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[artreider]

No hardcore fandom has ever died so quickly and so completely as Veronica Mars. This is the story of its murder.

They should study Veronica Mars in Hollywood. I'm serious. It's an incredible story of how to go from "loud, passionate fanbase with its own fandom name that campaigns and advocates constantly for it" to "absolutely zero fucking interest" damn near OVERNIGHT with just ONE epically terri-bad decision.

If you weren't there, you don't understand: From 2007 to 2014, the fandom — the "Marshmallows," as they called themselves — were everywhere in the Internet's geek spaces, my friends. They routinely beat the drum about the series' three seasons and its excellence, lamented its cancellation, pushed others to give the show a try, and always - ALWAYS - proudly and loudly called for the series to be revived.

FULL DISCLOSURE/CONFESSION: I've not even watched that much Veronica Mars, frankly... ? Yeah, I'm sorry! it does seem pretty good from like the four-or-five hours I've experienced firsthand. I just never took the time to sit down with it. Regardless, I find fandoms and their dynamics — both how they operate internally and how they display to others externally — deeply fascinating. And I honestly find them easier to study from the outside than the inside. Like, if I'm IN a fandom, I'm more likely to stay in my corner and ignore places that seem negative. But being on the outside lets me just... absorb what's out there, looking into every forum without judgment. It's like studying pop-culture sociology or something? And it helps that I'm very close to some serious(-ly burnt) Marshmallows. It makes it so much easier to find and absorb the gamut of the fandom.

Besides: There is NO fandom story I've ever seen that's anything like what happened to Veronica Mars and the Marshmallows.

(Time to insert a brief explainer for the uninitiated: Veronica Mars was a TV series that aired from 2004-2007 on the now-deceased UPN network wherein Kristen Bell played the titular character, a high school girl whose single dad was a private detective in the fictional community of Neptune, California. She grew up working "unofficially" as his assistant, which meant that she herself was effectively a teenage private detective.

The three core elements of the series were: 1) Veronica investigating each week's big mystery with plenty of quips and snark, 2) Watching Veronica's various relationships develop and shift, with most of the focus given to a) her relationship to her father and b) Her romantic pursuits (which began as the Veronica/Duncan/Logan triangle before eventually becoming focused on the slow-burn, off-on Veronica/Logan love story), and 3) The gradual development of that season's "mytharc" — the overarching BIG MYSTERY that doesn't get resolved or wrapped until the season finale. So it went over the course of two seasons that took place in high school and the third, shorter season that was at the start of Veronica's collegiate career.)

Just how big and how passionate were the Marshmallows? WELL! When series creator Rob Thomas (not the Matchbox 20 guy) and star Kristen Bell announced the Kickstarter campaign for the Veronica Mars movie in March 2013, it achieved its heretofore-unprecedented goal of TWO MILLION GODDAMN DOLLARS within less than 12 hours. At that time, it was the biggest Kickstarter goal to ever succeed — and certainly the fastest to reach that kind of height. Fans fell OVER themselves to pay out for it. Hell, my own significant other was DEEP in the tank for VM at the time and invested enough to get multiple t-shirts as backer rewards as well as a disk copy of the movie when it eventually came home.

And AFTER the movie hit in 2014? It was thankfully beloved and embraced! The once-teenage characters were adults who were actually out living on their own and working for a living, but the fandom had grown up with them, so it wasn't like they were begging for them to stay young students. They embraced Adult Veronica and her new adventure. The fandom rejoiced loudly and continued to be all over the geek side of the Internet... where they, of course, still wanted more. Sure, there were new novels in the aftermath (which were written by the creator of the series), but most of the Marshmallows were calling for more movies or a streaming revival.

And then, at long last... season four was actually announced. And there was much (premature) rejoicing yet again.

Yes, Veronica Mars returned for a fourth season on Hulu in 2019. It was just eight episodes, and it was heavily centered on one season-long mystery instead of sprinkling that amongst a bunch of smaller ones, but it would still feature the same ol' Veronica. They promised a new, more "adult" mystery/investigation plus a strong focus on Veronica and Logan's love story.

New Hulu purchased the rights to the first three seasons and hyped up its presence on the platform while marketing the return for the new run. The marketing team played up the most popular quips from the show's history plus put out TONS of stuff centered on the Logan/Veronica ship to pump up the fans.

The season was dropped all at once using the classic Netflix "binge" model in July 2019. And then... afterwards?

There was a brief explosion of LOUD RAGE from the Marshmallows at what series creator Rob Thomas had to done to burn and spite the fandom and ruin his own goodwill.

SPOILERS FOR SEASON 4: See, at the end of the movie, Veronica and Logan finally entered into a long-term relationship. In season four, they've been dating for years, and Logan proposes marriage. But of course there has to be drama/obstacles: In this case, Veronica isn't sure she's ready to marry... or capable of being in a marriage. Ah, but of course she eventually realizes how much Logan means to her. The two are married, and, in the season finale... Logan is killed by a car bomb in the penultimate scene. The final scene is a flashfoward to a year later, where Veronica leaves Neptune alone.

