iZombie Review: And He Shall Be a Good Man (Season 4 Episode 13)

iZombie Season 4 Episode 13, “And He Shall Be a Good Man,” proves Season 4 has never been about the brains of this show, but the heart.

While plenty of storylines come together to create a solid finale of rowdy antagonists and hopeful heroines, in the end, it is the bonds and relationships that allow this season finale to work.

iZombie has always been smart to lull us into a routine of silly gags and crime solving antics. We don’t get to see Liv and Clive having heart to hearts every week. We don’t get to see Peyton rush to Liv’s aid every time she needs her.

But we know those relationships are there and when the show chooses to show us just how much chemistry this cast has together it is both rewarding and a testament to why iZombie has stuck around when so many other shows haven’t.

First off, we have to talk about Liv.

Over the years she has stayed at the center of the story even when Seattle is turned into ground zero for the undead community.

But her personality and drive can be lost in the brain of the week format we see continuously.

This finale reminds us that Liv is strong- stronger than most and in many different ways. It also reminds us after Liv executes Chase Graves that she still struggles with the same depression we see in the series pilot.

There is a great moment in the finale where Liv’s need to find meaning in life finally comes full circle as she steps out into the motel courtyard to a crowd of humans and zombie supporters. There’s this realization that her actions as Renegade have changed lives, maybe not in the way being a doctor would, but still, she has made a difference.

Focusing on Liv’s journey as a person and not just as a zombie has really been a staple of this season and manages to outshine even the most elaborate of arcs in the finale with its simplicity and message of hope for her going forward.

Not to mention Liv gifting Isobel’s brain to Dale so her and Clive can have children is so selfless and on par with the character. It’s a brilliant way for the series to elaborate on Liv’s strongest character trait while also getting rid of another zombie cure without any hassle.

But Liv’s storyline in the finale is only as strong as her supporting characters and Peyton is one strong character in this episode.

I mean Ravi, Clive, and Major are great but they aren’t as commanding and determined as Peyton and it shows.

At first, there’s disappointed that Peyton would come back to Seattle but between her loveable relationship with Ravi and her determination to take down Fillmore Graves, this finale wouldn’t be half as good as it is without Aly Michalka’s character taking charge.

The scene where she barges onto the set during a live news channel taping and commands a riot to follow her to Liv’s execution is powerful enough to give you chills.

It’s also a great turning point as her intense speech gears the episode towards the big showdown between Liv and Fillmore Graves, which actually turns out to be a showdown between Major and Chase that lasts all of a minute.

Sure, the end of Chase’s reign feels anticlimactic, but his storyline isn’t half as wasteful as the outcome of Brother Love’s zombie cult.

The radical horde of righteous zombies have never been convincing when it comes to delivering a story that matters amongst everything else occurring this season. Angus’ storyline might have ended with a bang but it feels more like a whimper after such lackluster build up to his great escape.

Worst of all, Brother Love hinders Blaine greatly this season from being a major player in the finale. Blaine spends most of his time with his father, which in past seasons would have made for some exciting television but just feels like injustice as Blaine resorts to buying real estate and having proper family lunch-ins like some boring side character.

There are lots of moment to sink your teeth into in iZombie’s finale, so many that it’s hard to be disappointed when one or two storylines don’t pan out.

There are also plenty of tidbits fans of the show will be glad they stuck around this long to enjoy.

Surprisingly, Justin resurfaces just in time to take Liv to her execution. The best part is he is present in a room with three of Liv’s other romantic love interests and only two of those love interests make it out alive.

Hopefully, Justin’s return doesn’t lead to Liv rekindling her relationship with him. Liv’s relationships have never been a strong point of this series and it would be refreshing to see her live out her final season single for once. With the exception of Major and her finding each other again because they have to be endgame- they have to be!

Another fun treat comes for fans of Veronica Mars and actor Paul Rudd.

In an unexpected twist, the actor lends his voice as the narrator of Renegade’s documentary. But of course, iZombie has to take the joke one step further and have Veronica Mars alumni Jason Dohring, who plays Chase Graves, acknowledging that Paul Rudd is the narrator and that he is quote, “a good get.”

The surprise cameo plays off nicely as a fun gag simply because of how bizarre the entire exchange is.

Paul Rudd’s narration skills are good, but his voice cameo still doesn’t revival Kristen Bell’s narration of an erotic romance novel in iZombie Season 2 Episode 11, “Fifty Shades of Grey Matter.” Frankly, no one will ever beat that.

“And He Shall Be a Good Man,” is a rather grounded ending to a season that has been anything but.

This finale showcases the good and the bad of a season that made the bold choice early on to throw everything that worked out the window and start over in a world that already knows zombies exists. It was brave of iZombie to take such a chance but with well-developed characters and impressive writing how did we ever doubt this show?

In the end, iZombie’s personality is unrivaled by any other brains in television and the series will go out with a proper goodbye next season knowing it never once sacrificed the unique and risky tone that made this story worth telling.

Top Quotes From The Episode:

Dale: Now, if you’ll excuse us. I’m going to take this man home where I’m going to literally sex him to death.

Peyton: Liv, he [Major] risked everything to save you.
Liv: True. I know who he is, even if he forgets sometimes.

Peyton: If they go through this, they’re going to pay, Liv. I will make it my mission.
Liv: Then they should be very afraid. We always said we were going to make big names for ourselves. I guess we should have been a little more specific.

Liv: Try to remember me on this brain, Clive. This is the one who loves you.

Chase: Is that Paul Rudd narrating?
Harris: Yeah, sounds like it.
Chase: Paul Rudd, he’s a good get.

What did you think of the season 4 finale of iZombie? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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iZombie will return next spring for its 5th and final season on The CW.

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