We're almost there. We are winding down to the end of iZombie season one. While this makes me kinda sad, I'm also loving every minute of the last few episodes of the season. I'm someone who is probably going to be pretty vocal that the short season for iZombie works. It left less time for filler and as we head into the end of the season there is so much in play that I really can't complain. (But I will though, more on that later) While I'm still not ready to let go of the idea of Liv and Lowell, I'm liking how fast things have moved since Lowell's death. It's smart because it leaves the audience less time to dwell so there's not a lot of blowback on that decision. Astroburger was probably one of my top five episodes of the season simply because it combined a lot of the story arcs plus the case of the week in Liv's world in a spectacular fashion.
Major: Sounds more like something a call girl would make you pay extra for."
Oh Major. Guy just can't catch a break can he? This week while on the inside of the mental institution he checked himself into, which Liv thought would keep him safe, his new friend Scott E. was found dead in a tub in what was supposed to look like a suicide. I'll forgive the show for the really simple whodunnit this week because it held up well in a lot of other ways. If you recall, Scott (I refuse to write out the E every time!) was the young guy who approached Major and told him that Zombies were real. Major and Scott had become fast friends on the inside over chess, which made Clive pretty wary of Major. (Though, this did allow for Liv to have some time alone with Major to comfort/question him, which was cute)Clive had witnessed Major go pretty unstable recently, so I could understand where he was coming from treating him as a suspect. Clive is a pretty black and white kind of guy, so his reaction is understandable. Which is why I'm on pins and freaking needles waiting for him to find out the truth. My complaint I mentioned earlier is that there really hasn't been enough Clive lately. It's unfortunate but mostly necessary as the Clive-Liv partnership is more case of the week type stuff at the moment, but I felt we were so close when he found out about the missing kids, only for Clive to take a back seat to the action. I can not have another Wu-Grimm situation here, so somebody needs to clue my boy in quick! I'm anxious to see how he handles all of this.
Back to the case though. Scott E. was just your average ordinary dealer. Well, except that he was convinced the Devil was talking to him. Which subsequently made Liv think the devil was talking to her after she ate his brain. (More on that in a moment) I almost questioned my original theory that the doctor did him in once we started to get a bit more info about Scott. Scott claimed to have been there the night of the
Lake Washington Massacre aka The Worst Boat Party Ever and that he had video of zombies. Footage that Scott claimed to have sent to his friend in the media who Liv flashes and realizes it's Johnny Frost. Johnny Frost was the awesome Weatherman played by Veronica Mars alum Daran Norris who made his first appearance in the
iZombie Pilot. Scott was supposedly Johnny's dealer, but I couldn't help but feel like something was off with Frost. He just seemed so willing to help Liv investigate into where Scott hid the video. My theory was that he had been turned by Blaine and was a secret agent to get close to Liv and find the video. It was a suspicion fueled by Blaine's visit to the morgue to check in with Ravi about a cure. I just knew that Blaine was up to something.Turns out that Johnny Frost was just a figment of Scott E's imagination and you know what?
I ain't even mad though. Any time spent with Daran Norris is time well spent and it was so much fun watching him play spazzed out to Liv's straight face. It's even better that it wasn't real, because that means it won't happen again and ruin the magic Scott also knew Blaine fro his dealer days, and Blaine had visited Scott while he was in the institution. Turns out, Blaine was really just there for a visit and I almost smiled at the fact that Blaine is not as heartless as he appears to be. (Good Job Writers!)
I was pretty letdown by the reveal that Scott E. was sleeping with the doctor and that she killed him to keep his mouth shut. She was a doctor! (Surely she knew better right?) How could she not know that they would be able to figure out the cuts were done post-mortem? The motive behind her killing Scott was cliched and while I wished his death was because of the video like it seemed as it would have been a cool way to tie in Clive to the larger plot, I'll make peace with it. The case and it's red herrings weren't the best part of the show this week, which is becoming quite the common sentiment for me. The best part of all of this was Scott E's effect on Liv. I loved that little cheese devil who was tormenting Liv and I loved that Johnny Frost was an illusion. I honestly didn't see it coming.
