Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough
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"Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough" is the thirteenth episode of the second season of the American
mystery Mystery, The Mystery, Mysteries or The Mysteries may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional characters *Mystery, a cat character in ''Emily the Strange'' *Mystery, a seahorse that SpongeBob SquarePants adopts in the episode " My Pre ...
television series ''
Veronica Mars ''Veronica Mars'' is an American teen neo-noir Mystery fiction, mystery Drama (film and television), drama television series created by screenwriter Rob Thomas (writer), Rob Thomas. The series is set in the fictional city, fictional town of Ne ...
'', and the thirty-fifth episode overall. Written by
Diane Ruggiero Diane Ruggiero-Wright is an American television writer and producer. Her credits include '' That's Life'', ''Veronica Mars'', '' Free Agents'', '' Dirty Sexy Money'', '' Big Shots'', the ''Mythological X'' remake '' The Ex List'' and '' iZombie' ...
and directed by
Guy Bee Guy Norman Bee is an American television director, television producer and former Steadicam operator. Selected filmography Television director * ''ER (TV series), ER'' * ''Third Watch'' * ''Harper's Island'' * ''Criminal Minds'' * ''Veronica ...
, the episode premiered on
UPN The United Paramount Network (UPN) was an American broadcast television network that operated from 1995 to 2006. It was originally a joint venture between Chris-Craft Industries (later sold to News Corporation)'s subsidiary, United Television, ...
on February 8, 2006. The series depicts the adventures of
Veronica Mars ''Veronica Mars'' is an American teen neo-noir Mystery fiction, mystery Drama (film and television), drama television series created by screenwriter Rob Thomas (writer), Rob Thomas. The series is set in the fictional city, fictional town of Ne ...
(
Kristen Bell Kristen Anne Bell (born July 18, 1980) is an American actress, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. List of Kristen Bell performances, Her work includes both film and television, and List of awards and nominations received by Kristen Bell, h ...
) as she deals with life as a high school student while moonlighting as a
private detective A private investigator (often abbreviated to PI; also known as a private detective, an inquiry agent or informally a private eye) is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private investigat ...
. In this episode, Veronica is called on to investigate when someone steals $12,000 worth of school trip money at the winter carnival. Meanwhile, Terrence Cook (
Jeffrey Sams Jeffrey D. Sams is an actor. Career Sams has been a main cast member of several television series, few of which have made it past their first season. These include ''Medicine Ball (TV series), Medicine Ball'', ''Sleepwalkers (TV series), Sleepw ...
) talks to Keith (
Enrico Colantoni Enrico Colantoni (born February 14, 1963) is a Canadian-American actor and director, best known for portraying Elliot DiMauro in the sitcom '' Just Shoot Me!'', Keith Mars on the television series ''Veronica Mars'', Louis Utz on the short-lived ...
) about his recent questioning related to the bus crash, and Logan (
Jason Dohring Jason William Dohring (born March 30, 1982) is an American actor, known for his roles as Logan Echolls in ''Veronica Mars'' (2004–2007, 2019) and its 2014 film continuation, Josef Kostan in ''Moonlight'' (2007), Adam Carpenter in '' Ringer'' ...
) flirts with a girl named Hannah (
Jessy Schram Jessy Schram is an American actress, model and singer. Her most notable roles include Hannah Griffith in ''Veronica Mars'', Rachel Seybolt in ''Life'', Karen Nadler in ''Falling Skies'', Cinderella/Ashley Boyd in ''Once Upon a Time'' and Dr. Han ...
).


