The episode opens with Eric “Viking” Kinsella (Sam Keeley) picking up Bren Kinsella (Francis Magee) from prison and taking him to a pub. After an altercation with the bartender, it becomes clear the drinking destination was chosen for its owner, Ged Delaney’s (Baz Black). Bren blames him for his time behind bars and doesn’t mind openly threatening the man.

An enthused Jimmy Kinsella (Emmett J Scanlan) takes Michael Kinsella (Charlie Cox) to a reptile shop where the clerk shows them a new Burmese Python that can grow to 20 feet and swallow an entire adult hog. Jimmy’s excited mood soon to dread when the clerk mentions the release of Bren, which neither Michael nor Jimmy knew anything about.

At the Dublin Central Hospital (DCH) Amanda Kinsella (Clara Dunne) receives a call from Jimmy but is unable to answer because she’s called in for her appointment by Jane Kelly (Colleen Keogh). Elsewhere, Michael and Jimmy meet with Frank Kinsella (Aidan Gillen) and Bridget “Birdy Goggins (Maria Doyle Kennedy) where Micahel makes it known that he doesn’t want Bren involved in the family business. He refuses to even meet with him.

Although Dr. Jane gives Amanda a clean bill of health, she offends her by alluding that Amanda’s urgency to get pregnant is more about the loss of her Jamie Kinsella (Cian Fitzsimons) than anything else. Amanda reminds her that she isn’t there for a counseling session before storming off to the bathroom. From there she returns Jimmy’s call to learn he, Frank, and Birdy are on their way to meet with Bren.

At the Furry Bog Pub, Bren is cordial enough but quickly makes things awkward when he invites himself to bunk at Birdy’s house and makes a homophobic slur to Frank. Nearly as soon as Jimmy joins, Bren sends him right back out to collect Anthony Kinsella (Mark McKenna Jr.). With Jimmy gone, Bren starts a discussion about business as if he hasn’t missed a day. Birdy avoids an argument between Bren and Frank by convincing them both to table the family discussion until Jimmy, Michael, and Amanda can be involved.

Michael and Amanda appear to have an agenda of their own as they meet at KCP (Kinsella Car Parks Limited). Michael immediately warns her that Bren will come after her first while also suggesting she hide any cash that Bren can get his hands on. At about the same time, Bren learns of Amanda’s new role within the family. He immediately questions this by bringing up her trying to have Viking killed and the $90 million deal with the Turks.

While Bren meets Anthony, Rory Hayes (Cathal Pendred) escorts Michael and Amanda to the bodega where they made the initial $2 million money transfer to the Turks. Although greeted by the same teller (Sinan Sicimoglu), he is apprehensive about letting them see Zahab Can (George Georgiou) without an appointment. A quick call resolves the issue.

Isaac “Kem” Kemela (Ryan Lincoln) uses Zach Burke’s (Dane Whyte O’Hara) debt to leverage him into another job. Birdy drives Anthony home and then pays a visit to Micahel to update him on the meeting at the pub. During the conversation, Birdy suggests he do everything he can to keep Bren away from Anna Areoye (Hannah Adeogun).

Along with several girlfriends, Nikita “Nikki” Murphy (Yasmin Seky) joins the party at Furry Bog and is introduced to Bren. After hitting on the girls and complimenting Nikki, he orders a bottle of champagne for the table. While doing so, he confirms with the bartender that the cameras overlook the bar work. The bartender confirms they do and offers to turn them off. Much to his surprise, Bren wants them left on and recording. Frank claims to have an early morning and wants to leave, but Bren practically demands him to stick around and show his face on the cameras.

Elsewhere at a much different club, Zach executes Ged in the bathroom while he sniffs coke and urinates. In the bathroom of the Furry Bog, Bren congratulates Jimmy on the reputation he built for himself by killing Con Doyle (Keith McErlean), but then immediately demeans him by telling him to stop acting like Amanda’s lapdog. Jimmy attempts to defend himself by pointing out that Amanda is his wife, but Bren claims his behavior is embarrassing and people are laughing at him behind his back. Tensions become tighter once Jimmy and Frank learn of Ged’s execution. Frank later catches Viking alone at the bar and accuses him of being Bren’s lackey. He also reminds him that Bren wanted nothing to do with him in prison.

