S01.E04: Liv And Let Clive

[ElectricBoogaloo]

When Clive identifies a John Doe in the morgue as one of his former criminal contacts from his days on the vice squad, Liv is surprised that Clive is so quick to refuse her help in solving the murder. Liv and Ravi investigate on their own which puts them in a precarious situation. Liv's problems continue to mount when Major begins searching for a roommate and she believes he's considering a cute co-ed.

[Sakura12]

Promo.

 

 

 

Rose McIver using her Power Ranger skills. lol

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Inside the episode:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msU5aptB6y4

[Scarlett45]

Promo.

Rose McIver using her Power Ranger skills. lol

Total speculation here- I bet the cop has an identical twin.

[Sakura12]

Total speculation here- I bet the cop has an identical twin.

 

 That would be more fun. I figured Clive was undercover when he was in Vice. 

[Primetimer]

Liv sees Clive's past, and it's not that pretty.

Read the story

[bettername2come]

I like how Liv's zombie mode keeps coming out when she's protecting people. I half-hoped her brother would find out, but that's probably too soon a development. It was nice to see they hadn't dropped the family members after the pilot. Best part of all was the line about taking down Batman with a spiral notebook and a student ID. 

[enlightenedbum]

Could Liv and Ravi in the video store have been more Veronica and Wallace?

Edited April 8, 2015 by enlightenedbum

[tennisgurl]

I cant totally blame Liv for thinking that Clive might be dirty. Really, she does not know him all that well, and she has had a pretty tough time lately, I can see how she would jump to that conclusion. 

 

My love for this show grows and grows. I love how they incorporate the brains stuff into the episode. It makes for a more interesting show. 

 

There is NO WAY they are setting up David Anders zombie as the "Logan" for a Liv love triangle. Logan was a jerky teenager. This guy is a murderer and a genuine sicko. That poor kid...

[dubbel zout]

Why don't the other zombies take on the characteristics of the people whose brains they eat?

[Watcher0363]

Why don't the other zombies take on the characteristics of the people whose brains they eat?

They do, the line about I am bringing you something that will make you feel like a teenager. Says it all.

[dubbel zout]

D'oh. I did not put two and two together.

[sjohnson]

Vice units do not run deep undercover: They're idea of undercover is posing as a john, then busting the prostitute. For a moment I thought he was undercover as a crooked Vice cop, suspended for appearances, except the suspension seemed to have come shortly before the big bust of the father. Except on reflection that doesn't make any sense.

Even more to the point, successful operations do not result in a blow to the career, no matter how bad your manners are after a year (!) under cover. Transfer to homicide would be a reward, not a "fresh start."

The case of the week was seriously lame I thought. Which I conclude makes it terrible insight to Babineau. Also, it may not be the dreaded "procedural" but the notion of the cop as the lonely hero staining his soul on behalf is not only well-worn, but smells. Instead of characterizing Babineau I think they whipped out some tired old trope and brandished it as shorthand. I don't read shorthand well.

Little brother Evan is misnamed. Obviously his true name is Dicklet, Surely there's a military school they send him to?

[Actionmage]

Borrowed this week: Paranoia and martial arts

 

It was good. I disliked that Liv didn't seem to have a running commentary on whether she thought she was too paranoid with herself. She seemed to be aware of her aloofness with the Exterminator and could comment on it as the episode rolled, but not here? Weak .  I feel like the 'he's undercover' got ditched for manufactured "suspense" over Clive and the supposed dirtiness.

 

Ravi and Major actually hitting it off was amusing. I hope that Ravi is introduced to the unique strangeness that is American football ( and I say that as a proud Texan.) I hope the guys can actually become friends; it might facilitate some future truth-bombs.

 

Glad to see Younger Brother Whose Name I Missed. He could be fun. I'm thinking he's probably either onto Liv's new lifestyle or he'll be the most stoked/accepting.

 

Blaine, you monopolizing, sociopathic killer zombie, stop killing ( Free Market and street kids)!  Though, I do sort of adore the restaurant. The chef seems to be pretty cool despite working for/with you. "Brains are for closers" is pretty harsh, especially as you'd crush them if they tried anything not Blaine-approved.

 

I do hope that Liv, when she confronts Blaine, is not all self-righteous. Liv  would have a point about kidnapping and killing for brains, but she should build a case with Clive to shut that shit down, not let it continue. Especially as she has gotten a bad vibe about Blaine pretty early and he  he has alluded to being a dealer of Utopium.

 

Why don't the other zombies take on the characteristics of the people whose brains they eat?

 

 

Add me to the list of inquiring minds. eta: saw the reply from Watcher! Thanks!

