Animal Kingdom Season 6 Episode 9 Review

gamerant.com:

This review contains spoilers for season 6 of Animal Kingdom. «Gethsemane,» the latest episode of TNT’s crime thriller, Animal Kingdom, embarks on an emotionally grueling journey that may spell the beginning of the end for the Cody family’s legacy. “Gethsemane” undoubtedly plants the focus on Pope (Shawn Hatosy), who delivers another stellar performance as the troubled eldest brother of the Cody family. Kevin Csolak’s portrayal of teenage Pope can’t be ignored in “Gethsemane” either, as both actors paint a depressing picture of how tethered Pope and his mother have always been.

Following the shocking demise of Smurf (Ellen Barkin) prior to Animal Kingdom’s season 4 finale, Barkin’s absence has been felt. Leila George who plays Smurf in Animal Kingdom’s flashbacks has done an incredible job in recreating Smurf’s flair, but in many of the present scenes, Smurf’s legacy continues to hover over the Cody boys like a dark cloud. “Gethsemane” serves as a painful reminder to the boys and viewers that despite her physical absence, Smurf’s claws are still very much attached to present events.

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The strongest part of “Gethsemane” is Pope and there are two scenes that cement this. The first is between Pope and Deran (Jake Weary) at the family home’s poolside. Pope brews over the events that are about to transpire, the guilt he is still harboring over Catherine’s death, and the trouble his undying loyalty to one member of his family continues to cause for the rest. Deran joins his side in a last-ditch effort to talk Pope off of any cliffs he’s contemplating, and to offer the brotherly support that only Deran has been able to extend to him. The pair reminisce on a few