Since iZombie is a show that’s reliant on the prominent aspects of an individual’s personality to drive any given episode, there’s an inherent risk of the writers leaning into more of a caricature of who that individual was, rather than a personal exploration of what made them who they are; not to mention how they affect Liv and those around her. ‘My Really Fair Lady’ opens with a zany and entertaining musical number, with the incredibly talented Rachel Bloom at the helm, but it had me worried that we were in for an hour of Liv performing show-stoppers in the midst of a criminal investigation. Thankfully, the writers side-stepped any narrative awkwardness by grounding the more outrageous aspects of this theater nut’s brain in a deeply affecting story.
Mama Leone’s execution at the close of the previous episode appears to have had the desired effect on Seattle. Crime is down, so much so that the only work for Liv and Ravi is dealing with the aftermath of the bus crash. With no investigation to drive the episode, Liv spends her time trying to take Leone’s position as the city’s Renegade, and it winds up being one of the most engaging plots so far this season.
Her newfound acting ability gives her the perfect skill set to easily motivate Leone’s former operatives into pulling off a risky op to save a group of sick humans attempting to gain access to the city. The hard part was the decision Liv had to make as to whether or not she should risk her own life by scratching them, and in turn committing a capital offence. Liv doesn’t hesitate in doing so, and in the process reunited a separated family, and gave hope to people whose days had previously been numbered. I love how quickly and easily she slipped into Leone’s position, but she has even tougher choices ahead now that she has to decide who to save.
Ravi performs a smaller but almost as admirable act of kindness by eating a Heroin addict’s brain to help Peyton track down a lost pet. A small act, to be sure, but it turned out to be enough of a push to get Peyton to remember why she liked Ravi in the first place. I’m glad to finally see these two back together. After what Ravi did to Peyton last season it didn’t feel right to rush their reconciliation, but the timing of their kiss here felt right.
I don’t think there’ll be any reconciliation between Blaine and Angus, with the former forced into aiding the latter and his group of followers. I’m glad that Blaine finally knows that Angus isn’t still stuck down that well. I’m also glad that Blaine isn’t totally capable of hiding his disdain for his father, even threatening to kill him whilst surrounded by all of Angus’s creepy lackeys. It's a relief that that we’re about to see Angus come out of the shadows even more, with both Major and Blaine now fully aware of the groups existence, even if they’re not entirely sure what they’re up to.
Plus
This episode had a very Veronica Mars feel to it. It even had a guest spot from Francis Capra (Weevil), who I was really glad to see. It’s a shame we didn’t get a Weevil/Logan scene, but maybe later on in the season?
It was also a treat to see Daran Norris as the reliable entertaining Johnny Frost. He had a million great lines. “I'd like to make her brains for breakfast. You know what I mean? Wave the wand in her chamber of secrets. Put a white streak in her hair.” That last one was pretty visual.
I adored the improvised sexual harassment showcase between Liv and Johnny, too. “I like your lips. I like the shape they make when you say no.”
The footage that Levon was taking is an accident waiting to happen. I can see a tough situation unfolding when Major and/or FG find it.
I adore Rose’s natural Kiwi accent, so it was wonderful to see her take it out for a test drive on the show. I also appreciate the description of her own personality early on in the episode: “She has many layers to her and a very difficult accent”.
Can we take a moment to study this image, which was about as subtle as a zombie apostle brain to the face?
He Said, She Said
Liv: “A baby with spina bifida; a young man with Lou Gehrig's; a grandmother with the first signs of Alzheimer's. Every person here needs us. They all deserve help. And I decide who lives, and whose story ends. I wanted to help the living. I wanted in. Well I'm in it now.”
I enjoyed how understated this entire episode ended up being. Despite a fun, but over-the-top opening, there was a surprising amount of poignancy to what transpired between Liv and Leone’s former colleagues. That's what makes it all the more surprising that it was a drama loving, theater nerd that ended up being the catalyst for such powerful realizations. Only on this show.
9/10
Also posted at Doux Reviews.
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