iZombie Review: Spanking the Zombie (Season 3 Episode 5)

Just when you think you’re watching a fun, lighthearted episode of iZombie, the writers pull the rug out from under you and hit you right in the feels!

iZombie Season 3 Episode 5, “Spanking the Zombie,” centers around Liv eating the brain of a dominatrix and embodying her bold, bossy, sexual attitude. But first we need to talk about the emotional core of this installment.

It was only a matter of time before Major’s body started betraying him. I can’t understand why Major thinks he can handle going on a mission with his Fillmore Graves mercenaries, but there he is in the thick of gun fire.

Zombies aren’t supposed to get sick or have any health issues. Why do none of his comrades think something is off when Major uses an inhaler?

Major is a fighter, and I mean that in the moral sense. He isn’t one to sit on the sidelines, so he gladly puts himself in even more danger for the mission they were on. After getting stabbed way too many times, Major’s body finally starts to give up.

Major: Yeah, just a flesh wound. Thirty-five flesh wounds.

Justin is there at the right moment to see Major collapse and get him to the morgue so Liv and Ravi can help him. While assessing the situation, Liv and Ravi talk about the cure in front of Justin.

Um… this can’t be good right? Unless they get Justin on their side, I’d expect him to report this to his superiors and Vivian. I doubt she would be happy hearing there’s a cure for zombie-ism out there.

They stabilize Major, but his time has run out. If he doesn’t take the cure, he’ll be dead. The soul of this episode rests entirely on the scene between Major and Liv in his bedroom.

After waking up, Major and Liv have a heart to heart about the past and the future. It’s been a while since they’ve discussed their relationship, so this moment is long overdue.

We’ve only seen these two as a mostly-off/rarely-on couple that despite all that’s happened between them, still love and care about each other. The reality is that if Liv had never been turned into a zombie, they would be married by now.

Their physical limitations (example: zombies can turn humans into zombies via sex) have prevented them from giving their relationship another shot. When Major turned into a zombie last season, I thought for sure they would finally be a couple.

But as we all have come to learn, when you get zombified for the second time, your health deteriorates and you either take the cure again (potentially losing your memories) or die. So with only a few hours before he takes the cure, Liv and Major express their love.

Major: There’s one silver-lining to forgetting everything.
Liv: What?
Major: You’ll knock me off of my feet all over again.

Leave it to Major to look on the bright side. If he loses his memories, he can fall in love with Liv all over again.

Not only are they reconnecting, but they are also saying goodbye. The chemistry between Rose McIver and Robert Buckley has such a warmth and ease to it.

A part of me is really hoping Blaine’s amnesia has been an act because I don’t want this version of Major to disappear. The camera fades to black as Ravi injects the second cure into Major, leaving us wondering what will become of him next.

As I mentioned earlier, the case of the week involves a murdered dominatrix, and of course, Liv must eat her brain in order to solve the mystery. The majority of the brain personalities this season have been terrific. Dominatrix-brain is no different.

Liv’s sexually and mentally domineering side is put on full display with hilarious results. Watching Liv order the men around is pure gold, especially when they get turned on.

While all her scenes with the potential suspects (shout out to Veronica Mars alums Daran Norris and Ken Marino) are entertaining, it’s Liv’s interactions with Jimmy the sketch artist that have me laughing out loud.

Liv: Now, be a good little sketch bitch and pick up that pad.

Liv: Draw the nipples, Jimmy.

Liv: Ask me another question, Jimmy, and I will put you over my knee.

Jimmy: Really…

Clive: How’s it going?

Jimmy: Maybe knock next time.

Jimmy’s secret enjoyment slowly making its way to the surface is perfection. He’s totally on board with this side of Liv.

The case itself isn’t filled with that many twists. The victim (Roxanne, aka Sweet Lady Pain) was killed by one of her clients who used the videos she secretly recorded of her clientele to blackmail them. Pretty cut and dry.

The real thrill of this case is watching Liv. In addition to her scenes with other men, the interactions she has with Clive are equally fun.

It’s amazing how quickly Clive as adjusted to the secret world of zombies. Nothing seems to faze him. He’s probably just relieved to finally understand why Liv’s personality changes all the time.

In addition to the dominatrix case, Liv clues Fillmore Graves into what she and Clive discovered about the murder of Wally’s family. She tells Vivian all about Harley, his lab tech brother, and the fact the cops know Harley was casing Wally’s house the night before their deaths.

I’m sure if Vivian had her way, she would just get rid of Harley. However, they decide to bug his car. Harley is no dummy. After his meeting with Vivian and the others, he calls his friend and says he knows they are tying to cover up the existence of zombies.

Liv and Vivian are bound to be at odds soon. Liv wants to avoid more deaths. Vivian seems like a woman of action and is perfectly willing to dispatch people who get in her way.

Leftover Thoughts and Questions:

• Is there any chance for Liv and Major to live happily ever after? The only scenario I see that happening is if the series ends with Liv taking the cure.
• I’m not sure where the story line with The Scratching Post is going yet, but I love watching Don E and Tanner play air guitar and dance on top of the bar
• The selection of songs (“Champagne Supernova” by Oasis, “Dead Inside” by Muse, “Just Breathe” by Pearl Jam) in this episode are perfectly used and placed.
• The blue liquid that Roxanne’s brain sat it gives Liv longer, more vivid visions. Will this liquid come back into play later?

What did you think of this episode of iZombie? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

 

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

Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

18 Fantastic Sci-Fi / Fantasy TV Shows from 2016