'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

'Ted Lasso' released its season four finale on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, on Apple TV
1 hour ago
'Ted Lasso' Season 4 starring Jason Sudeikis is currently streaming on Apple TV
1 hour ago
LL Cool J reprises his longtime role as Sam Hanna in the latest CBS spinoff
3 hours ago
The Season 24 premiere brings Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo back into the NCIS fold with a surprising new role
4 hours ago
The ‘All’s Fair’ lawyers face new conflicts as season 2 brings Kim Kardashian and the ensemble back to Hulu.
12 hours ago
Rose Byrne and Meghann Fahy lead Peacock’s ‘The Good Daughter,’ a gripping thriller about sisters confronting a mystery tied to their family’s past.
12 hours ago
‘Boston Blue’ Season 2 brings fresh challenges for the Silver family as political tensions and a dangerous investigation create new trouble.
14 hours ago
Roku’s ‘Scarlett Holmes’ puts a romantic twist on the famous detective legacy, following a sharp-minded heroine who solves love and dating mysteries.
17 hours ago
'NCIS: New York’ expands the hit franchise with LL Cool J leading a new team through high-stakes cases in the heart of New York City.
18 hours ago
Tony DiNozzo returns as 'NCIS' Season 24 picks up after Torres' standoff and an unresolved gunshot.
18 hours ago