For most fandoms, that'd be a memorable point of pain. A big ol' speed bump that ultimately throws some people off the bus, leaving only the die-hards. But the fact that fans had been invested in this relationship for literally 15 years and that Hulu (and creator Rob Thomas) had heavily marketed the new season as being a big romantic event for the ship... it was too much. Unlike the aftermath of the Star Wars sequels, there was no lingering group of die-hard fans who were open to whatever was next — at least no significant one. I did some Googling and could only find TWO people who still wanted another season.

Funnily enough? Critics LOVED this. Hell, Vanity Fair infamously penned an editorial about how Veronica Mars had "finally grown up" with this finale. I suppose all the other murders and deaths and drug overdoses and r*pe weren't "mature" enough before now for... some... reason. (The same editorial also featured the author openly hating on Veronica ever being in a relationship because it causes "arrested development" and declaring that the movie -- which was acclaimed by both critics AND fans alike, I remind you -- was a lame dud. So. The writer must be a reeeaaaal fun person.)

But a series doesn't live based on critical acclaim, as it turns out. The fandom was murdered overnight. "Marshmallows" stopped appearing in geek spaces online entirely. No one expressed interest in seeing the next season or the next movie. The constant flow of fan AMVs on YouTube and fanfics on AO3 dried up to nothing or damn nearly so.

Since 2019 ? Nothing. Chirping crickets. An intensely dedicated fandom of 12 years was just... vaporized.

I've never seen anything like it before OR since.

That's why it's so fucking fascinating.

So what went wrong?

Creator Rob Thomas was adamant about two things: ONE, the series was intended to be a noir show, which meant there couldn't be any happiness for its protagonist. And TWO, the death of Logan was necessary to evolve and grow the series.

Thomas thought that having Veronica in a relationship would be holding her back, and that a marriage would absolutely kill the series and leave her stagnant. It never even occurred to him that marriage isn't the end of a character's life and growth. It never occurred to him that plenty of drama can be had AFTER someone is married, or that development/growth could be that the characters mature enough to be capable of maintaining a committed relationship. Thomas' view of his own universe was so myopic that he couldn't conceive of any possible way that Veronica could still be a private detective involved in life-threatening investigations AND be married at the same time. Futhermore, he felt that fans just wanted Veronica to become a pregnant housewife, which is about as far from what Marshmallows were after as you can get without straight-up killing Veronica and/or Logan. He managed to do the only thing wronger than what he wrongly thought was their insistence.

On top of the above, Rob Thomas only viewed "noir" as a vehicle for total fatalism... despite the fact that many of the most famous noir stories are cynical and full of moral ambiguity, but they still feature a positive outcome. The Big Sleep still has the protagonist get the girl. The Set-Up arguably ends with the happiest possible ending in spite of the beating the hero receives.

Perhaps most importantly? Despite Thomas own insistence that Veronica Mars was always "noir," the majority of both TV critics and fans did not think that designation ever truly applied. I suspect that's the reason why Thomas decided to go as dark and fatalistic as possible: He wanted to be noir, and he was being told that he wasn't. So he went so far into noir that he killed his own most popular property.

He was adamant that it was the only way for the series to grow. But as it turns out, it was instead the only way for the series to permanently end. Without that season four finale, a passionate group of fans would still be begging for more. With it? It's over. Nobody fucking cares now.

That's kind of amazing.

[artreider]

I swear if maya doesnt put her hat in the ring for captain too I'll be pissed, its not about her getting it but her being true to her desire for it.

Station 19 6x17 Promo “All These Things That I've Done” 

[artreider]

Walt people still think Carina pregnant ? I do think we see very little of Maya in promo pics lately so I guess it’s linked to spoilers but pregnant ? I don’t think so.

Yea as much as I'd love it i think too long has passed since their last iui so she'd be into her 2nd trimester and showing. I mean if they'd done a pregnancy reveal a few episodes ago maybe. But what do i know maybe its only been 2 months since iui.

[artreider]

I know everyone or a lot of people are speculating that maya is at the hospital in the next episode because something happens to carina and they find out she is pregnant. Now while i would love that i have an alternative.

I actually thought of this while watching last weeks episode but hadnt connected it to this weeks episode until the continued talk about the hospital scene in this weeks episode.

So last week a halfway house for recovering addicts caught fire, what if one of the people rescued was mason bishop and he winds up in grey sloan and his emergency contact is maya. Thus we get his return and it furthers her journey of recovery. Just a thought.

[artreider]

Carina is not wrong but neither is ben. He has valid concerns as not only a husband but also a father. If someone was to happen to one of the kids he and miranda would never forgive themselves especially if it was pru who they vowed to protect.

By that same token while carina is not actively being targeted yet how would she feel if someone hurt maya trying to hurt her.

