The connection between Kendall and Cormac must be quite significant because taking the rap for him is above and beyond friendship or a long con.

Watched the finale again, and I'm really, really looking forward to watching the season again, knowing what we know now.

One thing that occurred to me: we never get to see any reaction from Dick about his brother dying or Gia about her dad being on the lamb (as opposed to on The Lamb, which, eh, we'll find out happened next season at this rate.)

These are the two dimmest characters, by far, but I think it would be interesting to see how the events effected them.

I also got to thinking about the title, "Not Pictured," and about how much these kids parents aren't in the picture.

• Logan's relationship with his parents was rocky even before his mom's suicide and his dad becoming a murderer. He was physically abused and larely neglected, and when it all went to hell, well, it's no wonder he became more than a little psycho. Now, he seems on the road to redemption, at least somewhat -- mostly because of his feelings for Veronica (and I don't want to underrate Hannah here, either, because he did seem to have some genuine affection there.) But really, his instability really reflects his own home life. Now the question is, can he take control of his own life? Without becoming Michael Bolton!Spike?

• Duncan's parents, by the start of this season, are gone, and he's left totally adrift. Before that, they were totally controlling -- and indeed, Duncan pretty much fails to take any action for himself until deep into the second season: First he steals his daughter, then he orders Aaron killed. Basically, he does Very Bad Things for what are, essentially, pretty good reasons: His daughter was headed into the care of Meg's abusive parents, and his sister's killer was walking free. There's nothing particularly admirable about either action, although it's hard not to empathize with him, too. But -- particularly considering Aaron's murder -- he adopts his family's ruthlessness and resourced, calling on CW to do his dirty work. In shot, he becomes both his own man and more like his parents in one stroke.

• Dick was largely oblivious to his parents' absence, but Cassidy ... Neglected, abused, too smart to not see a path to revenge and too angry to not go down it. Cassidy is the story's ultimate cautionary tale. I think there was a common misconception about the finale, that who we saw on the roof was the "real" Cassidy. I really think the broken, anguished boy we got glimpses of was the real personality. The villain was something he put on to shield that wounded kid. People are trying to reconcile the rooftop scene with the nigh-unreadable expressions he was wearing after his father was forced to flee, or after his mother abandoned them. I don't thinkl any of that anguish was faked: If anything, he was upset that he kept being winning.

The villain was something he put on to shield that wounded kid.

This. I got the distinct impression, because of how fast he dropped it as soon as the situation was out of his control (i.e. when Veronica finally got the gun), that the whole mustache-twirling, moo-ha-ha-ha! bit on the roof was partly to work himself up to offing Veronica, and partly to put himself out there firmly as villain rather than victim.

I also think his subsequent leap had as much to do with Veronica (and, let's face it, Logan, who had a perfect chance when HE got the gun) being able to let it go as it did with his own misery.

If anything, he was upset that he kept being winning.

This is intriguing. Perhaps it was the notion that "THIS is how you get ahead in the world?!?!??!" taking its toll?

One thing that occurred to me: we never get to see any reaction from Dick about his brother dying or Gia about her dad being on the lamb (as opposed to on The Lamb, which, eh, we'll find out happened next season at this rate.)

No. I have no idea if either actor will return in a recurring role. I'm willing to accept any hand-waving necessary in order for Ryan Hansen's Dick to return. I'm not sure how they could bring back Gia. I enjoyed her, but I think it might be weird to have her around. I'd rather they not waste time on her, I think.

I got the distinct impression, because of how fast he dropped it as soon as the situation was out of his control (i.e. when Veronica finally got the gun), that the whole mustache-twirling, moo-ha-ha-ha! bit on the roof was partly to work himself up to offing Veronica, and partly to put himself out there firmly as villain rather than victim.

EXACTLY. To the end, he resisted being seen as the vicitm.

I enjoyed her, but I think it might be weird to have her around. I'd rather they not waste time on her, I think.

Oh, I doubt we'll see any more than a one-off of her, unless they have a story to tell. I get the distinct impression they're trying to start with a clean slate next season as much as possible.

VM was picked up. Rejoice.

13 eps though, right?

LINK! i need a LINK, MAN!!!!

Rob e-mailed me. You don't need a link. But Ausiello just reported it too, since he got the same e-mail. Kristin Veitch, too.

Tom: yeah, 13 with an option for the back 9 if the ratings STOP SUCKING.

I wonder if Rob might rejigger his three-arc season to finish up the second one at ep 13?