2. Memorable Characters
Weve established that the plot works so well. Weve discussed how the screenwriters have created a faultless story. But what we need to acknowledge now are all of the characters. Without the kind of characters depicted on screen, Eastbound & Down may not be so popular or engaging. Notably, Stevie Janowski is a character who has grown on us from the start. He's laughably pathetic, and is often the butt of the majority of the shows jokes. The screen presence of Steve Little in the role of Stevie is always a signal that some desperate, dire, hilarious event will occur or a cringingly ill-timed or inappropriate line be spoken, often at his own expense. His character alone seemed to get worse as the seasons went on. Memorable moments include his arrival in Mexico, his rivalry with Shane and as has been covered, or his role as 'the alluring Cherry Blossom' in Ashley Schaeffers house. His attempts to change his character in season four have been hysterically funny. For all their comedic elements, some characters have real depth. Throughout Eastbound & Down there have been moral messages coming through. Kennys brother represents the family values and morality which Kenny himself lacks, his fathers relationship and failure reflects Kennys attitude to fatherhood, while the fluctuating infatuation with April is a measuring point of Kennys success and progress in life. Shane is forever Kenny's best friend, but mirrors the real results of living an edgy lifestyle. The characters may be in a surreal comedy, but they are portrayed in a realistic light and are strongly emotive, making for genuinely memorable performances.