What I’m Watching: Eastbound & Down

Eastbound & Down: Season 3, Episode 3 “Chapter 16” (B+)

After the shenanigans that dominated the back half of last week’s episode, it’s good to return to normal, or at least as normal as things on this show can ever be. The return of Matthew McConaughey’s Texas was hardly as positive a thing as it was the last time around, since he decided to bring with him Kenny’s new nemesis, Russian pitcher Ivan. Kenny’s articulation of his lack of desire to visit Russia because they’ve been enemies forever was marvelously inaccurate, and I loved his reaction to Ivan’s serious questioning of whether he was talking about a tomato or a tomato. Telling him he had to scale a wall or murder a rat was typical foolishness, and it seems that Ivan’s style and skill may just force Kenny out of the game again, as he buckled under the pressure to deliver when everyone was chanting his name. His college class speech was rather pathetic and poorly-received, and certainly not a high point for the incomparable Kenny Powers. The best speech of the episode actually came from Stevie, whose arrival in Myrtle Beach was met with hostility from Shane and the usual demeaning behavior from Kenny. With Maria by his side, Stevie may be in better shape, and he did a good job of baby-proofing Toby’s room, even if Kenny was less than impressed. Having your best friend apparently choke to death while you’re both doing drugs is never a good thing, and it seems that having Toby around may be the least of Kenny’s problems in the weeks to come.