TV Couples Showdown: Veronica and Logan (of Veronica Mars) versus Caroline and Tyler (of The Vampire Diaries)

Last week, I thoroughly entertained myself, by conducting a fairly in-depth comparison two of my favorite television couples, Pacey and Joey of Dawson’s Creek, and Damon and Elena of The Vampire Diaries.  In fact, I was SO entertained, that I thought it might be fun to try again, with two other television couples I have to come to adore, namely, veteran couple, Logan Echolls and Veronica Mars of Veronica Mars, and newbie couple, Tyler Lockwood and Caroline Forbes of The Vampire Diaries. 

As you can see, Caroline is a HUGE LoVe fan!  So, she is very excited about this.

(Special thanks for this post go out to the veronicamars tumblr, for many of the fabulous GIFs and screencaps you see here; and to my brilliant blogger pal Cherie, for her inspiration, and for allowing me to pick her brain on many occasions, regarding what makes both of these couples tick.  Oh . . . and you know the drill on the YouTube videos.  Most of them aren’t embedded. So, just click on the internal links and ENJOY!)

Tyler Lockwood and Logan Echolls —  Poor Little Rich Sheep in Wolves’ Clothing

Regarding Logan Echolls, in the pilot episode of Veronica Mars, Veronica can be quoted as saying, “Every school has an obligatory psychotic jackass.  And he’s ours.”

Given that Logan bashed in the headlights on Veronica’s car with a crowbar, shortly thereafter, we certainly can’t blame her for making such a harsh comment toward her future soulmate.

One might argue that, had we asked Caroline who the “obligatory psychotic jackass” in her school was, at least during the pilot episode of The Vampire Diaries, she probably would have said, “Tyler Lockwood.”

And though Tyler didn’t bash in the headlights on anybody’s car, he DID bully young Jeremy Gilbert, and date rape Vicki Donovan . . .

Perhaps, Logan and Tyler are such major asshats when we first meet them, because of their startlingly similar upbringings. 

Both teens are extraordinarily wealthy.  Logan’s father is a famous, award-winning, actor.  Tyler’s father is the Mayor of Mystic Falls.  Both dads are TOTAL jackasses, who emotionally abuse their sons, and beat the crap out of them, on a regular basis.

At school, Tyler and Logan would both be considered “popular,” though whether said popularity is attributed to their “pleasing personalities,” or their wealth and, tendency to beat up others who disagree with them, is arguable.  Nonetheless, at the start of their respective series’, both Tyler and Logan have hot girlfriends, with matching reputations for “putting out.”

Tyler’s girlfriend was Vicki Donovan.  She was eventually murdered by Damon Salvatore.  Then turned into a vampire. 

Vampire Vicki was then murdered again by Stefan Salvatore (but he only did it in self-defense).  To make a long story short: Vicki’s DEAD!

Logan dated Lilly Kane. 

Lilly screwed Logan’s dad (Ewww!) . . . and videotaped it.  So, Logan’s dad killed her. 

Unlike Vicki, Lilly only died once . . .  (though bloody incarnations of her appeared throughout the series; so, it felt like she died multiple times).

Following the deaths of their first loves (slutty though they may have been), both Tyler and Logan experience a run of bad luck.  And each blow they receive causes them to feel even more vulnerable and alone.  Tyler’s father dies in what he believes was a freak fire (he was actually murdered by some Angry Tomb Vampires) . . .

Logan’s mom commits suicide, by jumping off a bridge . . .

Logan learns his dad killed his girlfriend.  And, to add insult to injury, he just so happened to be porking her at the time.  Tyler learns his dad was a WEREWOLF!  And, to add insult to injury, because Tyler killed someone accidentally, he’s going to become a WEREWOLF TOO!

As you can probably tell. by now, these are some SERIOUSLY DAMAGED DUDES!  And it’s going to take a pair of really special ladies to fix their wagons up right! 😉

Caroline Forbes and Veronica Mars:  Spunky Blondes with Major Ass-Kicking Capabilities

In addition to being blonde and petite, Veronica and Caroline possess many similarities to one another.  For starters, they were each the daughter of a Town Sheriff.

