iZombie: Top 6 Moments From ‘Love and Basketball’ (Season 2 Episode 5)

In this episode of iZombie, titled “Love & Basketball,” we get a little relief from the angst overload we’ve been slapped around with lately.

The murder of the week also gets pushed to the wayside. (Sorry coach.) The main focus is on the shifting storylines of our characters that will ripple throughout the season, shaping them into people we haven’t seen before.

Let’s take a look at the top (oh my god, did you see that?) moments!

1. Babineaux punching a suspect.

Clive has always been a structured, sensible, and restrained man. He knows his limits, and he knows the world of Seattle. He’s a weathered cop. In this episode, we pull the curtains back on something that he’s been hiding: He’s encountered abuse. When he sees someone else experiencing it, it sets him on edge. It’s easy for him to twist himself up in anger until he comes to the suspect’s home ready for a fight. The producers wouldn’t just throw this major piece of who he is without exploring it. I can’t wait to see how whatever happened in his past influenced where he is now.

2. FBI agent, Dale Bozzio, distracting Babineaux.

Season 2 of any show is when they experiment and try to bring in new people, mixing up the rhythm. That’s what they’re doing with Dale Bozzio (Jessica Harmon.) She’s focused, cute, and funny (e.g. pretending to go down a flight of stairs and rowing a boat behind the boss to lighten the mood.) Who is this woman? What is her story? Our detective has never smiled at someone like he has with her, and she’s only been there for like five seconds! (Well technically two episodes.) We need more, ASAP.

3. Liv’s speech to Major.

It’s the motivational shove/punch in the face that this man needs. She knows what he’s doing and she’s there to stand by him. She’s not going to take anymore of his crap now that he’s given her an opportunity to get close. Her words make him get up, shave, look at his life, and discover he doesn’t like it anymore. Major Lilywhite has woken up and admitted he needs help and that he’s a better man with Liv in his life. Crossing fingers that the (oddly jealous) Gilda keeps her nose out of it and doesn’t try to ruin his progress. Now that he’s reached rock bottom, he can only go up!

4. Liv giving Major a chance to return to the past.

I’m still on the “Major waking up train.” Liv taking him to train those young boys shows him what he has lost. It also reveals to him that he isn’t too far off from getting back on his feet. He can return to the life he loves and the person he is deep down inside. With Liv’s support he gets there.

5. Zombie blood napkin in the bra.

Gilda has always been an odd one. There’s just something about her that freaks me out, what with her odd (thought he was your boyfriend at first) relationship with her father, sleeping with Major, and the bra napkin. She’s gotten creeper written all over her beautiful auburn extensions.

6. Ravi and Blaine’s fight.

It’s so rare to see humans fighting in this show. The focus is always somehow on zombie action (e.g. Liv stabbing people in her kitchen and kicking ass in her bedroom). And with Blaine’s hair, it’s easy to forget that he’s human. Blaine can’t go into “rage mode.” He’s got to deal with his own problems in a good ol’ tousle, a bit of cardio. Going back to the basics feels good.

Closing Thoughts:

Season 2 just keeps on getting better with every episode. This show is hitting everything out of the park: writing, character development, and acting. They’re building up the scene for something big, bold, and beautiful. I can’t wait to see what this unexpected zombie hit has in store

 

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