Method Head opens with Ravi dropping some bad news. The Zombie Cure doesn’t last! They have no idea how long Major has before he reverts back to a brain hungry self hating Zombie. Major, played by Robert Buckley is such a genuine person. Sure, he is forced to do some bad things – but he is also the guy you’d be happy to see pick up your daughter. Which makes the turmoil between Liv and Major so hard to watch.
We are then introduced to our first victim. Someone killed Santa!
The first murder was a red herring. The second murder is on the set of Zombie High, which just happens to be one of Liv’s favorite shows. Nothing like yummy Actor Brains for lunch!
Actor Brains for Lunch
Method Head Scoring
Method Head scores 75/100, making it Worth Your Time. This was another solid episode for the iZombie team. Major plays it smart against Vaughn Du Clark while Liv tries to win back Clive’s trust. There were some chuckles and as always, fun watching Liv try to deal with her victims brains and how they impact her.
If you aren’t already watching iZombie, I was absolutely put it on your list!
The Lodge opens with one of those “out of time sequence” shots. Rose is taking a cake out of the oven before we cut to the next scene.
With the flash forward completed we see Rose, Anna and Mechanic entering the Elk Valley Lodge. Mechanic of course feels vindicated, as well happy that they found found it.
Just Like I Said
Amazingly, the place still has power. Rose at least tells Mechanic to stay close, but they still seem super casual about wandering around. I’d have my weapon at the ready and clear the rooms closest to me at the very least. Or more likely a full wing of the hotel. Then I’d barricade myself off in case there are still a few Zombies about.
After a quick check the group goes upstairs and take two rooms. This leads to Rose taking a long hot shower. I can only imagine how good that must have felt after being cold and on the trail for days/weeks. Rose does offer to let Anna go first, but Anna is still on high alert. She scans the room and then peers out the windows as Rose goes into the bathroom.
Black Summer, Season 2
Sweet Dreams picks up with Rose finishing her shower before heading out into the room with Anna. Anna seems tense and wants to make sure they aren’t staying. She keeps looking to the door. I kept expecting to see a shadow move on the other side, but it never happened.
Light Under The Door
Mom and daughter have a few touching moments. Rose promises her daughter that they aren’t just going to find the plane, they are going to get on it. Rose again tells Anna to go first, this time to get some sleep, but Anna isn’t tired. She can’t stop staring at the door.
Rose climbs on the bed and shuts her eyes. This amazed me. I would have piled some things against the door just to be safe! How about plan an escape route? Check the room next door and then kick my way through a wall so I can escape into it? Something?
This is the part that made no sense to me. Anna has seen people get eaten alive. Then when she hears a distant noise she decides to go check it out. All while leaving her moms door unlocked from the outside. I was having flashbacks to some of the dumber things Carl did in The Walking Dead while watching these scenes.
Anna wanders downstairs to find one of the doors they’d walked by earlier banging in the wind. After shutting it we see just how much pain Anna is really in.
Footprints opens with Anna back in the room, staring at the door as her mother sleeps. This time someone does come to the door, and even tries to open it. Anna stands with her shotgun ready to fire if the newcomer tries to force their way in. Anna then does another amazingly stupid thing by going out into the hallway. Sure, she wanted to see if it was Boone. (I’ve been calling him Mechanic because I missed his name earlier.) But Boone is out like a light, meaning someone else is in The Lodge.
Anna’s silliness continue as she starts to investigate. She makes her way to a lower level that clearly has Zombies, and maybe someone fighting Zombies behind it?
When Rose finally wakes up it takes her a moment to realize that Anna is gone. Mom quickly goes to search for her daughter. It only takes a moment for Rose to find Anna who has found Spears somewhere along the way.
Spears Is Back
The Last Supper has the small group sitting around a table in the main dining hall. Boone is excited to have food, drink, and enough propane for what he thinks will power the place for at least a month, maybe more.
While Boone looks drunk and happy, everyone else looks pretty dour. Rose may be worried that Spears is angry she left him behind when he was shot, and Anna is just tense, seeing things that maybe her mom can’t or won’t?