As for Caroline’s and Veronica’s other parents (Caroline’s dad and Veronica’s mom, respectively), they were more or less, absentee.  Caroline’s dad left Caroline’s Sheriff Mom for another man.  (Yep!  That’s gotta hurt!)  Veronica’s mom left Veronica’s Sheriff Dad because she was an alcoholic depressive, who was unable to cope with family trauma.

When their series’ began, both Caroline and Veronica were dating sweet, but kind of bland boys, who just so happened to be best friends with their respective eventual soulmates.  Caroline dated Matt Donovan (brother of Dead Vicki) . . .

Matt and Tyler were best friends.

Veronica dated Duncan Kane (brother of Dead Lilly) . . .

Duncan and Logan were best friends.

Before the series began, both Veronica and Caroline were rather naive and innocent, and had little to worry about, aside from what they were going to wear to prom . . .

 . . . or whether they would win the local beauty pageant . . .

But then, things happened in both of their lives, that forced them to reevaluate their priorities.  Veronica’s best friend died.  And as a result of the murder investigation that followed, her father was shunned by the community, and lost his job as sheriff.  She was then dumped by her boyfriend, and all of her rich friends, and date raped at a party.

As for Caroline . . . well . . . she was in a near-fatal car accident, then killed by a girl who looked JUST like her best friend.  And then . . . she became a vampire.

The teens’ respective experiences forced them to grow up fast.  It made them wiser, tougher, and a bit more jaded about the world around them.  But it also caused them to become fiercely protective of the ones they love.  In other words, Caroline’s and Veronica’s trials and tribulations prepared them for the intensely dramatic (and sometimes traumatic) romantic relationships into which they were about to enter . . .

Love Begins . . .

Tyler and Logan came to Caroline and Veronica, when both were at extremely vulnerable places in their lives.  Logan refused to believe that his mother had committed suicide, and, knowing that Veronica had a knack for private investigation, begged her to help him learn the truth about what really happened to her.

Tyler came to Caroline, upon learning that he was a werewolf, because she seemed to know more about his condition than he did himself.  Since Caroline was a Baby Vamp (a fact she later reveals to Tyler) she has some idea what he’s going through, and promises to help him cope with his first Full Moon Transformation . . .

Both Caroline and Veronica are there to support Tyler and Logan, when their respective research projects result in them learning some SERIOUSLY BAD NEWS.  Logan is forced to come to terms with the fact that his mother has, in fact, committed suicide, and is not merely hiding from her husband, as Logan originally suspected . . .

(Hey, did you catch how Big Sis Trina called Logan’s dad, The Big Bad Wolf?  Now if that’s not a Tyler parallel, I don’t know what is!)

For their part, Tyler’s and Caroline’s research turns up a DVD of a VERY PAINFUL werewolf transformation, as experienced by Tyler’s cousin Mason.  Tyler realizes to his horror that the awful experience he just witnessed on his computer screen is inevitable for him . . .

On the day of the transformation, Caroline accompanies Tyler to an underground dungeon, and supports him through the whole horrifying ordeal, hugging him, and whispering to him calmly, as he writhes in pain. 

 

Caroline does this, despite the fact that, with every extra second she remains in that dungeon, the amount of danger she is in increases tenfold  . . .

When it is all over, Caroline’s is the first name Tyler calls . . .

After going through such intense experiences together, it is inevitable that these two pairs will couple.  And so, both women are eventually rewarded for supporting their Vulnerable Bad Boys, with Ambush Kisses .  . .

“Our First Kiss Won’t Be The Last”

When a good girl rescues a bad boy, it is only natural that he rescue her right back.  In Veronica’s case, Logan beats the crap out of an undercover FBI agent who’s sort of / kind of kidnapped her . . .

The incident culminates in Veronica’s and Logan’s first kiss.  She kisses him chastely at first to show her gratitude for the rescue attempt.  Logan’s return kiss is MUCH more aggressive (and WAY hotter)!