 

Overall? I enjoyed it and am still looking forward to the next episodes!

Edited April 8, 2015 by Actionmage

[Watcher0363]

I think where this show is going, at least for the wealthy zombies. That the brains are more than just substance, they are a way to experience other people lives. Which could become very addictive.

[jjjmoss]

I think where this show is going, at least for the wealthy zombies. That the brains are more than just substance, they are a way to experience other people lives. Which could become very addictive.

A little like Dollhouse?

[seamusk]

My favorite episode yet! I think someone upthread said it that the video store scene was a bit veronica/wallace and i loved that. 

 

I mentioned it in the last episode thread, but my main concern with the brains = skills component is that I want the heroine to succeed of her own capacities. That was a big part of Veronica. She solved crimes with her skills + her ability to make friends. I thought this episode was good. I thought that Liv used her own ambition and skills to push the crime solving. And I thought that the one instance where her skill was a borrowed one (see Kung Fu), that was just delightfully done!  I so enjoyed the whole quirkiness of how she realized she knew it and how it played into the show.

 

I didn't take Clive at his word at the end of the show. I think there is more to the story about his time in Vice and we'll learn that later on when him and Liv are true true friends.

 

Oh, and little brother gave me a Corey Haim in The Lost Boys feel. I'm not sure exactly what it was though that made me think that...

[Racj82]

My favorite episode yet! I think someone upthread said it that the video store scene was a bit veronica/wallace and i loved that.

I mentioned it in the last episode thread, but my main concern with the brains = skills component is that I want the heroine to succeed of her own capacities. That was a big part of Veronica. She solved crimes with her skills + her ability to make friends. I thought this episode was good. I thought that Liv used her own ambition and skills to push the crime solving. And I thought that the one instance where her skill was a borrowed one (see Kung Fu), that was just delightfully done! I so enjoyed the whole quirkiness of how she realized she knew it and how it played into the show.

I didn't take Clive at his word at the end of the show. I think there is more to the story about his time in Vice and we'll learn that later on when him and Liv are true true friends.

Oh, and little brother gave me a Corey Haim in The Lost Boys feel. I'm not sure exactly what it was though that made me think that...

well although this is the same braintrust behind mars but it isn't veronica mars. So, I'm not looking for her to function like veronica. Also, she is coming up with smart things on her own. But, the skills are a special hook to the show. One I wouldn't want to remove. She's a great lead. Also her and Ravi are definitely reviving my veronica/Wallace love. I just we never have to many friends that come in and derail the friendship. I loved Mac and others on mars but it led to much decreased friendship between the two. While this isn't veronica mars, I can always love a good friendship on tv no matter what.

[GaT]

Still enjoying the show, but I really wish they would do something with Liv's hair. It really looks like a bad wig, they could have done a much better job making it look like her hair that turned white.It actually distracts me when she's talking. Interesting that Blaine now has a spray tan, that's one way to cut show costs by saving time in the makeup chair. 

[thuganomics85]

While I was glad to see Malcolm Goodwin get more to do, I wasn't a huge fan of Clive's back-story.  I've just seen the "Cop goes undercover and he has to do dark things" trope too many times, that it is hard for me to find it interesting again.  I actually didn't mind Liv not fully trusting them, because despite having a good rapport and working relationship, she really doesn't know that much about him yet.  Plus, it sounded like the victim's brains where making her paranoid about everything anyway.

 

The kung-fu stuff was fun, but I really loved it when she went zombie on the guy ass, when she thought her brother was in danger.  Yep, I can see why messing with someone she really cares about, would bring that out of her.  I have a feeling that this is going to lead up to the moment when there isn't anyone to interrupt, and some poor fool will really feel the Wrath of Zombie Liv!

 

Well, Ravi pulled off a miracle.  He made me interested in Major.  I found Major way more enjoyable opposite of Ravi, and I'm glad this looks like they'll be roommates, so he'll be integrated into the overall story better.  I'm more optimistic now, when it comes to him.

 

Really can't see them ever making Blaine an anti-hero now, thankfully.  Dude is clearly fucked up.  He's basically a Zombie mobster now.  Those two meat heads never stood a chance.  As for the kid, I have to think Clive noticing his shoes last episode, will somehow come into play.

 

Still finding the show charming, and Rose McIver to be a wonderful lead.  Still formalic at times, but I think it can go somewhere good soon.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

You guys, I just realized two things:

(1) The zombie protagonist's name is Liv Moore. HA!

(2) The three main characters all have Vs in their names: Liv, Ravi, and Clive. I know that doesn't mean anything but still.

