iZombie Review: Reflections of the Way Liv Used to Be (Season 2 Episode 17)

iZombie’s “Reflections of the Way Liv Used to Be” is a slightly boring blast from the past with a swift shove into the future. They’re preparing us by reminding us how far Liv’s come from that super composed girl who’d rather study than head out to a boat party (which killed her.) This episode also highlights how other characters are branching out into their own zombie related storylines and challenges. We’ve got the makings of a very eventful finale.

Let’s talk about it!

Every moment Liv spends trying to solve this week’s murder is a reminder that she once was a super achieving, hyper competitive and focused medical student. Her need to question Ravi if they would still be friends if she wasn’t a zombie, is born out of the fear that she’s not the same girl anymore. It’s true. Liv is completely different from the woman she was before, but it’s not a bad thing. The current Liv, on this college student’s brain, reminds us of all the things that she would’ve missed out on if she didn’t become a zombie.

Imagine a Liv that never ended up experiencing the joy of motherhood, the freedom of life and not caring, or even having the confidence in your own body to give your friend a lap dance. She is exploring parts of herself that many never do. In a way, even though she is a zombie aka dead, she’s more alive than any human in her world. Being a zombie has made her the woman and hero she is today. No matter what comes her way next, Major being arrested and rabid zombies, she has the strength to survive.

Blaine’s memory loss is meant to make viewers feel pity for him. Sadly enough it’s working. All it takes is for him to start stumbling about like a baby fawn, before the soft eyes and pitiful stares come out in full force. He’s a murderer! Don’t forget that. In a time where every villain goes through a redemption arc, we have something different with Blaine. Don’t ruin it by switching the character about to be the good guy.

Blaine has always been a self-aware and charming killer, out to make a name for himself, no matter who he has to crush along the way. He is the one you hate that you love. And right now they’re cleaning him up and trying to erase the evil that makes Blaine who he is, to change the narrative over to Max Rager and Mr. Boss. No one really cares for those two. Sacrificing who Blaine is, to further other evils, is a waste of a great character.

Ravi’s rage at being lied to by Major, and all the emotion that came with it in “Pour Some Sugar, Zombie,” flies out the window with too much ease in this episode. So what if Major thinks Liv is going to fly off the handle and do something regrettable? She deserves the truth because this is her life and he’s been putting her in danger without her knowledge.

It makes no sense that these characters (who care for her deeply) see no value in telling Liv that the boyfriend she is worrying about, is iced in Major’s storage refrigerators. In the long run, lies like this don’t get you anywhere. Both Liv and Major are trying to destroy Max Rager. By not bringing Liv into the loop sooner they make taking down that juiced up jerk, Vaugh du Clark, an even harder task. Great job guys!

 

Lesson of the Night: Lying does nothing but make a mess of everything.

 

Best Quotes of the Episode:

• Major to Liv: “Love means never having to say sorry. I’ve got some hair to dye and some skin to spray tan. Carpe Diem.”
• Clive reading newspaper, “Unnamed sources with the Seattle PD, classify Babineaux as a low wolf with a Serpico complex.”
• Ravi to Blaine: “Remember how I was telling you about that guy whose life you ruined? How you turned his fiancee into a zombie? You then cost him his job, killed a bunch of kids that were close to him. Kidnapped him, locked him in a freezer and tortured him before finally stabbing him to death.”

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

 

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

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