Synopsis

It is winter carnival, and Veronica helps out to raise money for the senior trip. She is sarcastically confronted by JD, the runner-up to the Kane scholarship, and Madison Sinclair. Jackie (
Tessa Thompson Tessa Lynne Thompson (born October 3, 1983) is an American actress. She began her professional acting career with the List of Theatre Communications Group member theatres, Los Angeles Women's Shakespeare Company while studying at Santa Monica ...
) is harassed by Neptune High students in the aftermath of her father being taken in for questioning on the bus crash. Keith is approached by Terrence, who asks him for help. At the winter carnival, Logan talks to Veronica sarcastically. Dick (
Ryan Hansen Ryan Hansen (born July 5, 1981) is an American actor. He is best known for starring as Dick Casablancas on the noir drama series ''Veronica Mars'' (2004–2007, 2019), as Kyle Bradway on the Starz comedy series '' Party Down'' (2009–2010, 2023 ...
) and Logan spot Mac (
Tina Majorino Albertina Marie Majorino ( ; born February 7, 1985) is an American actress. She started her career as a child actress, starring in films such as ''Andre (film), Andre'', ''When a Man Loves a Woman (film), When a Man Loves a Woman'', ''Waterworl ...
) and Beaver (
Kyle Gallner Kyle Steven Gallner (born October 22, 1986) is an American actor. He began acting in 2000, earning recognition for playing Bart Allen in the superhero series ''Smallville'' (2004–2009), Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas in the mystery drama series ...
) holding hands. A group of streakers causes a ruckus, causing Mrs. Hauser to leave the cash box with Veronica. When Mrs. Hauser returns to gather the box, it has been stolen from the cabinet where Veronica left it. Mrs. Hauser states there is $12,000 in the cash box, and without the money, there will be no senior trip. Veronica and the faculty start looking for the box, and Madison blames Jackie, without any evidence. Logan flirts with a girl, Hannah, at the carnival. Veronica angers Weevil by searching his 6-year-old niece's backpack. Keith continues his talk with Terrence, who asks Keith to prove his innocence. Jackie borrows a screwdriver from Beaver, but Veronica finds it was to scrape off hurtful graffiti. Jackie willingly enters the dunk tank at the carnival so that the others can express their anger at her. Keith tells Terrence that he is a major fan of his before questioning Terrence about his relationship with Ms. Dumas, the journalism teacher. At the winter carnival, Wallance intentionally misses during his turn at the dunk tank. Dick makes fun of Beaver and Mac. Logan continues to flirt with Hannah. Veronica asks for the ball pit to be dumped as part of her investigation, but nothing is found. Incomplete footage of the time the box was stolen is found leading to several suspects being rounded up, including Dick, JD, Weevil, Madison, and Jackie. Beaver and Mac plan revenge on Dick. Terrence elaborates on his relationship with Ms. Dumas, during which she told Terrence's fiancee about their affair. Weevil tells Veronica that everyone who takes auto shop has a copy of the key to unlock the shop. Principal Clemmons and Veronica search lockers and find $3,000 and a bag of pills in one locker. The owner of the locker is revealed to be Thumper. One of the items in Thumper's locker has a series of numbers on it, which Veronica recognizes to be license plates. While photocopying the item she discovers a page from Mrs. Hauser's test still in the copier. Back in Principal Clemmon's office Mrs. Hauser and Principal Clemmons apologize to Jackie. Veronica takes JB aside and threatens to reveal he is a member of the Tritons unless he confesses to stealing the test, which he agrees to. Veronica then proves that Mrs. Hauser was skimming from the cash box before it was stolen, recovering $6,000. Dick unsuccessfully hits on Madison before approaching an attractive woman claiming to be a student's step-mom and getting in her car. Logan kisses Hannah as her ride pulls up. It is shown that Hannah's father is Dr. Griffith. It's revealed the woman Dick got in the car with is a
transgender A transgender (often shortened to trans) person has a gender identity different from that typically associated with the sex they were sex assignment, assigned at birth. The opposite of ''transgender'' is ''cisgender'', which describes perso ...
sex worker A sex worker is a person who provides sex work, either on a regular or occasional basis. The term is used in reference to those who work in all areas of the sex industry.Oxford English Dictionary, "sex worker" According to one view, sex work is ...
hired by Beaver and Mac as a prank. He almost punches Beaver but eventually backs off. Keith tells Terrence he can't take the case, as Terrence isn't being honest with him. Terrance confesses the extent of his gambling problem, admitting that he rigged a game to get out of debt. Keith is angry at him, but now agrees to take his case, believing that he didn't kill anyone. Veronica observes Weevil arrive at school in a car, and tells him that she knows he stole the cashbox, keeping $3,000 and using the other $3,000 to frame Thumper.


