‘Kevin Can F**k Himself’ Recap: ‘Fixed’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season one finale of ‘Kevin Can F**k Himself’.
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One thing that people collectively believe in these days, is that redemption is possible for just about anyone. It doesn’t matter how far you’ve fallen or how much darkness is in your soul… you can find your way back into the light and we hold to that notion for several reasons. In part because our currently sour world gives rise to a need for us to believe in something more, something better. But also, because… we have seen people in those very situations turn their life around and that absolutely inspires others to believe in redemption and second chances. But what’s fascinating about this hopeful belief, is that we don’t think about or talk about what exactly goes into making it happen. We merely hear about how the turnaround and hold to that and really, that turnaround is of note today, because the origins we tend to overlook served as one of the focal themes of the season finale of Kevin Can F**k Himself.
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For ‘Fixed’ wasted little time in ending the cliffhanger that last week’s phenomenal episode sent our way by informing us of the fact… that the poisonous Kevin McRoberts managed to survive the shootout with Nick. In fact, he was so fortuitous in the moment, that Nick ended up on life support in the hospital, and it didn’t look good for him. But what was truly fascinating about this reveal, was that Kevin wasn’t quite himself after walking away from a brush with death. In fact, he was downright despondent and stunned, to the point where he began to ponder upon the nature of his life and his future and everything in between. Which in turn left the viewer wondering… if this was indeed the turning point moment for Kevin. Where he finally was going to understand the folly of his ways and reform himself. An avenue of possibility that began to grow when Kevin struggled with everyday tasks.

To the point where something as simple as a 10 a.m. beer no longer brought him the joy it normally would. In fact, the only thing that did bring hm joy… was speaking to his story, about how he stood his ground and kept an intruder from violating the sanctity of his home and well… that only further reinforced the possibility that at long last, Kevin was about to change for the better. Because being heard in this manner changed his outlook on everything, so much in fact, that he began to think that perhaps a change in direction in life was necessary. One where he served others and improved upon the world by becoming a member of the city council and well… in that moment, that seemed like this was it. That Kevin McRoberts was about to abandon his garbage ways and be a better man at last, changing the narrative in ways we never thought possible.

But there was one person that didn’t believe in this change in the slightest and that was Allison. For she genuinely saw this as another opportunity to feed his ego and be in the spotlight and well, it turns out that she was right. For Kevin did everything he could to shower himself in admiration and be viewed as the people’s champion for stopping a criminal and therein was the subtle and powerful examination of what exactly motivates people to change and grow from their former selves or escape the situation, they’re in… and it all boils down to one thing: desire. A desire to stop being a person that is toxic in nature, a desire to be more than who we are and simply put, Kevin isn’t ready to change, nor does he want to. For he is so happy in being in the moment and surrounded in his own selfishness that he will do whatever it takes to keep that going, even if it means entering public service for all the wrong reasons and well, in the end, this segment of the story was downright brilliant for certain.

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Since it really did offer up a powerful lesson on change and redemption and what’s amazing, is that this finale had more powerful moments and observations to send our way. Such as the reminder, that there will always be consequences for our actions and at some point… we must face them whether we like it or not and that was explored by way of Patty and Allison’s journey in this tale. Because while it seemed as though they beat the odds and would enjoy freedom untold by way of Nick’s entry into the hospital, consequences came into play. Such as the fact that Nick was going to recover, and there was a chance that he might talk and of course… since Kevin lived, there was no pinning the drug trade upon him. But those were in fact, minor consequences to deal with, the kind that this dynamic duo easily resolved by planting the drugs in Nick’s apartment. Which in turn put their hope in the possibility that the heat that would come on him because of that, would be enough to deflect any scrutiny that might come their way. 
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Which allowed for the heavier consequences to come into play. In that, both of these women had to reconcile the fact that they both took part in trying to unsuccessfully kill a man and whether you agree with the plan or not, that is something that weighs heavy on a person’s soul and forces them to take all kinds of inventory, which they most certainly did, especially Allison. Since she came to realize that all she’s done, is make poor choices for quite some time and doing so has led her into a path of misery, one that she is still desperate to escape from. Which ironically, makes it appear as though her journey in this story is the anthesis to Kevin’s, since she is suddenly eager to take action and change now that she is faced with the prospect of being stuck with Kevin forever and forever, since her plans to bring him down simply don’t work and that made for a great deal of powerful moments.

The kind that really did force Allison to see that her current path is unsustainable and that she is desperate for fulfillment and that at times, her quest for freedom hurts others… as evidenced by her honest and visceral conversations with Patty and Sam, over their actions to date and well, this segment of the episode outright deserves our awe since this really was quite the awakening for Allison, one that will undoubtedly motivate her further to figure out what her future looks like, especially after the closing moments of this tale. Wherein Neil, who overhead the painfully honest conversation between these two incredible friends, one that included the truth about their plans for Kevin… decided to take action in a violent manner, to the point where Allison’s life was legitimately in danger. But thanks to a quick save from Patty, and Allison’s decision to finally say something saucy to Kevin about his garbage behavior, for the first time in a long time… it would seem that she is in control, and it will be quite interesting to see where Allison’s journey takes her in season two.

But while we wait for a second season announcement and we need one by the way, since this series is a trailblazer… one that is opening up conversations about topics that we tend to sweep under the rug, we can bask in the wonder of one brilliant finale. One that really did a fine job of exploring what it takes for people to change and why we hold the notion of change so near and dear to our hearts, since it really can be our salvation and truly… this was the perfect way to end the first season of this magnificent series. Since it offered no easy solutions or simple ways forward for any of the characters and that’s brilliant because that’s about as realistic as it gets. For life is messy and trying to change course is equally as chaotic and this really is the perfect way to set the stage for season two of this incredible series. For the foundation for redemption for Allison McRoberts has been laid down, and it would be stunning to watch her begin to build upon it and find the strength and the freedom and the happiness she so desperately craves. Until next year.   

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