The thing with iZombie is that the brain that Liv eats can potentially make or break an episode for you. If you don’t like the personality Liv adapts, the entire episode may be ruined (some felt that her racist persona in the premiere last week was a bit much). Luckily, Rose McIver is charming no matter which personality she takes on, and it is a testament to her (and the saving grace of iZombie) that she can make even the most off-putting characteristics somewhat tolerable. So imagine my relief when Liv eats the brain of the bro-iest of frat boys and becomes one of the most entertaining personas she has taken on since the pilot earlier this year.
At first, the case of the week seemed to be another run-of-the-mill case. There wasn’t anything special about it, and it was completely separate rom everything else going on in the episode. What iZombie and writer Diane Thomas Ruggiero did expertly was subvert audience expectations and have Chad, the murdered frat boy, not be the intended victim.
It was a nice little twist, and seeing the murderer immediately regret his decision was tough to watch (though not as tough as last week’s murderer say goodbye to his dog). Chad’s brain has some rather humorous, albeit immature, effects on Liv. As silly as her putting makeup on Ravi while he slept and writing “fart” on his forehead was, the ultimate reveal was quite hilarious.
Less hilarious, but incredibly effective was Major’s descent into drug addiction. The lead-in was great, with Ravi wanting to test the utopium (which was essentially just iZombie’s version of ecstasy or molly) for “research purposes.” This led to an amusing dance sequence at the club, and also served to bring Major and Live a little closer together. The reveal at the end was heartbreaking, and another sucker punch from the emotional well of iZombie.
On a slightly more positive note, I made all of you this GIF. You’re welcome:
Blaine didn’t get a whole to do this week, but we sure did learn a lot about him. His plan to take over Mr. Boss’ drug-running business involved murdering the four drug dealers he just hired to sell utopium in clubs (one of whom sold the drug to Major and Ravi).
That will undoubtedly pay off later, but for now it led us straight to Blaine’s father (!), whom Blaine turned into a zombie sometime last season. It was refreshing to get a little more personal with Blaine, and learning about the friction between he and his father, while a little cliché, served the character well.
“Zombie Bro” could have very well been an obnoxious episode of iZombie (as if there could ever be such a thing), but thank’s to McIver’s acting, the story developments and darker tone, it proved to be one of iZombie’s strongest episodes yet.
Random Notes
- This Week’s Title Cards: Got Guilt?; Et Tu, Bro-té?; Unlucky Streak; Major Buzzkill; Riding High; Bait’s Motel; White People Problems. I’ll give the winner to Et Tu, Bro-té? I just thought that one was particularly clever.
- Any guesses on who Mr. Boss is yet? I’m betting it’s someone we haven’t met yet, but will probably be a semi-famous guest star.
- “It’s like, unthinkable that someone mudered Chad. Seriously, I can’t even think it.” -Random frat boy.
- “Who do you guys know who totally sucks?” -McIver’s delivery of this was spot on. Seriously, give this woman an Emmy already.
- “Oh that’s not Megan Riley, bro. Her cans are more teardrop.” -Random frat boy.
- Major refers to Ravi’s beard as Princess Sparkles upon seeing glitter in it. Please let this be a recurring gag.
- “I will not rest until I find the bastard who–BEER PONG!!!!” -As much as I loathe the frat boy persona, this made me chuckle.
- “So, once one purchases the drugs where does one do them?” -Ravi, asking a question that I’m sure many first time club drug users have asked.
- Speaking of, Ravi on drugs may be my favorite thing ever.
- “I won’t let anything happen to you.” “And I won’t shave your eyebrows.” -Major and Liv just get each other, you know?
- Way to go iZombie for bringing in a character with a furry fetish and not making a big deal out of it.
- The promo for next week has Liv eating a wealthy socialite’s brain. That is something I will find more entertaining.