What I’m Watching: Eastbound and Down

Eastbound and Down: Season 2, Episode 3 “Chapter 9” (B+)

What a strange show this is. If I thought it was the type of series that had some ultimate achievement as its goal, I might suggest that it had lost sight of it, but I think Kenny Powers is just doing what he’s doing because he doesn’t know what else to do. His former henchmen’s search has proved fruitful, so now Kenny can try to get his life back together, since signing autographs while dressed ridiculously and seated next to far more famous soccer players just isn’t cutting it. I enjoyed the confusion that arose an all ends from Kenny’s former henchmen looking for Steve since Kenny had given them that name, and I think universal confusion is one of the things this show does best. It also does a spectacular job of giving the most despicable things to say, and his allusion to the conflict between the Jews and the Muslims was particularly hilarious. His relationship with Vida is quite interesting, and I doubt Michael Pena’s Mr. Cisneros is the only one surprised by Kenny’s good fortune, especially considering the way he treats her. This show is managing to round out its cast for the second season at this point, which is a good thing, led by Pena and Ana de la Reguera. I’m still hoping that we’ll see some familiar faces from back home, like April, but I’m not holding my breath, since Kenny’s search for himself will likely take him deeper into Mexico rather than away from it.