iZombie "Dead Air" & "Patriot Brains" (REVIEW)

written by Justin Prince (@prince_justin)

Over the last two episodes, we get to see Liv take on two more very distinct personalities, both of which play into her newfound relationship with Lowell. On “Dead Air” a well known radio personality with a particularly raunchy show turns up as the dead-meat of the week while “Patriot Brains” has Liv investigating the murder of a war vet with serious troubles at home.

death by radio

With this already being a good eight and nine episodes into this first season, we’re getting to the point where they’ve fleshed out Blaine’s role as the big baddie of the series, now Blaine’s been a certifiable douche-nozzle through the whole show so far, but revelations over these last two episodes drive the point home.

In “Dead Air,” while investigating the murder of her favorite radio personality, Liv questions her relationship with Lowell. Looking back on her time dating Major, there was so much Liv shared in common him… but when it comes to Lowell she wonders if she wasn’t a zombie, would Lowell be interested in her? It’s an interesting argument and one that very real NON zombie couples face, the hows and the whys of a relationship.

go on and get yours Liv!

Personally, while I adore Liv and Major… there is something special about every scene she shares with Lowell, which made Liv discovering that Lowell has been on Blaine’s messed up meals for wheels business. This leads into the next episode, Liv and company investigates the murder of a war vet, giving Liv some legitimate skills with a firearm but also PTSD… some bad has to come with the good I guess.

Continuing on with figuring out how to deal with Blaine, Liv is determined to end his life… Blaine has to die. Lowell’s character development has been one of my favorite things this entire series. The guy came up out of nowhere it seems and fast has become one of my favorite characters on the show.

taking aim

Lowell has stood by Liv’s side from the moment they met, and even with this plan to kill Blaine, he rides along with it… knowing that all the brains he’s eaten came from missing kids. And this  further explains why the last two episodes were some of the most heartbreaking ones. “Dead Air” solidified how much I loved Liv with Lowell… but in “Patriot Brains” this happiness is short-lived. When Liv couldn’t pull the trigger, Lowell faces the music. While looking off into the distance at Liv’s sniper perch, Lowell points to his heart before attempting to stab Blaine in the head… this of course doesn’t go according to plan and Blain blows his brains away.

One thing this series greatly needed was for Liv to have her moment, that one moment that solidified her goal to end whatever monstrous acts Blaine has been up to. This is her moment, and heres hoping she becomes that much more driven to put him in the ground.

a villain I just straight hate... Blaine needs to die

Outside of Lowell, these two episodes also took dramatic strides with the rest of the cast. Ravi has continued to look for a cure, Major still searches for answers, and on the front of another potential couple. Ravi expresses an interest in Liv’s roommate Peyton. While the whole “give us more of a reason to want to see Blaine dead” bit, the rest of the show’s characters continue to grow ever so wonderfully.

The one who felt the most underutilized was Babineux, he’s a major figurehead in the series but a part of me just wants him to finally find out the truth behind Liv’s “psychic powers” so team Zombie can use their full potential, without all the hiding and lying.

Lowell's final "I Love You"