iZombie Review: Yipee Ki Brain, Motherscratcher! (Season 4 Episode 10)

iZombie Season 4 Episode 10 is a beautifully choreographed fight scene that holds no punches— or in this case, puns.

So many puns that clearly iZombie has stopped trying to tone down how frequently they are used by the cast. In one scene alone Liv and Ravi reference the entire Die Hard franchise and it is incredibly awesome to watch.

And yet, despite all the action references we don’t get to see much in the form of action sequences unless you count Liv beating a man with a fish and then promptly being suspended for it. While also awesome, Liv isn’t involved in the case nearly as long as she should be.

Thankfully, we get a blatant explanation for why an episode titled “Yipee Ki Brain, Motherscratcher!” doesn’t have one single action scene to satisfy us.

Coincidentally, Ravi rants about a particular episode of Zombie High later in the episode where all the action happens offscreen because their show ran out of money. iZombie then jumps to Clive telling Liv about the big rooftop chase scene she just missed.

While the comedic timing is perfect in these scenes the editing of the transitions between scenes is even smoother— so smooth they warrant being discussed further.

First off, using Zombie High, the fake zombie show within this zombie show, to indirectly mock iZombie works brilliantly. Having Isobel binge the seasons as a way to show time-lapse is quite crafty too.

As for transitions, Liv and Ravi discussing how the bad guy is just so good at being bad that you have to root for him only to have the scene transition to Blaine in his office stands out as particularly effective.

These quippy little comments in between scenes would usually be glossed over in the faster-paced episodes. Instead, the show gives context to the underlying humor of an episode trying and mostly succeeding at being the wittiest installment of this season so far.

While a fake zombie show makes for fun underlying humor with all the digs and 4th wall breaks, the humor surrounding Isobel’s romantic life is front and center for this episode.

Seeing Ravi take on a parental role with the dying girl is adorable and creates some wholesome moments of comedy between the two despite the somberness of her condition. This is also a great parallel to the dilemma Clive is facing right now as he decides whether or not he can stay with Dale and never have kids.

Ravi has very much become the overbearing father with Isobel lately, grilling her about curfew and kissing strange boys. Liv has taken Isobel under her wing as well but with her brains affecting her personality so often, it’s probably best she isn’t always responsible for the girl.

Isobel has created a real family dynamic between her and the rest of the brain gang that has just enough weight and emotion to it that her impending death will likely be a tear jerker.

When it comes to introducing side-characters, iZombie never wastes the opportunity use them as comedic or emotional bargaining chips farther down the road. The show is consistent in finding ways to make a connection between the audience and the character, no matter how insignificant.

This episode is a perfect example of how small developments between characters can pay off in the long run.

On the last episode, Curtis was a mere background character working for Mama Leone’s organization as a coyote and this week he announces he is going to be a dad. It’s not an important detail until he is captured by Chase Graves and you genuinely feel remorse over the fact that he is going to die, despite not giving one care about the guy prior to this information.

You are rooting for Liv to save this coyote because all you can think about is his unborn son that is mentioned briefly at the beginning of the episode.

But Curtis isn’t the only character like this.

We have Vampire Steve and AJ (the guy Liv beat the crap out of when she knew KongFu) who were both introduced in season 1 and still show up at the precinct from time to time. Then there is Dale, who originally met Clive while investigating the Meat Cute murders back in season 2 and is now she attempting to take Blaine down for murdering the mayor in season 4.

These are all characters who, despite seeming insignificant at first, eventually become important to the storyline in some way or another.

iZombie has always been playing the long game when it comes to developing its characters and “Yipee Ki Brain, Motherscratcher!” feels like the end result of all this show’s hard work paying off as we see new and old personalities blending together seamlessly to create one strong cast of characters.

This episode is a calculated plan executed with comedic precision and skillful writing as all these separate storylines we have been following finally begin to come together– and with 3 episodes left it’s about time!

This newest episode might not pack the kind of punch you were expecting, but it sure has some witty one-liners that would make John McClean proud.

Top Quotes From The Episode:

Major: You’re her, aren’t you? You’re Renegade. Of course, you are. Seattle needed a hero and guess who volunteered. The girl who can’t find meaning in her life any other way. This is going to get you killed, Liv. But hell you’re going to get me killed too.

Dale: You guys [Blaine & Don E] are headed for a fall. I hope I’m the one who gets to do the pushing.

Ravi: Buckshot three times. Detective Benedetto didn’t just die he, died hard.
Liv: My expert medical opinion is that he died hard too. It’s such beautiful weather today, would you say?
Ravi: Yes, it’s a good day to … die hard.
Clive: Are you two done?

Ravi: Oh no, it’s that crap episode of zombie high where it’s clear the show ran out of money, so everything cool happens offscreen, and the characters just talk about it afterward.

Clive: I love Dale, but I’ve also been thinking about how every future I imagine for myself had kids in it. I want to be a dad, Liv. With a human like Michelle that can happen. They’re not letting zombies adopt so, with Dale that means no kids. Never.

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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