I love high-concept shows. But honestly this was kind of disappointing, and I didn’t except that from the CW after the impressive pilots they’ve been churning out in recent years.
My biggest problem with iZombie is that it’s too much of a procedural. Sure there are some unique elements like Liv eating brains (which give her visions of victims as well as their skills), but in the end, this is still a pretty traditional cop show. That’s going to get old week in, week out.
Cast-wise, Rose McIver makes the most impression as our heroine Liv Moore, the former-medical-resident-turned-zombie. Her snarky demeanor reminded me of Buffy (definitely a plus), and I can see her becoming a very likeable lead going forward. The rest of the cast however is under-utilized, with Robert Buckley (fresh off the horrendous 666 Park Avenue) awkwardly tagging along for absolutely no valid reason as Liv’s ex-fiance.
One thing the show certainly has going for it is an eye-catching visual palette. iZombie genuinely looks like a comic book with a nifty array of on-screen captions and transitions. In addition, there are undertones of a mythology that should hopefully be further explored in the show’s 12-episode debut season. If the series can look past its predictable standalone cases and focus on the ongoing story-arc, then I think it would be more my cup of tea. Where it stands, it’s all a little underwhelming.
Conclusion
The script has some spark, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve seen this supernatural procedural before. Perhaps one more episode?
Nad Rating
B
Agreed! This was too mediocre and I had high expectations for it too. However, episode 2 is MUCH better, I recommend you give it a try.
Oooh awesome. Thanks Chris. I was unsure but now I definitely will 😀