VM DUALITIES META #18—LOGAN’S FISTS AREN’T THE ONLY DANGEROUS THING ABOUT HIM
Logan, like Veronica, has a code. Like Veronica, he punishes those who violate it, although she uses law enforcement as her weapon, while he prefers fists. He has a hell of a right hook, and the people to whom he administers justice don’t forget how much it hurt. He sees these beat-downs as enforcing fair play, and his punishments are calibrated to match the crimes. But it’s his manipulative skills that make him TRULY dangerous.
Logan is a strategic spider. He studies people, applies various kinds of pressure and notes the response. He then uses that knowledge strategically, to give those he likes what they want, and those he doesn’t what they deserve. Only four characters are smart enough to notice he’s always playing chess; Cassidy, Veronica, Keith and Weevil. And the sole person who consistently outplays him is Cassidy (because he hides the fact that he’s a threat).
Like most children from abusive homes, Logan’s understanding of acceptable behavior is skewed. He’s intelligent, so he recognizes this, and seeks help from Veronica defining rules. Even in pre-series flashbacks, we see her chiding him about his choices, supporting him when he falters, and punishing him when he veers from the acceptable path. He’s dependent on her as a moral guidepost, which is why he gets so angry when she rejects him, sophomore year. After she declares him ‘out of her life forever’ and leaves town in season 3, he joins the military, because it provides an alternate external conscience.
Manipulative skills are the reason Logan’s in charge of the 09’er gang, despite Duncan being richer and the Golden Boy. Logan throws all the parties, plays gatekeeper about who’s invited, designates enemies, and declares war. He’s the leader, and everyone (except, occasionally, Duncan) follows. He also manipulates to enrage and placate authority figures, including his father (depending on whether he feels self-protective or self-destructive). And he plays games to score girlfriends, then keep them where he wants them (fascinated sexually, at a remove emotionally). When necessary, he’s capable of cold-bloodedly seducing them to save his ass from jail.
In season one, Logan uses his knowledge of Veronica’s desires and weaknesses to taunt her, because he’s mad about the choices she’s made. In season two, he makes her crazy by flaunting-yet-withholding what he assumes she wants most (sex). In season three, he commits physically, but resists investing too much emotionally; he keeps his options open with other girls (in case Veronica dumps him), and spends most of his free time with his friends. In the movie, he flawlessly cozens Veronica into showing up, sticking around and solving his case, even though she vowed never to speak to him again nine years back.
Logan plays games with Veronica not out of a desire to control her, but in order to protect himself. He knows she has a tendency to ride roughshod over anyone who gives an inch. His behavior towards her follows a typical pattern—don’t give what she wants until he gets what he wants. No social status, V, until you display loyalty towards your friends. No sex until you earn it with love. No emotional investment until you’re prepared to open up, too. No clues about the identity of the witness until you hand back my keys.
Logan can get almost anyone to do almost anything, without seeming like he’s even trying. But he manipulates in service of self-preservation or justice, not out of cruelty. And when he’s happy, when he loves someone, his manipulations are a source of great bliss. He’ll give the person he cares about everything they want, and they’ll never even need to ask.
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