‘Kin’ Recap: ‘Episode 4’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 4 of ‘Kin’.
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For the vast majority of us out there, revenge is nothing more than a simple act. Because in the everyday world, taking part in it involves petty actions. The kind that tends to put our mark in their place and the only penalties that tend to come out of this for us, is a guilty conscience or outright embarrassment, if it is revealed that we are the one who initiated the vendetta in question. Because the rules of the everyday world, prevent all of us from taking part in something worse and it really is a good thing that those rules are in place. Because the genuine fallout of true, unfettered revenge involves consequences untold and endless fear and one bad turn after another and we know this to be the case, simply because there is a world where that kind of terrifying chaos exists.

Specifically… the criminal world. For that universe doesn’t abide by the rules of our own and being free from the rules allows for one to operate with impunity and well, it just so happens that unfettered revenge and the horrors that accompany it, were put on full display in the next episode of Kin. For this particular tale caught up with the Kinsella family shortly after Eamon Cunnhingham declared war upon them and what we learned about revenge without borders was fascinating to say the least. For instance, this episode teaches us that when we know it is coming, we will be forced to live in utter fear. Because we simply don’t know when the vengeful will strike and teach us a lesson of their own and that made for tense moments for certain. 

Ones that allowed for us to see first-hand the fear surging through the family since they wore body armor outside of their own four walls and gingerly peeked out windows, wondering if by chance Cunningham’s boys were waiting outside for them. But thankfully, there was some quiet to be found for the family since the police kept an eye on them in the hopes of keeping of the peace, giving them a safe space for certain. But alas, that’s not something that would stop Cunningham from making them pay and boy did he ever. For he cut the family off from their supply lines, starving their business of much needed funds and he even went so far as to kill off their dealers when possible and made it clear to any one in town that doing business with the Kinsellas would result in bad times for them. 

Which really put the family in a dark and dreary place. One where they almost gave in to desperation and danger to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. But there was mention that an act of revenge can lead to more retaliation and this dire situation inspired the family to partake in just that. Because if Eamon wasn’t going to supply them any further and more or less considered them to be a dead entity, then why not go for broke and get what they need… and make him pay in the process? A feat that would be accomplished… by raiding the Cunningham drug warehouse and cleaning it out before Eamon knew what hit him. Which would in turn give them everything they need and if done right, potentially produce a stalemate while Cunningham tried his best to track the ghosts that robbed him. But of course, there is great risk involved in such an act, but the family seems un-phased by that since they need this to live.

But what was truly wild about this episode is that the real consequences of the act of revenge that brought the family to this point, might not involve the Cunningham Empire in the slightest. Since it was revealed in the closing moments of this tale, that the police are ready to dig deep into the Kinsella family business now that they are certain that Viking’s car was involved in this mess. Which means that Amanda and the family will be fighting a war on two fronts and that could lead to mistakes and disaster and well, all this episode does is leave us starving for more. In large part because this story isn’t done in the slightest with this powerful and fascinating examination on the nature of revenge, but also because we simply have to know what comes next and that undoubtedly means we will be counting down the seconds until next week’s entry in this harrowing and engaging journey.

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