iZombie Review: Real Dead Housewife of Seattle (Season 2 Episode 3)

This episode of iZombie, titled “Real Dead Housewife of Seattle,” is the portrait of a lonely zombie. Didn’t expect that, did you?

It’s the story of a zombie who has no one but herself when it comes to understanding her undead existence. Top it all off with her best friend returning and her ex-fiancee working for the enemy (good thing she dodged that bullet by not marrying him. jk), and we’ve got the perfect recipe for disaster!

Let’s talk about it!

Liv is Lonely

Liv is beautiful from her head down to her toes. She is on top of the lingo, posture, and mannerisms of a rich housewife. She is also pulling off her biggest disguise yet. Today is Liv’s birthday, and she’s all alone.

Not to say that she isn’t surrounded by friends. She is. Major is just within her reach if she absolutely needs him, Ravi is always in the morgue beside her, and Detective Babineaux is her partner in crime solving. But there is no one there for her to talk about her day, her daily zombie woes, or her family issues. Her mother and brother loathe to be in her presence because of a misunderstanding and the fact that she can’t tell them about her new undead life, her best friend and ex-fiancee have abandoned her because of what she is, and Ravi and Detective Babineaux are too busy to notice her loneliness. The woman doesn’t have a rock solid confidant like she did in Season 1.

But Liv won’t let all the progress she’s made as a living and productive member of society slip through her fingers. She keeps pushing forward, striving to not let her pain or loneliness show because she’s Liv Moore, the Zombie Detective whom people depend on.

The Return of the BFF Peyton

Peyton dear, we’re all wondering where you’ve been. Your return is shocking, thanks for giving Liv a warning before popping up on TV with your fancy new hair. It’s a welcome moment but an underhand move since Liv and everyone you love has been looking for you. (Rude much?)

There is no grand reunion scene with Liv this episode. What we do get is these two (former?) friends circling each other but managing to slip between each others fingers and not seeing each other. It’s a great way to keep tension going and to drive viewers mad with the possibility of them running into each other.

Before we even begin to speculate how the reunion is to happen…let’s talk about Peyton. What is her reasoning for staying away for so long? Has she stayed in contact with Major? (he’s the first one we see her visit despite her cake run to Liv’s) Most importantly, where is she going to stand when it comes to zombies?

She is part of a new task force looking to stop the big man selling utopium (oddly enough setting Blaine on a path of success if his competition is gone). Peyton is now going to be heavily involved with the zombie world of Seattle, unknowingly or knowingly. We’ll have to wait until next week to figure out if she’s working against the undead (oh look, someone else on Max Ragers side) or for the betterment of people afflicted (let’s totally work on a cure together.)

Please let it be the latter.

Major is Losing Himself, Bigtime

Major is becoming the monster that he’s always feared. He’s a murderer and a liar. And what better way to deal with things than to self-destruct all over everything.

He’s killing the people on his list with less hesitation than before, each kill coming easier and easier. He is also hiding from his friends that he’s on the drug utopium (that’s going to end well). Each step pulls him away from the path he was set on during Season 1, the hero and moral compass of the show. Now he’s the monster who hides in the shadows and takes ownership of dogs belonging to the people he murdered. True story.

Then comes the moment where Liv discovers that he works for Max Rager. He’s not shocked or scared! If anything he’s apathetic and closed off. Major doesn’t care that Liv has found out because he’s too far gone from himself. In a way he believes he deserves to be held accountable for the things he’s done. He wants to get caught. With Peyton’s return as assistant district attorney, those chances skyrocket!

The last step in Major completely losing who he is comes when he sleeps with Gilda. (Anyone else creeped out by that seduction scene in the Max Rager gym?) Talk about a main character diving off the deep end. Gilda is the complete opposite of Liv, the complete opposite of himself, and he’s indulging in everything his new employment affords him.

Other Observations:

• How is Major killing zombies with his itty bitty human strength? Rage mode anyone?
• Max Rager head honcho is cheesy beyond belief. His elevator message is “Live to the max?!”
• We get our first glimpse at what Max Rager is really doing in their labs with Doctor Holland the walker. Wait, no. That’s the wrong show!
• “Castle” by Halsey plays during Liv’s shoe and wine party.
• Did you catch the Veronica Mars reference during shoe/wine party? A long time ago, we used to be friends. *starts singing*

Closing

Liv is set on a path to the epicenter of zombie activity in Seattle. This time her friends are joining along for the ride, some willingly, others not so much. With Peyton, Blaine, and Max Rager in the mix the leading question is who will survive? Leave us your answer and any comments you have in the section below!

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iZombie airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.