Animal Kingdom Season 4 Episode 11 Review: Julia
Lisa Babick
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My heart broke into a million pieces. And I cried.
I blame Shawn Hatosy (who directed this episode) and the Animal Kingdom writers for that.
But I mostly blame Leila George and Grant Harvey for bringing so much chemistry and life to their portrayals of young Smurf and Colin that I couldn't help but fall in love with the couple.
Smurf and Colin should have lasted forever.
As soon as Manny walked through the kitchen doors on Animal Kingdom Season 4 Episode 11, I knew we were being set up for something bad.
And we knew Colin's death was inevitible. But, damn, I wish it wasn't so.
You have to wonder if Smurf is carrying around loads of guilt for her part in Colin's death.
If she hadn't tried to get the boys back together, there wouldn't have been an armed truck robbery, and Colin might still be alive.
Smurf was so excited and proud when she heard on the radio that the armed robbery was a success.
I was fully expecting something to happen at that moment, but it didn't.
I even thought Manny was going to kill Colin back at the house because the vibe was right.
Related: Animal Kingdom Season 4 Episode 10 Review: Exit Strategy
So, when it finally did happen during a simple trip to a convenience store, that made it all the more heartbreaking because it was so unexpected.
It was made even worse because it seemed like the gang was going to get away without any problems despite the intensity of the shootout.
Smurf was so shocked and devastated. The love of her life was gone in a flash.
What were the chances a bullet would strike his femoral artery? I mean, seriously?
It's true; Colin was to blame, but he was protecting his girl and his kid. This whole family situation was new to him, and he believed that was the best way to go about it.
Related: Animal Kingdom Season 4 Episode 9 Review: Shtf
He wanted to have a happy, normal life for Janine and Andrew. It just didn't turn out that way.
And when that bastard Manny kicked her out of the car, I wished she would've shot him and Jake both.
At least Jake stood up for her.
It was surprising she went to Jed for help. Watching him bury Colin and the car was a horrible sight, and I have to wonder what will happen between the two of them now.
But my theory that the robbery at Jed's place will be Smurf's last stand makes even more sense.
Is there any other place she would want to die than where the love of her life is buried?
Related: Animal Kingdom Season 4 Episode 8 Review: Ambo
Now, I have a question for all of you because I might be hearing things. I did ask Shawn Hatosy, and he said the other guys didn't call Colin "Pope," but after watching the screener a second time, I could swear Jake did.
Am I out of my mind?
Either way, we know now that Janine honored Colin by naming Pope "Andrew" as he wanted. How Pope came to be called Pope is still a mystery.
Another mystery is anything related to Julia -- at least as far as young Janine and Colin are concerned.
Angela finally fessed up to being a con, and that just makes me hate her even more.
We also know that Angela is important to Pope because she was his sister's friend, and her honesty reminds him of Julia.
Related: Animal Kingdom Season 4 Episode 1 Review: Janine
He also feels he can save her the way he couldn't with Julia.
That is why he's tolerating all this crap with Angela and why it doesn't appear she's going to leave the Codys' lives anytime soon.
That wench threw J under the bus when she told Pope he was the one who took her to the taco truck.
She knew exactly what she was doing, which was proven when she confronted J later.
What's bothersome is that Pope is more appalled by J lying than he is about Angela being a scam artist.
J is Julia's son, and J should be the one Pope holds in high regard -- not Angela.
However, J also put himself in a more dubious position because he agreed to talk with Frankie.
So now, not only does he have Pope as an enemy, he's going to have Craig as one, too.
And since Deran already hates him, J has no one but Smurf.
J's only hope is that she goes to Smurf about Frankie's proposal. And, frankly, that's the only way a new job with Frankie will get done.
But I'm going back to my original theory that Smurf has no intentions of going back from Jed's farm.
So, even if Smurf approves Frankie's job and ends up dying at the robbery, there's no guarantee the other boys will follow through.
Related: Animal Kingdom Season 4 Episode 2 Review: Angela
Does that mean it will become a battle between J and the rest of the Codys? There's no way in hell J could win that one.
It may turn out that the only battle will be between Pope and J.
Deran may never return after he gets Adrian out of the country.
Craig could decide he's done with the gangster life for the sake of his kid.
It's hard to say, but it's very intriguing.
Over to you!
What did you think of "Julia"?
Were you surprised how Colin died? Did you cry, too?
Do you think Smurf's intention is to die where Colin is buried?
Will Deran return? Will Craig give up the life?
Related: Animal Kingdom Season 4 Episode 3 Review: Tank
Will Pope really get rid of J?
Hit the comments and share your thoughts!
If you want to relive the heartbreak, you can watch Animal Kingdom online right here via TV Fanatic!
