ZNation Season 2 Episode 4 Review: Phyto-Zombies Are The Next Chia Pets

Last week we saw Murphy and Cassandra heading for Minneapolis in search of z weed. It's marijuana grown in zombie compost. Yeah, I know...just roll with it. There's also a possibility that z weed might cure the zombie virus (because it has a calming effect on Cassandra).

When they arrive at the facility, Odegard (not really a scientist) tells them that "Batch 47" is what they're looking for. Lots of volunteers head into the greenhouse to get the seedpods but none survive. The problems is...ya know... zombies. But these are no ordinary zombies. These are phyto-zombies-- part zombie, part plant.

The rest of Operation Bite Mark soon arrives at the facility-- Warren, Addy, Doc, 10K, and Vasquez. Murphy goes into the greenhouse. He manages to get one seedpod away from a GIANT zombie. Odegard tests it on three severed heads by puffing it up their noses. They take the last head saying "brains" as a positive sign. Too funny! Now all they have to do is harvest the rest of the plants (which won't be easy). Murphy convinces his crew to help. Interestingly, he is still psychically connected to the phyto-zombies. When one is stabbed, he feels it. All of the zombies are also connected to each other through their vine system.

This Jerk Is Back (At Least This Is The Good Side Of His Face)

And just then, Dr Kurian arrives. Remember the crazy scientist we last saw diving into a refrigerator to survive the nuclear blast? He's now a little extra crispy and it looks like his ear might have fallen off. He babbles something about Murphy and his kind inheriting the earth after humans and zombies all die. Just a reminder, Kurian is the reason the whole zombie apocalypse started in the first place!

Hector Alvarez (ie EScorpion)

Meanwhile the Zeros (a drug gang) show up. They're responsible for distributing z weed. They are lead by Hector (EScorpion) whom we met previously in Cheyenne. He was the guy with the bazooka.

He Didn't Last Long

EScorpion wants to try Batch 47 on a living subject. He shoves it up Odegard's nose. It of course kills the guy and turns him into a zombie. Hector then shoots him the head. That seems like a waste of a knowledgeable character (but no one asked me).

The Zeros take the remaining weed and attempt to burn down the greenhouse. Uh, what is the point of that? Murphy tries to help the #1 phyto-zombie escape but he doesnt seem to know whats up. 10K eventually uses it's vine to shove the zombie through a fan (while Murphy begs him to let it live).

Remind Me To Lay Off Weed

There's also a little sick girl and a woman who's acting as her surrogate mother. The girl is near death. Doc gives her some leaves from Batch 47 to chew. And with that, the team is off again.

Serena (ie Pie Girl) makes a brief appearance. Murphy Jr is still cooking in the womb. And he's apparently anxious to get out and see the world.

Favorite Quotes:

"Marijuana, zombies, and GMOs-- What could go wrong?"- Doc.
"Seriously dude, I'm getting tired of chasing your bony ass all over the apocalypse."- Doc to Murphy.
"I love the smell of zombies in the morning."- Murphy.
"I'll take the garden weasel. I always wanted one of these."- Doc selecting a weapon for his trip into the greenhouse.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). Not as much action as previous episodes but I don't care. It's still a joy to watch. "Z Nation" keeps coming up with more fun zombies. Add phyto-zombies to blaster zombies, zombabies, zombears, zornados, radioactive zombies, and Viagra zombies (to name only a few). Pant zombies may replace chia pets as this year's weirdo Christmas gift.