 As for Tyler saving Caroline, and kissing her . . . well . . . neither event has actually occurred on the show as of the date of this blog entry.  HOWEVER, during the preview for The Vampire Diaries’ January 27th episode, entitled “The Descent” we DID see Tyler promising Caroline that he would do ANYTHING for her.

(Brought to you by the F-Yeah Tyler Lockwood Tumblr!) 

Later in the same episode (at least, according to that AWESOME promo), Tyler follows through with his promise, by giving Caroline EXACTLY what she needs .  . . a big juicy AMBUSH KISS!

Yes, boys and girls.  When it comes to Tyler and Caroline, things are DEFINITELY headed in the direction of love . . . or should I say LoVe!

Other Similarities

Aside from having similar beginnings, the parallels between Logan’s and Veronica’s relationship and Tyler’s and Caroline’s are simply not to be ignored!  Check out the couples’ mutual love for “playing dress-up” . . .

 . . . and um . . .  undress . . .down?

As for Caroline and Veronica, both are VERY feisty!  And neither is afraid to kick her boyfriend’s ass, when he deserves it . . .

(from TVD gifs)

And I guess . . . on occasion, they also kick the asses of people who aren’t their boyfriends .  . . at least, when the situation requires it.

Unfortunately, Veronica’s and Logan’s story is already over . . .

But Caroline’s and Tyler’s is JUST BEGINNING!

And, while we don’t know exactly where Baby Vamp Caroline and Baby Were Tyler will take us in the upcoming TVD seasons, if their predecessors, Veronica and Logan are any indication, we can be sure, that it will be EPIC . . .

[www.juliekushner.com]

Fave TV Couple #2 – Logan Echolls and Veronica Mars – The Ultimate “LoVe” / Hate Saga

In continuing my tribute to the hottest, most swoon-worthy, couples of our pop culture past and present, I have honed in on a pair of characters whose complex relationship generated more heat and passion during their show’s brisk three season run, then some fictional television couples could muster in ten.  (I’m looking at you Ross and Rachel from Friends .  . .)

 

(Sorry guys . . . the truth hurts.)

Critically acclaimed, but tragically under appreciated by the mainstream public, Veronica Mars allowed viewers a glimpse into the day-to-day life of an intelligent, plucky, take-no-prisoners teen heroine who just so happened to be a private investigator.  And while the show’s various mysteries and crime capers were deftly plotted and placed the show a distinct cut above other teen dramas, it was the romance between Kristen Bell’s Veronica Mars and Jason Dohring’s tortured rich kid Logan Echolls that kept fans like me tuning in week after week.

Let us roll the opening credits, and begin at the beginning, shall we?

The Preamble : “A Long Time Ago, We Used to Be Friends . . .”

Interestingly enough, just like Ross and Rachel, this television twosome actually did start off as friends.  (The “hate” part of our tale came a bit later).  As illustrated by flashbacks throughout the first season, before the Pilot episode, Logan and Veronica were both part of the same exclusive clique, Neptune High’s privileged and popular 09ers.  At the time, Veronica was dating Logan’s best friend, Duncan Kane, and Logan was involved with Veronica’s best friend and Duncan’s sister, Lilly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9oePzB6lxE

The foursome’s friendship began to unravel when Veronica informed Lilly that Logan had cheated on her.  Shortly after Lilly dumped Logan, she was brutally murdered.  A heartbroken Logan soon lashes out against Veronica, under the belief that had Lilly not broken up with him, Logan could have saved her on the night she was murdered.

To exacerbate matters, Veronica’s father, who, at the time, was the town Sheriff, accuses Duncan and Lilly’s father of committing the murder.  Refusing to turn against her father, Veronica stands by him, and is ousted from the 09ers as a result.  Newly single and with a lot of extra time on her hands, Veronica quickly develops the tough exterior she needs to help her father start his own private investigation business.

And this is where things stand when we meet Veronica Mars in the Pilot Episode . . .

