‘Kevin Can F**k Himself’ Recap: ‘Mrs. McRoberts Is Dead’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season two premiere of ‘Kevin Can F**k Himself’. To revisit the season one finale, click here.
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One thing that we can all agree upon, is that the AMC series, Kevin Can F**k Himself, turned out to be one of the most refreshing and original television shows of 2021. For its biting commentary and satire on the tropes present within sitcoms made the show something unique and special, since no other story out there went after the embraced toxicity of that style of show. But of course, it went above and beyond with its themes and commentary. Since it gave rise to a story about a woman that took her need to escape within the world of entertainment too far. For Allison McRoberts was keen to see her husband’s awful nature as a human being as comedic and silly, akin to the characters we see on television in order to cope.
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Which in turn led to a fascinating exploration of what a true toxic relationship looks like and how for some, escaping one isn’t easy in the slightest. In fact, getting away from such a mess can be a nightmare and can bring forth dark decisions, such as potentially committing murder in order to be free and to top it all of… it left us on a cliffhanger in season one. One where Allison’s fantasy realm came crumbling down when Neil decided to exact revenge for her attempt to hurt his bestie and bro, forcing Patty to intervene and well… we were all left dying to know what would come out of that stunning moment and what would come next for Allison and Patty and everyone else that recently came to realize that life with Kevin wasn’t all that great.

Well thankfully, our long and painful wait to see the resolution to that cliffhanger, came to an end last night, since this magnificent series returned to the airwaves for its second and final season premiere and well, ‘Mrs. McRoberts Is Dead’, is a story that did not disappoint in the slightest. For the season one finale’s desire to rip away the band aid that was the sitcom for Allison, forced her to really reckon with her actions in this tale. Mainly because… Neil was conscious and eager to spill the beans to anyone that would listen regarding the attempt on Kevin’s life. Which of course… forced Patty and Allison to basically tie Neil up in the hopes of keeping him silent. A stunning move that brought forth all kinds of stress for Patty and forced her and Allison to really ponder upon who they had become.

Because this wasn’t them, and they pushed themselves to a brink that they didn’t know they were capable of. Which in turn, really allowed for these brilliant and dynamic characters to reflect upon the impact of Kevin on their lives and what his wanton abuse has done to everyone in his inner circle and well… thankfully, that reflection went far deeper when Neil was forced to go to the hospital for his wounds. Since that hammered home the reality of how quickly the plan spiraled out of control and what the aftermath of their actions might have been… something neither of them were really prepared for. It’s an epiphany that gave Patty a chance to try and separate herself from the only friend she thought she knew, and it forced Allison to rethink how on earth she can find real peace. 

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Which in turn, prompted her to lean into Kevin’s nonsense for nefarious purposes and oddly, Neil’s exit from his life for the moment and subsequent coma allowed for Allison to just swoop in and try to ruin her husband’s life in a different manner. After all, he was eager to still run for city council and perhaps showing the world how she actually viewed him might be the way to have the world turn against him. Which is why she was quick to help him film a campaign video. One that painted him as the greatest dude that Worcester would ever know, the Worcester Wild Dude. A move that did actually get him kicked out of the election, giving Allison a sliver of joy and perhaps hope that this new approach would do the trick and help her out for a change.
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But a night of drinking with Auntie Diane, reminded her and all of us, that any indulgence regarding the awful behavior of men like Kevin does nothing but help them. For that does not hold them accountable for their actions and instead allows them to run free and celebrate their toxic nature, as evidenced by how the campaign ad made Kevin a local viral sensation. One that once again put him in the spotlight and made him feel akin to a God and that also left Allison beside herself. For if she couldn’t bring him down through death or humiliation, what could she do to be free? Well as it turned out, being faced with the reality that Kevin was untouchable and unreachable, prompted Allison to come up with one hell of a new plan to find peace and freedom.

In that, she is fully prepared to fake her own death. A move that would indeed give her the freedom she seeks and gives us focus for season two. But more importantly, what makes this decision so powerful and so engaging… is the sheer fact that THIS is what Allison’s life has come to. Not because she deserves it, because she most certainly does not, but because… she truly is trapped. For divorce would never be an option and Kevin’s idiocy and the reverence it creates makes any dark acts upon him impossible. Making this premiere not only a wonderful follow up to the cliffhanger season one left with, but a powerful parable on how hard it really is to escape toxic relationships for women.

Because there is no proper safety net out there, no avenue to help them in the slightest. Just the horrible belief that time and love can conquer and solve everything, and that nonsense is going to drive Allison to incredible acts, just to feel self-love and peace. Which means we are in for a powerful second and final season of this series, one that is going to explore deeper and bolder topics than season one ever touched upon, and it will be genuinely fascinating to see how and if, Allison’s new plan comes to fruition as this nightmarish season of powerful and painfully realistic storytelling continues along. Until next time.

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