 

Part of me is really disappointed that Blaine killed Dante and Julian. I mean, I knew he wouldn't stand for his underlings trying to undercut his monopoly, but those two were really entertaining. "You can't flex fat."

 

Blaine is a terrible person but I was cracking up at him and Jackie getting their side by side spray tans in front of the window.

 

I know I said this last week and the week before, but I really love the friendship between Liv and Ravi. It is so rare that we get to see a platonic male/female friendship on tv so I love that they are clearly ONLY friends and that although he is supportive of her zombie stuff, he didn't hesitate to put the brakes on every time she said that Clive was a dirty cop.

 

The one thing I disliked is that we have seen Clive, Liv's brother, and other people stroll into the morgue without any warning (no bell or loud door slamming at the entrance) so maybe loudly discussing her suspicions about Clive was not very smart since he or any other cop could have walked in and overheard her.

Edited April 8, 2015 by ElectricBoogaloo

[shapeshifter]

You guys, I just realized two things:

(1) The zombie protagonist's name is Liv Moore. HA!

(2) The three main characters all have Vs in their names: Liv, Ravi, and Clive. I know that doesn't mean anything but still...

Well, as the episode title, "Live and Let Clive" points out, "Clive" is "live" with a "C."

And the brother whose existance I hadn't previously noticed also has a "v" in his name.

Blaine's henchmen were complaining about him scratching them and not giving them brains to eat, but they didn't have the paper white skin or hair. Why?

[Goldmoon]

Was that Bradley James in the preview?  I thought this ep was pretty lame.  We knew that Clive couldn't be a bad cop, so where was the suspense?  Felt bad for the kid.  Was surprised, in a pleased way, that they actually went there with killing the kid.  Were the henchmen messed up humans?

[saber5055]

So this station was off all night here due to storms. Does anyone know if this episode is online anywhere for free watching?

[dubbel zout]

Part of me is really disappointed that Blaine killed Dante and Julian. I mean, I knew he wouldn't stand for his underlings trying to undercut his monopoly, but those two were really entertaining. "You can't flex fat."

They were excellent comic relief. As were Major and Ravi. I like that they are becoming friends. They sort of have to in order for Major's continued appearance to work, I think. It can't just be awkward encounters with Liv.

 

We knew that Clive couldn't be a bad cop, so where was the suspense?

 

For us there wasn't any, but I did like watching Liv figure it out and realize she can trust him.

[Sakura12]

I haven't seen this episode yet, stupid Chicago mayoral elections. If I wanted to see people talking about voting and speeches, I'd watch the news. 

[gibasi]

For me Blaine has been the weak link of the show.  I like David Anders but haven't much liked Blaine until last night's episode.  Less snark and witty asides made for a better character.  And his story line made sense to me.

 

I loved Ravi and Liv together.  That made the whole episode for me.  And kudos to those who pointed to the Wallace/Veronica friendship as its counterpart.

[redsox7819]

Shallow post alert. Can Major be shirtless more?

 

Am I alone in wanting Major and Liv relationship back story? Where did they meet etc.

Edited April 8, 2015 by redsox7819

[bluebonnet]

So this station was off all night here due to storms. Does anyone know if this episode is online anywhere for free watching?

CW shows are always available on their website the next day for free viewing.  Plus, the usual unsavory methods.  

[Ubiquitous]

Everyone Blaine worked with was undead, right?

Blaine's henchmen were complaining about him scratching them and not giving them brains to eat, but they didn't have the paper white skin or hair. Why?

Jersey Shore Guidos are all about the tanning bed and working out.

Yeah, there was no suspense about whether Clive was a dirty cop or not.

[dubbel zout]

Jersey Shore Guidos are all about the tanning bed and working out.

 

Give that the show is set in Seattle, they sure traveled a long way. ;-)

[FurryFury]

I liked everything, except for two things:

 

- It was painfully obvious Clive was undercover the whole time;

 

- I'm sorry, but Major bores the hell out of me. Or, rather, Liv/Major does. They just don't have a spark or an interesting dynamic. I expected more from Rob Thomas. Didn't her learn anything about romances on Veronica Mars?

 

The stuff about dark curtains was funny and so true, because yeah, it totally sucks if you're a gamer (my apartment's windows are on the sunny side).

 

"I know kung fu" was the funniest, but there was a lot of great one-liners. I loved "whorish Memento" as well (Memento's one of my favorite movies ever, FWIW).

 

So, Blaine was confirmed to be a murderer. Looks like he's a straight-up villain, which is a pity, because I love David Anders and I liked Liv/Blaine dynamic in the second episode, but straight-up always villains have an expiration date (unless you are out of ideas and resurrect them for season two, which so many shows do).