Season 1:  Nothing Says Loving Like Broken Head Lights. . .

Needless to say, things aren’t exactly copacetic between our two protagonists when the series begins.  As if to exemplify this, in the Pilot episode, Veronica frames Logan for in-school drug use  by planting a bong in his locker.  (Not a very nice thing to do . . .).  Logan retaliates by bashing the crap out of the head lights on Veronica’s car.  (ALSO not a particularly nice thing to do . . .)

Ah young love . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvN5qM1Mp6c&feature=PlayList&p=BA32E7C8D0E5723A&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=17

Things stay fairly chilly between Veronica and Logan until Episode 15 – “Ruskie Business, ” when Logan convinces Veronica to help him find his missing mother, after television footage shows her jumping off a bridge to her death.  Refusing to believe his mother is gone, Logan, with Veronica’s help, tracks a woman using his mother’s name to a 5-star hotel and waits for her to reappear.  When the hotel patron turns out to be Logan’s sister, he is forced to come to terms with his mother’s death, and breaks down in tears, while Veronica attempts to comfort him. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4UQK_dj_lk&feature=related

It is at this moment that their friendship is reborn.  The question is for how long can they stay “just friends?”

Apparently, not for long.  In Episode 18 – Weapons of Class Destruction, Logan rescues Veronica when she is kidnapped and taken to a shady motel by a would-be high school terrorist named Ben (played by Jonathan Taylor Thomas), who ends up being a CIA agent.  Overcome with gratitude for Logan’s unexpected heroism, Veronica impulsively plants a brief kiss on Logan’s mouth.  Embarrassed, the young sleuth turns to run away, but Logan pulls her back.  The two stare at one another intently for a few moments before falling into a hot and steamy makeout session.  Yummy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EftQn2p_Bzk

And just in case, you thought this was just a one time thing . . .

Guess again . . .

In Episode 19 – Hot Dogs, Logan learns that the deceased Lilly slept with gang member Weevil, while the two were dating.  Logan explains to Veronica that he realizes that he loved Lilly more than Lilly loved him.  Veronica moves to comfort him, but Logan gently pushes her away.  “It’s OK.”  He explains.  “You know, it kind of lets me off the hook.  I don’t have to feel guilty anymore . . . about moving on.” 

 And before you know it, Veronica and Logan are necking again.  Given their differing social statuses and the impact their relationship will inevitably have on their mutual friend Duncan, the two decide to begin a relationship in secret . . .   Secret sex = so hot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQAIGMZ5bJU

But, of course, nothing can stay secret for long.  In the process of making out, the new couple inadvertently walk into a surprise party being thrown for Logan by his dad (and Lilly’s murderer, as we will soon learn).  The jig is officially up for these two.  And, because high schoolers can hold a grudge like no one’s business, the 09er crew does not take news of Logan and Veronica’s new relationship well.  In Logan’s entrance foyer, you can cut the tension with a butter knife.

(It’s a meeting of the Neptune Voyeur Society . . . They like to watch.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fg9WOpkBbE

Logan, being the hard core guy he is, stands up for Veronica against his snooty friends.  “That’s sort of a general invitation,” he scolds.  “If you don’t like my girlfriend, you can start for the rectangle with the round knob.”

And, thus, in a single scene, we have illustrated the three things Logan and Veronica do best: making out, breaking things, and alienating others . ..

Season 2 – “I thought our relationship was Epic . . .”

One of the unfortunate things about this show, is that some of its most intense moments take place off screen.  And that is the situation here.  When the season begins, we learn that Veronica has dumped Logan over the summer and has begun dating Duncan. 

Say what?

As it turns out, Logan had kind of a crappy summer. The fact that his dad was being tried for the murder of his former girlfriend certainly didn’t help.  Then, after a drunken evening, he found himself wanted for the murder of a gang member, even though he remembered absolutely nothing about the night in question.  So what does our wise teen do, he burns down the public pool.  Wouldn’t you?

