'Shameless' season 9 episode 8: Kevin and Veronica Ball invest their energies into yet another social cause

Kev and V have finally adopted a son and he is an immigrant adoloscent boy from an ICE detention center. Intense much?

This story may contain spoilers for 'Shameless' season 9, episode 8: 'The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Alibi'.

Ever since the beginning of its ongoing season 9, Showtime's hit dramedy 'Shameless' has upheld two of its secondary characters, Kevin (Steve Howey) and Veronica Ball (Shanola Hampton) as patrons of social causes. From going about the show's own form of the #MeToo movement through making their bar The Alibi 'less-rapey' and a woman-safe zone to now fostering an immigrant teen, over time, the raunchy, freaky couple who once used to indulge in cam-porn for fast cash, have come a long way. However, from time to time, it does come off as if the showrunners are trying to use Kevin and Veronica - no matter how spicy the storyline is - as props for social issues, probably to balance out all the degenerate debauchery the rest of the characters get up to. 

And in the latter half of season 9, the mid-season premiere itself was able to establish that the majority of Kevin's and Veronica's storyline was going to be invested in yet another social cause; this time focusing on the struggles that immigrant children and their families undergo while seeking asylum. The fact that the couple went ahead with these plans in the first place was purely because Kevin wanted a son to play catch with was slightly ridiculous to register as he emerged to be the pro-women's equality/feminist hero of the first half of the same season.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

After tracking down F.R.I.D.A.Y., Ultron presents himself as an ally
2026-11-04T08:47:31.000Z
'VisionQuest' reveals the Client's real identity, and it is deeply connected to Ultron
2026-11-04T07:14:07.000Z
'VisionQuest' features Paul Bettany playing three characters in Episode 7 titled 'Immolation'
2026-11-04T05:39:20.000Z
‘Phony’ episode 4 deepens the mystery surrounding Ellen’s identity as Sonny investigates rumors of a dead body buried in the woods
2026-11-04T03:54:30.000Z
Netflix’s upcoming YA series’ storyline follows a scholarship student’s high school journey at an elite boarding school.
2026-11-04T03:21:28.000Z
Justin Timberlake will shed light on some key moments from his life and career in the four-part Apple TV docuseries
2026-11-04T02:38:30.000Z
Netflix’s acclaimed animated series 'Blue Eye Samurai' returns for its second season, continuing Mizu’s quest for vengeance in London.
2026-11-03T17:26:12.000Z
An ‘SNL’ alum is heading to ‘Abbott Elementary’ Season 6, bringing another Quinta Brunson collaboration into the spotlight. Here’s what he shared about the guest appearance.
2026-11-03T16:41:30.000Z
Emily Lane faces her hacker ex, Aaron, after the Season 2 finale cliffhanger at her front door
2026-11-03T10:53:05.000Z
'Line of Fire' was missing from its usual Monday slot on November 2 for this reason
2026-11-03T09:29:20.000Z