iZombie Lives

Article originally published as iZombie Review on Seat42F.

iZombie Malcolm Goodwin as Clive Babineaux and Rose McIver as Olivia "Liv" Moore

The CW’s newest drama, premiering this week, is called iZombie. The show begins when Liv Moore (Rose McIver, Masters of Sex, Once Upon a Time) is accidentally turned into one of the undead at a party-gone-wrong. Not knowing if there’s anyone else like her out there, she decides to hide what she’s become from her family and friends, who just think she’s grown lazy and pale, and even break off her engagement. Blurting out a special gift she finds in front of the wrong person, though, may just give her a new purpose.

The first thing that strikes me about iZombie is that is feels remarkably similar to Veronica Mars. This isn’t surprising, given that the series is created by Mars’ Rob Thomas, but everything from the snarky main female who gives voiceover, to the types of guest characters that pop up, to the tone and music, are nearly cloned from Veronica. This is strange, given that iZombie is based on a comic book and not Thomas’ original creation, but his influence is felt very heavily throughout.

Now, I do not observe this as a complaint. As a big fan of Veronica Mars, one who misses it frequently and can’t get enough of the new books and movie, also by Thomas, that continue the story, I am happy to have a show just like it back on television. The format, one in which Liv helps the police department solve cases, is similar to Veronica’s role as a private investigator, so that makes sense, too.

The major difference, at least in the pilot, is that iZombie is far more procedural. While Veronica spends a season looking into a case, Liv helps Detective Clive Babineaux (Malcolm Goodwin, Breakout Kings) catch the killer in a single hour. This is a disappointing departure, with the structure of the crime laid out in a predictable fashion. Liv’s ability to absorb skills and memories from the brains she eats, stolen from the victims in the morgue, could certainly help Clive with more cases. Should iZombie do this week after week, rather than developing any larger arcs, iZombie will quickly grow stale and lose its season pass status on my TiVo.

There are a few signs that iZombie could be serial. Liv lives with a roommate, Peyton (Aly Michalka, Hellcats), who wants to ‘fix’ Liv since she quit being a doctor to work in a morgue. Liv’s ex-fiancé, Major (Robert Buckley, One Tree Hill), is still in her life. Her boss, Ravi (Rahul Kohli), quickly figures out her secret and is dedicated to investigating the medical side of her situation. The man that made Liv who she is, Blaine (David Anders, Alias, The Vampire Diaries), is still out there and may have some answers. Each of these provide possible tales that can be explored in extended fashion.

I also like iZombie’s homage to its comic roots and its take on zombies. Liv is not like any other undead character I’ve ever seen, thus meaning viewers won’t immediately know what’s happening to her. The brain-eating aspect is not unique, but what happens to her after the meal is. She seems able to live a relatively normal life, as long as she consumes brains periodically, and her diet is light enough to not draw too much suspicion. The choice to make her condition a virus, which could one day be cured, makes sense and gives her motivation. I love The Walking Dead dearly, but I’m glad this is not that.

In short, iZombie seems poised to be one of the best made, most entertaining, boring procedurals out there. Hopefully it embraces its Thomas-DNA more fully and casts off the strict structure. If it does, I’m prepared to like it a lot.

iZombie premieres this Tuesday on the CW.

666 Park Avenue an address to avoid

Grade: 91%

ABC’s is sticking with the magic and supernatural that worked for Once Upon a Time last year in its new drama, 666 PARK AVENUE. Set in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the series follows the residents of the Drake, a building that sits at 999 Park Avenue (the opening reveals the 999 on the wall casting a 666 shadow). It is a mysterious, old thirteen-story tower full of secrets and a dark power. It can make your dreams come true, if you’re only willing to give up everything.

As the “Pilot” begins, young, fresh, bright-eyed couple Henry Martin (Dave Annable, Brothers & Sisters) and Jane Van Veen (Rachael Taylor, Grey’s Anatomy) arrive in New York City, and soon land the job of building manager for the Drake. They are given this opportunity by the owner, Gavin Doran (Terry O’Quinn, Lost), who sees some potential in them. And also something he wants.

The rest of the hour is a seductive dance. Gavin and his wife, Olivia (Vanessa Williams, Desperate Housewives) shower Henry and Jane with gifts and invitations to status-making events, showing them a world they could live in, if only they were a little richer. It’s assumedly all part of a game, as Gavin is determined to take their souls. Will these Midwestern folks be able to resist the allure of what Gavin is offering?

This is an age-old tale, but just because the premise is a bit dusty, doesn’t mean that the execution isn’t fresh. Indeed, by casting four recognizable and very talented faces to play this out, 666 PARK AVENUE succeeds in making something creepy and intriguing, sensual enough to draw viewers in, helped along by the tone and beautiful setting. Yes, it will cost Henry and Jane dearly if they engage with Gavin, which they surely will continue to do, but mightn’t it be worth it?

No, it’s not. As we see in the opening, Gavin is most definitely bad, and normal people wouldn’t stand a chance against him. It’s unclear whether his power stems from himself or the building, which he bought decades ago, as the dragon symbol in the basement and cult-ish history reveal that these arrangements existed well before Gavin’s time. Unless he’s really, really old.

666 PARK AVENUE balances the fine line between giving away too much too soon, and stating the series’ purpose. There is plenty for viewers to wonder about after watching the first hour, but one may also feel like they know the general rules of the place. The overall package is delivered with the right level of danger, and just a handful of glimpses, some a little lingering, at the hidden majesty of the building. Is Gavin the devil? Does he work for him? Or is the Drake a seat of evil that whoever sits in it will have to obey?

While the four mentioned above are the leads of the piece, there are quite a few other people hanging around the address, and they will likely come into play more as the show goes on. Tony (Erik Palladino, ER) is the doorman who wishes he could be building manager, but claims to not hold a grudge against Jane and Henry for getting the job. Nona (Samantha Logan) likes to swipe small valuables, and seems to know more of what’s going on that she pretends to.

And then there’s wannabe playwright Brian Leonard (Robert Buckley, One Tree Hill), who loves his demanding wife, Louise (Mercedes Masohn, The Finder), but is tempted by the pretty young blonde across the street, Alexis  Blume (Helena Mattsson, Nikita). This is clearly going to be an example story for the audience, showing exactly what will happen to Henry and Jane if they give in to Gavin and the Drake. Brian is tempted by both professional success, which remains elusive, and a possible affair, especially after Alexis becomes Louise’s assistant, teasing Brian constantly. How much Gavin has set this up isn’t revealed, but it’s likely that Alexis showing up isn’t a coincidence. Brian seems exactly the type who will take the short cut and instant pleasure, and so he will make a good cautionary tale.

There are two others already in Gavin’s snare in the “Pilot,” and both of their stories play out and end tragically before the end of the episode. This hints at a possible procedural element, with new characters each week. But enough of the installment is given over to the main characters to make me think that it will be mainly serial, following a couple of stories over the course of a season or seasons. The latter is preferable, and ripe for this kind of good vs. evil tale.

The premise is strong, and the “Pilot” engaging. Viewers should not be disappointed if they choose to visit 666 PARK AVENUE, premiering September 30th.