iZombie returned this week with an episode that was about on par with last week’s episode. It was mostly good, but the procedural nature of the series is still holding it back from being great. Like I said last week though, a subpar episode of iZombie is still better than most of the things currently on television.
My major issue with the episode is that some of the plot turns were a little predictable. I fully realize I’m holding iZombie up to Veronica Mars standards, but even that show’s least interesting mysteries has some element of surprise. The “twists” in this episode weren’t that surprising to me. It was fairly obvious Babinaux wasn’t going to be a dirty cop, and I called Jackie letting Blaine in on his henchmen’s little start-up business.
Not that this ruins the episode, as there are still plenty of things to enjoy here with the multitude of things going on. Major almost became interesting when Liv suggested Ravi to be his roommate. Honestly, their banter about the TV in their potential shared living room was the highlight of the episode for me. Sadly, this is a pairing we will never see (at least for now) since Major realized Liv isn’t over him yet and decides to keep her room vacant. McIver is really nailing all of Liv’s emotional beats, but I have to give some credit to Rahul Kohli as Ravi. He is entertaining in every scene he is in.
The case of the week was a little bland as well, dealing with an Asian crime gang. It did serve to build some trust between Liv and Babinaux, though. It also gave us a fantastic fight scene between Liv and the leader of the gang. The choreography for that was great!
More of Blaine’s brain-selling business was revealed as well. It seems like Jackie will be sticking around, as he’s started a business relationship as well as a sexual one. Is it considered necrophilia if both of the participants are (mostly) dead? He is also in cahoots with the owner of a diner (who I don’t think is a zombie, but I could be wrong) who cooks various brain recipes for him and also stores spare zombie henchmen in the freezer. Blaine is proving to be one of the most interesting villains TV has had in a while. I can’t wait for him and Liv to finally duke it out.
Finally, we have Liv’s brother Evan in his first appearance on the show since the pilot episode. Peyton was missing (cementing Aly Michalka’s status as a guest star as opposed to a series regular), but it was revealed that Evan has a creepy and obsessive crush on her (he likes to go through her room when she’s not there). I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Evan and Liv in scenes together, but his scenes tonight seemed kind of unnecessary.
Random Notes
- Chapter Titles tonight are: Mourning Rituals, The Friend Zone, It’s a Shame About Ray, How to Charm a Cobra, Mistrust & Obey, and Martial Arts and Crafts. I’m giving the edge to Mourning Rituals. Which one was your favorite?
- Liv’s Power of the Week: Paranoia. Oh, and she knows kung fu!
- Major’s girlfriend(?) is named Corinne.
- “I made you a zombie, but I’ll never make you a whore.” -Very considerate of you, Blaine.
- “You’re telling me back when Clive worked vice he had a mustache?” -I thought the exact same thing Ravi. I thought the exact same thing.
- Officer Devore’s reaction to hearing about Sammy’s death: “Eh.” -It’s funnier if you see it.
- Liv acting like a slutty sorority girl to get information in the video store gave me total Veronica Mars flashbacks. Anyone else?
- “I’m AJ. And I’m into white girls. Really white girls. And you just might be my Moby Dick.” -The comments on Liv’s paleness haven’t gotten old yet and I’m loving every snarky remark about it.
- Sorry this review is so late, but at least I get to post the promo for next week’s episode below! Looks like we get “Liv the Exhibitionist” next week!