 

I think I like Ravi the more I see him. He and Liv were gold in that video store. Their relationship seems to be slowly becoming the heart of the show, and I'm OK with that.

Edited April 8, 2015 by FurryFury

[sacrebleu]

 

I like that they are becoming friends.

I liked Ravi and Major together-- but I don't like that it creates scenarios for Liv and Major to interact. I don't think they work, and I think the pining stuff is a drag on the show. 

 

 

"whorish Memento"

My favorite part was after Ravi made the "whorish Memento" crack-- then was delighted to find an actual "whorish Memento" in the porn section of the video store. I totally didn't even mind that a video store shouldn't actually exist in this day and age.

[maczero]

My favorite part was after Ravi made the "whorish Memento" crack-- then was delighted to find an actual "whorish Memento" in the porn section of the video store. I totally didn't even mind that a video store shouldn't actually exist in this day and age.

Oh they still exist.  Particularly those that offer porn.  It's funny watching how the porn section eventually manages to take over the entire store.

 

Did I miss something or was Liz's involvement in Babbineau's case totally unnecessary?  Did she provide anything that was helpful to him or at least help anyone?  I'm not complaining.  It's just that it's not often that we see the heroine be totally useless or as a screw-up.

[FurryFury]

Did she provide anything that was helpful to him or at least help anyone?

 

Yes, she did. She told him the bad guys were about to kill Ray, the other undercover cop, and her info basically saved him (offscreen).

[mjc570]

 

You guys, I just realized two things:

(1) The zombie protagonist's name is Liv Moore. HA!

Ha ha, I totally missed that, so thanks,

 

I really like this show, it's cute and funny.  So, of course, I've pretty much guaranteed that it will be cancelled.  If it isn't, then as a viewer, I demand that Major ONLY appear shirtless. 

[BooBear]

Well I was a little disappointed / bored that Blaine just turns out to be a bad guy, and not a really bright or interesting one either. Keep on killing people without regard to who they are or who they know - and making lots of zombies... yeh that is the way to fly under the radar. I kind of think the show doesn't need a bad guy and it is taking up valuable Liv time.   I would like that time to be spent trying to cure Liv, finding out about what abilities she got with being a semi zombie.

 

I am not sure that Major and Ravi look like a winning match.  I still am not feeling Major. Liv should let him go and find someone great if she can't be with him. OR she should tell him. Why hasn't she told him yet? I mean Ravi a total stranger knows.

 

I just really don't like Clive. He irked me with that attitude like she should know better that he would be a bad guy. Nope! Too soon.

 

Love little brother but again... no real place for him in the story.

[lezlers]

I was also wondering why the henchmen weren't pale at all.   I also wonder how black skin is affected by the zombie virus.  Does it look albino? Also, why were the henchmen in the freezer after being shot? Are zombie brains ripe for eating? My mind is boggled! 

[dohe]

The character of Major is bringing this show down.  I also don't like the Veronica Mars/Wallace thing playing out again.  The lead white female pines over a good looking white guy while the best male friend who is not white, in this case Ravi, is there just to be a pal.  One time it doesn't stick out.  But for a show by the same show creator to go there again - please no.  Ravi, Clive and Payton would all be interesting romantic partners for Liv.   .

 

Blaine to Liv as Boyd Crowder is to Raylan Givens could be fun. Anything else - not so much. The show is a fun diversion but it needs a bit more oomph.  Losing Major would be a great first step. 

[bettername2come]

I don't get much of a Wallace/Veronic vibe from Ravi and Liv. I see it when others mention it, but with him being her boss and having expert knowledge to help with cases, I think the dynamic is much different from Veronica/Wallace. For starters, we started out with Ravi helping Liv out, rather than the other way around. As far as romantic partners go, I don't think we've gotten to a point where we can necessarily rule anyone out yet (except Blaine).

[tennisgurl]

I kind of hope they are going to give Major more to do with the search for the missing kid. It could give his character more time to develop, or at least get him more involved in the story as more than "Liv`s love interest". I like Major for now, but I hope there is more to him, or there will be. I think the actor has been doing a pretty good job with what he has been given, so I`m interested in seeing where they take him next. I`ll give the show a little time to develop the supporting cast before I get a real read on them.

[enlightenedbum]

I don't get much of a Wallace/Veronic vibe from Ravi and Liv. I see it when others mention it, but with him being her boss and having expert knowledge to help with cases, I think the dynamic is much different from Veronica/Wallace. For starters, we started out with Ravi helping Liv out, rather than the other way around. As far as romantic partners go, I don't think we've gotten to a point where we can necessarily rule anyone out yet (except Blaine).

