The tables turn when Kevin guides his overly emotional guardian. Yvette’s side effects take a turn for the worse and she can’t handle all of these human feelings. What happens when a celestial being is out of control? You get “Brutal Acts of Kindness.”
Reese is convinced her uncle has super powers and Kevin doesn’t do a good job of denying it.
The retcon of your origin story isn’t working, Kevin. #KevinProbably pic.twitter.com/GlO6BX3cJ8
— Kevin (Probably) Saves the World (@KevinProbably) November 1, 2017
Lying to his family becomes more difficult with each passing day. Kevin wishes he could tell them the truth, even if it makes him sound crazy. But he can’t. Instead, he defends himself with lame excuses and pathetic explanations.
He can’t even deliver a solid, “No.” Kevin nervously (and hilariosly) flails about. He’s telling the truth about not having super powers, yet he looks like he’s lying. Time to put on a poker face, Kevin, because this will not do.
Reese is very persistent. She wants to write her “history in the making” themed report about Kevin. He doesn’t want to be the subject of her scrutiny and tells her to write about Amy instead.
Meanwhile, poor Amy hears the news during a parent-teacher meeting with Kristin. She’s hurt by Reese’s lack of interest and pride in everything she’s accomplished. You can’t blame her for feeling offended that her hot mess of a brother seems like a more appealing subject to Reese. I’d feel like crap in her shoes too. It makes you want to give sweet Amy a hug!
Random acts of kindness.
The smile you get with an act of kindness. Pass it on! #KevinProbably pic.twitter.com/f2897sNUIa
— Kevin (Probably) Saves the World (@KevinProbably) November 1, 2017
Kevin’s latest lesson is to share the wealth. He receives his severance check and spends all of his money on strangers in need. We see a montage of sweet moments, including giving away free ice cream to kids at the park. But there are two stand-out cases.
Kevin’s day of giving begins with a rather inexpensive save. He covers the cost of some drug store snacks for a nice guy who forgot his wallet at home. The stranger appreciates the gesture and rushes off. We get the sense that this won’t be the last we’ll see of Sean Patrick Thomas’ character.
Later that afternoon, Kevin makes his final withdrawal, which comes with a prescription and some unexpected resistance.
Unwanted charity.
Kevin picks up insulin for a Type 1 Diabetic teenager named Max Owens (‘Supernatural’s’ Colin Ford). He paid $540 without insurance (yes, insulin really is that crazy expensive!) and expects to be welcomed with a smile when he drops it off. Max seems pleasantly surprised when someone arrives with his life-saving medicine. However, his mother, Emily (Beth Lacke) comes to the door and rejects Kevin’s offer. What kind of sicko hands drugs over to a child?
It is odd to see Kevin’s kindness turned away. His missions usually don’t go down like this. But he understands why Emily would have her reservations. He is a stranger to them and one’s health is a sensitive subject. Plus, some people just do not want charity. Kevin may be handling her rebuff well, but Yvette isn’t having it. What kind of mother would refuse medication that would help her child?
I have to admit, Yvette represents how we’re all feeling throughout this episode. Kevin may have learned how to be more zen about certain situations, but Yvette is feeling these emotions for the first time. As Kevin puts it, she sped beyond road rage and is filled with full-blown rage.
If at first you don’t succeed…
The next morning, Reese hops in Kevin’s car and asks why he has Max’s medicine. It sounds a bit like Reese may have a crush on him. She knows of him, but hasn’t had much interaction with the cool kid. Kevin makes her a deal. If she gives Max the medicine, he’ll be the subject of her report.
Reese awkwardly hands the meds over, saying they are from her odd uncle. Once again, Max is appreciative, but his mother is not. She marches over to Kevin and gives him a piece of her mind.
Emily explains how her jerk of an ex-husband isn’t paying alimony, so she’s been drowning in debt and can’t keep up with her medical expenses. It’s nice of Kevin to pay for this month’s supply, but what happens after the insulin runs out and they’re in the same position again next month…Will Kevin continue covering the cost of Max’s medical supplies from now on? She needs more than a quick fix.
Yvette and Kevin set out to find a better solution for Emily and Max’s dire situation.
Yvette takes charge.
Probably not the fairest fight in the world. 🤷♀️🤷♂️ #KevinProbably pic.twitter.com/cpauVJ3kEq
— Kevin (Probably) Saves the World (@KevinProbably) November 2, 2017
Kevin and Yvette decide to pay Max’s deadbeat dad, Jason (Michael Aaron Milligan), a visit. They figure a reasonable conversation will make him realize the error of his ways. Unfortunately, Jason isn’t that easy to get through to.
