The CW was the channel behind the decision to cancel Rob Thomas's first show, "Veronica Mars." Now, oh so ironically, they've brought his signature style back for "iZombie."
iZombie is overflowing with quick wit, wry humor, pop culture references, and genre savvyness just like its spiritual predecessor. It's also got a much better budget, featuring more blood and gore while also, strangely, feeling more lighthearted. At least, for the first half of the season.
iZombie's move from case-of-the-week to story arc episodes marked a darker turn for the show, and when the time came to ramp up the drama it delivered far more often than it failed. The character of Major especially, got an upgrade from "boring love interest" to very interesting, very developed character with his own, romance-independent plot line.
The main reservations and concerns about season one come in its (albeit fantastic) finale. It's starting to show a willingness to recycle ideas from much worse CW shows like The Vampire Diaries, and unless it deviates from those temptations and dares a little bit more, Liv will not make as much of an impact as Veronica did.
That said, this is the most promising first season of a show since "Orphan Black." Hopes for season 2 and beyond are high for me, as we wait to see what Rob Thomas does with his own resurrection.
Series Season 1 iZombie review
The CW was the channel behind the decision to cancel Rob Thomas's first show, "Veronica Mars." Now, oh so ironically, they've brought his signature style back for "iZombie."
iZombie is overflowing with quick wit, wry humor, pop culture references, and genre savvyness just like its spiritual predecessor. It's also got a much better budget, featuring more blood and gore while also, strangely, feeling more lighthearted. At least, for the first half of the season.
iZombie's move from case-of-the-week to story arc episodes marked a darker turn for the show, and when the time came to ramp up the drama it delivered far more often than it failed. The character of Major especially, got an upgrade from "boring love interest" to very interesting, very developed character with his own, romance-independent plot line.
The main reservations and concerns about season one come in its (albeit fantastic) finale. It's starting to show a willingness to recycle ideas from much worse CW shows like The Vampire Diaries, and unless it deviates from those temptations and dares a little bit more, Liv will not make as much of an impact as Veronica did.
That said, this is the most promising first season of a show since "Orphan Black." Hopes for season 2 and beyond are high for me, as we wait to see what Rob Thomas does with his own resurrection.
Writing: 9/10
Acting: 8/10
Direction/production: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Entertainment: 18/20
Total grade: 44/50 B+