Generally I don't either, but that video store scene was very much the Wallace/Veronica dynamic, I thought.

[Izeinwinter]

In this case the video store was clearly just a gang front / money laundering operation. Report large sales of second hand dvd's on a cash basis, put gang members on payroll without expecting them to actually show up and work shifts, and there you go, "legitimate" incomes all around. Entirely standard trick. 

 

Paranoid Liv was interesting. Not as funny as horny Liv, but interesting. Less self-aware than the anti-social disorder version... probably because paranoia is much closer to her mental baseline state? Liv has actual reasons for fear in spades. How do you tell if you are behaving in a clinically paranoid fashion when the world might well hunt you down and strap you to a lab table at best if your secrets got out? 

 

How old is Liv's little brother supposed to be anyway? Because while sort of funny, also.. stalkery.

[bettername2come]

How old is Liv's little brother supposed to be anyway? Because while sort of funny, also.. stalkery.

 

He said something about their mom having been on his case for 16 years.

[Sakura12]

Finally got to see the episode, I loved Ravi and Liv in the video store. That was a Veronica move though. Major is more and more starting to remind me of Duncan. Good looking but so incredibility dull. 

 

I also wish Liv's brother found out about her. I think he'd take it well. Plus it would include him in the show more. Although he is a creeper with Peyton's stuff. 

 

I don't like that Blaine is one dimensional evil. That's boring. And how long does plan to get away with killing people. A lot of deaths even with homeless kids is going to start to draw attention. However it was smart of him to turn a chef to make the brains taste better. Although I thought Liv said it doesn't matter what she does because her taste buds are half dead. How can they enjoy food when she can't? 

 

I don't mind that Liv suspected Clive, her explanation worked for me. She saw and felt Clive being bad and it scared her plus she ate the brains of a really paranoid guy. She was paranoid about everything not just him. 

 

Loved Liv's Power Ranger moves. 

[FurryFury]

I don't like that Blaine is one dimensional evil. That's boring. And how long does plan to get away with killing people.

 

The situation with Blaine starts to remind me Wells on The Flash. A character who showed a lot of promise played by a good actor turns out to be just a mustache-twirling villain. I kinda hoped that Blaine was just a red herring and that there will be a real dangerous Big Bad whom they'll have to reluctantly team up against. Cliched, but always fun, if executed correctly, plus it would keep Blaine as a sleazy and unreliable trickster instead of a full-blown murderer. May still happen, of course, but I'm not sure the character could be salvaged as something other than a villain anymore.

[Izeinwinter]

Blaine is charming and a very dangerous idiot. He was a drug dealer, and is applying that buisness model to the Z, which doesn't work - He is committing murder to provide product, his customers and muscle are bio-hazards.... His entire business model is completely unsustainable, because it will inevitably attract attention and then be hammered out of existence. 

Note that this isn't a complaint against the show: I completely buy that a drug-dealer turned zombie would do this. It's idiotic, but it is highly believable idiocy.

 

The logical next step is for someone competent - like his current bed partner,  - to notice the problems with what he is doing, kill his pasty insane ass and put things on a less.. high-profile... footing.

 

For example, the easy way to get a steady supply of brains is to buy out a crematorium. No trail of missing persons and murder cases, no bodies to give away that the brain is missing..  

[JasmineFlower]

I'm enjoying the show, liked the episode. I wish as some others that Blaine was a more complex and dynamic grey character than he is, but it looks like he's just a bad guy with not a ton of interpretation. Though his goals seem to be a bit interesting. I was also thinking, if he's not turning people into zombies and not being a bad complete bad guy, there's not a ton of Zombie going on in the show. I'd be fine with that, but not sure how the comics play that out or if others would mind as much.

 

I'm a little surprised by how much Veronica Mars is being mentioned and compared to at this point. I get that it's the same creators, but this is a completely different show based on original source material. I think it deserves to be considered on it's own, can be reminiscent in ways of VM, but it's not something I'm constantly thinking about and might be enjoying it more because of it. I like Liv, Major, Ravi, mostly like Clive, the brother, Aly (not sure of her name on here). I love the new friendship between Major and Ravi and I do think Major and Liv have enough that I like them together and can root for them in the future. There's plenty to like here, but if I'm constantly comparing it to a show I hold as a favorite, I'm sure I'd find more problems.

[dubbel zout]

Aly (not sure of her name on here)

 

Peyton.

[Sakura12]

I still can't get over the Power Ranger moves since I saw this on Youtube. lol