What was cool was the fact that Scott got video of the Lake Washington Massacre and the hunt Liv went on to get it. The fact that she, Blaine and Major each had their reason for getting their hands on the video was pretty intense. I was relieved that she finally got the phone and was able to get a look at the video, which featured freshly turned Liv eating from someone.(I was also relieved when Major escaped as Blaine and Julien were about to torch Scott's apartment, which was short lived because he then got in the back of their car to follow them!) While the video appears to be safe for now, I've got a bad feeling that we haven't seen the last of the video and that this will most certainly be a game changer. Especially since Liv seems to think that someone else has their hands on it. Another tidbit I loved(What don't I love?) was the whole poisoning Blaine situation. We keep getting proof time and time again that Liv values all life, even the half dead ones. She can't kill Blaine, but Blaine will kill a threat in a
resting heartbeat. I'm just secretly hoping she never comes around because I enjoy having Blaine around.
How heart wrenching was that moment between Liv and Major where after he left, he came back and she told him the truth. Zombies are real, she's a zombie and Major's face lighting up because now it all made sense. Don't pretend that you didn't swoon or that you forgot.
You know the scene that was totally ripped away from us as we found out it never happened and was just a residual of Liv eating Scott E's brain. At first, I couldn't forgive myself for being duped, (After lamenting how it's still too soon of course) but then I realized why it was done. It was really subtle reminder that Liv is still in love with Major. Scott E's crazy brain really let her play out her desire at a best case scenario for what would happen if she told Major the truth. Deep down this is what Liv wants and that's why she isn't too broken up over Lowell. It must've been pretty upsetting for her to discover that all of that was just in her head.(Rob Thomas and Co. are always pulling that rug out from underneath us, and it's so brilliant) Johnny Frost being an illusion she can get over, but opening up to Major and him accepting her being a hallucination will probably take a while. It can only get harder to tell him the truth now, especially since he's got delivery boxes full of brains and has vowed to kill all zombies.
"I got a giant Indian to throw a sink through the window and jumped to freedom. Nah, I'm just kidding. I checked myself out."
I know people didn't prefer the Major's crazy storyline, but it was a necessary plot point to help Major get to this point. He had to lose everything including himself, to get him to this point. He's itching to be vindicated and it's manifesting itself in extreme hatred for zombies, something that will certainly drive a wedge between him and Liv and their interactions. I personally love it. I think that this is just the kick in the pants that the couple needs. We've spent so much time being told how epic she and Major were, but overcoming this obstacle is probably the best way to show it. Count me in. Perhaps the biggest thing to come out of this episode, besides Peyton's socks, was the fact that the Zombie rat that Ravi created was no longer white, but brown and normal. Could Ravi be this close to finding a cure? I can't wait to find out!
All in all,
iZombie episode 11
Astroburger was one of the series finest hours. We got movement on a lot fronts and while it wasn't as witty as it usually was it was still a fun hour with the Liv and Johnny Frost team up. Major found out the truth about zombies, but not Liv, and has a vendetta to achieve. Ravi and Peyton are adorable but even more important Ravi may have found a cure. Blaine might just be on warpath and he killed that astronaut for that client of his. The only one with not much to do is Clive. Which sucks, I wish they'd utilize him more. Though upon rewatch this was a very balanced episode that had some great delivery of plot. I'd say I'd give
Four and a half brains out of Five.
What did you think of Astroburger? Do you think that Liv could kill Blaine one day? Do you want Clive to learn the truth? Do you think Ravi found a cure? Were you tricked by the confession scene? Are you here for Major's vendetta or do you just want him to go away? Do you still miss Lowell? Sound off Below!
iZombie Episode 12: Dead Rat, Live Rat, Brown Rat, White Rat airs Tuesday June 2nd at 9pm EST on the CW.
Check out these glorious podcasts @iZombieNation and @iZombiePodcast
Follow these cool iZombie individuals: @iZombieFans_CW / @iZombieObsessed / @morales_ej
Remember that if you miss the live airing tweeting @NeptuneRising orchestrates a #iZombieRewatch on Wednesdays. #iZombieHorde #iZombie #iZombieRewatch
About the Author - Winston Mize
Winston is a 24 year old goofball, born in the north, and currently living in the south. He loves TV.... for some it's coffee, for him it's TV talk that gets his day going. He wants to be a screenwriter, and watches some of everything. You name it, he's probably checked it out. And he would like you to know that it is okay for a 24 year old to play with action figures... well, he does anyway
