What I’m Watching: Eastbound & Down

Eastbound & Down: Season 3, Episode 4 “Chapter 17” (B+)

Though he was only around for three episodes, it’s worthwhile to have an entire episode essentially devoted to Shane’s memory. Though he was much like Kenny, his family certainly isn’t, and having Jason Sudeikis appear again as the buttoned-up, much more serious Cole was fun. Kenny and Stevie taking photos of the casket at the funeral and Stevie slapping the dead Shane were particularly inappropriate, and it wasn’t the right foot to get off on with Shane’s family. After asking Cole to channel his dead twin brother, bringing him along to freak out Shane’s college student girlfriend was rather cruel. His music-accompanied speech hit its high point when he declared himself Tom Cruise because Shane died, just like Goose. Pissing off Shane’s family ultimately backfired, however, since Kenny missed a call from April after his phone was tossed out the window by an angry Cole. Ironically enough, Kenny is starting to be a decent father, taking time to read to his cursed son, even if his choice of a story isn’t ideal. The fact that he’s bothering to censor it does mean something, and against all odds, Kenny is growing as a person. Stevie seems to be maturing as well, having sex with the crying woman at the funeral and then realizing that all he really wants is to be with Maria and to strange, untoward things with her. Because these seasons are so short, we’re already halfway done, so I can only imagine what’s on the way for Kenny, Toby, and all the rest.