Shippy Moment of the Day: "I Don't Still Love You. Just So that You Know." (Veronica Mars)

Veronica Clears Things Up with Duncan
"Like a Virgin" from Veronica Mars Season 1

Recap: Duncan is Veronica's ex-boyfriend. Someone stole her computer password and sent him emails saying that she possibly gave him a venereal disease.

The Moment:


The scene starts at 1:30.

For a billionaire, Duncan wore the same outfit a lot.

Veronica: Duncan? Hey!
Duncan: Hey.

Awkward, clarifying-but-really-covering-up talk.

Veronica: Somebody stole my computer password and used it to send fake emails from me to you. So I don't have VD--I've never had VD--and I don't still love you. Just so that you know.

Lying! Why do they lie to each other?!

Duncan: Good. 'Cause I'm not, you know, still hung up on you or anything.
Veronica: I never thought you were.

Painful silence due to your LYING LIES!

And then Duncan breaks the tension. People always forget
that Duncan was actually really, legitimately funny.
Not Logan snarky, but just goofy.

Duncan: Wait--you don't have VD? 'Cause I keep getting this thing on my lip and I'm not sure who I could have gotten it from...

And they reclaim a little of the playful, loving energy
that used to define their relationship.

And Duncan gives her a little wave. Just a beautiful touch,
and very reminiscent of his wave to her during "The Wrath of Con."

Thoughts: I thought about picking a flashback moment or a Season 2 moment to start off with, but it felt right to get into the groove of where DuVe were in the beginning of Season 1. I know I'm in the minority of fans when it comes to shipping Duncan/Veronica (compared to Logan/Veronica), which amuses me to no end. Because Veronica Mars is the perfect example of a show where a later couple (Logan and Veronica) unexpectedly develops ridiculous, epic chemistry despite the pre-established "true love" (Duncan and Veronica), and the show actually decides to follow the chemistry! The one place where my usually rotten shipping habits would be successful and I ship the other way! *Le sigh*

Anyway. What's great about Duncan and Veronica in Season 1 is how much they love each other and simply can't deny it. They try dating other people or ignoring each other, but it doesn't work. They can lie to each other and themselves, but especially through Veronica's flashbacks, it's evident how great their love was (and is). This scene is a great example of this dynamic. A short conversation that is both steeped in awkwardness but also genuine affection.

A Thought on Graduation

My dad asked me today why I don't graduate after the end of junior year if I have enough credits. I explained to him the whole "three majors with a minor" thing and he still didn't seem to get it. Whatever. My parents said I could go anywhere and promised to pay for undergraduate. So I'm staying for the whole four years, goshdarnit.

But, despite my inner family financial angst, the talk made me think about graduation.

Sometimes I think about how I'm going to graduate in a purple robe and I die a little inside. Sometimes I remember graduating in a red flimsy gown of cheapness and I cringe. Here's a little dedication to the graduation attire of our favorite teen shows.

All graduations are high school unless noted.

Also, I've cataloged where their tassels are in respect to their status as graduates, since we all know there's no consensus on that little detail.

Red

Felicity (High School)

To pull a Topanga or not pull a Topanga...that it the question.
Graduated: Left

Buffy: The Vampire Slayer

I remember Buffy's diploma being a little more scorched
in canon. Love Willow's shoes.
Graduated: Left

Roswell

I didn't watch this show. I probably should at some point
since it's right up my alley (romantic angst + aliens). But I
remembered that their robes were red and they were!
Graduated: Right

Smallville

Chloe: Where's Lana?
Clark: Probably hiding in Lex's mansion after killing her boyfriend's mom.
Chloe: At least she won't outshine me in the graduation photos.
Not Graduated: Left

Blue

Dawson's Creek

Katie! Before she popped out her dress-like-me Barbie.
Not Graduated: Left

Felicity (College)

Oh, Felicity. With the rarely-seen college graduation.

Graduated: Left (Good in-show continuity!)

One Tree Hill

And then Haley has her baby! NALEY 4-EVA.
Not Graduated/Graduated: Right (They didn't move their tassels.)

Black

Gilmore Girls (High School)

Chilton's colors were blue and white, but they're classy
and college-prep, so they have cool black robes.
Not Graduated: Left

Gilmore Girls (College)
Wow. I guess despite where I left off with Rory as a petty
criminal living in her grandparents' boathouse,
she did manage to graduate.
Graduated: Left (BAD in-show continuity!)

Green

Veronica Mars

Oh, my sassy little detective. Our only grad in green.
Graduated: Left

Random Crap

The O.C.

If I were forced to wear a lei to my graduation...there would
be blood. Notable also for the different colors for each gender.
Not Graduated: Right

Really just makes you think if they bought some of these robes in bulk and handed them off to multiple shows, especially the red. Although it's interesting to see how their graduation bling differs, with medals and stoles, etc. At my school, you could have an NHS tassel or a Maine Scholar stole and that was it. How rocking would it be to have a fricking medal?

Also, this study further proves how ridiculous the whole tassel thing is and how no one can get it right.

According to the Academic Costume Code and Ceremony Guide, there is no regulation on how to wear your tassel. However, they also state that typically, the tassel is worn to the right until the degree is received; then the tassel is switched to the left. Some say it started for ceremonial reasons; another, more practical reason for it being on the right is because the tassel won't be in front of the graduate's face during photos (as graduates usually cross the stage from house right to house left). That means every one of our graduates is a-okay, even the self-contradicting Gilmore Girls, since it can be assumed that Chilton and Yale have different tassel procedures (but why Chilton would purposefully differ from the Ivies is a far more pertinent question).

So...what color do you want to wear?