Kristen Bell’s Veronica Mars returned this past July, this time on Hulu in an eight-episode series revival. This is actually the series fourth season (with a feature film in 2014 serving as a bridge between them all) and sadly, it’s weakest by far. Veronica finds herself squaring off against a bomber terrorizing spring breakers in Neptune. Veronica’s boyfriend Logan (Jason Dohring) is back from military deployment to shake up her personal life.

With spring break in full swing, a second-rate hotel is rocked by a bomb, killing four, and initiating a series of similar explosions in the following days. Congressman Daniel Maloof (Mido Hamada) hires Mars Investigations to look into the attacks, as it’s quickly obvious that local police chief Marcia Langdon (Dawnn Lewis) is in way over her head. Veronica–along with help from her now ailing dad Keith (Enrico Colantoni), must wade through a series of suspects with disturbing connections to find the perpetrator.

A few characters from the series original run turn up in little more than cameos. This series is much darker, and Kristen Bell’s character lacks some of her sass. Perhaps, it’s an effort to make her seem more adult, but the whole series had a downer quality I could have done without. I like Patton Oswalt, really, I do, but there’s way too much of him as a pizza delivery man/conspiracy theorist! The ending was the biggest disappointment of all. It feels like creator Rob Thomas concocted that ending for a particular character simply because he couldn’t come up with something fresher.

Sadly, I wasn’t surprised to read that in November 2019, it was announced that Hulu has no plans to order a fifth season.

Listed here are the eight episodes on the two Blu-ray set: Spring Break Forever / Chino and the Man / Keep Calm and Party On / Heads You Lose / Losing Streak / Entering A World of Pain / God’s of War / Years, Continents, Bloodshed /

Presented in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio, Warner Archive 1080p transfer is a solid one. Sharpness is impressive and colors are bold throughout.  Contrast is appropriate and blacks are inky.

English SDH subtitles are included.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround mix provides an effective sound design. Explosions throughout various episodes have surprising punch. Dialogue is focused in the center channel, but everything else has nice use of the entire soundfield.

The following extras are available:

  • Veronica Mars at Comic-Con 2019 (HD, 26:08) Hosted by TV Line’s Michael Ausiello, the panel at 2019’s San Diego Comic-Con includes producers Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero-Wright and stars Kristen Bell, Enrico Colantoni, Jason Dohring, Percy Daggs III, Francis Capra, Ryan Hansen, and Kirby Howell-Baptiste.