iZombie -- Physician, Heal Thy Selfie

The previous episode was a bit depressing--the paraplegic firefighter was responsible for hemlock poisoning his wife due to her adult novel exploits, certain to take the shine of his heroism away in favor of her notoriety--considering Peyton had to learn the hard way that sleeping with Blaine, the con artist, has a way of returning with quite a bite. Who she truly belongs with--Ravi--is there right when she needs his presence, his humor and charm is necessary to wash away the filthy feelings with some hard liquor she can sustain with great resolve while every sound (including "gnats laying eggs") is quite loud to Ravi the next day.

So without the heads, those three thugs Drake beat the shit out of in the previous episode aren’t available for Liv to take a brain feast from. Washing ashore from Lake Washington, the one with the machete was Mr. Boss’ nephew. Also Peyton and Liv surprise Blaine in Peyton’s office, once and for all detonating any chance of preconceived true romance that might have developed out of the sex that happened in the previous episode. And Drake’s association with Boss and Blaine will certainly derail any straight “relationship goals” possible with Liv, who is starting, already, to question him as true “boyfriend material”. The brain Liv does take is from a young lady killed in a “crosstown”, never looking up from her phone when killed in a traffic accident. She’s a serious social media obsessive, always on Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. So that means Liv will always be hashtagging, texting, and self-taking.

Clive and Liv learn from a ratty-haired CI that a fresh uncut U drug, that gives a super high and is acquired cheap, is on the streets. 

A hundred and fifty-three people watched you unpack a box? How? Why? – Ravi

This asked to Liv as she pecks away at keys, totally focused on looking for information on Drake because “he isn’t on Facebook or Twitter”. Ravi’s response to her when she discovers a prison record for a major, violent altercation is gold. “Ghosting him might be an option.” “But I like him, Ravi.”

The DA is missing and by all accounts it is believed Mr. Boss sent the three decapitated thugs to “take care of him”. He’s actually a zombie that Max Rager (Mr. Du Clark) wanted Major to dispose of, calling Lilywhite into his office to wonder why he didn’t take care of it. He subtly warns Major again about not doing as he’s told, including his grumblings about critics of his drink and what to do about them. Du Clark has a new henchman who was “in the military” and “over in Iraq”, along with Gilda remaining at the desk to remind him of any errors or lapses he might have (or to wonder why he would find 14 trolls out of millions of followers noticeable or worrisome at all). A bloody boat found at a harbor, three heads eventually found in a cabin, hot sauce among the drinks, and the writing on the wall of Baracas’ (the DA missing) home not matching the handwriting found at other Chaos killer crime scenes all factor into Clive and Liv’s investigation of the decapitation victims. Also Mr. Boss runs into his old U-seller, Blaine, at the funeral home where his thugs were getting their ceremonies, reminding his former protégé of the money owed to him due to lost drugs not returned to him.

Du Clark, Mr. Max Rager, and his posse love to mock Major and rub Liv in his face, wanting Baracus taken care of or else, knowing he’s a zombie and insisting he’s dealt with. To prove a point on how dangerous he is—the product is everywhere, “like Starbucks”, including Thailand—he shows a YouTube clip to Major about the motorcycle death of a troll criticizing his drink for causing his father’s heart attack! Gilda and the new henchman whose serious look has nasty intent press on what Du Clark emphasizes. Major, clever as he often is—admits to allowing Baracus to remain alive because of his son—winds up freezing the former DA, taking a pic of him with the newspaper cover seemingly dead, providing a “suicide note” in order to leave behind, so that he can trick Du Clark into thinking he done the deed.

The new product on the street, cheap and rivaling Mr. Boss’, Liv eventually realizes is Blaine as the new boss. A seller of the product was brought into the morgue, slit throat a sign that Boss was behind it, as this is a signature of his. Don E arriving to call on Drake’s assistance sparks a memory from the selfie lady brain currently “occupying Liv” where he’s selling to the victim. When Payton planned to resign, the mayor calls on her to stay and help shake down Mr. Boss.

So this episode is chock full of story arc development. The selfie lady brain is more or less for comedy relief while all the subplots involved in the second season get plenty of attention. All characters are weaved into the main story arc very effectively and efficiently. Payton leaving the home of Ravi and Major, as Ravi can now be salvaged any future hangovers, means she can get back to business. 3/5