This review contains spoilers for season 6 of Animal Kingdom.“Incognito,” the newest episode of TNT’sAnimal Kingdomis filled with a little bit of everything. Following last week’s action-packed and highly suspenseful heist, the crime thriller pulls back on the action but delivers a number of meaningful moments. “Incognito” also includes a splash of romance, a few unexpected but much-needed reconciliations, and a discovery that has the potential to have everything come crashing down on the Codys – or at least Pope (Shawn Hatosy).
The latest episode ofAnimal Kingdomdoesn’t comment on the heist the boys pulled last week and instead, prioritizes some of the subplots that have begun to fester overAnimal Kingdom’sfinal season thus far. After the roller coaster of emotions between Deran (Jake Weary) and Craig (Ben Robson), the two are brought back together under unfortunate circumstances, while J (Finn Cole) continues to ignore Pope’s advice. On the other hand, Pope has a reconciliation of his own that may spell out trouble for him in the near future. Where “Incognito” is most impressive, is in its ability to use the theme of hidden identity in so many places throughout the episode.
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Animal Kingdom’streatment of Pope has been a fascinating development from the series' first season. He has always been treated like an animal his family fears will suddenly turn rabid. Pope’s quirks only make his family increasingly wary of him, butAnimal Kingdomhas used Pope’s behaviorto deliver suspense and some interesting twists, including the series' latest threat. Pope’s obsessive organizational skills have allowed him to discover that someone has been poking around inside their home, and his suspicions will likely fall onto Taylor, who was staying in the Cody garage. Given their connections and experience in dealing with things like this, the Codys will inevitably discover the detective’s ploy and the case she’s building against Pope that threatens their entire base of operations.
With the title “Incognito,” theAnimal Kingdomepisode uses the term to refer to several things the series has set in motion. Within the episode, the literal use of the term refers to Detective Louise Thompson (Moran Atias), who is investigating Catherine’s murder. Thompsonhas used a number of ploysto try and discover Pope’s connection to Catherine’s murder but has kept herself at a distance. In “Incognito,” she decides to investigate Pope firsthand and disguises herself as Taylor’s mother. Her odd reappearance at the end of Pope’s date raises his suspicions, meaning Pope is likely to set his sights on Taylor inAnimal Kingdom’sfollowing episodes.
Another facet of the “Incognito” title is explored through J. ThroughoutAnimal Kingdom’sfinal season, Pope has repeatedly warned J about his relationship with Penny (Stevie Lynn Jones) and her limited knowledge of what they do. Given the nature of the Cody family’s business, much like his uncles, J is forced to hide a part of himself from others. In his romantic entanglement with Penny, J is forced to hide the gritty side of his business despite making efforts to make it legitimate. In “Incognito,” it doesn’t work entirely in his favor but J does begin to reveal some truth about what he actually does. Penny has picked up on the fact that what J and his uncles do isn’t entirely legal, but doesn’t appear to push to hard – for now.
The final layer of the “Incognito” titleis within the flashbacksthat have given glimpses into the Cody family’s original operation. Julia and Baz have begun to explore their relationship on a physical level and the shift in their dynamic has come to Smurf’s attention. Baz’s frequent fatigue and distraction in planning jobs, and Julia’s wish to have Baz at her side at all times, are all clues Smurf uses to inquire about the nature of their relationship. Naturally, both teens think they have been discreet at hiding their affections, thoughAnimal Kingdomhas taught that there is very little Smurf ever manages to miss.
What these layers of “Incognito” have in common is that each of them ultimately fails. Smurf is onto Baz and Julia’s budding relationship and given her hostility toward Julia, it’s unlikely she’ll side with her when the inevitable rift comes. Penny isone of the most intelligent partnersJ has had throughoutAnimal Kingdom,meaning she can pick up on the blanks J refuses to fill in about his business. Finally, Thompson thinks she is closing in on Pope for Catherine’s murder, but she has placed herself in a very dangerous game of cat and mouse instead. The careless clues she has left behind in moving Pope’s cereal boxes and now meeting him face-to-face does not bode well for either character in the future.
Aside from the multi-faceted ways the episode title ties into the episode itself, “Incognito” hasseveral subplots that experience some form of development. After a violent falling out last week, Deran and Craig are reunited under the stress of Craig’s son being kidnaped. In finding himself in such a tough spot, it’s very telling that even with the tension surrounding their relationship as of late, Craig still went to Deran for help. He refuses to call J, he won’t ask Pope, and doesn’t consider going to Vince, but instead asks the brother who has always stuck by his side. During the rescue, Deran even takes several bullets (to the bulletproof vest) for Craig, leaving him with several painful reminders ofhis latest sacrifice for his family. Deran’s emotional struggles that none of his family seems to notice could also be seen as a subtle layer of the “Incognito” title.