Anna knows there are Zombies in the basement. She heard them, but when Boone claims the place is Zombie free she doesn’t say why she disagrees.
Anna keeps staring at Spears, not liking the way he looks or the fact that he keeps coughing.
Spears wants to stay. Boone wants to stay. Anna wants to get to the airstrip, she wants to get away. We then come to one of the critical moments of the episode.
Anna drops the bomb that Spears is dying. Spears doesn’t deny it, he just rambles about heaven and hell, and the fact that the outcome is already set.
We then get a flashback to Anna in the hall outside where the Zombie noises were coming from. Did she hear Spears inside? Was he bitten? Or is she convinced he’s dying because of his cough? None of it is clear.
Rose basically tells Spears that her daughter is her only concern, and the only reason to live. She doesn’t care about Spears or Boone, end of story. I think it was her way of apologizing to Spears for leaving him behind when he was shot – but it is also a declaration of future intent, which would worry me a little if I was with her and I wasn’t her daughter.
Note Where Boone Is
We now cut back to where we were at the beginning of the episode. Rose is in the kitchen, waiting for her cakes to finish when she hears a gunshot. When she rushes in, Anna is standing by the table and Spears is dead.
Spears Is Dead
The last thing Anna says is, “We’re leaving.”
Apparently when Anna says its time to go, its time to go. Screw the fact that its cold and night time, they head out, leaving the lodge behind.
This was one of the parts I liked at first, because Boone makes a run for it as soon as he gets a chance. They could have shot him, but what purpose would it have served other than making noise and telling anyone and everything around them they were there?
The director loves time shifts, so of course we are jumping back to the dining hall to explain why Anna shot Spears.
He knows he dying, as well as giving in to fatigue and fear, but he doesn’t have the heart to pull the trigger on his own, so he asks Anna to do it for him. As a callback to the cult leader, he hands her that very same weapon, which she uses to give him mercy as tears roll down her face.
This part made no sense to me either. Boone is sitting there, so he would have heard all this right? But he acted like he was surprised at Spear’s death.
The episode ends with the screen fading to black.
The Lodge Scoring
The Lodge is a tough one to score. It was intense, but there were so many frustrating actions that didn’t make sense to me. On top of that, Boone acted shocked and puked after Spears was killed, but he had to have been at the table right?
In the end those issues cost The Lodge points, leaving it with a 75/100. Still Worth Your Time, but it could have been better.
Max Wager opens with Major being in a very good mood. The reason is pretty obvious when Liv follows him in. Liv is wearing a long button down that barely covers her ass…ets.
Omelette You Finish
We then cut over to Detective Babineaux as he leaves court, his convict gloating in a plea deal that got him into a minimum security unit. The gloating doesn’t last long however, as someone shows up to take care of business.
Witness To A Witness Murder
Back in the lab, Ravi is questioning Liv as they pick bullets out of the victim. He’s alarmed that if Major and Liv have sex, she might give him Zombism. Luckily for Liv, Ravi cares enough to make her promise not to do just assume condoms will protect Major until he does some tests.
With Clive wanting Liv’s “Psychic” help, she goes to town by making some victim clam treats.
Victim Clam Surprise
Out on the beat, Clive is chatting with his FBI girlfriend when Liv and Major walk up. Liv’s new brain has her betting on little things while Major learns why the FBI agent, Dale Bozzio, is there. The news doesn’t make him feel any better. Agent Bozzio is there to investigate the missing people. The very same missing people that Major abducted and murdered because they were on the Max Rager Zombie hit list.
While Blaine is getting his business taken over by his Zombie Dad, Liv is losing every bet she makes, which triggers a memory of the victim losing big bucks to his bookie, which brings the bookie into focus.
This leads Liv to Stacy Boss, who just happens to also be the target of Peyton’s investigation, which bring her face to face with her target, who just happens to be in her office, and willing to threaten her.
