Adios Kenny Powers. ‘Eastbound And Down’ came to its season and series conclusion this week. Do not read this until you’ve watched the finale, otherwise prepare for a spoiler.
“Eastbound and Down” is one of the most refreshing and unapologetically dark comedies in ages. It has been so unrelenting in making its protagonist repulsive that it even gives Larry David’s boorish caricature on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ pause. At least Larry’s perceptive, and you can occasionally agree with his annoyance at societies unwritten rules that seem ridiculous at times, even taken to his neurotic extremes.
I think if we have to point to any network for changing the modern narrative of TV by giving more ambiguity and shades of gray to its main characters, it’s HBO. It started with ‘The Sopranos’, which gave forth to many other shows with the same murky morality. Ever since, the most interesting shows on TV are the ones where you’re occasionally shocked and horrified by the actions of the leading cast. The unpredictability makes it stirring, and it’s one of several reasons that in many ways, cable TV is far more gratifying, entertaining and intriguing than most movies.
They have been quite brave in being unafraid of this type of material, and with ‘Eastbound’ we have the ugliest American anti-hero possibly of all time with Kenny Powers. Sexist, racist, insecure while acting superior, intolerant and incapable of seeing anyone’s needs before his own. He’s completely disgusting and reprehensible. He’s also hilarious, and in a testament to creator and co-writer Danny McBride’s lead performance, he still comes across endearing. No mean feat.
In a recent Rolling Stone article, McBride, said that Kenny Power’s origins begin in his childhood: ” We grew up around these alpha-male rednecks and all these dudes with this crazy confidence that didn’t really have anything to back it up. Kenny’s an amalgamation of the people that we were intimidated by growing up.”
Growing up as a small and scrawny kid in TX, and being more drawn towards the arts than athletics, I know exactly how he feels. There’s nothing more frightening as a child then being prey to a bully, especially if said bully has enamored and charmed his way around others. Why would anyone stick up for you if they can be in the good graces of the idiot they are drawn to like a deer trapped in headlights due to their bullshit charisma? You’re on your own at that point.
But the beauty about bullies and blowhards, is that usually all of their ignorance and misdirected aggression comes back in a karmic blow. So many years of talking shit and being willfully ignorant results in menial jobs, minor glories and all they have to look back on are their high school glory days when they were the king of the dirt mound. Those they belittled for their academia and nerdiness have passed them by professionally.
But a few that miss this slippery slope are those who manage to go into athletics, where their intimidating physical prowess can be put to good use.
Kenny Powers is a perfect example of both. Once on top of the heap in the sports arena, his unrestrained ego and lack of class and sensitivity brings him to his knees. But instead of humility he has no doubt this is just a speed bump back on track to reclaim his glory. And perhaps he was right?
Season 1 was like a backwoods ‘Strangers With Candy’, where he found himself as an elementary school gym coach who was verbally inappropriate with children, and antagonistic to his fellow teaching staff. Then came the more meandering 2nd season which found Kenny in Mexico, making his slow way back towards redeeming his baseball career by playing in a Mexican minor league team.
Season 3 has been a real eye opener, both to McBride’s acting range and to where he was willing to take his character. And let’s not forget the episode which brought Kenny to his disturbed friend Stevie’s rescue, where he was a slave at Ashely Schaeffer’s (Will Ferrell’s insane car dealer character) plantation, forced to perform as a Geisha for Kia representatives flown in from South Korea. It was a doozy. That’s the weirdest thing I’ve seen on television since the dwarf dance on ‘Twin Peaks’.
In the same Rolling Stone article, Mcbride said: “The beauty of it is having a character this fucked up, but not using him to teach anyone any lessons.”
But that, we found out Sunday night, was not entirely true. This season Kenny had to come to terms with being a father. Initially he bailed on his on again off again girlfriend April and his newborn son. But when she left the baby with him while running off unannounced, he had no choice but to deal with his responsibility head on. In classic Power’s fashion, he was comically outmatched in this arena, and seemed suited for the worst Father of the year award.
But slowly, he warmed to fatherhood, especially after confiding in his mother (played pitch perfect by Lily Tomlin) and father (Don Johnson).
But this brief tender moment seemed short lived. April showed up to reclaim their son. Kenny foisted the kid back upon her and seemed resigned to being the absentee father. Then he got a contract to play for the majors again which would take him from Florida into TX. Choking back tears, he left after saying his goodbyes. He seemed resigned to his fate.
After a creepy pep talk and devotional prayer from his talent scout (Matthew McConaughey) he arrived on the pitcher mound. It seemed his life was full circle. Back where he belonged in his career, and back to being a selfish alpha male prick. His monologue seemed to say this was where his tale would end. And then…he dropped the ball. Literally. On the pitcher mound. And he walked away, the crowd and fellow baseball players apoplectic at this unexplained development.
BIG SPOILER ALERT:
Racing back in his car while chugging beers, he was off to reconnect with his family and leave baseball behind. Until his car went off the road and exploded. Really?
It appeared that any life lesson learned could only be done while at death’s door.
But…..not to worry, he was faking it, you see. Showing up at April’s door with a truly terrible blond dye job, he said faking his death was the only way that the press would leave them alone. April looked completely confused by this statement, but that’s how it goes when you’re dealing with a egomaniacal moron.
But into the house Kenny went. Redeemed. And now a full-time Dad. He still won’t win Father of the Year, but at least he’ll be around. And while Eastbound’s run was short but sweet, we’ll have laughs for a life time. Thanks Kenny.
***Updated July 2nd: Well looks like HBO and McBride have done an about face, because it’s just been renewed! Well Hot Damn.