iZombie 1.02 “Brother, Can You Spare a Brain?”

Episode two of iZombie is just as satisfying as the first. iZombie is still working to establish characters and relationships, but it does so with such earnestness that it’s enjoyable to watch. The characters are so unique and witty in their own ways that it’s hard to not love them all – including one new character to this week’s episode. One new zombie.

Liv’s ex-fiance Major drops by unexpectedly to return Liv’s stuff from his house. It’s visibly awkward for Liv, (as it should be). He plays a small, ex-lover-turned-maybe-friend role in Liv’s crazy undead life. Her relationship with him doesn’t define her and is a sideline to the story, which is still refreshing to see. (Especially in a world with the useless Iris West in The Flash and Season 1 of Arrow’s Laurel Lance).

Poor Major is put through serious personality changes in Liv from brain-to-brain when he drops off stuff she left at his house. She goes from cold and unwelcoming to warm and carefree in the span of days, if not hours. These interactions between them are painful, awkward and heartbreaking at times (for one or the other), but in all the right ways. The show gives the audience a chance to understand their relationship for themselves without shoving it down their throats.

Babineaux is still intrigued and is coming to rely on Liv and her gift when it comes to solving murders. “Who knew that satisfying their munchies could help solve a murder case?” Liv’s munchies warp her personality and she takes on the traits of the victim. Babineaux, for being a cop, seems to be very trusting of Liv and contentedly uses her gift to their advantage. He doesn’t seem skeptical or mistrustful in regards to her gift, which is a mild character flaw of Babineaux. If Babineaux were a little leery of Liv after the first episode, it’d feel more natural. He’s a cop, after all. He’s relying on a psychic girl who works in the morgue to help him find evidence, which doesn’t have the same natural feel some of the other characters do.

The particular murder at hand in this episode is that of an artist, Javier, who was stabbed through the eye and killed. He was a sensual guy who had multiple sexual partners, including (and certainly not limited to) his wife. Liv takes on his very steamy, artsy personality. It’s intriguing to see how Liv is still her zombie self, but is able to portray aspects these victims.

Rose McIver, who plays Liv, has an impressive grasp on Liv as a character. She’s able to keep Liv still herself, but makes minor adjustments to illustrate the new abilities and traits she takes on. She can take witty, smart Liv and make alterations to bring out Javier’s passionate, artistic brain. And she does it with such authenticity that it doesn’t come off as gimmicky or that she’s trying too hard. McIver makes it look easy and believable.

One fun addition to this episode is the other zombie that’s been haunting Liv’s dreams. He shows up at the morgue. Blaine initially comes off as arrogant and very shady… but that’s because he’s the guy who hit on her at the party that was the start of the end of Liv’s life. He’s the guy you don’t want to get cornered by at a party; the one who would put something in your drink. Except, he did worse – he’s the zombie that caused her to change her in the first place.

This initial interaction between the two zombies is high-stakes and suspenseful. There’s something about Blaine that can’t inherently be trusted, zombieism and bad dreams aside. He and Liv seem to find common ground commiserating on their condition. But that’s not enough to earn her trust, thankfully.

Blaine departs the morgue and picks up a cougar at a local bar. This is when the hunch is confirmed. He changes people into zombies and then is a pusher for brains for the people he turns. It’s a heck of a business model – he’s got a monopoly on the brain supply and is the only ally any of the newly-turned zombies have. His charm gets him close enough to his victim and his condition seals the deal.

Having this second zombie to follow adds a layer of complexity to the show that’s thoroughly enjoyable. Liv’s always been part of the upstanding citizen brigade, to the best of her ability. She gets fulfillment out of contributing to society. Blaine gets fulfillment out of contributing to himself. She’s a protagonist despite the challenges put forth in front of her. Blaine, however, gives the show a bad guy audiences will love to hate and hate to love. There’s more than a murderer on the loose – there’s a zombie. And he needs brains to sell.

I personally am still enamored by the show and am an avid watcher. I can’t find anything to hate – the show has the right amount of wit, charm, blood and gore to make this show accessible and enjoyable to a wide audience. Babineaux’s character needs a little work, but it’s nothing glaring or obvious and will develop with time. Whether you’ve come because of the source material or because you’re a zombie lover in general, iZombie does not disappoint.