Warning: This recap contains spoilers, undead and otherwise, for the iZombie episode “Eat, Pray, Liv.” Go find some brains to eat if you haven’t watched yet.

The newest iZombie pulled back from the big picture and didn’t at the same time. The blending of more formulaic episodes with points focusing on the overreaching arc is something the series has excelled at time and time again. In “Eat, Pray, Liv,” we spent a fair portion of the hour with Liv and Clive and their investigation of their latest case–the murder of a yoga teacher–but we also hung out with Major at Fillmore Graves and Ravi as he perfected the memory serum (he thinks).

Oh, and Ravi confessed to Peyton that he still loves her. And Blaine got a job performing as a piano player/lounge singer, which is fabulous because hello, listen to David Anders sing. And I should also point out how Ravi’s boss has put together enough clues to home in on Seattle for the center of her strange corpse issues.

So, a lot happened. While we didn’t specifically go into the whole zombie homeland thing, other moving parts played into the angle. Anyway, let’s focus on the braaaiiins of it all.

The Meals

We had three meals this episode—er, we watched three meals come together this episode. First up, Major tried some of the mixed, goopy brains at Fillmore Graves. Yuck. The consistency of the mixture reminded me of the infamous pink slime. Eww.

On the more appetizing front, Liv blended the brains of the yoga teacher into a steaming almond milk chai latte. I don’t know how she managed to get the brain pieces smooth enough to be stirred in, but I don’t really want to know. The making-of video was visually attractive, and it would totally make the rounds on Facebook.

Finally, Major went total bachelor and put chunks of brain on crackers as a snack. No fuss.

I’m ashamed to admit I just realized the meals Liv makes kind of fit the brains, right? I’d have to look through my notes for past seasons, but so far, Liv made chili dog sauce for the dad brains and then this almond milk chai latte for the yoga instructor. Both items seem like something the owners of the brains would have made or ordered. Hmm.

Liv

Everyone take a deep breath. Go to your calm place. It’s where you need to be to appreciate the brain of Topher, the slain yoga teacher. He was meditating when he was murdered. Liv picked up his personality, including his unflappable nature. She spouted statements about death and life being sides of a coin and how identity is merely a hallucination of the unenlightened. I don’t have a ton of patience for the zen attitude because I’m a control freak. Liv is one to some degree, too, so unwinding and being this philosophical was a change for her.

The yoga teacher’s demeanor came at an excellent time. It allowed Liv to process all of the Ravi and Peyton drama, the CDC presence, and Major’s health issues without losing her head. Topher’s brain was the right meal at the right time.

The biggest difference to note with this brain? Liv didn’t have any visions. Topher was so zen and at peace, nothing triggered his memories—at least, that’s my theory. Clive and Liv had to solve the crime relying on nothing but detective work, and they were successful. Clive put the pieces together. We know Clive is capable, but I think it’s positive for us to see him finish a case without Liv’s extra special assistance and only his police skills.

Major

While he was on the pink brain slime, Major didn’t experience the usual side effects. If you’re trying to be a mercenary, being distracted by visions isn’t a positive asset. Since the slime presumably isn’t as tasty as fresh brains (and with the fast food analogy in mind, fresh meat is always better), Major got access to Zumba instructor brains. They made him energetic, enthusiastic, and maybe contributed to him giving Liv longing, sitcom romance stares. Of course, maybe the fact that he might die for real is contributing to thoughts of regret regarding Liv.

Did you find Liv’s latest snack too bland or was the recipe on point for you? Share your thoughts on brains in the comments.

Images: The CW