For those who've never watched the show, now in its second season, "Mars" is the story of a teenaged girl detective in a snooty, corrupt town in California. But it's much deeper and more complicated than its basic premise implies. Last year, Veronica (played by the amazing and adorable Kristen Bell) toiled to find the killer of her best friend, Lilly Kane.
Though someone had already confessed to Lilly's murder neither Veronica nor her father (the town's former sheriff) believed it. The season ended with the discovery that Lilly was murdered by Aaron Echolls (an appropriately slimy Harry Hamlin), father to Veronica's sometime nemesis and eventual boyfriend, Logan.
The last shot of last season was Veronica, answering the door to the cheap apartment she shares with her dad, and greeting an unseen visitor. All summer, fans of the show speculated whether the visitor was Logan or Duncan, Lilly's brother and Veronica's former flame.
Last night, the suspense ended, as the visitor was revealed to be Logan. This being a mystery show, though, his appearance raised more questions than it solved.
For one thing, he was bruised and covered in blood after a confrontation with some bikers. For another, it seems that Logan may have killed one of said bikers.
And I've just scratched the surface.
The premiere was a little too crowded, with a murder, a drug testing scandal, class warfare, a fatal bus accident, romantic intrigue, and, yes, a guest spot by 80s icon Steve Guttenberg. Also, there were way too many flashbacks (perhaps a nod to its new time slot competitor, "Lost").
But, flaws and all "Mars" remains one of the most compelling hours on television. Bell's Veronica is one of the most consistently appealing female characters on television -- smart, witty, tough, yet vulnerable. Not only does she solve crimes, but she gets good grades and has a nice relationship with her sweetheart of a dad, Keith.
The show also really does well by its secondary characters, particularly the charismatic but troubled Logan, who makes "The O.C"s supposed troubled teens look like boy and girl scouts by comparison.
Yet the show barely made it to a second season, and is now pitted against "Lost." That's a sad irony, as the same people who love the complicated characters and plot twists of "Lost" would probably also dig "Mars," which has many of the same elements.
All I can say is that you must watch this show. Tape it, TiVo it, steal a neighbor's TV -- I don't care.
It's on UPN at 9 p.m. Wednesdays. I've also heard that epsiodes will re-air on the weekends, so check your listings. This show is too good to disappear.