iZombie episode 9: Patriot Brains

This week's episode picks up right where last week's left us hanging - in the elevator. There were a lot of feelz in this one, and I gotta say - I hate just being left hanging when I know something isn't as simple as it seems. There was a lot more work done on the relationship between Liv and Lowell, and I was just starting to feel like maybe it had a chance - and then BAM. Maybe not.

The whole vibe for the episode this week was depressing, but in a good way. That touched me. I mean, the usual energy between her and Clive was there. It was a little weird between Liv and Ravi, but it was downright sad between her and Lowell. Major makes a mistake that nearly costs him his life, and still might - but he's closer to the truth than he realizes. The problem is, I don't think he can handle the truth! Meanwhile, Ravi is so far not a zombie after being bitten by the zombie rat - yet.

There wasn't a whole lot of focus put on the actual crime this week - a dead soldier, and a murderous computer geek. There was a lot of focus on Liv's new sniper skills. Passengers on the good ship Livwell are probably wondering what now, especially since something rather permanent seems to have happened with a fan favorite. But I've learned that things aren't always what they seem with this show, so I'm holding out for the hero to come riding back in on his steed later on - perhaps in season two.

Is Lowell gone for good? Will he rise again from the dead? Hit the jump for the recap, and tell us what you think in the comments!

The Purpose of a War Story

Set the wayback machine to the 2002-2003 school year. I was 17 years old, suffering with senioritis and itching to go of to college. It was in this year that I would be confronted with a book that would stick with me, probably to my dying day. My teacher, Mrs. Coughlin, introduced The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien to my class, and to this day it is one of the best books I have ever read.

One particular story really sunk into my mind called "How to Tell a True War Story". In the vignette, O'Brien tells a series of stories, either factual, fictional, or somewhere in between. The point was to illustrate that the veracity of war stories is not dictated by fact or fiction, but based on whether or not it "feels right" like a gut instinct. This story would war with the rational processes of my mind as I studied history for 8 years of undergrad and grad school. The contrary point is this: "History is the interpretation of past by the present, based on primary and secondary sources" - as drummed into me by Professor Magliari. These two different ideas are ever present in my mind when I watch historic or war films. Now I always wonder why they are told, and what the story means.

Episode 135: Who is Jeremy Irons?

 This week, on the Ace of Geeks Podcast: We discuss American Sniper, and it's philosophy of Wolves, Sheep and Sheepdogs. We'll make sure everyone understands how good of a movie George of the Jungle is. Plus - this year's Oscar Snubs, what's it's like to be a Neilsen family, Star Wars, the Slow Regard of Silent Things, and so much more!

Episode 135!