What was on TV? Tues, Jan 11, 2005

20 years ago...grew up in a small town...and when the rain would fall down...I'd just stare out my window...let's see what was on TV.

9:00 Veronica Mars on UPN

1x12 "Clash of the Tritons"

Available on Hulu

This episode's case of the week is...very busy. Secret societies, fake IDs, a lawsuit, it's just too much going on. At least we get to see Veronica show up stuffy rich boys and Sheriff Lamb in some classic moments.

This episode also starts to recenter the Lilly Kane case, as all the series' major players visit the school counselor and check in on their grief and trauma. It's a little sweaty, but it ensures that the big case of the season isn't just a mystery to solve, but a story with meaning, so I'm okay with it. And now Veronica has some juicy leads to follow. Weevil the side-piece! Duncan takes mysterious meds and remembers nothing about the day that Lilly died! Start digging, marshmallow!

This episode was written by Phil Klemmer and Aury Wallington. Klemmer later worked as the showrunner of DC's Legends of Tomorrow and Wallington developed the blockbuster kids' show Spirit: Riding Free.

This episode was directed by former stuntman David Barret.

Late Night

Late Night with Conan O'Brien's guest lineup includes Samuel L. Jackson (geeking out, foreshadowing his Nick Fury gig, and selling Coach Carter to me two decades later), Maura Tierney (delivering a very early example of a Google translate joke) and musical guest Tegan and Sara (performing a killer version of "Walking with a Ghost"). It's just GOATS all the way down.

TiVo Status

The first part of Masterpiece Theater's He Knew He Was Right, one episode of Carnivale, and the three-hour Masterpiece Theater miniseries The Lost Prince. 6 hours total.