Cultural references

A variety of cultural references are made in the episode: *The senior class wants to go to
Six Flags Magic Mountain Six Flags Magic Mountain, formerly known and colloquially referred to as simply Magic Mountain, is a amusement park located in Valencia, California, northwest of downtown Los Angeles. It opened on May 29, 1971, as a development of the Newha ...
and ride on Batman: The Ride. *Dick references
O. J. Simpson Orenthal James Simpson (July 9, 1947 – April 10, 2024), also known by his nickname "the Juice", was an American professional American football, football player, actor, and media personality who played in the National Football League (NFL) ...
and Claim Jumper. *Jackie sarcastically references '' Grease'' while talking to Madison. *Veronica jokingly compares the carnival to Noah's Ark. *Logan references ''
Jerry Maguire ''Jerry Maguire'' is a 1996 American sports comedy-drama film directed and written by Cameron Crowe. It was produced by Crowe and James L. Brooks for Gracie Films and distributed by TriStar Pictures. It stars Tom Cruise as the titular spor ...
''. *Dick compares Mac to "that chick from '' Ghost World''. *Veronica paraphrases a line from ''
The Breakfast Club ''The Breakfast Club'' is a 1985 American independent teen coming-of-age comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed by John Hughes. The ensemble cast includes Emilio Estevez, Paul Gleason, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ring ...
''. *Weevil's niece wears a ''
The Powerpuff Girls ''The Powerpuff Girls'' is an American Superhero fiction, superhero animated television series created by animator Craig McCracken and produced by Hanna-Barbera (later Cartoon Network Studios) for Cartoon Network. The show centers on Blossom ...
'' backpack. *Terrence compares his relationship to Ms. Dumas to the main relationship in ''
Fatal Attraction ''Fatal Attraction'' is a 1987 American psychological thriller film directed by Adrian Lyne and written by James Dearden, based on his 1980 short film '' Diversion''. It follows Dan Gallagher ( Michael Douglas), an attorney who cheats on his ...
''. *Veronica talks to Weevil about both versions of ''The Thomas Crown Affair'' (both the 1968 version and the 1999 remake).


Arc significance

*Sheriff Lamb thinks that Terrence Cook planted an explosive device on the bus and detonated it with a cell phone. *Terrence asks Keith to take his case and prove that he didn't blow up the bus. *Terrence admits that he was in a relationship with the journalism teacher, Ms. Dumas, but she turned into a stalker and told Terrence's fiancée about the affair, causing her to break off the engagement. *Keith gets Terrence to also admit that he has a gambling problem and threw a very important ALCS game to pay off a multi-million dollar debt. Two of the Fitzpatricks broke into his house to talk to him about his debt to them and Ms. Dumas overheard them. She told Terrence that she would go public with the story if he ever left her. *Logan meets and begins dating Hannah Griffith. *Veronica finds a wooden paddle in Thumper's locker with what appears to be license plate numbers carved into it. She makes a copy of it.


