This review contains spoilers for season 6 of Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom’s most recent episodes place a lot of emphasis on amplifying the twists each one contains. Both “Pressure and Time” and “Inside Man” work to establish a future conflict between each of the Cody boys, and those outside the family who seek to do them harm. The arrival of a new detective is one of the series’ major developments, as she begins to look into Catherine’s death. The return of Lena points her in the direction of Pope and a young boy Pope has developed a soft spot for, turns out to be a plant gaining intel.

Aside from their focus on the past, Animal Kingdom’s most recent episodes don’t have a true rhythm. Their focus on the brotherly relationship between the Codys in both the past and present is useful but falls a little short with the other subplots Animal Kingdom is beginning to develop. New and old relationships all threaten the Cody family’s longevity, and they all warn one another of the ever-existing danger that one of them could be talking to an undercover cop. Their lack of trust for one another rightfully adds to the tension between them, but “Pressure and Time” and “Inside Man” may suggest Animal Kingdom has too many pots on the fire.

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The flashback sequences continue to serve Animal Kingdom incredibly well. The new 90s timeline gives Smurf’s next generation of Codys a chance to further themselves in the family business. Leila George has been a polarizing presence in her performance as Young Smurf, which first began in season 4. However, in four short episodes, the arrival of teenage Julia (Jasper Polish), Andrew (Kevin Csolak), and Baz (Darren Mann) have been incredible. Polish has done a phenomenal job in creating a lasting impact for a character that had a limited influence on the show. Until her on-screen arrival, the only thing Animal Kingdom had made clear about Julia is that she hated Smurf, and was an avid drug user, and seasons 5 and 6 have changed that.

Teenage Andrew "Pope" Cody (Kevin Csolak)

Polish’s performance as Julia paints her as a passionate, well-educated woman with big plans for her future. Animal Kingdom has had Polish smoking weed, but nothing much harder. It has also done meaningful work in planting the animosity between Julia and Smurf, which initially began with the even younger Julia in season 5. Eventually, Animal Kingdom will have to answer when and why Julia's life took such a detrimental turn. Given the rocky relationship she has with so many members of her family, it’s not difficult to see where it may come into play. The likely scenario will have something to do with being pregnant with J, and how Baz, Smurf, and even Andrew respond to it.

Arguably, given that there is no template for Polish’s character, she has a bit more freedom in what she can do with the role. Both Csolak and Mann are working with characters who have been beautifully established by Shawn Hatosy and Scott Speedman. The influence of both Hatosy and Speedman on the performances of Csolak and Mann are not hard to miss. In four episodes, Csolak has done a phenomenal job at mirroring Hatosy’s mannerisms, the intensity of his stare, and the inquisitive nature of a character like Pope. With Speedman’s early departure from Animal Kingdom, Mann has a little less to work with, but does exceptionally well. Mann channels the flirtatious nature of Speedman’s performance along with his dutiful attitude to expand upon Baz’s background. With these three characters working together, Animal Kingdom begins to paint a concise picture of why the series began as it did.

Deran Cody (Jake Weary) drinks from coffee mug

It’s impossible to mention stellar performances in “Pressure and Time” and “Inside Man” without mentioning Jake Weary and Ben Robson. Deran has had an unfathomable number of ups and downs throughout Animal Kingdom, and like his brothers, Deran learned to avoid having to confront his feelings. Craig has had an equal share of troubles, most of which he has brought on himself. Weary and Robson have always had fantastic chemistry together, personifying a truly organic brotherly relationship. However, Animal Kingdom’s final season has put them to the test and its subtle innuendos suggest they may never recover from what’s to come.

One of the focal plot lines of both “Pressure and Time” and “Inside Man” is the next job the Codys want to pull. J proposes jacking a jewelry aficionado named Eddie, who recently paid them 80 grand for stolen blue diamonds. J notices a rift between Eddie and his half-brother and suggests the brothers use him to gain an advantage. Deran poses the question of whether a brother would turn so easily on another, and while the focus is on the job, the question is clearly personal. With the growing animosity between Deran and Craig, an implosion grows closer and closer. Deran’s lack of support for Craig’s sobriety and Craig’s distance from the family is already trickling into the family operations, quickly raising the alarm of J and Pope.

Animal Kingdom isn’t immune to family conflict and has built a significant portion of its series around it. Miraculously, the Codys have always found a common ground to stand on in the end, but without Smurf there to corral them for common interest, they may all find it best to create their separate endeavors. “Pressure and Time” and “Inside Man” certainly plant the seeds for that, as does a chunk of Animal Kingdom’s fifth season. However, it’s clear that when the Codys work together, they are at their strongest. Whether the wave of problems ready to crash down on them will bring them closer together or wipe them out, can only be answered in the weeks to come.

Animal Kingdom seasons 1-5 are now streaming on Amazon Prime.

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