Posted in: Preview, Review, TNT, Trailer, TV | Tagged: angela, animal kingdom, bleeding cool, cable, codys, crime, drama, ellen barkin, episode 7, J, know thy enemy, pope, preview, Review, season 4, Smurf, streaming, surfing, television, thriller, tnt, tv

"Animal Kingdom" Season 4 Episode 7 "Know Thy Enemy": Interesting Build Up, One Pet Peeve [SPOILER REVIEW]

Now this was an interesting episode of TNT's Animal Kingdom, though "Know Thy Enemy" kind of felt like it's really just setting up the big heist in next week's episode. Still, that doesn't mean that things didn't happen… this is the Codys we're talking about, after all. So let's start at the beginning, shall we? As always… MAJOR SPOILERS ahead:

Right out of the gate, Adrian finally came clean to Deran – after he killed a friend to protect the fact that Adrian was the narc and the one talking to the Feds. Great timing, sweet little cinnamon bun who's in over his head. And now Deran is all twisted up about everything because of all of that. Needless to say, that puts a little stress on on their relationship and I don't think anyone knows where they stand.

J starts helping his friend's mom (well, the mom of the classmate he's hooking up with – same thing, right?) prep for a music festival, and he's totally after some big marks – the sound and lighting consoles.

SIDE NOTE: They keep using "sound board," but it's not a term that anyone actually uses, especially not people who actually work in live production. Also – sound consoles being "between 10 and 75k?" Cute. Try up to a million. Tiny little peeve, but I suppose not every little detail is really perfect when it comes to a cable TV show about hot men stealing expensive things and frequently being ripped and shirtless… even Animal Kingdom.

J asks for Smurf's blessing for the job, which she seems to give, as long as she gets her cut. She sets him up a meeting with her fence, and he snakes that connection from her for himself by letting slip that she has cancer. Oopsie!

So, with their next heist idea being worked out, let's dig into the drama! Smurf is dying and Angela is pretty much the only one outwardly freaking out about it…well, she's really all concerned about where Smurf's money is going. Bleh. Really, Angela is just good for riling everyone up about Smurf's impending future of being a cancer-ridden health burden for the boys to deal with, and they are so not prepared.

Supposedly Smurf is keeping Angela around because she keeps Pope calm. Oh, joy. Speaking of people keeping calm, 70s Janine is anything but. It seems their action-filled bank robbing life has taken a turn for the domestic when Jake's girlfriend and her son suddenly ended up sharing a lake-side house for a spell. It's weird and I 100% agree with Janine: I don't trust Pam or anything that results in staying in one place for too long. Don't get comfortable, you're bank robbers!

Speaking of getting comfortable, Angela gets too comfortable and invites an old friend over and it turns out she's a lying hussy! (shocking!). Seems like J isn't the only one who wandered back into Smurf's life with a vendetta and a secret agenda.

The boys settle on getting an ambulance for a quick getaway and easy cover, which is a stroke of genius. Of course, it could be because I love a man in uniform – hey, medic uniforms count too! I can't wait to see how this whole "chronic dread fest" heist thing shakes out – take that, hipster music festivals!

Wrapping everything up, back in the 70s, it looks like Smurf was totally vindicated in not trusting Jake's girlfriend – she stole their money and the van and left in the middle of the night. That bitch…and yet, they should have listened to Smurf.

On the theme of women up and leaving, Ren picks up and leaves Craig's house, leaving a note thanking him for everything. Guess the whole idea of being a drug dealer while raising a baby finally sunk in. Bet she's going to leave the life and realize she's in love with Craig and raise the baby with him and they live happily ever after!

Smurf buys a small arsenal without telling the boys and Adrian packs up his stuff and Pope is still in the dark as to who exactly the narc was. Craig is twisted up, Pope is conflicted as hell, and Deran is completely spinning out.

I mean, Deran just found out that his boyfriend has been lying to him for months and now has no idea what to believe. Of course, now he's trying to keep the truth from his family, because you know that Pope will cap Adrian's ass without hesitation. Well, more accurately he'd probably beat his pretty face to a bloody pulp, murdering him in the process, but still.

And to end it all, Smurf and her secret guns jack a car from the airport and drive off into the night. Oooohhhh, a set up for next week's episode! I can't wait for next week's episode of Animal Kingdom "Ambo"… is it Tuesday yet?!?

Animal Kingdom season 4, episode 8 "Ambo": The Codys head out for a big job, even though Smurf (Ellen Barkin) is nowhere to be found. All eyes are on J (Finn Cole) as he assumes a leadership position in a risky heist. Directed by David Rodriguez and written by Bradley Paul.

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