Later that evening before bed, Amanda schedules a meeting with Kem for the following day. During the night, Michael is woken by a call from Anna’s phone that leads him to a house party. An argument ensues after he catches her smoking marijuana and tries to force her to leave. She says that she came to the party with Katie Wallace (Libby Dunne) and will leave when she does.

The following morning, Michael wakes Amanda with the news of Ged’s execution. On her way to answer the door, she finds Bren sleeping in Jamie’s room. Although they don’t know why Bren wanted Ged dead, they both suspect him and set out to find out. Upstairs in Jamie’s room, Bren doesn’t bother denying involvement. He makes things worse when he harshly suggests Amanda leave the conversation to the men. Michael calmly warns him to consider his actions and walks out. Amanda follows and the argument proceeds to the kitchen but doesn’t get very far because of Jimmy’s arrival. He offers to make breakfast but Amanda blows it off by claiming she needs to get ready for work. Bren doesn’t let her get away without requesting “walking around” money and mentioning last night’s purchase of the Furry Bog.

When Viking bails on Nikki to spend the day with Bren, she voices her concerns about Bren manipulating him. He claims it’s just a matter of time before Bren is at the head of the family again and will make him second in command. He ends the discussion by promising to take her anywhere she wants to go tomorrow. Frank is picked up at home by Dan Murphy (Donnacha Tynan). Amanda just missed them and requests Dan’s number from Birdy after learning Frank has turned his phone off. While Birdy searches for the number, Amanda fills her in on Bren’s actions and her suspicions that he had Ged killed.

From there, Amanda meets with Kem and learns that Viking all but forced his hand in the execution. After assuring him protection, he reluctantly reveals that Viking also has him putting men on retainer, which indicates he’s got something big planned. Frank’s destination is revealed to be the church and when Dan interrupts with word of Amanda’s call, he makes it clear that he doesn’t want anyone to know of his activities. While Bren and Viking bond with Anthony over driving lessons in Viking’s new vehicle, Amanda and Michael gather for a meet with Frank at the car park office. Michael immediately notices Frank is wearing his bulletproof vest again. It becomes clear that he’s still sore over Amanda trying to push him out of the business when she asks for his help. She blames her actions on his deceit about Jamie’s death and Viking involvement. Once Michael gets them both calm, she explains their problem with Ged’s name being on the shipment that was intended to pay the Batuks. With him and Beady Donovan (Ger Carey) out of the picture, she has no idea how to raise the money for the Batuk payment. Frank appears to have a hard time understanding why Amanda would risk so much just to attempt to straighten out their family’s problems. He claims that with Bren’s release, she could wash her hands of the entire operation and spend her remaining years with Jimmy and Anthony. Although her answer doesn’t fully answer his question, he agrees to help after reminding her that Bren isn’t going to make things any easier.

Elsewhere, Bren has ended the driving lessons and is now teaching Anthony to shoot. His ulterior motives are revealed when he shows Anthony a photo of Glen Wright (Ben Carolan) and names him as Jamie’s murderer. After a bit of encouragement and a pep talk, Bren manipulates him into thinking it was his idea to avenge the death.

 

KIN Review

What a great way to follow the explosive premiere. Although, as always, the episode seemed to drag at times, but as far as establishing a plot, building suspense, and character development, I couldn’t ask for more. First of all, I wasn’t expecting Bren’s release and his and Viking’s distaste for Amanda isn’t shocking. That said, there is just something more creative about the way the series approaches it that is extremely intriguing. It’s kind of hard to explain, but the slow development along with the complexity of the family business and personal relationships seem to work extremely well.

I am surprised that Bren is much smarter than he appears, but it was Viking’s scene with Nikki and his admitting of his aspirations that shocked me. In addition, at times I feel as confused and frustrated as Frank over Amanda’s role in the family. I’d give the episode a 6.4 out of 10.

Get more Kin recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Join our newly established forum to discuss new movie and TV series releases. Our onsite advertising is a great way for startups to build online awareness, click here to reach our staff.