It's desperate times for everyone in the Cody extended family.

The family continued to slowly come apart at the seams on Animal Kingdom Season 3 Episode 5, and there is not much anyone can do about it.

It's clear as day to both Pope and J, but much of what's happening is out of their control. The family needs Smurf back home so she can hold things together, but the chances of that happening anytime soon are almost nil.

It always amazes me when young kids think they know so much when they really know so little. 

He has no idea that Pearce knows about the pill mill job, but that's no excuse for him to have been so careless after losing the tail. He should have waited a few more days before trying to launder the money. 

It would have been safer to wait, but kids have no patience, and J just put a huge chink in the Codys' armor by moving too fast.

It's only a matter of time before the Codys fall. Pearce can taste the blood.

Related: Get HBO via Prime Video Channels for Addictive Dramas, Hilarious Comedies & Hit Movies!

It's weird to think that I'm rooting for a family so immersed in criminal activity, but I can't help it. I want the Codys to survive.

I want Pope to take Lena and get out of Dodge. I want Deran to break free and go his own way. I want J (and even Nicky) to get through it without any more drama.

Heck, I even want Craig to be okay even though he's as hopeless and helpless as a feather on a cloud.

Smurf created the monster that is her family, and she should be the one to pay, but somehow I get the feeling that she might be the one who will come out with the least amount of bruises.

The more I see things starting to unravel, the more hatred I have for her at how she has screwed up everyone's life -- including J's.

None of them deserve it, and anyone who can't feel sorry for any of them is a fool.

J's mom knew the score and tried to protect her kid from the insanity, but she couldn't hold it together. She wasn't a perfect mom by any means, but at least she broke away.

Unfortunately, she made poor choices, and her kid is suffering for it. 

I'm not sure what compelled J to take the reins from Smurf. She manipulated him, and I wish he would've told her to go to hell. 

But he's young, and she stroked his ego, and here we are.

Related: Animal Kingdom Season 3 Episode 4 Review: Wolves

I'm dying to know what Nicky and Billy talked about when he invited her to have a seat. I'm hoping that he didn't introduce her to heroin.

How crappy for J if she overdoses on the same drug that killed his mother.

I'm also wondering if Nicky spilled all her secrets to him the same as she did with Mia. 

The look between Billy and Mia was fierce. There's a story there. He knows something, and so does she. 

Billy isn't there for any good purpose, but wouldn't it be great if he took on Mia and saved the Codys from whatever craziness she has planned?

There's something about Mia, and it isn't pretty. Pope needs to get her out of there and fast.

But Pope has his own problems.

It hit him hard when he found out what Lena did to the other girl. He's trying his best to make life as normal as possible for Lena, but it isn't working.

Related: Get Cinemax via Prime Video Channels for Hit Movies & Series that Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat!

Lena does need therapy. She's been through too much, but it's not surprising that Pope wouldn't think to send her to counseling. 

It's such a foreign concept to him, but Pope will do whatever it takes to help Lena. It won't be surprising if he actually does take her to see someone.

Maybe he'll join her and heal some of his wounds.

But he needs to get out of the fire before he gets even more burned. 

He's not going to jump ship just yet, though.

He still wants to fight for the family, and he will. Unfortunately, if he does, it may spell his doom.

It's starting to get ugly, and the walls are closing in fast. Not everyone is going to make it out alive. Not gonna happen.

Pope better not die. That's all I gotta say.

Over to you. 

What did you think of "Prey"? 

Did you feel for Nicky when she got rejected by her dad? Will her and J make it?

Did Nicky and Billy have an in-depth talk? Did she spill more secrets?

Will Billy end up being the savior of the Codys?

Will Pope get out alive?

Hit the comments and share your thoughts!

If you need to catch up, you can watch Animal Kingdom online right here via TV Fanatic!