‘Animal Kingdom’ season 2, episode 8: Baz against Smurf

Photo Credit: Animal Kingdom/TNT Image Acquired from Turner Press

‘Animal Kingdom’ had Pope collide with the cops at the Church while Baz made a startling discovery about Smurf and her money.

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Animal Kingdom examined its characters mindsets a bit past the midpoint of Season 2. After the shocking turn of events with Javi, each character had his or her own agenda to fulfill. Baz made several discoveries this episode while Pope undertook a dangerous mission to clear his name. Without waiting any longer, here is the official spoiler alert for Animal Kingdom Season 2, Episode 8 “Grace.”

Animal Kingdom showed a restless Pope (Shawn Hatosy). He feared that the police would catch on to his involvement in the robbery as well as his murder of Cat. Smurf (Ellen Barkin) told him that he had nothing to fear while Baz (Scott Speedman) similarly allayed his fears. However, Pope became uncomfortable when two detectives pulled Amy (Jennifer Landon) away from her Bible study to speak with her.

Craig (Ben Robson) took steps to secure his yacht job with Deran (Jake Weary). Nikki (Molly Gordon) explained her desire to participate in the job to Craig’s enjoyment. Meanwhile, Deran engaged in sexual relations with the leader of the business board who wanted Deran to pay his membership fees. He also lectured Deran on the importance of organization and insurance. Nonetheless, the two remained on friendly terms.

Photo Credit: Turner Press

The detectives searched for an ex-convict named Leon. Amy asked Pope to help convince Leon to speak to the cops to avoid any accusation of the robbery. Pope spoke to Leon, who admitted that he started doing drugs again, an act which violated his parole. Pope gave Leon a solution that allowed him to keep his parole along with speaking to the cops. On the other hand, Smurf taught J (Finn Cole) how to make bullets that could not be traced on his clothes. Here, she explained to him why she killed Javi and the importance of using others to execute your mission whenever possible.

Craig scouted out the ship at his new job. He made friends quickly with a waitress whom a drunken client harassed. She told him about the wealth that the clients possess on the boats where they work. Craig relayed this information to Deran, who was impressed at Craig’s motivation. As the brothers planned to approach Baz about the job, Deran reminded Craig how terrible it was for Smurf to tell the boys about Javi’s death because that information made them accessories to murder after the fact.

Photo Credit: Turner Press

After the cops searched Pope’s home, Pope planted the checks in Leon’s truck. The cops eventually found the checks as Amy voiced her disappointment in Leon to Pope, who cleared his family of any worries. Finally, Smurf made reparations to her boys. She paid the twenty thousand dollars each to show her gratitude for their help with Javi. She then offered to launder their money for future jobs. An idea that did not sit well with Baz due to his discovery before the meeting.

Baz experienced an uncomfortable time. Smurf confessed that she fell in love with Baz when she first saw him. Hence, she took him. Baz placed a tracker in Smurf’s purse afterwards to confirm his suspicion that Smurf has been skimming money from past jobs. Baz found out that his hunch was correct. Furthermore, his private investigator informed him that the police opened a confidential informant file on Cat. Therefore, the cops want to know her whereabouts due to her role in their operations. Baz told Pope this news and stated that he believed Smurf found out about the file and killed Cat.

Related Story: Animal Kingdom Recap: Smurf's Revenge

Animal Kingdom somehow gets better with each episode this season. The family dynamics become more complicated as well as the criminal activity in each episode. The action and drama are relentless. Baz seems prepared to fight with Smurf and his revelations in this episode can cause a permanent schism in the family. One problem is Baz’s trust in Pope, who seems caught in between Baz and Smurf as far as loyalty is concerned.

Animal Kingdom airs on Tuesdays at 9/8c on TNT. Be sure to tune in!