KVN is a character in Final Space. Designed initially as Gary’s Deep Space Sanity Preserver Companion, his role has evolved significantly.
The series offers a variety of colorful characters, none as polarizing as KVN, the annoyingly lovable droid. Gifted with incessant cheerfulness and tireless energy, KVN blurs the line between antagonist and ally, serving as the primary source of irritation for protagonist Gary Goodspeed.
However, he’s not just a thorn in Gary’s side; KVN’s character is an ingenious blend of comic relief, unexpected wisdom, and gratingly charming personality traits.
KVN, the Droid That Defines Final Space
Upon sentencing Gary Goodspeed to a five-year prison term aboard the Galaxy One, authorities assigned KVN to him as a Deep Space Insanity Avoidance Companion. KVN’s primary role was to offer companionship and safeguard Gary’s sanity, given that Gary would serve as the ship’s sole human crew member.
Yet, KVN’s antics swiftly led Gary to harbor a profound distaste for the robot, a sentiment endured throughout their five-year stint. Gary consistently displays hostility towards him, demonstrating his ongoing frustration with KVN.
Also known as
- Decaying Pile of Fecal Matter (by Gary)
- Waste of Life (by H.U.E.)
- Beelzebub (by Gary)
The Evolution of KVN
KVN transitions from an antagonist into a complex character as the series unfolds. He’s not your conventional robot; he experiences emotions, gets agitated, and has his bouts of existential crises. While he is initially met with disdain, especially by Gary, KVN’s gradual evolution turns him into an indispensable part of the “Final Space” family.
Despite the endless ridicule, his persistent resilience, his unexpectedly empathetic nature, and his dedication towards his friends help KVN gain the audience’s admiration over time. The story arcs allow us to witness his emotional depth, peeling back layers that reveal more than just an obnoxious, ever-chirping droid.
The Quirky Humor of KVN
Even in the face of imminent danger, KVN maintains a peculiar sense of humor that is equal parts infuriating and endearing. His laughter—often delivered at the most inappropriate times—signifies his unique comic timing. Furthermore, he habitually misinterprets situations, leading to comical confusion.
KVN’s humor becomes an integral part of the show’s comedy, making him an essential element of the “Final Space” experience.
His unpredictable antics and wild energy are the perfect foil to the more serious characters, injecting a dose of light-heartedness in the middle of cosmic chaos.
Appearance
KVN is a hovering, spherical robot primarily donned in yellow, white, and gray shades. He lacks legs, and his mysterious ability to fly is his only means of locomotion. Features include black and yellow stripes, long gray arms with clamp-like digits, a single eye with a square black pupil, and a red asymmetrical antenna. His speech is indicated by a three-slit processor slot lighting up red.
Post the dramatic events of Chapter Four, KVN exhibits visible damage from rebooting H.U.E. His now worn and chipped body, bent antenna, and scrapped paint persist throughout Season 1.
The cause is unclear—irreparable damage or lack of repair attempts. In Season Two, using scrap from Clarence’s junkyard, KVN remakes himself, gaining a rustic look while preserving his distinctive features, including a new visible mouth.
Personality
KVN embodies relentless joy, energy, and enthusiasm, even in dire situations. His hyperactive persona often irks those around him, including the stoic H.U.E. Ironically, instead of preventing insanity, his antics may incite it.
Regardless of the amount of ridicule or reprimand he receives, KVN remains unfazed, continually getting under everyone’s skin. His relentless pestering, exemplified by his habit of stealing Gary’s cookies, frequently leads to inadvertent pain for others.
KVN harbors a one-sided infatuation with Gary, declaring him his best friend and wanting to be with him forever. Despite this, he finds amusement in Gary’s distress and isn’t hesitant to put him in difficult situations.
Powers
Enhanced Durability: KVN, being a robot, boasts enhanced durability, capable of withstanding lasers, gunfire, electricity, and other physical forces.
He can function seamlessly in the severe conditions of space and underwater without the risk of short-circuiting. His greatest durability feat was surviving one of Mooncake’s energy blasts. Yet, KVN isn’t completely invincible. Too much damage can cause his AI to shut down.
Artificial Intelligence: In “The Grand Surrender,” it’s revealed that KVN’s programming includes answers to every riddle, puzzle, and game, all designed to entertain Gary. Moreover, KVN can transfer his AI into a new body if his existing one is destroyed, a feature that saved him from what could have been his initial demise.
Who Voices KVN In Final Space?
Fred Armisen, a multifaceted 55-year-old writer, actor, comedian, and musician, is the voice behind KVN in “Final Space.”
Armisen has left a significant mark in comedy over the last two decades, with notable contributions to “Saturday Night Live” and his Emmy-winning sketch comedy series “Portlandia,” co-created with Carrie Brownstein.
His recent roles include appearances in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Schmigadoon!,” and the co-created “Documentary Now!”.
Quotes
- “Hey Gary, my name is KVN. I’m your Deep Space Insanity Avoidance Companion, nice to meet you!”
- “I have the key! In my butthole.”
- “Embrace the KVN!”
- “KVN saves the day!”
- “They’re just soooooo good!”
- “But I call it the Tiger’s Nest!”
- “This is so wrong, this is so very wrong.”
- “Hey, let’s do jello shots with the brain goo!”
- “Uh, can I help you…? Run away! RUN AWAY!”
- “Do my bidding. Fix the ship!”
- “Flamethrowers! Hooray!”
- “The winds of change keep blowing, we’re all gonna die.”
- “Oh baby KVN’s got the magic, and the magics got KVN…”
- “Hi Future Quinn, I’m KVN, I’m Gary’s Deep Space Insanity Avoidance Companion!”
- “I’m burning you alive tonight. Yes, I’m burning you alive tonight. While you sleep? You bet! I’m burning you alive tonight!”
- “I’m backkkk!”
- “It bounces forever…got it from a dead guy.”
- “Greetings, insane worshippers!”
- “Is anything real, or is this a beautiful lie?”
- ”Hooray! KVN will never die.”
KVN Takes Over | Final Space
Why does Gary Goodspeed dislike KVN?
KVN’s constant energy, joyous behavior, and misinterpretation of situations often irritate Gary. This, combined with his relentless pursuit to befriend Gary, leads to a profound dislike from Gary towards KVN, although their relationship evolves.
Does KVN have any special abilities?
KVN is a highly durable robot capable of withstanding harsh physical forces and operating in extreme conditions like space and underwater. He can also survive destruction by transferring his AI to a new body. Plus, he’s programmed with the answers to every riddle, puzzle, and game.