Ep 4. Dead to Me

The episode Dead to Me from the first season of the Animal Kingdom series, is a rollercoaster of emotions for the fans and viewers, as the lives of the Cody family and their criminal enterprise come under threat.

The episode revolves around different storylines, but the main story arc is the aftermath of the events from the last episode. We see the Cody family dealing with Smurf's absence, searching for the person responsible for breaking into their home, and cleaning up the potential evidence that could lead the police back to them. The episode starts with the family members trying their best to keep their lives together without their matriarch Smurf's guidance.

J struggles to cope with the situation as he tries to adapt to the Cody lifestyle. He is still torn between his biological family and his newfound family, as he continues to fall for Nicky, one of the Cody boys' girlfriends. The episode also explores more about J's past with his mother, which gives clarity to his personality and the reason why he is so drawn to the Cody family.

Pope, on the other hand, is dealing with emotional and mental turmoil, as he juggles the weight of killing Catherine and hiding her body. The guilt is consuming him as he begins to see her face everywhere he goes, and it's affecting his relationship with his brothers and even his job as a mechanic.

Meanwhile, Craig and Deran are dealing with their personal issues, which distract them from the Cody's business. Deran is still struggling with his sexuality and questioning whether or not coming out is the right thing to do, while Craig is struggling with substance abuse, an issue that has been a part of his personality since childhood.

The main plot of the episode is the discovery of a new lead on the case that the family believed they had resolved after Catherine's death. The family believed that Catherine was the only one who was a threat to them, but now they realize that there is another person who knows too much about their operation.

The episode plays out like a crime drama with the family members working together to find the person responsible for the break-in and eliminate the threat. They dive deeper into their operations, and that's when we see how integral each member is to their criminal network. They put their resources, skills, and most importantly, their trust in each other to resolve the problem and uphold their reputation, which is threatened by this new development.

The title of the episode, Dead to Me, is indicative of the many ways it plays out in the episode. Each character is dealing with their own ghosts, whether it's past relationships, their own actions, or secrets they were forced to keep. It's also indicative of the family dynamic and the code they live by, which dictates that they put their family first, above everything and everyone else.

Overall, season one, episode four of Animal Kingdom, Dead to Me, is a thrilling, intriguing episode that keeps viewers at the edge of their seats. With its excellent pacing, complex characters, and a riveting storyline, it proves to be one of the most exciting episodes in the series. It sets the pace for the rest of the season, leading to an explosive finale that will leave viewers wanting more.