Do you want to talk about this week’s iZombie? Well, GAME ON.
As you can probs tell from the title, this week’s episode, “Virtual Reality Bites,” is loosely gamer-themed as Liv tries to solve the murder of an infamous hacker and RPG player. On paper, this plot might sound kinda lame, but it works like a specialized charm spell on screen, especially as a couple of our fave characters get to geek out in the process.
But I’m getting ahead of myself in my own geek out mode. Let’s snap back to reality and talk about what worked and what didn’t in “Virtual Reality Bites.”
(One more side note: Was anyone else hoping for a hologram appearance by Winona Ryder and/or Janeane Garafalo?)
BRAINSSSY:
- Let’s start with the first reveal of the ep: Major is not dead! And they announce it with a “Major” joke. Which means we will never stop with the #Major jokes.
- More seriously, Major is becoming more and more likeable each week. His relentless pursuit of Jerome is continually honourable, not to mention adorable. Let’s just hope he continues to stay in Liv’s life in a non-romantic capacity and let her move on, as he clearly still needs to do. (His face when Ravi told him Liv had a guy over!)
- On a side note: Batman vs. the Candyman is a movie matchup this horror- and superhero-loving girl would watch a 100 times over. Also, did they time that reference to coincide with the Batman vs. Superman trailer or what?
- “It’s one of those games where hard-working professionals can relax whilst performing virtual heroic acts that require creativity, tactical skill and team work while saving the moss princess.” Introducing Warlock Forest, your new favourite faux RPG and Ravi’s aces description of it.
- “New customer! Three hundred pounder dropped dead on his stairs. Our services are required.” “I’m sure Liv will suck it up and help in any way that she can.” “Have you been living under a crag, which is a large jagged rock hidden in Warlock Forest?” Ravi seriously kills it this week.
- This episode’s victim is named Simon Cutler, but he also goes by the SIM Reaper, which in of itself is hilarious.
- Not hilarious? The corpse of said SIM Reaper. Kudos to the make-up/prop department for making him look disgustingly ripe. (More like SIM Ripe-r, amiright?!) And to Clive for gagging frequently while near him.
- Speaking of Clive, dude gets in on the banter again this week! How about that reference to his old French teacher? Trés bien!
- Another week, another punny business title to love.
- Speaking of puns, these title cards are getting better and better. I mean, “Hack to the Future”? Amazing.
- “Great. I ate Homer Simpson’s brain.”
- “Seriously, what are the chances an agoraphobe in his twenties was not a chronic chicken choker?” “Maybe that’s what you call it in Buckingham Regalshire.” I don’t care if these lines are not all Liv and partially the result of her being under the influence of the SIM Reaper. They are still great. Same goes for Liv being under the influence of anxiety pills and energy drinks and just acting mega wacky.
- Although the whole insult-throwing persona the SIM Reaper embodies is a bit insulting to good-willed gamer types, it actually does hit home in the age of Gamergate. Dudes like this not only exist, but do inflict harm of all kinds.
- More time with Liv and Lowell! (Livell? What are you guys calling them?) Also that kiss!
- As much as I hate the idea that Blaine is killing teenage boys to serve his customers, man is that good a twist at the end involving Liv’s brother. If our girl wasn’t already motivated to take Blaine down already after seeing that pic of him at the skate park, this will set her own a roaring rampage of revenge, Beatrix Kiddo styles.
BRAINSSSDEAD:
- “Was I unclear? Our sex life is more me calling you when I’m so inclined and you resisting the urge to call me.” Gross, Blaine. A sexually empowered woman can do as she pleases, whether that means pleasing you when you want AND she wants, or just not wanting to please you at all.
- No Peyton in the flesh this week. Just a mention. : (
- I’m seriously starting to struggle to find BRAINSSSDEAD items, which says a lot about how the show is developing. The only other thing I can think of is how gross those brains looked, but even that was kinda cool? Oh well, I’ll save you from looking at them again with the Final Verdict.
Emily Gagne (@emilygagne) is one of the founding members of Cinefilles, a site for wannabe female film and TV critics, as well as an admitted heroine addict. She may not have super strength, or be able to make a stake on command, but she can slay you with her rhetorical devices, endless knowledge of Final Girls, and passion for geek girl scoop.
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