Both Are About Unlicensed Private Investigators
Keith Mars may have been on the up-and-up when it came to looking into domestic squabbles and cheating husbands, but his daughter certainly didn't (at least in the early seasons). Of course, that never stopped her from using the best search tools available and lying about her identity in order to bust bad guys. Hank's no different, and while he is a former cop like Keith, he never bothered getting credentialed to do his current job.

Fast, Funny, Quippy Dialogue
If you liked the pace at which Veronica doled out barbs and made pop-culture references, then you'll definitely like the banter between Hank and his partner Britt. The two go back and forth and Hank's even more quick with the insults when he's facing any sort of authority.

They're Not Above Taking the Law Into Their Own Hands
When the evil that men do isn't punished by the law... or worse, is caused by corrupt cops, the lovely Ms. Mars, Britt and Hank see no problem in planting evidence or coming up with unique ways to expose all the dirty little secrets and criminal wrongdoings to the public. Britt's background in the thieving underbelly of San Diego makes this task a bit easier.

Britt and Hank are a Little Vinnie Van Lowe
The goofball rival private investigator from Mars has a lot in common with the two seemingly bumbling PIs on Terriers. If you were charmed by Vinnie -- and really, you had to love his hammy sense of humor -- then you'll be swooning over Britt in no time.

Very Similar Locales
While Mars took place in the fictional town of Neptune, it was filmed in and around San Diego... which is conveniently the town where Terriers takes place.

Conflicts Between Classes
One of the greatest things about VM was the ongoing battle between the haves and have nots, with our beloved heroine part of the latter. Hank and Britt are also struggling to make ends meet (and given how they pick their cases, it's no wonder), in a town where there are some super-wealthy folks who find multitudes of new ways to flaunt their wealth and power in the community.

The Noir Look
If you liked the noir vibe of Mars, you'll get that in spades on Terriers. The look, the tone... it's all there.

Local Lauded Jerks
Keith Mars was basically ousted from his sheriff's job because he made some unpopular arrests in a murder case that involved one of the wealthier members of the community and then kept pushing the issue until the truth was revealed. In the first episode of Terriers, Hank goes head to head with a man named Lindus who has loads of money and loves to buy people off to keep them quiet about his many indiscretions.

Ongoing Mysteries
The Mars father-daughter duo solved crimes in every episode, but also dealt with season-long investigations of bigger cases, which is much more believable than your average procedural where everything gets wrapped up in a neat bow in the course of an hour. Complex crimes take longer than that, and while Hank and Britt deal with their share of cheating spouses, they also take their time to really get themselves into hot water with powerful people.

Faking Identities in Order to Get Info
Neither Veronica or Hank has any qualms about calling different public offices and using someone else's credentials to track down license plates or phone numbers or anything that might help them crack a case.

One Awkward But Smart Girl
Terriers' intelligent but socially inept character Steph doesn't show up until a few episodes in, and while she's a genius who went to MIT, she doesn't exactly do well off her meds. Veronica's pal Mac was more shy than medication-requiring, but both are brilliant girls capable of giving their friends and loved ones a little hand with some of the more taxing mental tasks that they face.

One Really Cute Dog
Veronica had the aptly named Backup, a helpful friend who protected her when she needed some muscle on cases. Britt has recently adopted the gruff-looking but adorable Winston. He hasn't proved to be much help on cases, but Hank's a human punching bag, so things work out OK.

Take a trip down fond memory lane with our Veronica Mars recaps.

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