iZombie Review: Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Brain (Season 4 Episode 7)

iZombie Season 4 Episode 7, “Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Brain,” is nothing more and nothing less than it needs to be– a fun mid-way episode to bridge the gap between the first half of the season and the back half.

This episode marks the halfway mark for season 4 and thus finds itself having to keep up with the development of the story whilst also finding something to do in the meantime.

“Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Brain,” is the type of episode that is enjoyable to watch during the moment but overall it isn’t the smartest, the quirkiest, nor is it the most thrilling of the series.

This likely won’t be the first episode that comes to mind when you think of iZombie’s greatest hits.

However, that doesn’t make this episode a miss for the show. This episode sets out to do exactly what it ends up accomplishing, which is a blissful mix of cocky, climatic, and comedic that is modestly great.

In any other season, Liv’s wingman for hire brain would be a memorable one but Rose McIver has outdone herself this season when it comes to her character work. Liv’s interpretation of brute hockey player and pretentious theater actor brain have been memorable ones in particular.

While McIver might be upstaging herself with every new episode, we can’t complain because when the rest of the episodes are lacking the energy she puts into her scenes is so positive there’s hardly any reason to notice the negatives.

This brain is no different as Liv devotes herself to the lifestyle of a wingman so much so that it’s hard to tell when she is being genuine with her friends and coworkers. Some particularly funny shenanigans ensue.

The scene between Liv and Levon comes to mind where they are having such a genuine talk about their feelings after he believes her bachelor brain has worn off. That is until she tries to jump his bones and promptly blows him a kiss as he tells her to leave.

It is a hilariously moment that takes you by surprise and makes you chuckle at the same time. It’s also the kind of scene that leaves a slight smirk on your lips.

And there are a lot of moments in “Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Brain,” that will leave you smiling. The witty banter is at its best during this episode and thus the reason why it easily manages stays on par with the quality of this season so far.

Just the thought of Clive’s romantic life is enough to laugh, but seeing him use tinder and fail terribly should bring tears to your eyes.

Little moments such as finding out that Clive’s profile says he hates This Is Us because it is quote, “emotionally manipulative,” should not be as hilarious as they are but like usual the context and delivery from everyone involved are truly what puts these throw-away jokes over the top.

Liv toying with Chase Graves is a refreshing change from the seriousness surrounding their opposing positions in New Seattle as well. It is good to see these two goofing around about the fact that Liv hit it and quit it with the Fillmore Graves owner.

Don’t you just love those storylines where two people on different sides of a war bond over the fact that they slept together? Anyone that is everyone knows that is prime fanfiction material.

Quite honestly, this entire episode plays out like cringy Clive Babineaux fan fiction but the good kind of cringy you come to expect from this character’s love life at this point.

Staying consistent with his antagonist ways, Major Lilywhite continues to do Fillmore Graves’ dirty work.

No shocker that this new pro-zombie dictatorship hates freedom of the press, but what is a shocker is how eager Major is to be on the wrong side of history now that he finally has a choice.

Major was forced into fighting a war he didn’t even understand yet when Blaine started killing at-risk kids and with Max Rager, he was forced to kidnap zombies to keep the energy drink company from killing the entire undead race.

But his position with Fillmore Graves is completely voluntary and shooting at a bunch of mediocre writers is certainly a new low for Major.

That being said, his line about being called the Chaos Killer, “That’s my name, baby. Don’t wear it out,” is delivered with just the right amount of cringe and cockiness that you find yourself feeling both proud and terrified of this man at the same time.

Major has finally found his place in the world as the Chaos Killer. That place isn’t by Liv’s side and that is unfortunate given how much they have gone through together in the past.

Nonetheless, the two former lovers’ fall out will make for some exciting TV.

“Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Brain” is overflowing with one-liners and setups for the last stretch of episodes before the finale.

While this episode might not be the most memorable or momentous of ones, it is still an hour of television well spent. Which says a lot about how high iZombie has set the bar for this season.

If the back half of season 4 is anything like the first half, bring on the brains!

Top Quotes From The Episode:

[sensual music playing]
Liv: I guess we should have sex.
Ravi: Yeah. Why try and fight it?
Clive [stops music]: There we don’t have to have sex.
Liv: Phew. That was close.

Liv: Mind telling Ravi that I left early to tap some ass?
Clive: Yeah. I’ll get right on that.

Peyton: You hate warm weather, and This Is Us.
Clive: Yeah, it’s emotionally manipulative.

Rachel: What do you expect from the Chaos Killer.
Major: That’s my name, baby. Don’t wear it out.

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

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

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