'Eastbound & Down' Season 2, Episode 6 Recap

['Eastbound & Down' - 'Chapter 12']

Kenny Powers is an enigma, but if 'Eastbound & Down' has taught us anything, it's what drives him to be the way he is: booze, sex, drugs, fame, an unearned sense of superiority and entitlement, an eighth grade education, and more important than all of those things combined, his love for April.

April makes Kenny the best man he can possibly be, which still isn't a very good man, in fact, on a scale of one to Mel Gibson, Kenny is at about a Charlie Sheen. But he's a kinder, gentler Sheen when he has April as his muse.

Pat Anderson (Adam Scott) was the young exec from Tampa whose empty promises eventually sent Kenny to Mexico. Now he's out of rehab, "clean and sobes," and on a mission to make amends with those he wronged. Right after apologizing to his sponsor for adulterizing his wife, he b-lined it for Mexico for a reunion with ole KP.

The mere prospect of April already had Kenny in a chipper mood. His eyes had almost no red in them as he told Stevie of the delights that would soon follow their Mexican exodus. He even granted Stevie permission to put it to Maria one last time before they left.

Like everyone who tracked Kenny down in Mexico, Anderson was waiting for him with a gift basket and apology, as well as the prospect of maybe, possibly getting back into the big leagues. A scout owed Anderson a favor, and all Kenny had to do was get himself back on the team that he left in a hail of profanity, improvised gesturing and suggestions for what he would do with their mothers.

Kenny then set out on his own apology tour, beginning with Sebastian. Few things are funnier than two morons doing anything, and arming themselves with a samurai sword and a laptop for a battle to the death is near the top of that list. But, in the end, Kenny and Sebastian are too much alike, and they mutually realized that when Kenny said, "I used to be just like you, yesterday." Their Mexican stand-off led to a reconciliation and Kenny's ass back on the Charros.

Giving Stevie one last taste of Maria turned out to be a bad idea, as it only left Stevie wanting more. So much more that Stevie all but begged Kenny to let him marry Maria and bring her back to America with them. This was, however, the best time to ask Kenny for something (like Vito Corleone on his daughter's wedding day) and his anticipation of a triumphant return home had him in good spirits. Upon his approval, Maria gave Kenny a gift -- a handmade white linen suit adorned with white flames -- to finish his business in Mexico.

Next stop on the redemption tour: the cock-fighting ring to settle the score with Aaron, his former cantankerous midget cohort. Kenny freed the cocks and set fire to Aaron's truck, then rode off, middle finger held high, headed toward the bar to confront Vida in the wake of their tumultuous end. His time in Mexico seems to have taught Kenny one thing: he's a breast man. He dabbled in the dark arts, but "all the a** magic in Mexico can't sway Kenny Powers from his core beliefs." Belief in big, April boobs.

Moonwalking into the clubhouse, Kenny hit the final destination on his quest for closure. There he apologized to his manager, Roger and the rest of the team. This was more of a Kenny Powers apology than the others, because at the root of it was Kenny's own self-interest. Kenny Powers is one of the great orators of his time, inspiring people to do things by confusing them with his ignorance.

This all set up the scene for the final game in Mexico. Kenny came out with no fanfare and an all white glove. He struck the batter out on three pitches, with the third of those being dedicated to April's chest. Stevie started a slow clap that built to a crescendo, and the fans finally recognized what Kenny brought to the table. The post-game meeting with Anderson and the scout, Roy McDaniel (Matthew McConaughey) started off shaky, since Kenny thought he deserved it all, and Roy felt like he should start in AA. That's double A, not Alcoholics Anonymous, although the metaphor is no coincidence, since Kenny probably needs to work his way through both to get where he wants to go.

Kenny has swallowed a lot of things in his day, pride not among them. He said goodbye to Catuey and his family. He left his trusty donkey to the two children, telling them, "Whenever you look at that jackass, think of me," but I'm pretty sure they would have done that without Kenny telling them to.

The season finale of 'Eastbound & Down' airs Sunday, November 7 at 10:30PM ET on HBO.


Dr. Vaughan teaches English/Media/Humor courses at Binghamton University in upstate New York, and his thighs chafe easily. You can also check out his blog at drvtv.wordpress.com or www.facebook.com/pages/Ryan-Vaughan/21931402981