What I’m Watching: Eastbound and Down (Season Premiere)

Eastbound and Down: Season 4, Episode 1 “Chapter 22” (B+)

I’m beyond thrilled that this show is on again, mainly because the last review I wrote was of the series finale. I and many others mistakenly thought that “Chapter 21,” which aired in April 2012, was the final episodes of the show, but, a few months later, HBO renewed the show for a last round of eight episodes. It’s fantastic to see Kenny Powers again, more subdued than ever before but just bursting to let his inner psychopath out. Watching him vow to obey the law and going into his boring job as a rental car associate was unsettling, and it was especially uncomfortable to see him forced to brag about his new swimming pool to Guy’s rich friends. This show manages to balance its awfully awkward moments, like Kenny storming out of April’s award ceremony, with much funnier moments of cruelty from Kenny, like his bullying of his son for not eating his vegetables. Getting mean and offensive about his friends’ adopted Asian baby was one of the less nice things he did, but what else could someone expect from Kenny Powers? Staying outside in silent protest and giving April his food order was more like him, as was running the obnoxious couple after the road. Kenny managed to resurrect himself, get married to the love of his life, and raise a family. In his own words, he didn’t win baseball, but he did win life. Only Kenny could put it that way and make it sound convincing, and I can’t wait to see how he climbs back on top this season.