iZombie Season 5 Episode 6 Review: The Scratchmaker
Jasmine Blu
at
.
You can't keep a wicked Blaine down.
For most of iZombie Season 5 Episode 6, Blaine was down on his luck. It was gratifying that the mighty had fallen, and after a Blaine dry spell, we were due some quality content.
David Anders, despite playing this world-class lovable psychopath is the best. His voiceover work alone was a highlight of the hour.
Not only did David Anders and Bryce Hodgson shine onscreen during this installment, but Malcolm Goodwin also shined offscreen as the director for this installment. Don't you love it when our favorite actors take a spin in the director's chair of their series? It was a job well done.
Related: iZombie Season 5 Episode 5 Review: Death Moves Pretty Fast
If the hour didn't highlight anything else, it showcased Blaine's control issues. When he's not in control or on top, he spirals and has full-blown meltdowns.
His assets were frozen, which kept him from getting out of jail sooner, although it's insane to think he was able to get out on bail with such ease for the multiple murders and more for which he was on the hook.
Trying to access any money for his lawyer was a game of "Let's Make a Deal." He didn't realize the business was hanging on by a thread and Don E had to dip into the rainy day fund to keep it running.
Of course, with the plethora of protestors outside of the place, it didn't get any business at all. Blaine has lived the life of opulence and grandeur for too long, and he lacks self-awareness.
Am I a monster? Maybe I am. Because sometimes they just don't leave you any choice.
Blaine voiceover
He couldn't take any accountability for the position he was in and how it affected his businesses. The way he lashed out at Don E was too damn much, and it was about time Don E had enough of Blaine's crap and turned on him.
He has been a loyal lackey to Blaine and kept most of their operations running for years, and Blaine doesn't appreciate nor deserve him or his loyalty.
He treated Don E like crap for the entire hour, and Don E took most of it despite being tired of everything himself. Don E was right; if Blaine wasn't a cocky "monkey fighter" who kept that mask and wanted to impress a pretty woman, they could've avoided this mess.
Don E's last straw was Blaine raging out and killing Tanner. Tanner is like the Kenny of the iZombie in that I always assume he's dead, but he never is. Yeah, well, rest in peace, Tanner. You lasted longer than expected.
It was the last thing to make Don E turn on Blaine and join forces with Mr. Boss who appeared out of the blue prepared to burn Blane's life to the ground. Hell, he could've been responsible for whoever burned Blaine's house to the ground too.
Mr. Boss' appearance wasn't a shock, but his relation to Al was a fun surprise. You know what? I like Al.
I can see the headline now. Child Killer Shot Dead. They would throw me a parade. You can show yourself out now.
Al
Blaine tried to scare the hell out of her by threatening to kill her when she least expects it, and he even attempted to sneak attack murder her when she said all of those things which got under his skin, but she was unfazed and unbothered the entire time.
Related: Swamp Thing Canceled at DC Universe
She's a boss in my book for that alone. We haven't even discussed the badass moment when she pulled her gun out before he could attack her and had it pointed to his head with him on his knees in front of her surprised he was in the position.
Al's raged out red eyes were super hot too. Go, Al!
Mr. Boss used his niece to blow up Blaine's life, and he planned to take over Blaine's position. He wanted the brain business for himself, and his next step was to leverage a plan with Major and Fillmore Graves.
Major has become quite the astute leader, and I'm proud of him for it. He bugged their office, figured out they were trying to play him, and he used it to his benefit.
Strike three, monkey fighter!
Blaine
Major was in a terrible position. They depletion of brains had them two days away from being without food, and it would've led to God knows what with hungry zombies and humans in fear for their lives.
The government is insistent on nuking the city, but they didn't want to provide any of the brains on standby because of how over they are with this situation. It's scary to think the government would sentence the humans to death, but it's a reality, I presume.
Major was out of options, so manipulating Don E and Boss into smuggling their brains in was the best route to take. It sucks how Blaine was evading punishment, and people like Liv were willing to overlook his misdeeds for the sake of feeding the zombie population.
Related: iZombie Season 5 Episode 4 Review: Dot Zom
It's getting to a point where Ravi is side-eying Liv for how she speaks about Blaine. Who can blame him?
Why'd you have to keep the mask?
Don E
The deal works for Major; he can avoid another crisis for the time being, and they can use a different face for the brain business, so there are no ill feelings about the connection to Blaine.
Don E told Blaine they were out of the brain business, but Blaine doesn't take "no" for an answer. He finagled his way into the brain business anyway.
Between Tanner getting rid of the zombie cures he stole and is realization thanks to Dale's pregnancy that there is a way to create new ones, he proposed a deal to the young woman with the Fraylichs disease.
Related: iZombie Season 5 Episode 3 Review: Five, Six, Seven, Ate
He bought her off by outbidding the others who want her brain after she dies, and he then sold her off to someone else. He even offered to kill her himself, and it may be a possibility based on how ominous the final scene with him was and his voiceover referring to himself as a monster.
The voiceover was ridiculous in that he makes it seem as though circumstances and other people cause him to be this way as if he shouldn't be responsible for his actions.
Major's leadership changes by the day, but it was beyond entertaining when he was toying with Dolly. She's loathsome, isn't she?
It was disappointing by not surprising that one of the FG soldiers is her son. She disowned him when he became a zombie. It was a subtler parallel to the bigotry some people face by their family members due to their sexuality or identity.
Candy: You know what my name for a brothel would be? Cold cocks.
Don E: Why because of the fights?
I cannot stand Dolly, but her son was probably right about her. She's not one to trifle with, and she's more dangerous than Major is giving her credit.
Major will likely heed the warning, but I do think he's more aware of his surroundings than Liv who regardless of the brain is a hot mess of a leader.
After everything that has transpired and all they have gone through, is the process to be a coyote for her operation that simple? Ugh, it was frustrating when she didn't pick up how nervous Graham was or he and his friend having ulterior motives.
It sucks more knowing they don't take more precaution given how the organization has become an orphanage for zombie children. I'm sorry, but Liv as Renegade sucks.
Related: iZombie Season 5 Episode 2 Review: Dead Lift
Liv on matchmaker's brain was nothing exciting. She fell to the background along with Ravi for most of the hour, and so did the investigation into Carol's death, but that was because of the focus mostly being on Blaine.
Liv's final scene with Clive was adorable though. Their relationship is the cutest, and she was happy pestering him but also proud of him for serving as the lieutenant while Dale is on bedrest.
He more than earned and deserved it.
Over to you, iZombie Fanatics. What's next for Blaine? Are you surprised Don E turned on him? How long can the city survive on their limited brain supply?
Hit the comments below.
You can watch iZombie online here via TV Fanatic!
Jasmine Blu is a senior staff writer for TV Fanatic. She is an insomniac who spends late nights and early mornings binge-watching way too many shows and binge-drinking way too much tea. Her eclectic taste makes her an unpredictable viewer with an appreciation for complex characters, diverse representation, dynamic duos, compelling stories, and guilty pleasures. You'll definitely find her obsessively live-tweeting, waxing poetic, and chatting up fellow Fanatics and readers. Follow her on X.