Jason’s response to Kevin’s plea is disgusting. He wants nothing to do with his ex-wife or son. His child’s health care isn’t his problem. Jason coldly says, “Tell Emily that if she couldn’t afford the medicine, then maybe she shouldn’t have had a sick kid.” Is he serious?!?
I’m hyperventilating just writing about this scene because cases like this are sadly true. Yvette’s reaction is how we all feel in this moment. How can any parent abandon a child, let alone one with heath issues?! It takes a heartless person to sink so low.
Jason doesn’t even have an excuse. It’s not like he’s totally broke and waiting to get some money to help pay. He has the money and just won’t uphold his parental and legal obligation. He knows Emily can’t afford a lawyer to press the matter, so he’s getting away with this abhorrent neglect.
Like any person with emotion, Yvette becomes enraged. Unlike the norm, she uses Kevin as her puppet and starts beating the crap out of Jason. This scene is so brilliantly played by Jason Ritter and Kimberly Hebert Gregory. The flurry of conflicting emotions expressed by both parties is so raw and the physicality is phenomenal. I’m talking Emmy worthy stuff. Very well done!
Kevin feels the same as Yvette, but knows not to act on it. He can maintain control over his emotions, but he can’t stop Yvette from using him. He doesn’t appreciate Yvette violating him that way. She has no right to take control over his body and use him to do want she wants. Yvette crossed a line. One that she shouldn’t cross again.
On the bright side, Yvette’s “brutal act of kindness” worked. They return to Emily with a check from Jason. Now they just have to figure out how to keep those checks coming on a monthly basis.
Luckily, the universe still has Kevin’s back.
Kismit.
Kevin bumps into the stranger from the drug store, turns out his name is Rick Thomas and he’s a lawyer specializing in family matters. He introduces Rick to Emily and we learn that she has a great case against Jason. Emily doubted Kevin at first, but now she’s grateful for everything he’s done.
With his mission accomplished, Kevin has another bizarre and interactive vision. All signs still point to somewhere in Asia, but each piece of the puzzle is too vague to know exactly where. Let’s hope the next clue is more specific.
Role models.
Amy is still rattled by Reese’s report. She thinks Reese might like her more if she acts fun and carefree, like Kevin. So she sets up a camping trip in their yard at home, complete with a cozy tent and fire pit. So sweet!
Reese has her nose in a book and acts like a typical grumpy teenager. Kevin jumps on a log and excitedly joins the camping trip. Amy hoped it would be more of a mother-daughter bonding occasion, but Kevin crashes their party with his guitar in tow. It reminds him of the good old days, since the twins used to do this as kids.
Amy brings all the treats you need to make smores and Kevin start shoving marshmallows up his nose. Does Reese really want to write her report on this goofball? She eventually gets annoyed and leaves to do her homework inside.
You can’t help but wonder if Kevin is acting extra silly to encourage Reese to write about her brilliant mom instead. He also continues postponing their interview for the project.
Later that week, Reese waits at the diner for Kevin. She’s looking glum, so Tyler brings her a milkshake. It’s not what she ordered, but it’s what she needs. She wants to ask Tyler questions about Kevin, so he takes a seat.
Tyler tells Reese about all sorts of accomplishments she can use in her history report. With each impressive task mentioned, Tyler starts to remember that Amy was actually the one behind all of the good deeds. He must’ve mixed it up because of the twin thing. He wonders if Reese can write about Amy and Kevin, since they’re kind of like a double package.
This is why we love Tyler. He is such a sweetheart! He acts aloof, but is aware of everyone and everything. He’s like a kindness ninja!
Reese finally realizes she should write about her mom instead. She rushes home to tell her mom the news.
Busted…big time.
“Kevin, you need to go upstairs, pack your bags and get out.” 😳#KevinProbably Saves the World pic.twitter.com/bodpOXldiw
— Kevin (Probably) Saves the World (@KevinProbably) November 1, 2017
Reese returns home to discover that Amy read her journal and learned about her misadventures with Kevin. She is livid about their arrest. How could Reese keep something like this from her? Clearly Kevin is a bad influence and can not be trusted.
Kevin comes home and his high comes crashing down. Amy tells him to pack his things and leave. He can’t stay with them anymore. Reese is in tears and apologizes to him, but Kevin takes the blame for everything. None of it was Reese’s fault. He should’ve handled everything better.
And so we are left with our hearts in knots. How long will Amy continue to be mad at Kevin? Will the fight throw off his do-gooder groove? Can Yvette help in anyway? Ugh. I hate it when people fight like this!
‘Kevin (Probably) Saves the World’ airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC.
