Ep 11. Insane in the Germ Brain

Liv and Clive delve into the world of germaphobia and mental illness in this season 4 episode of iZombie titled "Insane in the Germ Brain". When a young woman named Dr. Bailey Barker is found dead in her lab, Liv is tasked with eating her brain to uncover any clues that may lead to her killer. As she consumes the brain, she acquires Bailey's overwhelming fear of germs and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Liv's germaphobia leads her to avoid any physical contact with others, much to the dismay of her friends and colleagues.

Meanwhile, Clive and Dale investigate the case and discover that Bailey's colleagues at the lab were all suffering from various mental illnesses. They suspect that someone in the lab may have been deliberately infecting their colleagues with a virus that induces mental illness. As Liv continues to experience Bailey's neurotic behaviors, she becomes convinced that she can solve the case by outsmarting the killer.

As Liv obsesses over the case, she begins to alienate herself from her loved ones, including her boyfriend and her best friend Ravi. Ravi, a scientist himself, is initially baffled by the case until he discovers that Bailey's lab was working on a groundbreaking study of the human microbiome. The team realizes that the culprit is a former colleague who had been forced out of the lab and was seeking revenge by infecting the study subjects with a virus that causes mental illness.

Liv and Clive track down the killer and confront him, but not before Liv's germaphobia puts her in danger. In the end, Liv and Clive are able to apprehend the killer and bring him to justice. The experience forces Liv to confront her own fears and anxieties, as well as the toll that her job takes on her mental health.

As with all episodes of iZombie, "Insane in the Germ Brain" features a mix of humor, drama, and suspense. The episode's exploration of mental illness and obsessive-compulsive disorder is especially poignant, lending depth and humanity to both the crime-solving team and the case's suspects. Fans of the show will enjoy seeing Liv take on a new personality as she eats Bailey's brain, and the ongoing development of the show's side characters keeps the series fresh and entertaining.

Overall, "Insane in the Germ Brain" is a solid entry in the iZombie canon, showcasing the show's strengths in world-building, character development, and mystery-solving. As the series heads towards its conclusion, this episode reminds viewers why iZombie has become such a beloved fan favorite.