Production

The episode was written by
Diane Ruggiero Diane Ruggiero-Wright is an American television writer and producer. Her credits include '' That's Life'', ''Veronica Mars'', '' Free Agents'', '' Dirty Sexy Money'', '' Big Shots'', the ''Mythological X'' remake '' The Ex List'' and '' iZombie' ...
and directed by
Guy Bee Guy Norman Bee is an American television director, television producer and former Steadicam operator. Selected filmography Television director * ''ER (TV series), ER'' * ''Third Watch'' * ''Harper's Island'' * ''Criminal Minds'' * ''Veronica ...
, marking Ruggiero's tenth writing credit and Bee's third and final directing credit for the show. "Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough" marks the first appearance of the recurring character of Hannah Griffith (
Jessy Schram Jessy Schram is an American actress, model and singer. Her most notable roles include Hannah Griffith in ''Veronica Mars'', Rachel Seybolt in ''Life'', Karen Nadler in ''Falling Skies'', Cinderella/Ashley Boyd in ''Once Upon a Time'' and Dr. Han ...
), a love interest for Logan. On her role in the show, Schram commented "This was the first time I got to guest star and be part of a show. So going down to San Diego was an experience on its own, but it was a very clean, fresh set, that set. And the people were all so nice. Kristen definitely set the bar of just being so sweet and supportive. It really did feel like we were all part of a little Breakfast Club that was down there doing it." The episode's title refers to the
Motown Motown is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. Founded by Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959, it was incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau ...
song by
Marvin Gaye Marvin Pentz Gaye Jr. (; April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American Rhythm and blues, R&B and soul singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He helped shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player an ...
and
Tammi Terrell Thomasina Winifred Montgomery (April 29, 1945 – March 16, 1970), professionally known as Tammi Terrell, was an American singer-songwriter, widely known as a star singer for Motown Records during the 1960s, notably for a series of duets with ...
called "
Ain't No Mountain High Enough "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is a song written by Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson in 1966 for the Tamla label, a division of Motown. The composition was first successful as a 1967 hit single recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and ...
" as well as
Six Flags Magic Mountain Six Flags Magic Mountain, formerly known and colloquially referred to as simply Magic Mountain, is a amusement park located in Valencia, California, northwest of downtown Los Angeles. It opened on May 29, 1971, as a development of the Newha ...
.


Reception


Ratings

In its original broadcast, the episode received 2.05 million viewers, marking a decrease in .07 million viewers from the previous episode, "
Rashard and Wallace Go to White Castle Rashard is a given name. Notable people with the name include: * Rashard Anderson (born 1977), former American football cornerback in the NFL *Rashard Cook (born 1977), former professional American football safety in the NFL *Rashard Griffith (bor ...
".


Reviews

The episode was critically acclaimed. ''
Television Without Pity Television Without Pity (often abbreviated TWoP) was a website that provided detailed recaps of select television dramas, situation comedies and reality TV shows along with discussion forums. These recaps were written with sarcastic criticism a ...
'' gave the episode an "A". Rowan Kaiser, writing for ''
The A.V. Club ''The A.V. Club'' is an online newspaper and entertainment website featuring reviews, interviews, and other articles that examine films, music, television, books, games, and other elements of pop-culture media. ''The A.V. Club'' was created in ...
'', gave a glowing review, highlighting the character development (particularly of Jackie) and the narrative structure of the episode. "That form also means there's a conceptual
bottle episode In episodic television, a bottle episode or bottle show is an episode produced cheaply and restricted in scope to use as few regular cast members, effects and sets as possible. Bottle episodes are usually shot on sets built for other episodes, fr ...
…Although usually the bottle episode is done to save money, something I doubt is the case with "Magic Mountain" and its big set and array of guest stars, it still has those strengths." Summing up her review, the reviewer wrote, " 'Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough" did pretty much everything I wanted from a ''Veronica Mars'' episode. It moved the main plot forward, it had a fun case of the week, and the characters work was magnificent on multiple fronts." Price Peterson of '' TV.com'' also gave a positive review, writing that "This episode was jam-packed with plotlines! I liked that it unfolded in more or less the same location and in something closer to real-time than usual. Add to that some surprising twists plus the righteous downfall of Neptune High's most loathsome teacher, and this episode just ''worked''."


References


External links

*
"Ain't No Magic Mountain High Enough"
at Mars Investigations {{Veronica Mars 2006 American television episodes Veronica Mars season 2 episodes