Smurf is in a cage. That’s the big one. For two years, we watched Ellen Barkin’s Janine "Smurf" Cody rule the roost with a terrifying mix of maternal affection and cold-blooded manipulation. But when Animal Kingdom TV show season 3 kicked off, the queen was behind bars, and the kingdom was basically on fire. If you’ve been following the Codys since the pilot, you know they aren’t exactly "thrive under pressure" types unless someone is pointing a gun at them. Season 3 took that tension and dialed it up to a point where the show finally shed its "Point Break as a TV series" skin and became a genuine Greek tragedy set in Oceanside.
It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s sweaty.
The power vacuum left by Smurf’s incarceration is the engine of the season. Without her to cut the checks and plan the jobs, J, Baz, Pope, Craig, and Deran are forced to figure out who they actually are. Spoiler: most of them don't like the answer. The season doesn't just ask if they can survive without Smurf; it asks if they even deserve to.
The Baz Problem and the Fall of the Golden Boy
Let’s be real—Scott Speedman’s Baz was always the most "likable" Cody, mostly because he had the most charisma and seemed the most grounded. That illusion shattered pretty quickly. By the time we get into the meat of Animal Kingdom TV show season 3, Baz is dealing with the fallout of stealing Smurf’s hidden millions. He thought he was the new king. He thought he outplayed the master.
He was wrong.
The season 3 premiere is a gut-punch. It changes the trajectory of the entire series by removing a core pillar of the cast. While I won’t spoil the specific mechanics of his exit for the three people who haven't seen it yet, the ripple effect is what matters. Baz’s absence leaves a hole that the brothers try to fill with booze, drugs, and increasingly reckless heists. It also forces J—played with a chilling, blank-stare intensity by Finn Cole—to step up.
📖 Related: Why American Beauty by the Grateful Dead is Still the Gold Standard of Americana
J is the one to watch here. In the first two seasons, he was the observer. In season 3, he becomes the architect. He’s the only one smart enough to realize that Smurf is still pulling strings from jail, and he’s the only one cold enough to pull back.
Oceanside is Not a Playground Anymore
The setting of Oceanside, California, has always been a character in the show. In the earlier episodes, it felt like a sun-drenched playground for criminals. In Animal Kingdom TV show season 3, it starts to feel like a trap. The cinematography shifts slightly; the sun feels harsher, the shadows deeper. We see the brothers trying to run the "legit" side of the business—the bars, the real estate—and failing miserably because they can’t stop being predators.
Deran (Jake Weary) is arguably the soul of this season. His attempt to build a life with Adrian while keeping his family at arm’s length is the most human element of the show. You want him to win. You want him to take his bar and just leave. But the Cody name is a lead weight. Every time he tries to swim to the surface, Smurf or Pope drags him back down. It’s a recurring theme in Southern California noir—the idea that the surf and the sand are just a thin veil over a very dark reality.
Pope is the Wild Card We Can't Look Away From
Shawn Hatosy’s performance as Pope is, frankly, one of the most underrated things on television. In season 3, Pope is unraveling. He’s mourning Baz in his own twisted way, dealing with the guilt of his past, and trying to be a father figure to Lena. It’s heartbreaking and terrifying. There’s a scene involving a simple task—taking care of the house—where you can see the literal vibration of his anxiety.
He’s the family’s muscle, but in this season, his muscles are useless against the psychological warfare Smurf is waging from her cell. She knows exactly which buttons to press to keep him loyal, even when he hates her. It’s a masterclass in toxic family dynamics.
👉 See also: Why October London Make Me Wanna Is the Soul Revival We Actually Needed
The Jobs are Bigger, but the Stakes are Personal
We have to talk about the heists. People watch Animal Kingdom TV show season 3 for the adrenaline, and it delivers. From the surfboard heist to the high-stakes robbery at the luxury camp, the choreography of these sequences is top-tier. But notice the shift in why they are doing them.
- Desperation: They need the money because Smurf’s assets are frozen or stolen.
- Validation: They want to prove they can do it without "Mommy."
- Distraction: If they aren't moving, they have to think about their lives.
The jobs feel more dangerous because the brothers aren't a cohesive unit anymore. Craig is spiraling, Pope is dissociating, and J is playing a different game entirely. When they are in the middle of a job, you aren't just worried about the cops; you're worried they’re going to kill each other.
Smurf’s Long Game from a Short Cell
Smurf in a jumpsuit is a different kind of monster. She’s vulnerable, which makes her twice as dangerous. She uses the jail system like a chess board, making alliances and manipulating the boys through her visitors' glass. This season introduces us to Billy, played by Denis Leary. Billy is Deran’s father, a drifter, and a junkie who represents everything the Codys could become if they lose their edge.
Leary brings a frantic, greasy energy to the show that contrasts perfectly with the brothers’ stoicism. He’s a parasite, and his presence highlights how much Smurf actually protected her sons from "lower-tier" losers, even if she was destroying them in her own way.
Why Season 3 is the Peak of the Series
A lot of fans argue about which season is best. For my money, Animal Kingdom TV show season 3 is the winner. It’s the bridge between the "heist of the week" era and the deep, dark character study the show eventually became. It’s the season where J stops being a victim and starts being a villain—or a hero, depending on how much you hate Smurf.
✨ Don't miss: How to Watch The Wolf and the Lion Without Getting Lost in the Wild
The writing in season 3 doesn't hold your hand. It assumes you've been paying attention to the subtle cues since season 1. It pays off long-standing grievances. When the brothers finally confront Smurf about her secrets, it feels earned. It’s not just "TV drama"; it’s the sound of a family foundation cracking in real-time.
Key Takeaways for Your Next Rewatch
If you’re diving back into the show, keep an eye on these specific threads:
- J’s Eyes: Notice how often J is looking at Smurf’s house as a prize rather than a home. His transition is subtle but absolute.
- The Sound Design: The use of ambient noise—the ocean, the wind, the buzzing of the jail lights—intensifies the feeling of claustrophobia.
- The Clothing: As the season progresses, the brothers look more disheveled. The "cool" surf aesthetic is replaced by the look of men who haven't slept in a week.
Animal Kingdom TV show season 3 is about the loss of innocence—if any of these people were ever innocent to begin with. It’s about the realization that you can’t escape your bloodline, no matter how fast you ride or how deep you dive.
To get the most out of this season, watch it in a block. The pacing is designed to build a sense of mounting dread that pays off in a finale that leaves the family permanently changed. Pay close attention to the power shifts in the final three episodes; they set the stage for everything that happens in the final seasons of the show. Look for the moments where J stops asking for permission and starts taking what he thinks is his. That’s the real story of the Codys.
Actionable Next Steps
- Watch the "Pilot" and the Season 3 Finale back-to-back: You will be shocked at the character evolution of J and Pope. It’s like watching two different shows.
- Follow the money: Map out who actually has the cash at the end of season 3. It’s the key to understanding the betrayals in season 4.
- Check out the original film: If you haven't seen the 2010 Australian film that inspired the show, watch it. It gives you a different perspective on the "Smurf" character and how Ellen Barkin evolved the role for American TV.