Back at the police station Clive, Liv and Agent Bozzio discover what the victim had hiding in his turtle tank. This leads Liv and Clive (eventually) back to the basketball star, who killed his friend for fear he’d leak their college cheating scam from years gone by.
While Liv and Major are getting hot and heavy, Ravi is discovering that the Zombie Virus passes through latex, making Liv and Major’s passionate plans potentially fatal. Ravi gets to the house just in time to ruin Liv’s plans.
Max Wager ends with Major taking care of Blaine’s problems by kidnapping Blaine’s Zombie Dad.
I’m going to give Max Wager a 75/100. It was a solid episode with some laughs and decent twists, making it Worth Your Time.
Better Angels opens with Rick eulogizing Dale. He remembers their fallen friend as the team is out in the fields taking their rage out on some Zombies.
Shane’s Shovel Kill
When we come back from the first commercial break Hershel has rethought his decision about the house. It will be safer and more defensible if everyone is together.
Carl finally does something smart (for a change) and gives the .45 he took from Daryl’s motorcycle to Shane.
Back at the house, Maggie invites Glen to put his stuff in her room. He declines, saying it is because of Hershel. Both Maggie and Glen look unhappy about it.
Out in the field Lori approaches Shane, and admits that the baby could be his or Rick’s. Sorry, if you screw around so much there could be multiple baby daddies, that’s not good. Sorry, I guess I’m old fashioned like that.
Who’s The Daddy?
Lori then has an emotional moment with Shane, but why not screw with the unstable dudes head a little bit? Shane then goes back to the house and gives Rick a guilt trip over the prisoner drop versus talking to Carl about Dale’s death. It was effective though. Rick goes to comfort Carl.
Shane uses the distraction to go collect the prisoner and lead him off into the woods all so he can stage a fake jail break and claim the kid stole his gun. The plan works, as Daryl get’s exactly what he wants. Team Rick is now out for blood, not willing to let the kid go, especially if he’s armed.
I do love the fact that Daryl’s not buying what Shane is selling. He can smell the BS from a mile away.
Daryl Not Buying Shane’s BS
Shane eventually loops back to the start of the trail and finds the dual tracks of Shane and the prisoner. Something isn’t quite making sense. The two of them then find the prisoner, or rather, the Zombie Prisoner finds them, and Daryl can tell the kid had his neck broken – and has no bites.
Just about when Daryl is realizing Shane might be up to something really bad, Shane and Rick are walking in the dark, and Shane is telling him to walk in front of him. Rick’s years as a cop are telling him something is off as they walk and talk. He knows that Shane is leading him out to ambush him.
Rick Calling Shane Out
Rick asks Shane why, and Shane tells him the truth. Did Rick really think they were just going to make friends after everything that happened? Rick is such an idiot here. Come on, the guy f*cked your wife, and is willing to kill you to keep doing it. Put a bullet in Shane and be done with it.
Rick finally does something right. After luring Shane into a sense of security by putting his gun down he puts a knife into Shane’s belly. Good for you Rick.
Then things get a little silly, as Carl somehow finds Rick over Shane’s body, just in time for Shane to reanimate and save Rick.
Unfortunately for everyone, the shot rings out through the woods, and we see lots of Zombies turning towards the noise, setting us up for the season finale.
Better Angels scored a 75/100, making it Worth Your Time. The last few minutes are intense and awesome, but the lead up is a little slow, which cost the episode some points.
Maternity Liv takes off with a bunch young people camping. The camping trip is interrupted when a pregnant young lady, Emily, barely makes it into camp. Emily doesn’t survive, but thankfully her baby does. When Liv has some of Emily’s brains she gets a full dose of maternal instincts.
Babe In The Woods
Emily’s Baby
Liv ends up at the hospital, staring at Emily’s baby until she sees a flash of angry parents. Liv let’s Clive know. Clive is doing his best to get something out of Emily’s boyfriend.
While Clive is dealing with Major’s missing kids, Ravi is making friends with Liv’s new love interest.
A comment by Emily’s boyfriend about barking dogs leads Clive and Liv to animal control. This leads to one of those moments where I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to laugh or not?
