Alyson Hannigan

Veronica Mars 1.15 FAQ
What’s it titled?
“Ruskie Business.”
Who’s Responsible?
Teleplay is credited to John Enborn (“Lord of the Bling”).
What does TV Guide say?
“Veronica juggles three cases when she continues her efforts to locate Logan’s missing mom; helps Meg track a secret admirer, and aids a Russian woman looking for love. Also, she follows a lead about her own missing mother that has a surprising result.”
The big news?
If you thought last week’s triple-plot episode was jam-packed, wait till you get a load of this baby. There’s enough happening in this one for three episodes.
The bigger news?
There’s a fairly huge left-field development involving young Duncan Kane.
The biggest news?
Out of nowhere comes a gigantor cliffhanger, and it ties into something “Veronica” fans have been waiting for all season. It also suggests that, as the season heads into its final seven episodes, the stand-alone plotlines might at last be de-emphasized.
I thought you said Alyson Hannigan was in this one! You said she plays Logan Echolls’ struggling-actress half-sister Trina!
Trina Echolls does indeed turn up this week. But just barely.
Is Trina Echolls nice like Willow Rosenberg or as scummy as the rest of the Echolli?
Much more the latter. But she’s not so much mean as self-absorbed.
How hard is Trina struggling in the acting game? She hasn’t resorted to movies based on cartoons, has she?
Worse. “If you’re coming home, who’ll play Dead Hooker Number Two on ‘CSI’ this week?” Logan inquires of Trina.
Alyson Hannigan’s pretty and she used to be on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”! At what point does Trina turn up? How much screen time does she get?
She turns up at the very very end of act two, but we don’t see her face until act three. She appears in a total of two scenes.
Near the end of last episode, we learned Lynn Echolls’ credit card had recently been used (despite Lynn’s alleged deadness). Was it really Trina using Lynn’s card?
Good call, clever viewer!
Does anything give you the sense Trina will be back?
There are obviously bigger plans for Trina, who does next to nothing this week. Her total screen time clocks in at two minutes and 10 seconds. You don’t bring in the female lead from “American Wedding” just to do what Hannigan does this episode.
Who’s Meg again?
A pretty blonde student introduced in “Like A Virgin.” In the “Previously on ‘Veronica Mars’” clip package, it’s Meg who says, “You do have friends, Veronica.”
This Lianne Mars lead that yields a surprising result? Is it revealed at the end of the episode - the way Koontz’s dying was last week?
Another bullseye!
Does the lead involve Veronica’s maybe-daddy Jake Kane?
Not so much. But there might be a connection in that “surprising result.”
Is the Lianne Mars lead connected to the Lynn Echolls business?
If they are, we don’t learn this week (beyond them being connected thematically, of course).
What else is TV Guide not telling us?
The whole episode builds toward an homage of sorts to early John Hughes movies, built around a big ‘80s-themed dance. Look for bustiers. And music by Spandau Ballet, Cyndi Lauper and the Fixx.
Any sign of Veronica’s deputy boyfriend?
You know it. He’s everywhere this week.
Any sign of the hot guidance counselor, Veronica’s mom or the late Lilly Kane this week?
We do see one of those three.
What’s good?
The little black Madonna number Veronica wears to the ‘80s party. “I’m cutting pictures of Ashton out of Teen People as we speak.” “Memory plays tricks on people.” “He totally wants to protect and serve you.” “I cannot escape Tom Cruise.” “I was thinkin’ about it.” “Whaaat?”
What’s not so good?
The tiny nature of Hannigan’s role. The huge hiatus destined to follow this installment.
How does it end, spoiler-boy?
“You’re safe now.”
Herc’s rating for “Veronica Mars” 1.15?
4 stars