TNT’s Animal Kingdom
Season 3, Episode 2: “In the Red”
Directed by David Rodriguez
Written by Eliza Clark

* For a recap & review of the Season 3 premiere, “The Killing” – click here
* For a recap  & review of the next episode, “The Center Will Hold” – click here
The Cody Gang rides again. They’re stealing sports cars from a dealership, in their usual semi-high tech way. They’re the most modern sort of thieves. They manage to get three vehicles out before any police turn up. Then it’s on to the freeway.
Afterwards, we see it’s actually Deran (Jake Weary) running his own little job. Seems he’s doing things outside the family to get ahead. Meanwhile, J (Finn Cole) is trying to keep the family afloat, from the house and the pool to the rental properties. Bottom line— not enough cash coming in, too much going out. A typical Cody family problem. Elsewhere, living their own lives, Craig (Ben Robson) and Renn (Christina Ochoa) are lounging by the ocean, showering outside, drinking and partying in general.
And then there’s Smurf (Ellen Barkin), whose existence in jail is a far, far cry from what she’s used to at home. She can’t even sleep without hearing her cellmate piss. Not the lap of luxury she built for herself through years of crime.
Some tuneage in Deran’s bar, right here.
Pope (Shawn Hatosy) is continuing to take care of Lena (Aamya Deva Keroles). The little girl’s stranded in life, an orphan. It’s extra sad because the man taking care of her killed her mother. On top of that, Pope’s just another extension of the life Lena’s father was living, an extra dangerous extension. Such a tragic case, in every way imaginable.
We see Deran and Adrian (Spencer Treat Clark) getting closer again. They spend the night together at the bar. They fuck. They wake up for breakfast. That’s when Adrian reveals he can’t surf competitively anymore and has to go back to college. Despite any possible problems, they’re cute.
There’s a lot of shit going down for J. He has too many bills, not enough cash. Lawyer Morgan (Laura San Giacomo) talks with him about options. Right now, if the bills stop getting paid, the feds and the district attorney will know there’s illegal shit going down with Smurf. So, a “private sale” between the Cody family and Morgan herself could solve their problems. J hasn’t decided yet.
Pope meets with Lucy (Carolina Guerra). She brings him information – which cost her a pretty penny – about Baz’s killing, including that there were no witnesses nearby, among other things. She’s playing a useful role, but it’s never easy to tell what Pope’s intentions are ultimately. He’s too worried about Lena being bullied at school to know what to do about the rest of his fucked up life at the moment.

“You know you shouldn’t be scared of wolves…”

Smurf is playing the role of “just someone‘s grandma” in jail. She doesn’t want to get any more dirt on her. But a fellow inmate wants to get at a score she pulled with her shitty man, so he doesn’t get it first. Hopefully she doesn’t cause too much trouble for our bad ass granny. Could get nasty. Smurf gets a visit from J later. She explains that the two of them are more alike than any of the rest of them. This is a way to get him to help pay off the people who require paying. Right outside, waiting for J, is Tina Trujillo (Yuly Mireles). And she wants money— now.
One of Deran’s boys got picked up by the cops. He goes to bail him out, then they head for a drive out to a cliff by the shore. Deran puts a gun to him, checking for a wire or any other suggestion his buddy might be compromised. He makes him get on the ground, face down. He tells him to forget they ever knew each other.
Afterwards, Deran goes to see Adrian. He wants to sponsor him, help him go compete again. Because he feels Adrian has the talent. Of course, Adrian’s got reservations about taking Cody money. That’s why Deran assures him he’s his own man, making his own money. Even if it’s no more legal than running robberies with his family.

During his party Craig gets a visit from some tough-looking dudes. They’ve brought him a “gift.” It’s a big pack of cocaine. They’re not impressed with him and his friends, how they’ve pretty much taken over the little town where they’re staying, bothering people with music and late night parties. Might cause some beef with the local gangs, if Craig’s not careful. He’s already taking a serious beating.
J has to cart Tina around with him. She isn’t leaving his side without the money they’re owed for helping Smurf out. J’s going over to see Dina (Karen Malina White)— the woman he and his mother knew well, he stashes money there in her bathroom. This is where Tina gets a bit of background info on the Cody family. We also discover she hasn’t had it easy, either. At all. Between it all, J gets his cash out to pay off the Trujillos. Then they have sex in the front seat of his SUV.
At home, J finds out from Nicky (Molly Gordon) there was a job done behind his back. He also has to deal with crabby uncle Pope and secretive Deran. It’s all a real awkward, tense situation. J confronts them about the car dealership job in LA. This does not sit well with Pope when he figures out it was Deran. The whole family is just a hot fucking mess. Money troubles, legal troubles. J tells them they have to pool their money, or else things are gonna get tough. Nobody has any left. So, they’ve got to do a big time job. Perfect time for Craig to get back— after all his shit’s been stolen.
Wow. Not sure the lads have ever been in such a down-and-out situation before. Although they’re great at digging themselves out of a hole. Won’t help things when Deran’s dad (Denis Leary) turns up soon! YIKES.
“The Center Will Hold” is next time.