#carina deluca for president

[artreider]

The one person i want to see on good trouble before the series ends is jesus. I feel like there have been moments that he should have been there for mariana for. I know the actor has had an explosion in popularity but i wish we were getting a least a video call or something. Also would like to see jude make an appearance once in awhile since he is close by, like especially for the upcoming Thanksgiving episode.

[artreider]

From looking at photos and reading press release im going to stick with my theory that diane comes to access maya's readiness for the captaincy since she is clearly already allowed back on scene and not just doing desk duty. I also stand by it'll be offered to maya and she will either turn it down or talk to carina about it and then take it.

Im also slightly concerned jack gets injured this week as he is not in the upcoming promotional photos.

[artreider]

My thoughts on the upcoming episodes based off what ive seen about the upcoming episodes. First let me say i support carina taking some time also love that she came by the check on maya and let maya see her briefly.

Now i think next episode they will talk and come to some kind of like dating or something agreement like carina may move home into the guest room or they'll agree to get together for meals a few times a week to try to reconnect but basically taking their reconciliation slowly. During that time Beckett will fuck up and lose rank/step down.

Then the following episode ross will try to figure out who best to replace beckett. Either andy, maya or theo (she won't consider sullivan because of their relationship). She'll call in diane to assess the team and let her know if maya is ready to be captain again. Carina will learn about the progress maya has made in a roundabout way from diane and see it while she works desk duty. Maya will learn about the captaincy job and approach ross, tell her while she would love to be captain again she is not quite ready and recommend andy or she'll be offered the captaincy and turn it down.

That will lead to marina really reuniting though theyll agree to counseling to solidify their relationship and fix some issues.

[artreider]

Carina isnt wrong but lets be real the shampoo excuse was just a way /reason for her to go home and see for herself how maya was doing.

“I’m happy for you. I am, but this is just another thing you did to keep your job…” 💔💔💔

[artreider]

Anyone else realize they are giving the two couples who got married during the pandemic season all the strife.

[artreider]

Anyone else notice Jack has been demoted? In tonights episode his name tag just says Gibson instead of Lt. Gibson. Like why was he demoted, he clearly told the chief he was leaving so it was probably like a leave of absence which shouldn't equal a demotion. Also there is no argument to be had they couldn't have another lt, since he is taking maya's spot and she is a lt also.

[artreider]

So this definitely makes me think of something that came to me as an idea after learning jack and his sister were spending time together. What if his sister is friends with or is dating maya's brother?? Thoughts? It'd be cool if he was the friend she briught to station 19.

Episode 6x10 Synopsis

[artreider]

I really need someone to fuc maya leaving the hospital and coming home to find carina and her stuff gone. Like in my mind she would ask about carina multiple times in the 72 hour hold, then when discharged try to find her in the hospital where carina would not be because she wouldn't want to be there for fear of running into maya and giving in. So then maya would go home thinking shed find carina and then see she wasnt there and took her clothes. So she'd realize how much carina took her ultimatum to heart. Just whats in my head.

Promo 6x08 Station 19

[artreider]

My almost 4 year old has gotten into watching mighty morphin power rangers like i did as a kid. Its pretty great she likes it as much as i did. She just got to the introduction of tommy and i geeked out. Im going to enjoy watching jdf and tommy/kimberly so much. I think we started it at just the right time after jdf's passing it would've been difficult to watch right after his dead.

[artreider]

So happy ive gotten into ncis hawaii, itll be nice to have happy kacy while dealing with the heartbreak that is marina tight now.

[artreider]

Something i want to see in tonight's greys episode is a scene between carina and meredith. I know we wont but im so upset we never got a scene when andrew died or even after.

[artreider]

In light of tonights episode im going to give up this idea that came into my brain for someone or some persons to write about.

Carina leaves and goes to Italy when her visa expires and does not propose.

When she arrives in Italy, she reaches out to Maya and they reconnect though it is strained.

Maya loses her captaincy when saving the kid from the fire.

She struggles without Carina there to be her joy, spiraling a bit faster than on the show, knowing not only is she a better captain than Beckett but also the best person for the job.

The loss of Dean hits her hard as she feels responsible.

though both carina and maya are vaccinated just five months after maya loses her captaincy. Carina does not get a new visa until a year after that due to the border remaining closed and a backlog with immigration. A process that would have gone faster if the pair had been married or engaged.

by that time maya has mostly withdrawn from their relationship, still talking to carina but also skipping calls in favor of running/working out or taking extra shifts as she deals with an incompetent captain, not being reinstated by a new female chief and hazing from her captain after trying to blackmail ross over her relationship with sullivan.

Carina, though, knows Maya is struggling and is determined to come back and be there for her because she believes she can help her if only they are reunited.

but as carina is boarding a plane to return to seattle, grey sloan and of course maya, maya has a serious accident on the treadmill after overworking herself.