Can You Say That?
When Liv gets home its time for date night, only Lowell just ate someone’s brains who likes guys. This puts a damper on his night with Liv, at least at the beginning.
The next day Liv goes back to the hospital and has another vision. Emily hanging out of a window while two girls warn her that “she” will find her, even if she runs. When Liv shares the news with Clive it leads to a broader search area, and a hit on their female animal control officer, who they interviewed earlier.
While Liv and Clive are sleuthing, Major has tracked down Julian, who he thinks is the Candy Man, only to be taken away by the police after breaking Julian’s car window.
Meanwhile Clive and Liv try to stake out the animal control officer’s house only to be shot at.
Shots Fired!
Clive calls in backup, which leads to Lieutenant Suzuki making an odd command. His team should only enter the building after he gives the command. He ends up getting a bullet as thanks for his act of bravery, and then we see what he really is.
Sukzuki, That Red Eyes Devil
With Suzuki riding his Zombie Rage, the shooters don’t stand a chance. He takes out the husband after using a fridge door as a shield and then guns down the wife in cold blood as Liv is climbing into a nearby tree fort to rescue the other girls the family was keeping prisoner.
The scene at the house ends with Suzuki looking at Liv’s graze wound and commenting that there’s not much blood. He’s not sure, but he at least suspects that Liv is a Zombie just like him.
At the press conference Suzuki blames all the missing teens that Major is tracking as well as Emily’s death on the crazed actions of the game warden and her husband.
While Suzuki is trying to cover up Zombie crimes Major is getting a thank you from the police department for getting the subject into the news.
Maternity Liv ends with Liv on an upbeat note as the camera pans into Ravi’s test room, where there are lots of dead rats, and one Zombie Rat having some rat brain dinner.
Zombie Rat
Maternity Liv Scoring
Maternity Liv was a fun episode with some good twists and turns. It earned a 75/100, making it Worth Your Time.
Liv and Let Clive opens with Blaine and his first rich woman turned “Zombie Brains” client having a spicy chat.
When Jackie asks if being Blaine’s bootie call gets her a rebate, he doesn’t pull any punches.
Blaine The Business Man
It’s just a not so subtle reminder that Blaine is not a nice guy.
We then see a montage of Blaine and Jackie enjoying Jackie’s wealth. There is time at the pool followed up with spray tans before Blaine ends up in the kitchen. He makes Red Chili Pepper Brain Smoothies for him and Jackie to sip in privilege.
Red Chili & Brain Smoothies
Major Problems
After Liv showed up at Major’s place last episode she’s felt nothing but guilt. She gets another gut punch when she visits his place first thing in the morning with coffee. Major has a girl over. Corinne, played by the lovely Elise Gatien, is wearing a “U Dub” shirt. It’s not Corinne’s though, she’s wearing Major’s clothes.
Liv leaves with as much dignity as she can, and I’m amazed how “adult” she was over the interaction. My personal experience is very different. In my world there would have been hair pulling and screaming if a recent ex finds their ex with a new hottie.
Back at the ME’s office there is a new victim. The moment Clive sees the body, he recognizes the victim. This leads to Clive telling Liv to stay out of it. He’s telling her this just as she’s seeing Clive screaming and beating Sammy up.
With Sammy’s brains coloring Liv’s mood she’s turned emotional, suspicious, and possessive. This leads to Liv pushing Ravi to fill Major’s roommate need. Liv thinks that if she can get Ravi into Major’s lease space, it will mean Corinne won’t be able to be there. Obviously Liv is acting a bit crazy. Major isn’t just seeing Corinne because he sees someone to pay the rent, she also has a great personality.
Brain Chef
Out on the streets Blaine takes us to where he runs his business from. He’s expanded and not only has a Brain Chef, but underlings to deliver it.
Brains Door Dash
While Blaine is running his business Liv’s paranoia drives her to follow up on Clive’s background. This makes Liv even more sure that Clive is a dirty cop. As Liv and Ravi follow up on the leads her visions are feeding her, they end up at an Asian comic book/porn store. While there Liv get’s more Sammy visions of Clive not being the nicest guy.
