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Veronica Mars (CW)

common sense media says

Harriet the Spy meets Peyton Place; teens OK.

parents & educators say
See all 18 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this series features violence and sexual references. Although the program is set in high school, it deals with very adult themes -- including murder, greed, infidelity, gang violence, and date rape -- and should be prescreened before allowing kids to tune in.

Positive messages: Veronica is strong, independent, has a great relationship with her dad, and makes it a priority to stand up for the little people. But she often gets carried away in her quest to punish wrongdoers by lying, cheating, and/or breaking the law to get to the truth. Issues of race and class are integral to the show's premise.
Violence: Fights, gang violence, destruction of property. The main character is seemingly a victim of date rape.
Sex: Frank sexual innuendo, images of teenagers making out in cars.
Language: Mild profanity -- "ass," "hell," etc.
Consumerism: Macintosh products are featured prominently.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Flashback scenes feature teens drinking without consequences. Drug use is treated with negative consequences. The main character is unknowingly given GHB. Her mother is an alcoholic.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Veronica Mars

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the positives and negatives of high school popularity. How does Veronica's change in status affect her actions? They can also talk about the race and class issues that the show raises -- do teens see these types of problems in their own community?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Set in the wealthy California town of Neptune, VERONICA MARS is the story of a plucky 17-year-old detective (Kristin Bell) whose picture-perfect popular existence is cut short when her best friend/boyfriend's sister, Lilly Kane, is murdered. After a lowlife is arrested and convicted of the crime, Veronica's dad, town sheriff Keith (Enrico Colantoni), becomes convinced that Lilly's much-admired father is the real murderer. While Keith is deposed from office for his unpopular opinions and abandoned by his wife, Veronica remains steadfastly by his side. To support himself and his daughter, Keith sets up shop as a private eye. While he investigates crimes, a now-hardened Veronica does her own work on the sly for students falsely accused of crimes.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

On the surface, Veronica Mars may appear to be yet another rich-kids-gone-bad teen melodrama, but thanks to witty dialogue, unique direction, and exceptional acting, this unpredictable neo-noir sets itself a cut above the rest. (That said, the show's storylines can often be dark, complicated, and scary for young viewers; one episode features a bus of school kids that goes off a cliff.)

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: CW
Cast: Enrico Colantoni, Kristen Bell
Genre: Drama
Where to watch: CW
This review was written by Marjorie Kase
 
 

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What parents & educators say

15

Most useful reviews by all members

angelfire87
adult
15
 
Awesome Show, But Only For Older Teens
I've watched the entire series a few times and I loved it. It's definitely a very mature show that I would only recommend to ages 15 and up. It deals with adult topics such as date rape, murder, losing a loved one, sex, drugs, and alcohol abuse. Occasionally, sexual encounters are partially shown (especially in 2nd season.) However, the show also has positive qualities. Veronica is a very strong female lead and has a very close relationship with her father.
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TxJosh
adult
 
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gerroddances
adult
 
Veronica Mars - Good Drama up until this season
THis show must have new writers. this season has made the review go out for an opinion. Up until now this show was right on the money. It had my interest enough to try and remember when it was on. This season the lead, Veronica, stomps her foot, pouts, flounces etc etc that the original character would have verbally clobbered. SO I am sticking with the show until the end of the season and give it a high five until this year
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bubblegumblue
adult
14
 
Amazing
It's the most addictive show I've ever watched. I love it!
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deschanel
adult
 
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katielyn
adult
 
it awesome
this show is funny and intelligent and it displays basically what goes on in high school...plus shes a private investigator...hoe awesome is that. loooove the shoe<3
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Sumiko
teen, 17 years old
14
 
Since I'm only in the 1st season, I can't give this a complete review. I like it, not typically a show I'd watch. I'd have to watch more to really gain an opinion. There is drugs, alcohol and other bad stuff. The main character gets date raped. And there's murder(it is a crime show)
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Forestwolfie
teen, 14 years old
13
 
I think buffy the vampire slayer meets nacy drew.
Im 12 (almost 13) and i have watching this show with my mom and we are on the last disc of season one and it is so good! The only thing to be concerned about is maybe about some of the cases like some things have things to do with drugs,porn, violence. But its not bad and its not going to scar you for life or anything. I'm only 12 and i can handle it. But wow i love this show and that's to bad it was canceled
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lafs1684
adult
 
I love this show
This is one of my favorite shows.
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HinataLuvsPeterick
teen, 17 years old
 
Was My Favorite Show
until it got canceled. T_T I've been watching it since '04. I recommend this show to 15+ year olds.
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TheRhea
kid, 13 years old
17
 
TER-I-BLE
TERRIBLE!! to this day im afraid of the back of my car *shudders* *SCREAMS, because thinks that someone is behind me*
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googlygo
kid, 11 years old
10
 
11-12 iffy 13+ is right on
I like this show I have only watched a little bit but it is pretty good. I am 11 maybe not the perfect age for the show . The show so far isn't to violent but the sex part isn't that good. The flashbacks are basically what you have to watch for because that was when she remember her dead friend (not a good image) and all thoose parties that she had(with alot of drugs and making out) If you are 13 this show is perfect for you. But if you are 11 it might be a little disgusting or scary at parts but wont like scar you just try not to watch it at night
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radicalistic
 
This show goes both ways.
I personally love this show. It has great actors and has an intiguing storyline every episode. The downside is, is does give teens some bad examples. Neptune, California is a have vs. have-nots environment. The rich (09'ers) are constantly berating those lesser than them. Inapropriate language is sprinkled throughout the show (1-2 every episode). References to drug use or alchol are relatively common. There is a lot of talk about sex and infedelity because of the Mars's family business (private investigation). Although this show has lightened up in the second season, it still is not appropriate for most teens.
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music_lover_005
teen, 15 years old
 
I LOVE IT!!!!!
IT IS SO AWESOME! GIVES KIDS SOMEONE TO LOOK UP TO, APPROPRIATE FOR FA,]MILIES, SOMETIMES!!!!!!!!
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Poptartpm
 
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neptune09er
teen, 17 years old
13
 
My favorite show!
I can't even describe how much I love this show. It even influenced my screen name (neptune09er). The characters are very refreshing and different than most of the junk on TV now. Too bad it got cancelled :(
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minirichman
teen, 15 years old
12
 
the best show ever
this is the best
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Rebecca Randall
parent of 12 and 15 year old
 
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wahoosigma
 
Smart and Sassy but filled with moral dilemas
This is a well-written smart show. However, it as a teen drama it highlights all the pitfalls of teenhood -- status issues, drugs, sex and gang issues. These are very adult themes. Several of the characters are wealthy emancipated teens who really lack a moral compass. Veronica is a smart, sassy gal but her own ethics are very situational. Not a bad show, but definitely merits parental involvement and post show discussion.
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bubblesrain1211
teen, 14 years old
13
 
Wonderful show, iffy subject matter
This show has great acting, an engaging storyline, interesting characters, and the leading character is strong. Unfortunatley, it deals with gang violence, sex, drinking and drug abuse, and mild language. Overall, I love this show, and half way through season 3. This show gives parents a lot to talk with their children about.
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