’s tourism industry hanging in the balance, Mars Investigations is hired by a family affected by the bombings to find the culprit, but in typical Veronica Mars fashion, the case is way more complex than initially meets the eye. The never-ending battle between the wealthy and the working class is intensified by the involvement of an assortment of characters — an ascendant political figure, a drug cartel hellbent on vengeance, a coterie of amateur true-crime enthusiasts, and a host of familiar Neptune recidivists — who are all looking to solve the case to further their own nefarious agendas. The season-long mystery doesn’t quite hit the highs of Season 1’s Lilly Kane whodunit, but the case offers enough intrigue to provide a satisfying narrative backbone to the season.

I love a well-developed mystery, but for me, Veronica Mars earned icon status due to its array of charming, believably flawed characters, most of which are back for Season 4. Veronica, Logan (Jason Dohring), and Keith Mars (Enrico Colantoni) are the returning characters with the most screen time, while favorites like Wallace (Percy Daggs III), Weevil (Francis Capra), Dick (Ryan Hansen), and Veronica’s old flame Leo D’Amato (Max Greenfield) appear throughout the season. While a surprising number of Season 3 characters pop up throughout Season 4, Tina Majorino’s Mac and Chris Lowell’s Piz don’t appear (but are mentioned) in the new season.

Season 4 has no shortage of newcomers as Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons, Patton Oswalt, and Kirby Howell-Baptiste join the fun for the newest batch of episodes. Simmons portrays an enigmatic ex-con and business associate of Big Dick Casablancas, while Oswalt plays true-crime obsessed pizza delivery guy Penn Epner. Howell-Baptiste once again reunites with a Good Place costar (KHB and D’Arcy Carden both appear in Barry) as she portrays Nicole, the no nonsense proprietor of a popular Neptune bar.

The trio enhance an already impressive ensemble, but my favorite part of the new season is the continuing romantic saga of Veronica and Logan. The relationship between the two damaged loners has evolved into something that almost resembles a healthy courtship. I love a well-told mystery as much as the next person, but what I wanted most out of the new season was another dose of sizzling chemistry and aspirational banter between Veronica and Logan.

Mission accomplished.

The Veronica Mars revival is a delightfully absorbing mix of smart-ass humor and crackling noir intrigue. A delicate blend of humor and heartbreak, it’s the type of summer series you’ll devour in a weekend, leaving you fulfilled but ultimately wishing there were more episodes to enjoy. Get excited, Marshmallows! Season 4 is a blast.

Season 4 of Veronica Mars premieres Friday, July 26th on Hulu.

Where to stream Veronica Mars