User Reviews

A pretty good and intense episode here, but I feel like they deprived us of a big moment here. How did they not show us the actual confession? Same issue I had with them wrapping the hotel room conversation early.

I think what stops Animal Kingdom from being one of the top crime dramas was fully on display in this episode. There are sometimes some great character moments, such as the conversation between Deran and Pope by the pool, but then some implausible exposition moments, such as Deran sacking Tommy for no reason. I know Deran was supposed to be upset, but this scene made absolutely no sense, and seems to be just an excuse to set up what I imagine will be an attempted robbery of the safe in Deran's bar. Really lazy script work here.

Also there's too much style over substance in this season. What was the point of that scene with Craig in the gym, other than to show us how strong he is whilst listening to a new rock track? We get it, he's got great abs.

It is really frustrating because there are some strong underlying themes here which could/should be explored more. Particularly the incestuous nature of Smurf's parenting and the link between this, Julia's downfall and J's sociopathy and plans for revenge. J's relationship with the paralegal lady just feels like unnecessary filler that deviates from these key themes. Without having watched the remaining episodes, this feels like it's going to be a missed opportunity.

I never thought I would ever become a fan of this show, I but just like the show "Gomorrah", this show also grew on me over the years. I never liked or was a fan of "Ellen Barkin", but she was good in this show, maybe because Smurf and her had a lot in common. I have actually like the show even more since Smurf died, I think mostly because the focus shifted equally now to all the characters.

Anyone watching this show knows it will not end well for these characters, one thing I would credit the writers is that it has never failed to show who these characters really are on the inside. If anyone has ever watched the HBO show "Gomorrah", there is some similarities in terms of the characters, except Gomorrah was more raw and every character was expendable.

Regardless of how much you may like these characters, but their selfish criminal self is always on display. I think its fare to say that Jay is probably the worse of all them, he only cares about himself and now with arrest of Andrew he has shown his true colors, that he is willing to even get Pope killed in prison, in order to save his own ass. Both Craig and Deran have maybe a little better, but both may either killed or go to prison?.

What I find wrong in American Hollywood crime shows versus Italian shows like Gomorrah", is that crime does not pay, but we have watched 6 years of "Animal Kingdom" that these characters have gotten away with everything, if they survive it will be kick in the face to the audience. When I watched Gomorrah, I was disgusted and hated almost every character, but at the same time I felt a sense of empathy when they all died, to this day I don't think there is a show that comes even close to the realism of crime than Gomorrah. That is what good film making is supposed to do and I am sorry to say that I doubt ""Animal Kingdom" would have the same maturity or courage to do that.

It was so bad, I screamed Why at the TV. The opening credits showed both writers are female. As a woman, I'm sorry to say this but I must based on my viewing experience: Women cannot write crime dramas. There, I said it. The Take miniseries, The Runaways miniseries and this Animal Kingdom episode is proof of that. It turns into a full-blown soap opera. Gillian Flynn is a rare exception in my opinion. Flynn can properly write crime dramas and psychological thrillers. The Worst Hour In Animal Kingdom History had all entire Cody Family acting like weak, emotional, impulsive amateurs. In past seasons, they knew how to handle law enforcement. Pope asked for an attorney right away, so anything he says after that is inadmissible. The supercop presses him and presses him to confess and the Cody Boys immediately descend into uncontrollable emotional messes. What? All out of character. Totally irrational. It's all over. Really? When Pope went to prison years ago on a bank robbery, the Cody Family kept going and thriving. Why is all over now? Again, Pope asked for an attorney, so his confession after the fact will be tossed out. Pope already did the redemption arc seasons ago when Baz searched for him, they hugged it out and Baz said he forgave him, loved him because he knew Smurf made him do it. It was a powerful scene and brilliantly acted by Scott Speedman and Shawn Hatosy. Smurf has this twisted psychological hold on her sons. We diehard Day 1 fans don't need flashbacks to tell us that. We've known this since Season 1. I skip the unnecessary flashbacks. A preview of next week's episode looks like more over-the-top drama. Why couldn't the final season have some lead up to a seemingly impossible dangerous heist or J taking revenge by running psychological warfare or financial schemes on his Uncles for living it up while he and his Mom lived in squalor? Remember he told Nicki seasons back he's angry all the time? What has happened to this show? It used to be in my Top 5 shows. I'd rewatch past seasons. I don't recognize it anymore.