Ep 1. Eat What You Kill

In the season 2 premiere of Animal Kingdom, titled "Eat What You Kill," the Cody family is back and as dysfunctional as ever. After the shocking events of the season 1 finale, the Codys are trying to move on and establish new routines, but tensions are high and old habits die hard.

The episode begins with the matriarch of the family, Janine "Smurf" Cody, played by Ellen Barkin, being released from prison. Smurf wastes no time in jumping back into her role as the manipulative and controlling head of the family. She immediately calls a meeting with her four sons - Pope, Craig, Deran, and Baz - to update them on the status of the family business.

The family business, of course, is the illegal operation of a criminal empire. The Cody family makes their living through various illegal activities, including armed robbery, drug dealing, and other crimes. Smurf is the mastermind behind the operation, but each of her sons has a specific role to play.

As the meeting progresses, tensions run high between the brothers. Pope, played by Shawn Hatosy, is still reeling from the events of the season 1 finale and is struggling to come to terms with his emotions. Craig, played by Ben Robson, is concerned about his own role in the family business and wonders if he has what it takes to be a leader. Deran, played by Jake Weary, is trying to navigate his sexuality and his relationship with his on-again, off-again boyfriend Adrian. And Baz, played by Scott Speedman, is trying to balance his own family life with his loyalty to the Cody clan.

Meanwhile, J, played by Finn Cole, the newest member of the family, is trying to find his place within the hierarchy. J is Smurf's grandson and was recently taken under her wing after his mother died of a drug overdose. J is a smart and calculating young man, but he is still learning the ropes when it comes to the family business.

As the episode progresses, the Cody family is forced to deal with an unexpected threat to their business. They must work together to come up with a plan to protect their assets and fend off their enemies. The situation is complicated by the fact that they cannot involve the police or any other outside authorities, as that would expose their criminal activities.

Throughout the episode, we see the intricate dynamics of the Cody family play out. Each member has their own motivations and desires, and they all must work together to keep the family business afloat. There are betrayals, power struggles, and tender moments, all interwoven into a complex web of relationships.

The episode ends with a shocking twist that sets the stage for the rest of the season. The Cody family may have survived this particular crisis, but their troubles are far from over. As Smurf says, "We're gonna have to work harder, be smarter, and be more ruthless than ever before."

Overall, "Eat What You Kill" is an excellent start to season 2 of Animal Kingdom. It is tense, dramatic, and full of surprises. The characters are deeply flawed and complex, making them all the more interesting to watch. If you're a fan of gritty crime dramas with well-drawn characters and intricate plotlines, then this show is definitely worth watching.