After last year’s game-changer of a finale, it was unclear how iZombie was going to move forward. Now that the second season of the CW’s fantastic series has premiered, it’s all becoming clear now. “Grumpy Old Liv” wasn’t the best episode iZombie has put out since its series premiere back in March, but it set up a lot of interesting plot lines for the rest of the season.
When we last left Liv, she had been shunned by her roommate Peyton and her ex-fiancé Major after they learned she was a zombie, and her brother Evan had just suffered potentially fatal injuries in an explosion at the Meat Cute. Now, three months later, he predicament isn’t much better. Evan was given a blood transfusion by one of the doctors with O negative blood after Liv refused to donate hers, leaving her ostracized from her family. Major still wants nothing to do with her and Ravi hasn’t been able to replicate the cure she used on Blaine and Major three months prior. Needless to say, life is tough for Liv.
Clive is still in the dark about Liv’s zombie-ness, and he is still trying to solve the murder of the Meat Cute massacre, with Major as his prime suspect. This is a plot line that could get old really quickly, as it would be easier if Liv just told Clive the truth. It doesn’t seem like that will happen since Vaughn Du Clark (an always welcome Steven Weber) is now using that to blackmail Major to kill zombies for him. That was a nice twist for iZombie to pull though, and the internal conflict Major will be facing all season should prove compelling to watch. His arc was definitely the most interesting aspect of the episode, and it will be interesting to see how his predicament plays out in future episodes.
As a side effect of Ravi’s cure, Major is able to detect zombie’s when they are close by. His hair stands on end and his heart races. This is a trait shared by Blaine who, in one of the episode’s funnier moments, detects Liv standing behind him in the funeral home he now runs. David Anders was one of the most interesting aspects of last season, so it’s nice to see that Blaine hasn’t turned over a new leaf. He’s still the sneaky, vile Blaine we all love to hate.
The big twist came with the reveal at the end of Vaughn Du Clark’s second-in-command Gilda (Leanne Lapp) is actually Liv’s new roommate. I confess my jaw actually dropped when that reveal came (bravo iZombie!), and it makes Du Clark’s acquisition of Liv’s phone conversations much more plausible. Liv was able to make some progress towards happiness in this episode, but iZombie just ensured that things will not be getting easier for her. Lapp, who only made a brief appearance last year (at least I think she was only in one scene in the finale) conveys the appropriate sense of menace. Is it possible she could be more dangerous than Du Clark?
As per usual with iZombie, the case of the week wasn’t particularly interesting, though it was nice to instill sympathy for the murderer, who only killed the old curmudgeon Wendell because he thought he had killed his dog. It was devastating to watch him say goodbye to his Cocker Spaniel. The old man’s brain gave Liv some funny (and some racist) lines, and McIver sold every single one. It’s a pity she’ll never get an Emmy nomination because of the type of show iZombie is, but she sure does deserve some recognition.
“Grumpy Old Liv” was a strong start to iZombie’s second season. We didn’t get to see Peyton (is Aly Michalka ever going to become a series regular?), but it set up some fantastic plot lines for the rest of the season. Welcome back, iZombie!
Random Notes
- Welcome to Bloody-Disgusting’s coverage of Season 2 of iZombie. It’s good to be back!
- Chapter Titles of the Week: For Eva and Evan, Amen; Half Man, Half Machine; Heavy Medal; Impersonal Training; Dead Giveaway; Poker in the Rear; Behind Closed Drawers. I declare “Poker in the Rear” the winner. It’s just funny.
- Brain Power of the Week: Cantankerous Old Man Abilities and Racism!
- “Well that’s just a simple case of bros before h….ex-fiancés.” -Oh Ravi, how I’ve missed you.
- There are now Shaun of the Dead-like quick cuts to show how Liv cooks her brains. This week: Spaghetti and Brainballs
- “He’s a teenager. Not a bear. Pretend you got a pair and speak up son!” -Liv’s old-man brain to Byron
- “I just learned I’ve been pre-approved for a Best Buy card.” -Blaine, accounting for the important things in life.
- “Good God, Lemon, patience!” -This is definitely a reference to 30 Rock, right?
- “Did they find the guy who did that to your hair or is he still at large?” -Liv, again.
- “As we suspected, you have a dog. That’s just a little game we play called ‘Does the person we’re questioning have a dog?'” -McIver’s delivery of this one was simply perfect.
