You may be able to tell that I have a thing for movies and shows that feature “strong female leads.” Yes, that’s how Netflix describes my preferred segment. And I am ok with that! So today I’m sharing a great show that ticks two boxes: strong female lead with California. And if you don’t know about Veronica Mars, you are in for a treat!
Veronica Mars in California
Veronica Mars is set in the fictional town of Neptune, California. It’s supposed to be a rich suburb of San Diego, and that’s one of the reasons I love it. Lots of shots of the Pacific Ocean. Trips to Tijuana (I’d rather go to Rancho La Puerta. But that’s just me.) The bonfires on the beach where high schools drink too much alcohol. Movie stars. Convertibles. All the classic California tropes.
A bit of background: The show debuted in 2004 and wrapped up (maybe?) with a final fourth season on Hulu in 2019. Although it was billed as a high school show, I didn’t start watching it until I was in my 30s- and it has never dumbed anything down. It actually made me glad I’m not in high school anymore 🙂
What I love about the show
Veronica is a high school student by day, detective by night. She has secrets and trauma, but she’s strong, smart and wise-cracking. She wears questionable 2000s fashion. She’s Gossip Girl. She has a few boyfriends- but the best is, of course, Logan. I mean, come on!
On top of how terrific Veronica is- the supporting characters are equally intriguing. Wallace, Weevil, Veronica’s dad Keith. Even the evil Aaron Echolls is fun to watch. And the fact that Veronica Mars is set in California makes me love it even more.
The first season is the best, in my opinion, but I’m on board for all three original seasons. And they hold up- easily worth a rewatch if it’s been years since you’ve seen them.
And honestly, I love that the creators appreciate the fan base and have tried to keep the story going. From the novels to the movie to the reboot (which I cannot finish- no spoilers but I just can’t), the show endured longer than a lot of my other favorites. I even supported the kickstarter campaign to get the movie produced. While Veronica Mars probably isn’t coming back, it has been a good run and I’ve loved every minute of it.
Where it is streaming
Your best bet for getting Veronica Mars online for a decent price is through Hulu. All three seasons are available on Amazon, as is the movie. The movie is available for streaming on Amazon. You can even pick up the books, which are a lot of fun.
So if you are looking for a dose of California during this hot summer, check out Veronica Mars. A classic California show!
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