As Liv and Ravi are leaving they see Clive pulling up and going into the very same store.
Clive Showing Up At the Asian Comic Book/Porn Store
Later that night Liv ends up back at home, and her brother has settled in. She reminds Evan not to go into Peyton’s room. Evan is wondering out loud if there might be snacks in Peyton’s sports bra drawer. Does Evan have a harmless crush or is he a stalker? Can’t wait to see how this shakes out.
When Liv comes back from her shower to talk to Evan she finds Clive in her living room. He’s not happy that Liv has been following up on his past. Clive explains that Sammy was in witness protection. Sammy got himself killed when he came back to see his dying mother. Sammy gave Clive an ominous, stay out of it or you could get hurt message the last time they communicated.
Brains Delivery
Out on the Brains Delivery service Blaine’s delivery guys make a pitch to Jackie. They offer her brains for cheaper if she’ll buy from them instead. I’m sure this is going to end up just great for them. Blaine doesn’t seem like the type of guy who’s going to get pissed off by underlying defying him…right?
Meanwhile Major and Ravi have figured out that Liv is trying to set them up as roommates. At first Ravi isn’t so thrilled with the idea. At least until the two of them realize they have the same Diablo III fetish.
As Liv is walking home she sees a final Sammy vision. It reveals that the Asian gang knows that there is still an undercover agent in their midst. If Liv and Clive don’t do something, the undercover agent is a goner.
As Liv and Clive race to save the undercover cop Blaine is putting an end to his competitions small business start up. We also find out that Blaine is a decent shot, he puts a bullet cleanly into both their foreheads.
Blaine Cleaning Up The Competition
Liv Versus Gangster
Once home Liv calls Clive and he confirms that they got to the airstrip in time, and arrested everyone except for the gang leader, who wasn’t at the air strip. When Liv goes to investigate a noise in the other room guess who’s waiting for her? Yep, the gang boss followed her home after she visited the Asian comic book/porn store.
Liv takes the gangster down just in time to save brother, but he saw her face when she was Zombie Raging, but Liv shuts him up as the cops are leading him out of her apartment.
Just A Girl!!!
With all the bad guys under wraps Clive and Liv have a heart to heart. He’s hurt that she could ever think he was a dirty cop, and Liv explains that the visions she gets are very real to her, very powerful. Clive tells her that when your undercover you have to pretend to be something else, and if your their long enough, its hard for others, and even yourself not to remember the darkness you cloaked yourself in for the good of all.
Liv and Let Clive ends with Blaine thanking Jackie for tipping him off about his underlings about to turn on him. Meanwhile Liv, Ravi, and Major enjoy some “friend” time watching TV. At least until Ravi tells Liv that Major thinks there is still a chance to save their relationship. Liv doesn’t want to admit it either, but clearly they both want it. Even if it can’t be.
Liv and Let Clive Scoring
Liv and Let Clive scored a 75/100, making it Worth Your Time. The acting and story were top notch.
Home Sweet Zombie takes place in Warren’s hometown, making her face the realization that her husband is dead, all while a hurricane bears down on team Murphy. While Warren and Garnett are fighting for their lives, Doc, Murphy and Mack try and save a strangers life.
Murphy realizes something is changing. Just like puberty, he’s surprised when he starts to see his body change. Keith Allan, who plays Murphy, really shows his emotional range in this episode.
It says something about his acting that he makes you feel bad for the Zombie after its given mercy.
Doc meanwhile gets to play, well, Doctor. Doc always makes me smile.
Doc relieving pressure on the brain, the hard way.
Warren goes through an existential crisis, but pulls through, while 10-K and Cassandra having a bonding moment over surviving being tossed about in a car.
The Zombie kill of the week was a no brainer this week, because there wasn’t a ton of kills in this episode.
Garnett Double Ax Kill:
Home Sweet Zombie Scoring
Overall this was a good episode, but not as good as some of the others. It scored a 75/100, which still puts it in the Worth Your Time category.