Arson doesn’t exactly sit well with our favorite teen sleuth, so she kicks young Logan to the curb.  But don’t be sad.  This is actually a good thing.  Because like all television couples, Veronica and Logan are at their absolute best when their love is unrequited.  And hence, we had an entire season of dialogue laced with sexual innuendo and longing looks . . .

Foreplay . . .

And it appears that Logan’s Superman complex has not gone away.  In Episode 2.08, Ahoy Mateys, Logan once again comes to Veronica’s rescue when she is attacked by some creepy Irish mob guys in a bar while investigating a case.  He pulls out a gun on their asses and Veronica escapes.  Later, back in the car, Veronica illustrates how much she still cares for Logan when she breaks down in tears.  Contrary to what you might think, she is not crying about being attacked by creepy Irish mob guys (which sure as heck would make ME cry).  Instead, she is crying because she fears that Logan’s heroic antics will get him killed . . .

The sexual tension between Veronica and Logan ALMOST comes to a boiling point in Episode 2.11, Plan B, where the not-so-couple share an intense slow dance with one another.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2_SNNcFGjw

At yet another dance, a drunk Logan confronts Veronica in what may have been the sweetest scene in the entire series.  (Why are guys always sweeter when they are wasted?  Or maybe that is only in my experience . . .).  Anyway, Logan expresses his fear that after graduation, he and Veronica will part ways for good, and will never be able to see eachother again.  He explains that she has basically ruined him for all other girls (which, as women, is always our ultimate goal, anyway).

 “I thought our story was Epic, you know, you and me,” he says. 

And now I have to bend over and retrieve my panties, as they just fell on the floor . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrDx-7FHnGE

Initially, at least, Veronica is not as easily won over as I obviously am.  She freaks out over Logan’s unexpected declaration and runs away before the two can share a kiss.  The following morning, she thinks better of this, and visits Logan at the suite where he is staying.  “I don’t want to lose you from my life either,” she admits. 

Veronica is about to offer to give their relationship another go, when Logan “claims” not to remember his big Epic speech.  To make matters worse, Veronica soon learns that, after she ditched him, he spent the night with a tarty older woman.  She doesn’t take it well . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RhV1RvHOmU&feature=related

Fortunately, tragedy brings the couple back together!  Yay tragedy!  In the series finale, Logan rescues Veronica from a fellow student, who just so happens to be a homicidal maniac who killed a good portion of Logan and Veronica’s classmates by sending their school bus off a cliff.  Nice, right?  But it got these two lovebirds back together, so it was totally worth it . . .  (Man, am I shallow!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plZLSK93VpU

Season 3: Kicking ass and taking names . . .

I’m not going to spend all that much time on Season 3, The College Years.  Suffice it to say, that Veronica and Logan spent a majority of the time mistrusting one another, fighting, breaking up, and dating other people – and not in a good way.  Fortunately, in the Season Finale, the pair, in their own dysfunctional way, imply that they will be getting back together after the series ends.

It all starts with a sex tape being released of Veronica and her new boring boyfriend Piz.  Logan immediately assumes Piz made the tape and beats the crap out of him.  Veronica is understandably pissed off about this, particularly because it turns out that Piz didn’t make the tape at all . . . some jerky connected mafia student did. 

Since Veronica values her life, she is uncharacteristically silent when the real El Director de Porn confronts her.  But Logan doesn’t really care about his life.  Therefore,  he kicks the ass of Veronica’s tormenter for old times sake.  And I’ll be darned if Veronica isn’t happy with the results.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzRT8mUP_ac

“Hey Logan, you got some ketchup on your shirt . . .”

“Oh, that’s not ketchup.  That’s the blood of the D-bag who tried to mess with my girl.”

“OK then . . .”

So, it wasn’t exactly the romantic end we were hoping for.  But, given the unique nature of this relationship, I guess it was kind of par for the course.  It doesn’t make Veronica and Logan’s relationship any less EPIC, as far as I am concerned. 

Unfortunately, the series met its untimely end right here, after Season 3.  But we’ll always have YouTUBE . . .